Car Dealerships... Unbelievable
05-20-2014, 06:13 PM
#21
Melting Slicks
I didn’t have this issue buying either one of my corvettes but I did get snubbed at a BMW dealership. I believe I was in my mid to late 20’s and I walked into a local BMW dealership. I am sure I was dressed like your average 20-year old at the time, nothing special. I was greeted by no one. I looked around, found a car I liked and hunted down a sales person. I asked him if I could test drive one of their cars. His reply, “we are not test driving any cars today” and walked away. I guess to make sure a-holes only drive BMW’s the sales people need to be a-holes too. (kidding to all that might be BMW drivers)
05-20-2014, 06:38 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
Buy third party... very unlikely I would ever bother with a dealer for a used car, unless it was the only place I could find what I wanted.
Were the keys in the car? If not, I'm not sure how you even leave a C6 unlocked. Maybe it's a setting, but seems odd they would turn off the auto locking feature.
Were the keys in the car? If not, I'm not sure how you even leave a C6 unlocked. Maybe it's a setting, but seems odd they would turn off the auto locking feature.
05-20-2014, 06:48 PM
#23
I bought my 79 when I was 20 years old. It took 9 months to finally come in. I went to pick it up and obviously I was excited. I was out sitting in it while the sales person was counting the money I gave him. OK, it was 1979. I was wearing shorts/tee shirt and sandals. Pony tale, sun glasses. There was an older gentleman looking at a Chevete. Remember those things? He walked over and told me that if I was to clean up my act and get a job that I could afford a car like that. He was still standing there when the sales guy tossed me the keys and I drove off.
Here's a link to the Girls.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...questions.html
Here's a link to the Girls.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...questions.html
05-20-2014, 06:49 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
When I was ready to purchase my Vette I experienced different treatment at all of them. Some said no test drives until we do some paperwork and make sure you are serious. Another said sure we can take it for a test ride.
Actually the best treatment I got was at a Porsche dealer. He let me drive several of the Porsche models without even riding along. That would be the dealer I would purchase from if I ever move over to that side again.
Actually the best treatment I got was at a Porsche dealer. He let me drive several of the Porsche models without even riding along. That would be the dealer I would purchase from if I ever move over to that side again.
05-20-2014, 07:08 PM
#25
Instructor
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wow they suck. When I bought mine, they let me take it out in the rain with no "pre-qual" or anything. I had made an appointment to see it. They had it ready for me when I got there, the sales guy pulled it into the garage, let me get in. I didn't mention money or anything, he did know I was driving almost 2 hours to see it, so he had to know how serious I was. I was 28 and came in jeans and a t-shirt. I never dress flashy
05-20-2014, 07:54 PM
#26
Melting Slicks
05-20-2014, 08:35 PM
#27
I'm a gratuitous test driver. 
I've driven all the versions of Vettes (C6) that I don't own and a couple of C7s; done it because I had an hour to kill before a restaurant opened, I've gotten bored and decided to test drive a Vette, Heck, I've even gone for a test drive while waiting for my car to be serviced. I've never had anyone say no.
I've driven all the versions of Vettes (C6) that I don't own and a couple of C7s; done it because I had an hour to kill before a restaurant opened, I've gotten bored and decided to test drive a Vette, Heck, I've even gone for a test drive while waiting for my car to be serviced. I've never had anyone say no.
05-20-2014, 08:35 PM
#28
Pro<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/500-1000.gif" border="0">
05-20-2014, 08:54 PM
#29
It took me about a year to find a dealer I liked well enough to spend money with. (Thanks Rick)
I was ignored at one dealership, talked down to at another. I guess the salesmen think a woman is too stupid or poor or something to buy a C6. One dealer wouldn't talk to me about what I wanted but would only talk about what he wanted to sell me.
I was so tired of calling and visiting dealerships I had about given up on buying my Grand Sport.
Best wishes in dealing with the yard sharks.
I was ignored at one dealership, talked down to at another. I guess the salesmen think a woman is too stupid or poor or something to buy a C6. One dealer wouldn't talk to me about what I wanted but would only talk about what he wanted to sell me.
I was so tired of calling and visiting dealerships I had about given up on buying my Grand Sport.
Best wishes in dealing with the yard sharks.
05-20-2014, 08:56 PM
#30
Racer
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Private Sale
I think that 90% of the time you are better off buying a used vette in a private sale where you can talk to the owner and not pay a dealer markup. You just have to be patient. Eventually you will turn up a great car and have a motivated seller that lets it go for a very decent price. For a little north of $30k, you can get into an 08 or 09 with the LS3.
05-20-2014, 09:05 PM
#31
Safety Car
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2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
SlothX311 - Call the dealership and speak with the General Manager. Tell him your experience (with names if you know them) and then tell him you are coming back to look at the Corvette again, BUT you will only work with him because of your previous experience. Let him know you are serious about buying this car if it all checks out. If he balks or downright turns you down, walk away knowing you did more than was required of you to try and make it work.
There will be another one out there for you.
There will be another one out there for you.
05-20-2014, 09:11 PM
#34
Race Director
So I pull up to a local used car dealership this weekend with my fiance ready to show her what my obsession is all about. She's into the idea of a weekend toy but I knew if she saw it up close she would be as excited as I was. We've been ready to buy for some time, but haven't pulled the trigger yet due to poor selection, high prices, planning a wedding, etc.
So I walk up to an 2007 2LT with 20k ish miles on it. Priced a little north of of 30k. Exterior was in very good condition. The car was a tad higher than my budget due to the low miles but I figured it was very close almost all of my other requirements in a C6. Also, with some wiggle room and or negotiating it was definitely doable.
