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I started this website as a way of spreading the word that buying a new (or used) vehicle doesn't have to be something to be feared or hated. It not only can, but should be a fun and exciting experience!

The sad reality is that car sales people are not looked on in the most flattering light. Everyday I see people coming into the dealership I work at, with their defenses up before they even get out of their car. They need a car, but they assume they're going to be up against a pushy sales person that will have one thing on his (or her) mind - selling a vehicle. You can see these people tense up before they get out of their cars. I've walked up to people on the lot, who don't know me, and they've actually thrown their arms up in the air and said; "I'm just looking, you're not going to sell me anything today!" I haven't even said Hello at this point, and they are already defensive. This is likely due to a variety of reasons, from past experiences with that type of sales person, to stories from others about dealings with sales people, and even car salespeople from TV and movies. This starts us off on the wrong foot, especially because I am not that type of sales person. When someone comes in with that attitude, it takes a while for them to relax enough to realize I'm not like that, and I'm not actually there to "sell" them a car. I'm there to assist them in finding the vehicle that's right for them. If you're ready to buy a car, remember that I'm not here to "sell" you a car, I'm here to help you buy one, so click on the "Contact me" link to get my contact info.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SALES PERSON AND A SALES PROFESSIONAL

When you decide it's time to buy a car, the last thing you want is to go up against a pushy, aggressive salesperson. I say "Up against" because that's what it seems like. You feel like you find yourself in a battle of sorts with this type of person, when what you wanted in the first place was someone to help you find the car that's right for you. I've seen people walk away from the car they really wanted because they didn't like the salesperson.

When you are ready to buy a car, you have a need, and you want a salesperson who can satisfy your needs and help get you into the vehicle that's right for you. You don't want one who is only interested in making a sale. It's all about you and satisfying your needs. That's how it should be! A true sales professional understands this and that is why they are there.

Ideally, you should be greeted by a salesperson within a reasonably short period of time after you enter the lot. Don't mistake this for a pushy salesperson - it's too early to tell that yet. Someone who greets you promptly is simply telling you that they don't want to waste your time.

Be honest...if you're there looking for a vehicle to buy (and why else would you be there?), say so. Why beat around the bush? If they don't have what you want, you're not going to buy there anyway, so you have nothing to lose by letting the salesperson know what you are looking for. Even if you don't see it on the lot, many dealers have cars out back, or in the shop, or in the clean-up bays. If you don't tell the salesperson what you are looking for, you might be missing the car of your dreams because it was in getting washed.

So many times I've encountered customers being misleading or downright dishonest with the salesperson simply because they expect the salesperson to be dishonest with them. This can only work against you! People say "I'm just looking" (when they really want to buy) and the salesperson may walk away saying "I'll be over there, let me know if you have any questions". He (or she) won't hear you tell your friend "I would buy this car if it was blue", and the salesperson won't have the chance to tell you that they are getting a blue one in on trade tomorrow when the customer picks up their new one.

A better example of misleading or being dishonest to the salesperson would be telling them you found one just like it cheaper at another dealership, when in reality you haven't. You just said that to try to get the price down. A Sales Professional (as opposed to just a sales person, as mentioned above) will be concerned more with your best interest than simply making a sale. The sales pro will go over with you some of the things that will effect vehicle pricing (this is found more on used lots than new). The kilometers (or miles), will drastically alter the pricing on a used vehicle. One with 20,000 kms on it will be worth more than one with 100,000 kms on it, provided all other factors are equal. Those other factors I mentioned could be options, general condition, warranty, model (SE, LS, LTZ, SS, etc), and age. Even one year difference in the age of the vehicle can mean a difference of thousands of dollars in price. If it's determined that you are indeed looking at two very comparable vehicles and you can get the other one cheaper, that may be your best way to go, and the true sales pro will accept that, rather than try to talk you into getting theirs anyway.

It's true that if you buy from the salesperson at Dealer B, the sales pro at Dealer A will get nothing, but you will remember him (or her) as someone who had your best interest at heart and treated you the way you deserved to be treated. Dealer B may have had the car you wanted, but Dealer A had the sales pro you really trusted and wanted to deal with. Which one will you be telling your friends to go see? Where a typical salesperson can't see past today's sale, a true sales pro will think about the future and know that if they treat people right, they will send their friends. Go ahead and recommend a sales pro to your friends and family. If they treated you right, you want your friends and family to get that same good treatment too, right?