Used Car Dealers

[oldnbold]

irish boy said:

Emailed a guy about a corolla gti twin cam rwd on car and classic with no milage given in the add. Email was polite and asked for the miles....got one back stating a GENUINE buyer was coming on saturday with the full asking price. Still don't know the miles. Good luck to him.......

Well I can guess its high then.

Rightly or wrongly most dealers do not generally respond to email very well, a theme that constantly comes up.

Perhaps I can explain why. I started in the trade at a main dealer at 49, having moved from management roles into sales roles a few years earlier in another industry and then made redundant.

As a new keen new car salesman I answered every email that came in while my colleagues generally ignored them. After a few months I figured it out. For every 30 odd emails I would reply to I sold about 1 car as a result. For every 10 phone calls I took I would sell 1 or 2 cars, but every 3rd or 4th person I spoke to who walked in the door I would sell a car to.

So while I was out on the pitch looking through the glove box for the service history and then sat at my computer with my head down diligently replying to an email, the other salesmen were talking to customers face to face or test driving them and then making a sale.

I would say for every 10 emails I replied to only 1 or 2 would actually come back to me, even if I sent a follow up email a couple of days later.

So in an industry that is very heavily commission driven as far as sales is concerned, the sales team rightly or wrongly gravitate to the area that gives the most success. ie phone calls or walk in's

When I started looking more closly at the emails, a lot were sent late at night by people obviously bored and dreaming of a new car whilst sifting through autotrader.

So rightly or wrongly if you want info on a car, ring or call in. I know that will be annoying to many but until the trade changes the way it rewards salesmen I dont think it will change.

[ThePlanner]

Fast Bug said:

oldnbold said:

ThePlanner said:

25 years in the trade and you come across on here that you treat the punter with complete disrespect.

Respect works both ways chap.

I always treat people with the utmost respect - until they give me reason to do otherwise. Incidently I didn't spend 25 years in the trade, I just did it as a stop gap for 3 years, and then was fortunate enough to be able to retire last year at 52.

Your the one who came on here posting what a fool the dealer was for not giving a discount. You had no idea what his motive or situation with the car was, and through out this thread you appear not to have taken in a single word that has been said to explain possible scenarios for his reluctance to discount, indeed situations that all motor trade businesses find themselves in from time to time.

I've always found that if you treat people with respect you normally get it back.

You should try it sometime.

Well that just saved my typing out a reply

I came here asking for inside info on margins are car that tight on used cars. I did not waste any of the dealers time on the car didnt even go out for a test drive. I am simple i dont do bullst and i can not stand sales bks.

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

[oldnbold]

PGNTuscan said:

ahem...that was me actually calling the dealer a fool, not the OP. OldnBold, you seem like a good, equanimous chap as it goes. Daemon is a different beast so to speak.

Anyway, as it turns out, ThePlanner is getting the car he wants, with less miles, for a better price. Seems like the dealer might well have been a fool in this instance.

I stand corrected on the first use of the word "fool". However, the OP's inferance was that the dealer was a fool for not bitting his hand off in order to shift the car.

I'm glad that Theplanner is now sorted but I still don't think that makes the dealer a fool.

Just as there is always another car out there, there is also always another customer out there. However that said its often better to take the deal on the table than wait for another, but that call is the dealers and with out any knowledge of his business reasons none of us can give an acurate judgement.

PS I have just re read ThePlanners first post where he says that he was looking at 2 cars and neither dealer would shift on price. Surley not 2 fools selling Scoobys in the country.

Edited by oldnbold on Friday 11th October 17:45

[Wills2]

I've noted all the threads that start with "bloody dealer won't do a deal/ring me back/just ignored me etc..." end with the OP at some point stating that they got a better car elsewhere for less money, so should they all be thanking the 1st dealer?

I do worry about some people, buying a car is quite an easy thing to do afterall....

[oldnbold]

Wills2 said:

I've noted all the threads that start with "bloody dealer won't do a deal/ring me back/just ignored me etc..." end with the OP at some point stating that they got a better car elsewhere for less money, so should they all be thanking the 1st dealer?

I do worry about some people, buying a car is quite an easy thing to do afterall....

I think people get themselves all hyped up about how much discount they can get that when the dealers say "no thats the price" they feel like there manhood has been called into question.

[DickHerpes]

ThePlanner said:

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

Because you're a fking moron who doesn't know what he's talking about?

[buyer&seller]

DickHerpes said:

ThePlanner said:

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

Because you're a fking moron who doesn't know what he's talking about?

Priceless

[ThePlanner]

DickHerpes said:

ThePlanner said:

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

Because you're a fking moron who doesn't know what he's talking about?

Don't I . Wow insulting people over the internet. Mr tough man.

Like I give a st what u say.

Secondly asking a question about the motor trade implies I don't know the inner working of the industry. So I did not say I knew what I was talking about.

Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 11th October 19:07

[daemon]

ThePlanner said:

So i am the fool. Yep but why do many people hate car dealers. Think you dealers need to take a look at your selves why people rank you along estate agents, Tax inspectors, etc

Steve Singh said you were the fool - not me. It was your post that implied you believed that the difference between private and retail price was all profit. I merely related Steves post back to you as you were the person who said it.

A minority of people hate car dealers because they've most likely had what they feel is a bad experience OR moreoften they drive past the dealership a week later and see their trade in with a £2,000 markup and think the dealers making ££££s.

All of those professions you describe fall under the category of 'necessary evil'. Tax inspectors - well, they inspect tax returns, estate agents - well they get a 'cut' out of a house sale, and car salesmen - well, they're clearly making a fortune. None of them are there to win a popularity contest, they're there to do a job. If you dont like motor traders, then you dont have to use them.

I personally dont 'hate' anyone in those categories. I find if you're civil with people, they're civil with you. Maybe you should ponder that?

ThePlanner said:

But found another Car just been traded in at another dealer in the midland. picking it up next week for lower price even factoring in driving to see it today and driving back to pick it up next week. Same age, same colour, 2000 more miles. So i must be the fool for sticking to my guns thinking that the car was over priced.

Thats great and i'm sure you'll be able to prove all that once you have the car.

That in no way means the other car was overpriced. It simply means you got that one cheaper. Theres a difference.

ThePlanner said:

25 years in the trade and you come across on here that you treat the punter with complete disrespect.

Firstly, you're not 'the punter' to me. You're some bloke on an internet forum.

Secondly, i did nothing other than offer you constructive advice, if you check from the first page onwards. The only time i started to get arsey with you was when you got arsey with me (when you waded in about a response i made to someone who described the seller as an idiot)

[daemon]

PGNTuscan said:

ahem...that was me actually calling the dealer a fool, not the OP. OldnBold, you seem like a good, equanimous chap as it goes. Daemon is a different beast so to speak.

Why?

Because i've corrected your misconceptions and prejudices?

PGNTuscan said:

Anyway, as it turns out, ThePlanner is getting the car he wants, with less miles, for a better price. Seems like the dealer might well have been a fool in this instance.

That doesnt mean the dealer has been a fool. He wasnt prepared to drop his price. Maybe the other dealer is the fool for selling the car too cheap?

[daemon]

ThePlanner said:

I came here asking for inside info on margins are car that tight on used cars. I did not waste any of the dealers time on the car didnt even go out for a test drive. I am simple i dont do bullst and i can not stand sales bks.

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

You got all that info up front and in a constructive manner. The problem is, you didnt get the answers you wanted to hear.

You didnt get bullst - the guy said he wasnt discounting his price. We've explained possible reasons why, so whats your beef?

[ThePlanner]

Daemon, I think we will have to agree to disagree on opinions.

Yes you did offer some advice but from page 2 I descended into a verbal insult an giants me and a few other posters. The info you provided for reason why the dealer may want to hold out we're valid and fine I accept that.

At the end of the day found another car same spec for a price I was happy to pay. So I managed to find something after a 3 month search

[daemon]

oldnbold said:

PGNTuscan said:

ahem...that was me actually calling the dealer a fool, not the OP. OldnBold, you seem like a good, equanimous chap as it goes. Daemon is a different beast so to speak.

Anyway, as it turns out, ThePlanner is getting the car he wants, with less miles, for a better price. Seems like the dealer might well have been a fool in this instance.

I stand corrected on the first use of the word "fool". However, the OP's inferance was that the dealer was a fool for not bitting his hand off in order to shift the car.

I'm glad that Theplanner is now sorted but I still don't think that makes the dealer a fool.

Just as there is always another car out there, there is also always another customer out there. However that said its often better to take the deal on the table than wait for another, but that call is the dealers and with out any knowledge of his business reasons none of us can give an acurate judgement.

PS I have just re read ThePlanners first post where he says that he was looking at 2 cars and neither dealer would shift on price. Surley not 2 fools selling Scoobys in the country.

Edited by oldnbold on Friday 11th October 17:45

+1

[daemon]

Wills2 said:

I've noted all the threads that start with "bloody dealer won't do a deal/ring me back/just ignored me etc..." end with the OP at some point stating that they got a better car elsewhere for less money, so should they all be thanking the 1st dealer?

I do worry about some people, buying a car is quite an easy thing to do afterall....

Aye its funny how they miraculously 'were ready to buy that day' but 'got a better deal eleswhere' yet still seem bitter about it.

[daemon]

ThePlanner said:

DickHerpes said:

ThePlanner said:

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

Because you're a fking moron who doesn't know what he's talking about?

Don't I . Wow insulting people over the internet. Mr tough man.

Like I give a st what u say.

