Jalopnik 
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Detroit, 4:23 AM
Sun Nov 22
11 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/06/09
As someone who works for a family owned, small time Volvo dealership in the Midwest, I relish hearing about the horrific situations people have been put through at other dealerships. It's usually after they've purchased one from me and are telling me what a great time they have had at mine.
You know why companies continue to engage in those high-pressure tactics? Because people have enough guts to go on a message board and anonymously post about this horrific experience and that awful F&I guy, but don't have enough to drive to the dealership and show the awful sales associates and demonic management their new car that they bought somewhere else.
Systemic change can only be brought about by one thing - $$$$$$ - I'd prefer if other dealerships didn't change, because I love surprising folks (and changing minds in the process). But as a whole, the industry would be much better off if our contemporaries would stop pissing people off.
And that's why CarMax will continue to do well.
10/07/09
If every car buyer took your words to heart, the entire industry would be a better place. I'd excuse a little sleazy service if the demand far outstripped supply. But it doesn't. There is no reason why any buyer should have a lousy dealer experience unless they want it. There are plenty of good car dealers and salespeople out there, buyers just need to find them.
10/06/09
I worked there part-time for about three years and loved it. I briefly considered going full-time, but it made no sense financially at that stage in my life (married with two kids).
Compared to 99% of the dealerships in our area and my own general experience, Carmax is far and away the ethical leader. When I worked there, I fully expected to find the "insider's" story on how the company screwed their customers, but guess what?? There is no conspiracy. The company does not haggle on prices, offers the same value for a trade-in regardless of what you buy, and does not beat you up to buy needless add-ons like paint shields or fabric shields.
Could a customer do better at another dealership and get a higher trade-in value? Maybe, but, as I often asked my customers, how much is your time worth? Do you want to piss away an entire weekend getting beat up by car salespeople? Or do you want to buy a car NOW at a reasonable price with a minimal amount of hassle?
This really boils down to attitude. If you think your company sucks and is out to screw you, LEAVE! There were plenty of whiners at Carmax when I worked there, and they all lasted about 3 months. The truth is, they SUCKED at building rapport with clients and blamed their poor sales on the company, their manager, the appraisers, the janitor, the weather, etc.
Bottom line - Carmax is a very good company to work for and a good place to buy a car. I will continue to refer my friends and family to them, and I haven't worked there in five years.
10/07/09
Damn, two fabulous posts in one blog entry! What's going on here, is it Retro Jalop Day?
You are 110% correct. While no car dealer operation is perfect, at least with Car Max the buyer is dealt with honestly and has various consumer-friendly policies at their disposal, like a return policy and a fair warranty.
While I've never sold at Car Max, I did sell a car to them and the process was entirely above board and legit. No wonder Warren Buffett invested in the company a few years back. He knows a good business when he sees one.
10/07/09
Thanks for the kind words and the promo of my comments.
09/28/09
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09/20/09
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09/19/09
As a side note though, on a few recent occations, he's mentioned owning a Mercedes GL - does anyone know if he's pretty well off independant of TTAC, or is there now gonna be a hell of a lot of money to distribute amongst the other writers?
09/18/09
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09/18/09
He stirred the pot and got folks thinking beyond whether GM or ChryCo should survive (the market decided that though the Presidents - neither - were free market-types).
I wonder how many commenters here actually read his stuff.
09/19/09
He doesn't take well to people who disagree with him.
09/18/09
Watching that makes me kinda glad they killed TGUSA.
09/18/09
09/18/09
/just checking
09/18/09
He was right about GM and Chrysler (to an extent), but his insistence on rooting for their demise made it seem like more of a "broken clock, twice a day" thing.
Too often he confused being independent and honest about one's opinions with just being a prick. He'd spew vitriol because his well-tended flock of loyal commenters (just try to post a counter-point over there) would sing his praises every time he whiticized about the plastics on a Chrysler interior or that Bob Lutz is an evil evil man.
...and that's the problem when you're a prick. It doesn't matter if you're right, you're still a prick.
09/18/09
I've posted many counter-points there. As long as you remained, civil, non-flaming/trolling, and brought an intelligent comment he had no problem with it. Just read through his Take Two series...alternative car reviews to the main ones posted.
09/18/09
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