I spent a good amount of time looking for a new vehicle, while I was in Arizona for the week. After calling, visiting, and test driving at a handful of dealerships, I became the coolest girl on the block. Sales folks will do anything to try and flatter you in their sheer effort to wheel and deal. Overall, I was surprised with how friendly sales folks can be. It was an entertaining and exhausting experience, but mission accomplished and I got a new car. Here's a recap of my top five favorite sales tactics from the last week.
Top 5 Car Salesmen/women Tactics:
They guess your age: "How old are you? Are you old enough to test drive this car?" Unless I entered a time warp...yes. After telling the salesman my age, he was quite embarrassed. "Gee, there's no way you're that old. You look so young!"
They leave tender messages on your voicemail: "Tahlea, what up girl? This is Chris at such 'n such dealership and just calling to see when you plan to swing by and check out that CR-V."
They offer you a sneak peak at a luxury car: "Tahlea, just calling to see if you'd like to come in and test drive a new Lexus IS." Sure, if you make me a deal I can't refuse....and throw in a bike rack. Can't fit a bike in a Lexus IS...I don't think.
They share their life story from the most recent arguments with their wife to their tender love for canaries, then ask you to share something about yourself. Really they're searching for common ground, trying to break down the "I don't like talking to car salesmen" barrier, and build a trusted, friendly relationship...not gonna work while I'm shopping for a car.
Through the negotiating process, you will hear a familiar phrase..."let me talk to my manager"...over and over and over again. Ah, yes the car buying process will never change. Sitting, waiting, and hoping they'll stop their unsuccessful sales tactics and just give you the deal you want.
Well, after firmly explaining, I'm not buying this car tonight, I'm not an impulse buyer, give me the deal I want!, I got it. Yea! They even let me take the car home for the night, before I decided if I really wanted it (another sales tactic). So, what did I get? A Conventional Roundabout Vehicle (or Compact Recreational Vehicle)!
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| Goodbye Grand Prix, Hello CR-V! |
8 comments:
Ha!!
Excellent recap. You were quite kind not to mention how you and your mom would discuss the similarity between the salesman's toupee and road-kill every time he excused himself to consult with his manager, knowing they were actually just listening in on the remote mics to hear what your real bottom-line was.
-Uncle Bill
Hahaha! Love it. Hope your CRV treats you well.
Pretty car -- congrats! I HATE car shopping. Good job finding a way to laugh about it.
Congrats! And funny description of the process (which I loathe). I love CRVs and briefly looked at them again this summer, but my mini-van makes better sense for what I'm hauling around these days. :)
How fun to see pictures of both cars in Bryce. Perfectly "appropo" (how do you spell that word?) Really great stories, though I am curious about the argument with wife and canaries... odd!
Great advice for anyone having lonely days. Besides, a great car deal may be the result! :-)
By the way... I didn't tell you this, but in response to Uncle Bill's remark about hidden remote microphones... I actually LOOKED! Yes, when you walked to the back of the building, I started "suspecting" the floating balloons tied to the chair, etc... especially since the salesman always wanted to come back to that "specific" table. So, I checked the balloons, under the table, chairs, etc... Unfortunately, I wasn't sure what to look for, but didn't see anything obvious. Hmmm... perhaps, too much of my brother Bill in me?!! :-)
Nice wheels! Your car is beautiful!!
Haha, I love reading about your car shopping experience. Your car is beatiful!!
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