Hola friends-
It's been a while since I've logged on. Partly because last year though I made good money as a part time shopper, I got burned out and retired lol.

I'm back at it and I was recently qualified to perform car negotiation mystery shops for that popular MSC- you all know the one.

I went into a German auto dealer today and acted out my lease + purchase scenario for the first time. Gave the dealer every notion that I wanted to purchase the car that day. The salesman and sales manager refused to provide me with a lease quote without running my credit. I declined of course and told them that i know for a fact they could provide a quote without having to run my credit but they still refused.
I rebutted this in so many different ways- I told them that a credit app isn't necessary for a quote, i told them that I needed the written quote for my bank to make a check, even told them that if I didn't receive something in writing I'd purchase a car elsewhere. Nothing worked- even when I escalated from the salesman to the sales manager.

I am personally upset by this and I'm thinking of leaving them a bad review with their corporate office because I am so bothered by it.

Outside of the personal gripes I have regarding this, I now have to provide the quote to the MSC or Mr "R" will more than likely not accept my shop. I spent over an hour in that dealer and will be so mad if I don't get paid over this.

Ok- enough venting. Anyone have any sure fire ways "tips/tricks" to easily get the dealer to provide a quote in writing? What do you do? What do you say? All advice welcome!

Ps, finally after enough complaining and badgering the sales guy did write the pricing on the back of his business card... *shrugs shoulders"

Call the saleman back tomorrow and keep on him. It is your dream car, you want it but the #s need to work. Your credit is very good and getting approved is not an issue. You are just deciding between using dealer finance vs your own.

Keep on the salesman, if they think you are serious you might get further. Txt, call and be persistant. Mine took several calls to get all the #s needed even after my dealershio visit.

Good Luck!!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2017 03:26AM by foodluvr.

Thank you! If you don't mind my asking. How many of these negotiation shops have you done? And do you think they are worth it?

Luxeshopper cut and run cut and run. At this point your only out 2 hours of time plus driving and reading the guidelines. Read my recent post on this. The thread is in mystery shopping companies and starts with the MSCs name mispelled.

I have done a couple. I will not do another unless heavily bonused. It is not worth it. However, I have a background in sales and thoroughly understand the car business, so I can get what I need but it is not a quick get a quote and run shop. My estimate is these take 4-5 hrs to do.

LuxeShopper, I don't do these shops, so have nothing to add to the nuts and bolts. I understand your frustration. However, you should not take it personally. It was an assignment. As such, you are bound by an agreement. Contacting the client (corporate office) most likely violates your agreement and could land you in hot water and/or result in deactivation.

Good luck on a positive outcome!

@LuxeShopper wrote:

....................
I am personally upset by this and I'm thinking of leaving them a bad review with their corporate office because I am so bothered by it.

....................

I have done mentioned German Dealership (Tesla) and did NOT have to have a credit check. I happened to get the owner to evaluate, and made a rapport with her. Sometimes a newer Salesman will go by the book. I would just tell my story, you can't control what they do. I'm not sure if they changed instructions, but I wouldn't think you can be forced to have a credit check. This Dealer does expect you to purchase car. The time involved is huge, took me 2 hours at the Dealership, and another 2 hours for report and driving time. My quote came on the computer, nothing paper written. The car is great, but certainly not a 35.00 job as they used to post. I got 75.00, however they kept asking me to do different locations, yet wouldn't pay enough. Corporate won't help you, not a good idea.

Do not contact headquarters.

@Mert wrote:

LuxeShopper, I don't do these shops, so have nothing to add to the nuts and bolts. I understand your frustration. However, you should not take it personally. It was an assignment. As such, you are bound by an agreement. Contacting the client (corporate office) most likely violates your agreement and could land you in hot water and/or result in deactivation.

Good luck on a positive outcome!

@LuxeShopper wrote:

....................
I am personally upset by this and I'm thinking of leaving them a bad review with their corporate office because I am so bothered by it.

....................

The dealership/manufacturer of the car is not the client for these shops so contacting them does not break your ICA.
I would cut and run on this shop, there is no sure fire way to get what you need and even if you do there is no promise that you will be paid. I have done a few of these shops and my husband also attempted a few. I have had about 50% of them paid. I could write a VERY long post about the details but just know that even when you do get every single number printed on company letterhead it may not be accepted.

Hi all - thanks for the tips. I am thinking of just ending my assignment with the msc. These shops do not seem to be worth it. Thanks!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2017 11:32PM by LuxeShopper.

I had a similar experience about one year ago. I am sorry this happened to you. I went to the dealership twice and could not get what was needed for the shop to be accepted. It was a waste of time and very frustrating.