Per the local CBS station, Suzuki Cars of McKinney has been dropped by the Better Business Bureau for unethical business practices. A large volume of customer complaints led to a BBB undercover investigation as CBS 11 reports:
http://cbs11tv.com/local/Suzuki.Cars.of.2.1379440.html
It is stories like this that give dealers everywhere a bad name. And it's a shame.
You would think some people would learn they need to do business the right way.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
How To Buy Your Next New Car Online And Get Best Possible Price
A friend just sent me a link to a presentation by a gentleman named Rob Gruhl at the Ignite Conference in Seattle a few years ago.
http://consumerist.com/2009/12/buy-a-new-car-without-getting-ripped-off.html#comments
It's quick, clear and concise and hits on some great points. Very well done.
Selfishly, almost everything he is touches on are the consumer pain points that led to our creation of AutoBidsOnline.com. Watch the video and pay particular attention to the following:
Says Rob: Give yourself a lot of time - two full weekends.
Says ABOL: Screw that. Use online dealer competition to minimize your time.
Says Rob: Get pre-approved for financing from local bank or credit union.
Says ABOL: Absolutely! The dealer may have better financing but you need to have a pre-approved loan (or cash budget) prior to negotiations.
Says Rob: Don't trade in your old car at the dealership.
Says ABOL: Absolutely - if you have the stomach and financial ability to sell privately. However, if you don't want to go through that hassel, at least get a guaranteed buy bid from CarMax and/or AutoTrader. Your local bank or credit union may give you a bid as well. If the dealer will match your best price, then it will be much easier to trade with the dealer. He does the title work and pays off any existing loan. Just make sure you are getting a reasonable deal before trading with the dealer.
Says Rob: Select 3 (or more) different cars to increase your options.
Says ABOL: Absolutely! It is amazing how emotionally attached people get to a car. Dealers use this to their advantage. However, it is equally amazing how quickly the newness wears off that new car and the emotional attachment withers away. There are very likely several cars in your desired class that will provide similar performance. Try to focus on the one that provides you with the best VALUE and you will be way ahead when it comes time to trade in 2-4 years.
Says Rob: Don't buy a car when you test drive.
Says ABOL: ABSOLUTELY!
Says Rob: Call up to 8-10 dealers to get into a competitive bidding situation.
Says ABOL: Screw that. Submit an anonymous buy bids at AutoBidsOnline and let dealers compete to be the first one to meet it.
Says Rob: Get the "drive it off the lot" price.
Says ABOL: Absolutely. We call it the cash price. If I paid you cash out of my wallet today, how much do I need to hand you to get title to the car?
Says Rob: Stick to your guns!
Says ABOL: Absolutely. However, the beauty of ABOL is the consumer's ability to rate the dealer experience.
Says Rob: Say no in the back room.
Says ABOL: Don't ever ENTER the back room. Arrange for delivery of your new car at your local bank branch, home or office.
http://consumerist.com/2009/12/buy-a-new-car-without-getting-ripped-off.html#comments
It's quick, clear and concise and hits on some great points. Very well done.
Selfishly, almost everything he is touches on are the consumer pain points that led to our creation of AutoBidsOnline.com. Watch the video and pay particular attention to the following:
Says Rob: Give yourself a lot of time - two full weekends.
Says ABOL: Screw that. Use online dealer competition to minimize your time.
Says Rob: Get pre-approved for financing from local bank or credit union.
Says ABOL: Absolutely! The dealer may have better financing but you need to have a pre-approved loan (or cash budget) prior to negotiations.
Says Rob: Don't trade in your old car at the dealership.
Says ABOL: Absolutely - if you have the stomach and financial ability to sell privately. However, if you don't want to go through that hassel, at least get a guaranteed buy bid from CarMax and/or AutoTrader. Your local bank or credit union may give you a bid as well. If the dealer will match your best price, then it will be much easier to trade with the dealer. He does the title work and pays off any existing loan. Just make sure you are getting a reasonable deal before trading with the dealer.
Says Rob: Select 3 (or more) different cars to increase your options.
Says ABOL: Absolutely! It is amazing how emotionally attached people get to a car. Dealers use this to their advantage. However, it is equally amazing how quickly the newness wears off that new car and the emotional attachment withers away. There are very likely several cars in your desired class that will provide similar performance. Try to focus on the one that provides you with the best VALUE and you will be way ahead when it comes time to trade in 2-4 years.
Says Rob: Don't buy a car when you test drive.
Says ABOL: ABSOLUTELY!
Says Rob: Call up to 8-10 dealers to get into a competitive bidding situation.
Says ABOL: Screw that. Submit an anonymous buy bids at AutoBidsOnline and let dealers compete to be the first one to meet it.
