Today I had 2 car dealerships. I spent over 1 hour at each. I actually fear when the sales associate offers the test drive, but well, the worst part is when they take me into the show room and make their best effort to put me in a car that day. That can take forever... I get all kind of managers / finance guys and backup people putting pressure on me.

Besides NOT doing the stores, does anyone have any tips on how to deal with the sales people and have the shop last less time without breaking the rules?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thx!

Carlos.

PS... And I have also started to hate my old SUV. =(

I did two shops today at car dealerships.

If they offer the test drive and it is not required, don't take it. Just tell them you already did a test drive a couple of months prior.

This month was my first time doing car dealership shops and I had 6 of em. Without knowing the details of said shops, it's hard to say really what tips I can give you. My best advice not knowing the shop situation is:

To be confident - act like you're Hollywood with lots of money (don't be ignorant though).

Don't let them pressure you - YOU have the money, YOU are in control (even if you don't, act like it). It's kind of amusing to see how salespeople crack under pressure when they refuse to give you a quote or a good price and you say you're going to walk out.

Go in there knowing what you want out of it - are you getting quotes (for example)? Well ask them what they can do for you!

Lastly, you look at your watch, it's getting past 50 minutes since you walked in and you want to jet. Tell them: You need to speak with partner, spouse, child, parent, whomever. Since I am self-employed before I took on MS, I always say, hey you know, I got this client and they're really on my --- right now. Can we meet tomorrow at 12 and discuss this further? (or whenever you are supposed to go back if you have to).

People try to walk over me all the time so I know the pressure feeling you are talking about. Try my suggestions provided they aren't really off base.. I loathed the idea of doing these kind of shops, then I did the first one and realized how in power I am over the entire situation. I gained a lot of confidence doing this I think I hate the paperwork more than the shop itself

Anyway good luck



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2013 04:41AM by dixiewhiskey.

I would say to look for better car shops. I love, love, love Monterey's shops. Automotive Insights has great ones that often don't require a test drive.

I do the Intelli-Shop dealerships when I'm low on cash or have some extra time. I really, really, really hate them though. Their level of narrative and details doesn't match other shops paying twice as much.

Mine yesterday took just at an hour with the test drive. After telling me there would be no pressure, he totally ignored my signals that the meeting was over. Standing up with a look of obvious impatience and firmly telling him there would be no final decision until I had shopped the competitor models helped to wrap it all up. Be careful about your excuses. For mine there was no checking with a spouse, etc., and be careful about cutting them off. Mine had come to a natural conclusion and he was dragging his feet with the written quote.

It does help if you like talking about cars.

But you should be able to get in and out in 45 minutes most of the time. Most MSC just want you to eveluate the general state of the dealership, and the salesperson. All that takes is 10-15 minutes talking about features, 10-15 minutes on the walkaround/test drive, and another 5-10 minutes on the follow up. Most don't want you to discuss a deal, so bolt ASAP after the test drive. You're wasting your time, and the salesperson's, if you stick around to haggle.

Never have anything to do with a sales manager or finance person, other than to say hello and goodbye. You're not there to evaluate them. Just tell the salesperson you're still shopping. Ask for their best price, and split. If anyone at the dealership wants to play games, leave, and write the report that way.

After a while, you'll figure out what info the MSCs want, and that makes these shops go much faster and easier.

And I agree, Monterry and Automotive Insight pay and forms are better, and I try to stick with them.

my best advice....DON'T take them unless you are ready to spend too much time and unless it's a HIGH paying job.

I really like to do those, if you don't want therm shoo them my way.

I always, always give a time line to the salesperson. My excuse in advance is that I have to pick up one of my kids at xxx time. I keep an eye on the time, make sure that all points are covered within my set time frame, and then I leave.

Cab,

Others have shared excellent advice; I'm unable to add, but will point out a few of the above comments:

Nan--DON'T take them unless you are ready to spend too much time and unless it's a HIGH paying job.
BOB'S reply--I agree. It's ALL about money. A shop you hate will become one of love at quintuple the fee.

Jenn--I do the Intelli-Shop dealerships when I'm low on cash or have some extra time. I really, really, really hate them though. Their level of narrative and details doesn't match other shops paying twice as much.
BOB'S reply--I agree. Unless you're financially desperate, avoid Intelli-Shop's auto assignments.

I did my first one for Monterey last week for an upscale brand. It went quite smoothly with very little pressure and no visit by the sales manager. So I was in and out with a printed quote in 45 minutes. If I could know for sure in advance they would all go this way, I'd gladly take more.

DO NOT give them a phone number--only an e-mail address for follow-ups which can be forwarded to the MSC in case they want them. Otherwise, they'll keep calling to make sure you don't forget about them.

How much do Intellishop pay for their car shops?

I won't do these kinds of shops if they are lower than $65 each

They tried to recruit me for those at $20

I saw some for $17 today.

Who pays $65?

I love the Monterey shops, have 2 scheduled for next week. Gotta admit that I'm looking even more forward to the Measure Consumer Perspective test drives. Especially looking forward to the test drives.

Jennniferml Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would say to look for better car shops. I love,
> love, love Monterey's shops.

I got an email from Monterey a few minutes after reading this so I took it for next Tuesday. It's my first car shop so kind of excited. Hope it's a good one.

