I just want to buy your car...

[I.B. Washincars]

Why does buying a car have to be such an ordeal. It seems that dealers just look for ways to tick you off. I've been on the fence about a certain vehicle that we checked out about 3 weeks ago. They finally came up with a price we could live with, so we decided to go ahead and buy it. The ad was still up on autotrader, but it wasn't on the dealers website any longer. If you've visited any dealers websites you probably have noticed the annoying "Live chat" window that keeps popping up. I thought, what the heck, I'll just ask live chat if they still have it. What could be simpler? Here is the transcript.

CHAT TRANSCRIPT:
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:07:53 pm): How may I help you?
Guest (05/22/16 12:07:53 pm): Is 2015 Explorer FGC 14031 still available?
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:08:08 pm): I would be happy to assist you with that! One moment please while I look that up for you. Who do I have the pleasure of chatting with today?
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:09:34 pm): Are you still with me?
Guest (05/22/16 12:09:52 pm): Yes
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:11:54 pm): where did you see this vehicle?
Guest (05/22/16 12:12:24 pm): Autotrader. Expressway Ford Mt Vernon, IN
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:13:50 pm): Alright, let me go ahead and request detailed information from my Internet Sales Team on that 2016 Explorer and send it to you for review. Once we can gather those details for you, what's the best phone number and time of day to reach you?
Guest (05/22/16 12:14:47 pm): 2015 explorer. Just need to know if you still have it. Simple as that. FGC 14031
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:15:22 pm): While I am a part of the online support team, we work from a different building, so I will need to electronically request that information on your behalf. We can certainly email those details to you if you prefer. May I have your email address please?
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:17:19 pm): Are you still with me?
Guest (05/22/16 12:17:24 pm): This question couldn't be any simpler. This chat system is totally useless. frustratedashell@yahoo.com
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:17:51 pm): Great, and just to complete this request may I please have your first and last name and phone number?
Guest (05/22/16 12:19:22 pm): They already have all that info. I have spoken to numerous people there. Just wanted this simple question answered. The car business is worse than politics.
Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:19:32 pm): Come back and see me if you need any additional information or price quote assistance. Thank you for visiting http://expresswayfordonline.com/. Have a nice day

Geez, wonder why I hate to deal with car dealers?

 

[MEP001]

It looks like everything was an auto-generated message except for "Anna Harold (05/22/16 12:11:54 pm): where did you see this vehicle?"

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I didn't doubt that it was a bot just to collect my info, but if you can't give an answer to a question as simple as I posed, why bother? Something like this just makes the car buying experience more of a frustration than it already is. My wife was in car sales for a while, and was quite good at it. She eventually stepped away because she had more ethics than the whole car business combined. Their reputation is well deserved and they seem to be fine with the status quo.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Just for the record, they never got back to me.

I guess the car business has made a full recovery and they don't need to bother with annoying internet "tire kickers". Oh well, I guess I will have to deal with their rejection as I drive around in my "Like new" Explorer that I just bought elsewhere.

BTW, I did put my actual e-mail address in the chat.

 

[Waxman]

I'd call the dealership and ask for the sales manager. Report what happened and be sure to mention you just bought a car elsewhere but did give them first chance at your business and that they blew it.