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TERRIBLE Dealership HUNG UP Twice and It BACKFIRED on Them

TERRIBLE Dealership HUNG UP Twice and It BACKFIRED on Them

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About this episode

Tommy spends a chaotic day calling a Genesis dealership in Virginia while trying to secure a white GV70 Advanced AWD with Havana Brown interior. The episode turns into a comedy of errors: repeated stock-number confusion, a salesperson who hangs up twice, a receptionist who won’t transfer calls cleanly, and a manager who eventually offers $3,000 to $3,500 off but refuses to put anything in writing. The back-and-forth exposes how poor communication and trust issues can derail even a straightforward car deal.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

car negotiation finale

"We are on day nine of live car negotiation finale. Streamathon, whatever you want to call it. We are looking for a car in the great state of Virginia."

A “car negotiation finale” implies the hosts are in the final stretch of bargaining—often after comparing inventory, negotiating price, and trying to get the dealer to agree to terms. These segments typically focus on tactics like pushing for out-the-door pricing and using competing offers to pressure the dealer.

Term

all-wheel drive

"We're looking for an advanced all-wheel drive with white, with Havana brown interior. We are going to make some phone calls in the great state of Virginia."

All-wheel drive helps the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather. Instead of sending power to only two wheels, it can send it to all four.

Topic

Car negotiation target pricing

"Now deals on this one, I'm expecting about 10% off. That's the number I want is."

They’re talking about deciding the price they want first. That way, the negotiation stays focused on the number that matters to you.

Term

10% off

"Now deals on this one, I'm expecting about 10% off. That's what the number I want is."

“10% off” means the buyer wants the car to cost about 10% less than the starting price. It’s part of negotiating the deal before the dealership gets into all the fine print.

Term

new car sales

"Hey, are you a new car sales? ... I would love to speak to new car sales if you don't mind."

“New car sales” is the part of a dealership that sells brand-new cars. The caller is trying to get connected to the person who can actually help with a new-car purchase.

Term

VIN

"So which car are you looking for? I have a stock number that helps with the last six of the VIN. ... The last six of the VIN is 053462."

VIN is like a car’s fingerprint. It’s a unique code that helps everyone make sure they’re talking about the exact same vehicle.

Concept

using partial identifiers (last 6/last 8) to confirm the exact vehicle

"I have a stock number that helps with the last six of the VIN. ... The last six of the VIN is 053462. ... Okay, give me the last eight of the VIN number because our stock number is six digits."

Sometimes people confirm a car using only part of its VIN to save time. But if the dealer has multiple similar cars, partial info can still point to the wrong one.

Term

stock number

"Like this is the stock number, dude... I'm looking at the stock number. Go to your website. The last six of the stock number..."

A stock number is basically the dealer’s ID tag for a specific car. When you look up a car online or in their system, the stock number helps them find the exact listing fast.

Concept

dealer inventory system mismatch

"Yeah, that car is sold, sir... That car is sold and it got in your allocation a day ago... let your system load and conveniently the car is sold."

It sounds like the dealer’s computer showed one thing, but the car was already sold. This can happen when the inventory system doesn’t update instantly after a sale.

Term

allocation

"That car is sold and it got in your allocation a day ago..."

Allocation is the dealer’s assigned share of cars coming from the manufacturer. If a car is in their allocation, it was supposed to be coming to them, but it can still get sold before you see it.

Topic

calling back / escalating to a different salesperson

"[207.3s] I'm going to call the dealership back. [208.8s] I'm going to talk to anybody but that guy. [211.6s] Thank you for calling Genesis. [213.3s] This is Asia. [214.7s] Hey, can I speak to anybody in new car sales for Genesis,"

They’re trying to get a different person at the dealership instead of continuing with the one who was unhelpful. In car buying, who you talk to can affect how quickly you get answers and how the deal is handled.

Brand

Genesis

"[211.6s] Thank you for calling Genesis. [213.3s] This is Asia. [214.7s] Hey, can I speak to anybody in new car sales for Genesis,"

Genesis is a luxury car brand. Here, the caller is trying to get connected to the correct sales person at a Genesis dealership instead of dealing with the wrong person.

Term

manager call me

"[259.8s] I can take a message and have someone give you a call back. [262.2s] Yeah, just to have the manager, [263.8s] I guess a manager call me. [265.0s] Okay, I do need to know your name and number."

Asking for the manager is a way to get a higher-level decision-maker involved. If the salesperson can’t help with price or availability, the manager might be able to make it happen.

