How do you prefer your salesperson?

[No one]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

*I wear athletic shorts year round, nearly every day - including to work. The only time I'll wear pants & a shirt with buttons on it is if we have to go to a wedding or a funeral. As long as one looks presentable, I don't judge people buy what they wear in any setting.

At least you wear something. Regarding funerals (or, well, presentable looks) when I was on Tenerife (in a five star hotel) they wouldn't let you eat in the evening if you didn't comply with a "smart casual" dress style: no bare legs/feet or sleeveless tops (t-shirts were allowed) for men. That was for the restaurant. You could order into the room though.

[OtoPA]

I give it a pass when I see everyone else in the dealership wearing the same corporate logo'd Polo. Business casual is a thing. My peeve is when they keep talking to me after I tell them that we're there because the wife is interested in one of their cars. "It's her car...you need to make her happy". Wife was definitely not happy with the condescending MB salesman in Snotsdale, AZ, to the benefit of the BMW dealership.

[BlkGS]

Under 40 here. It doesn't matter what they wear, I know they're gonna try to rip me off, that's their job. So it doesn't really matter what they wear. If they're wearing a suit I know they're at least uncomfortable so that gives me a slight edge in negotiating, so I picked that.

[Jack White]

I’m over 40, though I’m not sure that matters much to anyone. I value a respectful seller. I don’t go to a dealer for myself but we did buy an Audi from a Land Rover dealer. The salesman was super respectful in not upselling, not trying any gimmicks to keep us there any longer than necessary. I appreciate being given common courtesy and respect with any transaction. No tactics, no pressure, no surprises. I could care less what anyone wears.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Jack White

I don’t go to a dealer for myself but we did buy an Audi from a Land Rover dealer. The salesman was super respectful in not upselling, not trying any gimmicks to keep us there any longer than necessary. I appreciate being given common courtesy and respect with any transaction. No tactics, no pressure, no surprises. I could care less what anyone wears.

The last 3 times I went to a dealership to purchase a vehicle was at the same dealership. 1st was for my daughter, but I contacted them prior to visiting. The salesmen set up an appointment time, met me at the door & right up front gave me the keys to the car we were looking at to go drive alone. He had everything ready when I got back. Super smooth transaction.

2nd time was for my brother-in-law for his first car purchase. Contacted the same salesman (now a year later) & he offered to come in on his day off to show my BiL some cars. He met us there, had the cars ready to go, and even got my BiL lower financing than he was approved for by his bank (1.9% for a 1st time buyer w/o any credit). Also applied an additional $500 off the car as a referral discount. This was prime covid & the dealership literally had 7 cars on the lot.

3rd time was for my mother-in-law also buying her first car post-divorce. Called the same salesman (now another year later), and while he was no longer with the dealership, he contacted another salesman there to set up an appointment for us. I felt very bad for this man because my MiL took 4 hours to decide between white & black! She took so long that a transport truck showed up with brand new inventory & she was able to get one right off the truck

[gblansten]

On my second Tesla and the no haggle car purchase was extremely laid back. And the guy I work with was in a casual Tesla branded shirt. No issues. Used the app to process the final pieces of the lease and I was on my way.

My five cars with BMW were much less efficient and definitely not relaxing.

[JABCAT]

One of the best car buying experiences I've had was at a CDJR dealer in American Fork, UT (I believe). The salesman's name was Dempsey Bowling - I remember him 23 years later. Every vehicle was sold at $200 over invoice, no haggle. They also promised to have you out the door in 30 min or you got an additional discount or something. I purchased 4 vehicles from him in 3 years and friends/family purchased probably another 10 from him.

The employees of the dealership were happy, nobody was out to screw you, was a great environment.

[Phillies8008]

Over 40, couldn't care less. I'd prefer that they look somewhat decent, but I'd just feel sorry for them if they were wearing a suit. I'd much rather they know their product and be dependable than well-dressed.