Secondly asking a question about the motor trade implies I don't know the inner working of the industry. So I did not say I knew what I was talking about.

Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 11th October 19:07

And you got answers from the motor trade so whats your beef?

[daemon]

ThePlanner said:

Daemon, I think we will have to agree to disagree on opinions.

Yes you did offer some advice but from page 2 I descended into a verbal insult an giants me and a few other posters. The info you provided for reason why the dealer may want to hold out we're valid and fine I accept that.

At the end of the day found another car same spec for a price I was happy to pay. So I managed to find something after a 3 month search

I didnt insult you. I responded to inaccuracies and prejudices from other posters. Something you felt you HAD to wade in on.

[ThePlanner]

daemon said:

ThePlanner said:

DickHerpes said:

ThePlanner said:

But you have reminded me why i stopped post on PH many years ago.

Because you're a fking moron who doesn't know what he's talking about?

Don't I . Wow insulting people over the internet. Mr tough man.

Like I give a st what u say.

Secondly asking a question about the motor trade implies I don't know the inner working of the industry. So I did not say I knew what I was talking about.

Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 11th October 19:07

And you got answers from the motor trade so whats your beef?

No at all

[chrisw666]

I don't understand this really.

With the resources of the internet and the way its possible to check prices with ease why (as in this case) if the car is too expensive you wouldn't look for a cheaper one or resign yourself to the fact that the price reflects value because there are no cheaper ones.

If you resign yourself to the fact they are no cheaper ones and can't afford the one that is on sale instead of being indignant about it and slagging people off for daring to make a living why not just suck it up.

Dealers use the web to check their prices and a good dealership adds value to the deal anyway. I understand its seen as the done thing to haggle but I've never entered into a negotiation to buy a car where I wasn't already happy with the price it was for sale at, from that point getting a good PX price or a few £ off is all it takes to make me really happy.

[oldnbold]

Right guys lets all kiss and make up shall we.

Some pointers for car buyers.

1. If you want some discount tell the salesman what you are willing to pay and be prepared to put a deposit down on the car there and then, and tell the salesman thats the case if he can deal at your price. You are giving him a huge buying signal. He may give you back a trial close like, "if I can do that price will you buy the car now" If you then say "well I need to go away and think about it" YOU WILL BE TREATED AS A TIME WASTER.

2. Enqiure by phone or in person - not email

3. Don't believe cash or no PX is an advantage its not. Finance can earn more money than the metal, and a good PX at the right price is another sales opportunity that he can actually see rather than buying stock blind in the trade.

4. Buy at a time when its more likley a dealer will need to deal, end of a month or quarter, late December or month before a plate change.

5. You will be taken seriously if you call up, ask questions , make an appointment to view car, turn up on time and take test drive. BEFORE YOU TALK ABOUT THE PRICE. Otherwise you might as well just send a text saying.

"whots yer best price m8 innit."

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just explaining the thinking from a salesmans point of view, rightly or wrongly this is how most salesman will think, not all mind but the majority. And I'm talking about volume sales dealerships now not specialists or prestige.

[av185]

oldnbold said:

Right guys lets all kiss and make up shall we.

Some pointers for car buyers.

1. If you want some discount tell the salesman what you are willing to pay and be prepared to put a deposit down on the car there and then, and tell the salesman thats the case if he can deal at your price. You are giving him a huge buying signal. He may give you back a trial close like, "if I can do that price will you buy the car now" If you then say "well I need to go away and think about it" YOU WILL BE TREATED AS A TIME WASTER.

2. Enqiure by phone or in person - not email

3. Don't believe cash or no PX is an advantage its not. Finance can earn more money than the metal, and a good PX at the right price is another sales opportunity that he can actually see rather than buying stock blind in the trade.

4. Buy at a time when its more likley a dealer will need to deal, end of a month or quarter, late December or month before a plate change.

5. You will be taken seriously if you call up, ask questions , make an appointment to view car, turn up on time and take test drive. BEFORE YOU TALK ABOUT THE PRICE. Otherwise you might as well just send a text saying.

"whots yer best price m8 innit."

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just explaining the thinking from a salesmans point of view, rightly or wrongly this is how most salesman will think, not all mind but the majority. And I'm talking about volume sales dealerships now not specialists or prestige.

Great advice point 4 above.......

Decades ago we used to buy two year old bca auction cars (cortinas, granadas etc) by the dozen in November and December for well behind book, keep them till February and generally "make a killing" profit wise. This was before seasonal price fluctuations levelled out.

To a degree, this also applies today. I bought a 1 year old 911 Carrera GTS PDK huge spec from an official Porsche dealer at New Year 2011 and got £7000 off the already reasonable advertised price. I have been offered the price I paid just last month after almost 2 years and 8000 miles.

Doesn t always work, of course! But like lots of things in life, timing is all......