Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy

I like it a lot, and would not want to give it up. But like you say, $10/month seems to be a good price for it.

fintail

I have a "mostly music" plan, as there's a dearth of consistently good terrestrial radio here, and I hate when bluetooth streaming lags in rural areas. It's roughly $10/month - it is supposed to limit to just music, but I still get BBC and sports. It's frivolous, but I use it virtually every time I drive.

0patience

Some spammers have posted all over the place.
There's about 20 on the Recent Discussion list

Looks like gibberish to me.

murphydog

Slight shift in topics here - my brother in law came over last weekend, he has a new truck as well, a F-150 Lariat 4x4 V8 in black. Similar options as my Ram, though Ford has a few more bells and whistles - the 360 view camera for parking is very nice for a big truck in the city!

Anyway he has added $10-12K in extra's - Lift kit, new wheels and tires, fender flares, and a Flowmaster exhaust system. While his truck looks cool, there is no way I am spending that much extra cash on mine - a new set of more aggressive tires is all I am looking for...until I heard his truck, wow the Flowmaster system sounds so cool, not too crazy mind you, but a nice deep rumble.

So I start looking on line and I come across one that sounds even better by Borla, and for the most part changing the muffler from stock to one of these is a simple 30 minute bolt on job that can easily be done at home.

Haven't purchased yet, but the muffler itself is $140 with free shipping....I may have a weekend project in the next month or so...


Oh and Sirius, they are relentless - I canceled the Mercedes in 2016, and while they did cancel my service they will not stop contacting me with follow up offers, I think they are now offering 6 months for $30. "cancel anytime"....right...Good luck to all of you who have active accounts. The free preview in my truck expires next year, I am sure it will be a huge fight to shut it down...

stickguy

I have not had any issues cancelling. They don't really have much choice, since it is because I don't own the car any longer. Not like can talk me into keeping the service!

ab348

stickguy said:

I have not had any issues cancelling. They don't really have much choice, since it is because I don't own the car any longer. Not like can talk me into keeping the service!

They actually tried that with me after I told them the car I had it in was gone. "We have home receivers too!"

andres3

fintail said:

I have a "mostly music" plan, as there's a dearth of consistently good terrestrial radio here, and I hate when bluetooth streaming lags in rural areas. It's roughly $10/month - it is supposed to limit to just music, but I still get BBC and sports. It's frivolous, but I use it virtually every time I drive.

My biggest problem with Sirius XM is that it follows the car, not me, the driver. I can't stand to pay more than $10/month, for both cars. I got them to do the Audi again for 6 months about $5/month (including fees/taxes), but they wouldn't do the Kia for that amount (renewal came a bit later). They drew the line in the sand and so did I, so now I'm down to 1 car with it.

andres3

murphydog said:

Slight shift in topics here - my brother in law came over last weekend, he has a new truck as well, a F-150 Lariat 4x4 V8 in black. Similar options as my Ram, though Ford has a few more bells and whistles - the 360 view camera for parking is very nice for a big truck in the city!

Anyway he has added $10-12K in extra's - Lift kit, new wheels and tires, fender flares, and a Flowmaster exhaust system. While his truck looks cool, there is no way I am spending that much extra cash on mine - a new set of more aggressive tires is all I am looking for...until I heard his truck, wow the Flowmaster system sounds so cool, not too crazy mind you, but a nice deep rumble.

So I start looking on line and I come across one that sounds even better by Borla, and for the most part changing the muffler from stock to one of these is a simple 30 minute bolt on job that can easily be done at home.

Haven't purchased yet, but the muffler itself is $140 with free shipping....I may have a weekend project in the next month or so...


Oh and Sirius, they are relentless - I canceled the Mercedes in 2016, and while they did cancel my service they will not stop contacting me with follow up offers, I think they are now offering 6 months for $30. "cancel anytime"....right...Good luck to all of you who have active accounts. The free preview in my truck expires next year, I am sure it will be a huge fight to shut it down...

I had a Borla Muffler with a only legal in Nevada exhaust system upgrade in my old '06 A3. It sounded fantastic for a 4-banger! Plus with the DSG the quick-shifts were an aural pleasure.

stickguy

I could get away without XM if I was only driving local with that particular car, though I don't really have one that I use that way. Last time I did not have it was on a VW loaner I had for 4 days. Discovering that normal FM radio is pretty dismal.

nyccarguy

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

venture

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

I have not had any issues cancelling. They don't really have much choice, since it is because I don't own the car any longer. Not like can talk me into keeping the service!

They actually tried that with me after I told them the car I had it in was gone. "We have home receivers too!"

The Subaru I just got has 4 months of "SiriusXM Radio, Sports and Weather 4 months free". It also has "SiriusXM Traffic & TravelLink 3 years free".

