Buying a new car...not a fun experience! **WARNING!! I RAMBLE IN WRITTING**

[rddmxmeth10]

So I am actually in the process of purchasing a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited without navigation. I am a very picky person and when I have my mind set on something, I have to fulfill that need. In this case, I want Black on Black. A black on black car when cleaned, is just a beautiful thing.

Backtrack 8 months.

I had the motor replaced in my car, and I figured that since it was up there in mileage, I would trade it in while it still had some value to it and purchase a newer vehicle. So I started searching for a 2012 Elantra Limited black on black. I go to 3 different dealerships and I get their prices for the Elantra and the price for the trade in. I decided on who gave the best deal and went back there. I sat down with the salesman handed him $1,000 and said lets get it rolling. He turns around and says that they were giving me almost $1,500 less for my trade than they originally told me. Now thats not right. So now I get my money back and have a few choice words for them and curse anyone who wants to buy a car from them.

My father mentioned to me about a month ago that he wanted to trade in his car and get a new Sonata. Now shopping we are buying 2 cars, rather than just one so we might get a better deal. So we do the same thing all over again, 3 dealerships and decide on the dealer. I go to the dealer, we work out the final numbers, I fill out the credit app, give him the down payment and I'm once agian happy that I am getting rid of my car (my car needs major work). The salesman assures me that he will be able to get the black on black with in the week. I find it hard to believe because their aren't many out there. I would say a good 85% have navigation, which I don't want to pay for because I just bought a TomTom for Christmas, and I can't see myself spending $2,500 for it.

I called the salesman yesterday because he asked me for the loan number for my current payments, so he can fill out the paperwork. He says that he was just about to call me because he said it is near impossible to get the car without navigation and the color combination. He can find black on grey, beige or different color car with black interior. Thats not what I want. He says I will give you a year free oil change (4 changes or 12k, whichever comes first) To get it done at this dealer, is 2 hours out of my day. No thanks! So I call the other dealer where I went last time (they said they would match the deal) and he tells me he has it and provides me with the last three of the VIN. I call my salesman, tell him the other place has it, so either make a deal with them for a dealer swap, or I am taking my business there. He says "I will do my best". Now, he has my money, and I found my car. So he needed to make a decision quickly because these cars do not last. I gave him the majority of the day. I call the sales manager at 4:00 and inform him of my conversation with the salesman. I ask him if they swapped for my car. He said he would get back to me within the hour. He called me 10 minutes later and said they already found my car and it would be here either today or tomorrow, and I will be in the car by Friday. I called the salesman today because my father had a question and I asked if the car came in. He says "It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack". Huh!?!? I said "Your sales manager told me he found it and it was a cross in information between you two". I let him have it. I said one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. What are you doing to make it right? He says "well we are kind of stretching ourselves thin on this deal anyway". My EXACT words were "Thats not my fault. You need to live up to your end of the bargain." I am not going to call him for the rest of the week, and I will go there on Monday. If my car is not there, I am going to ask what they are going to do to make this deal happen/ or right.

1. You tell me you can't find it, you found it, you can't find it.
2. You can't find the vehicle, and I have to now "settle" for something that I dont want because you promised me you would get it when you couldnt.

A good salesman would say "Well what can we do to make you happy?". I will say well, I can't get the car the way I want it, so how about they throw in the navigation (50/50 shot). If not, Ill say that I will give them half the dealer cost of the navigation, or max of $500. If still no deal, I wanted tinted windows to NOT see the interior color, and a remote start. If by this point no deal is made, they aren't budging or they havn't kicked me out, I get my money, shred the papers, and walk out.

If anyone has any opinion I would love to hear it! Thanks for reading and advice ahead of time!

 

[Stang Man]

Don't settle on your color choice- you'll be pissed every time you drive the car!

I'd go there first chance you get. If they can't hammer something out with you there, get your down payment back and take your business elsewhere.

 

[rddmxmeth10]

Don't settle on your color choice- you'll be pissed every time you drive the car!

I'd go there first chance you get. If they can't hammer something out with you there, get your down payment back and take your business elsewhere.

Yeh that's the way I'm leaning. Anyone think the navigation might happen??

