Salesman and the Economy

[Larry124]

I DO sympathize a lot with anyone who may be hurt.

In my own career I was in both labor and management, and lived with the pluses and minuses of each.

But the auto industry (production and sales) needs to be -- dragged kicking and screaming if necessary -- brought into the current century.

[Downix]

I once was offered a job as a car salesman. I tried it out, even tried the managers game. What they do is horrid, they play the salesmen off of each other, con customers into services that mean nothing, it is disgusting. One trick I found abhorrid was "re-assigning" a sale. They would flag a sale, and change the salesman it was under, proclaiming "prior rights" that the salesman had already spoken to the customer. but then, when the other salesman came to ask, "sales rights" and they told him that the other salesman landed the sale, and got the credit. In the meantime, the dealer pocketed the commission, and neither salesman trusted each other enough to compare notes.

[O'Callaghan]

Buying a car in the US can be a nasty experience, or rather visiting some dealerships can be a nasty experience, but I always move on and buy the car somewhere else, even though typically they make escaping their clutches a painful ordeal.

It's a lot nicer visiting car dealerships in the UK. However, the prices are around 60% higher, and totally non-negotiable, so it's not all roses. The gas/petrol is far more expensive too. OTOH, insurance and repairs/maintenance are much cheaper in the UK.

One reason that car insurance is so much cheaper in the UK is that accident rates in the UK are practically the lowest in the world, even on a per mile basis. In the US ... they aren't, not even close.

[Dan R Porter]

I recently went to toyota expecting the treatment I always get. My current Chevy I thought I knew the game. The salesman never got up, wouldn't change the price, and let me walk out! I couldn't believe it! APparently later I talked to a friend and said that this particuler dealership has honest prices and will not wheel and deal! Wow I will now go back with my head hanging but atleast get an honest buy! Yota yer the one!