Stupid dealer stories

[Jono.ful]

So, before I bought my SR5 I was looking seriously at a Trail. I hadn't done a whole lot of research before going to the dealer, so I had questions while out on the test drive; does the diff lock in rear only, or front and rear? How is (are) the locker(s) actuated - via vacuum/motor? As well as a few others. Buddy had absolutely no idea what I was asking, I might as well have been speaking greek. I was a little embarrassed for him, a supposed Toyota expert couldn't answer relatively basic questions about the vehicle.
How has your dealer shown his stupidity?

 

[nevada]

salesman.
they dont know anything about what theyre selling. certainly not anything technical.

 

[Atlanta_man]

wow
they still use vacuum on some cars to provide power to something ?
I thought that went away even on A/C doors.

I used to have an old Jeep that had vac powered windshield wipers. That was not a good design.

 

[vicpick58]

wow
they still use vacuum on some cars to provide power to something ?
I thought that went away even on A/C doors.

I used to have an old Jeep that had vac powered windshield wipers. That was not a good design.

Most vehicles had vacuum wipers until they came out with alternators in the early 1960s so they could be run on electric with out running the battery down. The old generators could not keep up with the draw at low speeds, especially if the headlights and heater fan were on too.

Although my first car was a 1971 Gremlin that still had vacuum wipers. But it had a pump associated with the fuel pump so they would not completely stop when the throttle was open.

Most (not all) car sales people are more interested in human nature and how to make a person want to buy something than actually taking the time to learn about the product that they are selling.

Sometimes you may happen upon a knowledgeable sales person that has been there a while and believes in the product. But most of the time he was probably selling Honda's or Chevy's last year. And sofas or refrigerators the year before that.

 

[KGWVU]

So, before I bought my SR5 I was looking seriously at a Trail. I hadn't done a whole lot of research before going to the dealer, so I had questions while out on the test drive; does the diff lock in rear only, or front and rear? How is (are) the locker(s) actuated - via vacuum/motor? As well as a few others. Buddy had absolutely no idea what I was asking, I might as well have been speaking greek. I was a little embarrassed for him, a supposed Toyota expert couldn't answer relatively basic questions about the vehicle.
How has your dealer shown his stupidity?

Our salesman told us that the Limited we were test driving had the same V8 as the Tundra, was not sure about a rear locking differential, and did not understand the concept of dual-zone climate control. Really nice guy, but really needed to read up on the 4Runner before selling it.

 

[vicpick58]

I have learned to do my own research on products before buying, because you just cannot count on the sales person to know it all.

I came to this forum and asked a few questions about the 4Runner from people who had them before making up my mind.

I also checked the Pathfinder and Jeep Grand Cherokee forums too. That was also helpful in my decision to get a 4Runner.

 

[Ttn333]

The guy I bought from spoke broken english admitted that he just started and knew nothing about the truck. The first guy I talked to tried to bs me on the model year and price. After several minutes of discussion, we had him take a look at the window sticker to prove him wrong. At which point my gf busted out laughing in his face. He then proceeded to tell me that msrp was a great price and there's no way he can go below that.

 

[jspagna1]

I actually find myself telling the salesperson about features and details about the cars/trucks I have test driven. I love the deer in the headlights look on their faces.

 

[SigSense]

The first guy I talked to tried to bs me on the model year and price. After several minutes of discussion, we had him take a look at the window sticker to prove him wrong.

This is very common, as most salespeople think most consumers are ignorant. Something similar to your post happened when I bought my Tacoma. Salesguy advised me that they were premium trucks and MSRP was the best they could do. I bought the truck at a dealership about 10 miles away, then drove it to Salesguy's lot, and showed him my deal......... which was $200 over invoice. He was NOT amused.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

This is very common, as most salespeople think most consumers are ignorant. Something similar to your post happened when I bought my Tacoma. Salesguy advised me that they were premium trucks and MSRP was the best they could do. I bought the truck at a dealership about 10 miles away, then drove it to Salesguy's lot, and showed him my deal......... which was $200 over invoice. He was NOT amused.

You have that absouletly wrong, as a dealer tech I can tell you from experience that its not that salespeople think that consumers are ignorant. Its that their own mental capacity and processing potentional is so drastically low that they cannot comprehend much more than a stripped down script they are handed, much less expect them to even understand that most people are smarter than they could possibly ever be.

But then again, that might be colored by my experience with our sales department which I swear somehow has the pressence of mind not to defecate themselves through out the day and yet can't be bothered to have the common sense to not block off the driveways in service bays or park in areas with 2ft tall letters saying "DO NOT PARK."

Either way, I think you're giving salesmen far too much credit.

