4 ms·

No it’s not, and I’d actively encourage not buying a Tesla

by longtimelistnr 5y ago

kcb 5y ago
Then continue the fever dream nightmare that is the car dealership.
- rootusrootus 5y ago
  Walk into a dealer and say "I will pay that price on the window, but on the condition you won't even try to upsell me in F&I." Aside from a minority of shady dealers, most regular car dealers will smile sweetly and tell you where to sign and who to make out the check to. Tesla just formalizes this by forbidding negotiation. Some people like that. But historically people like to negotiate on big purchases. It's a game, how close to invoice can you get, etc. Can't really have it both ways. And frankly, most people like to pick from inventory, too, and have options. Tesla doesn't carry inventory nor do they really have much in the way of options. They're catering to a niche. People who are okay with a limited selection and are willing to wait.
  - shiftpgdn 5y ago
    That is such a naive take. If you promise to pay MSRP they’re going to do everything possible to take you as a mark. No honor amongst thieves. Buy a Tesla.
    - rootusrootus 5y ago
      LOL. I work with dealers as part of my job. They're just going to sell you what you want. The easiest marks are the folks who think they know how to negotiate. If you are straightforward and you follow through, they aren't going to screw around trying to get another few bucks, they're going to take the sale. Don't just go make Elon richer.
  - kcb 5y ago
    >Walk into a dealer and say "I will pay that price on the window, but on the condition you won't even try to upsell me in F&I." Aside from a minority of shady dealers, most regular car dealers will smile sweetly and tell you where to sign and who to make out the check to. Every dealership I've been to will nod their head then precede to upsell you in F&I. They'll make sure you don't actually get to F&I until you've been their for 5 hours where you're so tired, hungry, and agitated you just want to gtfo with your car. That's not to mention todays market where every dealer acts like and prices like its a privilege to be able to pay them $50,000+ for a vehicle.
    - mirceal 5y ago
      where are you people buying your cars? (setting aside the pandemic) you always want to do your research before ever going to a dealer, any dealer. after that you go and see the car + test drive it. after that you talk $$$. if you drag this process for more than 30-40 min or try stupid stuff, as a customer I will get up and walk. Also for my last car the dealer had a guy that was assigned specifically for internet sales and I actually saw the car in person + worked out all the details through email. again, as a customer (minus the pandemic shiftshow which will eventually die down) you have the power to decide what is and what is not acceptable.
    - wbl 5y ago
      Just walk away.
    - kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
      Start a stopwatch when you sit down. Tell them they have 15 minutes to complete the sale or you walk. They can save time by discarding the upsells you're going to decline.
      - JumpCrisscross 5y ago
        > Start a stopwatch when you sit down In this car market they’d be crazy to give up a car without upselling, given manufacturers’ prohibitions on raising prices.
- tptacek 5y ago
  I bought my last car (an Audi) at Carmax. Got within spitting distance of the price I wanted from their list price. A week later, they listed the same car in a higher trim. Carmax swapped the cars; I just paid the difference. It was like buying a TV at Best Buy. But with a better return policy. I don't think you have to buy a Muskmobile to avoid rapacious dealers.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
splitstud 5y ago

No it’s not, and I’d actively encourage not buying a Tesla

kcb 5y ago

Then continue the fever dream nightmare that is the car dealership.

rootusrootus 5y ago
Walk into a dealer and say "I will pay that price on the window, but on the condition you won't even try to upsell me in F&I." Aside from a minority of shady dealers, most regular car dealers will smile sweetly and tell you where to sign and who to make out the check to. Tesla just formalizes this by forbidding negotiation. Some people like that. But historically people like to negotiate on big purchases. It's a game, how close to invoice can you get, etc. Can't really have it both ways. And frankly, most people like to pick from inventory, too, and have options. Tesla doesn't carry inventory nor do they really have much in the way of options. They're catering to a niche. People who are okay with a limited selection and are willing to wait.
- shiftpgdn 5y ago
  That is such a naive take. If you promise to pay MSRP they’re going to do everything possible to take you as a mark. No honor amongst thieves. Buy a Tesla.
  - rootusrootus 5y ago
    LOL. I work with dealers as part of my job. They're just going to sell you what you want. The easiest marks are the folks who think they know how to negotiate. If you are straightforward and you follow through, they aren't going to screw around trying to get another few bucks, they're going to take the sale. Don't just go make Elon richer.
- kcb 5y ago
  >Walk into a dealer and say "I will pay that price on the window, but on the condition you won't even try to upsell me in F&I." Aside from a minority of shady dealers, most regular car dealers will smile sweetly and tell you where to sign and who to make out the check to. Every dealership I've been to will nod their head then precede to upsell you in F&I. They'll make sure you don't actually get to F&I until you've been their for 5 hours where you're so tired, hungry, and agitated you just want to gtfo with your car. That's not to mention todays market where every dealer acts like and prices like its a privilege to be able to pay them $50,000+ for a vehicle.
  - mirceal 5y ago
    where are you people buying your cars? (setting aside the pandemic) you always want to do your research before ever going to a dealer, any dealer. after that you go and see the car + test drive it. after that you talk $$$. if you drag this process for more than 30-40 min or try stupid stuff, as a customer I will get up and walk. Also for my last car the dealer had a guy that was assigned specifically for internet sales and I actually saw the car in person + worked out all the details through email. again, as a customer (minus the pandemic shiftshow which will eventually die down) you have the power to decide what is and what is not acceptable.
  - wbl 5y ago
    Just walk away.
  - kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
    Start a stopwatch when you sit down. Tell them they have 15 minutes to complete the sale or you walk. They can save time by discarding the upsells you're going to decline.
    - JumpCrisscross 5y ago
      > Start a stopwatch when you sit down In this car market they’d be crazy to give up a car without upselling, given manufacturers’ prohibitions on raising prices.
tptacek 5y ago
I bought my last car (an Audi) at Carmax. Got within spitting distance of the price I wanted from their list price. A week later, they listed the same car in a higher trim. Carmax swapped the cars; I just paid the difference. It was like buying a TV at Best Buy. But with a better return policy. I don't think you have to buy a Muskmobile to avoid rapacious dealers.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

splitstud 5y ago