Not that I don't use it to my advantage when buying cars, but why is it so accepetable to know, and sometimes demand the cost of a car from a salesman?

You don't walk into McDonalds and ask what the burger costs the store, then make them an offer.

I've been a salesman all my life, I'll never tell someone what the product costs, and if I feel like I need to answer, I'll lie. What matters is what they're going to pay for it, not how much I make on that deal, or what my company buys the product for. If they really want to know, they can open thier own company.

Yet the auto industry seems to be contrary to almost every industry in this way.

 

Being in business is about making money.

But lying/misrepresenting doesn't make sense. You lose a customer, you lose all the future sales.

 

This part isn't a good anaalogy, but I do see your point. Difference is that cars (houses, property, boats) is that they are really high value items, and therefore their value is subjective somewhat. If you overpaid 1% on a burger, no biggie, but on a house, that could be some major buck.. Having said that, I agree with you that I don't know how it got to the point of us knowing the dealer's cost of a car. Can't say that I mind knowing, either!

 

still not following you....
arguable about what?
If you think the business is "cheating" people, why don't you open a competing business - honest ethical business where your employees volunteer their time/work becuase it's wrong to "cheat" the customers and charge them more than your cost. I'm sure your landlord, your phone co, your utilities co, uncle Sam will all be very understanding when you don't pay their bills due to your high ethical standards. Not to mention your families when you don't pay rent, food, etc.
heck, if you're an employee somewhere, why don't you volunteer your wages as refunds to the customers who were cheated out of their honest dollars.

 

I wish I could get a pair of Air Jordans for $1.50

 

being honest doesnt always make you money...sure some people go by pricinple but the majority honeslty dont give a fu*k