Am I giving off a vibe walking car lots?

[-]

LegsBuckle@reddit

I doubt that you're giving off a vibe. Of the tens of times I've visited dealerships, someone would be walking towards me before I even dismount. Even if just to say, "Hey, welcome to Friendly Hyundai. LMK if you need anything." Like you said, you'd attack anything on your lot when you were selling cars. I'm betting that they are lazy or just don't care.

[-]

jrileyy229@reddit

So people complain when they want to browse in peace, then people complain when they are browsing without being bothered

[-]

720hp@reddit (OP)

I’m not complaining. I used to sell cars to get money for college. I attacked every thing that moved on our lot. Even the homeless guy that would nap under our trees

[-]

rwanders@reddit

Yeah, and lots of people who walk lots really don't respond well to that kind of sales. Most people who want to talk to a salesperson just walk right on in the dealership and speak with one.

So yes. By walking the lot with your bottle of water expecting someone to run out to you instead of just walking inside to talk to someone about leasing options or whatever, you are giving off a vibe.

[-]

GenericITworker@reddit

I disagree, recently bought a car and did the same thing. A salesperson came out to greet me within 5 minutes every time at like 10 different lots lol

[-]

720hp@reddit (OP)

I get it. It may also be that I haven't been to the dealerships where the sales staff is congregated on the front porch/walkway of the establishment. I've been going to dealerships where my wife's company has existing relationships. But the sales staff wouldn't know me. The owners and GMs will though.

[-]

Active_Violinist2957@reddit

Your attitude towards this is the problem. We read people all day and you are emanating what you just said. “The sales staff wouldn’t know me, the owners and GM’s will though.”

If they know you so well, get in touch with them? Say your wife referred you? I promise you even if they pretend to know you, we don’t.

Eat a slice of humble pie, walk into the dealership, and buy the car like a normal person.

[-]

One_Froggy_Evening@reddit

Sales people don’t want to answer questions and waste time, the want to sell cars and sell them fast. Not saying it’s right, but they work off commission where every minute spent with a customer that just started shopping is a minute spent not selling a car. And sales people don’t care if you’re friends with the owner or whatever. Again because they are commission.

[-]

friendIdiglove@reddit

What do sales people consider selling, if not talking to customers?

[-]

Klutzy_Concept_1324@reddit

When I was looking I showed up to a sales lot/car lot after responding to their post online. I was looking for specifics i.e proven reliable engine, spaciousness, ground clearance etc. When i looked in town i was shown bang up SUV's one of whiched looked abused or apauling. Why would you like to lease something and not buy something you feel confident in?

[-]

cshmn@reddit

If you only keep cars a few years and want to be in a newer vehicle, leasing is better than buying IMO. All you need with a lease is to be able to comfortably afford the payments in your budget. It's an expensive way to drive, but cheaper than trading in on a new car every 3-5 years, getting more and more upside down until it ruins your finances like probably 30-40% of car buyers. If those folks would have leased, they would be in much better shape financially.

[-]

CrispyJalepeno@reddit

Yeah, leasing makes a lot of sense if you always want the newest and coolest thing. And a lot of the time you won't have to worry about maintenance because the lease can come with a package for that.

If newest and coolest thing isn't your thing, don't lease a car

[-]

Sufficient_Deer_5029@reddit

Lol "back in my day we harassed homeless people" isn't the flex you think it is old man. Your inability to speak up for yourself might be why you kept it as gig work.

[-]

jrileyy229@reddit

Okay, that was then and this is now... Most people don't want high pressure... When they want to talk, they walk in and talk to someone. It's not rocket science

[-]

JayRexx@reddit

So you sold cars and you’re asking Reddit why nobody will talk to you?

[-]

AC-burg@reddit

OP wait til you get what you are asking/looking for and you know more about their inventory and options on the cars than the sales person. That's the real thing that burns me up. All these guys know now are numbers. They rarely know all the features let alone be able to demo them for you. It doesn't matter if you are looking at a 30K car or a 130K car.

[-]

jules083@reddit

Right? I was just thinking the same.

I bought a new camper about 9 years ago. There was only 1 dealer I went to that had all the trailers unlocked and let me walk around by myself and look at them without a salesman tagging along. A salesman kind of showed me around a little, then I asked him to leave me alone and he did. Told him I'll come find him when I see one I like.

