Oil id[sic] a commodity. If the price of oil/gas was tied so closely to the strength/weakness of the dollar, then there would be other, similar corresponding financial moves in the rest of the commodity markets. That's simply not the case.
"And commodity prices have gone up quite dramatically -- particularly in recent weeks. As I wrote this week on DailyFinance, gasoline, oil, corn, cotton and wheat have all experienced price spikes, to name just a few that are likely to cut into consumers' budgets"
(This was written about 3 months ago.)
I probably write a couple of letters (not emails...actual letters) to gov't officials every month expressing my displeasure over these manipulations. Can you tell that's a sore spot with me?
Yes, I can - and I also wonder why you're having such a hard time grasping this basic concept: weak currencies lead to higher prices.
Unfortunately most selling requires a lot of wasted time trying to sell to people who won't buy. I have heard of a real estate agent taking a client to over 50 houses...then he told the supposed client he won't take him to any more houses.
I don't know the averages in the car business, but I would say most businesses you will have to try to sell to about 10 people to get one actual client. And you can't let it get you down, every time you get turned down you have to say that is great, now I just have 9 more, to go before I get a sale. It's just part of the process, you will never get a sale every time a customer comes in.
It's like my old dating days. Ask 10 women to go out with me and maybe the 10th one will say yes!
take a little time to read the holdings of your IRA's, 401K's, mutual funds.
I agree...if you believe this to be true. I hate paying 20 cents more a gallon at the pump, but my oil stocks have gone up so much more than that, it is actually better for me when the price of gasoline goes up.
If you believe the prices are fixed (and I tend to think they are), you can take advantage of that by owning oil stocks........at the least it will hedge the cost of gas at the pumps.
I agree - Bernanke is watering down the dollar because he wants to jump-start the export side of our economy. A cheap dollar makes US farm equipment, airliners & agricultural products cheaper for buyers paying for this stuff with foreign currencies.
But you can't make exports cheaper without simultaneously making imports more expensive.
It's a shame that your creative juices got shot down. That happens a lot. Here is one idea that didn't get shot down. Years ago, people complained about the juices from raw meat dripping from the package. Remember those days? I was in high school with a guy (didn't know him well) who invented that square piece of sponge that you see under your piece of meat in the styrofoam package. Not only does it stop the drips, it supposedly keeps the meat fresher. Who would have thought? He came up with the idea from hearing his mother complain about the messy meat packages. When the rest of us went off to college, he stayed home and worked on his idea. Can we say "billionaire"?
Not sure if this helps, but MB seems pretty generous with rebates at the end of the model year, sometimes that is - if your are remotely considering new. :shades:
When I bought my C350 in August of 2008 - there was $3,500 right off the top as a rebate. Also the diff between MSRP and invoice was larger than I expected so there was more room to work there as well.
Net net is each August there are some good deals to be had on the MB lot, depends on inventory levels of different models. in 2009 I saw $10K off the GL450s.
There was almost nothing on the GLK last year, so you are likely safe from needing a sweater...
" SO he wanted to compare EVERYTHING. I found out that he was here a few months ago and has 8000 neg equity with low beacon.
Sounds like he KNEW what he was doing....Im going to wear out his answering machine. "
This guy's had his cable and internet cut off because of non-payment. Not been able to afford a movie for months. He couldn't add cheese if he ordered a hamburger. You (and probably other stores) are his only entertainment.
Last week, I had to take my fiancee's 2009 Mazda 3 Grand Touring in to be serviced. There was a power steering recall that needed to be done, so I figured I would have them do an oil change while they were at it. As it turned out, the battery in her car went bad that morning, and also needed to be replaced under the pro-rated part of the OEM battery warranty. No problem.
I waited about an hour for their courtesy driver to finish whatever he was doing, and drive me into the city - ultimately made me late for a phone conference I was supposed to be on. Not very happy at this point. Regardless, I don't hear anything from them, and no news is good news.
I call in around 4pm to see what the status of the car is and they tell me it is ready. I arrive at the dealer, pay for the service and they pull the car around. As I walk up to the car, I notice the upper hood area along along the drivers edge is not sitting flush. I look closer and see a shiny piece of metal sticking out of the top by the windshield. Pop the hood, and what do I find? Whomever had been working on the car, left a ratchet under the hood and then proceeded to slam the hood down on top of it. Huge dent on the under side of the hood.
I go back inside, a little peeved. The service advisor seems thoroughly agitated that I came back in to talk to him, even after presenting him with the wrench - as if this is perfectly normal and not a big deal. When I show him the hood, he first tries to dispute it saying that he couldn't see anything. At that point I asked for the service manager, and pulled the car back into their service bay. Luckily there was a similar vintage Mazda 3 in there, and I had them pop the hood for comparison - of course it wasn't the same. What did you expect, you slammed my hood down on a wrench?!
I understand that things happen. They told me to bring the car in this week, and they would give me a service loaner, swearing up and down that paintless dent removal would take care of it. Get a phone call yesterday, and the PDR guy can't touch it. Despite my hesitation, because it is only the underside of the hood and not any of the original OEM paint, I'm having them repair it and refinish it on the under side. My primary concern was rust and corrosion because the wrench broke the paint, not to mention its very noticeable when you lift the hood.
Although they have offered to make it right, it is still time wasted for me to have to drive the half hour in and out of the city several extra times. Their attitude has also been less than stellar, treating me and the car like it is unimportant and a burden on their thriving Mazda service center. I can safely say we won't ever be using them again after this. At this point, I'd rather drive the car to Cleveland to get serviced at the dealer it was bought at, as we are up there enough visiting her family anyway. They treat us and the car like royalty there (but part of me wonders if that has to do with the fact that they are also a Saab franchise).