Concept

hung up on

"[265.0s] Okay, I do need to know your name and number. [267.2s] My name's Tommy. [268.4s] In order to take a message. [270.1s] I'm trying to find a car available and I got hung up on. [272.7s] Okay, what vehicle are you looking for?"

“Getting hung up on” is a real-world negotiation friction point: it can signal poor lead handling, low prioritization, or that the dealership doesn’t want to engage on your terms. In practice, it’s often worth switching to another salesperson/dealer or escalating to a manager to keep the deal moving.

Term

2026

"[275.0s] Genesis. [276.1s] Right, what make, I mean, what model? [278.9s] And are you looking for a 2026?"

Asking for a specific year (like 2026) matters because the car’s price and availability can be different for each year. The dealer may also need time to find one that’s actually coming in.

Topic

car negotiation tactics (dealership hangs up / backfires)

"What in the world? I don't think that I have seen a dealership from the top or top down. ... So that person dodged a bullet. Why do you call dealerships pretending to buy cars and then don't?"

This part is about what happens when a dealership doesn’t handle a negotiation well—like cutting people off or not engaging—and how that can hurt them instead of helping.

Concept

pretending to buy cars

"So that person dodged a bullet. Why do you call dealerships pretending to buy cars and then don't? Why do you make comments not knowing what you're talking about? We're negotiating for clients."

It sounds like the other side is acting like they’re going to buy, just to see how the dealership reacts. The point is to learn how they negotiate and whether they’re honest or prepared.

Concept

car negotiation service / hired negotiator

"[357.1s] From their local dealership, now you can probably see why this person hired us. [360.6s] If you guys don't know who I am, hi, my name's Tommy. [362.6s] I negotiate car deals for a living."

They’re talking about paying someone to handle the back-and-forth with the car dealership for you. The idea is to save you time and stress, while still trying to get a fair price.

Term

flat fee

"[366.3s] Save you money, but that's a byproduct. [368.2s] I charge a flat fee of a thousand bucks. [370.0s] I handle everything for you."

A flat fee is a fixed price you pay for the service. In this case, it’s not based on the car’s final price, so you know what you’ll owe upfront.

Term

accessories

"[370.0s] I handle everything for you. [371.2s] Price of the car, the tree, the add-ons, the accessories. [373.1s] You notice I didn't say this was a money-saving service."

Accessories are optional extras for the car. They can be small things or bigger upgrades, but they typically add to the final price, so you should price them separately if possible.

Term

add-ons

"[370.0s] I handle everything for you. [371.2s] Price of the car, the tree, the add-ons, the accessories. [373.1s] You notice I didn't say this was a money-saving service."

Add-ons are extra stuff the dealer tries to sell you on top of the car. They usually cost extra, so it’s smart to ask exactly what they are and whether you can remove them.

Topic

Dealership phone-call mix-ups during negotiation

"[406.6s] That's insane to just be hung up. [408.5s] The dealership called me back. [416.6s] Hey, is this Sarab? [423.6s] Let me transfer you."

This segment is about the dealership hanging up and then calling back, with the caller getting transferred between Hyundai and Genesis stores. It highlights a practical negotiation reality: communication breakdowns can derail deals and require you to stay organized and persistent.

Brand

Andrea Hyundai

"[408.5s] The dealership called me back. [410.6s] Thank you for calling out Andrea Hyundai. [414.4s] Thank you for calling out Andrea Hyundai."

They’re mentioning a specific Hyundai dealership (“Andrea Hyundai”). In a car-buying situation, knowing the exact dealership helps you keep track of who you talked to.

Car

Hyundai Genesis

"Are you calling the Hyundai store? Genesis. Genesis store."

Genesis is a car brand that’s connected to Hyundai, so some people may say “Hyundai Genesis” when they’re trying to reach the correct dealership. It usually means they want to talk to the store that sells Genesis cars.

Term

wing number

"[495.0s] If you have the stock number or wing number, [497.4s] I can check to see if the vehicle is available. [500.0s] I gave you the last eight of the stock number [501.7s] because it's the VIN and it's a full thing. [503.9s] Okay. [512.0s] This is the wing number."

A “wing number” sounds like another internal code the dealership uses to track a car. In this call, it’s being used to help the dealer find the exact vehicle they’re talking about.

Term

GV70

"[519.0s] GV70. [519.5s] And do you know what package or what kind of engine? [521.4s] 2.5 or 3.5? [523.0s] It is a 2.5 with the advanced all-wheel drive. [525.5s] Thank you so much."

