What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

[rogerwa]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

When I buy a new car I ususally call around and talk to the salesperson. Ask them what they have and what they would be willing ot do. If I like them I will make an appointment to go and see them. You can tell on the phone whether they are willing to work with you or not.<br /><br />As for tactic, I always give the salesperson the first opportunity to create his best price. If the price fits my expectation and I have reason ot beleive it is a fair price I might just take it. Otherwise that is when we start haggling. If he plays, fine if he doesn't then keep the bid and see if you can do better elsewhere. <br /><br />With this process, you only want to play your cards when you absolutely have to.<br /><br />So setting up an adversarial relationship right off may not be the best strategy, but if it works for you go for it.<br /><br />Others are accusing you of being wasting time customer. I just don't understand that. If you say you're going to buy, who are we to say otherwise??

 

[JRJ]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Woods, now that was funny

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Hey Cobra,I was going to suggest that you and I split a 6 pack while we wait for Kozman to make a purchase but I dont think a 6 pack will be enough.Gonna take a liiiiiiitle longer than that.Charlie

 

[Straightup]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

My bro in law is a salesman at the biggest car dealership in our area. <br /><br />He makes much better profit on used cars than new ones.<br /><br />Don't know if this is the same in the boat world, but I'm sure there are some parallels.

 

[Rick-Mi]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

My vote on this topic is with crazy charlie all the way. It's obvious is he has spent a LOT of time dealing with the buying public and can quickly recognize a genuine prospect. Believe me, there are true professionals in the sales field who are FAR better at evaluating potential customers than the other way around. These people know that 20% of their customers provide 80% of their income. Among that 80% is a sea of dreamers, nit pickers, tire kickers, window shoppers and "nickel & dimers" who never come to a buying decision.<br /><br />While I would agree weak salespeople outnumber grains of sand on the beach, perhaps some aren't bending over backwards simply because they are far smarter than they get credit for....

 

[tommays]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

haveing bought 2 new sail boats and 1 new power boat since 1981 i can say that even on long island a big boat area the objective was to screw me as much as possable and do as littel as possable after the check was signed<br /><br />tommays

 

[Straightup]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Originally posted by Rick-Mi:<br /> These people know that 20% of their customers provide 80% of their income. Among that 80% is a sea of dreamers, nit pickers, tire kickers, window shoppers and "nickel & dimers" who never come to a buying decision.<br />

Yeah, but no matter how experienced a salesperson is, they are still taking a gamble as to who's in the 20% and who's in the 80%. A guy with gobs of cash may have jeans and a T shirt on and a guy with a $2000 suit may not have a nickel because he's so overextended. I feel that probably 10 to 30 percent of the 80% of dreamers and tire kickers will buy eventually. When that time comes, 5 minutes spent on a call or 15 minutes preparing a quote might make all the difference. Yes, I'm a slow and cautious buyer myself, but the guys who show at least a little effort to acknowledge I exist get my business. Case in point is when I doubled my house size 5 years ago. I did all the work myself except for concrete work, plumbing, heat / AC, and rain gutters. Almost everyone except for plumbing, was generous with quotes. I went with the only plumber who sent me a quote and it turns out they were quite fair too. Yes, it wasn't the sale of the century, but all of something is better than some of nothing. I think it was worth their while to send the quote.

 

[kozman01]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

I see that most observe the same thing I do. Why on God's Earth would I be on here venting if I'm not wanting to spend my cash???? But agian, I make the statement, does it matter if I'm a buying customer? It's part of the sales person's job to turn a potential buyer into an actual buyer. AND AGAIN, I will state, I didn't ask these former car salesmen to do a damn f'in thing! Just give me some information of what you have and what I might be interested in. If you guys here think that's work, I feel sorry for whomever it is you work for. Some people on here must have a very alternative view of what actual work is.

 

[borourke]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

kozman01,<br /><br />I completely agree with everything you have said. Salesmen I have encoutered these days are not what they used to be. I follow the same approach you do. Here is what I want and here is what I want to pay, can you help me?<br /><br />If not great, I will move on and no one wastes any of their time. If they can, great we will close the deal. <br /><br />I think this pisses them off since they can not baffle you with their bulls**t, and sell you their 1000% markup undercoating. <br /><br />I am also in Central OH and just purchased my second boat. I have dealt with private sales and dealerships (1 each) Each has its pros and cons. I do not want to disparage anyone I have dealt with online becasue it was my personal experience and maybe the individuals had an off day, I will give them the benefit of doubt. <br /><br />If you want, feel free to e-mail me at borourke@columbus.rr.com and I can share some of my experiences with you. Also if you are interested in a Bryant as mentioned above I have a dealership I would feel comfortable recommending.<br /><br />By the way where is your carry out? I could appreciate dealing with a place that puts customer service as a priority, even if it is beer and ice sales!

 

[S.Lee]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Me, when I go into buy something, I am buying that day, If I find what I want for the price I want. Works for me. I don't go down to look or compare. Usually, by the time I set foot in a dealer, I know what I want and around what I am paying. If the salesperson can hammer it out, then great. If not, no big deal. I think the problem is that there are way too many tire kickers. I just recently sold one of my ATVs. Didn't have to, but it wasn't getting used enough. Now by no means am I a sales person, but I put it at a price that allowed me some wiggle room. The guy who wound up buying it was a chiseler. Started nit picking, saying he could get a newer one for slightly more. In the end, he offered my bottom line, by this time I am seeing red, and wouldn't budge on $50. I started my bike up and drove it into the garage and said I guess this bike isn't for you. He asked if I was willing to loose the sale over $50. I said why not? You are going to loose the bike for $50. Had he been decent he'd of saved $50.<br />Point is, if a couple hundred bucks on a big ticket item is worth all the headaches you want to go through, then more power to you. Question though? If those guys you talked to were so professional, why didn't you make a deal with them?

