Comments on: My CarsDirect Experience http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:29:44 -0800 hourly 1 By: NewAutoSearcher http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-3081656 NewAutoSearcher Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:33:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-3081656 Actually, most people buying this way pre-qualify with their bank. The check usually comes from the financing bank. And loyalty to vendors and dealers is not necessarily admirable. Are most vendors not making a profit from your purchase? Will they return the favor and be loyal to you, giving you the best price possible? Usually not. Vendors and dealers are in it for the profit. Do they worry about inconveniencing you with unsolicited phone calls and junk mail? No, they don't give it a thought. They are interested in the bottom dollar and will pursue marketing in any way that produces results. Actually, most people buying this way pre-qualify with their bank. The check usually comes from the financing bank.

And loyalty to vendors and dealers is not necessarily admirable. Are most vendors not making a profit from your purchase? Will they return the favor and be loyal to you, giving you the best price possible? Usually not.

Vendors and dealers are in it for the profit. Do they worry about inconveniencing you with unsolicited phone calls and junk mail? No, they don’t give it a thought. They are interested in the bottom dollar and will pursue marketing in any way that produces results.

]]> By: burb http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-2739249 burb Sat, 09 May 2009 13:15:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-2739249 For all the self righteous moral police who contest the using of dealers to test drive the vehicle then buy online. Please remember he gave the lOCAL dealers a shot at his online quote and one salesman laughed at him. The local dealer has no sympathy from me. For all the self righteous moral police who contest the using of dealers to test drive the vehicle then buy online. Please remember he gave the lOCAL dealers a shot at his online quote and one salesman laughed at him. The local dealer has no sympathy from me.

]]> By: ag http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-2716396 ag Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:41:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-2716396 It's called capitalism, dude. A dealer is not going to turn you away for service because you bought a car on line any more than he would turn you away if you bought it at a different dealership. If on the outside chance a dealer di turn you away for service, I am sure there is an independant auto shop across the street who would be happy to service your car, if you have warranty issues the the maker (ie Chevy, Mazda , whatever) requires dealers to provide service. The dealer has a coice to meet the price, or not it's that simple It’s called capitalism, dude. A dealer is not going to turn you away for service because you bought a car on line any more than he would turn you away if you bought it at a different dealership.
If on the outside chance a dealer di turn you away for service, I am sure there is an independant auto shop across the street who would be happy to service your car, if you have warranty issues the the maker (ie Chevy, Mazda , whatever) requires dealers to provide service.
The dealer has a coice to meet the price, or not it’s that simple

]]> By: Jake Johnson http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-2592632 Jake Johnson Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:11:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-2592632 I have had some good car buying and bad car buying experiences...and many dealers are less than desirable to deal with...but I disagree with lying and making up fake numbers and address to deal with anyone. This eventually portrays me, the buyer, as a liar and it opens the door to be treated as such. If I'm open and honest with the dealer I expect them to be the same and if they are not...I take my business elsewhere. I have had some good car buying and bad car buying experiences…and many dealers are less than desirable to deal with…but I disagree with lying and making up fake numbers and address to deal with anyone. This eventually portrays me, the buyer, as a liar and it opens the door to be treated as such. If I’m open and honest with the dealer I expect them to be the same and if they are not…I take my business elsewhere.

]]> By: Tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-2524584 Tom Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:43:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-2524584 A reason why most of us go to a dealer to buy a car is because we can feel it, test drive it and then buy. By buying online we dont get those benefits. Did you test drive the car elsewhere before ordering it? You must have i believe. Otherwise, your investment in time is useful, as it saved you couple of thousand bucks and its definitely worth it. A reason why most of us go to a dealer to buy a car is because we can feel it, test drive it and then buy. By buying online we dont get those benefits. Did you test drive the car elsewhere before ordering it? You must have i believe.

Otherwise, your investment in time is useful, as it saved you couple of thousand bucks and its definitely worth it.

