Since my SUV is totally eating up ultra-expensive gas these days, I've decided to make the big leap down to a hybrid or compact that's way more economical for my two-hour round-trip commute. I'm newly divorced and haven't purchased a car by myself ever. But, hey, I'm a confident career woman now, and thought I could just walk in any dealership and be treated fairly just like anyone else. But was I ever wrong!
I visited Right Toyota in Scottsdale and had the MOST nightmarish experience that reduced me to a blubbering, teary fool. Not only did a (male) sales manager threaten to take away my car and force me to purchase the Prius I had test-driven, he said he'd have me arrested if I didn't comply. Needless, to say I was slightly upset and frightened. Later that evening, the salesperson actually called me from her cell phone to apologize and encourage me not to lose faith in Toyotas in general.
I really do believe that had I been a man walking into that dealership, I would have been treated completely differently. I wouldn't have been told that I'd have to pay a $5,000 premium, or any of the other BS that I was fed.
Just curious about what other women have experienced while buying a car or if anyone knows of a friendly car dealership out there that actually treats women with respect.......
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
I have always purchased
I have always purchased Honda cars and have never had any problems at all. I have purchased them with and without my husband and have been treated well each time. That sounds like a horrible experience that you had though!
What's a good Honda
What's a good Honda dealership in the Phoenix area that has treated you fairly? I'm kind of leaning toward a Civic or a Fit. I live in the SE Valley, but am willing to drive to a good dealership that actually treats women with respect.....
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
I will never buy a car
I will never buy a car again! i will drive mine until it literally falls apart! After that i am buying a horse!
when i bought my SUV i did all the research before buying, shopped around online, found out exactly what i wanted and didnt want etc...i was so confident that i knew the ins and outs that the sales person would be amazed by my SUV knowledge....but i too ended up a blubbering teary fool! I have never in my life had someone make me feel so stupid! when i KNOW i am not. Buying car is the most stressful thing i have EVER done.
I told my husband that i will just tell him what car i wanted and he better just show up with it!
I am sooo glad to hear that
I am sooo glad to hear that I'm not the only one!!
But what would you do if you were single? I've got to do this thing myself and I just hate it. Even my kids were amazed at how I was treated at Right Toyota. My son said, "But, Mom, you're just trying to buy a car that's better for the environment -- why would they be so mean to you?"
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
I had the unfortunate
I had the unfortunate experience of having to arrange for major car maintenance as a newly divorced lady about 9 years ago and I hated it! I, too, felt very strong and confident and like I could manage things. Next thing I know, instead of a $200 bill, I had a $700 bill and I totally felt as though it was because I was a single woman. Plus, the shop manager that I was used to dealing with had just quit! (And, yes, I cried, too ;-))
I have heard nothing but positive feedback from folks who have used their credit union, Costco, or Sam's Club, to make a new vehicle purchase. They even negotiate your trade-in value for you. All you have to do is go down and pick up the keys. To be honest, that's how we will likely buy our next car.
As for the nasty man at the dealership, I'd write a letter to their corporate headquarters, particularly if you feel that he engaged in predatory behavior! Sounds like he went waaaay off the deep end.
Good luck!
Mouse_tales is a discussion leader in the East Valley for arizonamoms.com. She is a business owner, community volunteer, and aspiring runner (whew!), who most enjoys her roles as wife & mom. Her children range in age from 4 to 13.
I had no idea that you could
I had no idea that you could buy a car through Costco or Sam's Club. That's interesting....
It's really hard just getting up the nerve to go back to a dealership so I can test drive some cars.... I'm scared I'll be taken advantage of again and feel very defensive already -- like I want all salespeople to just stay away from me.
I just wish I knew of a good, honest dealership (I'm thinking Honda at this point -- have totally given up on Toyota) in the Southeast Valley.
Anyone know of any or have a nice friend or relative who sells cars?
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
Hi DesertMom! I bought my
Hi DesertMom!
I bought my Honda at Honda Cars of Mesa and it was through the Costco car buyer program. In fact, I joined Costco for that very reason but I still shop there. Anyway, they have a separate Costco buyer area and you don't have to deal with the dealers at all. They were really nice and basically just turned over the car to me and it was all finished very quickly. The price was excellent and so was the service. Before that I bought my Accord through the regular dealer program and they were fine too. My mom also bought her CRV through them and did not have any problems. She is a 61 year old widow and was very nervous about it but it ended up being a great place for her too. I hope it gets better for you since you were so badly treated before!
Desertmom - we go through
Desertmom - we go through our credit union's auto buying services - and we will never go through the hassle and degradation of the dreaded dealership shenanigans again.
We go to the credit union and we get qualified for the loan, then they have a member consultant work with us to find the car we are looking for. They find new cars, and also late model used cars......they have an auto lot they work with called Centennial leasing. When I bought my brand new Acura we used the new car buying service and we had exactly the car we wanted in 2 days - no hassle, no stress, and at a great price. We have also purchased a nearly new 4runner last year through Centennial and that was a great experience, too...since the financing is all taken care of up front they have no reason to hassle you. The credit union will also work with you on your trade. If you are a credit union member, you should check it out( I think all you need to do to qualify to be a member of Arizona Federal is just live in the SE valley), or check into the Costco service, I am sure it works in a similar fashion.