 

[kozman01]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Thanks Brian O. Email coming your way. I don't want to upset the Gods here on the board if this is improper. If it is, they'll delete the post. It's called Lake Drive-Thru on SR 79 in Buckeye Lake. I'm about 30 seconds off the north ramp. I have three of the nicest, fastest employees on the lake. If what we do for youisn't right, we'll fix it. Also, I do not inflate my prices at all during the peak "tourist" months. I have no need to screw anyone and I keep getting more and more people back each year. The general area around the lake is a littel depressed. These people count on my store for certain things and theyare the last one's that need to be worked over. My store is know in the area for being honest, fair and fast! Things I've always felt were the foundation of any good business.<br /><br />Actually, I believe I will make a deal with them but that begets the question, Do I have to make a deal with them because they were professional? They are suppose to be professional. Like Chris Rock said, "What, you want a cookie because you haven't been to jail, you ain't suppose to go to jail."

 

[Regal-89]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Kozman01, my lord it seems like your taking some hard hits here. I couldn't agree with most of what you have written. Good luck on your purchase, and make sure your take some of this bashing with a grain of salt! <br /><br />**Peace!!!

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Kozman01, I echo Shane's Thoughts, Hang Tough. Any large ticket Item deserves the best treatment from the business. Unfortunately, it seems you get the better treatment after the sale. I am one of those people that they call a tire kicker. I will research what I want and go to many shows and check out the product. I go to the shows just so I don't have to deal with the salesmen. When I'm ready to buy (after many attempts before to work with a salesman to explain the product I gave up) I will come prepared with several quotes from online with a list of features I want. Will walk up to a salesman ask him if he can beat the quote I have for what I want then if so I will buy the Item. I just did this with my 9.9 bigfoot 4 stroke extra long shaft I bought. You think no wants to talk to you when you want to buy a boat try buying a motor. <br /><br />Good luck on your search. The only thing I would recommend is maybe lose the speach. If they want to sell you something you will know in the first few minutes. I think your speach is putting them on guard and in the back of their mind they are thinking "Oh No! here we go again" Come in tell them what you want with the following features in the following price range and ask to see models that fit the description. If your not sold in 20 minutes walk out and try somewhere else.

 

[Twidget]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Hang in there Kozman01. <br /><br />I am probably one of the worst 'tire kickers'. I like to research what is available. I have owned a couple of new at the time boats and never bought the first one I looked at. I did however remember the salesmen that treated me well and had a good product. I really hate the ones that spend their time bashing the competition instead of showing their products strong points<br /><br />I have developed a theory after working around salesmen the last 20 years. If the treat you like trash before they get your money, they certainly arent going to treat you any better after they get it.

 

[Twidget]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

In fact, I also tell the salesman my timeline for buying 3-4 weeks, as soon as the tax check arrives.

Why is he getting flamed for not buying immediately? This thread was started 2 days ago and he made the statement that he was waiting for a refund check.<br /><br />Maybe I am missing something. Im not trying to start anything, but you've got to cut him some slack until he proves otherwise.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

deleted

 

[ethelwright]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Can I ever relate to the stories here.In 2003 I got the bug to buy a boat , never even been in a boat before .I had a private deal lined up ,a 19 foot Peterborough with 135 I/O . In the deal I had a condition that a surveyer give it a going over and an accepable report . It turned out to be an unsafe boat so the deal was off . While this is going on I am taking my 4 wheel drive in to have a hitch put on and the place sells campers and boats . They had a sweet brand new Princecraft 14 footer with a 50 HP Merc and I was so close to buying it - the only problem was that the sales men would not even acknowledge me . When I got home I had to fill out the customer rating card so I added that they lost a sale because of ignoring me . The female manager of this business called me and apologized and said she would talk to the boys . It must have worked because a friend of mine went in there to buy a boat for her husband and surprise him . She said they fell all over themselves helping her . The competition called me 2 days later with first chance on a 16 foot Grew BR . The owner of the dealership took me on a sea trial and we went back to the place and I gave him a large deposit cheque .My dad had a story about not judging customers by how they look . One day he had a well heeled couple come in to buy a new car , fur coat , jewelry , expensive suit . Dad called the bank and found they were badly overextended . A few weeks later he observed 2 grubby older men in the car lot so he decided to go down to talk to them .They were two Finnish bush workers . One of them spoke english and he asked how much for one car so dad threw a price at him . The old man asked about the price on another car so dad gave him a price then the old Finnlander asked about a price on both cars . My dad was in shock as the men pulled out a wad of cash and paid for 2 cars on the spot . My dad learned a lesson that day not to judge a book by it's cover .The local Ford dealer also learned that lesson when they ignored me and I bought a brand new sports car the next day , lost a sale on a top of the line Mustang .So there are some good dealers out there , even some that realize a woman might want to buy a boat .And then there are the idiots.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

deleted due to foot in mouth disease.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Im enjoying this one more than the suds thread. Cobra,I hope Koz gave you good customer service with the beer purchase.Charlie

 

[blackz3]

Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

you want fries with that...or howabout a little cheese to go with that wine