How to Sell Your Car in Georgia
November 7, 2006
Sarah and I (is this correct Tony?) have been on the never-ending quest for a 2007 Flint Mica Toyota Yaris, 5-Speed, with Cruise Control, the Power Package and the MP3 hookup. Apparently, it’s an almost-impossible car to find in this area of the states. But we got a phone call today from a car salesperson who said "I have the one you want, but it’s a different color, but the Flint Mica is on its way here right now."
Deciding this could be our chance, we drove up to the Mall of Georgia, up I-285 and I-85 during rush-hour, hoping that the car was actually there. And it was. But it was an ugly color - Sarah called it an "old person’s color." But we loved the way the 5-Speed rode, so we said we wanted the Flint-Mica car and asked when it would be there. Our salesperson said "It’ll be here soon." Then she said, "If you put a $500 deposit, the car will be yours!" Then she said, "You will definitely get this car this month, with the $500 down." Then the closer guy came over and said, "You put this money down, and we’ll try to get the car for you." Then he said, "I think we could get this by the end of the year."
Car salespeople suck. If you really can’t get it until the end of the year, then just say that. Don’t play me. That’s lame.
What’s lamer, you might ask? How about the car-selling advice the salesman gave us? He said they would only give us $500 for a trade-in of my 1992 Subaru (even when the Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Value is $850). The car is worth more than that, so we said no, but that’s when he decided to give us some advice on how to sell our car. Here’s what he said:
"So, here’s what you do…do you have any of your ads up in laundromats? Well, that’s what you do. You go and put some signs up in some of your local laundromats, because you know all those Spanish people are there, and they can pile a ton of them in your wagon, they do that you know? And they’ll pay you cash right there on the spot."
At that point, Sarah gave him a look. He said, "What? I’m serious…"
So, there you are. Car-selling advice from one of Georgia’s finest Toyota employees. At first, I thought it was extremely offensive, but then I thought it was pretty cool that there were some Spaniards living in Decatur…
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
November 8th, 2006 at 9:24 am
they are total weasels. i have a close friend in the auto businss, and beware. never go to the dealership and get their financing (unless it is 0% or a really low, advertised rate) - they actually get you approved at a lower rate, then “sell” it to you at a higher rate, and pocket the difference - USUALLY thousands of dollars. car dealerships are not in the car business, they are in the money lending and warranty business.
ALSO, make sure you check your state laws about trade-ins. You could walk away a winner on the trade in with the savings in sales tax. In my state, it is highly advantageous to trade in a car, because it lowers the cost of the taxes and personal property. Not sure what it is in the fine state of GA.
November 8th, 2006 at 10:20 am
well, adam, you have to give the salesguy credit. he referred to them as Spanish people. around savannah they are just called “pickers” or mexicans no matter what part of latin america, south america, or north atlantic region they might be from.
November 8th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Adam…I have been meaning to tell you this, but you want to try selling it to Car Max. When we moved from California to Illinois we sold one of our cars to Car Max and got a great deal. I was very surprised what they wanted to offer us.
But I am not sure that CarMax would buy your car due to the age/mileage. But it never hurts to look into it.
November 8th, 2006 at 11:40 am
carmax didn’t want my car when i came around (a 87 bmw with over 230k miles) which i expected. but the overall experience buying a car there far surpassed the haggling with other car salespeople.
November 8th, 2006 at 11:55 am
That salesman really shouldn’t have his job much longer. Bad call on contradicting your original sales associate. Then to utilize bad stereotypes? Sure he might have tried to be friendly, but wow.
On the other hand, a quick ghetto printout with tear away phone numbers in laundry mats and other such places is not a bad way to go. People in laundry mats, often students or poorer folk do need a good reliable car. If your car looks good and you have it at a reasonable price it would be a fantastic car. Also try to market it as a good first car for a highschool or college adventure student. Good luck Adam. I’d buy it if I was in the market and not on the other side of the country. I love Subarus and our Taurus, well, I think the name just speaks the wretchedness for itself.
November 8th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Adam, have you tried Atlanta’s Craig’s List? Craig’s List is amazing I have bought and sold so much stuff for there. You should try it out.
November 8th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Never, ever, EVER sell your car to the dealership. They will ALWAYS rip you off. Cars.com worked for me, best $50 I ever spent.
Oh, and when did Ingrid start selling cars in Georgia?
November 8th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Adam, what about just keeping the car you’ve got? I’ve never had anything newer than a 1986 car…partly because I’m a cheapskate, but also partly because I’m trying to live simply. :)
November 8th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Northeast Georgia is a crazy place. The week of my graduation there was a cross burning not to terribly far from the college I attended. Fun times. I thought I went back 40 years or so.
But overall I do love Northeast Georgia for the beauty of the land and the dear hearts of the people. I am so looking forward to spending a portion of December back there, including the Metro-Atlanta area.
November 9th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
I hate to be boring, but Spanish people are from Spain. I seriously doubt that Georgia is flooded with those native to Barcelona, Madrid, etc. Racist is racist. Sorry you had to experience that.
September 29th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I have been a car dealer for over 35 years and have learned to find out that people who are trying to buy cars are the biggest weasels. Because isn’t it true that all of you morons out there just hope to go to the delaer cheat him , rip him off on your trade that is JUNK and hopefully steal the deal of a lifetime on the new car!! Sick , that’s what get y’all excited-to rip the dealer off, lie, deceit and walk away being the winner-yeah right-cowards..
October 7th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I’m in law enforcement in northeast ga and I can say with all certainty there was no cross burning in northeast ga in very long time. However we have investigated quite a few hate crimes involving black on white. But society doesn’t perceive it that way.Obviously white guilt inhibits the facts