I've owned a Honda Pilot since 2007 and I absolutely loved it. So when my SUV was totaled and I needed a new one, my first choice was another Pilot. But just thinking about the process of buying a new car mad me procrastinate. I know they make insane amounts of money out of us, that they will promise and promise and once you sign the paperwork all that nice, helpful customer service spirit will be gone. That the new 2019 model will have better features than the 2018 model I will buy. But I needed a car. And I wanted a Pilot. So, first, I went to the same dealership I normally serviced my 2007 Pilot. My first question was: "When are the new 2019 models coming out?" "I don't know" was his response. He...didn't...know. A Honda sales rep, working on a Honda dealership...being trained on all things Honda.... breathing and eating everything Honda was throwing their way....And he told me he had no idea when the new 2019 Honda Pilot was coming out. That was a complete lie. I knew. I looked it up. They were coming out that same week I was there. He lied so I would buy a 2018 model. So yes, some car salesmen lie. I didn't feel like screaming and hollering, so I left. So now what? Only one course of action: Research. I went online. I learned all I needed to learn on new Honda Pilots. What is different on the 2019 models. What are 2018 users saying about their cars? What is the average price they are paying for them? Where are all the dealerships in my area selling them? What loan rates are available for me? What should I tell the sales rep if he starts lying again? So, armed with this knowledge, I started again. I had to choose: Titusville or Sanford? Traffic and time made that decision easy. So I headed to AutoNation Honda in Sanford. There I met Bill. I needed a car, but I needed to make it look like I didn't. Salesmen can smell when you're emotionally compromised to make a purchase. I know, I used to be in sales. Bill was not like that. He took time to explain the features, which I knew all too well. He took us for a test drive, which my wife really enjoyed. Then we sat down for number crunching. Here is where thing got interesting, and in a good sense. Bill took his time to work 5 different sets of numbers for us. Yes, all sales reps do the "let me talk to my manager" routine. I know they can make the call right there, they just do this so you think the manager is the bad guy not giving you the discounts. Bill was extremely courteous. And he listened. He understood that I had a monthly payment in mind and that I would not sign any paperwork that was too far off from that. He took the time to work with us. And I really appreciated how he took the time to explain every little details on the final price: taxes, charges, extras, fees (stupid ones, yes, but unavoidable), etc, etc etc. He was patient, nice and took his time to help. I got the SUV at a price a little higher than I wanted. But still within my budget. And Bill made the whole process bearable. He even stayed late, after the dealership closed, to send us in our was home with our new 2018 Pilot. I will keep visiting AutoNation In Sanford for car services. And yes, I would recommend you to go and buy a car from them. Ask for Bill. Maybe he'll be back from visiting his family in the Caribbean by the time you go. But I'm sure he will treat you the same nice and helpful way he treated my wife and me.
Uncle Pepo
Aug 14, 2018
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