 

[PAR Detailing]

Yeh that's the way I'm leaning. Anyone think the navigation might happen??

Nope I don't. Their cost in that option is more than $500. In fact I'll tell you the invoice of that option when I get to the office. If they are stretched thin on the deal they won't just eat that much of a cost.

Looking at it from their perspective, you shopped around twice. They don't look at the situation and see the potential for a long term customer or massive referral business. I guess I would put it like this... If before you committed to this guy the other dealer came in $250 less who would you have moved forward with?

It's just food for thought. Not saying you did anything wrong just bringing other perspectives up.

 

[Trevor]

Make the dealer get the car on lot prior to getting your downpayment. That way you don't have to deal with getting your cash back while they jerk you around.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

I hope you can get everything sorted out the way it was originally planned upon.

I was thinking the same thing when I ordered my Wagon... Why spend the extra money on a Nav system when I just got a Tom Tom? You can do far more with the Nav in the car than just the Navigation portion. Well I am kicking myself for not adding the nav to the car and have just this Tom Tom. I have it in my 07 sedan but not my 11 wagon. I will never order another BMW without it.

 

[rddmxmeth10]

Nope I don't. Their cost in that option is more than $500. In fact I'll tell you the invoice of that option when I get to the office. If they are stretched thin on the deal they won't just eat that much of a cost.

Looking at it from their perspective, you shopped around twice. They don't look at the situation and see the potential for a long term customer or massive referral business. I guess I would put it like this... If before you committed to this guy the other dealer came in $250 less who would you have moved forward with?

It's just food for thought. Not saying you did anything wrong just bringing other perspectives up.

Well its funny you mention the "long term customer". I bought my current car at this dealership, my father bought a truck from the same guy I bought my car from (same salesman, different dealership, now that guy is the manager at teh Chevy next door), my car was serviced at this dealer, and were buying 2 cars! I would say thats a long term customer, no?

I know the dealer pays roughly $1,300-1,700 for the system, msrp is $2,100. So if cant get what you promised, meet me halfway. Im not looking for something for free (although it would be a homerun) I am saying i will pay a PORTION of what they pay. And lets be honest, when they show you the invoice, that price is marked up anywhere from 2-5%! Why would they say here is what we paid, so we cant go lower than this? That would end up in not making any money. Their not in business to lose or break even, their in business to make money and they are. I didnt even haggle with him on any of the prices which bothers me when he says were streched thin! I am paying the dealer invoice price that he showed me because I want to get a deal done!

 

[rddmxmeth10]

Make the dealer get the car on lot prior to getting your downpayment. That way you don't have to deal with getting your cash back while they jerk you around.

^ monday morning quarterback here! I figured if he had a deposit, he knows Im not going anywhere, why not get the sale?!

 

[rddmxmeth10]

I hope you can get everything sorted out the way it was originally planned upon.

I was thinking the same thing when I ordered my Wagon... Why spend the extra money on a Nav system when I just got a Tom Tom? You can do far more with the Nav in the car than just the Navigation portion. Well I am kicking myself for not adding the nav to the car and have just this Tom Tom. I have it in my 07 sedan but not my 11 wagon. I will never order another BMW without it.

I hope so too! I hope I dont have the same regrets, but right now I couldnt really afford teh 2700 option!

And I posted this to get different perspectives because I have a week before I bother them again

 

[Jaretr1]

Why not order it? Does Hyundai not take special orders on cars?

 

[Matt]

Why not order it? Does Hyundai not take special orders on cars?

:iagree:

My response would have been "well then order it in!" Especially if you didn't haggle with them on price, then DEMAND it's ordered in for you.

 

[mwoolfso]

My response would have been "well then order it in!" Especially if you didn't haggle with them on price, then DEMAND it's ordered in for you.

Looking at both sides objectively, this story shows a bit of desperation on both sides; which I think is the root cause of the deadlock. You and the dealership are not negotiating effectively based on certain realities that exist.

You are desperate for "the best deal" that stretches their normal limits, coupled with a trade-in. The dealership is desperate "for a sale" based on what they have available in their supply chain (inventory) and business model (profit expectations and prospect pipeline). The dealership is too focused on telling you what you want to hear, over-promising and under-delivering.

