I bring back-up
I've been heads-down for the past few weeks, building something new and exciting. It's been a whirlwind of setting things up, laying the foundation for what I hope will be a game-changer. In the tech world, there's a concept called MVP, or Minimum Viable Product. It basically means launching your product as soon as it delivers value, even if it's not perfect, and then iterating and improving it over time. That's the philosophy I'm embracing as I bring Clutsh to life. I have big, bold ideas about revolutionizing the car-buying experience, but I know that the journey starts with helping people today, in the ways I can, and building from there.
As I was laying the groundwork for Clutsh, we crossed into the new year. Like many people, I was chatting with friends on Discord about our goals and resolutions. When it was my turn, I shared what I was working on: a mission to fix the broken car-buying process. I told them, "Buying a car sucks, and it doesn't have to be that way. I want to be a part of changing that." I got the usual supportive messages, but one comment from a friend really struck me:
"I know when I go car shopping, I bring back-up." - Sam's friend
That statement, so casually delivered, speaks volumes about the current state of car buying. It's treated as a battlefield. People feel the need to arm themselves for a fight, just to get a fair deal. Negotiating a car price shouldn't feel like going to war. Getting a fair price shouldn't be a badge of honor; it should be the standard. Spending an entire day trapped in a dealership shouldn't be a victory; it should be considered an outrageous waste of time. It's a system that benefits dealerships and leaves the average car buyer feeling like they need a Ph.D. in negotiation just to avoid getting ripped off.
And the statistics back this up. According to a recent study, over 61% of car buyers feel they are taken advantage of during the car buying process. An Autotrader study reported that only 17 out of 4002 people surveyed enjoyed the car buying process at a dealership. Another revealing piece of data is how car salespeople are viewed. A Gallup poll in 2022 tied car salespeople with members of congress for the 2nd least trusted professions, above only telemarketers. To put that into perspective, the same poll had nurses as the most trusted profession in the US for the 21st year in a row. To say car buying is broken is a gross understatement. It's all bullshit.
I've had my own share of frustrating car-buying experiences that have fueled my desire to create Clutsh. One that sticks out in particular was when I was buying a new 2013 Kia Soul from a dealership in Omaha. I was upgrading from a 1999 Taurus that was on its last legs, and I found what seemed like a fair deal online for the Soul. I know that car has its fans and its detractors, but it was the right choice for me at the time – affordable, reliable, and with a good warranty.
The dealership experience, however, was a nightmare. We spent the entire day there. First, the online price turned out to be inaccurate, and their initial offer was about 30% higher. But the real time sink was the finance office. They tried to upsell me on everything imaginable – seat coatings, theft deterrents, extended warranties, you name it. All to make up for the fact that they had to come down to a fair price on the car.
Price was a major factor for me, so I firmly told them I wasn't interested in any add-ons. But the finance manager wouldn't let up, especially when it came to gap insurance. He kept pushing it, and I explained that I already had it through my insurance, a policy they called "loan payoff" but that essentially did the same thing. Gap insurance, for those who don't know, is important on new car purchases because cars depreciate quickly. If your new car is totaled, your insurance will pay out the value of a comparable used car, which might not cover your entire loan balance. Gap insurance covers that difference. I understood all of this, and I had taken care of it already.
But the finance manager wouldn't take no for an answer. He kept insisting that their gap insurance was better, even after I told him I already had it covered. Then he said something I'll never forget: "Yeah, I know you said you have loan payoff selected on your plan, but this is better."
I was stunned. "How is it better?" I asked. "Does it pay out more than what I owe on the loan?" He admitted that it didn't. So, I pressed him, "Then how in the hell is it better? Please, let's move on."
I thought you might enjoy actual photos of my old Kia Soul to go along with the story. That right, 6 speed with the big block .. 2.0.
That experience was infuriating, but it also made me think about all the people who aren't equipped to handle that kind of pressure. What about those who don't know what they need or don't need? What about families with bored, hungry kids who just want to go home? How many people end up making bad decisions, just because they're worn down and don't know any better? We can do better. We should do better. Clutsh WILL help you all do better.
But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be this way. You have a right to a fair and transparent car-buying experience. You deserve to be treated with respect, to understand every aspect of the deal, and to feel confident that you're making the right decision without pressure or manipulation. You shouldn't need to bring "backup" to feel safe and secure when making one of the largest purchases of your life.
That's why I'm building Clutsh. I believe there's a better way. I believe that buying a car can be a less stressful, more transparent, and even enjoyable experience. I believe that everyone deserves a fair deal, and I'm committed to making that a reality. My mission is to empower car buyers with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to navigate the process with confidence and get the car they want at a price they deserve. Clutsh is here to be your advocate, your guide, and your partner in the car-buying journey, so you never have to go into battle alone. It is time to change car buying for the better. It is time for car buying that doesn't suck.
