Dealers

[NJBob]

Having seen many posts on dealers both good and bad. Got me wondering how other counties handle car sales. My dealer was great but not sure if we would better off without them.

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[OleFordGuy]

Well I'll probably be in the minority on the subject and that's fine. So I'm in my senior years, purchased a lot of vehicles in my time for myself, wife and kids. Lived in the same area all my life. Given that, I generally knew the reputation of the majority of the dealers in my area, generally from word of mouth, etc. There were really only a couple that I had consistently heard negative comments about, so I didn't bother going there. All that being said, I have no negative feelings for dealers and would rather deal through an established dealer, at least I know I can get it serviced locally for warranty issues etc. I've never gotten a terrible deal, did they make some money, of course, their in business to do so. They have all the normal expenses of overhead, employees, health insurance, just as we as individuals/homeowners/family's, etc. do. The concept of the dealer network has a lot of positive benefits in my opinion. Over the years I've encountered numerous times that some warranty work needed done that took longer than a day. In each case, I was given a loaner vehicle at no cost. That's a value to me and technically in the majority of cases a dealer is not required to do so. About a year and a half ago my wife's expedition had a tsb/recall deal on cam phasers, the notice Ford mailed noted normally 2-3 days of repair. Well, it ended up taking 6 weeks due to parts shortages. The day I carried it in for the work the dealer gave us a brand new F150 Lariat 4 door with 4 miles on it. We drove it the entire 6 weeks. Would a manufacture selling direct to me do that, maybe but probably not, I'd be paying rental fees. Am I against buy direct, NO, but I think the buyer should have the choice. For me, I'll go through a dealer. For those would want the direct method, that's awesome, go for it. Whatever makes ya happy - different strokes for different folks.

 

[NJBob]

Yes I have seen horror stories about Teslas. My dealer was great. Dealers can and should be an advocate for the customers. But they can also be crooks too. Internet reviews not much of a help as they are manipulated.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Only other thing I'll add (purely personal opinion), So if I were a dealer and let's say you decided to purchase direct online, then your battery went bad, had wiring or fuse issues, battery management issues, exhaust issues, axle issues, air bag issues, etc. and you needed warranty or out of warranty service needed, you would be on the hind tit, last in line, with all the customers that purchased from me or another dealer ahead of you. And whenever we did get to your issue, no we would not be giving you a loaner vehicle.

 

[ATXTACOS]

Only other thing I'll add (purely personal opinion), So if I were a dealer and let's say you decided to purchase direct online, then your battery went bad, had wiring or fuse issues, battery management issues, exhaust issues, axle issues, air bag issues, etc. and you needed warranty or out of warranty service needed, you would be on the hind tit, last in line, with all the customers that purchased from me or another dealer ahead of you. And whenever we did get to your issue, no we would not be giving you a loaner vehicle.

OleFordguy you could not run a successful modern business. If people were buying cars somewhere else, you would need every penny you could get to be successful.
And this isn't an attack I appreciate all your input I see on here. I just think the business climate is different these days.

 

[TwoTone]

No was complaining about buying from dealers when you could negotiate deals under invoice, now all of sudden everyone wants to buy direct like Tesla.
Problem is, once the market realigns, if you buy direct there are no deals to be had.

I get it if you live someone with one dealer, but if you're willing to travel.

I live in the DC area, so a lot of dealers of any make. Send an email to each one and just go to the one with the best price. Doesn't work for something that is currently in high demand, but the Bronco and Maverick will eventually be just another vehicle sitting on the lot.

I'm in the minority, love the dealer model, just take a little work to get a great deal.

 

[Montana]

No was complaining about buying from dealers when you could negotiate deals under invoice, now all of sudden everyone wants to buy direct like Tesla.
Problem is, once the market realigns, if you buy direct there are no deals to be had.

I get it if you live someone with one dealer, but if you're willing to travel.

I live in the DC area, so a lot of dealers of any make. Send an email to each one and just go to the one with the best price. Doesn't work for something that is currently in high demand, but the Bronco and Maverick will eventually be just another vehicle sitting on the lot.

I'm in the minority, love the dealer model, just take a little work to get a great deal.

I think it's hopeful that the market in this category will stabilize. They know they can get away with it and are making more than every by selling less. Why would they change anything to have vehicles sitting on lots? It certainly is a shit show though, I agree. What we see on lots around me is $90k full size trucks just sitting there and rotting though. And then they put a tag on it near the end of the year "$7k off!" like it helps...

I do miss the dealer model as well. I hate dealerships and their tactics, but if you know then you know and it can be mitigated. You don't have to pay any of that extra crap and 10 years ago you could actually negotiate under MSRP. Removing that you are forced to pay whatever the manufacturer wants to charge and I fear that is the business model we are moving towards. Again, they know this so why change it? Dealers are basically there to help the ones that walk in and the quick sales. They are essentially used car lots now. Even worse is people are HAPPY to pay MSRP because the market is so effed up and we brag about it online now... At this rate, it will only increase prices especially since inflation is "normalized" in this country at such astronomical rates.

OleFordguy you could not run a successful modern business. If people were buying cars somewhere else, you would need every penny you could get to be successful.
And this isn't an attack I appreciate all your input I see on here. I just think the business climate is different these days.

