u/randomt4sk

Hi there, I recently purchased a pretty new but used car from one of the largest dealerships in my state (major brand). I had a bad experience with the guy in finance. He was rude, condescending, and lied to me almost costing me an extra $2000. It was my first time buying from a dealership (I'm not young, this is my 10th car). I was upset, talked to a manager the next day since I had to return as the finance guy did not give me the proper paperwork to get plates. Frustrated, I left a 3/5 review on a website. I was honest and even said something positive about the sales rep who was great. The GM emailed asking for my contact since he couldn't tell who I was from the review. ​The next day, I get a call from the sales rep asking me what happened and if I could take the review down.

This really bothers me. The GM didn't take the time to call himself or to have a manager call me about the complaint, but had a sales rep with no authority hear about my issues. He said he would write down my issues and relay it to the GM, like a game of telephone. This seems disrespectful and gives me the impression that the GM only cares about the negative review and not to run an honest business. ​I would like to update my review but I thought I would check for some 2nd opinions before doing so. Is it worth it? Am I poking a badger? The deal is signed and done, but is there something they might do in retaliation? I just want to warn others from my experience but I'm not trying to make a giant mess.

I just got home with my new (to me) '21 crosstrek. I am very happy with the car, price, and interest rate I got. Salesperson was very helpful and the process was smooth, until I get to the finance guy that is. This is at the biggest Toyota dealership in my state for reference, not a small indie dealership.

For starters, I had a pre-approval from my credit company. I have an 800 score with the big 3, but I have thin credit with no loans other than student debt. I am really good with my credit cards and am paid off.

OK, so I sit down with the finance guy, let's call him Rob. As soon as I sit down, Rob asks me to put my card into the machine for the down payment. I say that I'd like to see the numbers first. He asks me what numbers, dead ass. ​I say I'd like to see what the total and interest rate is. He gets noticeably annoyed, starts huffing and gets rough with his keyboard for a few minutes.

Next, he slides me an iPad with a monthly amount of 365 and asks me to sign, saying this includes a warranty. I ask for the full price without the warranty, I won't be needing a warranty. Rob gets more annoyed. Then shows me the same screen with no warranty marked and 319/mo. I ask what is the apr on that, since the pre approval I had was at 310 at 8.4. He gets more annoyed, does a bunch of typing and finally comes back with 293 at 7.98.​ I say that's great, even lower than what I came in expecting! Rob is not happy for me. He asks me to sign the screen with the 293.

Now, it gets worse. I ask to see the numbers. Rob is annoyed with me and doesn't understand what I mean when I say numbers. I explain I would like to see all the numbers together, the total price, the apr, monthly, etc. Rob is steaming now. He goes back to clicking around on his computer some more and finally turns the screen to me.

270/mo @ 7.40. A whole percent lower than I came in with. I am very pleased! Rob on the other hand is clearly pissed off and is incredibly short with me. He keeps asking me to sign screens on the iPad and when I ask what I am signing he gets angry, saying he doesn't have a way of showing that. I explain that I do not want to sign something until I can see what I am signing. He says it's the same info on the computer screen, and I explain that it doesn't say that anywhere on the iPad. I say that I can't be the first person to sit in that chair and ask to read what I am signing before I sign it. He says I am. What an asshole.

I was being very cordial and polite, though being firm in my requests without backing down. This is my first time buying a car from a dealership so this was all new to me. Is this a common experience? Is this guy the norm for finance guys at dealerships or am I just unlucky?

I am still happy with my purchase and went home with a much better rate and price than I walked in expecting. Just wanted to hear others thoughts on this experience. ​​​​

Thank you for clicking and reading. I am currently working for an amazing nonprofit for a year now. Before this I was a school teacher for a nonprofit charter for 2 years. Before that I worked in outdoor education for about 10 years. I also have 10+ years of managing experience, though not in the nonprofit sector. My degree is not in education but cultural anthropology.

My current position is entry level but I would like to find myself in a program manager/director role hopefully in a year or two. My org is very small incredibly limited growth potential. Will a masters degree help me or should I keep just building more time under my belt? I have plenty of time on my hands and cost isn't a major factor if it will help get me to my goal.

I love working with kids and think education is incredibly important to a positive future. I am keen on nonprofits that focus on outdoor education, camps, sports, etc.

If yes to a degree, which program? MS education in curriculum and instruction. Education leadership. Early childhood. Nonprofit management and leadership? What are your thoughts?