I have never been more embarrassed with a car shopping experience in my life.
My husband and I drove an hour to go look at a Sienna and worked with Carli and Dylan. We knew this was a more expensive vehicle than the other we were looking at but because it had less mileage, we wanted to see what the finances would be.
After sitting down with them both, we had to go pick up our kids from daycare and agreed we would talk numbers over the phone. When we didn't hear from them, my husband called and mutually they agreed that because they couldn't get to a certain interest rate we wouldn't move forward. Because I left my title for my current vehicle there to hold the Sienna, I was coming out this morning to pick it up.
When I got there I knew it would be right as they opened so I may have to wait or whatever, no big deal. But when Carli went to go get Dylan (who had my title), he proceeded to announce across the floor that he knew we weren't doing the deal but to just give him a minute... like I was rushing them. He then comes over and asks me what they could do to make it work if anything, and tells me that the dealership we were going with tends to present a rate to get you excited just to then tell you another rate. And I told him we already had our formal rate done but thank you, we would be taking this offer deal.
Apparently he thinks that when he steps into the finance office with the door open that no one can hear him, because I was VERY present and aware when he told another man "she was being snippy with me and telling me they got the rate so YOU need to talk to her." At this point, I didn't even get my title back yet! I was insanely embarrassed - I wasn't being snippy, I was stating a fact and attempting to get my title back. I was under the impression I was coming just to get that, not to continue to negotiate.
I believe if you want business with someone;
1. You don't trash talk another dealership. If there's something you've consistently heard, do it in such a manner where it doesn't make someone feel pushed into doing business with you. If you want business, it should be from your own efforts, not a "buyer beware."
2. You don't give a potential customer attitude. I've worked in HR and retail for a majority of my career and never would I speak like that about someone, even if I know they're not doing business with me anymore. If anything, they may turn around and recommend you to someone else.
To emphasize, Carli was wonderful. She was sweet and helpful and at no point showed us any disrespect. But I'd encourage her to go somewhere else where she can learn respect and professionalism in a sales environment. read more