Used Car Dealer

The weekend past by and I went home to start finding a used car for the duration of my college years. Prior to thinking of getting a used car I once owned a 1993 Saab 900s Turbo which died last summer on the highway. This car was a surprise in the driveway when I got my license, but now I had to get my own car and develop the used dealership experience for later in life.

Saturday, my father took me to a Honda/Toyato dealership off a busy street with a massive old looking sign with shaded letters. We drove into the parking lot and saw hundreds of cars with prices on pieces of paper attached to the passenger window and windshield. We pulled into a slot and has my dad turn off the car, a middle-aged, white, semi heavy man targeted us from 100 yards away and started his casual walk over.

He made it seem as if he was heading our way regardless of our presence, these salesmen are slick. We got out of the car and he greatted us saying his name was “John”. It was funny seeing all the name tags of the employees becuase they were all very simple no matter if they looked asian, jamacian, middle eastern; all the names were american and under four letters. “Sam, Bob, Bill, Sara, Mary, Mark, Jake(classic)”.

“Please sit down and tell me what we can do for you?” a normal person it seemed, nothing fishy going on though he did not have a pen. As the conversation proceeded he asked us for a pen and we gave it up unknowing of his ploy to hinder us from writing down figures.

As the conversation transgressed he always push for a higher priced car. My dad would say, “our price is a max of $10,000″, and he would reply, “Ok, did you see this 2005 volvo, it is a beauty only $17,500″. Completely regaurding my fathers words. What a salesmen this used car dealships train.

The next step, looking at the cars. We took a quick pass around the lot having John point out to a few 2001,2004 Honda’s and never missing the $18,000 2007 Nissans or the $15,000 Volvo’s. In case, we had a way of make $5,000 in 20 minutes. The tour was over and we were back sitting down.

Then, the manager came over and said was there a car that caught your eye. There was nothing to special about used cars to begin with and I was honest. “I haven’t one that feels right”. My father stepped in saying, “The prices were too high”. The manager, Sara, replies, “I am feeling pretty aggressive today, we have had a slow week and I want to make you a deal. Give me a few cars you want and I will knock the price down.” My father having a unique ability of reading people said, “how much would you be taking off?” she replied it matters upon the make.

We put a few cars down on the list, and all were taken $2,500 off no matter the model or year. How easy it is for them to make a lie.

Unfortunetly, the price was not right and we had to refrain from buying that day. “You know this is only a one day offer” Sara said. “I am willing to take that risk knowing it may not be on the table tomorrow.”

The day ended and the used car dealership was another experience worth remembering for the next time I need to buy.