The pre owned sales process is antiquated and predatory. - lindsey
The pre owned sales process is antiquated and predatory. I was told that they price cars low to get people to come from out of the area, but they can't take off the $3,500 in extras that are not listed anywhere on the website (Despite the claim that they are) because then they would lose money on the car.
Prior to my arrival, I requested an out the door price sheet because I did not want to waste time driving 90 minutes if we couldn't reach a deal. After asking for the extras to be removed I was told, "that is usually how we sell all of our vehicles with all products installed, but we are willing to work with you but all negotiations would be done here in house."
It felt like the staff forgot it was 2026, including such highlights as:
-My manager just chewed me out for asking those to be removed.
-It's not up to me (said by showroom manager, who it is very much up to.)
-This is legally required by the state (Referring to the charge which is not required)
-It is already hardwired installed and can't be removed (I responded that I know that the OD2 port is just a plug in under the steering wheel)
-all dealerships do this, even if you go to Sacramento. We all have extras to make money on the cars. I then said that saying we are all xxxxty, is not a good sales tactic. Manager then doubled down and repeated this, that's the way it is.
-Having a second man walk over to be the heavy and explain the 3 extras couldn't be removed.
-I had been on site 2 hours. I had communicated before I got there I would not take extras. Had been wasting time with the back and forth having to repeat myself, I will buy it now for sticker price, no add ons. Then was told, "it will be a few more minutes to see if there is anything he can do." This is just wasting my time in an attempt to wear me down so I will just say yes to get it over with and pretending something is being 'worked on' while the manager can just decide yes or no.
It also seems very clear that getting my income information, was then used on their end to assume that my income of $150K+ meant I could and would afford the $3500 of extra xx on the car. I can absolutely afford it and am also smart enough to not buy crap I don't want or need to. Again, so transparently predatory.
End result - the "non removable extras" were removed and I bought the car. The tactic to take hours to hem and haw and attempt to wear me down and give me incorrect information INTENTIONALLY in an attempt to get me to agree to buy the xx profit puppy extras: unethical, and exactly the gross stereotype of car salesmen, in full blown practice. This is why Carvana exists, so people don't have to feel bullied and taken advantage of just to purchase a car at the listed sales price.
My auto Fico was over 850, I put $5K down, financed through the dealership (Which we know you make money off of by adding to my interest rate) and showed up having already said what car I wanted and was ready to purchase it right then. Is this not the exact type of customer you want? I can only imagine what other customers go through who are less knowledgeable or comfortable calling out the xx.
I can't stand a process where I am lied to, treated like I am stupid, and then you take my money. Left a terrible taste in my mouth. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a single female work there. But I stopped working at a dealership for the exact environment that you foster, so I bet it is very rare that you receive female applicants.
Now, do I think the 2 men I worked with on the 'sale' are an outlier? No, I think this is the exact way all sales staff here are instructed to operate. But wouldn't it be better to respect customers and be transparent and see if they could still sell cars on true facts and less the customer make choices for themselves? Instead I still had to go through the steps of bullying, lies, attempted sympathy (I will lose money on this deal) and fake concern...... All for buying a car and the listed sales price.
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