Ford vs. Volvo~ An experience

[RitaZ.]

This past weekend, we decided to go to the Ford dealership to test drive a vehicle that peeked my curiosity. We left the kids at home with my mom, so it was just me and DH.

Ford experience:

We arrived at the Ford dealership and were approached by a young lady that asked if we needed help. We said we were just browsing, she said that if we wanted further help to let her know. We walked around, looked at several cars and finally decided to ask a salesman to take us for a test drive. Ok, we were matched up to one of the salesmen, friendly happy guy. We told him what we wanted to test drive, he showed us where they were located and let us look around for a while. We told him we wanted to test drive one of the vehicles, he went to get the keys and tag. He came back and drove the vehicle out of the parking garage, then told us to take the test drive and have fun. He didn't ask me for a copy of my license, nothing. We took off for the test drive, checked out the vehicle and returned to the dealership. We walked back in the building and asked the salesman for some brochures. Shook hands and left.


Volvo experience:

After that experience, we decided to stop over at the Volvo dealership which is next door to Ford, different owner. We walked on the lot, there was nobody around, salespeople or potential buyers. We looked at several cars, a few were unlocked, most were locked.

After being there for about 15 minutes, a salesman comes out of the building and asks if we have any questions. We told him we were just browsing, he says to come and get him if we have any questions. We looked around some more and decided there was one vehicle we wanted to test drive. We went in the building to set it up, we were assigned a salesperson. We waited for her until she got the keys, tag and made a copy of my license. In the meantime, the salesman that approached us earlier asked us, in a very unenthusiastic way, if we had questions. I told him that we were waiting for someone else.

The woman finally got everything she needed in order for us to test drive the vehicle. She got in the car with us and went with us for the test drive. Within seconds, the fishing begins, she flat out asked me, "Do you work?" Yes, I do, I just don't get paid for it. So, she asks my husband, "What do you do?", "Do you have children, how many?" Tells us that she lives in the same city as us. Then asks, "How many bedrooms?" Yes, she actually asked this. I'm surprised she didn't ask how much we paid for the house! We answered honestly, I didn't feel like playing games; it's a good thing I wasn't PMSing! I realize it was all part of sizing us up. Can they really afford this car? Are they wasting my time? Hey, maybe we looked trashy! The fact is that there is no way to know what a person can/cannot really afford until you sit down and commit to buying the car.

Anyway, my DH asked her how long it would take for the vehicle to be custom-built with the options that we like, she said 3 or 4 months. Then, she asks if we are ready to make a deal today, we told her we weren't. We each have a 2001 vehicle and nothing is wrong with them, so there is no rush to purchase anything. I don't think she liked the sound of that.

When I saw my SIL later that day, I told her about the Volvo experience and she said that I should have had more fun with the salesperson. I should have told her that I didn't work and that DH is "between jobs", our house is about to go into foreclosure... But, we are thinking about buying a Volvo!

The funny thing is that the price difference between the Ford and the Volvo is only $3K This happened Sunday afternoon and she already called first thing yesterday morning. I could kill DH for giving her our home phone.

What is like at the Ferrari dealership? Do they ask to see your bank statements, house appraisal?

Anyone have similar experiences when car shopping?

 

[Aimeedyan]

Completely different exp than any Volvo dealership I've been to! I drive a Volvo, and bought it as a 22 yr old college student and was treated like royalty. Sounds like you got a bad dealership more than anything. Plus, Volvo and Ford are the same company now

My worst exp has been with Toyota dealerships. I've tried to buy a Toyota from 4 diff dealerships and was treated horribly at each. Go figure!

Oh, and I've never been able to test drive without a license copy in case something goes badly - for the protection of the salesperson. Ford, Chevy, Honda, Acura, Volvo, VW, BMW, they all have done that. (I've dealt with a lot of dealerships, LOL)

 

[caitycaity]

if i don't like the dealership, i go to another one. fortunately, i live in an area where there is no shortage of car dealerships - even for the same make. when i bought my car last year the first place i went was the dealership closest to my apartment. i was so offended by my treatment there, i went to another dealership 40 minutes away rather than give the first one my money.

i've had similar experiences (at car max of all places!) to your volvo experience.

 

[Viking]

FYI,
Volvo belongs to Ford - So whichever vehicle you puchase the money ends up in the same account

 

[RitaZ.]

Yeah, I thought that was odd that I wasn't asked for a copy of my license. I have always had to do that in the past, the Ford experience was definitely a first.

 

[Beth76]

I've never had a sales person ask such questions and I don't believe they've ever driven in the car with us. Possibly at the Infiniti dealership, but not sure.

I do remember being COMPLETELY ignored by 4 sales people chatting it up amongst themselves while we looked at a car for about 5 minutes, before walking out. This was at the Pontiac dealership and they were having an end of season special that ended in a few days. I new exactly what I wanted, all they would have had to do was find the car for me. I drove home with my new Grand Am later that night from a different dealer.

 

[RitaZ.]

if i don't like the dealership, i go to another one. fortunately, i live in an area where there is no shortage of car dealerships - even for the same make. when i bought my car last year the first place i went was the dealership closest to my apartment. i was so offended by my treatment there, i went to another dealership 40 minutes away rather than give the first one my money.

i've had similar experiences (at car max of all places!) to your volvo experience.

I agree, no reason to give them your money. DH is already talking to another Volvo
dealership in the county N of us.

Viking~ Yes, I know.

 

[eclectics]

Nobody asked for my license at Chrysler. Maybe she was just fishing for your family demographics to point you to a particular model that might suit your needs better.