They’re confirming what kind of GV70 it is—specifically the engine size and that it has all-wheel drive. Those details are important because they change how the car drives and usually how much it costs.

Term

2.5

"[519.5s] And do you know what package or what kind of engine? [521.4s] 2.5 or 3.5? [523.0s] It is a 2.5 with the advanced all-wheel drive. [525.5s] Thank you so much."

“2.5” means the engine is about 2.5 liters. Bigger or different engines usually change the car’s performance and sometimes the cost.

Concept

vehicle is in transit

"[526.8s] I will check for you. [527.5s] Because this vehicle is in transit. [529.2s] It's coming for next month, [530.5s] but we have exact same as this car."

“In transit” means the car hasn’t arrived at the dealership yet. That can change what the dealer can promise right now, including when you’ll get it and whether they can swap in a similar car.

Concept

Black Friday deals

"Really, I'm just trying to get one of those Black Friday deals. I'm hoping you can help me out."

Black Friday deals are special sales offers that happen around the holiday shopping season. For cars, they usually mean lower prices or extra money off, but you have to check the fine print to see what you qualify for.

Term

rebate and incentives

"To reach you, we can talk about the pricing. And we have the huge rebate and incentives."

Rebates and incentives are ways the dealer or the car company lowers the price. Sometimes you only get them if you finance, qualify for a program, or buy a specific version of the car.

Term

financing

"And are you applying to financing or do you want to pay with cash? Finance. Finance."

Financing means you borrow money to buy the car and pay it back over time. The dealer may offer different discounts or rates depending on whether you finance or pay cash.

Concept

dealership manager

"[580.8s] So both cars were available. [582.8s] I got to talk to the manager. [583.9s] That is a spot."

If you ask for the manager, you’re basically asking to speak to the person who can actually approve the deal. That can matter because managers may have more flexibility on price and discounts.

Topic

calling the dealership back

"[610.8s] I'm going to call this dealership back. [615.0s] Genesis Self, can I help you? [616.9s] Hey, I was talking to, what's his name? [621.1s] Oh, gosh."

They’re saying they called back to get things straightened out. Reaching out again can help you confirm who you’re talking to and push the deal forward.

Car

Genesis GV70

"So I understand you're looking for a white GV70 [634.3s] with the Havana Brown interior? [636.6s] That's it."

The Genesis GV70 is a luxury SUV made by Genesis. They’re talking about a specific version with a white exterior and a brown interior color.

Topic

Black Friday going on

"I give you a super deal obviously. [652.5s] You have a Black Friday going on. [654.0s] So for the starter, we'll give you $3,000 off."

“Black Friday” here refers to a seasonal sales promotion used by dealers/manufacturers to justify temporary pricing. Listeners should treat it as a marketing frame for time-limited discounts and eligibility-based offers.

Term

rebates

"Okay, so $3,000 off plus any rebates [666.9s] "

Rebates are money back that lowers what you actually pay. You usually have to meet some conditions to get them.

Term

processing fee

"The processing fee that everybody has, we have the same thing. Everybody's got to have the same, okay."

A processing fee is a dealership charge for paperwork and admin work. It’s usually added to the final bill, so you should include it when comparing offers.

Concept

out-the-door price

"Again, you know, on the phone, $35,000 to do this. I've been negotiating all the customers and most of them don't show up."

The out-the-door price is the real total you’ll pay at the end. It includes the car price plus taxes and fees, not just the sticker price.

Term

$35,000

"Again, you know, on the phone, $35,000 to do this. I've been negotiating all the customers and most of them don't show up."

They’re talking about a specific price number—$35,000—as the deal they discussed. Before agreeing, you’d want to confirm what that price includes (fees, taxes, trade, etc.).

Term

conquest

"[728.7s] Okay, so you don't qualify for what we call a conquest? [731.7s] Are you military or ex-military? [733.4s] Nope. [733.9s] You don't qualify for that?"

A “conquest” deal is a special discount for people switching from another brand. If you don’t currently have the right competing brand, you usually can’t use the offer.

Term

$3,000

"[742.3s] No, okay. [743.7s] All right. [744.2s] At this point, I'm afraid you're $3,000. [746.3s] I will do $3,500 and I will take an underfundable deposit"

They’re throwing out a number—$3,000—as what they’re willing to do. It’s basically the starting point for the back-and-forth negotiation.

Term

underfundable deposit

"[744.2s] At this point, I'm afraid you're $3,000. [746.3s] I will do $3,500 and I will take an underfundable deposit [749.3s] if you want to do it."

