I am too lazy to write reviews, as I don't want to have to sign up and join, yet another site, however, after my experience today, I feel the need to spread goodwill to my fellow mankind. Since it is a rare occasion to find a reputable car dealer, I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't share my juicy tidbit! (After all, I am one of those who doesn't visit a place without reading a review, so I feel it is high time to give a little back!) :)
1) They are located in a high rise building with other luxury offices (call them- they will navigate you in, if you are unsure like I was). They keep their pristine inventory in the COVERED parking garage! What a concept! No paying for acres of prime real estate eating up a frontage road. This is why they can keep their prices rock bottom! This should be every dealer's biz. model. Pure genius!
2) Made a purchase today. Researched what I wanted online and pinpointed it to a Mercedes R350. They had the best deal in town (according to Car guru- with a $2,400 below average retail cost). They offered to take a picture of my license with their phone, rather than disappearing for ten minutes to make a copy, like other dealers. The salesperson didn't need to go with me and high pressure sell me, rather, suggested I not leave my husband and kids stranded and bored and pack up the car seats and take them with me. Wow! They trust me! But, it is probably because they, too, are totally trustworthy. Hmmm, karma!
3) As with any test drive, we hooked up our scan tool to the car via our iPhone to see what computer codes had been thrown. To our shock, this was the first place that had not had them cleared through a dealer mechanic. Impressive! Honest! Nothing to hide. (Showed nearly the max- approx. 233 start ups). Clean! These (or most) have been leased vehicles and, if you ever have leased, you must service via the dealer, or where it is specified and keep it in near perfect condition. This is why I will never lease- too much pressure for me to keep a vehicle in great condition with two kids! However, this is the exact reason why I prefer to purchase a former leased vehicle!
4) Every other time I had purchased a car, I felt the need to haggle, because deep down inside, I knew 1) I was being cheated and 2) I knew I would need to sink some money into it when it broke down in 6 months and wanted to make sure I had some funds left over to do so. However, I knew i was getting a phenomenal deal and wouldn't dream of insulting these guys who were extremely professional and are only interested in moving awesome in-demand luxury vehicles with years of longevity remaining. Plus, they need to eat and are letting us, too! So, since earlier in the day, I had already test driven the same make and model for comparison at a big dealership in Georgetown, who had maybe 1 other vehicle that was in this class (luxury, foreign, high demand), I noticed (online and after I already purchased) that these guys had at least 10 that fit my criteria and in my price range! Super selection, if you are in the market for loaded vehicles at rock bottom prices. I am glad I didn't know about it then, otherwise my husband may have wanted their Land Cruiser, one of their Lexus, 4Runners or other awesome stock.
5) No games, no wasting time, no funny business and no passive aggressive jabs you get at mega dealerships that they use to remain in control (yes, there are tons of little tricks out there and are taught- do a search sometime, it is disgusting). These guys don't have to play games (remember their low overhead?) and are super fast with paperwork. In reality, all dealers should be, but it is part of the game of bouncing you back and forth to their managers a.k.a. sales closers and trying to steal your trade in and sell you a no good warrantee. (You know, the kind where, if you go to a different service station, while traveling on vacation- you void their warrantee because they didn't get to overcharge you for an oil change?)
6) So, because I wrote them a check and saved a bundle, I can afford to sell my luxury diesel sedan on craigslist and make a lot more than any dealer could ever offer. Had I bought the other vehicle I test drove at the mega dealer that day, I would have had to traded in my car to offset the cost (to pay for their property taxes on their mega lot which housed sun burnt vehicles.) The OTHER guys said, without seeing it or asking the year, that my diesel Mercedes would fetch maybe between $500-$1,000 trade in. For a diesel? Yeah right! Luckily, Signature Autos doesn't even have to waste their time offending you by trying to scalp a trade in from you. But this route, I will feel like I won twice, selling it on my own!
FAST (:45 min. incl. a 20 min. test drive) PROFESSIONAL, AFFORDABLE, HONEST & PAINLESS! Its like Mama always said "Don't go to the big casinos in Vegas, where the payouts suck. Go to where the locals go, off the strip!" Well spoken, mom! read more