I have dealt with Hyundai before and their preferred sales process, on the whole, does not cater well to picky buyers like yourself. This statement is not a judgement of either parties behavior and certainly not a ding on the product itself. It is however, a cold reality.

You need to realize that the only way they make money is turning over the inventory currently in their supply chain; and fast. Their sales approach will typically be a few notches above Henry Ford's mantra, "You can have any color car you want as long as it is black." There is a big difference between a sales process that "sells a car" to you and a process that permits you to "purchase your car". It is not difficult to tell what a dealership's focus is within the first 30 minutes of the sales process.

By absorbing and acknowledging what I have stated above (and without judging the human interactions), another option surfaces quite fast that does work around the barriers to a sale.

Call Hyundai Corp. direct.

Ask for assistance locating a car in your area that has all of the features you need. If a car exists that matches your specifications and needs, they will tell you where it is. They won't care what dealership sells you their product. If there is nothing in your area, inquire about the custom-build option. They will give you the guidelines that the dealerships must follow, and can potentially tell you how long you would need to wait. Once you are armed with the information you need; you can then direct the dealership to act in a manner that the product manufacturer expects them to support you. The trade-in and everything else should work itself out on its own once you have the right momentum on the right car.

Good luck.

 

[BWG707]

Looking at both sides objectively, this story shows a bit of desperation on both sides; which I think is the root cause of the deadlock. You and the dealership are not negotiating effectively based on certain realities that exist.

You are desperate for "the best deal" that stretches their normal limits, coupled with a trade-in. The dealership is desperate "for a sale" based on what they have available in their supply chain (inventory) and business model (profit expectations and prospect pipeline). The dealership is too focused on telling you what you want to hear, over-promising and under-delivering.

I have dealt with Hyundai before and their preferred sales process, on the whole, does not cater well to picky buyers like yourself. This statement is not a judgement of either parties behavior and certainly not a ding on the product itself. It is however, a cold reality.

You need to realize that the only way they make money is turning over the inventory currently in their supply chain; and fast. Their sales approach will typically be a few notches above Henry Ford's mantra, "You can have any color car you want as long as it is black." There is a big difference between a sales process that "sells a car" to you and a process that permits you to "purchase your car". It is not difficult to tell what a dealership's focus is within the first 30 minutes of the sales process.

By absorbing and acknowledging what I have stated above (and without judging the human interactions), another option surfaces quite fast that does work around the barriers to a sale.

Call Hyundai Corp. direct.

Ask for assistance locating a car in your area that has all of the features you need. If a car exists that matches your specifications and needs, they will tell you where it is. They won't care what dealership sells you their product. If there is nothing in your area, inquire about the custom-build option. They will give you the guidelines that the dealerships must follow, and can potentially tell you how long you would need to wait. Once you are armed with the information you need; you can then direct the dealership to act in a manner that the product manufacturer expects them to support you. The trade-in and everything else should work itself out on its own once you have the right momentum on the right car.

Good luck.

Very well put. Are you a writer? If not you should think about it.

 

[rddmxmeth10]

Looking at both sides objectively, this story shows a bit of desperation on both sides; which I think is the root cause of the deadlock. You and the dealership are not negotiating effectively based on certain realities that exist.

You are desperate for "the best deal" that stretches their normal limits, coupled with a trade-in. The dealership is desperate "for a sale" based on what they have available in their supply chain (inventory) and business model (profit expectations and prospect pipeline). The dealership is too focused on telling you what you want to hear, over-promising and under-delivering.

I have dealt with Hyundai before and their preferred sales process, on the whole, does not cater well to picky buyers like yourself. This statement is not a judgement of either parties behavior and certainly not a ding on the product itself. It is however, a cold reality.

You need to realize that the only way they make money is turning over the inventory currently in their supply chain; and fast. Their sales approach will typically be a few notches above Henry Ford's mantra, "You can have any color car you want as long as it is black." There is a big difference between a sales process that "sells a car" to you and a process that permits you to "purchase your car". It is not difficult to tell what a dealership's focus is within the first 30 minutes of the sales process.

By absorbing and acknowledging what I have stated above (and without judging the human interactions), another option surfaces quite fast that does work around the barriers to a sale.

