kybearfuzz | Adventures in Car Buying, Part II

After much research and stalling, I finally returned to the car buying process today. With folder in hand, I took a deep breath and headed out to the car lots.

I started at the Honda dealer next to the Toyota dealership. A young, 20-something named Mike came up to me while I was admiring a used 2005 Toyota Corolla. He got the keys and I checked out the interior, all the bells and whistles, but a high price for a used car. I had Mike show me the new Civics and wasn't impressed with the selection. When I asked him the value of a Civic over a Corolla, I expected the usual mechanical and design advantages. Instead, what I got from Mike was a list of how unsafe the Corolla was and if safety wasn't a factor a Corolla was a good car. I was annoyed by this as he had tried to sell me a used Corolla on his lot. I scowled at Mike like he was a criminal and gave him the "thanks, but no thanks" speech.

I drove over to the Toyota dealer after a BW3 lunch. I had an internet quote for the Corolla I wanted that was actually signficantly below the TMV value for the same car listed on Edmunds.com (thanks again

benjiej). After looking at the additions, I really didn't have to barter much. My sales guy was something of a shy nerdy guy. When he tried to sell me on the undercoating and other crap, I just said no and he backed off. No pushing or pressuring for these things. I grew to like the guy. So he did the typical rate checking and I got a great interest rate and the end payment was lower than I was expecting, so I was very happy. The stress that I felt in this process was pretty much still there but seemed unneeded.

The sales guy sent me over to sign the papers on my new car and introduced me to a skinny, Republican-looking guy named Kevin who would handle that with me. Kevin began sticking papers in front of me one at a time and I read them and signed them. No real problems.... and then...

He wanted me to buy the extended warranty. I just said no thank you. He then asked me why I wouldn't want such a thing. I wanted to say "because I said so," but this was an answer my dad used to give me and I hated it. So I told him that I didn't think the extra warranty was needed as I may not even keep the car as long as the extended warranty. He said that the warranty was transferable. I told him I wasn't buying a warranty for someone who may buy my car in the future. In all of this discussion, he never told me how much it was. When I finally asked for the value, it put an extra $30 a month on my payment and I said no. He slapped the paper down in annoyance and typed a bit harder on his computer. My eyebrow raised at this juvenile behavior.

I continued to turn down one extra after another. No, I didn't want the death insurance. No, I didn't want the disability insurance. Each time, he seemed to grow a bit more surly.

Finally, we were down to the last two documents. One outlined all of the costs and add-ons and the interest rate and payment. The other he kept face down. I reviewed the first and noted a charge of $199 for something called "silent protection." I asked him what this was. He said he'd explain it on the next sheet. I said we'd discuss it now as I wouldn't sign it otherwise. It apparently is a an etched number on the windows where the police can trace the numbers to me if the car gets stolen and torn up for parts. I asked why the charge was already there before they even asked me if I wanted it. He stated it was on the car already in case the car was stolen while on the lot.

I asked if it could be removed as I wasn't interested in purchasing it. He grew annoyed with me and said it could save me money on my insurance as anti-theft. I asked if he was sure of that. He said he'd guarantee it. I told him I wasn't sure of that and wasn't taking the chance. He countered that if I didn't, he'd reimburse me for it. I wanted it in writing. He started writing it on a previous sheet. I asked if it was binding on that document. He got angry with me and jumped up from the chair and said that he would just remove it. I told him that I wasn't happy that he tried to sneak this charge on me. He said that he wasn't trying to do that. I countered with the fact he had it on the sheet BEFORE he explained to me what it was or showed me the document that gave me the opportunity to decline it. He said it was only $199. I said, if it's financed, it's $199 paid over the course of 48 months with an interest rate, which more than doubled the cost. He grabbed the door and angrily said he'd have it removed.

Now at this part of the game I should have torn up the paperwork and left the dealership. However, all that stress that had been building had reached its boiling point. This disrespect had ruined a perfectly good car buying experience for me. Kevin the rude finance guy had kicked sand in the face of my inner black woman. I was surprised as anyone when I spontaneously yelled out in a very loud, daemonic voice:

"GET THE F*@# BACK HERE!!!!"
The little prick had marched down to his boss' office. I caught a glimpse of his flailing arm through the door. I marched right up into the office and said "I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE WALK AWAY FROM ME!!!" Kevin's boss looked very bewildered by my presence. Kevin looked worried. I told his boss he was this close (insert finger and thumb gesture) from losing a customer. The boss stammered.. "Sir, I have no idea what is going on.." I explained that Kevin had gotten pissed at me for refusing a charge and stormed out of the room.

I stated that he'd get the "sanitized" version from Kevin later I'm sure. I marched down to office again where I found Kevin reprinting the form minus the charge. He put the forms back in front of me. I scowled at him, debating whether this was worth it. He kept calling me "bud" like we were old friends. I really wanted this car and was getting a good deal, but this treatment was unacceptable. Reluctantly, I signed the form, figuring the deal was good enough.

I sat there for a moment, just angrily staring at Kevin. He said, "well, that's it, congratulations.."

"Not quite," I said, "I need one more thing. I need... your... full... name." I didn't say why, but for once he didn't ask and just supplied what I needed.

Bruce the sales guy met me back outside, now wearing a sweater, and asked how it was going. I replied it was going fine until ten minutes ago. He looked puzzled, but didn't inquire further. I suspect he knows Kevin is a dick.

My new blue 2007 Toyota Corolla was pulled up to the door. I smiled. This is my first new car. Ever. It's double-digit odometer reading thrills me. I kept my 1997 Honda Civic, I have a couple of coworkers who have inquired about it. They'll get a good deal.

Afterward, I got a call from my buddy Jay and we went to dinner at the Levee. My new car drives so smooth. It's still awkward and things aren't where I'm used to them, but I'll cope. Jay let me vent the day's events and we laughed about the situation.

Car buying is stressful. Thankfully, I am done with it for at least a few years.

I'd have posted pics, but I found that taking pictures of a blue car in the night is hard. Tomorrow...

Current Mood: tired

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

ricksf.livejournal.com

Congrats on the new car!!!

I've heard (and personally had) the exact same game pulled on me that you experienced (friendly sales guy, nasty finance guy). I think it's actually a ploy that dealers use to attempt to get back some of the profit that they gave up in setting the initial pricing. In fact, I'd bet money that Kevin's running off to the boss's office would, had your inner black woman not trumped their ace, have resulted in Kevin returning to you saying 'the boss won't go for the deal unless you pay the $199'. Regardless, you negotiated a good deal and it's over! Again, congrats!

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Adventures in Car Buying, Part II

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