I once was lucky enough to find a great deal on a leftover new car and I had cash. I weaseled them down to dirt cheap. Set up appointment to pick up the car the next day. They kept me waiting that day with my check from the bank. Waiting, waiting….Finally I told the salesman to forget it and I walked out. He sprinted to my car and offered another $500 off! The car was a hybrid. Just like clockwork, years later, the battery failed just outside the mileage limit. They said $3,500 to replace it. Ouch! I approved. Went to pick it up and was told no charge for the replacement. Honda pick up cost.
Years ago the wife and I were walking the lot of a GM dealer on a Sunday while they were closed. The wife was looking at some cars while I thought I would dream a bit and went to look at the pick up trucks. While looking at this one Silverado with all the bells and whistles I noticed a set of keys on the ground. I picked them up and pushed the security button to see if they belonged to one of them. To my surprise they were for the truck I was looking at. I was tempted to get in and take the truck for a spin around the lot but thought better of it. Instead I walked around the dealership to see if there was a drop box for the keys but couldn’t find one so I kept the keys and went home. The next day I called the dealership and told them I had found the keys to one of their $50,000 trucks and since I lived 20 miles away they could send someone over to get them expecting some kind of small reward or something for my honesty. Instead they insinuated I stole them and told me to drop the keys off. I was so insensed I told them I’ll just through them in the garbage and that I’d never buy a GM product again. They finally sent a salesman over who apologized and hoped the incident hadn’t affected my opinion of the dealership. I assured him I would never buy another GM.
I had it easy at the dealerships. Working for GM, and then a spin-off from GM, I got the employee discount. I got GM financing for my first new car, right out of college, no credit record (had to agree to payroll deduction). Even for my last two cars, which weren’t GM, I got the “Supplier Discount”. The only discount I have left, now that my employer closed shop here, is the GM retiree discount.
When I have purchased new vehicles I’ve been a real PIA for salesmen, because I’ve already done my homework, know precisely what I want and won’t be moved to something else, have a set limit in how much I will pay and have no qualms about walking away if I can’t get what I want for what I’m willing to spend. I also refuse to finance through the dealership and pay cash for my vehicle.
I have also purchased or not purchased from a dealership based on the reputation of their Service Department.
Doug, you had the keys to the truck. Why didn’t you unlock the door and toss them in and relook the door. The obviously had another set of keys to get them. Problem solved and no nonsense.
When I was young I had the opposite experience because the old geezer thought I had no dough. I briefly considered driving my new car purchased elsewhere through his lot and honking the horn. It’s 30 years later and revenge is a dish best served cold…hmmmm.
Once upon a time people could do to help each other in such a way. Nothing special, the way life was. People often found keys, money, wallets, shopper’s purchases, etc. When owner was unknown methods existed for attempted returns, including safe methods. The good parts of life shouldn’t be disposed of to improve other parts.
Lightpainter almost 4 years ago
Pretty accurate, and they try to never let you leave.
rshive almost 4 years ago
Could be worse. A clearance sale, maybe.
Zykoic almost 4 years ago
I once was lucky enough to find a great deal on a leftover new car and I had cash. I weaseled them down to dirt cheap. Set up appointment to pick up the car the next day. They kept me waiting that day with my check from the bank. Waiting, waiting….Finally I told the salesman to forget it and I walked out. He sprinted to my car and offered another $500 off! The car was a hybrid. Just like clockwork, years later, the battery failed just outside the mileage limit. They said $3,500 to replace it. Ouch! I approved. Went to pick it up and was told no charge for the replacement. Honda pick up cost.
sandpiper almost 4 years ago
Normally, they might flip a coin. Looks like they flipped the guy instead.
Zebrastripes almost 4 years ago
Working commission is awful!
J Short almost 4 years ago
The good news is, his low back pain cleared up after all that tugging.
Doug Taylor Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Years ago the wife and I were walking the lot of a GM dealer on a Sunday while they were closed. The wife was looking at some cars while I thought I would dream a bit and went to look at the pick up trucks. While looking at this one Silverado with all the bells and whistles I noticed a set of keys on the ground. I picked them up and pushed the security button to see if they belonged to one of them. To my surprise they were for the truck I was looking at. I was tempted to get in and take the truck for a spin around the lot but thought better of it. Instead I walked around the dealership to see if there was a drop box for the keys but couldn’t find one so I kept the keys and went home. The next day I called the dealership and told them I had found the keys to one of their $50,000 trucks and since I lived 20 miles away they could send someone over to get them expecting some kind of small reward or something for my honesty. Instead they insinuated I stole them and told me to drop the keys off. I was so insensed I told them I’ll just through them in the garbage and that I’d never buy a GM product again. They finally sent a salesman over who apologized and hoped the incident hadn’t affected my opinion of the dealership. I assured him I would never buy another GM.
redback almost 4 years ago
so, who can give me the biggest discount..?
P51Strega almost 4 years ago
I had it easy at the dealerships. Working for GM, and then a spin-off from GM, I got the employee discount. I got GM financing for my first new car, right out of college, no credit record (had to agree to payroll deduction). Even for my last two cars, which weren’t GM, I got the “Supplier Discount”. The only discount I have left, now that my employer closed shop here, is the GM retiree discount.
WCraft Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Welcome to my life as an independent voter…
Teto85 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Car dealers, new and used, do not want to sell you a car, they want to sell you a loan.
Linguist almost 4 years ago
When I have purchased new vehicles I’ve been a real PIA for salesmen, because I’ve already done my homework, know precisely what I want and won’t be moved to something else, have a set limit in how much I will pay and have no qualms about walking away if I can’t get what I want for what I’m willing to spend. I also refuse to finance through the dealership and pay cash for my vehicle.
I have also purchased or not purchased from a dealership based on the reputation of their Service Department.
jw35532 almost 4 years ago
Doug, you had the keys to the truck. Why didn’t you unlock the door and toss them in and relook the door. The obviously had another set of keys to get them. Problem solved and no nonsense.
Another Take almost 4 years ago
When I was young I had the opposite experience because the old geezer thought I had no dough. I briefly considered driving my new car purchased elsewhere through his lot and honking the horn. It’s 30 years later and revenge is a dish best served cold…hmmmm.
heathcliff2 almost 4 years ago
Once upon a time people could do to help each other in such a way. Nothing special, the way life was. People often found keys, money, wallets, shopper’s purchases, etc. When owner was unknown methods existed for attempted returns, including safe methods. The good parts of life shouldn’t be disposed of to improve other parts.
heathcliff2 almost 4 years ago
By the way, where is the kidnapped “customer’s” head?
UpaCoCoCreek Premium Member almost 4 years ago
The irony is that they used to be personal injury attorneys… got their clients pretty much the same way!
dawnsterner59 almost 4 years ago
It’s a cartoon, folks… lighten up