Stupid Dealer stories
12-20-2002, 04:37 PM
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Stupid Dealer stories
A recent thread made me think of this. Share with the board your stupid dealer stories, I know you all have them.
1. When I was picking up my car at the dealer (Just finished grabbing my ankles) I was looking at a 996 with black interior and red piping in the seats and thought it was really sharp. Service advisor told me it cost about 2k to swap the seats becuase there is so much "stuff" that needs to be done to remove seats in these cars. I am not sure of the 996, but my 911 and 993 had 6 bolts to remove to pop out the seats, I could do a seat in 10 minutes. He said it with a straight face too.
1. When I was picking up my car at the dealer (Just finished grabbing my ankles) I was looking at a 996 with black interior and red piping in the seats and thought it was really sharp. Service advisor told me it cost about 2k to swap the seats becuase there is so much "stuff" that needs to be done to remove seats in these cars. I am not sure of the 996, but my 911 and 993 had 6 bolts to remove to pop out the seats, I could do a seat in 10 minutes. He said it with a straight face too.
12-20-2002, 04:53 PM
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I used to have a BMW and one day the alternator died. I went to a BMW dealer for the price of a new one - I was quoted US$600 (this was 10 years ago). I was a student at the time and couldn't afford it, but wanted to get my car up and running.
After a little investigation, I discovered that the 'BMW alternator' is a standard Bosch unit with a BMW mounting plate attached.
Of course, all I had to do was buy a brand new Bosch alternator (exact same part number) and bolt on the BMW plate. Cost? US$100!!
I have never looked at dealers the same way since...
Graham
After a little investigation, I discovered that the 'BMW alternator' is a standard Bosch unit with a BMW mounting plate attached.
Of course, all I had to do was buy a brand new Bosch alternator (exact same part number) and bolt on the BMW plate. Cost? US$100!!
I have never looked at dealers the same way since...
Graham
12-20-2002, 04:56 PM
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Back years ago I convinced my brother to look at the new 924S that Porsche was reintroducing in 1987? It was $19,900 and my brother was just the guy to buy one.
We went to the Porsche dealer (2 & 1/2 hours) and flew into the showroom. They set up a test drive (after calling his bank) and off we went with the dealer jockey in the tiny back seat.
We enjoyed our drive, and listened to constant interjection from the dealer bloke. One thing he said that caught both of our ears was "go ahead & try the power!" That was all my brother needed to step on the loud pedal. As my bro "busted up" through the gears, the dealer guy yelled out "Don't you love the acceleration of a V8!"
Of course I busted out in laughter, and the dealer guy just smiled. I then said "Do you mean power like a V8?" The guy says "No, this is the Porsh aluminum V8 standard."
My brother turned to him & said "if this is a V8, I will pay you full sticker price & take it today. No questions asked."
All the way back to the dealership the guy talked about the next step we had to do to finalize the deal. He went through it all.
We pulled in, shut the car off, popped the hood, and gazed at the 2.5 liter four cylinder. The dealer guy shut the hood, took the keys, and walked away from us.
My brother was still interested, but the guy vaporized.
Bro bought a Benz 2 door coupe the next week.
We went to the Porsche dealer (2 & 1/2 hours) and flew into the showroom. They set up a test drive (after calling his bank) and off we went with the dealer jockey in the tiny back seat.
We enjoyed our drive, and listened to constant interjection from the dealer bloke. One thing he said that caught both of our ears was "go ahead & try the power!" That was all my brother needed to step on the loud pedal. As my bro "busted up" through the gears, the dealer guy yelled out "Don't you love the acceleration of a V8!"
Of course I busted out in laughter, and the dealer guy just smiled. I then said "Do you mean power like a V8?" The guy says "No, this is the Porsh aluminum V8 standard."
My brother turned to him & said "if this is a V8, I will pay you full sticker price & take it today. No questions asked."
All the way back to the dealership the guy talked about the next step we had to do to finalize the deal. He went through it all.
We pulled in, shut the car off, popped the hood, and gazed at the 2.5 liter four cylinder. The dealer guy shut the hood, took the keys, and walked away from us.
My brother was still interested, but the guy vaporized.
Bro bought a Benz 2 door coupe the next week.
12-20-2002, 05:24 PM
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Picked up my 993 from Dealer Service about 6 PM. Sun was setting. A young lady was being shown an MB SLK 230. The top would not go down and the salesnerd knew that the protectice curtain in the trunk had not been pulled. He did so but did not recognize the material in the trunk was bulging the curtain in a convex position. He then proudly demo'd the hardtop retracting into the trunk and stood around proudly to witness the back window explode with a very loud pop. Exit young lady. Her son was sitting in the car when the window exploded. I have made it a habit to NEVER buy a car from a salseperson who knows less than me about the vehicle and its operation.
