What's Your BIGGEST Pet Peeve Dealers Irritate When You're Shopping For A New Car?

I think it's pretty clear why we're all here. We all love cars. Not just a little bit, a lot. For me, cars have been a major part of my life and it's not because of the work. It's because ever since I was a little boy it was about the numbers, understanding what makes a vehicle special and the joy of just going for a ride.

But my, oh my. The WORST part about cars is getting them, no question about that.

And a recent Consumer Reports story detailed its experience when it had to acquire a 2012 328i for testing purposes. For those of you that don't know, Consumer Reports actually goes out and purchases products to test them so it completely eliminates any bias or favoritism.

According to them, it is usually an easy process but not this time when a New York tri-state BMW dealer took them for a ride -- not a joyous one.

That said, I am a little curious: what irritates YOU the MOST when it comes to working with a dealer to acquire a new vehicle?

I'll lead off. With the last car I snapped up, I had to wait over a month to get the car whose location wasn't exactly known for approximately two weeks. Talk about an annoying problem to have. It was like I had to beg these guys to GIVE them my money.


**Make sure to check out AutoSpies.com's sister site DealerRater.com, which has the inside scoop on TONS of dealers thanks to its reviews

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MorePower - 3/17/2012 5:48:48 AM

+3 Boost

Why does it take four hours to buy a car when I have an appointment to buy the car? The quickest I've ever bought a car still took over two hours, the process needs to be streamlined.

Also, the four square thing and "let me talk to my manager" really pisses me off! If the person I'm talking to can't pull the trigger on a deal, why am I talking to them.

Agent00R - 3/17/2012 12:43:13 PM

+1 Boost

@MorePower

Right on.

I had to sit around for several hours meanwhile the car's sitting there all prepped. Manager was sitting there out in the open jerking around, organizing files.

JRobUSC - 3/17/2012 2:01:13 PM

+5 Boost

I've been on both sides of the negotiating table. I can guarantee you the sales guy is totally authorized to pull the trigger on the deal if the customer is willing to pay full price or close to it. If he has to "talk to the manager" it's because you aren't willing to pay that (which is totally understandable), and he actually does have to talk to him. The manager knows what the cost on the car is, if another salesperson has other customers on the same car offering more, if it's an old unit that needs to be moved, etc. That's why the manager is there, to decide whether to take deals. He's the one that is responsible, not the sales guy. If you don't want the sales guy to have to talk to the manager, all you have to do is not negotiate. Personally I'd rather save some money, so I'm fine with him taking five minutes to talk to the manager.

CarCrazedinCali - 3/17/2012 3:33:19 PM

0 Boost

JRobUSC, amen brother

Joe_L - 3/17/2012 7:59:05 AM

+3 Boost

When the salesman won't give you the price of the car, but only discuss how much do you want your monthly payments to be. Simple.. I'm smart enough to figure out that I only want 3 years of payments and can divide.

I had one dealership that REFUSED to work on final price, only payments.. I walked out and they chased me to my car asking what they could do to sell the car. Always warn anyone I know who is looking for a car not to shop there.

Agent00R - 3/17/2012 12:44:03 PM

0 Boost

Only payments? Wow.

What kinda dirt move is that?

MorePower - 3/17/2012 7:19:42 PM

+3 Boost

Dealerships that only want to negotiate monthly payments are looking to sign buyers into long duration loans with inflated interest rates. Not telling the customer the final price of the vehicle is illegal, at least in my state.

fourmccs - 3/17/2012 12:46:54 PM

+1 Boost

Well my gripes are summed up above. I would add the salesman that out and out lies to you. I was told a price for a truck and when I went in to see it and ready to buy they turned around and upped the price. I had told them I wasn't going to negotiate and the price I was willing to pay wan't asking for the moon. I told them thanks and got up and walked out. As in Joe's case they chased me all the way to my truck. I don't negotiate any more. I use Costco's buying plan, it may not get you the very best price but the price is good and I don't have to mess with any of the underlings. Oh, just thought of one more thing. I always go in with my cash and or financing in hand, they always want to get you to finance with them and sell you additional maintenance insurance or something else.

t_bone - 3/17/2012 3:31:54 PM

+1 Boost

Endless follow-up calls.

CarCrazedinCali - 3/17/2012 3:43:08 PM

+1 Boost

Simple fix: COMMUNICATE your followup desires, solved! Do not assume the salesman knows how often you wish to be contacted or your time frame to buy, so tell them!

CarCrazedinCali - 3/17/2012 3:36:38 PM

0 Boost

Customers have rated MINI Dealers to have top quality service, so many of you are likely complaining about volume brand stores like the Big Three or Toyota where there are far more likely to play games and pressure their prospects. I personally don't like it when the salesman doesn't know his product, I can manage the numbers part fine. Dealers are not the enemy people, just do your homework related to pricing before you just make random offers, you only make the process take longer that way.

skytop - 3/18/2012 11:45:44 AM

+2 Boost

Why doesn't the dealer have the white pizza and cold beer ready for my appointment? That really puts the kabosh on the entire deal!

Make certain from the getgo that the dealer knows you do NOT pay any accounting, servicing or licensing fees even it is printed on the bill of sale. If they contest that, walk!
That is another rip off the sleazy dealers have dreamed up to reach into your pockets.

JRobUSC - 3/19/2012 1:48:19 PM

0 Boost

Some fees are BS, certainly, but titling your car (title fee) and transferring plates or issuing a temporary plate (license or registration fees) are state fees that have to be collected and paid. Even if you bought a car private party you'd have to pay those yourself at the DMV. When you buy a car from a dealer they collect them and pay them for you because
a) you can't drive around in a car without a plate of some kind, and
b) the dealer isn't going to let you drive around in a car that's still titled in the dealer's name since they can be legally liable for any damage you cause.

The bank also usually requires the updated title before funding the loan (i.e. the dealer can't get their money otherwise), and even if there isn't a loan the state usually requires the updated title be kept on file.

So, while some fees are BS dealer inventions, the title and license fees are not.

skytop - 3/22/2012 10:06:52 AM

+2 Boost

Don't you just love the $995. "printed" service charge on the purchase order form to give the robbery a more 'dignified' appearance.

It is like a robber assaulting you in a tuxedo. You still sustain the loss.

Always insist before even starting to negotiate that you will NOT TOLERATE any service charge if the dealer wants to sell you a car. That bogus fee is there to gouge your eyes out.