Sorry for the long winded post - I am extremely frustrated over this. Not even the damage as much as the attitude about it.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
I know if it was my car I would have done the same thing as the OP. There is no way a dealer is damaging my car and not fixing it, no matter how minor it is.
Heck, I have made a dealer fully detail my interior for a grease stain on my door panel. It is completely unprofessional to dirty or damage a client's car in any way.
Although they have offered to make it right, it is still time wasted for me
That would bother me too....it isn't just a matter of fixing the car and making it right...it is the fact they do not respect their customer or his time.
The least they could do is give you the oil change for free since it caused more problems than it was worth. A few new floor mats or something which they get at cost might help to make up for the inconvenience.
I think it is a good rule for any business; Mistakes happen unfortunately, if they do the mistake should be corrected, and the customer should be compensated to make up for his inconvenience.
I would certainly call management and tell them about your experience, for a few reasons. They might just decide to compensate you, and they might learn from the experience. If you do it, be calm and rational, don't be arguementative. They listen better if you sound like it is just plain common sense that they should be respectful of your time.
If you want to hear someone go to jail for being slightly arguementative, this poor guy and his wife go to jail for crossing the Canada-USA border, and the guy asks customs why he wants to know what stores he is going to go shopping in. It escalates out of control. Guy and wife argue with US Customs
For your efforts you are probably flagged for "extreme grope" by the TSA at the airport.
Farmer...I think you may be right....LOL!
Actually, I don't see the full body scan lasting much longer at airports. I've flown about 5-6 times since they instituted those in airports. I think I've seen exactly one person get the "scan".
Also, I think the TSA hires the absolutely lowest common denominator when it comes to the people who operated those baggage scanners as well as the baggage hand checkers. If a terrorist can't out think that bunch, they deserve to be arrested on the spot. TSA employees really are some of the least intelligent people I've seen......ever. I've met homeless people who are smarter than they are....literally!
Snake - I do check the oil almost every time that I fill up, so to have to look at that would be awful. It is also the issue that it broke the paint.
We've spoken to management - the most they were willing to do is some dealer coupons towards a free oil change. Not that I will ever use them, because I won't go back to them after this incident is taken care of. The threat of dinging them on their Mazda survey wasn't enough, so thats that.
Will you keep you posted - again, just frustrating and a waste of my time.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
"TSA employees really are some of the least intelligent people I've seen..."
They are also some of the least considerate. My wife flew to a wedding in Atlanta last year. She had nice clothes neatly packed for a luncheon, rehearsal party, and wedding. When they inspected her bag, they tossed the clothes around and then threw them back in the bag. When my wife complained, they simply told her to move along. Those clothes had to be pressed at a cleaners when she arrived---not free i might add. On the return trip, she had a "pat down" during which time the female agent dumped her large purse out on the counter, and then threw it all back in the purse. If there is one thing that you don't do, it's mess with my wife's purse for the world to see. She's finished with flying.
Sorry to hear about your experience. The attitude thing is worse than the incident itself. I simply cannot abide a poor attitude from a place of business. I'm glad to hear that you made them correct the problem, though an inconvenience to you.
That border experience was terrible. I could just see myself saying the things that the Canadian said. I, too, would have been arrested. The key question was "What store are you going to?" I wouldn't exactly know that myself. People usually visit several stores in a mall. I certainly didn't know that pulling away from an agent was assault. I would have thought it was resisting arrest. As for the wife, I can see the natural reflex of reaching out to her husband. I also thought that it was interesting that the border guards kept calling her his girlfriend. He told them three times that she was his wife.
I can understand the necessity to protect our borders, but there was over reaction here by both parties. I wonder how it all ended. Very sad incident I must say.
snake....I looked pretty closely at a 9 month old E350 4 matic when I was hopping for my TL. I actually went in looking for a new "C Series", but the E really caught my eye.
While I doubt that I'd ever go so far as to actually consider a Benz given their high cost of upkeep, if I ever did, I might seriously consider a 1 year old E Class. Those are pretty nice and I can see one at the price for a CPO, 1 year old car.
Revenge can be time-consuming, and occasionally with no satisfaction.
If someone wanted to mess with me by phone, they'd be wasting their time. Our home phone isn't hooked up to a phone at all. If a caller bothers letting it ring through to voicemail, they'll get prompts in Spanish. We give out that number to those we don't want calling in the first place - anyone who has any legit business with us has our cell phones.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
driver...if I were that couple talking to U.S. Customs, I would have been livid. I would have contacted the Canadian Customs office with the video, the news agencies and demanded an official and public apology from those U.S. Customs officials (actually I'd probably want them fired). And, I'd want a sizable monetary settlement for the "arrest".
Who did the recording?? If it was the border couple recording the incident, I'm not surprised that it escalated. IMHO, the ones recording tend to be the ones that cause the issue.
If one politely answers the questions without attitude, one will most likely get a polite response.
Ditto Richard. Those customs guys were absolute Pr$#ks with a capital P. They did everything they could to provoke the poor guy and his wife. I hope the video goes viral and they lose their pathetic jobs and go back to being security guards at the mall.