I bought a new camper that day.

Every other dealer had every trailer locked and a salesman with a master key showing me the ones I wanted to look at. It was annoying.

[-]

AC-burg@reddit

OP wait til you get what you are asking/looking for and you know more about their inventory and options on the cars than the sales person. That's the real thing that burns me up. All these guys know now are numbers. They rarely know all the features let alone be able to demo them for you. It doesn't matter if you are looking at a 30K car or a 130K car.

[-]

Minimum-Function1312@reddit

I was thinking this exactly.

[-]

Prestigious_Tiger_26@reddit

You may find it hard to believe, but it can be a different person/people complaining about each instance.

[-]

Firm_Mycologist9319@reddit

You're giving off a vibe right now. If you want to talk the salesperson, go talk to the salesperson.

[-]

jules083@reddit

Pushy salespeople are the worst. Leave me alone.
If you're leasing a car to save on gas compared to driving the truck you already own you're bad at math

[-]

corndoggy67@reddit

I grew up in Indiana. Selling cars on Sunday is illegal, so Sunday was the best day to cruise the lot with ZERO sales pressure.

[-]

YeahIGotNuthin@reddit

That sounds, honestly, like HEAVEN.

Let me walk the lot in peace, looking to see if they have the model I want, in the color I want, in the trim I want. Let me see if you have that weird used car on your lot that I saw online, or if it’s already been scooped up by the other weirdo in town who also likes them.

If I WANT to talk to a sales person, I bet I can find them. Lemme guess, there are 121 automobiles on the property and one building, the sales people are in the building, right? That’s the big one in the middle WITHOUT wheels? Cool, cool, if I want to talk to a sales person, I’ll go find one there.

[-]

720hp@reddit (OP)

well that's the funny part--there has not been one of them outside who was not involved in a sale. i mean the way has worked for the last three trucks i've owned is i tell my wife what i want, which dealership has it, she calls them and makes an appt for me. i go in, check out the numbers, which are no haggle just take it kind of numbers, and then i drive off the lot with a new vehicle.

This time I'm not trading in my GMC SLT pickup because i use it. I'm just looking for a small EV that can get me to work (35 miles) and back (another 35 miles) without having to burn $400 in gas per month

[-]

YeahIGotNuthin@reddit

You have it easy then, almost any of the lower tier early EVs will do that. Specifically, the up-rated version of the early Nissan Leaf from 2015 and on, with the 115 mile range, or any of the second generation Leaf variants (there’s a 160 mile one and a 215 mile one.)

You probably won’t find the early ones at a dealer, those are all some family’s third car and they will be trying to get $5,000 for it. The second gen ones will be at dealers if you insist on helping a used car dealer buy a boat, but if you’d rather buy yourself a boat instead, buying the same car for $2,400 less from a private seller instead would be a better choice.

Leafs are cheap because they’re limited in range and in battery tech, which let them be first to market a dozen years ago. Back before Tesla was everywhere, the Leaf was everywhere. These days, their charging connection is not the standard and their home charger option is slower than most, the base model earlier one only did 3.3kw and the 6.6kw was an option. And the early models had a 72-mile range, updated to 84. (The bigger battery was an option, 40kwh I think. The base was 22kwh.)

If you charge at home, this isn’t a problem, a wall socket at 120v will let you charge up at 5 or more miles of range per hour, so you plug it in when you get home and then it has its full range available when you leave the next day.

So a leaf is cheap for good reasons, but those reasons don’t impact you at all. As a result, “cheap car” prices get you something clean and modern and low-miles.

[-]

demon_twink_gockie@reddit

Question. You say that sounds like heaven but would it be off putting, say, if I walked up as a sales person, and go " hey, I'm Demon_twink_gockie, I just wanted to give you my business card with my cell number if you have any questions while you browse" and just like, walk tf away and leave you be?

[-]

YeahIGotNuthin@reddit

Not any more off-putting than the usual car dealership visit.

But my favorite would be if you STARTED with the “walk away and leave me be” part, and then just skipped all the other parts.

If I have any questions I think you can answer, I’ll come find you.

[-]

demon_twink_gockie@reddit

😆

[-]

bp3dots@reddit

Please don't give me something I'll just be throwing away later.

