Welcome to my site! My name is Lauren McCarthy and I want to know about you and your car!
I want to know all the reasons behind buying that vehicle. Why you chose the dealership you did, the salesperson you did and the vehicle you did. I want to know what you think about buying a car, the dealership experience, the service work. I want to know it all!
As a woman working in the car business, I want to get real answers from real people, especially women. Now, I’m not leaving the men out. I would just like, for once, the attention to be directed toward women. I’ve heard it before and I’ve seen it before … I want women to feel just as comfortable walking into one of my stores.
Check out this video which explains a bit more about my mission.
So I’m out on the streets and all over the internet, gathering your feedback. I plan to turn around and apply these insights directly inside the McCarthy Auto Group, where I’m a proud employee!
15 Comments
Great Idea! You remind me of my 30 year daughter.
Car buyers are tired of being treated like theyre stupid. Staffed Event Sales are a good example.
Wanting to know, and caring what the customer thinks, will serve you well.
Good Luck!
Thanks for the comment…I appreciate the support, too!
Tell me this, when you bought your last vehicle – what did you like or not like about the process?
Look forward to hearing your response…
I am a man, but I, too, have had bad car buying experiences. The worst was dealing with pushy salespeople who are on a commission-based salary. I went into a Chevy dealership (I am not going to give names because they aren’t here to defend themselves) to look at a Cobalt SS, but the salesperson kept saying “If you want a performance vehicle, I think you should buy a Corvette Z06 or wait for the new Camaro to come out”. I walked out of that Chevy dealership and vowed never to buy American again because the American automakers are too greedy and they’re only out for my money. Marty Dahmer over at Cable Dahmer Chevrolet wants people to Buy American, but I will never Buy American because American automakers are too greedy, the UAW is too greedy, and the American cars are not worth their high price tags. Cheap parts, shoddy workmanship, and the cars are impossible for the owners to work on themselves.
My current car is a 1991 Honda Accord with 253,000 miles on it, and it still runs like its brand new. 253,000 miles is just getting broken in for most Hondas. I chose a Honda because of the availability of parts (any Honda engine can be put in the car with a few minor adjustments), because of its long-term reliability and because of its resale value. I also chose it because of its single-overhead-cam engine, which spins up much faster than DOHC engines. SOHCs are great because they make all their power between 2,000rpms and 5,000rpms, which is more than enough for driving on the street. DOHCs have to be revved all the way up to around 8,000rpms or more just to make enough power to pass traffic on the highway. The third and final reason I chose a used 1991 Accord (I have never bought a new car in my life) was because I want to build for car stereo competitions, which void the warranties on new cars. I bought used so I wouldn’t have to worry about the dealership turning me away because I put a high-end competition-ready stereo with an aftermarket 180-ampere alternator in the car.
All I can ask of you is: don’t let one bad experience steer you entirely. Each store is different, each salesperson is different. One problem I see and just heard from you is this: some salesmen and women DON’T listen to what you’re saying. That needs to change!
Product parity is here…American automakers have made great vehicles. The Chevy Malibu was the North American vehicle of the year in 2008…and the Ford Fusion in 2009.
The Union scenario your describing is correct…but we are dealing with the hands we are dealt. Prices are high, but we don’t want jobs going oversees.
We try to do the best every single day.
Get back in the market place…come see me and I’ll show you the difference.
My best experience, and something you and your father can learn from, came from Jack Miller Kia – I walked in looking for a car, and the dealer who came out to talk with me – I told him I had bad experiences with pushy salespeople at other dealerships and he said “We are not here to sell you a car. Our cars sell themselves. All we are here to do is help you with the paperwork. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. That’s what we’re here for.” He then gave me his business card and said “When you make up your mind, give me a call and we’ll set up a time to get you in and go from there.” They were never pushy, they listened to what I was looking for in a car and made recommendations based on that, and if I was looking for a specific car, they took me straight to that car and let me have a look. If they didn’t have that specific car on the lot, they told me they could either order one from another dealership or get me a car in stock that’s just like what I’m looking for at the price I saw on their ads. Like, for example, I was looking for a used 2006 Kia Optima that ran for $10,800, but they didn’t have that one on the lot, so they said they had a 2007 Optima just like it on the lot and they said they’d talk to their boss to see if they could get the price down to $10,800. It is this sort of service that I look for when buying a car. I am the type who already knows what I am going in for because I do my homework, but I sometimes ask questions just to make sure that it will do what I need/want it to do.