 

[powellrj]

I had the same experience with Toyota too. I wanted to buy a new Camry and take the car allowance instead of taking the company car. The guy I finally found that would talk to me, told me if I found one I was interested in to let him know and he would unlock it and let me sit in it. I said no thanks, I would just go back to work and order the company car which was a Camry.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

DH and I have been test driving vehicles for the last week and a half at many different dealerships. It was a different experience at each. Some made copies of our licenses; others didn't (the ones who did said it was for insurance purposes ). One person came for the ride with us and I have to say it was a bit akward as he seemed kind of interfering and defensive when we were talking to ourselves.

The nicest was a man in our hometown at a dealership we've never done business with. He was not on commission since the previous person we'd talked to already would have had the sale. Well this man talked so nicely to us for about 45 minutes and helped us make a decision about what we wanted to buy. DH brought him a coffee cake the next day - they type he'd mentioned in our conversation that he liked. I'll be referring people to him and the rest of them at this dealership.

 

[vettechick99]

I had several crazy experiences car shopping when I was 18. I did a lot of browsing and test driving on my own, so I know I looked ripe for the pickin'.

One dealer wanted me to sign a paper saying I'd pay sticker price if they "held" the car 2 hours so my dad could come look.

Another took my license but let me drive all over Savannah by myself.

Two let me take the car overnight. One was a family friend (no surprise) but the second didn't know me from Adam. I ended up buying that one and then 3 years later returned and traded it for a brand new Maxima. Guess their tactic worked on me. Twice.

 

[RitaZ.]

Some made copies of our licenses; others didn't (the ones who did said it was for insurance purposes ).

There has to be another reason why some ask for a copy and others don't. Anyone know? I'm curious.

One dealer wanted me to sign a paper saying I'd pay sticker price if they "held" the car 2 hours so my dad could come look.

 

[pamlet]

YEARS ago I did a stint at a car dealership - they usually didn't go with customer on a test drive UNTIL something something happened...

A dad and son went out in a sports car.. it was a Mazda dealership - don't remember the type of car - whatever it was it was the VERY top of the line.. anyway - Dad and son go out - the salesman tells him where to go to test the handling.. country road.. curvy.. anyway - an hour later they're not back. Salesman is getting VERY nervous... he and another guy head out.. just after they head out the police call - there's been a wreck. They had gone around a curve.. and missed.. went right into a creek. Thank goodness no one was hurt! Dad says he was driving... though the salesman had their suspicions from the way they were acting. And the seat was all the way back - son was tall Dad was not. SO - Dad bought a car that day.. It was really sad - his insurance covered it I guess.. it was very close to being totalled. Though from what I understand the dealership wrote it out at cost ...

 

[SandraM]

My friend called into the local Volvo dealership and started asking the sales guy a few questions. After a couple of minutes he told her to bring her husband down and they could talk things out while she looked over the car! She said "The car is for me ... and it won't be a Volvo!" and walked out.

She bought a brand new Kia Sorento, and her husband was so taken with it he bought another brand new one for himself! Volvo's loss, Kia's gain.

 

[pamlet]

There has to be another reason why some ask for a copy and others don't. Anyone know? I'm curious.

I always understood so they had a reference as to who took the car more than anything. If something DID happen then they had a starting point. As in the story above - if we couldn't find them and something REALLY tragic had happened then we'd have a place to start.

AND even if the salesman is going with you .. it's for the safety (sort of) of the salesperson.

 

[CarolA]

Mine was the SAAB dealer. I showed up in shorts and tshirts driving a small rental as I totaled my Saab convertible the day before... After 20 minutes NO ONE would wait on me. They all just sat in thier offices and watched me wander around.

Drove to Volvo... got your typical new car deal, they raced out to greet me LOL!

I did buy a Saab, but I went 200 mile away to a dealer with service!

I was also once thrown out of a Ford dealer. I had a male friend with me.. first they wanted to deal with him and even he kept saying... "I am only a friend, I have NO say" They had test driven my car (not sure why I agreed to this) and came back with tons of "problems" and then would NOT give me the keys back. I finally leaned over to pick up the salesman's phone, when he asked what I was doing I told him I was calling the police, that they seemed to have stolen my car. They threw me out.. My buddy was howling.. he didn't know you could get thrown out.

I have a female friend who used to sell cars. They required them to get a copy of the DL and leave it at the dealer before they went off with the customer. That way if the salesperson didn't come back they had a starting point. Sad commentary on our society, but I can see it happening.

 

[RitaZ.]

I was also once thrown out of a Ford dealer. I had a male friend with me.. first they wanted to deal with him and even he kept saying... "I am only a friend, I have NO say" They had test driven my car (not sure why I agreed to this) and came back with tons of "problems" and then would NOT give me the keys back. I finally leaned over to pick up the salesman's phone, when he asked what I was doing I told him I was calling the police, that they seemed to have stolen my car. They threw me out.. My buddy was howling.. he didn't know you could get thrown out.

That happened to us at a Dodge dealer. When we sat down to talk numbers, we were given these ridiculous figures for trade-in and potential car payment, DH demanded to have our keys. The salesman wouldn't give them to us, he wanted to know why DH was so upset. Our oldest child was with us and he told the salesman, "Forget it, we are not buying a car from you". DH had to go into the lobby to loudly ask for someone to get our keys. One manager came running and the keys magically appeared. I wish we had thought about picking up the phone to call the police to report the car as stolen.