Well I completely sympathize with you. And agree on all points, although I must say I would take it a step in a different direction. I don't think you are obliged to have to use them for repairs. Their lackadaisical attitude already, and being so clueless that they have caused you some serious grief here, which WILL be more evident a few years down the road. (you do realize it is a win win for them if they can actually get you to move along on this, cuz they can say later {in their dreams of course} that when you go to deal your car in, they can point out the damage and premature rust in that area and offer you less trade value).
From your description I envision this ratchet sticking out fairly close to the hinge. That means there was tremendous forces at play here in order for it to spring the hood enough that it was noticeably not resting home, AND cause that much paint to flake off below. So these forces were also exerted on whatever the ratchet was laying on, be it a combo of plastic/on steel, lower windshield, HVAC air intake area. I would very carefully check deeper and confirm the true extent of this damage. I also would NOT use that dealer for repairs. Call your insurance company and ask them what your options are. I think that deductible can be charged to the dealer, but check on this.
Sorry it happened to you. It is why I do ALL my own work. It couldn't be more obvious, that those bastards couldn't care less about your car. Price a new hood, any damaged bits below through an insurance adjuster, then decide if you will accept a cash payout by the dealer. I wouldn't be surprised the bill could be 2500 bucks depending on how deep the damage is below. And if the hood is entirely hot galvanized, then 'repairs' are still prone to rust later as the galv gets sanded off down to metal. This is something very few owners realize when they get their car back from a fender-bender.
Assuming the hood is not bent and rests all the way home now without the ratchet in the way and below is limited to maybe just a cracked plastic pc with no metal bending damage, tell them you will accept 1200 bucks cash. Then paint the bare spot yourself. Later rub grease or spray some rust check on it twice throughout the winter just for insurance.
This situation is sort of like a speeding ticket. If the cop only gives you a warning, you will be speeding again before the week is out...maybe even the same day. But if he fines you, you have to pay. So you pay now, and you keep paying cuz your ins agent has your number now, and even when the ticket surcharge expires, it is there on your record forever. At least that's the way it works in Cda. And later if you have some bad luck or an unjust at-fault charge and you're looking to insure something in the future, they do look back to determine risk. This all equates to $. Bottomline.
The only way they (that Mazda dealer) will be more careful in the future is if it costs them. It's the way the world works. They were idiots. They should have got right on it, showed concern and empathy, done the right thing (which would likely cost them way less than it's gonna now) AND kept you as a service and possibly sales customer in the future. Negligent, stupid, and morally deficient idiots..
Dude, that really sucks. Yes they will repair the damages, but it really leaves a bad taste in your mouth when they treat the incident like it is nothing. Good luck & keep us posted on what happens.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
If one politely answers the questions without attitude, one will most likely get a polite response.
I agree. The man crossing was obviously doing the recording, which makes me think he was looking for this kind of reaction. Just look at the website it was posted on. Its all about conspiracies and how the US government and big business were behind 9/11.
First, (and for anyone who knows me they they know I hate authority) in this case I choose the side of the customs officials.
Right from the get-go the travellers (let's call them Mr. and Mrs. Attitude) had attitude. He immediately repeated the first question, in such a way, it was obvious that he heard it the first time. He repeated it! Now I don't know about you guys, but I can hear attitude oozing out of those two all over the place. And she didn't help much when she said "Niagara Falls!" with a chuckle chuckle sarcastically. All she didn't say was, where do you think it is butthead, Nia Falls. These custom officials are trained to pick up on a lot more than just body language. But verbal responses are one the 'easiest' to decipher.
It was so painfully obvious that neither of those wet-behind-the-ears Cdns, had any clue, just how much authority a Customs Officer has. FTR, they have more authority than a cop.
And as you can listen to, it continued to escalate and go in the toilet the more they opened (what they thought was) their sense-of-entitlement mouths.
I don't know about you guys, but dammit, our borders are at least ONE damn place that we get to screen for these terrorist bastards. Does it suck about our civil rights being questioned etc etc etc? Absolutely...but it sucked a whole lot worse seeing those towers burn.
And lest you might assume I don't have objective perspective on this topic, I used to cross the border 6 times a week while trucking. And I ran into some TERRIBLY arrogant bully-minded CO's. The worst was when it was late at night and all the officers on shift were women. Struttin' and puffin' out their shiny-badged chests. The stories of injustice I could tell you.. BUT! In the case here that driver has cited? I am TOTALLY on the side of the CO's, and I hope that ignorant Cdn couple got a much needed lesson in proper conduct and respect to officials at our borders.
With my comments above, I would ask that you keep in mind that said them all, as a damn proud Canadian. I will back my own up with a vengeance. Some of you have seen me already back up a fellow Cdn right here on this thread. It came at my own expense, but i would do it again in a second if I felt that my guy or gal was not out of line.
But when you're wrong...you're wrong. And both those idiots were wrong. IMO.
I found this post over in the Venza Prices Paid forum.
I am printing the post you mentioned as most people may have missed it;
We are at an impasse and appreciate your suggestion. I am a wheelchair dependent woman. In March we leased (36 month)'10 fully loaded Venza for $415 month on the premise that Toyota would modify the vehicle if the need arose. The vehicle does not meet my needs and in fact, I cannot drive the vehicle without modifications. Toyota is unwilling to make any modifications to this vehicle b/c it is leased, making the vehicle of no use with virtually no miles. Recommendations?? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ My advice would be....who in their right mind would a) lease a car without stipulating in writing that you will be making modifications to the car and b) how could you possibly expect the dealer to make modifications to a vehicle and then try to sell it when the lease is up.
