Personal Essay - Buying a New Car

In 2008 I decided I needed a new car that could provide me with reliable transportation to school and work. The following will reflect on my observations of the process and analyze the roles of personality and communications I experienced at the car dealership. The negotiations began initially with me because I needed to justify my decision to purchase a new vehicle.

The decision to purchase a new vehicle was mostly about the economics. My current vehicle started breaking down on me every month and the cost to repair it was more than the car payments. The tires on the vehicle were special order and cost more than 1000 dollars to replace that was three car payments right there. Finally I wanted to buy a new car for a very long time and at the time knew I could afford the payments. The negotiation process with myself was straightforward and short, I gave myself permission to go shopping for a new car.

On a Sunday evening at around five o'clock I drove into the dealer's parking lot. The communications started months before from when I drove by the lot every day and saw the always beautiful and shiny cars. The dealer keeps the vehicles sparkling and new to entice potential customers into his dealership. I was not 50 feet from my own vehicle when a salesman approached and greeted me "Hello miss, welcome to xyz Toyota. Can I help you find a new car?" I replied "Not just yet, I would like to look around first."

The salesman said "Okay my name is Jim, I'll be close by just let me know if you have any questions." The dealership had hundreds of vehicles on their property but I specifically want to look at the sport utility vehicles and so I made my way to that section of the lot. After I eliminated the vehicles I did not like, I was able to narrow the list to four that I wanted more information on. Sure enough, the salesman was close by and waiting. I showed him the four vehicles on my list and after he told me the prices I had two vehicles on my list. Then Jim began to highlight the differences between the two remaining vehicles. This helped me narrow my choice down to one and I told him I wanted to see what kind of deal he could offer me.

Jim and I went inside the dealership and Jim offered me a drink of my choice coffee, soda, or water. We walked through a brightly lit showroom that made the cars shine even more. I realized that light can really enhance a vehicles beauty. We proceeded to a small office with a table and four chairs and a large window on one side. I suspect the window allowed the office manager to stroll by and access the current situation by looking at the salesman's face because my back was to the window. Jim left me there and returned with some brochures, forms, and a diet Pepsi.

Jim asked whether I was interested in financing, paying with cash, or leasing. I told Jim financing, and that I wanted to trade in my old vehicle. Jim asked me some questions filled out the forms; he told me