Frankly, suits - and especially ties – are pretty stupid and when I become Emperor of the World will be worn very, very rarely.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by gblansten

On my second Tesla and the no haggle car purchase was extremely laid back. And the guy I work with was in a casual Tesla branded shirt. No issues. Used the app to process the final pieces of the lease and I was on my way.

My five cars with BMW were much less efficient and definitely not relaxing.

Yes, I prefer no sales person.

If I'm required to have a sales person then I care more about their attitude and how much they know about the cars than what they are wearing. Assuming of course they are not wearing dirty clothes out of the gutter or something.

[ZTK_M240i]

It is more about the person/personality than how they dress.

BUT -

I think it also depends on what dealership it is. Like if I'm at a "regular" store, for say Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Ford, VW, etc, I think a polo is fine. But if I am at a higher end store for say BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, etc, I feel they should be in a suit. Finally, if it is a top of the line sort of store, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, etc, then they 100% should be dressed in a nice suit.

[BlkGS]

I prefer mine to look like the sales gals at Camino Real Chevy's Instagram.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I prefer mine to look like the sales gals at Camino Real Chevy's Instagram.

Ok you got me. I looked it up.
I've been buying German brands for 25+ years. When I lived in OH the sales ppl at Porsche, MB, Audi and BMW wore suits in every case. Here in Hilton Head and in the south in general, sales associates wear kakis and polo shirts. Managers do wear a dress shirt and tie. Having spent most of my career in the business world I always felt that wearing suit/tie gave me an advantage over those who did not even in the business casual era. The old "dress for success" theory. Yes, I'm an old school dude!

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I prefer mine to look like the sales gals at Camino Real Chevy's Instagram.

And here I didn't think there'd ever be anything that would get me to buy a Chevy...

They're not terribly subtle about it, are they? Hooters meets car sales, lol.

[balanceddriveraz]

I really do not care. What I do care about is that sales people know their product. I have had such poor experience asking basic questions and the sales person doesn't know anything much. It truly amazes me how un-educated some of these salespeople are. The dealerships either 1) do not care as long as they sell 2) cannot replace sales people easily so they stick with what they have.

So, whether they wear a tie/coat, or casual clothing...I only care about how knowledgeable they are and, how helpful they are to what I need,.

[R N M]

Really doesn’t matter to me.

Just for them to be nice/friendly, knowledgeable and transparent.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

And here I didn't think there'd ever be anything that would get me to buy a Chevy...

They're not terribly subtle about it, are they? Hooters meets car sales, lol.

...is that not how your dealership is?

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

...is that not how your dealership is?

It is, but those dudes just don't pull it off like these girls do.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

It is, but those dudes just don't pull it off like these girls do.

That's fair. The low cut top with several buttons undone doesn't land the same when Fred the 300.pound meatball does it

[fs1977]

I couldn't care less what they wear. It's all about attitude and listening to the needs and wishes from the buyer. That means, if I tag allong with my wife if she is going carshopping, they should adress her and not me. Happened on several occasions.

[pz619]

I prefer my sales person to be non-existent. It's 2025. Give me a price (the same one every pays) and I'll google questions on my own. As long as there is a support person, I'll figure out the rest.

It's legitimately the one thing that Tesla does that is excellent. Pretty much my sole interaction with a human was just handing some guy the bank check for the car.

[tcphoto]

I'm prepared to spend a lot of money so dress appropriately and don't do a hard sell or I will go elsewhere. I was prepared to walk over a couple hundred dollars last time because the salesman didn't even pretend to want me to get a fair deal. After standing up and thanking him for his time, he suddenly had an attitude adjustment, went back to the GM and approved my offer.

[Elderado82]

I really don’t care how a salesman dresses, as long as they’re clean and carry themselves well. What I actually love is when a salesman geeks the fuck out right along with me. Nothing’s worse than talking about the car I’m about to buy and realizing the salesman has no clue what I’m geeking out about.