I usually don't like to complain about things but this is just something I have to get off my chest. Tuesday Kim and I went to test drive vehicles at
Stew Hansen's Dodge City in West Des Moines. After our sales rep, Michael, finally let us drive the vehicles (it seemed like we were living that commercial where the sales rep didn't even let the potential buyers drive the vehicle), we test drove a Ford Escape and then a Dodge minivan (you know in preparations for that new little one that's due any time now). We thought we were interested in seeing what they would offer for our 2002 Dodge Dakota and how much they would move on the minivan. They first had to appraise the truck before they could give us any numbers. So, Mike finally makes it to us with some numbers. The minivan they didn't change any on price and the truck they valued at $2000 under the Kelly Blue Book trade in value. I about laughed when he told us the prices. So, I told him what I was thinking on prices. After a bit he came back and they thought they could offer $305 under the Kelly Blue Book trade in value and they didn't move on the price for the minivan. Kim was tired, hot, and hungry and I knew the way things were going with Mike that we weren't ever going to get anywhere so Kim and I left. I did receive a call yesterday (2 days later) and a letter in the mail from him. As far as I'm concerned it's too late. You lost the sale.
So, listen up Mike at Stew Hansen's here are a few tips in sales techniques to better improve your chances of me even coming to look at another vehicle at your dealership:
- Give potential drivers the first opportunity to drive the vehicle. If they wanted someone else to drive they would have gotten a taxi.
- Don't waste my time coming up with numbers that aren't realistic. A truck the same year with 15,000 miles less is worth more than a minivan. Oh, and the truck was actually worth more than the minivan new.
- When a salesperson does drive please drive like you're driving your 80 year old mother around. There were a few times that I thought Kim was going to either upchuck her lunch on the back of Mike or back hand him to let him know he was driving like a mad man.
There I feel much better now. I've been to Stew Hansen's before this episode and they've done a great job. The usual sales rep was busy with another set of customers so I got pawned off to Mike. Mike's a good person from what I could tell, but was a little to greedy the day we visited (although, it probably wasn't his fault for the numbers that he came back with).
23 comments:
it's a sign that you shouldn't buy a minivan. ;)
I'm leaning towards keeping the truck now and wait and see if we really need a minivan. I do know that I'm probably not going back to the same sales rep if I do decide to go back to Stew's.
hurrah!!!!
Mr. Minnis,
We request that you please remove this offending article from your site, or we will be sueing you for slander. Also, you shouldn't drive a minivan.
Thanks
Don't beat around the bush anymore....Tell us how you really feel about the whole situation!!
not too long ago I remember someone saying they would never drive a minivan...you must have read the article in the paper the other day and changed your mind!
btw...minnisvan is spelled with two n's boys!
Wait, the sales guy wouldn't even let you test drive it? Yeah, buying a car I've never driven sounds awesome, especially if it's used.
Three levels of test drive: 1. No test drive 2. Salesperson rides with you 3. Salesperson tosses you the keys, says to bring it back.
As far as I'm concerned, it's not a test drive if you're not behind the wheel.
Actually we did get to drive, but it was only 1/3 of what we could have.
hahah...you totally need that on your plates `MINNISVAN`
or 'VAN24ISU'
or 'WANKER'
You need one of those classic "Baby on Board" signs too.
Thanks for expressing your problem with this dealership to everyone. I will definitely think twice about my salesperson if I ever go there. I hope that you really aren't getting sued for slander for your opinion. Now, please take my advice and think twice about buying a home from Iowa Realty as I have a really bad story I could tell.
Ahhh, I really don't like car salesman. I've done the car purchasing experience twice in the last two years and this last time I made it a point to gaurantee I won't be on anyones lot again anytime soon. The last time I bought a car, two months ago, I drove from Des Moines to Denison, IA just because I liked their pricing and direct approach to sales. I saved approximately $4,000 from taking a couple hours to drive outside the city. I'm guessing it's because incomes are lower out there.
I doubt no less than 10% of car salesman have enough integrity to not take complete advantage of someone that doesn't know any better.
Anyway, here's some cars to stay away from if you see them at Stew's.
http://epicstatus.com/2007/06/see-what-stew-can-do-for-you/
Nick,
Before you go and slander somone else's career, check yourself. I left engineering to come and sell cars because that is what got me passionate about engineering to begin with but I didn't want to move that far from my family. I believe that there is a place for someone with morals in this career choice. I don't believe in taking advantage of any customers, and hope to build a solid referral base.
That being said, we all go to work to do one thing: earn a living to pay the bills and put food on the table for our families. So before you go bashing again, think twice. I'm sure you work somewhere, and where ever it is, I am sure you expect to be paid for your services, as do we.
And remember, with the internet, it has never been easier to buy a car or know what the maket value is, so grow a pair and quit bashing us.
Same experience with Stew Hanson. Sales rep I had was a total liar! Though I was looking at used cars, I had the sales rep blame everything wrong with the car on the cold weather!
January 7, 2008
I had an experience with a sales rep named Randy. He has only been with Stew Hansen;s since September, and you could sure tell it. Before even discussing number and seeing if we would come to an agreement, he started filling out all the information for financing. Didn't ask how much of the balance we were going to finance. We were in the market, and still are, for a 2008 Jeep Patroit. We wouldn't knock anything off the sticker price, and was giving me less than the Kelly Blue book. We walked out and will probably go out of town.