]]> By: NOEL MANFROI http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-2477816 NOEL MANFROI Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:15:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-2477816 i SENT YOU A EMAIL REQUESTING A PRICE ON A CAR. YOU IN TERN GAVE MY ADDRESS TO EVERY CAR DEALER IN NORTHERN CALIF. EITHER YOU OR THEY GAVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS TO EVERY CREDIT CARD CO. AND LOAN SHARK . THANKS FOR NOTHING i SENT YOU A EMAIL REQUESTING A PRICE ON A CAR. YOU IN TERN GAVE MY ADDRESS TO EVERY CAR DEALER IN NORTHERN CALIF. EITHER YOU OR THEY GAVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS TO EVERY CREDIT CARD CO. AND LOAN SHARK .

THANKS FOR NOTHING

]]> By: adult internet station tv http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-1597184 adult internet station tv Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:58:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-1597184 <strong>adult internet station tv...</strong> Techcrunch » Blog Archive » My CarsDirect Experience... adult internet station tv…

Techcrunch » Blog Archive » My CarsDirect Experience…

]]> By: Somewhat Frank http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-1567586 Somewhat Frank Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:31:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-1567586 <strong>Car Buying: Online To The Drive Home...</strong> After driving a used Toyota Avalon that I nicknamed "greenie" for obvious reasons for the last few years, I finally figured out what vehicle I wanted to buy and made the move on Sunday at Infiniti of Tyson's Corner and I am now a proud owner of a D... Car Buying: Online To The Drive Home…

After driving a used Toyota Avalon that I nicknamed “greenie” for obvious reasons for the last few years, I finally figured out what vehicle I wanted to buy and made the move on Sunday at Infiniti of Tyson’s Corner and I am now a proud owner of a D…

]]> By: Kevin O'Dea http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-1175183 Kevin O'Dea Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:01:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-1175183 You can get a quote from Carsdirect @ http://www.sellmyauto4free.com Most people need to sell their car. What options do you have? Selling a used car is not a complicated process and better than having a dealer trick you into selling your car dirt cheap. Advertise the car online to get the most exposure. At Sellmyauto4free.com, our mission is to build the freshest and cleanest database of vehicle ads. We invest in superior technology for spidering all our ads to a vast array of sites and promote ourself's heavily in major search engines. Unlike the rest Sellmyauto4free.com will not charge any commissions when the car sells. The car ad is free, and you don't need to spend anything for attention grabbing goodies, like photos or front page placing, large headline, blinking icons, etc. sell car here and see current ads. More potential buyers simply means more negotiation power to you, the seller. You will soon realize marketing and selling your used car is not a lot of work. You can get a quote from Carsdirect @ http://www.sellmyauto4free.com
Most people need to sell their car. What options do you have? Selling a used car is not a complicated process and better than having a dealer trick you into selling your car dirt cheap. Advertise the car online to get the most exposure. At Sellmyauto4free.com, our mission is to build the freshest and cleanest database of vehicle ads. We invest in superior technology for spidering all our ads to a vast array of sites and promote ourself’s heavily in major search engines. Unlike the rest Sellmyauto4free.com will not charge any commissions when the car sells. The car ad is free, and you don’t need to spend anything for attention grabbing goodies, like photos or front page placing, large headline, blinking icons, etc. sell car here and see current ads. More potential buyers simply means more negotiation power to you, the seller. You will soon realize marketing and selling your used car is not a lot of work.

]]> By: Brian Hoecht http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-762737 Brian Hoecht Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:24:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-762737 There is state franchise legislation in some states which prohibits car manufacturer's and their owned distribution arms from selling cars directly to consumers. Texas is one and I'm pretty sure there are others (but not all). Utah and Oklamoha are likely not, as that is where the Ford Auto Collection chose to purchase its initial block of stores in the Dot Com era when it was going to do exactly that. Per Comment #107... dealer innovation is required... Click to Inquire (email leads) is not the online shopping experience offered by serious retailers, does nothing to communicate a competitive brand, message or "Points of Difference." There is state franchise legislation in some states which prohibits car manufacturer’s and their owned distribution arms from selling cars directly to consumers. Texas is one and I’m pretty sure there are others (but not all). Utah and Oklamoha are likely not, as that is where the Ford Auto Collection chose to purchase its initial block of stores in the Dot Com era when it was going to do exactly that.