If you want to make modifications to a car you should buy the car out right. A lease is like renting a car, you don't make structural changes and then expect the dealer to take it back, and if you thought he would allow that it should be in the contract. Jeeeeez
Actually, I don't see the full body scan lasting much longer at airports. ... I think I've seen exactly one person get the "scan".
They had them at the Phoenix airport when I flew in December. They were picking every other person, yours truly as well. I don't mind the privacy part of it.
What I mind is that it took forever compared to the regular metal detector. 3 or 4 people went by the other line using a regular metal detector in the time that it took for me to go through the new scanner.
because I won't go back to them after this incident is taken care of.
It seems the Mazda dealerships are pretty independent from head office. They don't seem to worry too much about head office finding out about problems at the dealer level.
I know you don't want to waste any more time but you might get some satisfaction out of looking up the Mazda USA website and see if there is a contact or customer service person you can write to, just to let them know what happened.
The key question was "What store are you going to?" I wouldn't exactly know that myself.
The Outlet Mall he was going to was about an hour from me. I have been there at least 50 times but I would find it hard to think of naming a store I was actually going to. About 10 people have heard that recording at work and they can't name any of the stores they go to in the mall.
I think the Canadian guy was fairly reasonable too. But, I think when you are at the border you have to assume that anything you say could be taken the wrong way, so you have to take it very serious, and never argue. Basically, you have no rights at the border. They can take your car apart and they won't help you put it back together. I have had suitcases completely messed up, the glove box emptied onto the floor, and I had to put it all back together.
All you can do is stand by and let them do it, never question them, and never raise your voice.
Once I came back from a trip and I jokingly said to the Canadian Customs lady, I came through your aisle because you weren't busy so I thought I would give you my business. I paid for that one. Every bottle was openned and examined. Now, I only reply when actually asked a question, and i don't say any more than I have to.
I've had my own special interaction with these fine folks.
From 1989 to 2003 I traveled quite a bit for business as a software instructor. I often went to Canada to teach customers there. This was always done for consideration (ie, the customers would pay my company for my time and services).
Most of the time, I had no problems with customs. Once, however, I flew into Toronto late on a Sunday night and was pulled aside for some additional questioning. Turns out that Canada isn't too keen on American citizens (or companies) taking money from Canadians. So, I was fined $200 for a "minor NAFTA infraction" (seriously, that's what it said on the receipt), and was escorted by a nice officer to the ATM so I could pay my fine in cash.
No biggie - I expensed the fine.
However, while I was there, there was another person arguing with the customs folks - about what, exactly, I'm not sure. However, the customs official kept repeating the fact that there were no more flights to the US that evening, and that the person was welcome to spend the night in the holding cell until the next morning.
Not sure of the outcome of that discussion, as I finished my business and left.
public apology from those U.S. Customs officials (actually I'd probably want them fired).
GG, I don't think you could do anything to those Customs Officers. They hold all the cards, and though they weren't nice about it, they have the right to do that.
I don't think the guy was that out of line, but he was just enough that he caught a Customs guy who was a little bit on the nasty side...probably had an arguement with his wife that morning.
Once it started getting out of control, the Customs Officer had no where to go but to press his point. I think he should have considered the guy was a young guy and doesn't really understand he doesn't have all the rights he thinks he has. He sure didn't seem to be a terrorist, just a guy who doesn't know whan to quit.
agent dumped her large purse out on the counter, and then threw it all back in the purse.
It is too bad your wife was treated this way. Your wife probably doesn't fit the profile of any terrorist known to man.
Just imagine this poor lady at Calgary airport; CALGARY - The Calgary Airport Authority wants answers after an 82-year-old woman complained of a nightmarish security check at the Calgary International Airport.
Elizabeth Strecker, who lost a breast to cancer, said she was asked by security last week if she was carrying any banned liquids, but didn't think she had to reveal she'd had a mastectomy.
When an airport scanner detected her prosthesis, she said security staff felt she'd misled them and they subjected her to a patdown where she was touched "everywhere."
Strecker said the worst part was being accused of lying to security.
She called the experience humiliating and said she plans to seek an apology. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
This is an 82 year old woman!!!!! It doesn't say but she had to be given a full body search.
Then there is a lady who bought her husband a replica of a soldier while she was away in Europe. The customs people made her remove the toy gun because it was considered a weapon. She said, it is plastic, doesn't even have a hole in the barrel. They did allow her to take it to a store to purchase an envelope and she could mail it home separately. She did, and it eventually got home, and her husband was thrilled.
Just look at the website it was posted on. Its all about conspiracies and how the US government and big business were behind 9/11.
That's a good point. But, even if he was looking for trouble, the thing he said that ignited it wasn't that bad. It did get out of control quickly after that, but "What stores are you going to" should not have led to that confrontation.
I am not sure if the Canadian guy is a member of the website conspiracy theory people/anarchists (?) or if it was picked up by them afterwards.
Then there is a lady who bought her husband a replica of a soldier while she was away in Europe. The customs people made her remove the toy gun because it was considered a weapon. She said, it is plastic, doesn't even have a hole in the barrel. They did allow her to take it to a store to purchase an envelope and she could mail it home separately. She did, and it eventually got home, and her husband was thrilled.
The facts are not quite right. It wasn't the customs people, but security at Heathrow. It had nothing to do with Candian customs.
