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Car Salesman Slang Dealership Terms

The slang, lingo and terms used at car dealerships is sometimes very cryptic for the uninformed car buyer. Employees within these vehicle dealerships have slang terms that cover just about everything that has to do with the business of selling cars. AutoCheatSheet.com has put together one of the largest lists of car dealer slang together for you right here in one place. Do you have a slang term not on the list? Help us grow, submit it to us in the comments - add car salesman slang here.

Beware: Some of the slang and lingo used by car salesman is "not-so-nice" in the opinion of the car buying public and also some of the employees of the car dealerships. Keep your ears open and you might just hear car salesman and their slang terms during your visit.

Take a minute and look below to familiarize yourself with some of the slang and lingo that car dealers and salesman use to communicate. An educated car buyer is a car salesman's worst nightmare. Learning some of the terms below will put you on a level playing field with the car dealer and if you drop a couple slang terms yourself, you may just catch your car salesman off guard.

Ace - Term used to describe a customer that signs on the first offer. Usually very profitable for the car dealership.

Ad-Buyer, Paperboy - Lingo used to describe a car buyer that walks into a car dealership with a print copy of the latest car advertisement in hand and is looking to buy a car at the price advertised.

Appointment - Car salesman slang for a customer that has arrived at the car dealership by making an appointment by phone, email, or previous contact.

ATPSO* - Car salesman slang for describing a customer's trade in on an appraisal sheet. It means "A Total Piece Of Sh*t"

Backing up, Backwards, Backed up - Slang term used to describe when a customer is starting to back out of a deal all of a sudden or deciding against a deal even when the terms have been met.

Be-back - Car salesman slang used to describe a customer that has come back to the car dealership from earlier that day or a previous day.

Be-Back Bus - Car salesman slang used to describe a make believe bus that will come back to the car dealership with all the customers that have told the car salesman while leaving, "I'll be back!"

Be - Back Dust* = Similar slang to the above used to describing a new guy walking customers. Example - "The newb sprinkled be back dust on 3 ups today."

Bird Dog - Car salesman lingo used to describe an individual that will bring car buyers in the market to a specific car salesman or car dealership normally for a cash reward.

Blew Out, Blow Out - Car salesman slang used to describe a car buyer that may or may not get upset and leaves the dealership in a hurry.

Blue Hair, Silver Hair - Car salesman lingo used to describe car buyers who are senior citizens.

Boomerang - Car dealer slang for giving a customer a price or value on their trade that no other dealer will be able to match. This makes the car buyer come back to the dealership after shopping all over town. An example would be, "I let those people leave on a boomerang."

Boss - Slang name for the new car Sales Manager, Used Car Manager, or higher ranking personnel. Example: "No problem Boss, I'll get right on it!"

Bring Back - Car salesman slang used to describe when an individual had to bring a car back because they could not get financed or any other reason.

Broom, Broomed or Broom'em - Car salesman lingo used to describe getting a customer that isn't going to buy today or can't buy, out of the dealership.

Bullet - Used to describe someone with an excellent credit history. This person can buy whatever they want.

Busting Bugs - Term used to describe a customer that has taken delivery of their car and has left the car dealership in their new car.

Bust Out* - Term used to describe a customer that has lousy credit.

Buyer's Remorse - Is an emotional response from a car buyer during or after buying a new or used car. Buyer's remorse can be feelings of depression, anxiety, fear or regret.

The majority of car dealerships across the United States do not have a three day return policy or cooling off period on new or used car purchases. "Buyer's Remorse" will not be enough to get you out of a vehicle purchase or return a car to the dealer.

The best way to minimize buyer's remorse or to avoid it all together is to not rush the process of buying a car. Make sure you're as informed as possible by reviewing the AutoCheatSheet.com's new and used car buying tips.

Buy or Die - Car salesman slang used to describe following up or keeping in contact with a customer until all possibilities of them buying a car is exhausted.

Car Salesman Mantra - Car salesman lingo used to describe a saying that's used to pump up car salesman. Normally used or said in a group setting during the morning sales meeting. The Car Salesman's Manta is:

Becoming a professional car salesman is a tough career choice. When it comes down to it, sales is 10% skill and 90% attitude to be successful.

