OT: Toyota Guys? I need your help.

That's a good way to handle it, Noah. I just wish i could be that up front with people. Honestly, I'm pretty passive aggressive. I wish i had the gonads to do that to people, but i just can't. The guy was obviously struggling with what he was doing. He even told us he was a band director before this job (huh?). We really were getting a good deal on the car, but it was the dealership policy to beat the potential customer about the head and shoulders with skittering back and forth to the manager's office, keeping you in the dark, and generally not being well equiped to deal with a smart customer. You see, they wear you down. Bring you back 3 or 4 nights and push a piece of paper in front ot you to sign. It wasn't poor Rick's fault. He was just a cog in the machine...albeit a bad cog. I'm in business and i'm in sales. Unfortunately it's the typical used car salesman that makes my job worse. Bad car salesmen are to sales as to what eel-like lawyers are to those in the law profession. it only takes a few to make all the folks think we're all crooked. We've gone to a different lot now. We have a nice salesman named Ralph that is only selling cars to put a little money away for an early retirement. you could tell he was on the level and had more freedom to do what was best. We'll see what he comes up with. I won't be going back to where i was.
Thanks for all the insight, guys. i'm new to this "grown-up" thing, but i'm learning it slow and steady:)

jake
 
Generally if you go to a Toyota dealer for a used Toyota you will come out ahead, generally.;)

And a Certified Toyota is damned near as good as a brand new one, generally.;)
 
Steely_Gunz said:
. . . I just wish i could be that up front with people. Honestly, I'm pretty passive aggressive. I wish i had the gonads to do that to people, but i just can't . . .
Click to expand...

Well, Jake, Rick & Co. sure didn't have a problem doing it to you, did they?

If they get the message that you are not receptive to the usual and customary approach, in my experience most dealerships will change tactics. In fact, I've walked into dealerships and before discussing any vehicle I go into "semi-Drill Instructor" mode, put the eyes on the salesman and in so many words tell him:

"I am a small businessman; my time is very valuable to me and I do NOT have time for protracted negotiations. My customers want from me my "best" price -- I do NOT get a second chance to requote or negotiate. That's what I want from you. Best price, first time, no second chance, if you want to sell the vehicle today. I am prepared to buy, and I'm also prepared to walk. No games. No back and forth; I do NOT have the time. I realize that your job is make me feel good about you and the dealership, but I buy the VEHICLE, not the salesman or dealer. If your best price is acceptable, we move forward. If not, I walk. I expect you to inform your manager of these terms before we start. Your call: Can we do business or not?"

They are not your friend, no matter their "I'll see what I can do for you" line as they head for the Inner Sanctum. The salesman's job is to sell you the vehicle with as high a price as possible. Also, when you and your wife talk it over, go outside for privacy, if it's bad weather, get in your own vehicle. More than one large dealership in these parts has cameras all around, and microphones in the sales cubicles. They know you talk when the sales guy heads for the office, and they what to know what you're thinking.

Good luck!

Noah
 
I've owned 4 camry's. 87, 95, 2000, 2005. I've noticed some de-contenting over time. You might want to cruise the Edmunds forums to get some viewpoints from the fanatics. There were some 2004 front end alignment problems that toyota was reluctant to address. Some of the camry forums are dedicated to dashboard rattles and piciune stuff like that. One recurrent theme is the perceived superiority of "J" VIN models (Japan assembled) over the "4" VIN's. A salesman obviously won't admit to one being superior to the other. I asked more than a few dealership mechanics, service writers and independent toyota repair places for their viewpoints. All but a few told me that the "J" VIN toyotas were preferable. A few were vehement about it. I've never owned a "4" VIN so I can't validate any of this.
 
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