She bought the figure at a military museum. I loved the museum's director's quote -- "I"m glad we didn't sell her a toy tank." :shades:
So, I was fined $200 for a "minor NAFTA infraction"
Those things happen going both ways across the border. Last year we took the dog with us to Florida on the plane. We had $300 worth of shots and paperwork for the dog. U.S. customs didn't look at the paperwork, said the dog was fine, but we had to throw 2 apples we had with us into the garbage....can't take food (fruit, vegetables meat) with you over the border.
When we returned we got a nasty Canadian Customs agent. We thought since the vet wrote out papers that cost $300 that would be good enough. They didn't care about that, they wanted a rabies certificate. We had it but didn't bring it because as I told the guy, The vet wouldn't have given the dog a full clean bill of health if she had rabies. He said it didn't matter, the only thing that matters is he has to see the rabies certificate. I knew I wasn't going to win this one, so we paid the $50 and had to fax them a copy of the certificate. I thought they were going to lock up poor Gigi! :sick:
Last June, I went on a Scout trip to Quebec. On the way home another scout leader and I came back with two scouts (to maintain the required 2 deep leadership) in my car. One of the boys could be a bit of a smart aleck so I advised him KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT about 5 kms from the border.
Only issue we had was two oranges we brought in from the US that we couldn't bring back.
Somewhere along the line you'd think someone would get the message that you don't mess with folks at the border. Sounds like you got the wrong guard and the wrong customer together.
When we cross the border we have all the passports ready and a reasonable itinerary. Very rarely does anyone want to look through anything. Good thing, too, because usually when we are crossing it's in a packed van with a cap on the top full of camping equipment.
I don't know if this holds true for folks in here but almost to a man my Canadian friends say the Canadian border folks are more trouble than those in The US. As an American i find just the opposite.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
feel free to weigh in, though I don't think there's much we can offer this consumer except to say, "bummer."
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I meant to mention about the You Tube vid that driver posted with the Cdn couple.
I think that we all should first consider that that particular video is likely a fake. Technically, there isn't anything there that couldn't be easily made in someone's kitchen. Why do I say that? Cuz the device he used to record the supposed ordeal, would have been discovered and my guess is, would be confiscated.
Which brings me to a question that will show some of my naivety regarding internet use. Do people actually get some form of payment for posting on You Tube? Amount determined by # of views? I have always wondered this and never asked anyone till now. :shades:
Comments
Are you sure? See this link: How to Profit from a Weak Dollar: Bet on Commodities
"And commodity prices have gone up quite dramatically -- particularly in recent weeks. As I wrote this week on DailyFinance, gasoline, oil, corn, cotton and wheat have all experienced price spikes, to name just a few that are likely to cut into consumers' budgets"
(This was written about 3 months ago.)
I probably write a couple of letters (not emails...actual letters) to gov't officials every month expressing my displeasure over these manipulations.
Can you tell that's a sore spot with me?
Yes, I can - and I also wonder why you're having such a hard time grasping this basic concept: weak currencies lead to higher prices.
in an import economy, which we basically are.
It's an attempt to change that.
Unfortunately most selling requires a lot of wasted time trying to sell to people who won't buy. I have heard of a real estate agent taking a client to over 50 houses...then he told the supposed client he won't take him to any more houses.
I don't know the averages in the car business, but I would say most businesses you will have to try to sell to about 10 people to get one actual client. And you can't let it get you down, every time you get turned down you have to say that is great, now I just have 9 more, to go before I get a sale.
It's just part of the process, you will never get a sale every time a customer comes in.
It's like my old dating days. Ask 10 women to go out with me and maybe the 10th one will say yes!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree...if you believe this to be true. I hate paying 20 cents more a gallon at the pump, but my oil stocks have gone up so much more than that, it is actually better for me when the price of gasoline goes up.
If you believe the prices are fixed (and I tend to think they are), you can take advantage of that by owning oil stocks........at the least it will hedge the cost of gas at the pumps.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree - Bernanke is watering down the dollar because he wants to jump-start the export side of our economy. A cheap dollar makes US farm equipment, airliners & agricultural products cheaper for buyers paying for this stuff with foreign currencies.
But you can't make exports cheaper without simultaneously making imports more expensive.
Richard
We will see if it happens.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Not sure if this helps, but MB seems pretty generous with rebates at the end of the model year, sometimes that is - if your are remotely considering new. :shades:
When I bought my C350 in August of 2008 - there was $3,500 right off the top as a rebate. Also the diff between MSRP and invoice was larger than I expected so there was more room to work there as well.
Net net is each August there are some good deals to be had on the MB lot, depends on inventory levels of different models. in 2009 I saw $10K off the GL450s.
There was almost nothing on the GLK last year, so you are likely safe from needing a sweater...
Sounds like he KNEW what he was doing....Im going to wear out his answering machine. "
This guy's had his cable and internet cut off because of non-payment. Not been able to afford a movie for months. He couldn't add cheese if he ordered a hamburger. You (and probably other stores) are his only entertainment.
Go get him.
Eww, I'd tell her to go to a Doctor. She needs to take care of that secretion. It could be serious. :P
Sounds like your store needs a better system to keep track of clients. Ideally you would've known this information before going on any test drives.
I waited about an hour for their courtesy driver to finish whatever he was doing, and drive me into the city - ultimately made me late for a phone conference I was supposed to be on. Not very happy at this point. Regardless, I don't hear anything from them, and no news is good news.