Now don't take me wrong. Car sales is a skill, an art form all of its own. You must have self discipline and a continuing education to become a professional car salesman. You can have all the skill and training in the world but if you have a bad attitude, you will find yourself broke, hungry and burned out.

You must portray self confidence and a positive attitude whenever dealing with customers no matter what kind of day you're really having. This is where true professional retail car salesman rise above the rest. No matter how many times they hear "NO" they keep pushing forward with a positive attitude. The Car Salesman's Mantra helps a car salesman keep a positive mental attitude thought out his day.

What's a car salesman's day like? Read our article on the a day in the life of a car salesman.

Chase Car - Term used to describe a car that follows another car when delivering a new car or truck to a customer or transporting a car to a service facility.

Cherry Picker, Cherry Picking - Car salesman slang for when describing another salesman that is selective on which customers they help by the way they look, how they're dressed or what they are driving.

Close, Closed - Car salesman term to describe an individual that has just completed a car buying transaction.

Closer - Car salesman saying used to describe an individual that's highly trained in the art of negotiation. This highly trained salesman will come in after the regular salesperson to get the customer to buy the car.

Cockroach* - Slang term used by old school or Veteran salespeople/managers will refer to customers with bad credit that they feel are wasting their time.

Code 4 on the Sales Floor - Term used to let other salespeople know there is a very attractive female on the showroom floor.

Deal, Folder, Jacket - Car salesman lingo used to describe a customer's packet that contains all of the information of the customer's transaction when buying a new or used car.

Dealer Trade - Lingo used by car salesman to describe when a dealership trades a new car or truck with another dealership.

If a customer is looking for a certain new car or truck that the dealership does not have in inventory. A dealer may look to do a "Dealer Trade" with another dealer to keep the customer's business at their dealership. A "Dealer Trade" may happen between two local dealerships or between dealerships located in different states.

Car dealers can look at other dealer's inventories through their computer systems and tell you where the exact car is that you're looking for. If the car is close a dealer can set up a dealer trade for you. You must be careful when agreeing to buying a dealer trade. Normally you're unable to visually inspect or drive the car before it gets to the dealer you're buying from.

De-Horse, De-Horsed - Slang used for when a car salesman takes a customer out of their current car and puts them in one of the car dealer's cars to drive.

Demo, Demonstrator - Car salesman slang to describe a vehicle that has a certain amount of miles already on it. The miles were added to the vehicle because of one of the Managers or Owners of the dealership has been previously driving the vehicle.

Demonstration Drive, Presentation Drive, Test Drive - Lingo used to describe when a car salesman and a customer take a new or used car out on a drive to see if it meets the customers driving wants and needs.

Desk, Tower, Sales Desk, Sales Tower, Sales Office - Car salesman slang to describe where the New or Used Car Sales Managers sit and work the car deals in the dealership. It's derived from back in older dealerships the area where the Managers sat in a car dealership was elevated so they can keep an eye on the sales floor.

Dime* - Car salesman term for $1000.00 (used when describing a customer's money down.)

Duck on the pond - Car salesman slang to describe a customer is on the lot and has not been attended too.

Duece* - Term used for $200.00. (used when describing a customer's money down.)

Ether, Under the Ether - Car salesman slang used to describe when a customer is making car buying decisions based on emotion and making it very easy for the salesman to sell them a car.

Fence Jumper, Climber, Ups in the Wire - Car salesman term to describe an individual that has just completed a car buying transaction.

Firm Grip* - Car salesman term for when a customer is burried in their trade. (owes way more than what it is currently worth.)

FLEET Manager - An individual that is employed by a car dealership that handles high volume sales through businesses, state or city agencies.

A FLEET Manager will normally contact small businesses, city or state agencies that require vehicles to conduct business. FLEET Managers are normally not commission based so they are able to provide deep discounts when selling multiple cars to one buyer.

Some car buyers believe they will get a better deal if they work with a FLEET Manager. Some people on the internet actually sell books and information on the best way to buy a car is from one of these individuals. This is not always correct.

