Toyotatechnician
Ocala,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, May 08, 2008
I went on this site about another subject a few weeks ago and it came to my attention that other subjects need to be addressed to get these scams, or companies that are doing unfair business away, and to educate customers about car buying from a technician that bought from his own dealership. I have experienced the same thing about the famous phrase "I'm sorry but you weren't approved for the such and such APR but we got you at this APR, after you have driven the vehicle for a few days. I'm here to tell you that when you sign papers with the dealership and they approve you for lets say 7% interest on a 60 month purchase, but then after a few days were called back only to find out that your excellent, or decent credit wasn't good enough and they want you to come in to sign some more papers to seal the deal. Well guess what, here are some inside secrets that I have learned from Finance Managers, and Sales Managers. (Secrets are at the end of this comment that were told to me by my finance manager, because I purchased my vehicle from a different store, but the same owner.) He obviously wanted the deal which I found out in the end but here's my ex-employee experience. After many hours of talking to the salesman, (kind of like talking to the police in the interrogation room), (no I haven't been to jail but watch enough CSI.) Anyways after you ask you what you would like for payments, or where you would like your payments to be, they come back the first time way above the vehicle price from $150-$75 depending on how they read you. You then tell them no, and they say, "let me see what I can do for you." and disappear for another 10-15 minutes. Sometimes they go to the finance office and talk about your money and credit, or sometimes the salesman goes out for a cigarette. He comes back and knocks down the payment from $75-$50 depending on how calm you are. You then have to tell him what part of the amount you told him did he not hear. At this point he looks at you and then says OK, let me go and talk to the General Manager and I will be right back. At this point he could be talking to the finance manager, general manager, or smoking another cigarette. (depends if you get to watch him the whole time or not) He then comes back with, "OK I got them down to such and such amount which is close to what you asked for, but still not down to the exact amount. This amount is the third attempt usually about $25-$10 above what your budget you told him was. At this point, if you haven't walked out, or have had the patience to deal with their money games, you can say OK, and accept the amount above what your budget was, or try and walk out. I personally went through this and I was an employee!! I told him what he was still over my budget amount, and said honey (my wife) let's go. At this point as you get up they intercept you at the door or outside before you leave by one of the managers and pretend to work with you for the extra few dollars that you didn't go for above your budget. They ask you to sit down and get you just a hair under the amount you told them. After this, we said OK and were directed to the finance office and filled out a ton of papers that I wish we had a lawyer to read over. (I'm sure in the future we will need one to purchase a vehicle with all of the fine print and binding agreements like buying a house." Anyways you end up with the payment you want, the car you want, and they wash it for you. They then both shake your hand like you guys are best friends now, and you get to drive off in your new or used vehicle you worked so hard to bargain with. (For no reason) Well, here is the part that makes my REBUTTAL! make sense. After the weekend or a couple of days they call you back I was called after the weekend with the same scenario that the customer had that had made this complaint, and was told that they didn't get me approved at the APR they said, and that I signed for, but got me approved at the bank locally in town for a little more. (THIS IS LIKE A GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE GONE BAD!) The only difference is buying a car there isn't a good faith estimate. The secret that they try to lure you and me at the time is this phrase (We need you to come back in and sign some more papers and we can finish the deal, or complete the process.) This is where they get the extra point or two on the APR in the end so they can get more money out of you after you have driven the car all weekend or for a few days or even a week. Well guess what? You at this point can drop the keys in the salesman's or manager's hands and say this wasn't the deal papers we signed, you raised the money, and we don't want the car now. After that they will try everything to get your payment down, or change you payment info in the blink of an eye. (They tried this with me and said and I quote, "See we got the payment were you wanted it now, that's what you wanted right?) I said and quote again, "Yes, but why did you give me the run around for this long instead of just giving me this price to begin with being an employee?) I was told by my General Manager at the other store to drop the keys off to them and walk away, and they will try anything to keep those keys in your hands. I put them on the table and the General Manager got up, and said I got you the payment you wanted, what more do you want? He then walked outside and smoked a cigarette while the finance manger tried to take us into his office like a wounded bird and take us under his wing. He asked why we didn't accept the offer and I said and I quote," I am unhappy with the way you guys yanked me around, I am an employee, but yet you still play the same games you play with customers everyday." I don't want the truck anymore. I then walked out with my wife and we bought another truck from the same dealership owner, but in Ocala instead of Leesburg. I got the payment I wanted the first time, and that was that. I have many more secrets of automotive sales, and mechanic work lies, and tricks to rob people of money that they need not spend since I have worked as a Dealership mechanic for about 9 years now. I am willing to help, because after many years of being an honest mechanic they fired me and told me they were downsizing, and that was it. (In the state of Florida you don't need a reason to fire someone even if they worked for you for 25 years). Now I feel better letting my secrets out, and lies about my Dealership, and others that I have worked for, so that people know what really goes on. I am not discruntled, or crazy. After finding this forum I now have the chance to express my inside secrets that I have had to abide by to keep my job, and work in the conditions that I worked in for so long only to be fired for company downsizing. (A term used to fire you when you make too much money and they feel that they can find someone to do your job for cheaper). I am sorry for writing for so long, but I hope I helped, or will help others in any situation in buying a car. Thanks