12-20-2002, 05:48 PM
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I think they will be charging for disk space on this topic by the time it's done, there just isn't big enough hard drives available today to handle ALL the IDIOT dealer stories around! Anyway, here's a couple from my extensive list.
Quick one, drove my BM out of a service/repair meet and greet area, had to figure out how to u-turn in their driveway, because it was running on 3 cyclinders. Gee, you would think they would notice that when they drove it out to me? One ignition coil failure after a battery replacement.
Idiot story II.
Drive to San Diego on a Black on Black C2S, price too good to be true (I know!). Figured they didn't realize the cars value, due to their selling price, especially when the paperwork was faxed to us. Sure enough, they had it listed in the fax as a black on black S model car (low miles). Drive the 2 hours down their after many phone calls to "RE-CONFIRM", to find a Black on TAN C2. Find the salesperson, what happened to Black on Black, no answer. How come it's not an "S" model car? "Yes it is". No it's not, doesn't have split grill, doesn't have logo on dials, does have this, doesn't have that and it doesn't have the widebody. "Yes it does". Sales guy, look at my car, that's a narrow body, a C2, this car is the same. "Nooo, it's an S, see says it in the Carfax". Of course Carfax lists all potential models for the year of manufacture as a summary. We start abusing this guy of course because he keeps insisting it's an "S", it's a "widebody". Listen you freakin' idiot, it's not, what the fruit do you know, how many Porsche's have you sold? Have you ever even driven one? I told him, if you say it's a widebody one more time then it's on, we go toe to toe. Needless to say he vamoused whilst the other salesman stood around and kind of laughed with us. Bloody idiot!! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Quick one, drove my BM out of a service/repair meet and greet area, had to figure out how to u-turn in their driveway, because it was running on 3 cyclinders. Gee, you would think they would notice that when they drove it out to me? One ignition coil failure after a battery replacement.
Idiot story II.
Drive to San Diego on a Black on Black C2S, price too good to be true (I know!). Figured they didn't realize the cars value, due to their selling price, especially when the paperwork was faxed to us. Sure enough, they had it listed in the fax as a black on black S model car (low miles). Drive the 2 hours down their after many phone calls to "RE-CONFIRM", to find a Black on TAN C2. Find the salesperson, what happened to Black on Black, no answer. How come it's not an "S" model car? "Yes it is". No it's not, doesn't have split grill, doesn't have logo on dials, does have this, doesn't have that and it doesn't have the widebody. "Yes it does". Sales guy, look at my car, that's a narrow body, a C2, this car is the same. "Nooo, it's an S, see says it in the Carfax". Of course Carfax lists all potential models for the year of manufacture as a summary. We start abusing this guy of course because he keeps insisting it's an "S", it's a "widebody". Listen you freakin' idiot, it's not, what the fruit do you know, how many Porsche's have you sold? Have you ever even driven one? I told him, if you say it's a widebody one more time then it's on, we go toe to toe. Needless to say he vamoused whilst the other salesman stood around and kind of laughed with us. Bloody idiot!! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
12-20-2002, 05:55 PM
#6
I’ve got a couple choice salesman stories.
I was with a buddy who was test driving an Isuzu Trooper when they first came out. It weighed a ton and had this tiny 1.2 liter 4 banger. We were on an uphill freeway onramp and he had his foot to the floor. Nothing was happening. The salesman’s line was that the bead on the tires had not seated yet, and the wheels were spinning inside the tires. As soon as the bead got fully seated, the car would have much more power.
On another occasion, I was test driving a mini pick-up truck, I think a Nissan. In the lot, at slow speeds, it was very jerky. Not smooth at all. The salesman’s line? “This truck has SO MUCH power that the engine is twisting the crank. The jerk you feel is the crank getting twisted and then releasing.”
Both stories are true. I swear.
Tom
’95 993
I was with a buddy who was test driving an Isuzu Trooper when they first came out. It weighed a ton and had this tiny 1.2 liter 4 banger. We were on an uphill freeway onramp and he had his foot to the floor. Nothing was happening. The salesman’s line was that the bead on the tires had not seated yet, and the wheels were spinning inside the tires. As soon as the bead got fully seated, the car would have much more power.
On another occasion, I was test driving a mini pick-up truck, I think a Nissan. In the lot, at slow speeds, it was very jerky. Not smooth at all. The salesman’s line? “This truck has SO MUCH power that the engine is twisting the crank. The jerk you feel is the crank getting twisted and then releasing.”
Both stories are true. I swear.
Tom
’95 993
12-20-2002, 06:30 PM
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Ok, in the interest of equal time (and in deference to Phil McGrath) here's a good salesman story.
