Don't ask Chrissy if "she's got her husband's permission to buy a new car."
One of my brothers co-owns a few dealerships in Montana and he's recently branched out to New Orleans and he would, I'm sure, be mortified that some salesman pulled this stunt. Not because he thinks women are easy targets when purchasing a car and he thinks the guy could have just been more subtle in his sexism---I'm sure he doesn't think that, and if he does, we'll we're going to HAVE WORDS---but because everyone's, man or woman, money is green. You don't discriminate against money. What a way to blow a sale. Holy poor salesmanship, Batman!
Which prompts the question: what is it with the automotive industry that makes the men who work in it think they can take advantage of women? And this doesn't only cover buying a car, but getting one fixed as well. Isn't this just bad business? I know there's one born every minute, but why is this habit so pronounced in the auto industry?
Case in point: I got suckered one day during an oil change. I'd put six thousand miles on the puppy, the oil needed to be changed so I took it to a Jiffy Lube. While the car was being serviced, one of the crew guys came in to show me how filthy my air filter was and that it should be changed, toute suite. It looked dirty to me, so I authorized the change. It, of course, cost extra. When I got home I told the husband about it, he shook his head, told me that it didn't need to be changed and that I'd been had. He told me the next time they hit me up for an air filter, I was to take the old one outside, smack it around a few times to knock the dust loose, hold it up to the sun, and if I couldn't see sunlight through it only then was I to allow them to change it.
Sure enough, after another six thousand miles, they hit me up again for another air filter (even though it was the same shop and they had computerized records of what had been done last time). I did precisely what the husband had told me to do. I could see sunshine coming through it. I walked back into the shop and told the guy, "no, thank you." He gaped at me and went back into the service bay without speaking another word. I will fully admit it's my fault that this happened, because I just didn't know enough about air filters at that point to know when they needed to be replaced.
Don't get me started on serpentine belts!
So, the question of the day is this: why, at car dealerships and repair shops, do you have to prove you aren't a sucker before they'll treat you fairly? While I'm sure there are a fair number of men who don't know anything about cars who've also been suckered on the upsell, it seems to me that this practice is carried out more on women. We have to prove our worthiness to get a good deal. And that ain't fair. Because I know any number of men who have no idea what it takes to keep a car up and running, yet, because they're male, no one bothers trying to take advantage of them. I know many dealerships and repair shops have made a concerted effort in recent years at resolving this problem. But I also know a fair number of women who still have issues with this and won't set foot on a dealer's lot without a man in tow because they're afraid they'll be taken advantage of.
Discuss.
Posted by Kathy at June 24, 2005 12:37 PMOh, honey, don't get me started.
This was just the tip of the freakin' iceberg!!
Now, I consider myself a fairly savvy human being. I can hold my own and have many times against men much older and far more experienced, both inside the courtroom and out; however, anything, I mean *anything* dealing with vehicles and repair absolutely renders me feeling like an incompetent fool.
I HATE it!
Therefore, when I find a mechanic or car salesman that I *trust*, he has pretty much earned my business for life.
Excellent post.
Posted by: Chrissy at June 24, 2005 12:59 PMYou want an answer?
Here it is: Some men are pigs.
You want revenge?
Be creative.
That's my motto.
Posted by: Phoenix at June 24, 2005 02:23 PMThere's one type of belt you'd best replace per the mfr's schedule (and occasionally it does look serpentine). Thats the timing belt. Some engines are designed such that if this belt breaks, the pistons hammer the valves. $$$$$$$$
This is only true for some cars, maybe only with overhead cams(?).
Check the manual or ask a trusted wrenchturner. Its not like losing the belt to the alternator or power steering.
I will concur with so much of what you've written in this post, save one little item. Please, please, please do not kick around or otherwise knock about your air filter and then put it back on your car.
I will admit that an air filter that "looks dirty" might still have many miles of life in it. But trying to knock the dirt out on the curb (or the mechanics head) is not a good idea. Most of the filters out there nowadays are tight weaves of composite materials. When these materials are subjected to sudden bashing, they start to break down and form dust. This dust settles inside your air filter. When you next start your car, that dust gets sucked out of the filter and into your engine.
That is bad. In fact it is called "dusting an engine." This can cause many many expensive and inconvenient damages to your car's engine. In fact, I've seen an engine or two needing complete replacement due to repeated dusting.
Don't always get suckered into the new filter (but frankly, a new filter isn't such a bad thing). But don't take your troubles out on the old one before replacing it.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at June 27, 2005 02:26 PMI have to agree with you! People in the car business are ***holes, and I'm a dealer / principal!!! I can't tell you how many people I meet in the business that absulutely skeeve me.
I have been in business 17 years, and have done things unconventionally. For starters, I don't have any salespeople, either in sales or service. Secondly, I have two women who actually run my dealership (mother & daughter). They are two of the most honest people you will ever meet. We don't try to get customers to buy what they don't need, and never push anything on them. If you don't like the car don't buy it. We only perform service on vehicles we sell, and do not solicit any "outside" work, although we have a long list of customers who are "customers for life".
Car dealers are not all scumbags. I am able to sleep at night and can live with my profession because I run a business with integrity & morals. I wish others did as well but like other professions, there will always be good & bad.
Find a dealer who is not pushy, and is willing to let you walk out the door without chasing you. That's the one you want to deal with!
Good Luck!
Bob Peixinho