First Post - Walked out on slimy dealer

Passin Thru wrote:
My wife and I get 3 bids from different dealers on the last day of the month and play one against the other via the internet. When we get it down, we then go into the dealership, with our dinner saying we didn't have time to eat. We have a leisurely dinner and watch them sweat, ask for the top salesman. We then talk to him and tell him what we will give and if he doesn't come through, we walk out letting them know we will waste their whole evening. Last one took til 11 PM. Let them get mad, we just ignore them and keep driving at our price. They have given up every time but once when a Toyota dealer told us "If you think you can get that deal, go somewhere else." We did and even got an $800 sunroof thrown in on a Toyota Camry then drove back and showed it to him. He said a bad word like "GUNKY!!

That's not my style, as I think it should be a transaction based upon mutual respect. I have no problem with the dealer making some money, as I want them to give me their best effort and people - not desperadoes. I buy most of my vehicles from a Ford fleet manager with no messing around. For the TT purchase attempt, I had no inkling that the salesman was going to try to renege on the price and play the low rent car salesman game. He committed to it with no games up front, and we based our purchase commitment on that price. The games only happened once we got back to the office.

As to internet shopping, we ended up with better than the "internet price", and I really needed to see, feel, touch, poke, and, most importantly, discuss with my wife. If it wasn't for her, we would have ended up with a much smaller unit that wouldn't fit the whole family.

Frankly, the first salesman helped greatly with the selection process. He was helpful and knowledgeable, and I respected his input. That's why it was so shocking when his true personality emerged late in the game.