Entries Tagged 'Car Finance Information' ↓

Hundreds of people are “Riding Home Happy” and want to tell you about it! We have over 220 Customer Testimonials posted online!

Go to www.Suzukigossip.com to see why for Suzuki of Wichita,

“X” truly does mark the spot!

Q:  Is it true that your salespeople are Non-Commissioned?

A:  Yes!   Most salespeople in our industry get paid a percentage of the dealership profit.  Thus, the more they “make” on you the more they keep (I call this “The Sins of Commission”).  My salespeople are salary based with customer service and volume incentives (nothing to do with profit everything to do with customer service).  My salespeople have no incentive to try and talk you into a certain vehicle since they are not paid on a percentage of the profit.  This allows them to simply focus on YOUR NEEDS and WANTS and NOT on your pocketbook.

Our salespeople are more like “Tour Guides” than Car Salesmen!  After all WE DON’T ALLOW SHARKS ON THE SHOWROOM!

You can read some some of the Rants and Raves from other some of our customers online at SuzukiGossip.com

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Scott E. Pitman, D.M.N. - President & Chief Evangelist

Q:  Is it true that you don’t have a separate Finance & Insurance Department?

A:  Yes!   We talk openly with you UP FRONT about price, trade value, interest rates, payments, etc. (anything you want to talk about).  This 1-step process saves you TIME and MONEY (no 2-step, waiting for the finance manager after you buy the car)!  I have surveyed hundreds of customers about their biggest complaints over my 20 years of experience to find out that the biggest complaints revolve around the F&I Department and the time it takes to “get out of the dealership.”  Don’t worry…We won’t waste your valuable time!

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Scott E. Pitman, D.M.N. - President & Chief Evangelist

What is my FICO credit score?

It’s not uncommon for dealers to tell you that you have worse credit than you actually do. This allows them to penalize you with higher rates, which allows them to make more money.  This is pulled on people with good credit too, as it works well because most people do not know their own credit score. It’s funny, most people know their own blood pressure and their cholesterol levels, but they don’t know their credit score.

If a dealer won’t show you a copy of your credit score they are using (from one of the 3 major credit bureaus), LEAVE (They can’t give you a copy of your credit bureau, but they can show you your 3-digit FICO score).  Note:  If they pull multiple credit bureaus, demand to see all of your scores!

A friend of mine recently bought a car recently from and was told by the finance manager at a competitor’s store that “He had never seen anything quite like this.”  My friend was told that his credit score was only 660 and that “His rate would be affected negatively.”  In fact, his Trans Union score (which most Kansas lenders used) was 709 (anything over 700 is generally preferred rates).  The finance manager told my friend he was only a 660 score, quoting his Experian score.  While this was not a lie, it was an omission of facts that cost my friend thousands of dollars in unnecessary finance charges.

The three credit bureaus utilize the FICO score or credit score as part of their overall credit reporting to lenders.  In Fact, there are many today who actually look no further than the FICO or credit score.  In other words, if your FICO score is below a certain level, you will not be considered for a loan by certain lenders.  On the other hand, if your FICO or credit score is above a certain level, the doors to certain lenders automatically will swing open.

At Suzuki of Wichita we will tell you what your score is and provide a team of experts to give you with all the facts you need to make an intelligent decision.  We have created many helpful publications which will help you understand what your credit score means.  Contact us to receive these publications at No Charge.

10 Tough Questions to Ask BEFORE You Buy a Used Car

Do you have any Money Back Guarantees?

Caveat emptor is Latin for “Let the buyer beware”.

Although the three-day “Cooling Off” rule has been in effect for years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports that many consumers are still confused about their rights. Here is a reminder of where and when this rule applies.

Under the Federal Trade Commission’s “Cooling Off” Rule, you have three business days to cancel any purchase of $25.00 or more that you have made in your home or somewhere other than the seller’s usual place of business, such as a rented hotel room. The “Cooling Off” Rule also provides protection for consumers who purchase items at a product party given in a private home. The rule is designed to give consumers options to carefully weigh their decisions away from sales personnel and high-pressure environments.

However, as with every rule, there are exceptions. The “Cooling Off” Rule does not apply to: sales made at the seller’s usual place of business; sales made totally by mail or phone; those for real estate, insurance or securities; those of vehicles; those of goods and services that are needed to meet an emergency; or those of arts and crafts in certain locations. The Rule also does not apply to sales that begin as retail transactions at a business establishment, and are completed with the signing of a contract in your home. For instance, ordering carpet at a store and signing the contract when someone comes to your home to measure floor space is not covered.

“We often hear from consumers who think they have three days to cancel a transaction, when the rule actually applies to a limited number of situations,” said BBB Bill Moak. “It’s important that you understand your rights under the law before committing to any transaction, especially those in which you may change your mind.”

WARNING: There is no 3-Day “Cooling Off” period on MOST Car Transactions in MOST States!  Most transactions take place at a dealership, which voids this rule.  You must educate yourself, research your purchase and gather all the facts (then, if you’re like me, Pray!).

Here is the challenge:

• Sometimes customers Make Mistakes!
• Sometimes (oftentimes) Car Dealers Make Mistakes!