I agree. If it's the brand the dealer is selling and the warranty is through the brand, it's not a good look for your business to turn it down simply because you didn't personally make the sale. You have the potential to gain a future returning customer- carpe the diem.

 

[ATXTACOS]

I agree. If it's the brand the dealer is selling and the warranty is through the brand, it's not a good look for your business to turn it down simply because you didn't personally make the sale. You have the potential to gain a future returning customer- carpe the diem.
[/QUOTE]
I work in the bicycle industry, it's not as expensive as cars but I sell $5k-$12K bikes. I work on bikes no matter where they were purchased. I process warranties no matter where they were purchased. If I can't get your repair/warranty completed in a timely fashion, I'll give you a loaner. I'm trying to drown my customers in hospitality. I want you to come back and let me fix your bike and hope you buy your next bike from me. I want you to tell you friends about how awesome I was so they will come to me for service or a new bike.
When I was about to pay off my last car a 2013 Mustang GT, I took it to a different dealer than I bought it from for warranty repairs. They happily installed a new roof shade (glass top), head unit and driver seat power motor under warranty. It was $3500 dollars' worth of work and they did it with a smile. I gave them a great review and gave them first shot at ordering my Maverick.

 

[garryjohnson]

I bought my truck at a dealer in Panama City at AutoNation Ford, but I live 100 miles away in Pensacola. I have all warranty work and service done at my local dealer (World Ford) and they do first rate work. They have always treated me with respect and I've never felt like I was a "2nd rate citizen" when going there for service.

 

[Exranger]

I miss the good old days when they had “ad cars” you could look in the paper and see the price and pay that plus tax. It was that color and those options and if you liked it you bought it. I bought my 98 ranger as an ad car for $14,250. Also bought a new 2006 dodge caravan for $13,995 with MSRP of 23,000! It seems like it is shifting back a little bit but not like before.

 

[surfstar]

I miss the good old days when they had “ad cars” you could look in the paper and see the price and pay that plus tax. It was that color and those options and if you liked it you bought it. I bought my 98 ranger as an ad car for $14,250. Also bought a new 2006 dodge caravan for $13,995 with MSRP of 23,000! It seems like it is shifting back a little bit but not like before.

LOL
Ah yes - "One at this price" ads

Try and make them show you that one vehicle at the dealer after you arrive, and if they're honest they'll say "nah, you gotta squint to read the finer print - shoulda said 'none', not 'one'"

 

[NJBob]

Anyone know how it's done in other countries? Do they all have dealers like we do? I have no issues with dealers trying to get more for the cars. But it's the deceptive practices like mandatory add ons. BS fees. When you go to check out.

 

[NJBob]

LOL
Ah yes - "One at this price" ads

Try and make them show you that one vehicle at the dealer after you arrive, and if they're honest they'll say "nah, you gotta squint to read the finer print - shoulda said 'none', not 'one'"

I was buying a Jeep Cherokee, used an ad to try and get a local dealer to match it. He told me no way that place is a bunch of crooks they are not going to have that car. Well they did and I bought it. I was shocked.

 

[KEMeyer]

Well I'll probably be in the minority on the subject and that's fine. So I'm in my senior years, purchased a lot of vehicles in my time for myself, wife and kids. Lived in the same area all my life. Given that, I generally knew the reputation of the majority of the dealers in my area, generally from word of mouth, etc. There were really only a couple that I had consistently heard negative comments about, so I didn't bother going there. All that being said, I have no negative feelings for dealers and would rather deal through an established dealer, at least I know I can get it serviced locally for warranty issues etc. I've never gotten a terrible deal, did they make some money, of course, their in business to do so. They have all the normal expenses of overhead, employees, health insurance, just as we as individuals/homeowners/family's, etc. do. The concept of the dealer network has a lot of positive benefits in my opinion. Over the years I've encountered numerous times that some warranty work needed done that took longer than a day. In each case, I was given a loaner vehicle at no cost. That's a value to me and technically in the majority of cases a dealer is not required to do so. About a year and a half ago my wife's expedition had a tsb/recall deal on cam phasers, the notice Ford mailed noted normally 2-3 days of repair. Well, it ended up taking 6 weeks due to parts shortages. The day I carried it in for the work the dealer gave us a brand new F150 Lariat 4 door with 4 miles on it. We drove it the entire 6 weeks. Would a manufacture selling direct to me do that, maybe but probably not, I'd be paying rental fees. Am I against buy direct, NO, but I think the buyer should have the choice. For me, I'll go through a dealer. For those would want the direct method, that's awesome, go for it. Whatever makes ya happy - different strokes for different folks.

10-4 good buddy!

 

[OleFordGuy]

OleFordguy you could not run a successful modern business. If people were buying cars somewhere else, you would need every penny you could get to be successful.
And this isn't an attack I appreciate all your input I see on here. I just think the business climate is different these days.

I sorta get what you saying, but notice I included purchased from me as the dealer or another dealer would get preference over someone that wanted to save the last penny buying online but expect equal treatment as buyers from dealers in the service dept. Naturally a business needs all they can get but ya have to draw the line somewhere. I think I would still do fine in business. But i appreciate both sides of the opinion

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