Call Hyundai Corp. direct.

Ask for assistance locating a car in your area that has all of the features you need. If a car exists that matches your specifications and needs, they will tell you where it is. They won't care what dealership sells you their product. If there is nothing in your area, inquire about the custom-build option. They will give you the guidelines that the dealerships must follow, and can potentially tell you how long you would need to wait. Once you are armed with the information you need; you can then direct the dealership to act in a manner that the product manufacturer expects them to support you. The trade-in and everything else should work itself out on its own once you have the right momentum on the right car.

Good luck.

I specifically said to them when I was talking to the salesman "Give me your best price that you could live with". They did. I had a price that was $400 lower, but I came to the conclusion that I would rather do repeat business somewhere, and do business with a place that I have known for the past 4 years.

And I understand that they make money by turning their inventory over, but when I was there on Sunday, they had ONE (1) Elantra, and it was a silver GLS. How is someone supposed to go there and shop for an Elantra, when they only have 1?! Even if they had 30 Elantras, but not the one I wanted, they should have tryed to convince me from the start that my pickiness would most likely not get met, unless I change my color option. Instead, they promised me over and over that it would be one week. I will give them their one week. If I dont hear from them by Friday, I will then contact HQ and see if there is a car available in my area or how to go about ordering one. This way when I do go to the dealership on Monday, Im like a .50 cal machine gun cocked, locked, and have a hair trigger. The worst that happens is they say the deal is off!

This is really helpful guys/gals. Thanks. Keep the opinions coming!!

 

[mwoolfso]

Very well put. Are you a writer? If not you should think about it.

Thanks. No, not a writer. Just experienced enough to get by these days....

 

[alko]

Looking at both sides objectively, this story shows a bit of desperation on both sides; which I think is the root cause of the deadlock. You and the dealership are not negotiating effectively based on certain realities that exist.

You are desperate for "the best deal" that stretches their normal limits, coupled with a trade-in. The dealership is desperate "for a sale" based on what they have available in their supply chain (inventory) and business model (profit expectations and prospect pipeline). The dealership is too focused on telling you what you want to hear, over-promising and under-delivering.

I have dealt with Hyundai before and their preferred sales process, on the whole, does not cater well to picky buyers like yourself. This statement is not a judgement of either parties behavior and certainly not a ding on the product itself. It is however, a cold reality.

You need to realize that the only way they make money is turning over the inventory currently in their supply chain; and fast. Their sales approach will typically be a few notches above Henry Ford's mantra, "You can have any color car you want as long as it is black." There is a big difference between a sales process that "sells a car" to you and a process that permits you to "purchase your car". It is not difficult to tell what a dealership's focus is within the first 30 minutes of the sales process.

By absorbing and acknowledging what I have stated above (and without judging the human interactions), another option surfaces quite fast that does work around the barriers to a sale.

Call Hyundai Corp. direct.

Ask for assistance locating a car in your area that has all of the features you need. If a car exists that matches your specifications and needs, they will tell you where it is. They won't care what dealership sells you their product. If there is nothing in your area, inquire about the custom-build option. They will give you the guidelines that the dealerships must follow, and can potentially tell you how long you would need to wait. Once you are armed with the information you need; you can then direct the dealership to act in a manner that the product manufacturer expects them to support you. The trade-in and everything else should work itself out on its own once you have the right momentum on the right car.

Good luck.

:applause:Very well said...I almost called Hyundai to buy a car just off of what this dude said. I agree with the other person...if you're not a writer you really should think about becoming one.

 

[mwoolfso]

I specifically said to them when I was talking to the salesman "Give me your best price that you could live with". They did. I had a price that was $400 lower, but I came to the conclusion that I would rather do repeat business somewhere, and do business with a place that I have known for the past 4 years.

And I understand that they make money by turning their inventory over, but when I was there on Sunday, they had ONE (1) Elantra, and it was a silver GLS. How is someone supposed to go there and shop for an Elantra, when they only have 1?! Even if they had 30 Elantras, but not the one I wanted, they should have tryed to convince me from the start that my pickiness would most likely not get met, unless I change my color option. Instead, they promised me over and over that it would be one week. I will give them their one week. If I dont hear from them by Friday, I will then contact HQ and see if there is a car available in my area or how to go about ordering one. This way when I do go to the dealership on Monday, Im like a .50 cal machine gun cocked, locked, and have a hair trigger. The worst that happens is they say the deal is off!