Per Comment #107… dealer innovation is required… Click to Inquire (email leads) is not the online shopping experience offered by serious retailers, does nothing to communicate a competitive brand, message or “Points of Difference.”

]]> By: cmafit http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-737393 cmafit Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:04:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-737393 If you want to get the best deal on a vehicle, contact a reputable auto broker. The key here is "reputable." We've been in business for over 13 years. By the way, I worked at CarsDirect when it was a start-up.... If you want to get the best deal on a vehicle, contact a reputable auto broker. The key here is “reputable.” We’ve been in business for over 13 years. By the way, I worked at CarsDirect when it was a start-up….

]]> By: liei http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-628412 liei Sun, 31 Dec 2006 05:05:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-628412 Manufacturers cannot sell directly because of laws that prevent such transactions. A manufacturer can open its own dealership and run it like any other dealership but it will be bound by thesame price regulations and practices that other dealers have to follow. Besaides, the NADA would never allow a dell-like scenario to come to fruition in the car business. You can't even open a car dealership without going through them. Manufacturers cannot sell directly because of laws that prevent such transactions. A manufacturer can open its own dealership and run it like any other dealership but it will be bound by thesame price regulations and practices that other dealers have to follow. Besaides, the NADA would never allow a dell-like scenario to come to fruition in the car business. You can’t even open a car dealership without going through them.

]]> By: Saumya http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-586897 Saumya Sun, 24 Dec 2006 07:28:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-586897 It will take time for car dealers to become comfortable with the Internet as there is no way that the Internet will not increasingly become a tool for new car buyers to research / buy / sell their cars. However, I don't believe that manufacturers or dealers take full advantage of the Internet. As far as checking out cars prior to ordering them online, the dealers will have to devise ways of adding value to the purchase process so that buyers go to them to check out the car and also buy the car from them. Innovation is needed! Does anybody have any idea if there are regulatory reasons that prevent car manufacturers from selling direct a la Dell? It will take time for car dealers to become comfortable with the Internet as there is no way that the Internet will not increasingly become a tool for new car buyers to research / buy / sell their cars.

However, I don’t believe that manufacturers or dealers take full advantage of the Internet. As far as checking out cars prior to ordering them online, the dealers will have to devise ways of adding value to the purchase process so that buyers go to them to check out the car and also buy the car from them. Innovation is needed!

Does anybody have any idea if there are regulatory reasons that prevent car manufacturers from selling direct a la Dell?