My fiance and I are both 27, dressed in casual but tasteful Saturday clothing (we just came from the flea market,) and we're driving a newer, clean, common middle class sedan. The salesman took one look at us when we said what we were interested in and walked back inside... I was slightly confused. "Maybe he forgot his business card.." I thought. "Maybe.. he's grabbing the Corvette sales guy??" I was clueless.
So without thinking much of it beyond that, I continue with my up close walk around. The doors are unlocked so I scope out the interior. I get in, everything checks out. I'm pretty hopeful at this point.
I finally track down a sales guy (couldn't find the initial guy I spoke with) and tell him I'm interested in this car on his lot. I filled him in on the different years and trims I've driven and that this car was the best mileage and overall condition I've found thus far. I tell him I'd like to take it for a test drive and I'm ready to buy if the car checks out on the road. To my surprise he would not allow me to do so. I had to "pre-qualify" before driving.
I was so offended that I just left. You want to pre-qualify me on a brand new $70,000 car, fine I get it. But a $30,000, used car...that you leave unlocked on your lot?? Unbelievable. They missed out on a sale that day. Needless to say this car is still sitting on their lot.
So I walk up to an 2007 2LT with 20k ish miles on it. Priced a little north of of 30k. Exterior was in very good condition. The car was a tad higher than my budget due to the low miles but I figured it was very close almost all of my other requirements in a C6. Also, with some wiggle room and or negotiating it was definitely doable.
My fiance and I are both 27, dressed in casual but tasteful Saturday clothing (we just came from the flea market,) and we're driving a newer, clean, common middle class sedan. The salesman took one look at us when we said what we were interested in and walked back inside... I was slightly confused. "Maybe he forgot his business card.." I thought. "Maybe.. he's grabbing the Corvette sales guy??" I was clueless.
So without thinking much of it beyond that, I continue with my up close walk around. The doors are unlocked so I scope out the interior. I get in, everything checks out. I'm pretty hopeful at this point.
I finally track down a sales guy (couldn't find the initial guy I spoke with) and tell him I'm interested in this car on his lot. I filled him in on the different years and trims I've driven and that this car was the best mileage and overall condition I've found thus far. I tell him I'd like to take it for a test drive and I'm ready to buy if the car checks out on the road. To my surprise he would not allow me to do so. I had to "pre-qualify" before driving.
I was so offended that I just left. You want to pre-qualify me on a brand new $70,000 car, fine I get it. But a $30,000, used car...that you leave unlocked on your lot?? Unbelievable. They missed out on a sale that day. Needless to say this car is still sitting on their lot.
If it was unlocked the fob was in the car...you should have started her up lol... Well mine is that way...hmmm...
But yea...I feel your pain. Call the dealer and complain to the OWNER. You'll make a good friend..
05-20-2014, 09:14 PM
#35
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I test drove a Highlander at a Toyota dealer and liked it. We sat down and I asked the salesman for his rock bottom out the door price. He wouldn't give me a price! He said I just wanted a price so I could negotiate with another dealer. After I got over the shock, I just said good bye. That was the strangest experience I every had. Why did he let me test drive it?
05-20-2014, 10:27 PM
#36
Well my dealer brought mine to me to test drive for the weekend after I called and asked a few questions about it. Worked out well for us both. I brought him a personal check on the following Monday.
Last edited by Roddy1; 05-20-2014 at 10:31 PM.
05-20-2014, 10:39 PM
#38
Instructor
05-20-2014, 10:57 PM
#39
Melting Slicks
I had a similar experience 10 years ago,was at pontiac dealer, asked to test drive ,was flat out told NO. The dealer then turned inn his heals and walked away.I drove across the street to a plymouth dealer,made a deal drove the new car across the street and pulled up in front of the window,leaned on the horn until several salesman walked out,including mr "NO" guy,and smiled and waved at him as I pulled away.What a dumbazz!
05-20-2014, 11:03 PM
#40
Instructor
I personally do not like dealing with Chevy sales people even though I am a Chevy person for the most part and that is why I ended up buying my used Vette from a Caddy dealer.
I had talked with a dealer in Texas who specializes in used Vettes and the sales guy wanted 30% down, I did not want to put anything down, the guy told me I was nuts and that purchasing that way was not possible, well that is BS as I have purchased most of my vehicles new and used with zero to $1K down.
The Caddy dealer that had the Vette I wanted and ended up with was in Oklahoma and put the whole thing together in 20 minutes, discounted the vehicle and covered the delivery (to my home in Nebraska), oh yes also included an extended warranty.
Granted I did not see the vehicle until a few weeks after it was delivered, no did I see it on the lot or test drive it, just took the sales guys word that It was like new (he e-mailed photos to me) and it was, this was my 5th. Vette that I purchased with out a test drive or money down on financing.
Just my 2 cents worth and I have family members that are car dealers.
I had talked with a dealer in Texas who specializes in used Vettes and the sales guy wanted 30% down, I did not want to put anything down, the guy told me I was nuts and that purchasing that way was not possible, well that is BS as I have purchased most of my vehicles new and used with zero to $1K down.
The Caddy dealer that had the Vette I wanted and ended up with was in Oklahoma and put the whole thing together in 20 minutes, discounted the vehicle and covered the delivery (to my home in Nebraska), oh yes also included an extended warranty.
Granted I did not see the vehicle until a few weeks after it was delivered, no did I see it on the lot or test drive it, just took the sales guys word that It was like new (he e-mailed photos to me) and it was, this was my 5th. Vette that I purchased with out a test drive or money down on financing.
Just my 2 cents worth and I have family members that are car dealers.