I wonder how that is going to play out when I don't renew the Radio portion?

qbrozen

tjc78 said:

So what say the experts....
Three weeks ago or so I got pulled into my boss (and her bosse’s office) and was given first pass at a new position. 

It’s a move up from a Manger with three direct reports to a new position with 6 direct reports and “Senior Manager” title.   It’s a completely different job but I was chosen because my knowledge from my position now is essential.  

Today I was formally offered the position with an offer letter.  I explained I was basically on board but they offered about a 6% bump.  I countered with a 10% bump. 

I am waiting to hear but was curious about some opinions.  In taking an increase now I wouldn’t be eligible for a merit increase until mid 2019 so that was part of my thinking. 

You are absolutely 100% correct in asking now. I have seen too many times someone in your shoes takes less, even with the promise of "we'll take care of you next time around." Then next time around "times are tough right now, we'll take care of you NEXT time." And on and on it goes.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

tjc78 said:

So what say the experts....
Three weeks ago or so I got pulled into my boss (and her bosse’s office) and was given first pass at a new position. 

It’s a move up from a Manger with three direct reports to a new position with 6 direct reports and “Senior Manager” title.   It’s a completely different job but I was chosen because my knowledge from my position now is essential.  

Today I was formally offered the position with an offer letter.  I explained I was basically on board but they offered about a 6% bump.  I countered with a 10% bump. 

I am waiting to hear but was curious about some opinions.  In taking an increase now I wouldn’t be eligible for a merit increase until mid 2019 so that was part of my thinking. 

You are absolutely 100% correct in asking now. I have seen too many times someone in your shoes takes less, even with the promise of "we'll take care of you next time around." Then next time around "times are tough right now, we'll take care of you NEXT time." And on and on it goes.


Strike while the iron is hot, @tjc78

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I haven't gone under a car to change the oil in at least 25 years. And doubt I ever will again.

at this point, I think I am down to wiper blades, air filter, and cabin filter. And some light bulbs.

Just wait until you move to Saratoga and you're laying in a ditch trying to install chains so you can get home.

oldfarmer50

murphydog said:

Slight shift in topics here - my brother in law came over last weekend, he has a new truck as well, a F-150 Lariat 4x4 V8 in black. Similar options as my Ram, though Ford has a few more bells and whistles - the 360 view camera for parking is very nice for a big truck in the city!

Anyway he has added $10-12K in extra's - Lift kit, new wheels and tires, fender flares, and a Flowmaster exhaust system. While his truck looks cool, there is no way I am spending that much extra cash on mine - a new set of more aggressive tires is all I am looking for...until I heard his truck, wow the Flowmaster system sounds so cool, not too crazy mind you, but a nice deep rumble.

So I start looking on line and I come across one that sounds even better by Borla, and for the most part changing the muffler from stock to one of these is a simple 30 minute bolt on job that can easily be done at home.

Haven't purchased yet, but the muffler itself is $140 with free shipping....I may have a weekend project in the next month or so...


Oh and Sirius, they are relentless - I canceled the Mercedes in 2016, and while they did cancel my service they will not stop contacting me with follow up offers, I think they are now offering 6 months for $30. "cancel anytime"....right...Good luck to all of you who have active accounts. The free preview in my truck expires next year, I am sure it will be a huge fight to shut it down...

I'm putting a few dollars in the cookie jar each week for muffler and handling upgrades on the Ford.

Had a supposed 1 year free SR with the wife's car but they sent material demanding $12.95 activation fee. No thanks. Never missed it.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

You have to factor in the wear and tear on the Honda driving through those NYC bomb crater streets.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

You have to factor in the wear and tear on the Honda driving through those NYC bomb crater streets.

Wear and tear has to be taken into account even without the bomb crater streets. Every mile you drive gets you a mile closer to the next oil change, next brake job and the like. Not to mention depreciation. 

That being said 18.5 cents a mile for gas sounds high. Either gas is way more expensive there or that Pilot gets less mileage than I would expect. On a related note the last few days I have been taking the bike to work and I am spending a little over 3 cents a mile in gas.

nyccarguy

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

You have to factor in the wear and tear on the Honda driving through those NYC bomb crater streets.

True. But I can't figure that out after a week's worth of driving.

nyccarguy

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

You have to factor in the wear and tear on the Honda driving through those NYC bomb crater streets.

Wear and tear has to be taken into account even without the bomb crater streets. Every mile you drive gets you a mile closer to the next oil change, next brake job and the like. Not to mention depreciation. 

That being said 18.5 cents a mile for gas sounds high. Either gas is way more expensive there or that Pilot gets less mileage than I would expect. On a related note the last few days I have been taking the bike to work and I am spending a little over 3 cents a mile in gas.

