My friend Mrs C last week went by Ford dealership to review how they treated her and accuracy of the sales persons information. This last Saturday Mrs C went by the local Honda dealership.
It was Saturday, September 24th. A nice warm Saturday afternoon. Not to warm, but just right for my daughter and I to go to the Honda dealership by freeway. We drove on the lot and parked not to far from the front door. I did want to wander around and waste my time, like last week, waiting for salesman to approach me. This time I went inside, and announced to the receptionist that I was looking to buy a car.
In less than five minutes this middle aged short sales man was walking up to me. He introduced himself as Frank as he greeted me with smile and a handshake.
At that time I told Frank I was looking for something smaller than my mini van and larger than a regular car. I don’t remember, I may of have used the words; crossover vehicle.
Frank started asking me about what kind of car I was looking to buy and how much I could afford to pay. Frank walked me through the different model that fit what I was looking to buy. Then he started asking about financing.
From that point on Frank did not want to show me any cars until their credit manager reviewed my credit rating. He said it was so we would not be wasting time looking a car I could not afford.
We went inside and up to the credit manager/bankers office. There Frank introduced me to a young man who looked like he just got out of college. This young man took down my social security number and address. In less than a minute he had my credit score. At this point called Frank back to his office.
After my credit score was obtained, Frank and I went back out onto the lot. Frank took me over to the used car section where he showed me this Dodge Caliper. (my credit score did not qualify me for a new car) Frank explained these cars did not come with a warranty, but if I wanted a warranty I could pay extra.
Frank did talk me into taking a test drive of the Dodge Caliper. It was nice. After be got back to the lot, Frank pushed for closed the sale. He offered me no money down it I would take the car, today.
I restated position to Frank. I told him we were just looking. I was not planning on buying until after the first of the year.
Bottom-line: What Mrs C related to me was interesting. Here they were friendly. Instead of letting her look at cars she could not afford they first found out what was in her budget, and what her credit rating would allow her to buy. Then Frank started pointing her to cars.
In this series where we have been visiting car dealerships, and looking specifically at their methodology. Frank was friendly, asked her what she was looking to buy. I did like he wanted to get an idea as to what she could afford before trying point her on a specific car.
I could not fault Frank, at the end pushing to close the sale. After all selling cars is his job.