I will never go directly to a dealership again....I had to take my car to Tempe Acura when I was hit on the freeway last year, and the whole experience reminded me of why I hate dealerships!
I had a very good experience
I had a very good experience with Glendale Motors -- and I was buying used.
Randy Pongratz (a family
Randy Pongratz (a family friend) works for Bell Road Toyota in Commercial Fleet Service. We bought our car through him years ago (when he worked for a Ford dealer). We just told him what we wanted and he did the research, finding us the cheapest option and getting us free leather upgrade to boot (that was dumb luck and not something he can do everytime, I think). He brought the car to our house, let us test drive it, took it to be checked out. I've recommended him to others all of whom bought from him (one has purchased twice). He isn't going to push you into a sale, or if he tries, tell me and I will kick his butt next time I see him...
Anyway, even if you don't buy from him, give him a call and see what prices he gives you - he's great. I called and asked if he'd be OK with me posting his number and he said sure. He also said that there may be a premium on Prius just because they are in such demand (so your guy maybe wasn't lying on that count, but the arrested part is definately wrong!)
Anyway, 602-451-5567 for Randy - tell him you read about him on ArizonaMoms. Good Luck.
It was the easiest car buying experience I've ever had and I don't think it is just because I know him, I think he's just a good guy.
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
I am so sorry to hear about
I am so sorry to hear about your experience! That's horrible. I work for a car dealership thats very well known in the valley and I have for over nine years. If you'd like I could help you. The deale I work for has many different dealerships through out the valley so your choices wont be limited. If you'd like email me, I know I can help.
azmama4@msn.com
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
Thank you so much for the
Thank you so much for the referral! I'll definitely give him a call.
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
I like the ideas you have
I like the ideas you have gotten. I wanted to share my story with you. My husband and I went to a dealership. I was driving, it was my car. We get out and the salesman shakes my husbands hand and asks what he can do for him. Totally disregarded me. My husband just smiled and told the man that he had better talk to me because I was the one buying the car. I picked the mans brain, looked at the cars they had and said I would be buying a particular car that I liked on their lot, but with another dealership.
Good luck and don't let those kind of men get you down. You are smart, he is the one that is dumb. He didn't see a sale, only someone he could pick on. Shame on him.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
That's horrible to be
That's horrible to be treated that way! Please make a call to that salesperson's supervisor or to the corporate office to register an official complaint. Maybe it'll keep that blankety blank salesperson from treating another woman like that.
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
Karilou, your story totally
Karilou, your story totally cracks me up! Thanks for sharing that!!
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
Unfortunately, car buying
Unfortunately, car buying has become a horrible experience for so many. Several months ago, I too went from car dealership to dealership. I also had an experience at Right Toyota and it was actually initially a positive one. The gentleman I test drove a car with was informative and really quite helpful. I was looking for a Hybrid at that time. Interestingly enough, when I went back to the dealership the next weekend with my husband, we found that the person I had been working with had left the dealership, and we turned off by those working there.
We ended up getting a Honda Odyssey and I can not speak highly enough about the experience. I had been dealing with car problems on and off ever since moving to Arizona and had totally become fed up with the cars in general. Oddly enough we bought our Honda at Right Honda, which appears to be owned by the same group as Right Toyota, but it was a wonderful experience.
Good Luck and Thank you for sharing your frustrations.
JuneSlager is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com, raising three children (ages 15, 14, & 11) in Northeast Phoenix.
I actually scare the
I actually scare the salesmen more than they scare me...
Basically just get a loan pre-approved from Desert Schools Credit Union or someone similar (and try to get it less than 6 percent) and show up at the dealership....be coy, do not mention about the pre-approved loan and so on and make a list of inappropriate comments they made and then demand to speak with the president or VP of the dealership on the spot....Also report to BBB.....
Done it and it worked....sometimes a woman gotta be a b*i*t*c*h!!!
Best customer service I ever got was through Chapman Lincoln on Camelback and 14th St....They passed through flying colors....slammed a good deal there.....Just recently they have been bought out by Camelback Toyota so I am not sure if they have changed or what.....They are now called Camelback Lincoln and Mercury....
H~
Mom of 2 Daughters - Kelly (3 yrs) and Skylar (19 mos old)
zoostationu2@hotmail.com
Thanks for the advice!!
Thanks for the advice!! Isn't it awful that we have to go in to a dealership completely armed like that?? Why can't it be like clothes or grocery shopping???
How do we, as strong women who are spending the $$, change the mentality at car dealerships?
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
I don't live in Arizona--I
I don't live in Arizona--I found this blog in a google search--But I am a General Manager of a Lexus dealership in Kentucky. I am the one out of three women General Managers in the United States for Lexus--and I have created our dealership with women in mind. I have three women service advisors and three women sales associates, two women finance associates and many women administrators. We understand the buying experience--especially for women. You need to take control of the buying experience--after all you are the one who has the money--and choices. Never let anyone intimidate you--simply walk out. I wish I were closer to you--I would go with you anonimously and show you how to purchase a vehicle, negotiate it, and retain the respect you deserve. Visit my website.. herperfectcar.com and you will learn more about us. If I can ever answer any questions--don't hesitate to ask! Good luck finding a vehicle--and remember to control the conversation and demand the respect you deserve! Sincerely...Lisa B