[ratboy]

Any tips or advice? My first impressions of the Honda dealerships in my area are not promising. Visited a couple last month in order to check out their facilities, attitude, knowledge, etc...

At one dealership, once the sales rep heard I can inquiring about the HR-V (and not a vehicle on the lot) he lost all interest. No smile nor enthusiasm. He kept looking away from me every 30 seconds, scanning the lot for a live one. He continually leaned on the side of my Toyota with his arm resting on the roof. After 4 minutes, I had enough of his attitude; he handed me his business card with the last name crossed out with a sharpee marker. Why would the dealership hire a bozo like this?

At another dealership, the receptionist told me that the HR-V was just a rumor (with no plans on being produced!) After asking for a salesperson 2 times, I was finally passed on to somebody who had a clue, and answered my questions.

Holy cow, if the dealership employees are this bad, I can only imagine what it will be like when I start talking $$$ with them! Still a few dealerships near me to visit, hopefully will have a better experience with one of them.

Almost tempted to join Costco to get in on their auto buying program.

 

[Dr.G]

Any tips or advice? My first impressions of the Honda dealerships in my area are not promising. Visited a couple last month in order to check out their facilities, attitude, knowledge, etc...

At one dealership, once the sales rep heard I can inquiring about the HR-V (and not a vehicle on the lot) he lost all interest. No smile nor enthusiasm. He kept looking away from me every 30 seconds, scanning the lot for a live one. He continually leaned on the side of my Toyota with his arm resting on the roof. After 4 minutes, I had enough of his attitude; he handed me his business card with the last name crossed out with a sharpee marker. Why would the dealership hire a bozo like this?

At another dealership, the receptionist told me that the HR-V was just a rumor (with no plans on being produced!) After asking for a salesperson 2 times, I was finally passed on to somebody who had a clue, and answered my questions.

Holy cow, if the dealership employees are this bad, I can only imagine what it will be like when I start talking $$$ with them! Still a few dealerships near me to visit, hopefully will have a better experience with one of them.

Almost tempted to join Costco to get in on their auto buying program.

I've heard great things about the Costco program, and usually they negotiate a discount even off of brand new models. I'm considering it too.

A note on the poor dealer staff: I've purchased several new vehicles, and one thing I've learned is that the online forums are usually the best source of information -- invaluable even. I always know more than my salesperson, and I bet it will be the same scenario with the HR-V. Those salespeople are focused on sales today, not months from now, and I can't say I blame them. Right now, Honda USA hasn't provided the dealers with much information at all, so we can't expect them to know very much just yet.

And frankly, I don't really care too much about the salesperson's involvement in the purchasing experience. I can get all the information I need online, and then I want to meet the salesperson for the shortest time possible -- just enough to agree on the price, sign the papers, and go. If we do our research, there is not much need for the salesperson.

 

[Topspot]

Unfortunately, the dealers are acting as if the HR-V does not and may not ever exist. I was on a cruise in March and met a Honda dealer and at first when I mentioned the HR-V he pretended to not anything about it, but when I pressed a little more he claimed everything was Top Secret. I'm not surprised by the attitude of the sales people you encountered, if they sense they can't make a sale today then you are not worth their time. I have come to the conclusion that the dealers are only concerned about the current months sales, not potential future sales. Personally I don't agree with this method of operation,but this the way they seem to work an are quite happy with it. I was in a dealership in June, buying a Civic for my daughter, and saw much of the same attitude, no info on HR-V and no interest in developing future clients

 

[TrueNorth]

I guess it might just be a waiting game. Once it gets closer to the delivery date for the HRV, I'm sure that dealers and salespeople will be more helpful. You can see how they are more interested in the here and now since they don't make an y commission off giving you some info on a vehicle that is a while away from being on sale.

 

[hondaguy]

I guess it might just be a waiting game. Once it gets closer to the delivery date for the HRV, I'm sure that dealers and salespeople will be more helpful. You can see how they are more interested in the here and now since they don't make an y commission off giving you some info on a vehicle that is a while away from being on sale.

That is true, you do however do come across those that are willing to help

or

just go to the sales manager, the guy getting paid the most, he might be more likely to help

 

[Red]

I've heard TrueCar or other similar services are really quite pleasant to deal with. The best advice I can give you is never reveal everything you know to them, even if they try and give you the run around at first, you may have the urge to yell HA in their faces, but keep calm and wait for the right moment to spring it on them. Usually the best time is when the sales guy starts to get really comfortable, thinks hes got you sewn up, then you smack him around a bit with knowledge, thats when you get them reeling on their back foot, up against the ropes, this is the time to go for max damage.