I really appreciate your response! I have printed it off and shared it with some of my sales staff and managers. I like the quote “We are not here to sell you a car. Our cars sell themselves.” I think that is absolutely correct! We are here to help, inform and guide…not persuade or force any decision. I want you to be happy with your decision, not regret it!
Thank you.
I’m 25 year old gal and here’s my dealership experiences…
When I bought my first car a few years ago, I was just finishing up college. I remember going to my first dealership in my college town and figuring out within minutes I wasn’t dressed well enough to be taken seriously (it was Saturday morning…). I went home, changed into nice business dress clothes, put on make-up, and pretended to look like I showered :). I went back to the same dealership, different experience. I had someone helping me within minutes of being on the lot…and taking me seriously. I did most of my research my self. I studied so many consumer reports magazines, auto guides, and websites I easily could have won a game show about any cars built that year. Outside of the typical reports, MPG, cost to maintain, and resale value were my important factors. So based on my research and positive/negative trips to other dealers, I decided on the Elantra. Great car, still enjoy it.
Here’s how the trips to the dealers went…from what I recall, I was taken seriously (the sales person actually treated me well and wasn’t distracted by other people they thought were more likely to buy cars). Of the times I was taken seriously, most were either a little to pushy for getting me to buy that day or they would not show me what I really wanted (keep showing me used cars).
One such example and the climax of my car buying experience, I came McCarthy in Olathe (alone) and I apparently hopped out on the wrong side of the lot (the used cars – I wanted to a new one). I told the salesman that I wanted to look at a new Elantra…we barely made it the Elantra, he kept showing me used cars that were “great deals” and I would “get more bang for my buck.” He pressured me to test drive a few of the used cars he showed me, so I could see how great they were. As if I could swayed so easily and I was going to buy a car based solely on his biased recommendations. Finally, after much begging on my part we went and looked at the new Elantra’s. It was clear he wasn’t thrilled about me getting the new Elantra, he preferred I get one of the used cars. I left that day disappointed and a bit offended (that he apparently thought I was an uneducated women). Thankfully, I returned (because it was the only dealership in the area with the car I wanted).
So the day I returned was the day I decided that I was going to buy my car. I brought my dad with me (50 something white male with grey hairs of wisdom), only for the male factor – he knew less about cars then I did and was way less assertive. Honestly, he was just there because research shows that white older men get better prices. We went to look a Toyota dealer first to make sure I had adequately compared cars, then made it McCarthy in Olathe. This time when I stood right next to the Elantras (since I finally knew where they were). A salesman strolled up and offered to help us out. He wasn’t pushy. When we said we wanted a few more minutes just to look at the cars he stood further away and told us to let him know. When we were ready, he was there answering questions, not offering too much unwanted knowledge. He let us go on a test drive a couple times, without him. He let me wander around inside the cars as much as I wanted, pushing buttons, finding cup holders, imagining myself in the car. He mastered the art of figuring out what it was that I wanted from him and becoming that person for me (I wanted him to shut up and sell me a car). When it came to talking about features he was great about not making me feel like I was less of a person if I got bottom of the line. If I can remember correctly, he also got to know us a bit, and not just the I want your business forced, but actually cared about who we were. Almost as if he was figuring out how he could help us best by knowing more about us, but still very smooth. So I finally decide on features and color and make it to the little buying room. This went fairly well. He put a price out. I told him I wanted lower (and pretended to consult with my dad who had no idea). So on. We reach a fair price and he gives it to the gods the do the money magic. In the meantime, seeing as how we’ve been there most of the afternoon, I mention to my father that I was getting hungry. My salesman overhears and tells me I can eat the Goodcents they had catered in (for the employees?). Now I was exceptionally happy – fed and hydrated. The rest is history. Well, on a side note, the salesman I saw on my previous experience called to follow-up that same week…and I had to break the news that I had already bought a car, from the same dealership from someone else (he was a bit shocked and disappointed, but there was no way in hell I was going to give him the sale after how he treated me).