]]> By: J. Estrada http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-551669 J. Estrada Mon, 18 Dec 2006 07:41:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-551669 I totally agree w/ oreilly, I'm a car salesman for 4 years and i've heard very scary stories from customers dealing with other dealerships in the area specially those in big cities. when a customer buys a car online or a small town dealership, then trye to get service with the "big boys" in any major city. Customers are humilieted and sent back to where they originaly bought their car. But honestly the ones to blame for poor service and pushy transactions are the dealership owners why? cause when as a salesman in your mind are thingking of the bills u got to pay and the pressure you get from sales managers, very poor commissions paid by the dealerships, ex: from $50 to $200 per car sold, (if lucky). you really think that salesman is gona treat you nice. put your self in their shoes. specially with that one pricing plan that Ford & Gmac came in with these recent years. dealerships were still making $$ but salesman were left in the dark. Tell me do you pay cost at Best Buy,or pennies over cost at franchise restaurants? do you tell them to show u cost? Dealships make money on Sales, Service, Warranty etc. Salesman DON'T. and since i'm a car salesman i'm proud to tell you we don't need that .2% of assholes that buy cars online we still have 99+% of americans who still come to us for their travel needs. and some of us who work at the right dealership (those who pay 30% comm.per sale)and are not affraid to make their sales team work happy. manage to make over $100k per year easy. WHO DO YOU NEED TO BLAME FOR POOR SALESMAN SERVICE "THE DEALERSHIP OWNERS" who won't pay their employees good commissions. I totally agree w/ oreilly, I’m a car salesman for 4 years and i’ve heard very scary stories from customers dealing with other dealerships in the area specially those in big cities. when a customer buys a car online or a small town dealership, then trye to get service with the “big boys” in any major city. Customers are humilieted and sent back to where they originaly bought their car. But honestly the ones to blame for poor service and pushy transactions are the dealership owners why? cause when as a salesman in your mind are thingking of the bills u got to pay and the pressure you get from sales managers, very poor commissions paid by the dealerships, ex: from $50 to $200 per car sold, (if lucky). you really think that salesman is gona treat you nice. put your self in their shoes. specially with that one pricing plan that Ford & Gmac came in with these recent years. dealerships were still making $$ but salesman were left in the dark. Tell me do you pay cost at Best Buy,or pennies over cost at franchise restaurants? do you tell them to show u cost?
Dealships make money on Sales, Service, Warranty etc. Salesman DON’T.
and since i’m a car salesman i’m proud to tell you we don’t need that .2% of assholes that buy cars online we still have 99+% of americans who still come to us for their travel needs. and some of us who work at the right dealership (those who pay 30% comm.per sale)and are not affraid to make their sales team work happy. manage to make over $100k per year easy.
WHO DO YOU NEED TO BLAME FOR POOR SALESMAN SERVICE “THE DEALERSHIP OWNERS” who won’t pay their employees good commissions.

]]> By: Brian Hoecht http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-499082 Brian Hoecht Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:49:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-499082 Isn't the fundamental problem that consumers want to explore "BUYING" on the internet + dealers only let them "INQUIRE" (call or email for price)? What if a dealer had an online system that allowed you to buy from him just like you were in the showroom? And not just exercise of finding the correct car and getting a price like Michael got from Cars Direct. That is NOT how the great majority of people buy cars. Financing, credit, trade-in values, accessories, tax, title and fees the give you 100% accurate monthly payments and due on delivery figures. Actually you will be shocked how little price actually makes on what you pay in a monthly payment. Such a system is being piloted right now at [url]www.airtoy.com[/url] and [url]www.airscion.com[/url]. While the workflow and ease of navigation is still improving daily, there is a place for feedback from those who would like an online alternative they do not have today. Post it here [url]www.ai-dealer.com/forum/index.php?board=4.0[/url] or who knows... buy your next car if you really like it! Isn’t the fundamental problem that consumers want to explore “BUYING” on the internet + dealers only let them “INQUIRE” (call or email for price)?

What if a dealer had an online system that allowed you to buy from him just like you were in the showroom?

And not just exercise of finding the correct car and getting a price like Michael got from Cars Direct. That is NOT how the great majority of people buy cars. Financing, credit, trade-in values, accessories, tax, title and fees the give you 100% accurate monthly payments and due on delivery figures.

Actually you will be shocked how little price actually makes on what you pay in a monthly payment.

Such a system is being piloted right now at [url]www.airtoy.com[/url] and [url]www.airscion.com[/url]. While the workflow and ease of navigation is still improving daily, there is a place for feedback from those who would like an online alternative they do not have today. Post it here [url]www.ai-dealer.com/forum/index.php?board=4.0[/url] or who knows… buy your next car if you really like it!

