smallstonefan
25th: Submitted an online request stating I was looking for a 2005-2006 Mazda 3 hatchback for my son. My budget is $5k-$6k.
 
26th: Rep emails me:
 
Hi James, 
Thanks for reaching out to us!  I'm thrilled to help you in your search for a car for your son.  Is a Mazda 3 hatchback the only car you would consider?
 
27th: I email the rep:
 
Hi Ray,
Yes, the Mazda 3 hatchback is the only car I'm interested in. My son likes it, it fits the budget, and it gets great reviews so we are on a mission to find one.
 
Today rep emails me:

We just traded for this Mazda 5.  Would it work? It's not a 3, but the price range is close and miles are REALLY low for the year.
 
FACEPALM
 
(also, the price is $7,995 - way out of budget)
 

Typical

smallstonefan
I guess I am super-sensitive to poor service since I spend so much time taking care of my clients, and creating a culture in my company to take care of clients.
 
Or I'm getting curmudgidy!
 
nah.... :)

Sadly, a lot of the world today isn't as conscientious as you are as well as the minority in this group. I actually get surprised now when I get good service and make sure to let them know that I appreciate it. 
 
Interestingly, I was at a Dr.'s office yesterday (a follow up appt.) and noticed their staff was very efficient, went out of their way to make sure I was taken care of (attended to a lot of the smaller details), and had a very good (person to person) interaction. Definitely didn't see that usual Dr.'s office demeanor....being treated like a number/going through the motions/thinking they're doing you a favor etc...
 
I made it a point to let the staff know that I truly appreciated their efficiency and professional management. Very unusual these days...  

smallstonefan
I guess I am super-sensitive to poor service since I spend so much time taking care of my clients, and creating a culture in my company to take care of clients.
 
Or I'm getting curmudgidy!
 
nah.... :)

Well, if you were being generous, look at it from the sales rep's point of view. He doesn't have a Mazda 3. Can't blame him for trying to sell a Mazda 5 to you, that's what they do. Plus, he needs the commission.

I can't get past you making your son drive a used car 

Hey James, I've got a beat-up, old Toyota Camry that's pretty much not worth fixing. I'm guessing it's worth between $800 and $1,300.  It's not a Mazda 3, but it's also a Japanese make and I have no problem taking the $6,000 you're budgeting. 

Randy P
James, perhaps I could offer a little advice. I'm a used car dealer in upstate NY. Here's my suggestion. Ask around to friends, family, coworkers regarding a good experience with a local dealer. Don't call, but actually go there and sit down with the boss. Tell him exactly what you want down mileage and a few reasonable colors. Let him know it's a cash deal, no trade. You want a car with a clean history (carfax) and that you have a time period of a few weeks to finalize the deal.
Every dealer gets their inventory from auctions. They all have the ability to search before hand a see what's available for that weeks auction. If you give me a mileage range, I'll give you a reasonable price range based on your area.

Randy, that's the best advice I've gotten yet! I think I'll do that when my son is home so that he can be part of the experience.
 
thank you! :)
 
PS: I'm thinking 100-125k on mileage seems about right...

smallstonefan

Randy P
James, perhaps I could offer a little advice. I'm a used car dealer in upstate NY. Here's my suggestion. Ask around to friends, family, coworkers regarding a good experience with a local dealer. Don't call, but actually go there and sit down with the boss. Tell him exactly what you want down mileage and a few reasonable colors. Let him know it's a cash deal, no trade. You want a car with a clean history (carfax) and that you have a time period of a few weeks to finalize the deal.
Every dealer gets their inventory from auctions. They all have the ability to search before hand a see what's available for that weeks auction. If you give me a mileage range, I'll give you a reasonable price range based on your area.

Randy, that's the best advice I've gotten yet! I think I'll do that when my son is home so that he can be part of the experience.
 
thank you! :)
 
PS: I'm thinking 100-125k on mileage seems about right...

James, An 06 Mazda 3i with 70 to 80k miles should only be around $5500 to $6000 retail. Higher miles will be a bit less. That's for an automatic with ac.

craigb

Randy P
Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book (KBB) aren't really reliable sources. Use NADA. It's what banks use when determining loan values. Much more reliable info.

 
They use nothing? 
 
(J/K, "NADA" means "nothing" in Spanish.)
 

If you have to explain a joke...

smallstonefan
I guess I am super-sensitive to poor service since I spend so much time taking care of my clients, and creating a culture in my company to take care of clients.
 
Or I'm getting curmudgidy!
 
nah.... :)

Got called an "old carmudgeon" once. Sounds worse than it is but I got cranky anyway.

Once I was actually trapped inside the manager's office with him, the sales guy and a hit man hovering over me with the door closed. They weren't about to let me out without signing off on a sale. I only came in to inquire about a car on the lot and was not interested in buying anything that day. I almost called the police. The car was $5000 over book so I wanted to know why. Since then I love driving thru car lots where sales vultures hang out waiting for customers. Once they see me drive in the chase is on. I just drive around in circles never stopping. It gives them a good work out.

 Don't blame the Acura, they're good cars (Toyota Honda). No doubt it was being held hostage too.

Starise

Ah the joys of buying a used car...

 
Good luck with that...that statement has been contradictory for me on several occasions...kind of like saying, " Ah the joys of rolling on wasp nests".
 
In hindsight it hasn't  been much better with a new car. The salesman's slogan goes something like Go On Take the Money And Run.
 
On most days I'd rather get a  colonoscopy without anesthesia than talk to a salesman. Put cars in a line with prices,  a warranty and an automated checkout system.  Slide your bank card in, select the make model and color and it drops me a set of keys.

As a car dealer I'd love to have that system. The problem with it is people have vehicles they want to trade and they almost always feel it's worth considerably more than it really is.