There is nothing that I enjoy more than shopping for a new vehicle. And I've experienced a thing or two in my couple of years on this Earth.......Root Canal, Colonoscopy, and a visit or two to the Proctologist.
Saturday morning, the wife finds a truck online that she is interested in. It's the correct model, engine, equipment and color. So, she calls the dealership. Yep, it's in stock. So, there's a little bit of snow but we drive 1/2 hour out there and guess what....it's sold. But, don't worry, "we can get another one in for you just like it".
Yesterday, I'm online searching another dealer's site. Here we go, another truck, all the correct equipment, right options except for one, but a different color. I ask my wife, would you be interested in this one? She says sure, check in to it. So, I fill out the online contact form. Simple question, "Is it in stock and available". I also noted that I prefer email contact over phone but stupidly add my phone # to the contact form. Low and behold, my phone rings right after lunch today.
Me "Is the truck in stock and available?".
Salesman "Yes, when would you like to come out and take a look"?
Me "How's late afternoon?"
Salesman "Sounds great. What is your purchase time frame?"
Me "Immediate if the price is right. Please email me over a price quote including a complete breakdown of all incentives available"
Salesman "Well....it isn't our policy to do a price quote until we run a credit check. I'll email you a link to our credit app and we can go from there."
Me "Excuse me, I don't want a credit app, just give me the price"
Salesman "I'm sorry, that isn't our policy"
Me "I just want your best price"
Salesman "I'm sorry, I would have to get that information from my manager"
Me "That's fine. I'll shop somewhere else"
The dealership has now rang my phone 3 more times this evening. Seriously, where do they find these people? I assume that all of these dealerships have their salespeople follow a sales model, but why does it have to be so blasted hard to do something so simple?