]]> By: J Kershner http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-482986 J Kershner Mon, 04 Dec 2006 16:50:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-482986 The reality is..dealers are not making the money they used to in the sales department. The Internet has had such an influence and allows the consumer so much information on pricing; it's the only industry where you can find invoice and cost on a product. The word “INVOICE” has been exploited so badly that consumers now want “Below Invoice”. Invoice is not enough. Even at a Mercedes dealer I have consumers asking for below invoice pricing every day. I’m not sure where dealers will be in 10 years. Maybe dealers will all be forced to take the "Wal-Mart" approach in order to survive. Can you imagine spending 30K, 60K or 100K on a vehicle from a Wal-Mart like shopping facility. Then when you have a question about your car or you have a problem, you will have to deal with an unknowledgeable customer service person that makes minimum wage and could careless about you and your problem? The dealers will no longer be able to afford to pay for educated personnel or training for their sales people. It’s already getting to this for many dealers. The reality is..dealers are not making the money they used to in the sales department. The Internet has had such an influence and allows the consumer so much information on pricing; it’s the only industry where you can find invoice and cost on a product. The word “INVOICE” has been exploited so badly that consumers now want “Below Invoice”. Invoice is not enough. Even at a Mercedes dealer I have consumers asking for below invoice pricing every day.

I’m not sure where dealers will be in 10 years. Maybe dealers will all be forced to take the “Wal-Mart” approach in order to survive. Can you imagine spending 30K, 60K or 100K on a vehicle from a Wal-Mart like shopping facility. Then when you have a question about your car or you have a problem, you will have to deal with an unknowledgeable customer service person that makes minimum wage and could careless about you and your problem? The dealers will no longer be able to afford to pay for educated personnel or training for their sales people. It’s already getting to this for many dealers.

]]> By: Brandt http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-420084 Brandt Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:56:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-420084 I love all you genius people. All I ever here is I hate dealing with Car Salesman...blah, blah, blah... People who work in Car sales are not just scum, they are hard working people that deserve to make some money. Let me ask everyone of you something - Do you walk in to a department store and negotiate their prices?? You see everything 1/2 off and you jump on it. Talk about hipocrites - The normal mark up on those items in through the roof!! Just so all you genius people know - the average mark up on a New car is only about $2-3,000. Now out of that they pay advertising, service preperation, sales staff ect ect.. I would really like to know where you people work so I can come in and tell you how to do your job! I love all you genius people. All I ever here is I hate dealing with Car Salesman…blah, blah, blah… People who work in Car sales are not just scum, they are hard working people that deserve to make some money. Let me ask everyone of you something – Do you walk in to a department store and negotiate their prices?? You see everything 1/2 off and you jump on it. Talk about hipocrites – The normal mark up on those items in through the roof!! Just so all you genius people know – the average mark up on a New car is only about $2-3,000. Now out of that they pay advertising, service preperation, sales staff ect ect.. I would really like to know where you people work so I can come in and tell you how to do your job!

]]> By: E-diddy http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-400977 E-diddy Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:41:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-400977 A few points: 1. I'm not surprised he bought a mere Pilot. In my experience the people who drive the most expensive cars, ie the X5s are the ones who can least afford it. 2. I agree that paying $800 over invoice is not a good deal. Not an awful deal, but nothing to write home about. When you bough it Honda was and still is offering $750 dealer cash so in effect you paid $1550 over invoice and that isn't even taking into account the holdback. 3. Even if carsdirect or anyone else could get me the best deal, I'd prefer to do it myself. I like negotiating cars. It's a sick pleasure but I like to screw with the salesman. I show up pretending to know nothing and see his eyes light up with visions of $4000 profits dancing in his head. Then watch as that glee turns to utter disbelief over the next hour or two as my true self appears. Ehhh what can I say I'm a sick puppy, but I always buy my cars dirt cheap. A few points:

1. I’m not surprised he bought a mere Pilot. In my experience the people who drive the most expensive cars, ie the X5s are the ones who can least afford it.

2. I agree that paying $800 over invoice is not a good deal. Not an awful deal, but nothing to write home about. When you bough it Honda was and still is offering $750 dealer cash so in effect you paid $1550 over invoice and that isn’t even taking into account the holdback.