I call in around 4pm to see what the status of the car is and they tell me it is ready. I arrive at the dealer, pay for the service and they pull the car around. As I walk up to the car, I notice the upper hood area along along the drivers edge is not sitting flush. I look closer and see a shiny piece of metal sticking out of the top by the windshield. Pop the hood, and what do I find? Whomever had been working on the car, left a ratchet under the hood and then proceeded to slam the hood down on top of it. Huge dent on the under side of the hood.
I go back inside, a little peeved. The service advisor seems thoroughly agitated that I came back in to talk to him, even after presenting him with the wrench - as if this is perfectly normal and not a big deal. When I show him the hood, he first tries to dispute it saying that he couldn't see anything. At that point I asked for the service manager, and pulled the car back into their service bay. Luckily there was a similar vintage Mazda 3 in there, and I had them pop the hood for comparison - of course it wasn't the same. What did you expect, you slammed my hood down on a wrench?!
I understand that things happen. They told me to bring the car in this week, and they would give me a service loaner, swearing up and down that paintless dent removal would take care of it. Get a phone call yesterday, and the PDR guy can't touch it. Despite my hesitation, because it is only the underside of the hood and not any of the original OEM paint, I'm having them repair it and refinish it on the under side. My primary concern was rust and corrosion because the wrench broke the paint, not to mention its very noticeable when you lift the hood.
Although they have offered to make it right, it is still time wasted for me to have to drive the half hour in and out of the city several extra times. Their attitude has also been less than stellar, treating me and the car like it is unimportant and a burden on their thriving Mazda service center. I can safely say we won't ever be using them again after this. At this point, I'd rather drive the car to Cleveland to get serviced at the dealer it was bought at, as we are up there enough visiting her family anyway. They treat us and the car like royalty there (but part of me wonders if that has to do with the fact that they are also a Saab franchise).
Sorry for the long winded post - I am extremely frustrated over this. Not even the damage as much as the attitude about it.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
OK, I have to ask, how often do you drive around with the hood up?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I know if it was my car I would have done the same thing as the OP. There is no way a dealer is damaging my car and not fixing it, no matter how minor it is.
Heck, I have made a dealer fully detail my interior for a grease stain on my door panel. It is completely unprofessional to dirty or damage a client's car in any way.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
So you know what it is like to get "the feel of the road."
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That would bother me too....it isn't just a matter of fixing the car and making it right...it is the fact they do not respect their customer or his time.
The least they could do is give you the oil change for free since it caused more problems than it was worth. A few new floor mats or something which they get at cost might help to make up for the inconvenience.
I think it is a good rule for any business; Mistakes happen unfortunately, if they do the mistake should be corrected, and the customer should be compensated to make up for his inconvenience.
I would certainly call management and tell them about your experience, for a few reasons. They might just decide to compensate you, and they might learn from the experience. If you do it, be calm and rational, don't be arguementative. They listen better if you sound like it is just plain common sense that they should be respectful of your time.
If you want to hear someone go to jail for being slightly arguementative, this poor guy and his wife go to jail for crossing the Canada-USA border, and the guy asks customs why he wants to know what stores he is going to go shopping in. It escalates out of control.
Guy and wife argue with US Customs
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Farmer...I think you may be right....LOL!
Actually, I don't see the full body scan lasting much longer at airports. I've flown about 5-6 times since they instituted those in airports. I think I've seen exactly one person get the "scan".
Also, I think the TSA hires the absolutely lowest common denominator when it comes to the people who operated those baggage scanners as well as the baggage hand checkers. If a terrorist can't out think that bunch, they deserve to be arrested on the spot. TSA employees really are some of the least intelligent people I've seen......ever. I've met homeless people who are smarter than they are....literally!
We've spoken to management - the most they were willing to do is some dealer coupons towards a free oil change. Not that I will ever use them, because I won't go back to them after this incident is taken care of. The threat of dinging them on their Mazda survey wasn't enough, so thats that.
Will you keep you posted - again, just frustrating and a waste of my time.
They are also some of the least considerate. My wife flew to a wedding in Atlanta last year. She had nice clothes neatly packed for a luncheon, rehearsal party, and wedding. When they inspected her bag, they tossed the clothes around and then threw them back in the bag. When my wife complained, they simply told her to move along. Those clothes had to be pressed at a cleaners when she arrived---not free i might add. On the return trip, she had a "pat down" during which time the female agent dumped her large purse out on the counter, and then threw it all back in the purse. If there is one thing that you don't do, it's mess with my wife's purse for the world to see. She's finished with flying.
Richard
Richard
I can understand the necessity to protect our borders, but there was over reaction here by both parties. I wonder how it all ended. Very sad incident I must say.
Richard
While I doubt that I'd ever go so far as to actually consider a Benz given their high cost of upkeep, if I ever did, I might seriously consider a 1 year old E Class. Those are pretty nice and I can see one at the price for a CPO, 1 year old car.
If someone wanted to mess with me by phone, they'd be wasting their time. Our home phone isn't hooked up to a phone at all. If a caller bothers letting it ring through to voicemail, they'll get prompts in Spanish. We give out that number to those we don't want calling in the first place - anyone who has any legit business with us has our cell phones.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for their behavior.
If one politely answers the questions without attitude, one will most likely get a polite response.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
From your description I envision this ratchet sticking out fairly close to the hinge. That means there was tremendous forces at play here in order for it to spring the hood enough that it was noticeably not resting home, AND cause that much paint to flake off below. So these forces were also exerted on whatever the ratchet was laying on, be it a combo of plastic/on steel, lower windshield, HVAC air intake area. I would very carefully check deeper and confirm the true extent of this damage. I also would NOT use that dealer for repairs. Call your insurance company and ask them what your options are. I think that deductible can be charged to the dealer, but check on this.
