City Beat: Why are car dealerships so comfortable?

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All my life I've heard people talk about how much they dislike buying a car, especially from a dealer or used-car lot. I've heard people say they'd rather have root canal procedures done every day of the week than go through the hassle of buying a car.

I never really understood what the big deal was, and I've always assumed it was because they didn't like the dickering and haggling over the price and/or they didn't like the idea that they are being conned into buying a bad car. I get that, because I've always been a soft touch, willing to settle on the first price just to get it over with, so I tend to avoid getting into those situations.

photo Barry Courter

I sit here today, however, with an understanding that the haggling is the fun part. It's the waiting that can turn a grown man into a whining 3-year-old. To be fair, though, I didn't throw myself onto the floor, nor did I run screaming between the tables - but I wanted to.

Until almost two years ago, I'd only bought two cars from someone I didn't know and never from a car lot. Of the dozen or so cars I've owned, I found two of them looking through the classified ads in our newspaper. One was a dud and the other remains my favorite car ever and led to my buying a string of similar makes.

Every other vehicle came from a family member or friend I knew and trusted. I tend to buy used and cheap, figuring I'd rather get hit with a repair bill once a year than to have a monthly payment, and I drive them until they simply stop running. This is not the best way for everyone, especially for people who require things like heat, or comfort in knowing the car will get you back home. My last car had no heat, and I had to run the heat on another to keep the engine from overheating.

My first experience buying from a professional car salesman was not unpleasant, not unlike just getting the one root canal from a dentist who understands the beauty of good drugs.

I got my first clue that our visit to a dealership over the weekend was not going to go well when I joked that such places shouldn't have such well-appointed waiting rooms. With big TVs, comfy chairs and a kitchenette with food and drinks, it's a comfortable space. Too comfortable.

Three hours into our four-and-a-half-hour visit, the whining started. I'm not proud of it, mind you. It got really bad when the salesman offered us lunch. We'd been there so long, they were willing to feed us. I mean it was a nice offer, but really? I think I was perhaps a little too abrupt when we finally got back to begin signing a stack of papers thick enough to crush a family sedan, and I was told to "have a seat. Make yourself at home."

I blurted out "I'd rather not. I'd rather be at home" before I knew it. Fortunately, I don't think he heard me through the pacifier.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.

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