3. Even if carsdirect or anyone else could get me the best deal, I’d prefer to do it myself. I like negotiating cars. It’s a sick pleasure but I like to screw with the salesman. I show up pretending to know nothing and see his eyes light up with visions of $4000 profits dancing in his head. Then watch as that glee turns to utter disbelief over the next hour or two as my true self appears. Ehhh what can I say I’m a sick puppy, but I always buy my cars dirt cheap.

]]> By: liei http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-396981 liei Thu, 16 Nov 2006 06:58:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-396981 I am an internet salesman myself (full disclosure) and completely agree with alot of what you all had to say. I have workede for a broker as well and know how it works. The reason salesmen haggle with you is because its their paycheck. I wouldn't blame any of my guys for trying to secure profit. The only thing most of you don't realize is that hold back money and other fees not associated with rebates and cash back offers are completely off limit to anybody on the sales floor. That is pure owner profit. If we had a system that allowed all cars to be pure price (fair and low), it would make it easier for all of us. I run my department of pure pricing. I provide invoice, msrp and selling prices on all my cars upfront. Most of my offers are about thesame as cars direct and the others (sometimes more and sometimes less). The industry is learning and adapting to the internet age (a little late in my opinion). I actually have the ability to chat with one of my reps in real time on my website. It is a nice little feature that provides anonymity and real time pricing delivered to you where ever you might be. The long and short of it is this; you would try to secure profit too if your paycheck depended on it. You would be fired in a second if you sold three cars in a row near invoice pricing. Thats just the way it is. Shop online and buy through whatever means you find omfortable. Eventually, we will either change the business model or start charging the brokers (carsdirect, edmunds etc.) to buy the cars from us and sell to you. One way or another a profit will have to be made. One final note, there is no other product that would allow profit margins of less than 5% per item. As a consumer thats not your concern but it is worth noting. And telling a dealer that $500 is fair profit for a $20,000.00 item is..... well....(it is very annoying. what makes that a fair margin?) I am an internet salesman myself (full disclosure) and completely agree with alot of what you all had to say. I have workede for a broker as well and know how it works. The reason salesmen haggle with you is because its their paycheck. I wouldn’t blame any of my guys for trying to secure profit. The only thing most of you don’t realize is that hold back money and other fees not associated with rebates and cash back offers are completely off limit to anybody on the sales floor. That is pure owner profit. If we had a system that allowed all cars to be pure price (fair and low), it would make it easier for all of us. I run my department of pure pricing. I provide invoice, msrp and selling prices on all my cars upfront. Most of my offers are about thesame as cars direct and the others (sometimes more and sometimes less). The industry is learning and adapting to the internet age (a little late in my opinion). I actually have the ability to chat with one of my reps in real time on my website. It is a nice little feature that provides anonymity and real time pricing delivered to you where ever you might be. The long and short of it is this; you would try to secure profit too if your paycheck depended on it. You would be fired in a second if you sold three cars in a row near invoice pricing. Thats just the way it is. Shop online and buy through whatever means you find omfortable. Eventually, we will either change the business model or start charging the brokers (carsdirect, edmunds etc.) to buy the cars from us and sell to you. One way or another a profit will have to be made.
One final note, there is no other product that would allow profit margins of less than 5% per item. As a consumer thats not your concern but it is worth noting. And telling a dealer that $500 is fair profit for a $20,000.00 item is….. well….(it is very annoying. what makes that a fair margin?)

]]> By: Then again… « ConsensusBlog http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-361715 Then again… « ConsensusBlog Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:14:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-361715 [...] Some people don’t need much time researching and deliberating before deciding where to spend their $34,000, though we suspect three hours is on the low side of the average for car-buying decisions. [...] [...] Some people don’t need much time researching and deliberating before deciding where to spend their $34,000, though we suspect three hours is on the low side of the average for car-buying decisions. [...]

]]> By: Victor http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-359281 Victor Thu, 09 Nov 2006 04:25:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-359281 Why can't dealership make a profit? Is the 10% profit they would make selling a car at sticker too much? Furniture stores have 400% profit. So do clothing stores. Just wondering. Why can’t dealership make a profit? Is the 10% profit they would make selling a car at sticker too much? Furniture stores have 400% profit. So do clothing stores.