Oh and don't be afraid to walk away. Sometimes even the simple act of saying thank you for your time I'm done and standing up is enough to get them to smarten up, and if it doesn't well then you just leave and find someone willing to work for your time.

No virgin should just give it up, am i right Good luck!

 

[hondaguy]

^ Good advice, basically you need to play your cards right and even learn some negotiation tactics which can help in a situation like that. Not always will it work right, if it doesn't move on to another dealer, Honda dealers are common enough.

 

[Red]

Just remember its not about winning, this is a transaction after all and both sides have something the other desires. Its about dealing with someone who cares about the product being sold as much as you care about the dollars being spent!

 

[hondaguy]

Just remember its not about winning, this is a transaction after all and both sides have something the other desires. Its about dealing with someone who cares about the product being sold as much as you care about the dollars being spent!

Very true!
For the best results that is what it takes.

 

[Roadwork]

Just remember its not about winning, this is a transaction after all and both sides have something the other desires. Its about dealing with someone who cares about the product being sold as much as you care about the dollars being spent!

Agreed, very well put. "BUT", I am never happy when I walk out with a new car other than that "new car smell" lol. Somehow, I just know we never really get a "deal", they always make up for it one way or the other .

 

[vtec]

Got to love that new car smell, only reason why sometimes i like rentals, sometimes you get a vehicle that has hardly any mileage on it..

 

[Red]

Agreed, very well put. "BUT", I am never happy when I walk out with a new car other than that "new car smell" lol. Somehow, I just know we never really get a "deal", they always make up for it one way or the other .

Honestly though I don't really expect the dealer to sell me the car at a loss. Dealerships need to eat too, the salesman has bills to pay, there is inventory to be purchased. I don't mind that the dealer makes a buck so long as its not blatant and manipulative gouging, of course if it is they don't get a dollar of mine.

If the salesman is knowledgeable and passionate about his product he deserves to get paid. I mean we all deserve to get our pay why shouldn't they?

 

[Roadwork]

Honestly though I don't really expect the dealer to sell me the car at a loss. Dealerships need to eat too, the salesman has bills to pay, there is inventory to be purchased. I don't mind that the dealer makes a buck so long as its not blatant and manipulative gouging, of course if it is they don't get a dollar of mine.

If the salesman is knowledgeable and passionate about his product he deserves to get paid. I mean we all deserve to get our pay why shouldn't they?

Totally agree, I didn't mean for them not to make money.

 

[hondaguy]

That is true, just need to make sure it doesn't get to a point that you being charged more to a point it cannot be justified and you're going to be screwed over.

 

[Red]

That is true, just need to make sure it doesn't get to a point that you being charged more to a point it cannot be justified and you're going to be screwed over.

oh absolutely, personally it always coems down to the person selling me the car. One of the key reasons you want to establish a rapport and a relationship with your salesman is so that doesnt happen. The crotchety and rushed salesmen are the ones trying to rip your face off, dont be a muppet

 

[MarvKirsch]

Stopped by a New Hampshire dealer to see the Fit. Drove up with NY plates, and made sure he knew this was just a vist to see the car. Surprised at how nice he was, even insisted on me taking a test drive, which I did. Was stunned to hear that some dealers are getting $2,000 over sticker. Was not pressured to buy.

 

[vtec]

Stopped by a New Hampshire dealer to see the Fit. Drove up with NY plates, and made sure he knew this was just a vist to see the car. Surprised at how nice he was, even insisted on me taking a test drive, which I did. Was stunned to hear that some dealers are getting $2,000 over sticker. Was not pressured to buy.

can't blame em
if they can get people to pay that, why not.
i know i wouldn't want to.

 

[Red]

so ostensibly we could say that the FITs market value is MSRP plus 2K....

 

[MarvKirsch]

I believe there is plenty of profit when using MSRP, but of course, I'm no insider. Up to this point I have never paid a premium for a car, MSRP, that I've paid, and I'm not looking to start paying more than MSRP now.

 

[hondaguy]

I guess you can do that, factor in a possible mark up. Patience pays off if you can't avoid the mark up.