Why do dealers play games??

eagletitan · 12-10-2004, 06:54 PM

First of all this is a great site, I've been lurking around here about 2 months now and have learned a lot about the Titan.

been to dealer 3 times now, can't find my white 2004 se cc 4x4 with popular package and big tow anywhere around. I have the vpp progam so I told them lets look for a 2005, they found 1 in Baton Rouge but guess what?? They try and stick me with 8% finace rate and I have a great credit score. I was wanting a Titan but they are pissing me off, I just might go and by a chevy.

Zo_Titan04 · 12-10-2004, 07:04 PM

I had trouble with the VPP program also. I would not mention it to certain dealers and they would talk me to death. Once i mentioned I was on the VPP program they would send me to a manager would would write a price down on a sheet of paper. It wasnt close to what it should have been. Lost my trust after that. Seems like once they see you are on VPP they try to get something out of you knowing they are not going to make much.

My personal tips.

Try someone in the fleet department. From the Nissan site find your dealer and send in an email. Fleet department will usually read these. They care less about selling price but more about trucks/cars sold total.

Try out a quote from our vendor. http://www.new-nissans.com/ Im looking to buying a car for my wife soon and I will give them a try first.

I looked at Chevy also but I love my Titan. To me its worth what it takes to have this truck.

Brons2 · 12-10-2004, 07:18 PM

Car dealers are hustlers.

It's no different than the people selling timeshares. They're among the worst of salesfolks. Their job is to stick you with as high as profit margin as they can.

gftitan04 · 12-10-2004, 08:11 PM

I have to say that I got extremely lucky with my Dealer. I bought through my wife’s company VPP and they treated me like I walked in with cash hanging out of my pockets. I would suggest a call to the Manager and tell him exactly what you are looking for and make sure that he can get you with a sales rep that does not mind working with a VPP member. Usually they will get you with a fleet manager. Also make sure you mention you want the lowest rates possible and before you sign any paperwork, make sure you know what that is. A lot of times they will work with a local Credit Union (If you can't get the factory financing) and they can be pretty low. I went with our Credit union and got 3.7 on four years. You can shop around and get pre-approved from many different sources.
Hope this help's and good luck!

radiokid · 12-10-2004, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brons2

Car dealers are hustlers.

It's no different than the people selling timeshares. They're among the worst of salesfolks. Their job is to stick you with as high as profit margin as they can.

In the name fair-mindedness its important to explain why salespeople try to get the highest price possible. Its pretty much their paycheck and future as an employee to do so. They are not inherently evil people or at least they did not start out that way. Its the system that says "You can have a paycheck with virtually no skills or training in a very short period of time and you can start right away. For all the money that car manufacturers put into design, development and production of a vehicle, this last mile in the journey at present is an abomination to the consumer. How many businesses can you name where every customer will pay a different price for a item? Not a good way to inspire confidence in your product or your saleperson. This huge disconnect between the car buyer and the manufacturer is intentional to protect the manufacturer and push the sales costs and service business onto some of the least qualified individuals imaginable. Its no surprise to consumers that the whole experience stinks. Its legend in this country how nerve-wracking the whole experience is.

You know with internet forums like this one its apparent a lot of folks have similar experiences with the trucks. Maybe if you could see what the dealer sees on a day to day basis with respect to the product he is selling, maybe you would save your money and buy another brand.

Titan_05 · 12-10-2004, 08:27 PM

I see your point in a way but to me it seems it would be easy to just walk in and say - Let 's not haggle - show me invoice and I'll pay you 3% over that. I mean really 3% sounds good to me. I'm not a salesman so I have no clue if this would work but if you did this and word got out about how easy it is to deal with Mr. A then you would get repeat business. 30K truck @ 3% - $900.00 - I know not all that would be his but crap I don't make near that!!! This is one truck! Say he gets 2% of 900.00 - $180.00 - This is one car per day! Again I have no clue how it works so this is jsut me thinking if I was a salesman.... Screw the hassel, get the repeat business and word of mouth.

Treebasher · 12-10-2004, 08:53 PM

Play the game...dealers are not there to make you money!

If they say they are trying to help you out, they are lying. They will always help themselves first. How else would they make money?

I bought my Titan with a 6% interest rate and got all the deals they could offer from the dealer that day. The next week I went and got a loan from my credit union at 3.2%. If you have a good credit rating, banks notice...

I'm all for shopping around until I'm satisfied.

blueskys · 12-10-2004, 08:54 PM

First off, arm yourself with knowledge. Find out what the dealership paid for the vehicle. This is called the DEALERS INVOICE. It can be found at Edmunds.com. Note that there is a thing called a holdback that the manufacturer rebates to the dealership at the end of the year. This is how dealers can sell cars at less than cost. Its not really less than cost.
Second, don't act like you just have to have the truck. Nissan will build another one just like it if the dealer sell it out from under you.
There are lots of tips at the edmunds website on how to tame the dealer. READ UP.

Now, drop and give me twenty!

radiokid · 12-10-2004, 09:20 PM

Fortunately for "us", this archaic 15th century haggling behavior is changing. Thanks to the internet, consumers can have instant access to dealer inventory over a wide area. This gives the buyer a big advantage over the local dealer who will try to sell you something he already paid for and usually the most passed over vehicle on the lot. Internet based car-buying web sites will be the wooden stake for car salepeople who think that this sweet deal where consumers are "suckers" and vehicles are referred to as "pigs" will go on forever.

Knowledge is power and will shine light onto this dark, secret little world. And that is a good thing!

Ghostface · 12-11-2004, 03:37 AM

I found this site to be very helpfull
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/
Think when I do it all over again I will just purchase my car through the internet and go pick it up at the dealership and give them the finger as I drive away smiling

Titan Power · 12-11-2004, 04:12 AM

There are many dealers out there that are behind the times. Consumers are armed with so much info today, it's unbelieveable what some salesmen still pitch. I think the whole sales process needs to be changed.

First off you have the salesmen. Most have limited knowledge about the products they sell. And even fewer will admit when they don't know. The stuff they make up on the spot is just funny sometimes. The job of the salesmen should be to help you find what you are looking for, and answer your questions. If they can't do that, they don't deserve a dime of your money. The salesmen have no power whatsoever when it comes to negotiating. They will tell you whatever you want to hear to get you to consider buying a vehicle. They are not on your side.

The sales manager sets the price. His job is to get every last dime out of you, but make you think you got a good deal.

The finance manager is also a salesmen. He sells financing. He will also try to get every last dime out of you. It is best to be prepared to have outside financing available. Many banks will do loans over the phone in minutes. Don't tell them you want financing, tell them you got it covered. Tell them you just need to call your bank. Then watch how quickley they offer you a good rate.
Also beware of a shady trick many dealers will use. They will promise you a low rate to get you to buy the vehicle. You take your new car home, but a couple days later they give you a call. Problem with the financing they say, you need to redo the loan at a higher rate or bring the car back they say. Most people don't want to return the car, and sign for a higher rate. Check your state laws. Here in CA, they cannot recind the contract, even if you sign the recision clause. They can huff and puff all they want, but you are protected by law. It's their fault they were dishonest with you or didn't do their job. You can even use this to your advantage if a dealer trys this with you. They have to honor the rate on the contract, even if they have to make a house loan.

Jason K.