So I’m obviously in the market for a new car, and being a textbook Gen-X’er I’ve done all my research on-line. I’ve settled on a new 2008 Honda Accord EX-L Nav. (I know, it’s not very sexy, but you want your high-tech, mobile Realtor to have a smart and practical side, right?) I’ve figured out what I’m willing to pay, including sales tax and DMV fees, how much I’m putting down and how much I’m going to finance. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ve got a plan.

So now the question becomes where am I going to buy the car and what is that experience gong to be like? As I said, I’ve done the research and determined what I’m willing to pay and I’m prepared to go from dealer to dealer to get the deal I think is fair. I’m not looking forward to it, but I’m going to be strong - do the deal on my terms or move on. Hey, I’m in the negotiation business too.

So this morning in the office, I’m talking to Brian, psyching myself up - I want to get the car in the next few days. Then Brian reminds me that we have a friend and client who is a fleet/internet manager at the Honda shop in San Leandro. Of course! I gotta call Ray and see if he can do my deal!

We work by referral, we’re about creating a great experience, and we’re always negotiating towards win-win solutions. Whay can’t a car dealer, in this day and age, work on the same principles?

They can.

Within 15 minutes, Ray gave me, over the phone, an out-the-door price that was almost $500 less than the bottom-line number I was looking for. He assured me that if I called ahead, he could get the car and the paperwork ready so that I could get in and out in under an hour. No haggling, no checking with his manager, no optional undercoating.

I was stunned - in a good way. This is how it’s supposed to work. This is why you work with people you know. No pressure, no guilt, no need to rush down there. Just the peace of mind to know that I’ve got a guy who will take care of me when I’m ready to buy a Honda.

Hey Ray, thanks. Thanks for the deal, and thanks for the reminder. I’ll see you soon.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 6:32 am and is filed under Experiences. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.