most important part of a dealership experience?

[Wyldcat89]

So I've bought a few cars in the last couple of years and I've had some awesome experiences and some negative experiences. I usually shop via the internet, get the best price and go buy the vehicle with my financing already arranged, makes things quick and painless.. (even with a trade in). I hate pushy salesmen and their "my kids can't eat if I don't make a sale" lines. I guess you could say I'm more of a "price" buyer rather than an "experience" buyer. When someone shoots you straight, I'm more inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt, BUT... I still won't buy if the price isn't a good one.

So my question is this: A visit to a dealership is made up of many factors.. if you are given the very best deal by a longshot, is it worth it to sacrifice hospitality and how you're treated? To what extent are you willing to let one factor slide in order to get what you want?

[nismo4x4055]

No... you take the best deal. Your not at a dealership to make friends. I dont care how nice a certain dealership is...if they dont got the best price, im not buying from them. Dealerships are out to screw you...bottom line. They are being nice to you because they know there taking your money. I worked for a dealership...first thing they train you, when a customer comes in look at there shirt, bumper stickers, anything about them that shows an interest they have...then make conversation about it with them and act like you agree even if you dont.

Most salesman are pushy and say those things because the guy at the desk pretty much tells them what to say. The real bad guys are the sales managers...there the ones making most of the money, and they are the ones who tell the salesman what to say, and the prices. Finance is in on it too....trust me, lol selling cars is a very dirty business.

[Vycor]

I worked with three dealerships

Dealership #1) They are on my way home, its where I go for service. I stopped in, test drove a used one, didnt like the price, wanted a new one but they said they are no longer building the NISMOS... so I called them the next morning, told the guy what i wanted and to get me a price, never heard back from him

Dealership #2) I emailed them, they replied asking what i was looking for and wanted me to come in or to call, i said email only for now... never got the info back, but i did keep getting BS emails offering me free detailing/etc... if i went in

Dealership #3) While waiting for a call back from dealership #1, i found the truck i wanted on auto trader, so i called them, asked the guy for a price, he said he doesnt do pricing on the phone, i said "then i guess i'll go elsewhere to buy the truck" so he called me back within a few minutes with a price, a decent price... so i stopped by. they offered me more $$ off, and i bought the truck that night

This all took place within 24 hours. Right price, had it on the lot, picked up same night = why i bought my truck where I bought it.

Now, had dealership #1 had gotten me a price i woulda ordered a truck through them, but as of today they STILL havnt called me. And its been a month, and ive already bought a truck... maybe he thought i was playing games.. well that nice new red frontier outside tells a different story

I also had dealership #3 approve me over the phone for financing. I gave him my info so i knew i was approved before i went in. So when I went in, all i did was sign paperwork/etc... The guy at first wanted a down payment and what not which i wouldnt give, he said he wasnt sure if he could hold the truck, so i said "look im coming in tonight, if you sell the truck before then, fine, we'll just order me one, but im not playing games, im gonna buy a truck from you if hte price is right, im not gonna waste your time"

So when I go to a dealership, i want to be in/out. I dont want to sit around doing paperwork all night. Everybody needs to be ready to sign the papers and meet with me (finance/sales), IN/OUT. And don't sell me, i do my research, just tell me about hte features. Some people like that, but me, i do my homework before i buy something so by the time i get there, i know more about the truck then the sales guy (whcih was the case here)

[davedaman]

I had online pricing and financing thru my bank already. I went in to test drive what I wanted, and dropped my numbers on the salesman. He matched 'em, I went thru the financing process, they gave me ~2% higher than what I already had. I showed them what % I was pre-approved for, and he matched it. Then we talked trade in. They gave me an acceptable # for my trade in and I drove the truck home that nite. The only reason I gave the brick and mortar a chance was b/c he wasn't pushy.