First you need to find a FLEET Manager. Not all car dealerships have a FLEET Manger employed at their location. You can contact a car dealer and ask to speak with someone in their FLEET Department.

You have to be careful doing this because if they don't have a FLEET Department they may just pass you off to someone acting as a FLEET Manager. This does commonly happen to unsuspecting car buyers. I know of Sales Manager's that have business cards made up giving them the title just to sell you a car.

In a car dealership, the running joke of what FLEET stands for is:

Full List Each and Every Time!

Flip, Flipped, Flipping - Slang used by car salesman when they switch a customer from one car to the other or switch a customer from their prearranged financing to the dealers financing.

First Time Buyer - Term used to describe an individual that has never financed or purchased a vehicle in their lifetime.

FNG* = The clean version would be: Effin New Guy.

Friday Car - Car salesman slang used to describe a new car that has a "not-so-common" problem. The salesman may say the manufacturer built that car at 4:45pm on a Friday and the workers rushed so they could go home at 5:00.

Front Line Ready - Car salesman lingo to describe a new or used car that's been taken into the dealership and has been inspected, tested, detailed and ready for sale.

G-Note* - Slang for $1000.00. (used when describing a customer's money down.)

GM, General Manager - Abbreviation car salesman use for the General Manager of the car dealership. He is overall responsible for the entire dealership, personnel and day to day operations.

Go-Go Juice - Car salesman slang to describe fuel that is put in the new and used cars.

Pretty self explanatory lingo car salesman may say when they are about to go put gas in a car. They may say something to their sales manager such as, "Hey boss, I just sold this car and I am going to put some Go-Go Juice in it."

Green Pea - Term used to describe a new car salesman that has just started their career in the business.

Grinder - Car salesman saying to describe when it takes a long time to negotiate a deal with a customer that's being stubborn and working the salesperson on discounting the price.

GSM, General Sales Manager - Car salesman use this abbreviation to describe the General Sales Manager of the car dealership. This individual is responsible for the entire retail sales floor of a car dealership.

The General Sales Manager or "GSM" of a car dealership is second in command at a car dealership. He may or may not be part owner of the car dealership also. It's not common to see a GSM actually work car deals at a dealership they normally manage the New and Used Car Sales Managers. However there are a few GSM's that will still work car deals with customers.

Most individuals that have the "GSM" title come up through the ranks on the retail sales side of a car dealership. GSM's also must have great communication skills, have a goal oriented mind, and a decent knowledge of the parts and service side of retail car sales.

Hammer - Car salesman slang used to describe putting hard pressure on a customer to get them to purchase a new or used car.

To hammer a customer is to put a lot of undue pressure on the customer to buy a car. This can be done by persistently asking for the sell or switching salespeople out while keeping the customer at the dealership for a long period of time.

Car salesman may use this term to describe how they are negotiating with a customer. They may say, "Boss, I am trying to hammer this guy but he is not wanting to buy a car today."

It may also be used to describe a customer that is playing hard-ball with a salesman, "This customer is hammering me about not wanting to pay over invoice for the car."

Hat Trick - Car salesman slang used to describe selling three cars in one day.

Some car dealerships have bonus's in place for car salesman that sell 3 cars in one day. This type of spiff is called a hat trick. Little ongoing bonus's and spiffs like hat tricks keep the competition and morale up on a sales floor.

Hooked, Hook'em - Car salesman slang for when a car salesman gets a customer to say yes when buying a new or used vehicle.

House - Car salesman lingo for calling the car dealership itself.

House Deal - Lingo to describe a car deal that is an inside deal, employee deal or a friend deal. The deal normally makes little profit and originates within the dealership.

Incoming - Term used to describe a customer turning into the lot from the main road.

In The Bucket* - Depending on the part of the country your in. This term can mean "You owe way more on your trade than it's worth" or it could be used to describe someone that has such bad credit (or debt), they'll never be able to buy anything.

Ivory Tower - Slang used by car salesman to describe where the owner of the car dealership or the General Manager's office is located.

