my terrible experience at Mckenna BMW in Norwalk, CA

[Wagner]

I guess I just don't see where the big dis was. So the sales person did what sales people do...talk too much. Didn't sound to me like she thought you couldn't afford it, just kept letting you know the 4.8 was considerably more then a 3.0. They probably had more 3.0's on the lot and are trying to move them.

A dis goes more like this (my experience at TATE BMW in MD):

Me: I'd like to look at the X5 4.4
SM: What vehicle?
Me: X5 4.4
SM: You don't want that, trust me, it's expensive.
Me: Huh?
SM: How about I show you the X3?
Me: Nah, my M3 is done getting serviced I'll go to Russel BMW.

[rh71]

IMO, I think you should try and look the part when you deal with money matters. At least put a shirt on. It's definitely not right for them to profile you but you have to know they are thinking it. Why not just do the best you can to get them to take you seriously ? You don't want to waste your own time either.

Have you guys read the confessions of a car salesman at carbuyingtips.com ? These salesmen are not open and willing to "waste" their time when a "real customer" could walk in 2 minutes after a 21-year old joy rider does. Forget what "should happen" and just make your case the best you can instead of looking like a joy-rider even though YOU know you're not.

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by rh71

IMO, I think you should try and look the part when you deal with money matters. At least put a shirt on. It's definitely not right for them to profile you but you have to know they are thinking it. Why not just do the best you can to get them to take you seriously ? You don't want to waste your own time either.

Have you guys read the confessions of a car salesman at carbuyingtips.com ? These salesmen are not open and willing to "waste" their time when a "real customer" could walk in 2 minutes after a 21-year old joy rider does. Forget what "should happen" and just make your case the best you can instead of looking like a joy-rider even though YOU know you're not.

Yes, you should put on a new suit whenever you go buy a new car...look professional dammit.

Seriously, when I go to buy a car, I'm taking the day off and I'll be damed if I will need to dress up to get treated properly.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by rh71

IMO, I think you should try and look the part when you deal with money matters. At least put a shirt on. It's definitely not right for them to profile you but you have to know they are thinking it. Why not just do the best you can to get them to take you seriously ? You don't want to waste your own time either.

Have you guys read the confessions of a car salesman at carbuyingtips.com ? These salesmen are not open and willing to "waste" their time when a "real customer" could walk in 2 minutes after a 21-year old joy rider does. Forget what "should happen" and just make your case the best you can instead of looking like a joy-rider even though YOU know you're not.

I agree somewhat, the suit comment in the other post was ridiculous, I think your point was more 'look like you're about to drop 50-70Gs not buying gum at the Walmart"

[delirium]

I disagree, celebrities shopping on rodea in their warm ups, look like they just rolled out of bed... I was totally profiled, fine let that be, but after I repeatedly told her that I am intersted in the car & want to test drive the 4.8 and having her talk me down....

She also assumed I wanted the base, which i forgot to mention in my post.. right after the whole you are here to buy a X5? 3.0? then she assumed.. Base model right?

[xsracer]

Originally Posted by X5FX

Yes, you should put on a new suit whenever you go buy a new car...look professional dammit.

Seriously, when I go to buy a car, I'm taking the day off and I'll be damed if I will need to dress up to get treated properly.

Ha ha. Yeah, I agree. I usually go to the dealerships on Sat and I wear sport pants and a t-shirt. Never had a problem with such treatment yet except for one Infiniti dealership that gave me a f..k off price. But that was for a different reason and it's a separate story.

The only time I wasn't offered help was in one of MB dealerships but as soon as I asked for it, the guy came up right away and was very helpful. In fact, I even liked it cause they didn't seem to pressure you on anything.

[motordavid]

The typical BeamER Stlr profiles us ol'guys,too:
in my first trip, for service, to a BMW dlr, I was told
upfront that I would have to leave it. (It was the old
battery drain via the CD radio deal, late '01), so it
being a remarkably mild Dec. day, I rode the Harley
down to Century BMW in S'burg, SC while the CEO
drove the recently "jump started" X.

"Checking the car in", clad in head to toe leather, boots
and 3 days of whiskers, while the CEO perused the new
cars, in her leathers, was a hoot. One woulda thought we
just came off the plague bus and were lost. The SA waited
on 3 people before he would give me more than a fookin glance,
even though my car was deep into the service reception line.

My follow up trips to that stlr, (90 mins each way),
were more of the same, though I looked more "normal"
on subsequent visits.

If one wasn't "known" by one of the slime sales punques
or one of the SAs, and was not dressed in capezios, a
salmon colored cashmere sweater and Ralph Lauren slacks
or a suit, one got the sniffled, less than desired "service".
The bastards even put a dent in my front plastic bumper
and denied it...Century is 20 mins from BMW NA Mutha
plant, but didn't have a clue about early X problems and
I could not understand their haughtiness, as S'Burg is not
the cultural capitol of the south.

4 or 5 trips there for "service" cured me of ever going to
Century again...I wouldn't buy a BMW from them if it was
50% off list. I hope they read this: their attitude
sucks.

[rh71]

Originally Posted by X5FX

Yes, you should put on a new suit whenever you go buy a new car...look professional dammit.

Seriously, when I go to buy a car, I'm taking the day off and I'll be damed if I will need to dress up to get treated properly.

How did "at least put a shirt on" become "new suit" ?

Even if you're on a day off, don't go into a place with $50k+ cars wearing a wife-beater... is what I'm saying. I'd look at you sideways and I'm not a salesperson.

[rufusdedog]

You just gotta ignore the pencilneck salesmen and go to the dealer with all your ducks in a row. Have all the numbers worked out i.e. dealer cost, options, what your willing to pay. Tell them you want a test drive then make your offer. After the test drive I put my checkbook on the salesmans desk and said here's my price, I don't have time to haggle, I'll write the check now if we come to an agreement. Worked for the last four cars I bought. Most of these guys should be selling extended warranties for toasters at Circuit City anyway. Don't let them lead your buying experience. Make it fun for you.

[Wagner]

BTW: I usually mention first thing I am a BMWCCA member, they usually stop trying after that.