- Feb 18, 2001
- 7,635
- 73
- 91
I just purchased a new 2016 Nissan Frontier from my local dealer. Let me begin by stating that this is the second straight vehicle I have purchased there. The first was an absolute breeze and was actually quite enjoyable (is that even possible?).
This latest one was just the opposite.
My story should have been short and sweet but it ended up a sordid soap opera. It began with a visit to said dealer. A salesman took me on a test drive, which was fine. Upon returning to the dealership we sat and discussed price/financing. I asked the salesman to email a quote for two (2) different versions of the truck (they make over 20) because I had to leave for a previous appointment. This is where the story begins to fade to the weird zone:
1) The next day I receive a quote. I reply that the price is too high.
2) A day later I receive an email from a sales manager asking me if I would be interested in the truck for $1,000 off. I fail to get this read this email immediately because it went into my spam folder.
3) I finally find said email and immediately call the dealership. I have a negotiating position in mind based upon a ton of research. I talk to another employee who goes into great detail explaining how the original offer was a great deal. I ask about the $1,000 off email and am told that was an "up to" $1,000 discount.
4) During this period I had actually talked to and received phone calls and emails from 5 different employees. I asked that from now on I talk to only one. I finally am able to talk to my original salesman who apologized because he had lost the original email I sent him accepting their offer.
5) The dealership sends me their "best" price and I accept ... I really needed a new truck. The TrueCar estimate rated this price as "exceptional" but still not even close to the $1,000 off I was offered. I ended up paying about $300 less than their initial price.
6) I drive to the dealership to purchase the truck. The truck has been detailed (not very well) and looks OK. I fill out all paperwork and am ready to go. Here is where it gets really weird ... the salesman practically BEGS me to rate my buying experience as all 10s. Why? I am told that while my experience was not very good, any negativity (on the survey) would reflect upon him and not the dealership. Truth be told the salesman was the only positive in an experience that was a train wreck. I even sign a form that states that I have NOT been coerced into leaving positive feedback on the survey!
That is the end of this episode of "As the Stomach Turns". It could have been a good, positive experience ... but it was just the opposite. So I find myself conflicted. The management at the dealership is really fubared. My buying experience overall was a 1/10. I was lied to, ignored, etc. I should rate the dealership accordingly but according to the salesman the rating will reflect upon him and him only. What would you do?
Have any positive/negative buying experiences that you would want to share ... please do.
This latest one was just the opposite.
My story should have been short and sweet but it ended up a sordid soap opera. It began with a visit to said dealer. A salesman took me on a test drive, which was fine. Upon returning to the dealership we sat and discussed price/financing. I asked the salesman to email a quote for two (2) different versions of the truck (they make over 20) because I had to leave for a previous appointment. This is where the story begins to fade to the weird zone:
1) The next day I receive a quote. I reply that the price is too high.
2) A day later I receive an email from a sales manager asking me if I would be interested in the truck for $1,000 off. I fail to get this read this email immediately because it went into my spam folder.
3) I finally find said email and immediately call the dealership. I have a negotiating position in mind based upon a ton of research. I talk to another employee who goes into great detail explaining how the original offer was a great deal. I ask about the $1,000 off email and am told that was an "up to" $1,000 discount.
4) During this period I had actually talked to and received phone calls and emails from 5 different employees. I asked that from now on I talk to only one. I finally am able to talk to my original salesman who apologized because he had lost the original email I sent him accepting their offer.
5) The dealership sends me their "best" price and I accept ... I really needed a new truck. The TrueCar estimate rated this price as "exceptional" but still not even close to the $1,000 off I was offered. I ended up paying about $300 less than their initial price.
6) I drive to the dealership to purchase the truck. The truck has been detailed (not very well) and looks OK. I fill out all paperwork and am ready to go. Here is where it gets really weird ... the salesman practically BEGS me to rate my buying experience as all 10s. Why? I am told that while my experience was not very good, any negativity (on the survey) would reflect upon him and not the dealership. Truth be told the salesman was the only positive in an experience that was a train wreck. I even sign a form that states that I have NOT been coerced into leaving positive feedback on the survey!
That is the end of this episode of "As the Stomach Turns". It could have been a good, positive experience ... but it was just the opposite. So I find myself conflicted. The management at the dealership is really fubared. My buying experience overall was a 1/10. I was lied to, ignored, etc. I should rate the dealership accordingly but according to the salesman the rating will reflect upon him and him only. What would you do?
Have any positive/negative buying experiences that you would want to share ... please do.