Eileen

As a women I have been taken advantage of in the past by “men” that tell me my car needs repairs. I find out later that they either charged way too much or it wasn’t even necessary. I really do not feel like I need to take an auto mechanic course to stop this from happening. Do your have any suggestions?

Please send me the 4 free Ren Fest tickets you mentioned on the radio. That would be awesome.
My mailing address is: P. O. Box 6455
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064

Here’s how the trips to the dealers went…from what I recall, I was taken seriously (the sales person actually treated me well and wasn’t distracted by other people they thought were more likely to buy cars). Of the times I was taken seriously, most were either a little to pushy for getting me to buy that day or they would not show me what I really wanted (keep showing me used cars).

One such example and the climax of my car buying experience, I came McCarthy in Olathe (alone) and I apparently hopped out on the wrong side of the lot (the used cars – I wanted to a new one). I told the salesman that I wanted to look at a new Elantra…we barely made it the Elantra, he kept showing me used cars that were “great deals” and I would “get more bang for my buck.” He pressured me to test drive a few of the used cars he showed me, so I could see how great they were. As if I could swayed so easily and I was going to buy a car based solely on his biased recommendations. Finally, after much begging on my part we went and looked at the new Elantra’s. It was clear he wasn’t thrilled about me getting the new Elantra, he preferred I get one of the used cars. I left that day disappointed and a bit offended (that he apparently thought I was an uneducated women). Thankfully, I returned (because it was the only dealership in the area with the car I wanted).

So the day I returned was the day I decided that I was going to buy my car. I brought my dad with me (50 something white male with grey hairs of wisdom), only for the male factor – he knew less about cars then I did and was way less assertive. Honestly, he was just there because research shows that white older men get better prices. We went to look a Toyota dealer first to make sure I had adequately compared cars, then made it McCarthy in Olathe. This time when I stood right next to the Elantras (since I finally knew where they were). A salesman strolled up and offered to help us out. He wasn’t pushy. When we said we wanted a few more minutes just to look at the cars he stood further away and told us to let him know. When we were ready, he was there answering questions, not offering too much unwanted knowledge. He let us go on a test drive a couple times, without him. He let me wander around inside the cars as much as I wanted, pushing buttons, finding cup holders, imagining myself in the car. He mastered the art of figuring out what it was that I wanted from him and becoming that person for me (I wanted him to shut up and sell me a car). When it came to talking about features he was great about not making me feel like I was less of a person if I got bottom of the line. If I can remember correctly, he also got to know us a bit, and not just the I want your business forced, but actually cared about who we were. Almost as if he was figuring out how he could help us best by knowing more about us, but still very smooth. So I finally decide on features and color and make it to the little buying room. This went fairly well. He put a price out. I told him I wanted lower (and pretended to consult with my dad who had no idea). So on. We reach a fair price and he gives it to the gods the do the money magic. In the meantime, seeing as how we’ve been there most of the afternoon, I mention to my father that I was getting hungry. My salesman overhears and tells me I can eat the Goodcents they had catered in (for the employees?). Now I was exceptionally happy – fed and hydrated. The rest is history. Well, on a side note, the salesman I saw on my previous experience called to follow-up that same week…and I had to break the news that I had already bought a car, from the same dealership from someone else (he was a bit shocked and disappointed, but there was no way in hell I was going to give him the sale after how he treated me).

The best part of my experience with McCarthy came later. When I bought the car I received free oil changes from the dealership for the life of the car. BRILLANT. Honestly, it’s a win-win. I drive from Westport to Olathe every few thousand miles to get my free oil change (even at the height of gas prices the drive out there was still cheaper). The service department is amazing. They know my car and care about it. They check all my basics and let me know when I need maintenance…and when I can put it off until I save more money. They go into detail for me exactly what they’re going to do, how it will effect my car, if it’s required for my warranty, prices, and even tips when I tell them I’m going to get something done somewhere else (like my brakes…I got warned about the metals or what not in the brake pads from cheaper places…I should listened and gotten them done at McCarthy). At this point, I figured out that as far as maintenance goes, it always turns out better when I get it done at McCarthy and the pricing is comparable. If it weren’t for the oil changes, I would have switched to other places for my maintenance, never knowing the wonderfulness of the service department. And since, I’m at McCarthy regularly getting my oil changed and feel like I have a relationship with the company…guess where I’ll probably buy my next car???

So that’s my story! Sorry, it was a bit long. Hope it helps enrich the buying/selling experience for others!