I'll admit--this is essentially a rant. I'll try to glean some value out of it, however...

I'm a frequent visitor of Ebay Motors. I'm always looking and seeing what's out there. Whenever I check out the RL section, I notice nearly ALL of the advertisements describe Acura RL Technology Package. Nearly all of them. It seems to me that the sellers are so completely ignorant about this car, nor do they take the time to do their research, that they don't realize many of the vehicles listed (2005 models and 2006 models) don't even have the technology package.

Now, if the ad is for a 2007 model, with technology package, that's great. However, the majority of the listings lead me to believe that the seller gets the car, notices the navigation system and says, "Gee, this must have the Technology Package; that'll be a GREAT sell!!!"

Why is it that many dealers couldn't give a rats arse about cars? Further, why not take the time to know what you're actually selling? I typically know TONS more than the sales people, and to me that just doesn't seem right. A sales person should know the product they're selling like the back of their hand.

---

End of rant.

 

I have a feeling this is going to get moved to Rambling but I know what you mean. People that mislead other people suck!

 

Although, the 2006 did have a technology package, which was the ACC CMBS PAX
2005 no options, everything included but no ACC CMBS PAX available
2006 standard, same as 2005, everything included.
2006 technology package adds ACC CMBS and PAX
2007, you know the rest of the story.

I agree that the ads are misleading and those advertising a technology package for 2006 are mostly never talking about the real technology package (ACC CMBS PAX)!

And I also agree that this will soon be moved to the Ramblings as soon as bob sees this.

 

I think the confusion over this is really Acura's fault. An 05 RL is the equivallent of a 06 base model or an 07 tech package. the 06 tech package is the equivallent of the 07 CMBS/PAX and had no equivallent model in 05.

The problem occured after they named the 06 RL tech package, then decided that in 07 "tech package" would refer to navi RDX and MDX, and they changed the naming on the RL to follow suit.

But your right, know what your selling.

 

Ask most people if they know what an Acura RL is. If you can get any type of response acknowledging the model, then worrry about the content.

 

how true. Acura what?

 

I think they make the "mistake" on purpose. They know exactly what they're doing. Anything to get you in the door. When you arrive and find that it doesn't have the package, there's a chance you might still buy it.

Perfect example: Back in 1985 when I bought my first car, I wanted a 1982 Toyota Supra but not the "L" model. I called a dealer who had the perfect car. I called to make sure it wan't an "L" and the guy said it wasn't. When I got there, to my disappointment, it was an "L" model. However, I wound-up buying a new 1985 Corolla GT-S. I would have never gone if the guy didn't lie to me and they sold a new car.

 

Indeed. Every used car is "Absolutely Loaded" and in "Mint Condition". Except for the feature you wanted on that model and the huge dent in the fender. Oh, and the guy that traded it in...it was only 'Fair' condition.

 

And don't forget how the dealers spend so much $ prepping the used cars for sale and "standing behind them." What a crock. I'd love to see a Carmax on every corner just to rationalize used car/trade-in prices.

 

"It was driven by an old lady"....that's my favorite line.

 

Haha, a Toyota Supra driven by an old lady. That must have been a great selling point.

 

Customers lie and say they're coming in and they don't so why should the 'other side' not lie to them to get them to visit? If they show you have a chance to sell them a car.

 

Sick 'em CL6!

No body leaves without buying a car! (or singing the Blues - "Adventures in Babysitting!")

 

Hey buyers are liars and there's an ass for every seat.

I have played 'dumb' a few times but only with the jackasses. Most people are pretty decent. You, however, I might have had drive 100 miles for a car that wasn't there!

 

Here in Metro Boston the dealers are especially bad/good at that sort of thing...fortunately for me, I work less than a mile from a dealer, so if I want to look at something it's less than a minute away.

 

I'm in sales and I agree that customers lie...way more than sales people do. We (salespeople) get a bad rap because customers think that we get $3.00 in commission for every $1.00 that they spend and they treat us that way. Little do they know, we make pennies on a dollar...at least in the computer industry anyway.

Like I said, CL6, in my "Supra" story, they got a sale out of me so I don't hold it against them. I couldn't have been happier with my purchase either so they did me a favor.