I was looking to buy my first Porsche, a new 951, and the salesman took us for a test drive.
It began with him driving, my wife in the passenger seat, and me in the jumpseat (gentleman that I am) in back.
He let it warm up for a while, then nailed it. My wife squeeled at the acceleration, I just had a huge grin and said "Wow." and thought "incredible".
This brought us back to the dealership. He got out to let the two of us take it for a drive.
As he climbed out, he paused, and said "You might want to try it without the Air on, and switched it OFF.
I bought one that day.
M in C
I was looking to buy my first Porsche, a new 951, and the salesman took us for a test drive.
It began with him driving, my wife in the passenger seat, and me in the jumpseat (gentleman that I am) in back.
He let it warm up for a while, then nailed it. My wife squeeled at the acceleration, I just had a huge grin and said "Wow." and thought "incredible".
This brought us back to the dealership. He got out to let the two of us take it for a drive.
As he climbed out, he paused, and said "You might want to try it without the Air on, and switched it OFF.
I bought one that day.
M in C
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12-20-2002, 06:34 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Mike in Chi:
<strong>As he climbed out, he paused, and said "You might want to try it without the Air on, and switched it OFF. I bought one that day. M in C</strong><hr></blockquote>
This is a great thread! A bit off-topic, but my first car was a 1985 Honda Civic with 59 hp. My sisters used to call the A/C switch the "anti-turbo" because of its very pronounced negative effect on acceleration!
<strong>As he climbed out, he paused, and said "You might want to try it without the Air on, and switched it OFF. I bought one that day. M in C</strong><hr></blockquote>
This is a great thread! A bit off-topic, but my first car was a 1985 Honda Civic with 59 hp. My sisters used to call the A/C switch the "anti-turbo" because of its very pronounced negative effect on acceleration!
12-20-2002, 06:47 PM
#10
It was late '94 in Austin, TX. I was already a 911 fan, but had never driven one. I was also fresh out of school and pulling down maybe 20 large a year, so one wasn't really on my immediate radar either. One Saturday I decided I couldn't stand it anymore and needed to finally see one up close again and maybe sit in one.
The only "exotic" car dealership I knew of was the Roger Beasley Porsche/Saab dealership, so I tied my hair back in the neatest pony tail I could, (be nice, I was a musician at the time) Got out my one white dress shirt, my best jeans and sneakers, put on the watch I never wore and the ring my Mom gave me for high school graduation for some reason. I parked a block away from the dealership lest they see my modest car and shoo me off. I walked around the lot, gently running my fingers over the flanks of these incredible new 993's and left over 964's, when I saw a sale guy walking towards me. Uh, oh, relax, don't get nervous. In my best non-chalant voice, I said that, yeah, I'm looking for a new car and was perhaps considering one of these. He took one look at me and told me to hang on a minute. He went inside, came back, and steered me to the used car side of the lot and a White/Tan '92 C2 just off lease. He asked me if I had ever driven a 911. "Yes", I lied. He smiled and explained everything to me anyway, threw me the keys and climbed in the passenger seat. I had to hold my breath to keep my hands from shaking, but I got the car started and was puttering in the most responsible manner I possibly could down the road. The sales guy said, "never lug this engine. Keep the revs up and drive it aggressively. See that highway onramp there? I want you to point the nose of the car where you want it to be and floor it around the curve."
I don't need to explain to this crowd how that felt. Suffice it to say I felt I suddenly knew how and why people have religious experiences.
When we got back, he handed me a bunch of brochures and a promotional video tape of the new 993, with about 15 minutes of people like Hurley Haywood, Dexter Bell, and Porsche engineers wringing out the new 993 and explaining the new rear suspension. He told me to come back someday when I'm ready.
I still have that video, and occasionally pull it off the shelf and relive that day.
They may be 1 in a 1000, but occasionally a car saleman is an enthusiast who can recognize the first signs of the disease we all willingly share.
The only "exotic" car dealership I knew of was the Roger Beasley Porsche/Saab dealership, so I tied my hair back in the neatest pony tail I could, (be nice, I was a musician at the time) Got out my one white dress shirt, my best jeans and sneakers, put on the watch I never wore and the ring my Mom gave me for high school graduation for some reason. I parked a block away from the dealership lest they see my modest car and shoo me off. I walked around the lot, gently running my fingers over the flanks of these incredible new 993's and left over 964's, when I saw a sale guy walking towards me. Uh, oh, relax, don't get nervous. In my best non-chalant voice, I said that, yeah, I'm looking for a new car and was perhaps considering one of these. He took one look at me and told me to hang on a minute. He went inside, came back, and steered me to the used car side of the lot and a White/Tan '92 C2 just off lease. He asked me if I had ever driven a 911. "Yes", I lied. He smiled and explained everything to me anyway, threw me the keys and climbed in the passenger seat. I had to hold my breath to keep my hands from shaking, but I got the car started and was puttering in the most responsible manner I possibly could down the road. The sales guy said, "never lug this engine. Keep the revs up and drive it aggressively. See that highway onramp there? I want you to point the nose of the car where you want it to be and floor it around the curve."