Jack* - Dealer slang for a customer that is jerking the salesman around (or j****** off the salesman) with no intentions of actually buying a car. This term is similar to a stroke.

Jump box - A portable battery with jumper cables so it's easy to jump-start a car.

Load Him Up* - Car salesman slang used to describe when a weak salesperson that just gives a cusotmer a copy of the invoice and a bunch of information such as brochures and color charts. So a frurstrated Sales Manager will say to the salesperson, "You just "loaded him up" with a bunch of information, where a real salesperson would have sold him a vehicle.

Liner or Liner-Closer - Car salesman slang used to describe another salesman who is skilled in the art of negotiation.

Some car dealerships have a system in place called a liner or liner-closer system. This is when a customer is refusing to buy a car, dealer will send salesperson (liner) after salesperson in to negotiate and speak with the customer until they finally give in (or get tired) and buy a car.

Locate - Term used to describe when a car dealer finds a new car or truck in another dealer's inventory that you're wanting to buy. The dealer will get the vehicle for you so you can buy it from them.

Looking for a Good Buy (BYE) - Car salesman slang (more on an insult) for when a customer is being ridiculous or rude to a car salesman. The car salesman will say, "Mr. Customer it sounds like you're looking for a good buy today, so GOODBYE!"

You don't want to be the customer that complains to the Manager about a car salesman saying this to you because he may have been the one that told the salesperson to say it to you.

The Manager may act like acting on your complaint by getting on to the salesman, but it's all an act. The Manager is also going to use this time in an attempt to close you on buying the car.

Lot Lizzard* - Customer who cruises inventory 3 times a week and talks to every salesperson at the dealership and never buys anything. Also known as a Squirrel.

Mooch - Slang used to describe a customer that shows up at the car dealership during sales events to get something for nothing.

Nickel* - Slang for $500.00. (used when describing a customer's money down.)

One Legged Up* - Customer who doesn't have their spouse or decision maker with them.

Phd.* - "My manager has a PhD" Really? " Yeah, Pappa Has Dealership."

Rat* - Term used by Veteran salespeople/managers will refer to a customer with bad credit as a rat.

Rat Muscles* - When a car salesman gets someone with extremely poor credit approved on a loan and all the sudden they want a better car with all the options.

Russ* - There is a large asian population in my college town. " Can I help you sir?" "Russ Rooking" (Also known in certain parts of the nation as "Too High's)

Sticker Shock - Slang term used to describe a customer that has no idea what cars are selling for. Example: "My customer has got "sticker shock" looking at the higher line vehicles out on the lot. I need to switch him to a lower model vehicle."

Straw Purchase* - Slang term used to describe someone buying a vehicle for someone else. Usually because hat person has lousy credit. Banks will interview customers to find out whether or not a "straw purchase" was made. This is a somewhat common occurance and lenders have gotten wise on how they ask it the car they are buying is for them.

Sometimes a straw purchase can be considered a scam in a dealership. Read my article on What is an Automobile Straw Purchase to learn more about the technique.

Stroke* - Slang term used to describe a person that is just wasting a salesman's time and either will not buy or not ready to buy. Yet still wants to test drive all the cars on the lot. Similar to the term Jack.

Strong - Term used to describe a salesperson who closes a high percentage of car deals and sells a lot of cars.

Tanked* - Slang used to describe when a customer is upside down or buried in their trade. (They owe way more on the vehicle than it's worth.

T.O.* - Slang for "Turn Over." When you have to get help to close a customer from either another salesperson or a manager. "Hey boss these folks are trying to walk on me...can I get a T.O.

Too High - Term used to describe asian customers. Asians are known to be very tough negotiatiors. Any price you give them they will respond with, "Too High, Too High, you come down on price."

Up, Phone Up - Term used to describe a customer either in the store or on the phone. "Boss, I have an "up" on the lot and I just got a "phone up" also."

Walk-In - Car salesman slang for a car buyer that walks into the front door of a car dealership without an appointment.

Weak - Car salesman slang to describe a salesperson that cannot close any of his own deals or hasn't sold any vehicles.

Continue to our section on car salesman facts here.