Make eye contact and do a thumbs-up. If I wave you over, come on, if I return thumb, move along.

In all seriousness there's no perfect answer because of how varied people are. In general one greeting is fine for most people who aren't antisocial r/fuckdealerships dwellers.

[-]

TeamSpatzi@reddit

I've gotta take issue with your methodology. Walking car lots is not the best way, or even a good way, to find information to inform your next lease (or purchase). On-line is absolutely the best was to compare fuel economy and pricing information. You can then select several potential vehicles that will meet your needs and engage the dealerships to see who wants to make you a favorable deal. Better still, pick the vehicle you want and identify lease terms that are acceptable to you and see who makes an offer.

[-]

nelly2929@reddit

Sorry no one wants a sales man running outside to give you a pitch while you’re just looking…. If you want details head inside and ask for sales you will have your choice of who to talk to fast lol

[-]

SovietPatrickStar@reddit

Maybe it’s culture, but I always learned that as customer, if I want something I should go and ask.

This was reinforced by working in the auto industry. Everyone is usually busy with something. Be it finishing leasing paperwork or talking to other customers. There is no time to walk around and hit every customer

[-]

malsell@reddit

Yeah, my last 3 car purchases, I have had to find a sales person. Granted, I am a dealership's worst nightmare. (I only buy used, never pay sticker, research vehicles that interest me, and pay cash).

[-]

oneaccountaday@reddit

You are the EXACT kind of person I had the best luck with when I was in sales.

You may or may not be a bit crusty, and hard to crack your shell, but we’ll be friends.

You and the finance guy might be at odds, but shit you and I can drop by your house to make sure the roof rack and rear bumper clear the garage door. Swing by where the wife works so she can check it out.

The most memorable sales were:

A local business owner that trades in a vette for a wrangler every 3 years. Easiest deal ever.

Girl I went to high school with came in on a focus, I told her and her dad who was a bit slow to warm up, I know the roof and leather are cool, but just take a look at this other one. Cloth, lower miles, not the color she wanted, she had that car for years. I sold both her sister and brother in law cars because they trusted their dad.

Had a veteran come in on a rcsb ram. Clean not mint lease/low mile trades we had 2. Had lunch hung out for awhile, asked if he could do a burn out, look him in the eye “hey man, I was in the bathroom in the restaurant” cool dude gave my a set of motorcycle stands he had in his garage.

My favorite was a mid 30s couple that came in on a Denali, the battery eats it a few minutes into test drive. Like half way around the block, limp it back to the lot. I say outside of that little issue what’d you think? They both loved the car, I said I have 2 more I’ll have them here tomorrow. $100 bonus to Texas Roadhouse, they lived right by one.

Weirdest one, family comes in with a police escort salesman scattered (this one is new car not used) wheelchair capable grand caravan, rearended a few miles away. Send them to the body shop, totaled. The mom probably close to 80 asks what can we do?? I track down a rental van almost the same as theirs, run half way across town and drive it back to the dealership. She writes a 96k check after we confirm the conversion cost for a brand new grand caravan off the lot. That one took hours of running around, but it worked out great. That conversion took 6 weeks.

[-]

Schzetto@reddit

You should go to the desk after finding the car you’re interested in mind and talk to the sales to get a test drive. Sales nowadays have different strategies compared to back-in-the-days where they will approach you. A lot of car buyers nowadays preferred browsing in silence without having a sales guy telling them how many people can fit in that bad boy after slapping the roof of the car..

When I was buying my new car, I already know what I want and call them ahead to ask if they have the color I want. I made an appointment and the car already pulled out ready for a test drive when I get to the dealership.

[-]

gettin-hot-in-here@reddit

if it's a tesla store... they do not have a single salesperson on the lot, and nobody who is there can earn a commission if you do (or don't) buy. they are assuming you will look up the cars online - price, features, etc.j... and they're assuming if you want to learn something that can only be learned with a test drive or by poking around the car hands-on, you'll ask.

[-]

720hp@reddit (OP)

oh--i had no idea. there were GIANT qr codes with manufacture dates on them and some of them had last week's date

[-]

vanillacarrotcake@reddit

Yep, they're super hands-off. For test drives, you can book them online and they just let you have the car to yourself for 30 min to drive wherever. It worked, because I ended-up buying one. It's a very different experience though, felt very impersonal compared to what I was used to.

