Will dealerships soon be a thing of the past? | Column | Articles

I worked at a several dealerships in parts and service. I will never forget the sales people and sales mangers at each one of them laughing and high fiving each other when celebrating them screwing someone who just bought a car. They lived for it.

When I buy a new car, which isn’t often, I arrive informed and tell them I’m ready to buy but I want no games. I have my own financing but am willing to use theirs if they can offer a better deal. I tell them I have a two hour limit once I know they have the vehicle I want. 
 

Mostly what I get in return is games and irritation and a feeling of being berkeleyed. I won’t miss them at all. 

I was recently thinking a out this when driving through Sanford, Fl. On one side of the interstate, a HUGE car lot that i worked at many years ago, previously known as seminole ford, with its grand total of about 30 cars on the lot, the rest just open pavement that used to house hundreds and hundreds of new stock autos. 

across the interstate, a shopping mall that is rapidly heading towards being shuttered. 
 

my thought was smash the 2 together. Lots cant keep more than a few cars on the lot. Most is ordering online and waiting like any newer car buyer has found out.  Shopping mall is about empty. Move the cars inside the big anchor stores that are closed and make it an indoor, medium sized car showroom and ordering/pickup facility.  

granted the service dept is still a thing, but its also detached at this dealership. Close the showroom and lot, move that showroom to the “mall” and lease the showroom/lot property to anyone who wants it. 

Let the sales department die a quick, painful death.

I too worked at several…