I don't need to explain to this crowd how that felt. Suffice it to say I felt I suddenly knew how and why people have religious experiences.
When we got back, he handed me a bunch of brochures and a promotional video tape of the new 993, with about 15 minutes of people like Hurley Haywood, Dexter Bell, and Porsche engineers wringing out the new 993 and explaining the new rear suspension. He told me to come back someday when I'm ready.
I still have that video, and occasionally pull it off the shelf and relive that day.
They may be 1 in a 1000, but occasionally a car saleman is an enthusiast who can recognize the first signs of the disease we all willingly share.
12-20-2002, 06:47 PM
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Ok, in the interest of equal time (and in deference to Phil McGrath
Thanks Mike, great thread <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> gives me something to think about, in between deals today at the dealership
Thanks Mike, great thread <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> gives me something to think about, in between deals today at the dealership
12-20-2002, 07:43 PM
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Great topic. On the good side of the ledger, the first brand new car I bought was a VW GTI. The salesman insisted on driving first on the test drive. He drove the **** out of it and was a true motorhead. I bought one.(but not the one we demo-ed). On the negative side, my brother (a doc) went in to a chevy dealer to buy a then new vette. He was dressed in old Levis and a tee shirt. The sales guy looked at him and, in the most condescending tone, told him that he could not sit in the car unless he could afford to put $ 500 down on the car. My brother opened his wallet, he had enough cash to pay for the car. The sales guy suddenly was his new best friend. Needless to say, he did not buy the car from that dealer.
12-20-2002, 07:58 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Don Magee:
<strong>Great topic. On the good side of the ledger, the first brand new car I bought was a VW GTI. The salesman insisted on driving first on the test drive. He drove the **** out of it and was a true motorhead. I bought one.(but not the one we demo-ed). On the negative side, my brother (a doc) went in to a chevy dealer to buy a then new vette. He was dressed in old Levis and a tee shirt. The sales guy looked at him and, in the most condescending tone, told him that he could not sit in the car unless he could afford to put $ 500 down on the car. My brother opened his wallet, he had enough cash to pay for the car. The sales guy suddenly was his new best friend. Needless to say, he did not buy the car from that dealer.</strong><hr></blockquote>
the 2nd half happens quite a bit! dumb dumb dumb salespeople
<strong>Great topic. On the good side of the ledger, the first brand new car I bought was a VW GTI. The salesman insisted on driving first on the test drive. He drove the **** out of it and was a true motorhead. I bought one.(but not the one we demo-ed). On the negative side, my brother (a doc) went in to a chevy dealer to buy a then new vette. He was dressed in old Levis and a tee shirt. The sales guy looked at him and, in the most condescending tone, told him that he could not sit in the car unless he could afford to put $ 500 down on the car. My brother opened his wallet, he had enough cash to pay for the car. The sales guy suddenly was his new best friend. Needless to say, he did not buy the car from that dealer.</strong><hr></blockquote>
the 2nd half happens quite a bit! dumb dumb dumb salespeople
12-20-2002, 08:10 PM
#14
That's terrible and so blatent. When I was shopping around for my TT, I've had similar experiences ( although not as harsh ).
At one dealer, they just ignored me.
At another dealer, they asked "Are you ready for the lifestyle change of owning a porsche turbo?" Seesh! give me a break.
Jeff
At one dealer, they just ignored me.
At another dealer, they asked "Are you ready for the lifestyle change of owning a porsche turbo?" Seesh! give me a break.
Jeff
12-20-2002, 08:14 PM
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Great story Peter. I bought my current 911 from a guy who did something very similar. My car was supposedly special ordered or already bought before it was shipped. He gave me the grand tour of her anyway and showed me the other new models they had. After about 45 minutes I thanked him and told him to call when they got another S model in. He then asked me if I had ever driven a 993, he knew I currently owned a 944. I said no I haven't and he said I just traded for a 95 or 96 model and I can't let you leave here without a test drive. He gave me the keys and told me to come back within an hour or so. I brought it back with a big smile on my face and he said he would call me with their next allocation of cars when he knew. A week went by and he said the deal on the silver car fell through and was I still interested. (I could hardly hold my scream in) and I said yes I was and we struck a deal on the phone and I picked her up the next day. The whole experience was perfect.
I could also tell of some bad stories about other car experiences but why bother. Those fools will never change.
I could also tell of some bad stories about other car experiences but why bother. Those fools will never change.