This is really helpful guys/gals. Thanks. Keep the opinions coming!!

Back in '88 I had the choice of a Hyundai Excel or a Mitsubishi Precis. They were effectively the same car; built by Hyundai. Did some price shopping and the Mitsu turned out to be ~ $500 cheaper. Went back to Hyundai and the guy wouldn't budge. He was honest and said with the volume of sales occurring it didn't make sense for him to discount any further since he was positive another buyer was going to come in and pay his price anyway. While I didn't do business with him that time; I have grown to appreciate his approach. He was honest and more importantly confident enough as a salesperson to share that information with a customer. That is the person I want to do business with every time.

When I purchased my Volkswagen CC last year @ Platinum Volkswagen in Hicksville, I was fortunate enough to find the same type of sales person. He didn't sell me a car. He gave me enough information so that I can purchase the car I wanted; and he told me this at my first visit. He didn't know it at the time, but I was shopping for a sales rep at the same time I was shopping for a car. Without a good rep, the deal is likely going to sour in some manner. I will buy VW's from this guy any time.

It could be that they are selling Elantra's like hotcakes, or the dealership itself is getting more strict on inventory, or there is a supply chain problem. Hard to tell.

 

[07gtcs]

Autotrader.com

 

[rddmxmeth10]

Back in '88 I had the choice of a Hyundai Excel or a Mitsubishi Precis. They were effectively the same car; built by Hyundai. Did some price shopping and the Mitsu turned out to be ~ $500 cheaper. Went back to Hyundai and the guy wouldn't budge. He was honest and said with the volume of sales occurring it didn't make sense for him to discount any further since he was positive another buyer was going to come in and pay his price anyway. While I didn't do business with him that time; I have grown to appreciate his approach. He was honest and more importantly confident enough as a salesperson to share that information with a customer. That is the person I want to do business with every time.

When I purchased my Volkswagen CC last year @ Platinum Volkswagen in Hicksville, I was fortunate enough to find the same type of sales person. He didn't sell me a car. He gave me enough information so that I can purchase the car I wanted; and he told me this at my first visit. He didn't know it at the time, but I was shopping for a sales rep at the same time I was shopping for a car. Without a good rep, the deal is likely going to sour in some manner. I will buy VW's from this guy any time.

It could be that they are selling Elantra's like hotcakes, or the dealership itself is getting more strict on inventory, or there is a supply chain problem. Hard to tell.

I live in Smithtown actually. I was dealing with Hyundai 112 in Medford. I went to Atlantic Hyundai in Bay Shore, Millenium Hyundai in Centereach, Millenium in Hempstead, Giuffre in Brooklyn, and chose to deal with 112.

I hear what your saying about looking for a sales rep because I myself, am a salesman. I work for Allstate in Glen Cove. The salesman that I sat with, thinking back on it, didn't know anything about the car. He told me that the car has push button start (only the navigation comes with push button, and I told him that and he checked with another salesman and I was right) I told him the car doesnt have a spare tire it has an inflation kit, so on and so on. He kept telling me that he has been working for Hyundai for 7 years. How am I telling him what the car has or doesn't have?! Am I just an educated shopper? Or is he BSing about how long he has worked there for? Regardless, I am going to wait until he calls me or Monday, which ever comes first, and take it from there.

On a side note, where on Long Guyland are you from?

 

[bigez]

I think they ARE selling Elantra's like hotcakes, and probably Hyundai's in general, especially since the tsunami that hit Japan and has slowed down production of Honda, etc. Also, the trend of everybody trying to save money on gas and buying smaller cars now. You may have to find one at a dealer that is further away to find a deal.

I learned it's very hard to be picky about color and options AND still get the best price. I think to really get the best price you are going to have to find one in stock SOMEWHERE.

Also, saw this advertised but know nothing about it - 100% Haggle-Free New Car Price Quotes from Local Dealers - TrueCar