For a few years now I have been doing the car negotiation shops. Sometimes I have to take a break from them. It's not so much the negotiating, it is the person at the mystery shopping company that edits them and approves them. It's constant anxiety whether he will take the shop, make me redo it, insult me or deduct pay. Has anyone else run into this issue? Some shops I've had to start over at a new dealership just to get what was needed.

For example, they had a variation on their normal shop; complete one visit in person and the second electronically (by email, text and calling) and get $60. I ran into a couple of dealerships that told me I needed to come in because they did not want their quote getting underbid at another dealership. I ask the editor for advice. He tells me to "use my magic words" and figure it out. Anytime I ever ask for help, this gentleman is of no help and essentially tells me to figure it out and that I'm not trying hard enough.

On one dealer I spoke with four different employees, one being the general manager. I was told that they wanted me to go to other dealerships and get a quote they can beat, but I would still need to come in person. I mean I tried everything I could think of. I stated I was not looking around, that I was very busy with my job and I'm just trying to buy a car and they were making it difficult. I told them it seems like I have to earn their business not the other way around. I was told multiple times to go elsewhere.

Now for many other companies you would just note what happened and move on. For this company, if you don't get what he wants, how he wants it, you usually don't get paid. At best you get an insult. My last insult was something to the effect of that this is a negotiation shop, not a lecture shop and this is a final exception. If they won't lower their price after the first visit or give you an invoice electronically you aren't trying hard enough.

I even had to redo a shop where I followed the directions. It was a situation where I think maybe they had updated directions but the model of the car I shopped had outdated instructions. I took a photo of the instructions to let them know that if they have new directions their site needs to be updated. I was told I should have known and ended up going to that dealership a total of 4 times and not the normal 2. (This particular story is quite long as his feedback even changed (which contradicted everything) requiring more visits).

Does anyone share a similar experience? Is anyone really good at doing these shops and have "magic words" so to speak that get you a new, lower invoice each time?

I'm not here to bash, just to understand this person and shop better. I like the shops, but have so much anxiety over the report process, it may not be worth it anymore.

That’s why have only done 2

Sorry to hear about your situation. But as an outsider reading your post, given the problems you are having with the person, does it make sense to still do shops with him ? From what you are saying, he changes his story and offers no support. That tells me even if you put in a perfect report, your shop may still be rejected for some inane reason. Is it worth all this aggravation ? Could you find another less stressful way to make $60 ? How about a few straighforward FF shops and/or grocery shops ?

The shops have taught me a lot. I had one dealer tell me "it's a new car and they won't budge any further" where I managed to get another $1,000 off. So far I have not had any trouble doing the shops, although I am very aware of others having problems with the editor. I am sure it's only a matter of time before I too get my first ding. Since I have to trek a distance for them when that happens it will probably be my last. Doing one today so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Mille151,

My thoughts exactly about Rich. I think he is the client and he is also the only editor for these shops. I've never had any of the MSCs other editors give me such grief.

I have had my pay cut in half because the dealership's system didn't print out the money factor of the lease and they had to hand write it on the quote. He told me I needed to get them to print it out, not write it out. Now how do I get the dealership to redo their computer system?

He also told me "the numbers don't make sense" and to go back and get the right numbers. Well those are the numbers the dealer gave me. What would be the right numbers? What do I ask them to fix. He said to read my instructions.

He's also blamed me for not taking his phone training frequently where he answers all the questions I throw at him when there are problems, and it seems every shop now has problems.

I've also had him tell me that it looks like I'm on the right track, now go back and get a lower quote. And then he tells me that I had shopped the wrong car as he wanted the "long" version and to go back and redo the whole shop. The "long version" is only purchased by car services and limo companies according to the dealer because it offers more rear leg room. When I told him that they didn't carry the "long" version, and what should I do, he told me to read the instructions, it tells me what I should do. That is to have them locate a "long" version somewhere else and to negotiate for that car.

He's done the "magic words" or similar thing to me several times. There is one dealership that doesn't negotiate on price. They give you a price that THEIR mystery shoppers have come up with when they've shopped competitors. I asked for an employer, military, college, AARP, AAA, credit union, insurance buying service and other types of discount and they wouldn't budge. The best I could do was to get the first oil change thrown in for free and a full tank of gas when leaving after the purchase.

I'm getting calls from the schedulers to travel further to do more shops from them because I think they are finding these shops hard to fill.

