Flaky sellers: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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June 26, 2011 12:19 a.m. pigeon Dork

What is it about some sellers who really don't want to actually do anything to sell? I left aessage in response to a CL ad for an E46M3, no reply. Several days later the car is still listed so I throw out an email; several hours later get a reply that he'll call me this morning to set up the test drive I want. Does he call? Nope. This isn't just a regular schmuck but a 24 year old who's trying to set up a used car sales business - he's also got a C3 Vette and a Hummer H1 listed and actually formed an LLC to do business under. Not following up with cash buyers is the best way to make money.

But maybe it's me - I waited 15 minutes in Best Buy today trying to buy the wife an e-reader and nobody bothered to help me. I made sure to stop and loudly tell the store manager at the very crowded customer service desk that he had just lost a sale because nobody cared to wait on me, then drove 10 minutes to buy a Nook.
June 26, 2011 6:43 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

I've noticed an interesting trend, when it comes to wandering around dealerships, I am invisible. But when I go to an electronics store, apparently I look like I need an entourage, because I am swarmed with employees.

Yesterday I was killing some time in Best Buy waiting for my girl to get out of work, and was approached by no less than 3 employees. The one guy actively followed me around the video game section as if he was a lost puppy. It must be my "IT guy" looks, or maybe they think I'm some sort of shoplifting scumbag and must be followed everywhere.
June 26, 2011 7:38 a.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

Racer1ab wrote:

maybe they think I'm some sort of shoplifting scumbag and must be followed everywhere.

I think I fall into this category.

I never shave on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, so I am a bit scruffy on the weekends, and my body type could be described as "lumpy", so maybe they think I am hiding an Ipad under there or something!
June 26, 2011 10:58 a.m. integraguy SuperDork

I think the "invisible" at used car/new car dealerships has to do with day of the week, time of day, day of month....lunar quarter, but certainly NOT with the desire or lack of desire to sell anyone a car (I'm being sarcastic).

I've run into this too, on occasion, and if you REALLY want to buy a car and not just look at one....try taking it from the salesperson's perspective and go "shopping" during early afternoon. Don't go at lunch time, and try to avoid right after work or right before work.

Best Buy? seems to run the extremes between not caring how desperate you look at a potential sale...and wanting to sell you ANYTHING if possible. The last 2 times I was at the one near me? No one came near me.
June 26, 2011 11:45 a.m. thestig99 Reader

Also try to go car shopping in the last couple days of the month, when they're scrambling to make quota so the salespeople get a pat on the back and the sales managers get a Challenge sized bonus.
June 26, 2011 12:35 p.m. Travis_K SuperDork

Once i got yelled at twice for calling a used car lot about a car listed on craigslist. I didn't call back. I was also once told by the manager at a Firestone that i should take my business elsewhere because he didn't want his employees taking the time to adjust the camber on my car (he said that they only did "toe and go" alignments).