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10) Sales Guys

I didn't see any women in the sales trenches, only men. I feel sorry for most of them. It can't be easy. They are rumpled and unkempt, some extraordinarily so. Many are overweight. When you see them alone at their desks, they are scarfing candy and look lonely and nervous, ready to jump out of their own skin. As far as appearance goes, I guess it's a combination of a)declining dress codes everywhere--men in most jobs these days look like they're going to a barbecue b)they want you to know they are "just folks" with bills to pay, which leads to c)sympathy element. If you leave without buying, several of them including the boss, will surround you, sort of like sorority "hot boxing."

9) Explanations of timing belts

Of course I'm the one who asks--why should I buy [this brand] rather than [that brand]? But when they start in on their spiel, I'm sorry I asked. Some of them really don't seem to know. Every one of them says their brand keeps its value the longest. Sigh. Every web site says something different. Consumer Reports makes my brain hurt. In the end, you just want to sweep all the info off the desk and onto the floor. LET'S TAKE THIS OUTSIDE, OKAY? MANO A MANO. I can see why guys revert to brute force. SHUT THE FK UP!

8) That horrible question--what will it take for you to buy this car today? Well, I don't really want to buy today. But there must be some number that if you hear it, you will buy. Isn't that right? Oh god, please help me.

7) The Veiled Hint.


This happens when you are about to leave and they suggest that they could do better when you're ready. "Don't buy a car until you call me, okay? Will you call me and let me get in on the bidding?"

6) Freezing cold showrooms

5) The test drive. I don't want to test drive it. I wouldn't be looking at this car if I didn't have confidence that it has a good ride, nice dashboard, yada yada. Salesmen have a hard time dealing with this. I compromised with one of them and let him test drive it. That wasn't bad.

4)Consultations with unknown "boss." I sit there twiddling my thumbs while Sales Guy disappears to speak with Grand Wizard. Why don't they set up showroom like Wizard of Oz with smoke and special effects? I AM THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ. Blah blah blah.

3) Tearful farewell.

They do NOT want to let you out the door. Each Sales Guy has his own version of this. When I get back into my car (soon to be heartlessly dumped), I am emotionally drained.

2) Trying to decide which car is better.

Maybe this price isn't so good when you consider blah blah blah. It's easy to decide which Sales Guy is better. Some of them are not professional at all. One told me that the car he was offering me would match my hair. Hmmm, now there's a reason to buy.

1) The deals, the games, the subterfuge. I'm not a car person. I'm not like Californians who ARE their cars. They love their cars and identify with them to an extraordinary degree. I just want a car that starts. You know? I don't want a status car like a Beamer or a Lexus. My friends all have those and you know something--they seem to be in the shop often. Every time they are in, it's five hundred bucks for whatever it is. That's why I'm looking at the three I'm looking at. These dealers need to understand that women are shoppers. We like to look around and compare. It's also very much a popularity contest and that isn't right. But the car that I originally thought and still think is probably the best of the three is the one I'm definitely not going to buy. Why? Didn't like the guy.


HELP! And I want to buy before the sales tax goes up on Aug. 1. Although if they have another one of those tax-free days like they did last August, that would be a HUGE savings for me. What to do...........
Brain cramps, dear reader.
A bientot,
love,
becky

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