 

[Intruder]

I think most Toyota salesmen know about Corollas, Camrys, Siennas, and not much else. I had a great sales guy who admitted to not knowing the answers to some of my questions and brought me to his office so he could look them up either on the website or in one of his manuals. I can respect someone who says they don't know something but tries to find the answer for you.

 

[Digitalwiz]

I have to laugh when we talk about salespeople. Most car dealers hire the down and out desperate. they know that those people will say anything to sell a car because they have rent to pay and mouth's to feed.

That said I was told so many lies during the process by every dealer i visited. I was also apparently lied to when i was told that the JBL 15 speaker option was no longer available and was discontinued in 2011.

I was also told that entune should work the PIM features with my iphone 4 so well that i could leave it in the glove compartment.

 

[StRanger7032]

I've had some nasty experiences with car dealers, but not with Toyota dealerships. I think the Gulf States dealerships have some type of training program for their salespeople. I bought my 4R from Cavender Toyota in San Antonio. The salesman was extremely knowledgeable about the vehicle. He spent about 20 minutes after I bought the truck explaining the 4X4 system, including the complicated DAC and A-Trac systems that I admittedly still don't fully understand. He told me to drive 10 miles in 4X4 monthly to keep the system lubricated, and made sure I knew how the levers worked. He also linked my phone to the Bluetooth for me. This would be impressive anywhere, but considering how few 4X4s they sell in TX, it was extra impressive. I had a similar experience when I bought my Tundra at Ram Country Toyota in Del Rio (I think the two dealerships are affiliated). There's a few good ones out there!

 

[vicpick58]

How about the parts department? I am planning on changing my differential and transfer case lube pretty soon, so the last time I was at the parts counter getting motor oil and filter, I asked for the 75w transfer case lube. Got that deer in head lights look and the guy came out with some 75w90 dino gear lube.

I said no, I want the transfer case lube. He could not find it in the computer so he could not help me. These guys don't have a clue either, I am not sure if he even knew what a transfer case is.

So I have some time until I need the product, but will have to try to find a dealer that has it eventually. I already ordered the diff lube from Amsoil but they don't have a product for the transfer case.

Anyone know an online store that sells the transfer case fluid?

 

[Jono.ful]

salesman.
they dont know anything about what theyre selling. certainly not anything technical.

I dunno about that man. As much as I rag on my sales guy, I worked in sales through university (granted only retail), but I made it my mission to know everything about what I was selling, especially when it came to mountaineering equipment and the like. Bottom line is customers appreciate knowledgeable, competent help when they are making a major purchase. Toyota is a huge company, you would think they could insist that their network of dealers give their staff better technical training.

 

[nevada]

I dunno about that man. As much as I rag on my sales guy, I worked in sales through university (granted only retail), but I made it my mission to know everything about what I was selling, especially when it came to mountaineering equipment and the like. Bottom line is customers appreciate knowledgeable, competent help when they are making a major purchase. Toyota is a huge company, you would think they could insist that their network of dealers give their staff better technical training.

you've got to remember MOST people that are buying new cars dont give a **** about the technical aspects of the car. they want features, and a low price. they dont care HOW they work, as long as they work.


and, with as many different models they sell, i really dont see the salesman being able to know EVERYTHING about every model.

 

[SigSense]

You have that absouletly wrong, as a dealer tech I can tell you from experience that its not that salespeople think that consumers are ignorant. Its that their own mental capacity and processing potentional is so drastically low that they cannot comprehend much more than a stripped down script they are handed, much less expect them to even understand that most people are smarter than they could possibly ever be.

Maybe things have changed, but I worked at a new car dealership in the 1970's. I was a tech also. Sale personnel do NOT change, they are all the same. The sales staff that I knew were all pompous, ignorant, and full of themselves. ****, we are saying the same things about them............ disregard.

 

[AnthonyMV]

Never had a good experience

With salesmen.....NEVER
The service advisers. Even worse. I have to literally spoon feed these vegetables
Every time I go in for service, which has been like 3 times so far, but that's enough!
Jesus Christ! I tell em to peruse the Internet for forums.....they stare
Tell em about effing TSB's......they stare.....
I snap.....they're like "sir you're yelling at me,if u continue,I'm going to hang up"
I'm like,what?,wtf? R u kidding me?!
Take ur ass outta ur head.....Christ....even the GM calls me to see what's wrong after I blast em on dealerrater.com .....a lil too late guy.....unreal!
I'm gonna make a career out of destroying dealers on the net....deserve nothing less......
Man, if I went to work with that boo hoo you're yelling at me.....oh we're sorry we can't fix your vehicle,we gave up here's your refund attitude. I'd be sooooooooooo effing fired......I so wish we could buy direct from manufacturer.....the language barrier is WAY easier to take than the intelligence (lake there of) barrier
Rant over.
Thank you