GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Do car dealers treat women like second-class citizens?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Mar 30, 2012 9:16:37 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse After purchasing a home, the second largest investment many of us make is likely to be the purchase of a new car from an auto dealership. And while thousands of such transactions occur daily, apparently many car dealers don't know how to conduct business --and close the deal properly-- when their customers are women, according to Paul Eisenstein, from TheDetroitBureau.com. It's hard to figure out why but listen to what Alice Hissler, a PhD scientist at Michigan University, said about her car-buying experience: "When I started looking for my car, the first dealer I went to told me to come back when I could bring my husband with me. He clearly didn't think I was smart enough to do it myself." Hissler... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Mar 30, 2012 9:16:37 AM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

After purchasing a home, the second largest investment many of us make is likely to be the purchase of a new car from an auto dealership.

And while thousands of such transactions occur daily, apparently many car dealers don't know how to conduct business --and close the deal properly-- when their customers are women, according to Paul Eisenstein, from TheDetroitBureau.com.

It's hard to figure out why but listen to what Alice Hissler, a PhD scientist at Michigan University, said about her car-buying experience:

"When I started looking for my car, the first dealer I went to told me to come back when I could bring my husband with me. He clearly didn't think I was smart enough to do it myself."

Hissler...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

ToxicSector77 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:32 Points:3,020 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 8:18:52 AM Ignore ToxicSector77 Report Abuse Another good point is that whatever kind of car you bring in to trade it is always the right time to sell just the opposite of what you have. So you are made to think your car is not worth much.
mansoora Rookie Author Toronto Posts:8 Points:545 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:50:09 PM Ignore mansoora Report Abuse car dealers do fool women alot and if you go with your husbands they will talk to them more then women.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:750,755 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:18:44 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse unfortunately yes
gawxnative All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:510 Points:229,265 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 7:20:20 AM Ignore gawxnative Report Abuse More now in service department than sales
airroon Rookie Author Wisconsin Posts:20 Points:216,075 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 5:55:34 AM Ignore airroon Report Abuse I'd say its the PhD.
polarbear2 Champion Author Maine Posts:12,118 Points:2,752,160 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:40:54 AM Ignore polarbear2 Report Abuse There's an urban legend that may be true about a farmer who back in the 40s went into a Cadillac dealership to but a couple of cars. He was completely ignored by the sales staff so he went down the street to the Packard dealership and bought his cars there. This supposedly happened in Boston.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 4:55:17 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse wolfrider. Sorry for the treatment you experienced, but that's how it sadly happens in many cases. The best way is to publicize to people who might frequent that dealership and detail your experience. That way the dealership might find itself being boycotted and that gets them (perhaps) rethinking. Sometimes a complaint to the franchise owner can help too. But sometimes, nothing helps b/c of the still commonly held stereotypes of women, money and cars.
wolfrider1957 Rookie Author Seattle Posts:5 Points:825 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 1:50:24 AM Ignore wolfrider1957 Report Abuse My mother and I went to a dealership looking for a car after her car quit working, and we were totally ignored, the salespeople couldn't even be bothered to come out of the office to see us. WE LEFT after 5 minutes, not happy and vowed to never to go their for anything. How RUDE not even to come out of the office?
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:750,755 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 3:19:11 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse Yes they do
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,337 Points:1,478,085 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 8:06:17 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse depends on the salesperson
RockCity Champion Author Denver Posts:7,895 Points:1,424,935 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 6:59:44 AM Ignore RockCity Report Abuse I find it hard to believe that colorado does not have a womancertified dealership, everybody is not like congressman doug lamborn, perhaps.
TheMeltz Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,169 Points:638,225 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 6:41:58 AM Ignore TheMeltz Report Abuse there is still a lot of gender bias in the world.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 5:03:04 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse as for poor treatment, seems that's still on-going. The way to counteract is to have knowledge and be able to speak w/ authority. But in today's world most people (male or female) don't care to learn enough to make informed decisions. It's easier to let the trays of "information" roll by and just grab one (a la Wall-E) than to actually be active and think. Try to rewatch Wall-E with that in mind.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 5:00:48 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse opus, I agree, many women have no idea what's under the hood. But increasingly, men do neither.
cjjr2012 Sophomore Author Sarasota Posts:166 Points:30,035 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 4:22:22 AM Ignore cjjr2012 Report Abuse there have been research studies done and if dealers continue their old behavior then responsibility belongs on them, even if it is very subtle discrimination ... making decisions based on old behavior and not on the research is to not act in an informed manner
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,934 Points:2,342,585 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 2:08:00 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Some car dealers Do treat women with less than equal service in all areas of the business. If treated like a second-class citizen go to another dealership and buy from the dealership where the treatment is appropriate for the gender and you feel 'satisfied.' Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
bif65 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,023 Points:195,105 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 7:06:12 PM Ignore bif65 Report Abuse ok
