Best car-buying experience yet

August 23rd, 2009

2009 Chevy Silverado

My 22-year-old son needed a new car, so we went with him yesterday to help him out a bit. To tell you the truth, I was NOT looking forward to this. I’ve been in too many dealerships where the pressure is on and you feel like a slime if you even think about leaving without one of their cars. I mean, how dare you turn down their generous offer to help you out because, of course, that is their only interest. When you show the least bit of hesitation, the sales manager comes in to assault you. They never want to tell you the best price for the car, but what your payments will be, so they want to run your credit first. I don’t play that game any more.

Well, the first place we went was Speedway Chevrolet on 145th East Avenue in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Their inventory is low due to cash for clunkers, but they have a few vehicles on the lot. The salesperson greeted us and asked us what we are looking for. My son tells her he really wants a truck, but doesn’t know if he can afford one yet. So, she shows us 2009 Silverados, allows him to test drive them, and answers all of our questions. As we go back in to her cubicle to check prices, she excuses herself to get the numbers. When she returns, she also has prices on two used trucks for comparison. The sales manager is in-tow, also. I brace myself because I think I know what’s coming. He simply shakes our hands and thanks us for being there. I’m shocked and the salesperson can read it on my face as she comments about it.

She accompanies us to the used lot and does not hand us off, but works with one of the used salesmen. We test drive a 2006 Silverado, and my son decides he wants to try for the new one. Since the price really was not that much lower, I agreed with him, and we return to the new side with the same salesperson. She gave us the price on the truck, all rebates, and what she would give us on the trade, if we decide to trade. We tell her we would like to check at another dealership and to hold on to the paperwork. Of course, she remarks that she would rather us stay, but she understands and does not pressure us.

We did visit another dealership, one where we bought our Silverado from 2 years ago. They had a lot smaller selection, but we thought we’d check it out. They were a lot more high-pressure and did the whole sales manager thing to us. The salesperson said she needed to run my son’s credit so she could tell us the price. I told her that she did not, in fact, need to know his credit score to give us a price, only a payment number. That’s when the sales manager came in. He gave us the price, then they added on something called ‘Nitrogen’ for $599, and of course the dealer prep fee for $249 or so. When I asked what the Nitrogen was, they said that was their profit. Hmm. That sounded fishy. Plus, I had to push them to give me the same rebate and the same trade that Speedway gave us without us asking. Anyway, we did leave that dealership (actually, we sneaked out) and returned to Speedway.

We finished the deal with our original salesperson, she did the paperwork and I asked her about any add-on fees. She told me that the number she had on the paperwork was the out-the-door price, no fees. We agreed and then, and only then, did she ask for his credit information. All was approved and he drove home a new 2009 Chevy Silverado regular cab truck with only 89 miles on it.

My son and I had a wonderful car-buying experience at Speedway Chevrolet in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. I would hope anyone else who shops for a vehicle there has a similar experience.