Gee I don't think I would share my thoughts factor by making a statement that a "pickup is worth more than a minivan" especially with $3.50 gas. Obviously, the van is worth more to you, if you are shopping for one.
Also, in the 10's of vehicles I have bought it is my experience that before I get numbers I have to get my trade-in appraised so the numbers are accurate. Blue book is not the real world it is only a guideline and with pickups so gas sensitive they are losing value by the second. I know this because I'm a victim of thinking I was stealing a truck only to find out I'm $2000 negative today and I bought it 5 weeks ago. As I had it explained that books, black, blue, kelly, NADA,etc are at least 4 weeks behind usually 6 weeks in values. This helps you especially with a truck that is getting worth less each day. I just read where pickups were off over 30% since the 1st of the year.
And last but not least, if this dealership is on a street with heavy volume of traffic it is probably a good policy of the dealership's to allow the salesman to drive first. It is probably an insurance mandated process. I wish my salesman would have driven first when the 04 chevy I was roadtesting stalled when i pulled out into traffic to begin my test drive.
Anyway, I don't sell cars nor do I want to. If you pay attention to any news about the automobile business you will understand that your truck is becoming worth less each moment. It has probably lost value since I began this note due to the gas prices. I haven't been able to have the warm and fuzzy's with every salesman I've dealt with either but i figure 25% of america hate their own children so I'm not going to get along with all.
Anyway, hang in there and try to find a good deal. I learned a long time ago that if I can afford it and I like it...it is a good deal.
I too feel compelled to vent my frustrations with this dealership. The past several months of dealing with Stew Hansen's has been a nightmare! I admit that I am a total customer service & satisfaction snob and this dealership has not provided that service or satisfaction. Based on my experiences, not only is their service work questionable, and in my opinion just plain shoddy, their customer service SUCKS! I have reached the point where I am now driving 2 1/2 hours to a reputable Jeep dealer that I know I can trust to service my vehicle. I would not recommend Stew Hansen to anyone, nor will I ever do business with them again. For anyone looking for a great experience, check out Junge in Center Point!
bought two trucks at stew hansens been treated great and never had a bit or problems with the trucks or the service down there will go back there again they know what they are doing and how to sell cars and trucks maybe its how you people go in there acting and thinking you know it all
It may astonish you, Cecil, but I am not a race (you people) and no, I’m afraid I don’t know it all. I was a potential customer as the article stated. I’m glad that you’ve had good experience with them. Times have changed (four years since the original article) and the dealer has gone through a buyout so maybe things are better there now.
Think this is bad go down the road to Stivers Ford in Waukee if you really want to be tortured!
No, Stew Hansen's has not changed. Here's my story...
In July of 2008 I purchased a 2004 PT Cruiser and traded a 1997 Jeep. From a sales buying perspective, everything was great. The salesman (still employee there as of this writing) was great. Even the finance guy wasn’t that bad to work with. We got an amazing deal on the PT Cruiser and they gave us fair value for the trade. We wrote in they had to fix the air flow direction knob as condition of sale. I was quite happy overall. Then, the fun started…
Two weeks after buying the car, the lights around the speedometer went out. By chance, the sales guy followed up that day to see how we liked the car. We told them the lights went out on the speedometer, but he didn’t car. “Call service, that’s not part of your warrantyâ€. I called service and they wanted over $700 to replace the bulbs. I went to AutoZone and purchased the bulbs and a Chilton’s book for $30. Add 1 hour of my time and the speedometer worked like a champ. I’m all for mark-up, but $670!? Strike One.
Six months later, the air flow know doesn’t work again. Service wants $1,000 to fix it. I explained they had fixed it once and it didn’t even last 6 months. I’m not saying warranty everything for the life of the car, but a $1,000 repair (I saw the “bill†the first time when they fixed it as part of my deal) should last more than 6 months. I explained this to the service manager who agreed! Great, we’re getting somewhere. After a week, he didn’t call me back. After another week of me calling him everyday, I finally talked to him. He said “there’s no more good will dollars on that car, there’s nothing I can doâ€. In other words, I got too good of a deal on the car so they aren’t going to stand behind their work. Nice. Strike Two.
This winter has been horrible. My girlfriend hits a snow bank and rips off the front bumper. She calls over there to get the part number for the front bumper cover so we can start shopping price. They tell her “we don’t give out that information over the phone.†What!? Okay, they must be playing jacked up game. So, I drive down there and they still won’t give me the part number. Gave me a price, but no part number. Said it was against company policy. So I speak to a manager. Explain that I bought the car there, serviced my car there (car really hasn’t needed much in the last two years…just that stupid air direction thing for $1,000), and now I’m looking for a part number but the parts guy won’t give it to me. Manager shrugs his shoulders quoting company policy so he can’t give it to me. Strike Three.
Oh, and to add insult to injury…if you ever want to go to parts, they close at 5. The front door to the building says 6, their website says 6, but trust me…they close at 5. And, you’re OUT!!
I will never step foot on their lot for anything, not a car, not service, not a part. I will be going to Des Moines Chrysler as they gave me my part number. Please tell everyone you know…DON’T GO TO STEW HANSEN FOR ANYTHING!!! Make them accountable for their work and their attitude toward customers. I believe in doing right by the customer, at least what is fair. They won’t work with you on anything.
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