Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Now I remember why I hate this process so much.
So a few weeks ago we went camping again. Wife wanted me to have some "motorcycle time" so she offered to drive the Suburban to the campsite in the morning while I worked, and I could then ride up on my bike after work to the campsite. She's pretty good at setting up the trailer so I said "sure."
She's driven the 'Burb and pulled our camper (R-Pod 179) on several occasions -but always on flat ground, on the Eastern plains. This was her first time pulling the R-Pod through the mountains (over 10,000' Kenosha Pass.)
FIRST thing she said to me after I rode up on my bike was: "Honey, you need a new truck!"
So I said I'd start looking around. We even went and test drove both a Ram 1500 and an F-150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost. We both liked the Ford better (though it was close.)
Then I start shopping around to find what I want: CCSB, 2018 (for the 10 speed tranny), 2.7, 4x4, with heated seats and a 36 gallon tank, NO LEATHER and preferably a rear locker (the last one isn't a deal breaker but it's a strong preference.) Budget is $35k.
I actually find several in the Denver metro area but unfortunately the ones that are set up the way I want are nearly 40 miles away, so I can't go look at them right away.
In the meantime, I'm going onto various web sites and sending emails to dealers.
And THIS IS WHERE THE BULLSH*T STARTS! ?
You know, I get that salesmen gotta make a living, that everyone's gotta eat, etc etc etc. I get it, seriously I do. People want to make money and they want to make as much as possible. Hey, if I was a salesman, I'd want to get the max payout from each sale as I could because you never know where the next one is coming from.
But good LORD why do they have to lie and BS so much? Salesmen like to say "buyers are liars" but buyers are nothing compared to salesmen.
I thought I'd try to be straightforward: This is my budget, this is what I'm looking for, no ifs, ands or buts. This is what I want and this is my price.
So OF COURSE, I get the "You're looking for USED and your budget is $35k? OK, here's a BRAND NEW truck that I can get you into for $41k. Oh, and it also it has a V8, leather seats and the small gas tank. Can we do business today?"
Um, NO **************. ?
But again, I'm trying to be cool. "Thanks, but that's not what I'm looking for." I then patiently explain (for the 2nd time) exactly what I want and exactly what my budget is.
So then he emails me back "You know, used trucks are really holding their value. You likely won't find a used truck with the equipment you need for your price point. But for just a few thousand more I can get you into a new one. We have great financing options!"
Does this numbnuts not understand that I own a computer?
It's one thing for a salesman to say something that pushes his product (We sell the best! Our customer service is number one!) I expect that.
But for him to say something that is not only untrue, but that is so obviously, clearly and demonstrably untrue says one of two things: Either he's an idiot, or he thinks I'm an idiot. Or he thinks I'm lazy, or desperate.
Of course, I'm just ranting here and obviously, the smart thing to do at this point is to cease communications with this moron (and I'll do just that) but I guess the reason I'm posting this is because it just shows how frustrating the car buying experience can be.
I don't know if anyone here is in vehicle sales, but let me just throw a piece of free advice out there: It's actually better to say "I don't know" than it is to outright lie. And telling someone "you won't find a better deal than this" when they have access to an internet machine is pretty stupid unless you are sure you're right.
UGH! So the process continues. Knock wood, I may have a new vehicle by the weekend.