Luckylindy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,499 Points:1,124,145 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 11:04:52 AM Ignore Luckylindy Report Abuse They figure men are easier to swindle.
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:4,931 Points:1,180,060 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 10:15:48 AM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse business sense would be to treat women well ...
RAE344 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,049 Points:658,595 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:25:23 AM Ignore RAE344 Report Abuse This must be a popular article, it has been up two days. To answer the headline question, women are treated by the saleman like their trophy wives.
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:8,234 Points:1,812,245 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:17:50 AM Ignore mplato Report Abuse still and old story
sramroop Champion Author Birmingham Posts:3,302 Points:736,930 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:17:13 AM Ignore sramroop Report Abuse Not good
studebaker1940 Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,495 Points:683,630 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:16:48 AM Ignore studebaker1940 Report Abuse The ones that still do are behind the times and not making as many sales
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:7,193 Points:1,487,965 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:14:54 AM Ignore billy44bo Report Abuse Yes
Beboper Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,712 Points:2,160,865 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:14:26 AM Ignore Beboper Report Abuse yes they do
opus1 Sophomore Author Gary Posts:153 Points:744,110 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:14:01 AM Ignore opus1 Report Abuse Yeah, yeah, poor oppressed women. If the typical woman buyer is like the women I work with, they have no clue WHAT the oil dipstick is, never mind where, and most of their decisions are based on what color the car is. One woman in my department is proud of the fact that she has no idea how to fill the gas tank because she has her husband do it. Show you have a brain and maybe you'll be treated as though you have one. Oh, and dealers treat everyone like crap. Surprise.
orcar Champion Author Boise Posts:2,043 Points:774,740 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:14:00 AM Ignore orcar Report Abuse Only if they ask for it.
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:8,023 Points:1,612,720 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:13:58 AM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse PROBABLY NOT GOING TO CHANGE EITHER.
vwphred Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:213 Points:2,120,855 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:12:09 AM Ignore vwphred Report Abuse Get over it
beohbeNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,032 Points:531,505 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:11:59 AM Ignore beohbeNJ Report Abuse Some they do and some they don't and some ya just can't tell. (heard that line in a song)
doncNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,506 Points:1,502,170 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:11:54 AM Ignore doncNJ Report Abuse This was posted yesterday.
ted4636 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,470 Points:1,634,735 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:11:43 AM Ignore ted4636 Report Abuse no! they rip off eveyone
bjdorval Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,244 Points:1,132,005 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:11:20 AM Ignore bjdorval Report Abuse Must be a slow day here cause I commented on this yesterday.
speedraider Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,658 Points:1,641,970 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:09:49 AM Ignore speedraider Report Abuse stupid
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,163 Points:1,660,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:08:50 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse Don't really care, just lower oil prices...
nwsynthetics Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,014 Points:344,475 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:07:37 AM Ignore nwsynthetics Report Abuse already made comment
liao Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,432 Points:1,425,310 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:07:25 AM Ignore liao Report Abuse It is always buyers beware.
ntass1 Champion Author Edmonton Posts:3,780 Points:725,100 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:06:26 AM Ignore ntass1 Report Abuse yes
drawee Champion Author Texas Posts:2,290 Points:445,135 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:06:01 AM Ignore drawee Report Abuse yep
vizilo Champion Author British Columbia Posts:5,729 Points:2,590,650 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:05:20 AM Ignore vizilo Report Abuse okay
matman01 Champion Author Detroit Posts:14,818 Points:1,956,835 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:04:18 AM Ignore matman01 Report Abuse I wouldn't trust anything that Paul Eisenstein writes. He is awful with real facts.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:9,657 Points:2,616,705 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:03:58 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Do car dealers treat women like second-class citizens?.. Yesterdays Article... YES..
fatboy97 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,469 Points:1,704,650 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:03:23 AM Ignore fatboy97 Report Abuse I don't like it... but I don't even like dealing with auto dealerships as a man period.
no8c Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,794 Points:702,150 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:02:38 AM Ignore no8c Report Abuse Thanks for posting this!
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,628 Points:1,921,705 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:02:38 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse time for some new news
car54BC Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,327 Points:1,253,255 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:02:28 AM Ignore car54BC Report Abuse Repeat article
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,007 Points:1,668,170 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:02:08 AM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse Car dealers treat everyone like second class citizens.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,381 Points:1,874,155 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:01:27 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse They reat everyone like that.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:7,614 Points:1,615,055 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:01:16 AM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse Old, old news.
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,546 Points:555,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 9:01:12 AM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse Groundhog Day?