This month they are asking me to go back to the same dealership as lastt month and shop a different car. Sorry, isn't that a little obvious? Oh, and sefveral of the dealerships have the same owner and computer system so if I shop BMW, the Mercedes guy sees it in his computer.

Stopped doing these due to Rich.... nasty emails & not paying, even canceling shops after the first visit was done with no payment.

Yeah, but Rich has an excuse, he told me that he has "hundreds" of shoppers he has to deal with!

This is when he flipped out when I blind copied him on an e-mail I sent to the sales person requesting some information that Rich needed. I did this because he didn't believe what I was telling him was true.

Four $15 gas stations. Bye, Felicia (Rich)

These shops are not worth it. I did 2 well one and a half. First one took way to long and way too much hassle and rich pushed it through because most of the number were written but they had to write the money factor because the computer system doesn't have a spot for it. I tried a 2nd shop and after the first visit again being a hassle and could not get all the numbers I was not going back a second time. Got no pay on 2nd which was my choice.

Too many easier shops that I can make more on in less time. Hell I could do 6 cell phone shops at $15 in less time. I could do 2 EPMS Apartment shops report included in less time.

Wow. These sit on the boards in my area...now I know why.

And I thought Intelli-shop car shops were bad. At least I don't have to negotiate and I've been paid for every one I've done. If I knew the MSC this would go on my 10,000 foot pole list.

I have had similar experiences as you have with this shop and have not done one in over a year. i had wondered who the client was. If Rich is the client, I wonder what type of business he runs? An auto quote business? I wonder if the dealerships are on to these shops? A typical car buyer probably wouldn't ask about things such as the money factor and residual value and also insistent that so many specific details be listed on what sometimes has to be an actual contract that is voided.

@wrosie wrote:

I think he is the client and he is also the only editor for these shops. I've never had any of the MSCs other editors give me such grief.

I have had my pay cut in half because the dealership's system didn't print out the money factor of the lease and they had to hand write it on the quote. He told me I needed to get them to print it out, not write it out. Now how do I get the dealership to redo their computer system?

He also told me "the numbers don't make sense" and to go back and get the right numbers. Well those are the numbers the dealer gave me. What would be the right numbers? What do I ask them to fix. He said to read my instructions.

He's also blamed me for not taking his phone training frequently where he answers all the questions I throw at him when there are problems, and it seems every shop now has problems.

I've also had him tell me that it looks like I'm on the right track, now go back and get a lower quote.

This month they are asking me to go back to the same dealership as lastt month and shop a different car. Sorry, isn't that a little obvious? Oh, and sefveral of the dealerships have the same owner and computer system so if I shop BMW, the Mercedes guy sees it in his computer.

Yes, I've often thought about complaining. Being a contractor makes it hard to know the relationship he has with the company. I don't want to burn any bridges. I do wonder about the legality of what goes on.

With that being said though I was sure that someone out there can get what he's asking for. I was wondering how they do it consistently. Luckily I live in a populated area and have the luxury or different dealerships. I've gotten better at knowing which ones will give me what I need. I do ten because I can do the shops with my kids and fit them in on a route or at night. It's just such a convenient shop for me, but the risk of not getting, the issues dealing with the editor and such make me question that. Lately I've been doing 6-10 shops a month for them so it's a decent chunk of change. I'm kind of at my limit for apartment shops so I'd have to find a replacement. There's only so much I can do when the kids are in school.

Thanks everyone for their feedback! As much as I'm sad that it's not just me that's experiencing this, it's also nice to not be alone in this.

3 $20 valet parking shops, with time to walk down the street to do a bank shop or FF during each one of them! Why put up with this dude?

I would do parking shops but the locations don't work out. They are usually far from me.

Mille,
I live about 10 miles from such a large number of parking shops in the center city that once I get downtown I can do 3-5 of them and other shops while my car is parked. A shopper buddy of mine does as many as 10 in a day and then writes reports the next day. That's $200 for a day of shops plus about 15 to a maximum of minutes per report on the second day. It's all a matter of planning a profitable 1 day route, which is why routing skills are well worth developing. And btw, there are also similarly simple parking shops for $25 each and video ones for MUCH more.

I think that the scheduler you are working with simply does not respect shoppers. You are worth more respect that he will ever provide.

Well said, walesmaven.

I've read all replies. Just my opinion but seems like 'Rich' is getting what he wants but adding unnecessary additions and then still not paying. Maybe he's taking the info, creating his own report and keeping you pay for himself?

He wants the wrong magic word.

