Anonymous wrote:I bought a car last November. I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted and just ignored the gladhanding bs.

The salesguy was actually pretty chill until we got to the end of his part of the transaction. I had told him up front that I had my own financing and he was like ok that's great. But then once we got the pricing and other things out of the way he changed his tune at the end trying to get me to use their financing, bringing over a financing person to talk to me, etc. I just said no I am going with my own. He was visibly annoyed. Whatever.

Then I get to the actual business office where I am to pay and sign papers and I didn't accept any of the upselling offers of maintenance plans, warranties, etc and that guy was also visibly annoyed after being super pleasant and agreeable at the beginning.

At this point I see it as a fun challenge to get my way and not get bullied and seeing their reactions when I stand my ground - alone as a single, small, and reserved woman.


I also bought a Tesla a few years ago and that was easier than going to the freaking grocery store. Tesla has their own issues (and now I with them) but it shows that it doesn't have to be a painful process and can even be contactless.

For some people that's not fun and it's actually very unpleasant.

I go in to pick a car then email all the dealers in the local area for the best price. then go in to sign.

I bought a car last November. I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted and just ignored the gladhanding bs.

The salesguy was actually pretty chill until we got to the end of his part of the transaction. I had told him up front that I had my own financing and he was like ok that's great. But then once we got the pricing and other things out of the way he changed his tune at the end trying to get me to use their financing, bringing over a financing person to talk to me, etc. I just said no I am going with my own. He was visibly annoyed. Whatever.

Then I get to the actual business office where I am to pay and sign papers and I didn't accept any of the upselling offers of maintenance plans, warranties, etc and that guy was also visibly annoyed after being super pleasant and agreeable at the beginning.

At this point I see it as a fun challenge to get my way and not get bullied and seeing their reactions when I stand my ground - alone as a single, small, and reserved woman.


I also bought a Tesla a few years ago and that was easier than going to the freaking grocery store. Tesla has their own issues (and now I with them) but it shows that it doesn't have to be a painful process and can even be contactless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, I bought 2 last year using Costco. Super straightforward and simple.

If you did not buy from a new car dealer, where do you go for routine car maintenance?

Are you seriously asking this question? Do you think dealers only service cars that they sell? Or that the dealership is the only place to go for routine maintenance?

Are you the person from the other thread who thought insurance pays for a rental car any time your car is being repaired?

DCUM is sure full of dumb well-educated people.

I bought my car in March and have been pleasantly surprised by how non-awful the service has been for things under warranty... but the couple times I went in I was SHOCKED at how many people are there waiting. Do people REALLY go to the dealer for routine non-warranty maintenance? Why?

When my car was under warranty, I took my car to the dealer for all oil changes, tire rotations, air filter changes and battery replacements. For those things that I have mentioned, the prices were surprisingly competitive with other local garages. The water pump went bad on my Ford Explorer when it was out of full warranty and Powertrain warranty. I was quoted between $1600 to $2100 by local garages for repairs due to it being an internal water pump. The Ford dealership replaced it for $1300 and change due to some sort of assistance program. I'm sure that the fact that they had a full service history of my car was the reason I qualified for a break in the price.

Anonymous wrote:I just went to Carmax and a Toyota dealer and it was the same thing, I don’t get the difference.

PS the paperwork took an hour. But I had to wait to have the car detailed, which was annoying.

I just went to Carmax and a Toyota dealer and it was the same thing, I don’t get the difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, I bought 2 last year using Costco. Super straightforward and simple.

If you did not buy from a new car dealer, where do you go for routine car maintenance?

Are you seriously asking this question? Do you think dealers only service cars that they sell? Or that the dealership is the only place to go for routine maintenance?

Are you the person from the other thread who thought insurance pays for a rental car any time your car is being repaired?

DCUM is sure full of dumb well-educated people.

I bought my car in March and have been pleasantly surprised by how non-awful the service has been for things under warranty... but the couple times I went in I was SHOCKED at how many people are there waiting. Do people REALLY go to the dealer for routine non-warranty maintenance? Why?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, I bought 2 last year using Costco. Super straightforward and simple.

