Camaro Education

[hisinc]

I just wanted to thank Camaro5 for my Camaro education and tell you a brief story. So I have started my hunt for the ideal dealership, to decide where I want to purchase my 2011 Camaro. I have 4 dealers in my area I want to check out. Yesterday, I visited Dealer #2. I was appalled, as I asked the salesman several test questions about the vehicle (ones I already knew the answer to). The salesman was completely shocked and unaware when I told them that the 2011 Camaro's were going to have HUD. They then proceeded to tell me that the internet has lots of rumours floating around... I was like "UM.. nooo, this came straight from GM". He then proceeded to tell another salesman this "breaking news" and asked if they knew this, which they also replied no. WTF??? .

Being a female buyer, I really thank Camaro 5 for all of the information that you share. I feel empowered and have the tools needed to go into dealerships as an informed buyer. I still can't believe they did not know what the new features of the 2011 were.

[67 Convertible]

Well, I can kind of understand that. You hang around a bunch of other Camaro enthusiasts on this site, and know alot more about the car. It's just another car to sell, if the salesperson isn't a Camaro enthusiast like us.

I agree, the salesperson should have known about HUD, but there's lotsa different models out there that they are selling. Hard to know everything about every model, particularly if it hasn't even hit their lot yet. I wouldn't bother throwing "test" questions to the salesperson. What difference does it make what they know? Just get the best deal possible and enjoy your new car!

[ron10]

it does seem funny that a lot of dealers don't know the cars they sell.my dealer didn't know they made a indy. car.

[PacificNWBuckeye]

This is a widespread issue. I have been on car lots in many states and none of the salespersonel seem to know any of the "new" info on the cars they sell. I had similar experiances when I was looking at the new Silverados back in '98. None of the lots I visited new the most basic info about the Truck.

How do you sell something and know nothing about it?

Even worst I had one of them lie right to me, told me he didn't know something for the umpteinth time and then said he was new. I then pulled out a buisness card he gave me 2 months earlier when I first was looing for info on the trucks. I was then asked to leave.

[armysig]

It's great that you know what you want out of a dealership when it comes time to order your new car. Just remember, because of the internet people are more aware of what can be ordered for their vehicles long before a lot of the salesmen/women do.

Also take note, always ask for the guy that's been at the dealership the longest. They may not know every little detail about the car, but they do have something that a new guy doesn't have and that is experience. They will know how to find the answers you need.

Salespersonel are a dime a dozen now days, and the turn over rate is very high.

[Dirtdog]

I was picking up my car and a newer salesman was talking to me. I was telling him how excited I was about getting the first model year ('10) and he proceeded to correct me telling me that i was grossly misinformed that the new Camaros have been out since 2008

I just said "Huh, didnt know that..." and walked away shocked

[hisinc]

Originally Posted by Dirtdog

I was picking up my car and a newer salesman was talking to me. I was telling him how excited I was about getting the first model year ('10) and he proceeded to correct me telling me that i was grossly misinformed that the new Camaros have been out since 2008

I just said "Huh, didnt know that..." and walked away shocked

Oh Boy!

[Maa107]

Yea some dealers are....not informed enough about their vehicles, to put it in a nice way. I went to a dealer about 2 months ago and the guy was telling me the V6 ran over 325 hp. So right after this I knew I was just gonna keep on looking and definitely not come back. He later went on to tell me that the RS package only came with the 2LT or the 2SS, and yea you know where it went form there

I understand that they are not going to know every single detail of every vehicle but I do believe that they should have basic knowledge of every vehicle they sell.

[DewMan]

I just had to give my story about lack of dealer knowledge. In my case it wasn't just the salesperson. Below is snipped from my story regarding the dealer's total inability to order a car or get any part of the sale right:

"Now to the spare tire story... I again ask them about the lack of spare tire. So we ran back to parts counter to see about ordering the tire etc. Parts counter guy actually states "It can't be ordered it can only be added from the factory because the trunk is different if the spare options is chosen because the battery is in a different place... we looked into it before."
I politely informed him that there was no difference in the trunk between the models with or without the spare package.
To prove it to them I drag the salesguy out to the lot to show him the setup in the trunk of my car (no spare) and after finding another car on the lot that showed the spare package I showed him that the only difference is a cheap plastic cover over the battery and the inclusion of the jack and spare. Salesguy was so amazed he had to drag out one of the Service reps, who'd believed the parts counter guy, to show him."

[DewMan]

Originally Posted by Maa107

Yea some dealers are....not informed enough about their vehicles, to put it in a nice way. I went to a dealer about 2 months ago and the guy was telling me the V6 ran over 325 hp. So right after this I knew I was just gonna keep on looking and definitely not come back. He later went on to tell me that the RS package only came with the 2LT or the 2SS, and yea you know where it went form there

I understand that they are not going to know every single detail of every vehicle but I do believe that they should have basic knowledge of every vehicle they sell.

[Michelle42780]

I'll admit that my salesman didn't know everything about my car, but he knew enough and had to be corrected on a couple of things. But not once did he try to bullsh*t his way into the sale, which I greatly appreciated. He thanked me & my boyfriend for giving him more info. Hopefully he'll utilize it in his next Camaro sale.

I would have walked if he tried telling me "facts" about the car that were completely wrong, and stuck to his guns if I were to correct him. I would rather they admit they don't know everything, than pretend they do. My $.02.

[rawj7]

Originally Posted by Maa107

Yea some dealers are....not informed enough about their vehicles, to put it in a nice way. I went to a dealer about 2 months ago and the guy was telling me the V6 ran over 325 hp. So right after this I knew I was just gonna keep on looking and definitely not come back. He later went on to tell me that the RS package only came with the 2LT or the 2SS, and yea you know where it went form there

I understand that they are not going to know every single detail of every vehicle but I do believe that they should have basic knowledge of every vehicle they sell.

+2

[ravensjeff]

If this site gave you an education, then you would have known that not all salesman are on top of their game. Don't waste everyones time on test questions that you already know the answer on. Buying the car is one thing, getting it serviced is another. I care more about the service part since it is an ongoing process, with the sale being a one-time thing. Check out the service department. Talk to the service reps. Do a google search on that dealer.
Know what you really need to ask a salesman-
Purchase price- $500 below invoice? Get it in writing from the general manager(Although wait time is no longer that big of an issue).
Options- Make sure your order is in the system correctly- get a printout. If you make changes, make sure you get a new printout to verify nothing was "Dropped".
Delivery- Front plate drill? High test gas for V8? NO CRAP gimmick stuff added that you did not order? (Etching/undercoating, etc).

[DewMan]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

Make sure your order is in the system correctly- get a printout.

Don't expect your sales guy to doublecheck the order for you.

That's the step I missed doing and they ordered the wrong color, added stripe package I didn't ask for and forgot to add the sunroof. I didn't find out until I had a VIN#. It all went down hill from there.