4 years ago
First of all Subaru is a great car. Maybe that's ...
First of all Subaru is a great car. Maybe that's why Young Subaru feels like they can provide sub-par service. I would go to ANY other Subaru dealership if I were going to buy another Subaru. I bought a used Cross Trek 2 years ago and the easiest part was dealing with the sales person. When it came to financing they assured me they inquire with several financial institutions to get me the best interest rate and terms. So they find me financing and I'm out the door. The following day I contact my Credit union, Weber State, and they offer me an interest rate nearly 2 points lower. My credit union explains to me that the dealership usually funnels loans to institutions that provide them with kick backs and that is most likely why they didn't offer Weber State Credit Union. I tell Subaru that I have a better offer from my credit union and they are absolutely astounded, as if I'm lying. Over the next two years, when I go in for oil changes on my vehicle I would wait around and browse other vehicles. I really wanted to upgrade bigger. I wanted an Outback. I was fortunate that I didn't need a vehicle because I really liked mine so I wasn't easily swayed by their aggressive sales tactics. On two separate occasions I test drove Outbacks that I liked. And on both occasions I spent two hours haggling over the sales price. The first time they refused to pay off my Cross Trek. I decided not to accept their terms and I left with my Cross Trek. The next day I received phone calls telling me they would accept my offer and pay of my vehicle. Too late. I found it disingenuous to pressure me then agree after the fact. I think they should offer their best and if it is not agreeable fine. But this type of salesmanship makes the consumer feel like their being taken advantage. The second time same scenario. I find an Outback and we start talking price. Great news, they'll pay off my Cross Trek. We were about $2K apart on the sales price and I asked them to consider meeting me in the middle and drop the price $1K. That was absolutely not possible. OK, I respect their decision and leave again in my Cross Trek. Within and hour they call me and tell me they decided to the meet my request. Again, too late. This is obviously a game to them. About nine months later, same scenario. Only this time I tell the salesman right away, I've had two unpleasant experiences while looking for an Outback. I tell him, I'm not here to waste anyone's time. He should be prepared to give me a fair offer and I will offer what I think is fair. We aren't going to negotiate all day and I'm not coming back when he calls me to tell me they've changed their mind. The salesman assures me that will not be the case. I told him if we don't agree, no hard feelings and we go our separate ways. I know they need to make a profit and he knows I need to feel like I made a good deal. We find an Outback I'm interested in purchasing. It's $24.5K and I tell the salesman, "I'll offer $24K out the door. Tell your manager this is the offer and I'm not going to haggle for two hours so make his best offer." He disappears for about 30 minutes then comes back. He asks me how much am I going to put down and what monthly payments I'm looking for. I ask him what that matters because I'm going to finance it through my own credit union. Then the "floor manager" steps in and tells me that they need to know how much money I'm going to put down because it helps them negotiate. I explained to him that I'm offering $24K and I'm financing it myself so money down and monthly payments are not part of the equation. He asks me that if they can find financing lower than my credit union would I agree to it. I said, "Sure I would like a lower interest rate but last time then assured me I was getting the lowest and I found lower. He tells me that they get kickbacks from institutions they funnel customers too and if it's the same rate and they get a little something on the side everyone is happy. So I agree.