At Suzuki of Wichita we take the worry, pain, fear and frustration out of buying a used vehicle!  Every car, truck, van and SUV comes with our 3-Day “Stay Happy” Money Back Guarantee.  You can return the vehicle for any reason!  And we won’t pressure you into buying another vehicle or keeping the one you bought.  Simply bring it back in the same condition in which it was purchased, and you will get a full refund…No Questions Asked.  See store for details.

Did You Know? The FICO score was developed by Fair Isaac & Co. Credit, a company involved in financial analysis.  The scoring is a method of determining the likelihood that credit users will pay their bills in a timely manner. Fair, Isaac began its pioneering work with credit scoring in the late 1950s and has been on forefront ever since.

by Scott E. Pitman, D.M.N.

10 Tough Questions to Ask BEFORE You Buy a Used Car

My name is Scott Pitman, I am the Operating Partner and Chief Evangelist of Suzuki of Wichita in Wichita, KS. Our philosophy is simple:  To treat all of our customers like an honored guest in our own home!  Our number one goal is to make you feel comfortable and even thrilled about the car shopping experience you’ll find at Suzuki of Wichita (even if you don’t buy a car)!

People from all walks of life find us daily and choose us as their place to do business.

My goal is to remove stress from your buying experience.  Here’s how we do it (besides having the best cars at the lowest prices):

* Fast, Fun, Stress-Free, Hassle-Free, Drama-Free, Practically Free Car Shopping!
* LOVE IT or LEAVE IT Money Back Guarantee!
* America’s #1 Warranty
* You Pick your Own Non-Commissioned Salesperson!  No Sharks on the Showroom!
* Work Directly with a Decision Maker!
* No Wasting Time! No Middle Man! No Back and Forth!
* Top Dollar for your Trade!
* Safe, Fun, Family Environment – Bring the Kids!
* Finance Options for Everyone and Every Budget!
* We will show you NADA and KBB books on your car and ours!
* FREE Vehicle History Report on any vehicle in stock!
* Vehicle Location and Buying Service
* Earn Extra Cash! $100 to $250 per Referral

Keep poking around here you will find out more about us and what makes me tick. Plus you will find some valuable tips on buying your next car. I sincerely hope you like what we have to offer you. If you have any questions or concerns ever you can email me at spitman@ridehomehappy.com

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Suzuki of Wichita has Non-Commissioned Salespeople (No
Kidding!)

• Relax!  All of our salespeople are
  Non-Commissioned.  We’re not here to
  talk you into anything!  Search Inventory
• “Tour guide” might be a better
  name for our team members than “salespeople.”  Pick your own Salesperson
• Most “car guys” in our industry
  are paid a percent of the profit the dealership earns when they sell you a
  vehicle.  Now you understand why
  some of our competitors keep trying to talk you into that certain vehicle
  (usually a turquoise Conversion Van)….they make more money!  Value Your Trade In (or Sell Your Car to Us)
• Our salespeople are paid a salary
  and incentives based on things more important than profit…Your
  satisfaction and happiness.

RELAX!  No Plaid Suit, Shark Car Salesmen Here

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Why Buy a Used Car when you can Buy a New Car or New SUV for Less?

The Cash for Clunkers legislation has passed, and has received President Obama's signature. Here is a summary of the facts you need to know about the “CARS” Cash Allowance Rebate System.

1. What's a clunker? A driveable vehicle 1984 or newer, with a fuel economy rating of no more than 18 mpg. To find out the official mileage on your clunker, visit fueleconomy.gov the official site for fuel mileage calculations.

2. Here's how CARS works: you trade in your older vehicle for cash towards the purchase of a brand new, more fuel-efficient one. The better the mileage of the new vehicle, the more money you'll get towards its purchase – either $3,500 or $4,500.  The minimum combined fuel economy of a new vehicle purchased under the program must be at least 22 mpg, while new small trucks and SUVs have to get at least 18 mpg, and large trucks have to get 15 mpg. The old cars must be salvaged once you trade it in.

3. No such luck, car “flippers”: the program is off-limits to buy an old vehicle and "flip" it – the vehicle must have been insured and registered by the same owner continuously for at least one year before the trade.

4. The environmental idea behind the bill is that it takes old, inefficient vehicles off of the road.  As with any bill there is controversy from all sides surrounding the bill.  Simply Google “Cash for Clunkers” and peruse the over 2,000,000 recent entries. 

5. Consumers should act fast. The bill provides vouchers for one million purchases, and the window of time is only from July 1 to October 31, 2009 (whichever occurs first). The bill will be revisited in the fourth quarter of 2009, but changes may be made at that time.

6. You don't need a voucher; dealers will apply a credit at purchase

7. The vehicle that you are trading in is required to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade in is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you and estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle.

For official information regarding the program, visit the official website at cars.gov

For local information regarding the program or questions about if your vehicle qualifies give Scott Pitman a call or email. 

Scott Pitman has been involved in the auto industry in Wichita for the past 20 years.  Scott it the Chief Evangelist and Operating Partner for Suzuki of Wichita and RideHomeHappy.com

spitman@ridehomehappy.com