[Stu from NYC]

This is why almost Noone likes dealing with auto dealership.

[Gpsma]

Originally Posted by VApeople

We have no complaints about our car buying experiences. We learned how to properly buy a car in 1994 and it has been a true pleasure ever since.

Can you share how to properly buy a car?

[saratogaman]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I brought my Honda in for a recall to Jenkins. This is the only reason I set foot there. While waiting as a captive audience we got the pitch how nice our vehicle is and how they would love to buy it. Clearly this is part of having work done there.

This got me thinking, for those of you who go there for service, does this happen routinely?

In contrast, the l.ocal Buick-GMC dealer has the oil-change service in a building separate from the sales area...never been approached by salesperson.

[Fredster]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Can you share how to properly buy a car?

Good question!

Based on my experience with Jenkins, they will try to upsell you
while your waiting for your car being serviced.

[justjim]

My first new car was in 1962. The dealership was what I call a mom and pop honest shop. Those days are gone. Today car dealerships are multi-million dollar businesses with millions of dollars of cost to just open the doors everyday. Yes, I bought one car from Jenkins Honda and was “turned off” by their up-charging and marketing strategy. I once purchased, over the years, five new vehicles from the same salesman and small dealership in Central Illinois. Always a honest and good buying experience. My next vehicle that was purchased in Central Florida was purchased from Bill Bryan Subaru and overall a nice buying experience. Guess what? They have been bought by a bigger bunch of dealerships and you can expect similar strategies from the new owners. Yep, the ol’ days are gone forever.

[vintageogauge]

They always do that want to buy your car thing, my answer is "it's going to be a great car for our granddaughters 18th birthday present next year." They generally change the subject and walk away thinking that I won't be needing a new car for at least a year.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I brought my Honda in for a recall to Jenkins. This is the only reason I set foot there. While waiting as a captive audience we got the pitch how nice our vehicle is and how they would love to buy it. Clearly this is part of having work done there.

This got me thinking, for those of you who go there for service, does this happen routinely?

We did get a lot of solicitations from their Acura store in Ocala when used cars were in demand, but not while at the shop. IF you had any inclination to sell, ask them for their best cash offer and if acceptable take the cash and buy your next car elsewhere.

[manaboutown]

Just tell them you will be happy to sell it to them when the Cullinan you recently ordered is delivered.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Can you share how to properly buy a car?

Sure.

1) Decide what car you want to buy.

2) Decide how much you want to pay.

3) Go to a dealer who has the car you want to buy and offer them what you want to
pay.

4) If they accept you offer, give them the money and drive home in your new car.

5) If they do not accept your offer, then go back home.

6) Have a cup of coffee and realize the dealer would not accept your previous
offer. Then go back to step 2).

That works for my wife and me.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Can you share how to properly buy a car?

Calculate the fair value using KBB.com and Edmunds.com. Add sales tax, title, and tag fee. Then present that as a take it or leave price to the dealer. Do not negotiate, do not pay anything for dealer installed options, and do not pay anything for a dealer fee or a doc fee, or any other fees.

Do not trade in your old vehicle. Sell it to Carvana or Carmax. A dealer will never give as much as they will.

[Keefelane66]

It's a game. On a service visit while playing this game I'm very attentive to the sales person taking up as much of his time possible. When service department pages me I politely leave and retrieve our vehicle.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Can you share how to properly buy a car?

Many years ago when my young adult daughter wanted to buy her first car I gave her a book. I think but am not sure it was 'The Car Buyer's Art' by Darrell Parrish, a former car salesman. My daughter is a reader and learns well that way. She has now bought many cars, some used, but mostly new, and seems to do OK.

I have many car buying war stories and can report each situation was different. It very much depends on the vehicle you want and when you want it. If it is the latest Corvette in September expect to pay more. If it is late February on a drizzly day and aging inventory of an unpopular model has been sitting on the lot four months expect to pay less. A couple of times the deal I made was apparently so good the salesman angrily stormed out of the room and refused to speak to me again, but I got the car at the price I wanted. lol. I have had them and sales managers get up and walk away without a word. I have left an offer and walked out and been stopped as I was opening my car door or received a call a day or three later telling me they would take my deal. I believe the more time a salesperson invests with a buyer the better deal a buyer can negotiate. If one starts out with a lowball offer with no salesperson time invested they just walk away. It is a rough and tumble no holds barred business.

The saddest event I ever witnessed at a car dealership was in the Virginia DC suburbs back in 1970. A recently widowed woman came in with her husband's highly collectible and valuable Mercedes SL in pristine condition. A salesman offered her peanuts for it on a trade-in. I was around the corner and several of the salesman were laughing it up big time at her being taken. It disgusted me.

Most of the dealerships where I have had my vehicles serviced in the last 30 years were modern facilities and have had their service manager offices adjacent or very near, as down a hall from, their sales floors. I usually wander onto to the sales floor if I am in for a short service and get approached by a salesperson. I just tell them my vehicle is being serviced and I am just biding my time. I have never been pushed to buy or get off the showroom floor. My ex-wife has been pushed to buy at the Mercedes dealership she uses, and not in a good way. It was on a used model Consumers Report reported was a lemon.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

I have many car buying war stories and can report each situation was different.

That's interesting.

Ever since we bought our 1994 Nissan Altima, every car buying experience has been the same.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by mrf0151

With all the negativity about Jenkins here, if they don't change, it will bite them bad over time.
Keeping with the subject of bad business practices, this Frank Gay Plumbing outfit will not be getting much of the Villagers dollars either.

The percentage of villagers who read this board is very small. They don't come here until they get taken by Tire Choice, Jenkins, Frank Gay...

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

The percentage of villagers who read this board is very small. They don't come here until they get taken by Tire Choice, Jenkins, Frank Gay...

Note that all three companies have fantastic online reviews from so-called customers. Most online reviews are a joke.