BayAreaCarGuy.com

Why Americans Hate Buying Cars – Part II

The Dilemma

Consumers are in a bind when it comes to buying their vehicles: The majority of Americans love the cars that they drive but they hate the process of buying them. It is this specific issue that moved me to begin this weblog because I prove every day that buying a car, truck, or SUV does not have to be a painful experience.

The consumers I work will tell you that their car buying experience was “informative,” “constructive,” and at the very least they will report that the experience was not as “stressful” as they thought it would be. In fact, a few customers have actually described their car buying experience with me as “fun.”

Don’t get me wrong: It is not always bliss, and not everyone leaves having successfully negotiated a vehicle purchase. However, buying your next vehicle does not have to be so stressful that it ranks as one of the worst experiences that you will go through this year.

There Is Another Way To Do Business

Earlier in my life I was a business owner and operated three businesses simultaneously: A regional modular home sales & service center, along with two property management companies. A significant part of my job was learning how to provide topnotch customer service in a variety of business environments. This process had its own learning curve, but in time I was able to make real contact with my customers, and to work with them to resolve issues in an intelligent, transparent, and fair manner.

After moving back to the San Francisco/Bay area a few years ago, I chose to enter automotive sales and worked with both Honda and Ford dealerships. In both cases I was an Internet Sales Manager who specialized in developing online marketing of pre-owned and Certified pre-owned vehicles, as well as selling and leasing new vehicles. 

Skill are transferable, and it was in the auto industry that I was able to transfer the professional customer service experience that I developed in other industries. This, at a time when the auto industry is enduring major—and, at times—turbulent change.

It seems that life is not always easy for either customers or car dealers in this age of evolving automotive markets. The severe economic downturn, combined with more limited lending practices,  is drastically impacting society in general, and the automotive industry in particular. More on these issues in another article. 

For now, suffice it to say that life goes on and here in the Bay area this means that we need good, reliable transportation that we can afford to buy, that we can afford to maintain, and that we can afford to put gas in. We also need vehicles that are comfortable enough—and safe enough—to spend the long hours that we invest each week in our commute. This is often done in less than ideal driving conditions. 

The bottom-line is that our jobs, our livelihood, our safety, and, at times, our very sanity rests on good, reliable transportation that we can afford to buy and maintain. Our ongoing dilemma is figuring out how to buy the cars that we love in such a way that lessens the stress in our life rather than adding to it. The good news is that there are practical options available to you that will move you towards this end. 

Tomorrow: Real solutions for Americans who hate the process of buying their cars.

Why I love Honda Certified Used Cars! Part I

I love selling certified Honda used cars!

Until recently I was the Internet Sales Manager for a major Honda dealership in the San Francisco/Bay area. I sold many, many certified Hondas to customers, friends, and friends of friends. These folks relied on my recommendations to find the right used vehicle for their needs, comfort, and budget. They trusted my judgment. And were so pleased with their experience that they sent their friends to me.

Selling a Certified Honda was a no brainer: there’s virtually no risk for my customers. Our mechanics not only put the vehicles through an extensive inspection – fixing any deficiencies they found – but Honda extended the warranty significantly.

NOW – I’m the Internet Sales Manager at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford. I continue to sell pre-owned Hondas and I continue to love the Honda Certified program. However, only an official Honda dealer can certified a Honda. “Too bad for me and my customers,” I thought.

BUT, to provide our customers with that “virtually no risk” experience when purchasing a Honda - Hilltop Ford has instituted a program that duplicates most of the Honda program AND provides better protection. We call this added level of protection our PremiumCare Extended Service package. 

What does this mean to you? It means that we DOUBLE the warranty!

 
Tommorrow - What is the powertrain warranty? And more about the added value you recieve with the PremiumCare package!

You can see the entire article here.

The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #5

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year. Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

Mistake #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.

Mistake #3 – Not looking at the vehicle inspection report.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring fuel consumption.

Mistake #5 – Ignoring Certified cars (CPOs) or extended warranties.

View my YouTube video, “How Can I Sell Used Cars to my Friends and They Won’t Hate Me Afterwards?” to see how my friends and I have remained friends after they purchased pre-owned vehicles from me. It’s a pretty simple formula – I first make sure that our cars are checked out mechanically, and then I try to make some form of warranty available so my friends are protected when problems occur. Here are some different scenarios:

• My mechanics have fully checked out every pre-owned vehicle before it is offered for sale, and every major component of every car has past muster. Then:

My friends buy a vehicle with remaining original factory warranty.

My friends buy a Ford Certified Pre-owned vehicle (CPO). These cars not only meet a higher standard, but Ford significantly extends the warranty at no extra charge.

My friends buy a Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap. This pre-owned vehicle meets a higher standard AND comes with an extended warranty. 

My friends buy an extended service contract to cover any future mechanical problems.

By following these steps I know that my friends won’t be mad after they purchase a pre-owned vehicle from me.

INSIDER INFORMATION - Cars, trucks, and SUVs have thousands of moving parts. It is unreasonable to believe that they won’t break down. No matter how well a vehicle is checked out by a mechanic, or looked after by it’s owner, problems will eventually arise. One of the reasons that I work where I do is the Ford Certified Used Car program – it is one of the best in the industry. I also work for the Stead Automotive Group, which demands that every pre-owned vehicle meets a higher standard, and we have the vehicle inspection and history reports to prove it.

Did you know that part of the requirements of the Ford Certified Used Car program and the Stead Automotive Group is to replace tires or brakes if 50-percent of their life isn’t remaining? Vehicles must also pass a minimum 150-point inspection by our mechanics.

Certified programs and extended warranties can get complicated – even confusing – especially when comparing one manufacturer’s program to another. Need help? I have a special CERTIFIED section on my website that will answer most of your questions. it also compares the many manufacturer’s CPO programs with the Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap. The Stead CPO package can often save you money while providing a more comprehensive warranty when compared to most manufacturer CPO programs. It’s a win-win situation for my customers. I’m also happy to answer any questions that you may have. Email them to james@BayAreaCarGuy.com

See the next article in the series:

Mistake #6 – Don’t comparison shop.