As I recently told a Chevy Manager: “If I am ever lonely in the future and need to talk to someone I will be sure to fill out a free quote form for a new car.”
I have gotten repeat emails, some every other day, unsolicited text messages, and my voicemail filled up to cap 3 times in the last 2 weeks since I filled out 5 free quotes on various makes and models for 2012.
After the first week I stopped answering my phone. I will respond to emails, tho. However, upon being truthful about my situation on why I needed a new car (my wonderful 2005 Pontiac Vibe was a victim of a Hit n Run while parked in front of the house one quiet night 2 weeks before Christmas) – I was told by a salesperson in reply, “You’re funny.”
Um…what?
Look, it is simple really. I want to be treated like the intelligent, kind, sincere, over 35 yrs of age adult that I am with extensive life experiences and not like a walking bank account nor a clueless simpleton.
Don’t send me the youngest, good-looking salesperson that could be my kid just because I am a woman to be flattered or because I walk in with my husband and it might spur some parental urges. That backfires on me. I get just as conniving, manipulative and begin to lie thru my teeth. Equally offensive is when I am actually treated well by a salesperson throughout my questions and the test-drive, only to have someone else swoop down with a blank sheet of paper and a marker and starts writing down numbers in a flourish when it comes time for the financial discussion.
You know what would impress me? When I ask, “How much is the car?” and I am told out right. I have yet to encounter this. Answering my question with the question, “Will you be financing or leasing?” is a sure-fire way to make me want to walk out the door. The price of the vehicle is not and should not be tied to how I will be paying for it. But I stay because I want to test-drive these overpriced PlaySkool inspired automobiles that seem to grace the lots these days. When I ask for a higher model to test-drive and there is none available, don’t tell me to test the base model because, and I quote, “It is the same car anyway.”
If that is true, then sell it to me at the same price.
The dealers need to re-assess how they train their sales people. Buying a new item, as we all know, is most often a fun exciting venture – has almost a Christmas feel to it. Car salespeople have drained that experience completely out of buying a new car.