 

Customers lie way more than sales people do, you're right but I can understand why.

Sometimes the car you want is sold and it works out anyway and that's a great thing. Sometimes it doesn't 'work out' and the customer gets mad and blows up but, hey, it's all part of the biz.

But let's say you're a Lexus dealer and you have an 05 RL... so many cars out there and variations it's kind of tough to know everything about them when Mr. Customer has spent 40 hours reading up on his 'dream car' on Edmunds before calling you.

 

You make a good point about dealers selling an off-brand car that was likely a trade-in. Mr Customer knows what they're looking for while Mr Dealer simply has a car they don't see much of. How are they to know that the car with the NAV system is particular model variant when the car isn't otherwise labeled with anything? Even the 2G Legend didn't have the L, LS, or GS labels on the car -- you really had to now how they were equipped for a particular year.

So, its easy to see how someone could have an '05 RL on hand and look at the website to determine which model it is. It has a camera, so it must be the tech package. They have no way of knowing that '05s were packaged differently than the '07.

Rob144

 

But it seems to me that if you're in the business of selling cars, you should know the cars that you sell. If you're unfamiliar with the vehicle, get familiar with it; do your research and make sure you know what you're dealing with. Put some effort into it.

Seems to me that many people couldn't care less about the work that they do; it's just for the buck. Whatever happened to putting passion into one's work? You know, giving it your all? If you don't enjoy what you're doing, and don't care to get intimate with the product you're selling, get out of the business.

 

Best post of the day.

 

No cash?; no credit?; no problem!!!

 

If car sales people HAD to know the products better, they would. People come-in and buy cars no matter what. Some people buy a car based on the color so why would the salesperson waste time learning features if you don't need to?

 

How many people are going to learn that you could tell which model of Legend it is by the seat heaters it may or may not have? Where would you even look that up? You might be a Ford dealer and have 75 Fords but have 50 non-Fords. Sure you may learn if the non-Fords have a V6 or leather or automatic but there are just too many variations and brands to know so much about every car. Of course, you should know about Fords and if you don't that's going to hurt in your wallet. But, pay in car sales is down so much that you'll find fewer and fewer pros because pros don't deal with stuff like that unless they're making bank and that's getting harder to find. But the consumer saves money but gets worse service... which is fair.

 

How many people are going to learn that you could tell which model of Legend it is by the seat heaters it may or may not have? Where would you even look that up? You might be a Ford dealer and have 75 Fords but have 50 non-Fords. Sure you may learn if the non-Fords have a V6 or leather or automatic but there are just too many variations and brands to know so much about every car. Of course, you should know about Fords and if you don't that's going to hurt in your wallet. But, pay in car sales is down so much that you'll find fewer and fewer pros because pros don't deal with stuff like that unless they're making bank and that's getting harder to find. But the consumer saves money but gets worse service... which is fair.

 

The statement above is true,,,service you pay for- just like anything else. Many claim to offer it-few actually do!

 

Agreed, to a point. I would expect a new car dealer to know the ins and outs of all the models on their lot. It can be annoying to feel you know as much or more than the salesman. However, the used car lot is a different animal.

I must be in a sympatehtic mood on this. I can see where a used car just appears on the lot. Perhaps it is a trade-in, and the salesman only knows that it is an Acura RL (they'd get points in my book just for that). It would take some research or foreknowledge to know which package it was.

With all the packages that mid-luxury cars are going to (especially Infiniti), I'd be hard pressed to tell if I was looking at a Sport, Technology, Journey, Premium, Aero, Luxury, or whatever package a particular maker offered in a particular year. I can't imagine a salesman bothering, especially if the car will come and go in a few days or weeks. Maybe the Blue Book takes care of all that for them.

Sometimes people just want a particular car and never know what package it has -- the price and the timing are correct.

Rob144

 

Take note of RLs on a Lexus lot; or vice versa. The dealer should still know what he's dealing with--his competition. Isn't part of the game knowing exactly what your competition is all about?

IMO, I just don't see any excuse for not knowing about a car when you're in the car business--plain and simple.