Just wondering.

]]> By: Anil http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-328246 Anil Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:40:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-328246 Websites are great to get your facts but to buy the machine that you need and desire you just have to go out and take a test drive. Nothing compares to driving the cars in a span of 2-3 days and that too along with your entire family. Websites are great to get your facts but to buy the machine that you need and desire you just have to go out and take a test drive. Nothing compares to driving the cars in a span of 2-3 days and that too along with your entire family.

]]> By: Arun http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-320197 Arun Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:15:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-320197 Here is a simple and interesting example to help consumers choose the right car for themselves. Carwale.com, a startup in India, has developed this recommendation tool. It captures certain preferences of consumer through a set of questions and match it with every car in their database. Every car is assigned values on these parameters through expert opinion and consumer feedback. The best matching vehicles are then displayed in descending order. it works for new cars as well as used cars. 'Recommend Me a Car' at carwale.com, goes a step further to provide approximate values of used cars which matches cosnumer's preferences. Interesting! Here is a simple and interesting example to help consumers choose the right car for themselves. Carwale.com, a startup in India, has developed this recommendation tool. It captures certain preferences of consumer through a set of questions and match it with every car in their database. Every car is assigned values on these parameters through expert opinion and consumer feedback.
The best matching vehicles are then displayed in descending order. it works for new cars as well as used cars. ‘Recommend Me a Car’ at carwale.com, goes a step further to provide approximate values of used cars which matches cosnumer’s preferences.

Interesting!

]]> By: R. Salazar http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-319237 R. Salazar Tue, 31 Oct 2006 01:09:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-319237 I am a car salesman in the Internet department of Stevinson Chevrolet in Golden Colorado. I receive more hugs, thank you letters, and general warm thank you's from my customers than there are people that posted in this thread per year. It's unfortuante that my industries reputation would force potential customers into staying as far away as possible from a showroom. I just wanted to let you potnetial buyers know that its okay to come and look and to test drive vehicles even if you dont buy or just want a brochure. If I as a salesman cannot make you feel comfortable enough to do business with my dealership directly then shame on me. I might suggest using the internet department as much as possible to narrow down a price, find a vehicle, and maybe get payments figured out for you. We can cut out the middleman and get you the the best deal. I guess bottom line; there are still good people that want to serve you in the car business at your local dealerhsip. I myself am one of them, if I may serve any of you please email call me Bob Salazar 1-800-583-8103. I am located in Golden Colorado @ Stevinson Chevrolet. I am a car salesman in the Internet department of Stevinson Chevrolet in Golden Colorado. I receive more hugs, thank you letters, and general warm thank you’s from my customers than there are people that posted in this thread per year. It’s unfortuante that my industries reputation would force potential customers into staying as far away as possible from a showroom. I just wanted to let you potnetial buyers know that its okay to come and look and to test drive vehicles even if you dont buy or just want a brochure. If I as a salesman cannot make you feel comfortable enough to do business with my dealership directly then shame on me. I might suggest using the internet department as much as possible to narrow down a price, find a vehicle, and maybe get payments figured out for you. We can cut out the middleman and get you the the best deal. I guess bottom line; there are still good people that want to serve you in the car business at your local dealerhsip. I myself am one of them, if I may serve any of you please email call me Bob Salazar 1-800-583-8103. I am located in Golden Colorado @ Stevinson Chevrolet.

]]> By: Angel http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/comment-page-3/#comment-318737 Angel Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:46:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/28/my-carsdirect-experience/#comment-318737 What's with the comments about him buying a Honda Pilot? No wonder so many people are in debt up to their ears. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you need to spend it on the most expensive items. What’s with the comments about him buying a Honda Pilot? No wonder so many people are in debt up to their ears. Just because you have the money doesn’t mean you need to spend it on the most expensive items.

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