HELP! Me Buy My Car – Jan’s Story

Car dealers have a bad reputation for a good reason. During my dealership career in Internet Sales, I listened closely to my customer’s intense, even harsh opinions about car dealers. Guess what? Their intensity was an appropriate reaction to the way they had been treated.

When I began offering my HELP! Me Buy My Car service, it made significant changes in people’s experience at the dealership. Here’s an example from the very first time I helped a friend who needed advice on the spot. Watch the video version, or read the story below:

James tells of the first time he helped a friend buy a car from a dealer.

In Jan’s words:

I called James directly from the dealership, while the professionals waited for me to sign the contract to purchase my first new car in 11 years. They told me I was getting a good deal but something didn’t feel right. Even though we were on opposite coasts, I knew of James and his reputation in the auto industry for being honest, upfront, direct, and successful.

James asked me questions until he was clear about my needs, my budget, my trade, and my experience with this dealership. Next, he got my salesperson on the telephone and in just a few minutes determined that the dealership was not only giving me a very bad deal financially, but they were using manipulative sales practices that he considered unethical. I remember he asked me, “Do you really want to buy a car from a dealer who treats their customers like that?” Well, no!

When I saw what was happening through the eyes of a car industry insider, I knew that the knot I’d been feeling in my stomach was like a neon sign flashing “Don’t Trust This Dealer.” James confirmed what I knew deep down to be true.

I asked James what I should do. He told me to simply walk out of the dealership. I did, despite the protests of my salesperson and his manager. Then, as if to further earn their bad reputation, the Manager refused to return my driver’s license and car keys until I listened to a last ditch sales pitch. Uurrghhh! By the time I got out of there I was both stunned and angry. But at least I was out.

What happened next still amazes me. James contacted another dealer and made sure the car I wanted was in stock. He interviewed a member of the sales staff over the telephone to confirm that this dealership would treat me fairly and above board. He then negotiated the price of the new car and my trade and emailed me a detailed price breakdown of everything that was agreed upon. He also let them know he was only a phone call away should any problems arise.

When I walked into this dealer the next day I simply handed them a print out of James’ figures and we went about completing the sale. It was easy and stress-free. I didn’t have to play my Ace card by calling James.

Incredibly, James saved me $2800 on the price of the new car and what I was allowed for my trade compared to the deal I almost made with the first dealer. My total savings were over $3,000 when I add the savings James provided on the extras I purchased in the business office when completing the paperwork.

Saving money was only part of the benefit. The insecurity and apprehension I experienced at the first dealership compared to the confidence and empowerment I felt at the second one. The difference between the two was profound and had to do with the trust I had in James’ level of expertise and knowing that he was on my side. I was also completely confident that I was getting an honest and fair deal.

There is a post script. A few weeks ago, a friend who has lived in New York City for many years just got his driver’s license. He needed to buy a new car but had no idea where to begin. He knew nothing about cars, dealers, or how to negotiate. This time I was the one who confidently recommended dealer #2. My inexperienced friend not only got a great deal on his car but also had a very good experience buying it there.

James took me from being naive, inexperienced, and stressed out about buying a new car – afraid I’d be conned and feel stupid – to confidently recommending a dealer based on my actual positive experience.

Thank you, James, for helping me to finally feel empowered while working with car dealers, and for saving me thousands dollars.