Buying a Car

So, before I get into this, I want to make something clear:  I am so stoked about my new Jeep and I love the deal I got on it.   That being said...

There was not a single part of the experience yesterday that I enjoyed.  There was not a single part of the experience yesterday that was quick (I take that back.  The moment I said "yes," getting me everything I needed to sign to completely commit me almost gave me whiplash). 

First of all, why do car salesman have to do that stupid "I just need you to sign here.  I doesn't commit you to anything, but it says that if we can get the price to where you want it, then you'd be willing to do business with us, today."  If you get the price where I want it, then you'll know I'm willing to do business with you, today, when I say "yes!"  That little thing always makes me a little uneasy. 

Basically, it started with a test drive, as it always does.  No surprise, I love driving the Jeep (which is why I wanted one in the first place).  So we went back to the office, did the little dance where you show a little skin, and then they show a little skin, until finally you've both bared enough to get the beginning of a deal done.

It came back about $120/mo. than I had in mind.  So, they do the whole "I swear, I don't know how I'm gonna be able to do this.... but let me go talk to my boss," after which they come back with something that is amazingly close to the high end of your asking price.

I realize, as I'm writing this, that none of it is going to be original or entertaining because ALL of you who have bought a car have had them do the EXACT same thing to you.  Up to this point, it is a cookie cutter car dealership experience.

So I'll skip to the part that really started to piss me off.  They come back a third time, and it is basically the price I'm looking for.  There are a few little things I'm unsure about, so I decide I wanna take some time to think it over.  "I wanna thing it over for a few hours, and then I'll let you know," I tell them.  This began the full-court press.  One by one, someone starts coming into the room, each person the boss of the person that just left the room.  I'm pretty sure, if I'd held out long enough, I might have actually gotten and audience with the Dali Lama.  "Well, Mr. Biles, I'm not sure if we'll have the car when you get back, and I don't know if I can guarantee that my boss will to this deal later today."  After three or four rounds of this, I'm ready to walk out, and they know it.  "Well, then you'll lose my business, I suppose." and I leave. 

I went to a couple of other dealerships, and it confirmed what I already knew: This was a pretty good deal.  After talking it over with a few people, I went back to ask a few more questions.

Now, it should be noted that I was not really very happy to be going back there.  I'd already spent more time than I'd planned on in this stupid building, and I was tired.  The long and the short of it is, I got them to come down even further, with a few extra perks, and I said "let's write it up."

As I mentioned before, that process took no time at all, and at 4:15 I am ready to leave the dealership.  I cleaned out my old truck and waited outside for them to bring my car around.

And waited...

After about a half an hour, I started to get frustrated.  The salesman told me he'd go check.  "15 more minutes," he promised when he returned.

20 minutes later, I'm still on the curb.  In the interim, Jermei (with an i) has been going on an on about how "we pride ourselves at being a 5 star service center, and if there is something we can work on, please let us know."

I was pretty pissed at this point.  "Well, here's something, Jeremi: Get the car to the fucking customer!"  He apologized again.  About 10 minutes after that (total: elapsed time, a little over an hour) my car was pulled around.

I look it over, and there is water on the back seat.  I point it out to Jeremi, who says "I'll go get a towel."

"Don't worry about it," I told him, and I got in the car and drove off.  Finally, I was free.

Well, I didn't realize it until I came back later to get a couple of little things I'd forgotten in my truck, but I'd driven off before he got the temporary tags put on.  So, there I was, driving around Ft. Worth and the Mid-Cities with no license plates whatsoever.  When I came back, everyone was suddenly very concerned that they'd pissed me off.  I told them they had, and that the only enjoyable part of my experience with them was that I got a good deal.

I'm sure I've damned myself to follow-up calls from management.  Anyway, I'm writing this and it is getting me all worked up again.  I'm really happy with my vehicle.  Hopefully, I'll not have to think about the dealership again.