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Confessions of a Car Salesman
edmunds.com ^ | Published: 01/18/2001 Updated: 05/04/2009 | Chandler Phillips

Posted on 11/22/2011 12:44:06 PM PST by mowowie

Introduction

What really goes on in the back rooms of car dealerships across America?

What does the car salesman do when he leaves you sitting in a sales office and goes to talk with his boss?

What are the tricks salespeople use to increase their profit and how can consumers protect themselves from overpaying?

These were the questions we, the editors at Edmunds.com, wanted to answer for our readers. But how could they really know that our information was accurate and up-to-date? Finally, we came up with the idea of hiring an investigative reporter to work in the industry and experience, firsthand, the life of a car salesman.

We hired Chandler Phillips, a veteran journalist, to go undercover by working at two new car dealerships in the Los Angeles area. First, he would work at a high-volume, high-pressure dealership selling Japanese cars. Then, he'd change over to a smaller car lot that sold domestic cars at "no haggle" prices.

We invite you to read the following account of Phillips' day-to-day experience on the car lots. Doing so will broaden your understanding of the dealership sales process. It will also cast a new light on the role of the car salesman. And, finally, it will help you get a better deal — and avoid hidden charges — the next time you go to buy or lease a new car.

Read, learn and enjoy.

(Excerpt) Read more at edmunds.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: automobiles; salesnewcars
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Pretty interesting read for anybody interested in buying a new or used car from a dealership.
1 posted on 11/22/2011 12:44:07 PM PST by mowowie
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To: mowowie

Good read to see what cars sales are like from inside the dealership.


2 posted on 11/22/2011 12:58:41 PM PST by 6SJ7 (Meh.)
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To: mowowie
I only buy used vehicles, and then only once every ten or fifteen years.

That way I get to avoid car dealerships.

3 posted on 11/22/2011 1:07:36 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum ("The very idea of a community organizer is to stir up a mob for some political purpose." Ann Coulter)
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To: mowowie

I have relatives who are auto salespeople. They call the dealership ‘Crazy Town’ and describe it as basically a collection of larcenous sleazeballs.


4 posted on 11/22/2011 1:11:38 PM PST by tgusa (gun control: deep breath, sight alignment, squeeze the trigger .......)
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To: mowowie

Reminds me of the movie “Flywheel”.
Uplifting. Recommended.
Cheers!


5 posted on 11/22/2011 1:18:33 PM PST by spankalib (The Marx-in-the-Parks crowd is a basement skunkworks operation of the AFL-CIO)
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To: mowowie

For over a year I’ve received notices that the dealership which sold my father a SUV would buy back the vehicle as there was a demand for this particular type of used vehicle.

Fine. So, I had the SUV detailed and showed up at the dealership to see what they would offer me for it. Before doing that I had checked out the Kelly Blue Book price and what Ebay had in recorded sales for my area for this particular vehicle. The average Blue Book price for this SUV was $35000 - #36335.

The dealership offered me $24000. My dad owes the financing company $10000 more that that, and the dealership knows that as they sold and financed the vehicle.

I’m going to put it on Ebay but sales across the board on Ebay have tanked. Someone today told me Ebay sales are down 90%!


6 posted on 11/22/2011 1:36:40 PM PST by SatinDoll (NO FOREIGN NATIONALS AS U.S.A. PRESIDENT)
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To: mowowie

Although I have never worked at a dealership, I do have insider experience from years working in Dealer Fiance at a bank.

This article is old, but still very relevant. I read it years ago and its still valid.

I actually look forward to bying a car. I always get my way. I’m not naive enough to think I’ve screwed over the dealership, but I do know the little tricks they use, and I use them to my advantage.

I usually end up having the Sales Manager dealing with me as the poor sales agents have to give up.

And then when I get to F & I? We start all over again!

Fun stuff. IF you know what your doing.


7 posted on 11/22/2011 1:41:13 PM PST by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS! This means liberals AND libertarians (same thing) NO LIBS!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“I only buy used vehicles, and then only once every ten or fifteen years.”

Same here.
I buy expensive cars used for less than half of their original new price, then they last me like 10 years before they become crapboxes.
Make for a pretty good deal.


8 posted on 11/22/2011 1:43:34 PM PST by mowowie
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To: spankalib
Reminds me of the movie “Flywheel”.

One of the best movies I have ever seen. But my and my families all time favorite is The Secrets Of Jonathan Sperry, followed by another Rich Christiano film Time Changer.

9 posted on 11/22/2011 1:57:45 PM PST by JakeS (I have never had a flu shot and I have never had the flu.)
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.


10 posted on 11/22/2011 2:01:31 PM PST by loungitude (The truth hurts.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Just bought a new car and I pick it up Friday. Sites like truecar.com that give you the prices paid for a particular vehicle in your area are valuable. Walking out of a dealership is seldom a mistake. Once you decide on a particular vehicle, get two or three dealers involved in a price war,


11 posted on 11/22/2011 2:07:39 PM PST by LiveFree99
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To: mowowie

I thought this was a Romney article.


12 posted on 11/22/2011 2:18:56 PM PST by manic4organic (We won. Get over it.)
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To: mowowie

I look for nice cars that have been well-cared for and are around 100k miles. Those have usually been well-maintained and will have 50k left in them easy, often 100k. I buy them under $10k, take care of them and drive them for 5-6 years.

Either a private sellers or a dealer. Private sellers are easier to work with but at a dealer, you just shoot them a price about $2k under what they asked and be prepared to walk. I may walk 3-4 times but eventually I’ll hit a winner!

You do have to know something about cars to make sure you don’t buy a heap, but it’s been working for me for almost 20 years.


13 posted on 11/22/2011 2:27:24 PM PST by GourmetDan (Eccl 10:2 - The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.)
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To: LiveFree99
The United Auto Workers of America thanks you for your aid and comfort.
14 posted on 11/22/2011 2:38:10 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum ("The very idea of a community organizer is to stir up a mob for some political purpose." Ann Coulter)
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To: Responsibility2nd

The fun stuff is getting pricing from multiple dealers on line prior to walking into a showroom. Saves time and money.


15 posted on 11/22/2011 2:49:14 PM PST by UB355 (Slower traffic keep right)
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To: UB355

True. And bring in newspaper ads from their competitors. Tell them that you can buy the same model for $3,000 less than they are asking.


16 posted on 11/22/2011 2:52:51 PM PST by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS! This means liberals AND libertarians (same thing) NO LIBS!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

They will thank me for buying a non-union made vehicle? Strange...


17 posted on 11/22/2011 2:56:08 PM PST by LiveFree99
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To: mowowie

I don’t buy from dealerships anymore. But it’s excellent reading for knowledge. Anytime anyone knows more about how sales of something work they have a far better chance at not getting screwed, and getting a decent deal.


18 posted on 11/22/2011 2:59:37 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

You are assuming it is a UAW-made car.


19 posted on 11/22/2011 3:03:22 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: mowowie

I’m thinking that the writers second job was at a Saturn dealership.

The first was most likely Toyota with it’s crew cabs and such.


20 posted on 11/22/2011 3:13:53 PM PST by mowowie
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