I requested to be removed as a shopper from Monterey. The pay is low when you consider the time to do the shop and complete the report (2-3 hours). The company will call and e-mail you constantly trying to fill their shops for the low fee. I am glad to not receive anymore of their calls or e-mails.

cabazan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Today I had 2 car dealerships. I spent over 1 hour
> at each. I actually fear when the sales associate
> offers the test drive, but well, the worst part is
> when they take me into the show room and make
> their best effort to put me in a car that day.
> That can take forever... I get all kind of
> managers / finance guys and backup people putting
> pressure on me.
>
> Besides NOT doing the stores, does anyone have any
> tips on how to deal with the sales people and have
> the shop last less time without breaking the
> rules?
>
> Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thx!
>
> Carlos.
>
> PS... And I have also started to hate my old SUV.
> =(

Ask for the receipt when you sit down at the desk before you give the sales person any information. Just say I need something to write on and because your card has your name on it I will know who gave me the info and where I got it. Whatever happens after that does not matter. You got the receipt to prove you were there.

If the salesperson does not give a receipt or the salesperson left it it there other pants or they are too new and they have not printed cards I tell them I would rather talk to your manager and start to get up to walk away. The shop will be invalidated if you do not have a receipt so I want to get that out of the way before I waste too much time.

Now I can sit there and NOT REACT to anything the salesperson pitches as the guidelines tell me I must not lead the salesperson or prompt him or her in any way. I can not show interest in any feature mentioned. I allegedly am buying a $30,000 to $90,000 vehicle and I have no questions. The salesperson will toss you out on your butt within five minutes as he can have a better experience trying to sell to the artificial plant in the showroom.

The salesperson will be upset because you wasted his or her time and a spot in "rotation". He or she could have possibly sold a vehicle to the next person who walked in the door but he or she got you! You are NOT going to get a business card at that point. If you do not get a business card your shop is invalidated.

I told the scheduler, "I can not understand why the salesperson got upset." "I sat there and wasted the salesperson's time." "I was not participating in the process." "I would have tossed me out on my butt if I were the salesperson."

P.S. You must own a Dodge Caravan with a "Sport" option that allows the vehicle to do zero to 60 in less than 9 seconds and is still, after 130,000 miles, a thrill to drive. Unfortunately you can not buy another one because they do not offer the "SPORT" option anymore. The closest handling I found was driving a $70,000 Infiniti but it does not haul cargo or 8 passengers. I never opened it up all the way I only got it up to 120 MPH,

I really like cars, so I like car shops. I have never had any difficulty ending the visit once I make it clear I need to look at other makes. It's just not an issue. I like the MOnterey shops, but they don't have enough in my area. I don't mind Intellishop's reporting. While it's extensive, it's not repetitive. They have gotten a little more stingy with bonuses recently.

Cettie Wrote:
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> They tried to recruit me for those at $20


niteowl Wrote:
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> I saw some for $17 today.


What do you have to do exactly? Multiple visits? Not too much detail or anything but I'm wondering why the pay is so low. I've done shops for $65, $85 and $125 which involved two visits, getting quotes, etc,. Maybe about 1.5-2 hrs of time for both visits and travel.

I am seeing a lot of misinformation about most car shops so be sure you read the guidelines carefully.

Some will allow you to get away by saying you have to speak with a spouse or SO, but most require you be the decision maker.

I have yet to see one which would allow you to walk in and tell the associate you have XX amount of time because you are on your lunch hour or needing to pick up your children, etc.

Most also require valid contact information and that could very well include a phone number. Instead of complaining about unending follow up, simple tell the associate you decided to go with another make of car and have made your purchase.

None require that you show no interest in any feature or what the associate is saying. PHD doesn't seem to understand that you are just to let the associate lead. I always show interest in what they are demonstrating and my new car shops are almost exclusively video so if I was the one performing incorrectly, I would know about it.

Yeah I don't think you're supposed to go in there and say that immediately (e.g. you have to pick up the kids).. Only as an exit if the salesperson is taking up too much time and you've done everything your shop requires

The Intellishop car shops here only pay $17. I have never done one because it seems as though it would take too much time. I did see one that was bonused to $19 though.

Try shopping the manufactured home shops. They get you in there an grill you. I had to do the shops in the suffocating heat and the homes weren't hooked up to electricity. I made the mistake of giving my mom's number (because she doesn't answer the phone) as my number and they will not stop calling her. I have two more to do. I have to give real information and needed numbers that I know aren't answered. After this batch I won't be doing anymore.

BTW, I like the company that gave me the shops...just not the pushy sales people.

That's why I liked my free Cricket phone--I could use the number and then never answer. But that won't be around much longer.

Just wondering . . . what happens if you are in an accident during a test drive and you are actually working . . .

I believe you should have personal insurance.

While you should have insurance, if the dealership puts a "dealer tag" on the vehicle, then their insurance should cover any accident.

I like car shops - will do them all day, every day. The key is to know a little about the inventory and general needs you are going to state.

After a couple of years of these, here's my general timeline for a one hour shop:

15 minutes: Walk in to dealership, browse, meet salesperson, get him/her to determine my needs.
20 minutes: Examine exterior of vehicle, interior, take test drive, return to dealership.
20 minutes: get back to salesperson's desk, build model, get financing info, brochure, let him/her try to close on me, leave.

Just finished my first car shop, for Monterey. The test drive was FUN! I hope I did it well, the first time doing a shop for a company or a type of shop always makes me nervous, this was both at the same time. :/