If you did not buy from a new car dealer, where do you go for routine car maintenance?

Are you seriously asking this question? Do you think dealers only service cars that they sell? Or that the dealership is the only place to go for routine maintenance?

Are you the person from the other thread who thought insurance pays for a rental car any time your car is being repaired?

DCUM is sure full of dumb well-educated people.

Anonymous wrote:I like the dealership model. I like that you can come in and test drive a car. Yes, it is a little unpleasant that they want to talk you into buying a car after that but I just tell them that I am not buying the car today, period. Other than that if you come prepared with your research done and financing lined up, you will be in and out under two hours. There is relatively little haggling going on these days plus the sales people got more professional. I don’t hear sales people saying “so you don’t want my kids to eat” in response to you asking to lower the price.

Nobody is suggesting you wouldn't get to test drive the car, but once you had, you'd get a touchscreen with the options you want and then you'd pay for it. None of this "well, let me go see what my manager says" and returning with a big sigh, "I know you wanted it for $38.5k, and we just can't do that, but I told my manager that you were just looking for a good deal, so he said he'd give you the friends and family discount and you can have it for just $675/month on a six-year financing deal!" and no "My associate would like to talk to you about filling your tires with nitrogen—I really don't recommend driving with children in the car unless you do it!"

I like the dealership model. I like that you can come in and test drive a car. Yes, it is a little unpleasant that they want to talk you into buying a car after that but I just tell them that I am not buying the car today, period. Other than that if you come prepared with your research done and financing lined up, you will be in and out under two hours. There is relatively little haggling going on these days plus the sales people got more professional. I don’t hear sales people saying “so you don’t want my kids to eat” in response to you asking to lower the price.

Anonymous wrote:they way to buy a car in 2025 is to find ones you like on cars.com.

you then go look at the cars and only talk to the internet sales person. whole different experience.

know what you willl pay before going in because you have done your research. when they talke you to the finance goy, say no to everything.

pay and leave with your new car.

everything I've ever seen online indicates that the online sales stuff has no relation to actual dealership deliverables... it's just a lead generator—even if you believe you have some agreement, when you come in, it's starting from zero—maybe you'll get what was available online, but it will have to be negotiated.

they way to buy a car in 2025 is to find ones you like on cars.com.

you then go look at the cars and only talk to the internet sales person. whole different experience.

know what you willl pay before going in because you have done your research. when they talke you to the finance goy, say no to everything.

pay and leave with your new car.

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely agree, but I still want to be able to sit in vehicles and look at them. DH likes to test drive (I do not). I really want to look at the new Kia Carnival, but I'd never buy it without looking inside.

Some of what I hate the most about dealerships is that they never have the colors and interior that I want. You can order it, but then it's a lot more expensive.

No need to do away with showrooms.

Keep around a couple of guys to check ids and go on test drives - no need to have them on commission, more like brand ambassadors who can give you the basics if you haven’t done your research. Maybe an incentive structure that rewards them for volume in sales at that location rather than price of vehicle.

After you’ve done the drive, there can be a touchscreen kiosk, like at McDonald’s where you put in the version of car you want (may still have to order it but with less need for salespeople dealerships can focus on better inventory). If you came with a check or are paying cash you proceed to the checkout counter, they hand you the keys and you’re on your way. Need financing, touch screen either connects you with BoA or Navy Federal or you can tap to get dealer financing, also done on touchscreen.

Voila, problem solved.

some dealerships are better than others - one car we were done in an hour or 2 with test drive, paperwork. the other was an all day affair. the dealer processing fee drives me crazy and I can't stand when prices include things no one is eligible for. just put the price on the car and let me look around!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people just ignore the pitter-patter. If you can't, and it stresses out that much, it probably means you have a social deficit such that you're not within the range of normal.

Oh BS. The majority of people do not enjoy the car sales process. Sales pressure is not enjoyable.

This. Too much wasted time and paperwork.

I'd like to walk on the lot, pick what I want, haggle a little over price, pay money, get title, leave.

The paperwork shouldn't take a whole frigging hour or more! 1-2 min max.

Our last car took five hours to finalize and there was no haggling.