Way to Go

Choke.  Gasp.  Sputter. Choke again. 

That's me, having filled up my gas tank for the second time in three days.  It just figures that gas prices went through the roof the same time I start driving about 750 miles a week.  I'll be filling up at least 2 to 3 times a week at this rate.

So I just ordered one of these cuties:

It's a Toyota Prius.  Hybrid.  Yeah, it looks like a praying mantis, but it gets 60 mpg around town, 50 or so highway (no, that's not backwards; hybrids get more battery assist at lower speeds). 

I know it'll be a while before I get to drive it. These babies are in demand right now. Like 3-6 month waiting list demand.  But I have patience, and lots of it.

I tried to order one Monday, from Galaxy Toyota in Eatontown, nearest dealer to my home. But they were assh*les.  You know, I can't believe some car dealers still employ cave-man tactics when dealing with a woman buying a car.  Granted, my friend Sparky was with me.  And they probably assumed when we walked in that we were a married couple.  But I thought we made it clear when I introduced myself first, and then Sparky extended his hand for a shake and said "I'm just a friend." I thought it was clear that I was buying this car.  But nooooo.  Not clear to dumbass salesman.  He talked to Sparky most of the time, and assumed I was dumber than paint.  Strike one.

Strike two?  He greeted me (OK, us) with "We don't have any brochures.  We don't have a model here to test drive.  You won't get the car for 3 to 3-and-a-half months.  And we want a thousand-dollar deposit."  He suggested I go home, check the internet (wow! what a concept!), figure out what options I wanted, and come back.  I had a little patience left, and told him I'd already done my research, knew what I wanted, and was ready to order one.  I put up with this nowhere-near-the-batting-zone "sales" pitch, and was halfway through ordering the car from the dope who didn't even know what options were available in this region, even though he boasted that they'd written four orders the previous day alone.  I had my checkbook out, overlooking the fact that I seemed to know more about the car I was buying than he did about the car he was selling.

Then his manager arrived on the scene.  He should have stayed away.  "Matt" the manager proceeded to tell me (Sparky, actually) it was more likely 3 to 6 months minimum. When I inquired about getting a refund of my deposit should it go longer than that and I found a Prius elsewhere, he said "Well you could get it back, but you're not going to find one anywhere else."  I mentioned that the dealer in Freehold seemed (according to online inventory reports) to be getting about 3 in a week, he responded with "They must all be sold already. I know managers out there.  You won't get one." Strike three, you're OUT.  Do not tell me something is impossible if I don't deal with you.

Goodbye, Matt.  Goodbye useless salesman. Hello, DCH Toyota in Freehold!

I sent DCH Toyota in Freehold an internet inquiry after I returned home fuming.  They responded by e-mail within hours.  They called me the next day to talk details.  They correctly assumed they were dealing with someone who has an IQ higher than my age and that I'd already done my research.  They took my order over the phone.  I'm on a wait list with about 40 other people, and was assured 3 to 5 months wait time.  They asked for only a $500 deposit.  No hesitation about refunding it for any reason.  And they promised to call me if alternatives come up (e.g., a different color or options than I specified).  Done deal. 

DCH Toyota in Freehold (Yes, I'm trying to land on Google searches) ROCKS. 

And a not-so-subliminal message to Galaxy Toyota in Eatontown:  Women aren't being dragged around by the hair any more.  Deal with it. 

Comments

[Crazy Neighbor Lady]

I *bow* to your greatness in handling of that situation. I would have flipped a bitch on the guy - oh wait - I *HAVE* flipped a bitch on the car sales manager before. Same situation - except this guy talked to the guy that was with me, and the hem of my skirt.

FYI - Later today I'll be flipping a bitch on the Midas guy who "fixed" my stepdaughter's Corrolla. (I'll be selling tickets to that one.)

PS: I like how the Prius matches your blog. LOL Is that the color you got??

[Bekah]

Yay for the better milage!! God, filling your tank up two or three times a week you'd be paying more for gas than you'd be making in a week. Yuck. Hopefully the new car will be in sooner rather than later.

[scorpy]

You GO, girl!

I love going car-shopping with Ray. Even if we're shopping for him, he'll tell a salesman straight-up: Talk to the boss. It all hinges on her.

A salesman pissed me off once by trying to tell me how to establish credit without looking at my credit report. I told him once, twice that I know all this. When he continued trying to tell me about it, I walked away. The next day, Ray went out there, tracked him down, and told him he's not allowed to speak to me anymore, explained why, and to this day (a year or so later?) the guy won't even take a step in our direction when we go out there. (The sales manager is a friend of Ray's, and all the salesmen know us, and they'll all come and chat while that guy mopes about elsewhere. HILARIOUS!)

So, go YOU for not taking no shit off no Galaxy Toyota salesman!

[Sluggo]

I really hope your blogging about it costs the dips in Eatontown at least a couple units. Way to go.

[Diann]

what a coinkidink - I have dealt with your a$$hole's brother here in Alabama. I told him which car I wanted to test drive, and he steered me to another model, informing me it was probably more in my price range. WTF? How does he know what my price range is?!?! Second, after insisting I did not want the piece of crap he was pushing, he acquiesed and let me drive the one I wanted. I was just getting over my original mad and thinking I might actually buy the one I wanted when he says, "Why don't you go home and get your husband to come down so I can talk to him?"

I pretty much told him where to stick his car, went back to my office, and called AH's sales manager. Said sales manager practically crawled through the phone lines to try to salaam at my feet. Even offered me the high-priced car to drive for the weekend, even after I said I was going out of town. Take it, he says, and bring it back on Monday..or Tuesday. I'll have it filled up waiting for you.

I was attempted to take it, but I didn't 'cause I knew I'd never buy it. Dang, being honest sucks sometimes.

[Mr. Bingley]

It's amazing have Paleolithic car salesmen are. Everytime I've gone with my wife to buy a new car, both times clearly explaining it was for HER, that SHE was going to be driving it every day, they completely ignored her/condescended to her as you described above.

a$$hats.

[Becky]

I think the minute the salesperson started ignoring me, I would've walked out.

[steve]

If I didn't know any better ...this post sounds like its from someone who works at freehold toyota or has a family member that works there

[Shamrock]

Well, that post is quite old, now. But no, I don't work at Freehold and don't know anyone that does. It's a completely true story that happened exactly as I wrote it, and I've got a witness (the male friend that was there) who was just as shocked at the treatment I got at Galaxy as I was. I don't recall if I said so in the post, but I knew far more about the car I wanted to buy, and what options were available in this region, than the salesman did.

I ended up buying from Freehold which was actually quite inconvenient since I live a few miles from Galaxy. But Freehold was eager for my business, honest about their abilities, willing to do things over the phone, and assumed I was an educated, capable person. Completely unlike the treatment I got at Galaxy.

I very rarely post anything on my website that is anti- anyone or pro- anyone else. That situation, though, merited a public blasting. They deserved it. In my 20+ years as an adult doing business and getting by in the world, I have never experienced anything that bad before or since.

Shamrock