Sorry it happened to you. It is why I do ALL my own work. It couldn't be more obvious, that those bastards couldn't care less about your car. Price a new hood, any damaged bits below through an insurance adjuster, then decide if you will accept a cash payout by the dealer. I wouldn't be surprised the bill could be 2500 bucks depending on how deep the damage is below. And if the hood is entirely hot galvanized, then 'repairs' are still prone to rust later as the galv gets sanded off down to metal. This is something very few owners realize when they get their car back from a fender-bender.
Assuming the hood is not bent and rests all the way home now without the ratchet in the way and below is limited to maybe just a cracked plastic pc with no metal bending damage, tell them you will accept 1200 bucks cash. Then paint the bare spot yourself. Later rub grease or spray some rust check on it twice throughout the winter just for insurance.
This situation is sort of like a speeding ticket. If the cop only gives you a warning, you will be speeding again before the week is out...maybe even the same day. But if he fines you, you have to pay. So you pay now, and you keep paying cuz your ins agent has your number now, and even when the ticket surcharge expires, it is there on your record forever. At least that's the way it works in Cda. And later if you have some bad luck or an unjust at-fault charge and you're looking to insure something in the future, they do look back to determine risk. This all equates to $. Bottomline.
The only way they (that Mazda dealer) will be more careful in the future is if it costs them. It's the way the world works. They were idiots. They should have got right on it, showed concern and empathy, done the right thing (which would likely cost them way less than it's gonna now) AND kept you as a service and possibly sales customer in the future. Negligent, stupid, and morally deficient idiots..
Me thinks that we could probably offer a bit of advice to the OP.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I agree. The man crossing was obviously doing the recording, which makes me think he was looking for this kind of reaction. Just look at the website it was posted on. Its all about conspiracies and how the US government and big business were behind 9/11.
I wonder what kind of car he was driving?
But here is my short-formed take on it.
First, (and for anyone who knows me they they know I hate authority) in this case I choose the side of the customs officials.
Right from the get-go the travellers (let's call them Mr. and Mrs. Attitude) had attitude. He immediately repeated the first question, in such a way, it was obvious that he heard it the first time. He repeated it! Now I don't know about you guys, but I can hear attitude oozing out of those two all over the place. And she didn't help much when she said "Niagara Falls!" with a chuckle chuckle sarcastically. All she didn't say was, where do you think it is butthead, Nia Falls. These custom officials are trained to pick up on a lot more than just body language. But verbal responses are one the 'easiest' to decipher.
It was so painfully obvious that neither of those wet-behind-the-ears Cdns, had any clue, just how much authority a Customs Officer has. FTR, they have more authority than a cop.
And as you can listen to, it continued to escalate and go in the toilet the more they opened (what they thought was) their sense-of-entitlement mouths.
I don't know about you guys, but dammit, our borders are at least ONE damn place that we get to screen for these terrorist bastards. Does it suck about our civil rights being questioned etc etc etc? Absolutely...but it sucked a whole lot worse seeing those towers burn.
And lest you might assume I don't have objective perspective on this topic, I used to cross the border 6 times a week while trucking. And I ran into some TERRIBLY arrogant bully-minded CO's. The worst was when it was late at night and all the officers on shift were women. Struttin' and puffin' out their shiny-badged chests. The stories of injustice I could tell you..
BUT! In the case here that driver has cited? I am TOTALLY on the side of the CO's, and I hope that ignorant Cdn couple got a much needed lesson in proper conduct and respect to officials at our borders.
With my comments above, I would ask that you keep in mind that said them all, as a damn proud Canadian. I will back my own up with a vengeance. Some of you have seen me already back up a fellow Cdn right here on this thread. It came at my own expense, but i would do it again in a second if I felt that my guy or gal was not out of line.
But when you're wrong...you're wrong. And both those idiots were wrong.
IMO.
I am printing the post you mentioned as most people may have missed it;
We are at an impasse and appreciate your suggestion. I am a wheelchair dependent woman. In March we leased (36 month)'10 fully loaded Venza for $415 month on the premise that Toyota would modify the vehicle if the need arose. The vehicle does not meet my needs and in fact, I cannot drive the vehicle without modifications. Toyota is unwilling to make any modifications to this vehicle b/c it is leased, making the vehicle of no use with virtually no miles. Recommendations??
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My advice would be....who in their right mind would a) lease a car without stipulating in writing that you will be making modifications to the car and b) how could you possibly expect the dealer to make modifications to a vehicle and then try to sell it when the lease is up.
If you want to make modifications to a car you should buy the car out right.
A lease is like renting a car, you don't make structural changes and then expect the dealer to take it back, and if you thought he would allow that it should be in the contract. Jeeeeez
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They had them at the Phoenix airport when I flew in December. They were picking every other person, yours truly as well. I don't mind the privacy part of it.
What I mind is that it took forever compared to the regular metal detector. 3 or 4 people went by the other line using a regular metal detector in the time that it took for me to go through the new scanner.
It seems the Mazda dealerships are pretty independent from head office. They don't seem to worry too much about head office finding out about problems at the dealer level.
I know you don't want to waste any more time but you might get some satisfaction out of looking up the Mazda USA website and see if there is a contact or customer service person you can write to, just to let them know what happened.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The Outlet Mall he was going to was about an hour from me. I have been there at least 50 times but I would find it hard to think of naming a store I was actually going to. About 10 people have heard that recording at work and they can't name any of the stores they go to in the mall.