Rich is a P***ck....See Level should dis-associate themselves with him.

I was wondering which MSC he was with. I do shops with them but I've never seen a car shop like this. The only car shops I've seen in my area specify NO negotiation. I just did one yesterday. No negotiation required.

Everyone is else is so nice. I was afraid to say anything. I don't want to get black listed or anything.

I think Rich is the Client not an employee or IC working for the MSC.

And he could very well be telling us the shops stink when they don't to keep from paying us. Unfortunately, there's not way to know.

This is one of the very few shops I've ever cancelled on. I tried my best but couldn't get the info and just asked to be removed. It was way too uncomfortable for me. Just not my type of shop. Plus it was at the dealer I've used for years. I don't know how anyone can get all the required info without appearing suspicious. But this was several years ago, perhaps they've changed somewhat. Still not interested!

For this same MSC I did an ATV shop today. I guess I should have paid more attention to the form because it is turning out to be a PIN. There are tons of yes/no questions and then you're supposed to explain all of your answers whether the answers were yes or no. And the questions are very specific. So the explanation for a yes answer is just repeating that the salesperson did what the question asked which makes it silly. I've done a motorcycle and a car shop for them and I don't think they were any where near this obnoxious. Certainly the car shop wasn't (it was only 2 days ago so I remember). The motorcycle shop was several months ago so I'm a little fuzzier about it, but I really don't think it was this bad. I think if it had been, I wouldn't have taken this one.

sassymmmm,

I believe the thread was started about the two visit car shops where you have to go back and negotiate an even lower price than on your first visit. I've done their one vist car shops and those are a breeze in comparision. With the two visits, I feel kind of bad because the salesperson really thinks you're going to buy a car since you came back.

I've done the ATV shop where later in the sales process you spring it on them it's for someone under 16 to see if they tell you they can only sell you a smaller ATV. Is that the one?

Or is it the one where you walk in telling them it's for a 13 year old, to see if they will only sell you the smaller ATV?

Either way, I haven't found those difficult. I think I only had to narrate any no answers. I've done 3 or 4 of them, but it's been a while.

Perhaps you just ran into a difficult editor?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/2017 04:43AM by wrosie.

I seen quite a few threads voicing frustrations with these negotiation shops... I won't touch them - and I *like* car shops. I've had to get the "lowest price" quotes at several for other MSC's but never really had a problem - I was once asked whey the lowest price was above MSRP and simply had to explain that the dealership had a mark-up sticker and that the "lowest price" was below that sticker. The shops mentioned in this thread sound like nightmares.......

@wrosie wrote:

sassymmmm,

I believe the thread was started about the two visit car shops where you have to go back and negotiate an even lower price than on your first visit. I've done their one vist car shops and those are a breeze in comparision. With the two visits, I feel kind of bad because the salesperson really thinks you're going to buy a car since you came back.

I've done the ATV shop where later in the sales process you spring it on them it's for someone under 16 to see if they tell you they can only sell you a smaller ATV. Is that the one?

Or is it the one where you walk in telling them it's for a 13 year old, to see if they will only sell you the smaller ATV?

Either way, I haven't found those difficult. I think I only had to narrate any no answers. I've done 3 or 4 of them, but it's been a while.

Perhaps you just ran into a difficult editor?

I knew my posting was a little off topic but it is the same MSC and I didn't see any point in starting a new thread. Very often on here, it seems, the thread goes wildly off topic and it doesn't seem to matter much. But anyway, it was neither of those scenarios. The ATV was to be for me not a child. Since I'm at the very top of the age range it made things interesting to say the least. When I posted I was in the middle of filling out the evaluation so I hadn't encountered the editor yet. I was just expressing my frustration at a very redundant form that is very tiresome because what's the point in asking you a question like "Did the dealership sell your assigned brand?" and "Was the dealership open for business?" And then ask you to explain your answers. If you answer yes, what's to explain?

Edited for clarity.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/2017 01:42PM by sassymmmm.

My latest negotiation started to go sideways with Rich, I pushed back, and he approved. But all the comments here got me wondering what the end game is with these high end, and now electric car, negotiations. It seems like the only beneficiary would be a third party broker. Maybe someone like Costco? But then, why only specific types of vehicles.

Intelli-Shop car shops are a cake walk compared to these car negotiation shops. I have had dealer managers literally invite me to leave the showroom when I tried to complete part 2 of the " get the best offer in writing " scenario. Naturally, I did not get paid. I may entertain one of these if I have absolutely nothing better going on.