Says Rob: Get the "drive it off the lot" price.
Says ABOL: Absolutely. We call it the cash price. If I paid you cash out of my wallet today, how much do I need to hand you to get title to the car?
Says Rob: Stick to your guns!
Says ABOL: Absolutely. However, the beauty of ABOL is the consumer's ability to rate the dealer experience.
Says Rob: Say no in the back room.
Says ABOL: Don't ever ENTER the back room. Arrange for delivery of your new car at your local bank branch, home or office.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
AutoBidsOnline Car of the Week - 09 Infiniti G37
2009 Infiniti G37 4dr Sedan x AWD
This week’s AutoBidsOnline spotlight on the best and brightest in the new car market takes a look at the 2009 Infiniti G37 4dr Sedan x AWD. The G37 continues to lead the way with a stunning array of features including ultra-comfortable seats, an elegant interior and very impressive audio systems. This vehicle stands out for offering overall performance at the top of its class.
"The G-Series line has a 3.7L V6 engine paired with an electronically controlled 7-speed transmission," said Jeff Cook, President of AutoBidsOnline.com. “The AWD x model is a great ride, especially for those of who live in cold weather climates.”
“New to the Infiniti lineup in 2009, the G37 packs a whollup with 330 horsepower and 270 lb. feet of torque. It delivers outstanding performance without reducing driver comfort,” says Cook.
Noted industry expert David Ruggles of the Ruggles Report speaks well of the G37’s resale value: “The 36 month residual of 50% is the strongest we’ve looked at thus far in this series. Like many import OEM's, Infiniti does not sabatoge their vehicles resale value with large up front rebates and incentives. Instead, they let the car's value stand on its own. As such, the G37 should hold up well over time and find owners in an excellent value position when it comes time to trade up for their next new car.”
CHROME REVIEW: None Available
DETAILS:
Invoice/MSRP: $33,029 / $35,750
Current TrueCar Good Price: $34,787 ($893 above invoice)
Current Edmunds.com TMV: $34,266
MPG HWY: 25 mpg
MPG City: 17 mpg
CURRENT REBATES & INCENTIVES: None.
WARRANTY: 4 years / 60,000 miles
RESIDUAL OUTLOOK: Excellent
COMPARABLE VEHICLES: Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Hyundai Genesis
HOW TO GET BEST PRICE: Competitive pressure will always yield the best possible price. If you are looking to get the new Infiniti G37, you would be well served to visit several Infiniti dealers and go armed with as much information as possible.
Our friends at Edmunds.com and TrueCar.com have each performed significant research in stating their thoughts on the real market value of the G37.
However, if you don’t have the time or desire to invest hours in onsite dealer negotiations, you can join AutoBidsOnline.com and set your own price with our new AutoBidIt! feature. It’s all very easy:
- Build out the exact car you want.
- Determine the price you are willing to pay.
- AutoBidIt!
AutoBidsOnline dealers are pre-screened for best of breed business practices and all are committed to straight-forward negotiation and transparent pricing. They will compete to be the first to meet your no-obligation bid as only the first dealer to do so will get your business.
Friday, December 4, 2009
My Take On Fritz Henderson's Sudden Departure
Check out my latest article detailing the firing of Fritz Henderson at GM.
The spinsters claim he stepped down on his own. I'm not so sure about that. See for yourself and let me know what you think!
The spinsters claim he stepped down on his own. I'm not so sure about that. See for yourself and let me know what you think!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Forbes Best and Worst Cars Report
Our friends at Cherokee publishing just reported on Forbes' Magazine's new study of best and worst new and used cars. Pretty damn interesting.
If you happen to own one of the worst USED cars, you would be well served to look for a new one. And if you are here, there is no better place to get that new car than at AutoBidsOnline.com.
Unfortunatley, if you are in a NEW car, you are probably so far under water that it does not make good financial sense to trade out so early.
However, if you are dying to, I would suggest calling our friends at D&M Leasing in Texas. They specialize in getting the most for your trade-in and can frequently pull people out of their cars earlier than usual. They may very well be able to help you out!
If you happen to own one of the worst USED cars, you would be well served to look for a new one. And if you are here, there is no better place to get that new car than at AutoBidsOnline.com.
Unfortunatley, if you are in a NEW car, you are probably so far under water that it does not make good financial sense to trade out so early.
However, if you are dying to, I would suggest calling our friends at D&M Leasing in Texas. They specialize in getting the most for your trade-in and can frequently pull people out of their cars earlier than usual. They may very well be able to help you out!
Cool New Website
I just ran across this. It looks like a goldmine for all you sportsfans: www.mvptones.com. They are creating ringtones from the radio / tv games calls of recent sports events. Pretty cool stuff!
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