I think the Canadian guy was fairly reasonable too. But, I think when you are at the border you have to assume that anything you say could be taken the wrong way, so you have to take it very serious, and never argue. Basically, you have no rights at the border. They can take your car apart and they won't help you put it back together. I have had suitcases completely messed up, the glove box emptied onto the floor, and I had to put it all back together.
All you can do is stand by and let them do it, never question them, and never raise your voice.
Once I came back from a trip and I jokingly said to the Canadian Customs lady, I came through your aisle because you weren't busy so I thought I would give you my business. I paid for that one. Every bottle was openned and examined. Now, I only reply when actually asked a question, and i don't say any more than I have to.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
From 1989 to 2003 I traveled quite a bit for business as a software instructor. I often went to Canada to teach customers there. This was always done for consideration (ie, the customers would pay my company for my time and services).
Most of the time, I had no problems with customs. Once, however, I flew into Toronto late on a Sunday night and was pulled aside for some additional questioning. Turns out that Canada isn't too keen on American citizens (or companies) taking money from Canadians. So, I was fined $200 for a "minor NAFTA infraction" (seriously, that's what it said on the receipt), and was escorted by a nice officer to the ATM so I could pay my fine in cash.
No biggie - I expensed the fine.
However, while I was there, there was another person arguing with the customs folks - about what, exactly, I'm not sure. However, the customs official kept repeating the fact that there were no more flights to the US that evening, and that the person was welcome to spend the night in the holding cell until the next morning.
Not sure of the outcome of that discussion, as I finished my business and left.
GG, I don't think you could do anything to those Customs Officers. They hold all the cards, and though they weren't nice about it, they have the right to do that.
I don't think the guy was that out of line, but he was just enough that he caught a Customs guy who was a little bit on the nasty side...probably had an arguement with his wife that morning.
Once it started getting out of control, the Customs Officer had no where to go but to press his point. I think he should have considered the guy was a young guy and doesn't really understand he doesn't have all the rights he thinks he has. He sure didn't seem to be a terrorist, just a guy who doesn't know whan to quit.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It is too bad your wife was treated this way. Your wife probably doesn't fit the profile of any terrorist known to man.
Just imagine this poor lady at Calgary airport;
CALGARY - The Calgary Airport Authority wants answers after an 82-year-old woman complained of a nightmarish security check at the Calgary International Airport.
Elizabeth Strecker, who lost a breast to cancer, said she was asked by security last week if she was carrying any banned liquids, but didn't think she had to reveal she'd had a mastectomy.
When an airport scanner detected her prosthesis, she said security staff felt she'd misled them and they subjected her to a patdown where she was touched "everywhere."
Strecker said the worst part was being accused of lying to security.
She called the experience humiliating and said she plans to seek an apology.
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This is an 82 year old woman!!!!! It doesn't say but she had to be given a full body search.
Then there is a lady who bought her husband a replica of a soldier while she was away in Europe. The customs people made her remove the toy gun because it was considered a weapon. She said, it is plastic, doesn't even have a hole in the barrel. They did allow her to take it to a store to purchase an envelope and she could mail it home separately. She did, and it eventually got home, and her husband was thrilled.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's a good point. But, even if he was looking for trouble, the thing he said that ignited it wasn't that bad. It did get out of control quickly after that, but "What stores are you going to" should not have led to that confrontation.
I am not sure if the Canadian guy is a member of the website conspiracy theory people/anarchists (?) or if it was picked up by them afterwards.
But it does make one wonder.......
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The facts are not quite right. It wasn't the customs people, but security at Heathrow. It had nothing to do with Candian customs.
She bought the figure at a military museum. I loved the museum's director's quote -- "I"m glad we didn't sell her a toy tank." :shades:
Those things happen going both ways across the border. Last year we took the dog with us to Florida on the plane. We had $300 worth of shots and paperwork for the dog. U.S. customs didn't look at the paperwork, said the dog was fine, but we had to throw 2 apples we had with us into the garbage....can't take food (fruit, vegetables meat) with you over the border.
When we returned we got a nasty Canadian Customs agent. We thought since the vet wrote out papers that cost $300 that would be good enough. They didn't care about that, they wanted a rabies certificate. We had it but didn't bring it because as I told the guy, The vet wouldn't have given the dog a full clean bill of health if she had rabies. He said it didn't matter, the only thing that matters is he has to see the rabies certificate.
I knew I wasn't going to win this one, so we paid the $50 and had to fax them a copy of the certificate. I thought they were going to lock up poor Gigi! :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
just asking, since I saw a red one today driving around. Love that color.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Only issue we had was two oranges we brought in from the US that we couldn't bring back.
When we cross the border we have all the passports ready and a reasonable itinerary. Very rarely does anyone want to look through anything. Good thing, too, because usually when we are crossing it's in a packed van with a cap on the top full of camping equipment.
I don't know if this holds true for folks in here but almost to a man my Canadian friends say the Canadian border folks are more trouble than those in The US. As an American i find just the opposite.
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I think that we all should first consider that that particular video is likely a fake. Technically, there isn't anything there that couldn't be easily made in someone's kitchen. Why do I say that? Cuz the device he used to record the supposed ordeal, would have been discovered and my guess is, would be confiscated.
Which brings me to a question that will show some of my naivety regarding internet use.
Do people actually get some form of payment for posting on You Tube? Amount determined by # of views? I have always wondered this and never asked anyone till now.