[-]

JerryvanGogh@reddit

This happened to me at a Fiat dealership. Was cross shopping and drove in with my then 15yr old audi. Not one look in my direction or acknowledgement. I even popped the hood of a few cars to check them out, nothing. So I walked out of there and to a Audi dealership and drove out that very same afternoon with a new car

[-]

CrispyJalepeno@reddit

Dodged a bullet avoiding the Fiat that day

[-]

shotsallover@reddit

Yeah, I feel you. I'm not going to a dealership casually. I'm going because I'm thinking about a new car. I don't mind being allowed to wander the lot, but like, a salesperson should at least walk out and ask if I need help within 5-10 minutes. And kind of like keep an eye on me in case I do want to talk about something. This whole idea of "just walk into the sale floor and ask for one" is BS. I can also just walk to my car and go some place that's going to put in the effort. The job is literally sales, ffs.

Also, if you're looking for something with better mileage, can I point you at a Maverick? They're pretty great.

[-]

Glittering-Ad5809@reddit

Most buyers prefer to be left alone to browse. When you want more information, just go into the showroom and ask for a salesman.

[-]

Monster51915@reddit

Agreed, I’d personally like to go to a car lot and look at vehicles just to see the pricing and get an idea of the vehicle but I know damn well that I’ll be harassed into oblivion if I do so.

[-]

NotYetReadyToRetire@reddit

That's why my initial dealership trips are outside their business hours - if they're not there, they can't bother me. I also found that showing up in a rusted-through, 20+ year old pickup tended to cut down on the salespeople's enthusiasm for greeting me; showing up in my wife's new Bronco Sport was like blood in the water for sharks, though.

[-]

automattig@reddit

I understand buyers want their space. It doesnt hurt to introduce yourself and let them know your their to help.

[-]

Top-Work-4425@reddit

Damn straight. If I can't browse a lot in peace I'll move onto the next dealership. Don't hound my ass

[-]

K_Linkmaster@reddit

You are setting an unreasonable personal expectation, and then getting mad that no one knows what they are expected to do. And you won't tell them, but will tell reddit.

I've been here, I just didn't go to reddit about it. Others need to know what you expect so they can meet you there

[-]

pianistafj@reddit

Have you considered looking at their inventory online before walking the lot? Then you could walk into the main office and check out the specific cars you’re already interested in.

[-]

PK808370@reddit

Seems weird. If I want to talk about stuff, I’ll go find someone to talk to.

[-]

ottrocity@reddit

You're supposed to ask them because it's impolite to walk up to people and harass them without permission.

[-]

AnotherDrone001@reddit

Salespeople now days are simply terrible compared to 10-20 years ago. There’s no effort anymore, other than trying to rip you off as much as they can get away with.

I remember when salesmen knew their products, and knew how to be personable and build a relationship. Where you’d walk away with enough good will to send friends and family to them by name. Now? They’re borderline scam artists, and the turnover is so high the salesman you buy from today likely won’t be there by the time you come back for your first scheduled maintenance.

Anyway, no I don’t think it’s you. It’s just low effort salespeople waiting for you to come to them and beg them to take your money.

[-]

Shot-Swimming-9098@reddit

I absolutely love the askcarsales sub.

My favorite threads are when you get the follow up from someone who took their advice for a smooth purchase. Their advice is be willing to pay a little extra and politely accept whatever bullshit they're going to tack on. They come back a month later, and it all worked perfectly! They were willing to pay a little more, they didn't haggle on the price, and everything went so smoothly.

[-]

shtstk@reddit

Are you wearing a fedora?

[-]

720hp@reddit (OP)

ha! no...i'm not my grandfather. i was wearing my usual dockers/under armour collared shirt with black hokas (don't get any ideas-they are prescribed for my crappy feet)

[-]

ResponsibleBank1387@reddit

Yes. I try my local dealer, but the truck I drive is twenty years old, I wear carharts. I don’t look important. Salespeople ignore me. I bought company trucks, so half million dollars at a time. Since my local didn’t want my business, I would call another.

