CarMax: Purchasing a Vehicle Remains a Hassle for Women

CarMax: Purchasing a Vehicle Remains a Hassle for Women

RICHMOND, Va. (May 19, 2006) -- According to a recent poll conducted by CarMax, women say purchasing a vehicle remains a hassle. Executives said this year's study showed dealerships had made no improvement in women's biggest gripes in the buying process since the last time the poll was conducted in 2004.

"Women continue to experience stress when buying a car as demands on their time and need for convenience increase," explained Donna Wassel, regional vice president for CarMax. "That's why it is important to find a car retailer that focuses on providing a transparent, customer-friendly and easy car-buying process."

Women ranked "a quick, effortless transaction" at the top of their list as most lacking when they purchased a vehicle. A total of 21 percent of women said this was their biggest issue, which is exactly the same percentage who listed it last year.

Next in line, 15 percent of women said they had a hard time finding a salesperson they liked and trusted, as compared to 16 percent in 2004. Lowest pricing, or fair pricing, was the next largest gripe from the women, as 14 percent listed it as what they found most lacking, which is flat when compared to 2004.

Women also showed concern when it came to a fair trade-in value, with 14 percent naming this as lacking in their last purchase process, which is steady from 2004. After trade-in value, came the desire for respect and attention for a female's wants and needs, which 14 percent reported lacking, as opposed to 13 percent in 2004.

Another 6 percent of women identified "a fair, reasonable finance rate," as their biggest complaint, as compared to 7 percent in 2004. CarMax also found that women thought the paperwork they were handed during the buying process needed to be more understandable, as 4 percent cited this as their biggest problem, remaining flat from the 2004. As for the "other" category, 12 percent of women questioned listed items not covered by CarMax's list, compared to 11 percent in 2004.

The company said it surveyed more than 9,800 women on carmax.com for the study.

Comments

[Michelle]

I've had the worst luck in purchasing cars at carmax. Yes you read right, cars. First car I purchased had to bought back from me do to its transmission history, and the car I have now is supposed to be great, 04 Honda Civic. Well it's not I've had more problems then I care to name. The short of it is the transmissions fluid is burnt. I've brought it to Carmaxs attention, they say the color is within reason. I have since taken it to 3 transmission shops who have said different. The car has 58,000 miles on it. At one point it was in the shop at carmax and they changed one of the hoses to the tranny but made no mention of changing the fluid. I have been passed off by the manager at carmax to another man who was rude and condensending. I'm not sure where to turn to at this point. I don't have the time or money to keep chasing my tail. I am a single parent of two and to hear my kids talk, they are disgusted with carmax and the two lemons I've manage to purchase. Keep in mind my kids are 7 & 12 and they know when Moms getting the shaft.

[Juanita Medina]

Hi Kelly,
I'm so please that finally there's a website showing women how to purchase a vechile.

I never went myself to purchase a vechile. My first pre-owned vechile my oldest dearest brother help me in finding and checking out the car . My next vechile I went with my ex-husband and he didn't help much because I didn't think he knew what to look for and I ended up with a lemon which I happened to find a dealership which paid off the note and got me into a dodge caravan. So as you can see I never purchase a vechile myself.

What? do I knew to know when walking into a dealership and coming out with the vechile I want with a reasonable price. I'm looking to purchase a certified pre-own vechile. I want a toyota suv because of it's five star saftey. I have three teenagers and a two year old toddler so I'm looking for something reliable and good on gas and stylish. I'm not going to have my older kids with me all the time.

I hope you can put my mind to ease.

[Debbie Lee]

Kelly,

A new vehicle purchase is always exciting.. Good job! Sometimes you need to stay focused on the end result (your new car) and let some of the little things go. Sorry it wasn't all good. All of us at Ask Patty are working very hard to get the word out about this site and to the dealerships that we are here to help. Industry awareness and qualitily services are much needed. It seems like as the dealerships learn about Ask Patty they are excited to join with us and make whatever changes needed to make all there customers feel understood and wanting to come back again and again. If you have any questions on cleaning that new car let me know I am here to help.

Debbie Lee

[Kelly]

Dear Ask Patty,
I just recently bought a new car. When I went to pick it up I was extremely excited. The dealer was a man, obviously in the business for a long time. He took me out to the car and began showing me its parts and what they do. He showed me the temperature settings, how to adjust the seats and how the sun-roof opened...he then proceded to show me the mirror..which he introduced to me as my "favorite part of the car"...he said that I could "use it to put on my make-up". Well, that sure did not sit right with me , that was def. not my favorite part of the car, and truthfully I dont wear much make up. Its true that I am not car savy, but that does not make me vain. He also mentioned that the little drawers at the top could hold my credit cards and make-up. Implying that because I am a woman I need credit cards and make-up easily attainable. I could tell this man ment well, but I couldnt help but feeling a little tinge of resentment. These guys need to start treating women as equals, and not use stereo-types to address us all. Oh, and I should mention that I brought a man with me to buy my car, it was before this site was launched and I had no clue about anything...hopefully my next car buying experience will be different now that this site is available!!!