They’re talking about a deposit, and the wording suggests it might not be easy to get your money back. Before agreeing, you’d want to confirm whether it’s refundable and under what conditions.

Concept

getting everything in writing

"Okay, yeah, send that to me in writing [751.7s] and then I'll put the deposit down. [753.4s] I do not send anything in writing, sir."

“In writing” means the agreement is documented, not just said on the phone. It helps protect you if the dealer later changes the story about price or availability.

Term

put the trigger

"until you're ready to sort of put the trigger. [761.5s] You need to send me a copy of your driver's license."

“Put the trigger” just means “go ahead and make it happen.” It’s the point where you’re ready to move forward with the purchase steps.

Term

credit card number

"I will check your credit card number. [766.4s] Yeah, I mean, call me crazy."

They’re talking about your credit card details, which are private. If a dealer asks for it, make sure it’s for a legitimate charge and that you’re sharing it through a secure, official method.

Topic

dealership hung up twice and backfired

"I've dealt with two people there, the one that hung up on me and then the other person [771.0s] that was rude to me in receptionist. [788.6s] I want to trust you,"

This segment focuses on a failed negotiation caused by poor dealer communication—specifically being hung up on and told a car wasn’t available. It highlights how dealership behavior can damage trust and derail a deal, even when the buyer is ready to proceed.

Concept

put something down in writing

"[797.2s] But I need something down in writing. [798.9s] All right. I can appreciate that, sir. [801.3s] Again, send me a copy of your driver's license,"

They’re saying you should get the deal in writing. If it’s only said out loud, the dealership can change it later, but a written agreement makes it harder to back out.

Term

driver's license

"[801.3s] Again, send me a copy of your driver's license, [803.3s] which is what I told you. [826.5s] I need full address. [828.2s] I need a copy of a driver's license, basically."

Requesting a copy of a driver’s license is a common step in dealership paperwork and identity verification. It’s often used to prepare buyer documents, confirm eligibility, and reduce fraud risk before processing a purchase order.

Term

buyer's order

"[809.6s] and say email your copy of the buyer's order. [812.5s] It's $3,500 off. [813.7s] And then I will call you,"

A buyer’s order is the official paperwork that shows the deal you agreed to. It should include the discount and the final price so the dealership can’t change it later.

Concept

$3,500 off

"[809.6s] and say email your copy of the buyer's order. [812.5s] It's $3,500 off. [813.7s] And then I will call you,"

They’re talking about a $3,500 discount. The important part is making sure that discount is written into the paperwork, not just mentioned verbally.

Term

dealer fees

"This could have five grand of add-ons and you're just trying to get my driver's license to dox me."

Dealer fees are extra charges the dealership adds on top of the car price. They can be small individually, but together they can raise what you actually pay.

Term

three grand off

"[878.6s] You seem like a nice guy, but realistically, [880.5s] I'm now not just trusting your dealership immediately [883.0s] just because you said, oh yeah, I'll do three grand off."

“Three grand off” means the dealer is offering to lower the price by about $3,000. You still want to confirm the final price and make sure other charges don’t cancel out the discount.

Term

social security cards

"[884.8s] Some of your driver's license. [885.7s] Some of your social security cards. [886.9s] Some of your firstborn's blood type."

Dealers may ask for Social Security information to run a credit check for financing. It’s sensitive, so you should only share it if you trust the process and you’re told why it’s required.

Concept

getting something down in writing

"[894.1s] and I won't work with you. [895.3s] I'll work with you and I need something down in writing. [897.6s] Something, anything."

“Down in writing” means you want the agreement in a message or document, not just a verbal promise. It helps make sure the price and terms stay the same when you show up to buy.

Term

take delivery

"[909.7s] You will be ready to take delivery on Friday. [912.0s] Yep."

“Take delivery” just means when you actually get the car. If the dealer says you’ll take delivery on Friday, that’s the day they expect you to pick it up and finish the deal.

Term

preference to not give her my name

"I dealt with the receptionist that I did not want to give her my name... because I've gotten the name three times."

Dealerships often ask for your name so they can track your request and pass it to the right person. If they keep asking for the same details over and over, it usually means their system or process isn’t working well.

Term

email provided seems to bounce me back

"The email you provided seems to bounce me back... And we try to send you information. I just want to confirm your email is okay."

If an email “bounces,” it means it didn’t reach the recipient. That can happen if the address is wrong or the system rejects it, and it can stop the dealership from sending you the info you need.

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