[-]

HenryLoggins@reddit

For years, the biggest complaint was that you couldn’t get out of the front seat of your car without a Sales person being right up your butt asking you what do you want to look at?

Now they’re waiting for you to come inside to tell them that you’re interested in looking at a car.

Seems to me times have changed, and if you were interested, you could’ve walked up to a sales person to ask them some questions.

In a funny way, this makes me think of those posts when the women ask why don’t the men come up and talk to me in public anymore? 😂

[-]

Quiet-Bottle-815@reddit

Try Truecar.com See what a dealer offers you and then maybe schedule a visit to look at the vehicle. While on the website click on “New Cars” and then “Deals”, even shows leasing incentives.

[-]

FrostyVariation9798@reddit

You really don't want a dealership employee telling you about leasing specials. You either go into leasing knowing everything beforehand, or you don't lease. Or... you get raped.

I'm telling you this as a former new car salesman.

[-]

Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit

I've noticed the same thing as well, and also sold cars back the the day when a lone up just wasn't done. I think it's weird and likely costing them sales. In fact I was thinking I might go get a job selling cars again just for fun and to see how things have changed.

[-]

Used-Author-3811@reddit

I'd pray for this type of encounter any time I look at vehicles

[-]

Nearby_Knowledge8014@reddit

It’s the market. Junk Used cars through the roof. New car selling at sticker, plus useless add ons. They don’t need to go chasing people around the lot.

[-]

BKRF1999@reddit

Just walk in and say I’m interested in your vehicles, is there someone who can help me. People can’t read your mind.

[-]

ramtough_63@reddit

It used to be national avg was car salesman avg was 1 sale in 10 customers.

The statistic for people who went to a dealership & look at cars was 8 out of 10 Intended to purchase a car, when they left the house.

Do the math. The car business can be lucrative for the salesman, and awesome for the customer if the salesman were trained correctly.

To give you an example I called a general manager of a dealership when I found out my dad was going to buy a truck, and he is 86. He was not at the dealership, but had a sales person reach out to me. We discussed what my dad wanted. She found something that day. Dad didn't like that one so, we left got a text about 3:00 the next day found another, He bought it. No haggle period.

The truth the General Manager & me worked together 20 yrs ago he was in sales & I was a manager. Apparently he put a real sales person on my dads search.

Most don't realize if there are 10 people on the lot looking the avg salesman works 6 days a week talks to 10 people a day (even with the internet) that's a car a day. The avg salesman sells 8 cars a month Not 26.9 cars by math alone, most aren't even avg.

But... they should be professionals & greet every customer as a buyer. Bare in mind that doesn't mean they deserve to be an ambassador of automotive to every enthusiast just wanting to know what's new.

They feed there families from sales, If they are good they will get the right Info from you To do their best to get you taken care of. Eventually most people who own a car will buy another one.

[-]

CompetitiveBox314@reddit

Over the last 10 years or so I have noticed sales people are less vulture-like and I can get away with browsing for quite awhile before anyone comes out to bother me.

[-]

Fi2eak@reddit

I wish the sales people did that here in Chicago. I usually get attacked within a few minutes. They only disappear when I ask a technical question.

[-]

pixelatedimpressions@reddit

Walk your happy ass inside and talk to someone. Times change. Lot walkers dont want to be bothered, so they dont get bothered

[-]

Piney_Dude@reddit

After the crash in 08’ I pulled into a Toyota dealership, about four young salesman, just about fought each other to get to me. I felt like fresh meat

[-]

popcornfart@reddit

It seems like these days sales people know folks don't like them being pushy, and leave first contact up to you. It keeps them from wasting their time on window shoppers too. Once in a while I'll get a "you good?" but that's about it. If you want to talk to a sales person go inside and ask for one.

[-]

demon_twink_gockie@reddit

Pro tip for any sales persons: just say hi, here's my business card, it's got my cell number on it if you need me, just shoot me a text and then leave em alone. Gets you that sale if they buy, doesn't make em feel bothered, and if they WANT a sales person, it gives them a chance to speak up at any time. No pressure. Just hi, card, walk away. Unless they want you to stay.

[-]

Equivalent-Pride-672@reddit

Lots are big, least where I’m at. If you wanna talk to someone just walk into the office and ask for a sales person.