Car Dealer Tips, Tricks, Scams etc

[oxmo]

I am interested to learn more about everything that goes on at the car dealer, from an insider's pint of view.
I myself used to be a car salesman but I doubt I have seen half the things that many others have seen.
Lets share ideas and links to pages where we can find out as much information as possible to prevent others from being taken advantage of. Here is a link to get us started; Blog - Ryan The Negotiator

[subieboy]

Interesting reading.

I have never paid the delivery fee, told them it was a deal breaker if they wanted $1500 for that, twat tried saying it was to make the car the same cost Aus wide. I could barely keep a straight face when he said...

I was the fleet controller for a major transport company at the time... I politely said: "**** off mate, did you listen to me when you asked what I did for a living?"

[oxmo]

Yeah that dealer delivery fee me thinks is a bit of a rort.

The last time I went to purchase a car I found it strange how the 'dealer delivery' fee seemed to vary, and sometimes greatly, from dealer to dealer, lol?

[Idle]

I'm old enough to remember when it was first introduced in Australia (late 1930's.)

It was said at the time to be to compensate the dealer for having to do the final pre-delivery cleanup and rectify various production line shortcuts — such as brakes "adjusted" by screwing one up until it was binding, paint left unpolished, chassis bearings not greased and bolts left loose, alignments set to an approximate measurement, doors not accurately fitted etc.

As production lines became automated and setups more precise, the dealers had less work to do and pre-delivery became largely a perk — today there might be an hour or so of actual work on a new car prior to delivery, but rather than finishing off the build it will be mainly cosmetic.

It's also a way to advertise an attractive price and load the unstated on-road costs — hence the push several years ago for "drive-away" prices.

[Alister]

I recommend you watch a movie called 'Suckers' - should assist with providing a bit of insight into the industry.

[wai]

Always make sure you can see everyone involved in the negotiation so they can't play
"good rep, bad rep" with you. Dealerships are designed to isolate the buyer from those making the offer from the dealership.

[oxmo]

I recommend you watch a movie called 'Suckers' - should assist with providing a bit of insight into the industry.

I could not find that movie on itunes, (:
What about the movie where the guy used to be a criminal and then he gets a job as a car salesman. If I remember correctly, the brand was Lexus, at one point, as he is showing the car to potential buyers he shows them the boot and says, "look at the size, you could fit 3 dead bodies in there".
Anyone remember the name?

[GTi Bhoy]

I worked in the industry as a sales manager for a couple of brands including VW fir 13 years and this movie is as close as it gets.
Great laugh.

I recommend you watch a movie called 'Suckers' - should assist with providing a bit of insight into the industry.

[Sunny43.5]

Analyze That with Robert Di Nero Italian Mafia Car Salesman - YouTube . Another funny one is "Used Cars" with Kurt Russell and Jack Warden every dirty trick in the book used in this one very funny movie , the opening credits start with a guy working under the dash as the camera goes for the close up the mileage gauge starts rolling back . I walked out on a new car dealer two years ago after his valuer blurted out that as the model van I was trading in had a reputation with the auto,s he in his words that I clearly heard said to the salesman " ït,s an automatic I would not trust it " I stood up and told the salesman we could not do any business and walked out .

[wai]

I stood up and told the salesman we could not do any business and walked out .

And that's what buyers need to be prepared to do.

Always remember, the dealer rep has to meet sales targets as the vehicles they have are costing them money until they are sold.

YOU have a choice!