5 ms·

We had the same experience at a VW dealer. The salesperson was nice, let us take a nice long test drive, and worked out a reasonable deal for us with little pre

We had the same experience at a VW dealer. The salesperson was nice, let us take a nice long test drive, and worked out a reasonable deal for us with little pressure. As soon as we went to the finance side, though (we used VW credit), it turned into Glengarry Glen Ross. Additional warranty, extra fees, extra maintenance plans, and on and on. We sat in what felt like an interrogation room saying "no, thank you" for 30 minutes before we could walk out of there.

ericabiz 13y ago
The finance guys are always the worst. (See my above post; as a hobby, I help friends negotiate on cars.) Here is what I do: I always scout for the finance guy beforehand, and let him know I'm going to say no to everything. They always laugh and say, "Okay, but you know I have to ask you this stuff anyway." So I sit down in the finance room and as he's printing out the "long sheet" I just look him in the eye and say "No" before he even says anything. He'll laugh again but then he'll go through it really fast for you. I have done this countless times and it always works well. P.S. Never buy an extended warranty. Invest that money instead and use it if you need to buy parts later. They are a ripoff and the finance guys know it. If you do feel a great need to give the dealership extra money, know this: The fees, like everything else, are negotiable.
- koblenski 13y ago
  I actually did buy an extended warranty for our Prius. It was a lease, and the warranty then covered the car to the end of the lease. On top of that, it covered all oil changes and maintenance checkups listed in the maintenance schedule. I ran the numbers and found that it was basically the same cost as paying for that maintenance directly, but this way the cost was rolled into the lease payments. I figured it was a clear win for the piece of mind and easier budgeting. Of course, the costs could vary, so always run the numbers.
  - michael_h 13y ago
    When you ran the numbers, were you pricing things out based on how much the dealership charges? I change my own oil for about US$18, but the dealership charges US$342 (an extreme example I admit).
    - koblenski 13y ago
      Wow, I'll say that's extreme, bordering on criminal. Do they wipe down the oil lines with a Q-tip, or something? I went with the dealership charges. Oil changes were US$20-25 and they top off all fluids and tires and give you a free car wash. I can't remember the other maintenance costs off hand, but they came really close to the US$650 for the extended warranty.

ericabiz 13y ago

The finance guys are always the worst. (See my above post; as a hobby, I help friends negotiate on cars.) Here is what I do: I always scout for the finance guy beforehand, and let him know I'm going to say no to everything. They always laugh and say, "Okay, but you know I have to ask you this stuff anyway." So I sit down in the finance room and as he's printing out the "long sheet" I just look him in the eye and say "No" before he even says anything. He'll laugh again but then he'll go through it really fast for you. I have done this countless times and it always works well. P.S. Never buy an extended warranty. Invest that money instead and use it if you need to buy parts later. They are a ripoff and the finance guys know it. If you do feel a great need to give the dealership extra money, know this: The fees, like everything else, are negotiable.

koblenski 13y ago
I actually did buy an extended warranty for our Prius. It was a lease, and the warranty then covered the car to the end of the lease. On top of that, it covered all oil changes and maintenance checkups listed in the maintenance schedule. I ran the numbers and found that it was basically the same cost as paying for that maintenance directly, but this way the cost was rolled into the lease payments. I figured it was a clear win for the piece of mind and easier budgeting. Of course, the costs could vary, so always run the numbers.
- michael_h 13y ago
  When you ran the numbers, were you pricing things out based on how much the dealership charges? I change my own oil for about US$18, but the dealership charges US$342 (an extreme example I admit).
  - koblenski 13y ago
    Wow, I'll say that's extreme, bordering on criminal. Do they wipe down the oil lines with a Q-tip, or something? I went with the dealership charges. Oil changes were US$20-25 and they top off all fluids and tires and give you a free car wash. I can't remember the other maintenance costs off hand, but they came really close to the US$650 for the extended warranty.