Despite what evidence I might have given to the contrary, if I'm treated right I'm the biggest sucker there is when it comes to buying vehicles. An ideal salesman/dealer, to my mind, would be one thatc
a) Knew the product. Silicone Valley is stocked with hundreds of car salesman who can only say "How much do you want to pay each month?" Actually getting knowledgeable answersparticularly of a technical natureis difficult.
b) Show me a valid invoice, and tell what they need to clear on the deal.
c) Prohibited their salespeople from "jayhawking." That is, as you drive onto the lot, you see a group of sales type, usually 4 or 5 all clustered around their cigarettes. Once they spot you, a brief conversation follows ( I imagine a triage process to qualify me, or not, as a buyer) after which one descends and asks the above question.
d) Showed me a neat, efficient-looking service area.
e) Explain to me why I should buy there.
f) Is aware of incentives and recalls. My (I use the term advisedly) salesman did not know of a $2,500 rebate, and was clueless about the luggage.
g) Deal honestly with my trade. I normally don't trade in anything, but would prefer to because I'm lazy. Generally, the low-ball offer falls into the ridiculous range. I, like most, traffic the Edmunds, etc. sites and have a good idea of my trade's worth.
h) Stop cramming that damn survey down my throat! I will answer the questions as I see fit and, yes, I know how important it is to the dealer. I had a Nissan dealer offer free car washes and oil changes for the year if I would let him answer the questions.
And here's the biggie: Don't TO me to the sales manager or some other such person. If the initial person I deal with can't make the deal; I walk. And BTW: I use the 1-hour rule. If we haven't come to an agreement within 60 minutes: I walk. This has mightily pissed off a number of salesmen over the years, but it is the most successful tool in my negotiation box. At times, I have lost cars I've really wanted but, overall, it's worked.
I don't believe any of the above is unreasonable. if those things happen, I'm usually a laydown.