The best part of my experience with McCarthy came later. When I bought the car I received free oil changes from the dealership for the life of the car. BRILLANT. Honestly, it’s a win-win. I drive from Westport to Olathe every few thousand miles to get my free oil change (even at the height of gas prices the drive out there was still cheaper). The service department is amazing. They know my car and care about it. They check all my basics and let me know when I need maintenance…and when I can put it off until I save more money. They go into detail for me exactly what they’re going to do, how it will effect my car, if it’s required for my warranty, prices, and even tips when I tell them I’m going to get something done somewhere else (like my brakes…I got warned about the metals or what not in the brake pads from cheaper places…I should listened and gotten them done at McCarthy). At this point, I figured out that as far as maintenance goes, it always turns out better when I get it done at McCarthy and the pricing is comparable. If it weren’t for the oil changes, I would have switched to other places for my maintenance, never knowing the wonderfulness of the service department. And since, I’m at McCarthy regularly getting my oil changed and feel like I have a relationship with the company…guess where I’ll probably buy my next car??? 🙂
So that’s my story! Sorry, it was a bit long. Hope it helps enrich the buying/selling experience for others!
[…] think she’s kinda hot. Because I watch a lot of late night TV I know that Lauren McCarthy of the McCarthy Auto Group is the pretty face behind the Kansas City late night TV […]
i am 24, I drive a honda i bought about three years ago, I dont mind salespeople offering me different options especially if im not sure what exactly decide. I am about to buy a car but i agree with what has been said here as i wont buy an american car as they are not reliable based on my experience. I would like an Audi, BMW or Mercedes Benz. There is one thing i dont really like from the buying experience here. When we go and buy something, and i mean anything there is always a price that we look at and we buy or not. There is no bargain, there is no negotiation, there is no catch. I like the fact that for example carmax has the price right there so you can see it. I think if for everything we buy we dont negotiate it why do we have to do it for cars? this is a huge decision and it really bothers me as i always think i might not be making a good deal.
I recently visited McCarthy Chevrolet in Olathe, KS and received horrible service. The sales staff was rude, abrasive and incredibly difficult to work with. The first salesmen was very ignorant on the capabilities of the Tahoe, not even knowing that the ebony interior is dark charcoal. The second salesman offered to locate a vehicle for me, but was extremely slow in doing so. He ignored my requests for features, not finding me a suitable vehicle. Even the General Manager of the dealership was rude. The Service Department was even worse. I was pleased at the thought of buying from McCarthy because I liked the idea of buying from a dealership in my community. I will NEVER purchase a car from McCarthy, nor will they service any of my vehicles. I will gladly take my business to a competing dealership.
Dear Lauren,
As a women I have been taken advantage of in the past by “men” that tell me my car needs repairs. I find out later that they either charged way too much or it wasn’t even necessary. I really do not feel like I need to take an auto mechanic course to stop this from happening. Do your have any suggestions?
Please send me the 4 free Ren Fest tickets you mentioned on the radio. That would be awesome.
My mailing address is: P. O. Box 6455
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
Stacie,
Thanks for sharing. You’re not alone. I think a lot of women feel this way, especially in the Service Department. The best piece of advice I can offer you, is to find someone you trust, someone you feel comfortable with. I know that sounds fairly simple, but once you build that relationship with “YOUR” Service Advisor, you will lose that fear of being taken advantage of.
For example, at our Chevy store in Olathe there are an array of personalities in the Service Department; some who are more outgoing than others, some who explain detail by detail, some who are super funny, some who are more reserved – all of which are qualified and honest guys!
Depending on what you drive, I’d be happy to introduce you to any of them. Just let me know.
Oh and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Thanks
Hope you win! 🙂
Lauren
It is not the most pleasant experience to have to buy a car when it is in response to an accident where the car you love has been totalled, but my experience with McCarthy Hyundai and the service and support I got from DJ, my transition from one car to another was so much easier than I expected. Having bought two cars from DJ six years ago, she was the first person I thought of when I found out I needed to buy another car because she did such a good job for me then. I am glad that there was someone who I felt I could trust who looks out for me to serve my needs in the way she did. I feel so thankful that I was not hurt in the accident and that I was not hurt in the purchase of a new car. Thanks DJ for all that you’ve done to supply a car when I was in need.
Eileen
Eileen,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us. DJ is one special lady and outstanding salesperson. We are so happy to have her!
Thanks again for the kind words. Good luck with everything. And be safe out there.
~Lauren
Love the site Lauren! Thrilled to see businesses in the community “getting” social media and how to use it effectively, in their setting. It’s not just about having a twitter feed or a nice website. The content has to be useful and consistently so. While I’m a new visitor to your site, I know I’ll be coming back.