The Salesman: Larry

Larry began his career just like any other, with training but on how to sell cars. Larry was taught to go after high pressure sales in which you try to catch people off guard. The idea is to score a quick sale while exploiting people who were weak or uninformed. Larry was also trained to go over to the service department and make small talk with the people waiting for their cars. If he overheard that someone just got hit with a $2000 bill for a new transmission, he was supposed to introduce the benefits of a new car plus a trade-in deal. When he had a customer he was taught to stay with them throughout their visit to make sure they didn’t have the opportunity to talk to other customers. This would prevent them from comparing prices or finding loopholes in the deal.

Larry explained to me that car salesmen are not the enemy. It is actually sales managers who teach tactics to haggle the customers. Car salesmen usually work on 100% commission, and have to answer to their sales manager when they don’t make a sale. However, Larry was not in fear of his sales manager because he knew he was moving in a few months and would no longer be working there. Consequently, Larry ignored nearly every technique he was taught. He would take the time to get to know what the customer wanted, figure out their budget without being pushy and would eventually lead them towards a car that fit their wants, needs, and budget. Ironically, Larry was the top salesman at his dealership for three months in a row before moving.

The Car Buyer: Ronny

Ronny took me back a few years, to when he was eighteen. He explained to me how he just had to have this brand new, yellow Pontiac GTO. It was way out of his price range and he had no credit, yet somehow he was able to purchase his dream car. He didn’t question how it happened; he just knew that the car was his. The catch was that Ronny bought the car on a 6 year loan, with an interest rate of 21% and a monthly payment of $502. “Looking back, I wish I would have listened to my mom,” Larry said, “She tried to tell me I was making a mistake, but I was a hard-headed, uninformed kid who had to get what I wanted.” Now, nearly 5 years later, Ronny still owes about $15,000 on the original price of $22,000. In all, he will pay nearly double the value of his car because of the high interest rate.

My Car Buying Test

When it was time for me to begin my search for a new car, I went in with a fresh outlook. Over the weekend, I visited to two car dealerships. One ended up being the typical dealership (which I won’t name) with the salespeople in their white shirts and gold ties waiting like vultures for their next big sale. The effort was fruitless and I left irritated. Hoping for better results, I visited another local dealership, Park Place Texas, and they blew my expectations away. I was greeted by a friendly young man who genuinely seemed interested in learning about me and what I needed in a new car. I kept in mind all the things I had learned about from Larry but didn’t notice any of the shady tactics. I ended up with my dream car, but unlike Ronny, I received a reasonable finance plan without an outrageous interest rate. I bought a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Convertible and I love everything about it!

Every dealership is different. Larry taught me that not all car salesmen are enemies. There are those dealerships who promote the practice of genuinely wanting to know what customers are looking for. Ronny taught me not to rush into things. It is important to shop around and be mindful of what you can and cannot afford.

Below are listed various different ways to assure that your vehicle is a safe one, equipped with the best possible apparatus to keep it securely under your possession:

Know your Car: It’s important to fully grasp and understand the needs of your SUV and what alarm system it might require. Write down some of the specific amenities you are looking for in your potential car alarm, including features that could be a deal breaker. Be responsible;  however, don’t simply rush into tools and luxuries you simply don’t need.

Seek out Help: Once you’ve ironed out exactly what it is you are looking for, the next step is to seek the assistance of people who can deliver. Check out some local reputable dealers and discover which alarm types match the specifications you pre-determined desires. You’ll also want to take note of installation fees or any other sort of charges that are associated with alarms and brands. Try using the Internet was a resource for finding out information about individual alarms and how they can fit your needs.

Know About the Combo: Nowadays, car alarm technology offers a number of options never seen before, but all beneficial for you and your search for the perfect solution. The combo alarm system, for instance, has provided for multiple communicative outlets to accompany the simplistic detection mechanism of the past. Understand the innovative nature of the car alarm, where it’s heading, and what new concept appeals to you the most when shopping.

Sensors: Also beneficial to your vehicle’s protection could be sensors, so we recommend looking into them and their function briefly. Broken glass sensors alert you when windshields and/or windows were irrevocably smashed, shattered, or damaged. Also, these sensors can detect and alert you when it feels your car doors were forcibly opened with malicious intent.

Convenience is Key: Try looking into remote outputs, which can start your vehicle from a remote connected to your particular keying, allowing you to control the windows and entrance of the automobile without going for your keys.

Keeping Guarded: On many occasions people will leave their vehicles hastily, without taking necessary precautions to lock up and set up the alarm. So even though your ride may be equipped with state of the art technology, it can easily go to waste if not activated at the
necessary times. This is where “passive arming” comes into play. This feature will automatically set the alarm ten to twenty seconds after you depart from your vehicle—assuring that it gets the protection it is ready to provide.

Always Guard Your Car: There are a few ways you can keep your car protected, as if you’ve never even left it alone. This can be accomplished through a nifty little invention called a “two-way communication remote.” This handy device allows you to access detailed information in regards to your automobile’s status at any given time. This will disclose to you any serious concerns, such as when the car is started, or if the alarm has sounded, indicating an unwanted intrusion.

Clearly, selecting the best possible security mechanism for your car is something to approach with care and though. Thoroughly analyze what it is that you want, where you can get it, and explore more options as you learn. The fact of the matter is, there are increasing numbers of carjacking instances and stolen vehicles each year, and it can be an alarming statistic set. But in the end, you can avoid falling victim by being prepared. If you want to avoid being on the list of auto theft victims, we suggest you take caution. Don’t leave obvious valuables exposed in the car, avoid leaving the car in dangerous areas, and remember to lock the doors. But in addition, if you feel the need to add some extra technology to help you sleep at night, there are some great mechanisms and gadgets out there that can be applied practically to keep your car, your car.