I think I caught a Toyota dealer lying to me today.

Some of us know how to use it to research what features are available on different trim offerings to prioritize & make a responsible decision rather than rely on the stealership salesman. I went to the local dealer first for a few reasons. They were close, I wanted to see a Prius with the black interior to determine whether I wanted that color, abd, hopefully, to test drive one. Unfortunately that was during the emergency brake recall so I only got to sit in one with a black interior. That helped me decide it was too dark and I wanted a different color.

I dealt remotely with my preferred salesman until he told me they had just received a car I might be interested in. We drove there, had a test drive, bought it, waited for the pre-delivery preparation completion. & drove it home.

 

That people who say they are just killing time and not buying might really be buyers, so they ignore a lot of what people say -- and it works, sometimes.
I dislike traditional car salesmen ... a lot. They make up answers about technical details and have no value add for me.

Mike

 

OK, I get that.

The last time I was car shopping, I walked out of 3 different dealerships when the first salescritter who approached me totally ignored what I told him/her about my requirements for model and features.
They were focused in on selling what they had on the lot and not what I wanted.

I ended up buying at a dealership 60 miles away.
THEY got the one I wanted shipped in from 200 miles away.

 

My salesman spent 45 minutes in the car demonstrating features before our test drive. He also admitted when he was unsure about something.

 

I moved from an area that I had two dealerships that I trusted and would not try to upsell to an area with two dealerships I have had issues with.
At one dealership while their for an oil change they were telling everyone their wipers needed replaced including me. I had replaced the wipers the month prior to the visit. They once showed me a cabin air filter that was filthy and asked if I wanted it changed. I advised them it was not mine as I mark my filters with my initials when I change it. They also told me I was leaking fluid and they could fix it for $400.00. When I asked to see it and have it shown to me they came back and apologized saying they had another 10 year old Prius same model same color in the shop that was leaking. Lately if I go there they are not trying to sell me extras.
The other dealership we had a hub cap come off the car on the way home after a tire rotation. We called and of course every time we called someone was supposed to call us back. They never did. Finally got it taken care of. Tried to buy a new car from them. After five or so hours at the dealership we agreed on a price and shook hands on it. When the paperwork arrived it was two hundred dollars more than we shook hands on. When we questioned it the sales person said the sales manager and him had a misunderstanding and that if we wanted the car it would be the higher price. We left and a block away from the dealership the salesman called us. He told us he went to his sales manager talked to him about the price difference. The sales manger then called the owner who was at another dealership who agreed to take the original price. I told him that was a lot of calls and talking done for us to only be a block away. I think after being at the dealership that long most people who notice the price difference would pay it just to get it over with.
What I find funny is that the second dealership has a billboard near the first dealership trying to poach customers. They are only around 40 miles apart from each other.
With the turn over the dealerships have sometimes you get good sales people and service reps sometimes you don't.
I recently called both dealerships and a private garage we get work done at. For an upcoming 150,00 mile service including brake fluid and coolant change The dealer ships were $84 apart and the private mechanic was more that the dealer.

 

^^ see . . . stealership

 

when they verbally tell me that, I Reply back “no worries, I’ll crash into other cars and gaurd rails when I need to stop.” I rotate my own tires so I know how much pad depth I have left. It’s just fun to watch their reactions.

 

Dealers don't have new cars to sell so their shops are literally paying the bills.

 

Most of the correspondents are missing the point when it comes to brake fluid changes. The reason that brake fluid needs to be changed is because it is hydroscopic. It readily absorbs water. The danger here is that if the fluid has not been changed at the recommended interval, then if the vehicle is involved in a heavy stop, the water in the fluid can boil and cause serious brake failure.

 

I think this is the actual word you meant to use: Hydrophilic | Definition of Hydrophilic by Merriam-Webster

 

Hygroscopic

 

Having lived in Christchurch for a year, I agree that you should change the brake fluid regularly. In dry climates like the western U.S. brake fluid can last indefinitely. I have a tester that measures water content of brake fluid. After 12 years and 103,000 miles water content is low, brakes work perfectly and my pads have 70% thickness left. Love that regenerative braking.

 

Yup.

 

Yeah, this is why I don't tend to go to dealerships for work. It's best to find high rated near by places according to reviews.