Yup. She'd be essentially doubling the yearly mileage. Double the amount of oil changes, more tires, fluids... At some point we'd have to buy her another car for her. We've got about 98K on the Pilot right now. I wouldn't mind driving it every day with over 120K on the clock, but I wouldn't want her to do that.

The point of what got us talking about it was the fact that the therapists in the NYC hospital make significantly more than they do in Stamford (on paper). Once we start adding all these costs up as well as her spending 3 hours a day commuting (instead of 15 - 20 minutes), it wouldn't be worth it for her to take a job in the city.

snakeweasel

nyccarguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

You have to factor in the wear and tear on the Honda driving through those NYC bomb crater streets.

Wear and tear has to be taken into account even without the bomb crater streets. Every mile you drive gets you a mile closer to the next oil change, next brake job and the like. Not to mention depreciation. 

That being said 18.5 cents a mile for gas sounds high. Either gas is way more expensive there or that Pilot gets less mileage than I would expect. On a related note the last few days I have been taking the bike to work and I am spending a little over 3 cents a mile in gas.

Yup. She'd be essentially doubling the yearly mileage. Double the amount of oil changes, more tires, fluids... At some point we'd have to buy her another car for her. We've got about 98K on the Pilot right now. I wouldn't mind driving it every day with over 120K on the clock, but I wouldn't want her to do that. The point of what got us talking about it was the fact that the therapists in the NYC hospital make significantly more than they do in Stamford (on paper). Once we start adding all these costs up as well as her spending 3 hours a day commuting (instead of 15 - 20 minutes), it wouldn't be worth it for her to take a job in the city.

That I agree completely. I was offered to be interviewed for a job in the Loop (downtown Chicago) that I had a very decent chance of getting that would have been 12K or so more in pay. I calculated the extra taxes I would pay plus the extra cost of commuting and the fact that I would have to pay a portion of my health insurance (my current employer pays 100%) it only worked out to be less than 150 a week more. Not enough to spend an extra 2+ hours a day commuting and losing almost 2 weeks a year in vacation along with a few other benefits my current job offers (we get a paid lunch). So I turned it down. 

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

My wife works at our local hospital which is less than 3 miles from our house.  There is a hospital in NYC which is moving into a floor of our local hospital.  My wife had to travel into NYC this week for training and to see how the NYC hospital does things.  She will in turn train the other members of her department.  What on god's green earth does this have to do with cars Bradd?  I'm glad you asked.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wedesday she drove in.  Tomorrow she's going to try taking the train.  What's cheaper?  Which way is shorter?

It is approximately 40 miles one way (it could be 38 miles - 45 miles depending on which way she goes).  That's 80 miles per day in the Pilot (admitedly not the most efficient of commuter vehicles) at 18.5 cents per mile in gas.  $14.80 per day in gas (approximately) + $23 to park.  She's taken toll free routes for the most part. $37.80 per day to drive.  It has taken her 1 hour 10 minutes to drive in and 1 hour 25 minutes to get home.

Now for the train.  $8 per day to park at the train station here in Stamford.  A round trip train ticket plus round trip metro card (she's got to ride the subway uptown, then walk) cost $36.  $44 per day.  I'm sure if you park monthly and get a monthly train ticket plus metro card that will save a little bit, but I'm using the daily prices for comparison purposes.

 The train station is across town from where we live.  I went out tonight to gas up the Pilot (she did a week's worth of normal driving in 3 days) and bought her a train ticket.  It took me 9 minutes to get home at 11:00 at night.  I figure it will take her at least 15 minutes to get to the station, then another 5 minutes to park & walk to the platform.  Express trains take 50 minutes in the AM and 45 minutes in the PM.  Once she gets into the city, she's got to take one train, transfer to another train, then walk.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes her "door to door" tomorrow.

You have to factor in the wear and tear on the Honda driving through those NYC bomb crater streets.

True. But I can't figure that out after a week's worth of driving.

I remember talking to an associate who was assigned to NYC and traveled all the boroughs. He said no car would last more than 3 years on the streets there so he figured depreciation by time rather than milage. One year driving in the city equaled 33%.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

tjc78 said:

So what say the experts....
Three weeks ago or so I got pulled into my boss (and her bosse’s office) and was given first pass at a new position. 

It’s a move up from a Manger with three direct reports to a new position with 6 direct reports and “Senior Manager” title.   It’s a completely different job but I was chosen because my knowledge from my position now is essential.  

Today I was formally offered the position with an offer letter.  I explained I was basically on board but they offered about a 6% bump.  I countered with a 10% bump. 

I am waiting to hear but was curious about some opinions.  In taking an increase now I wouldn’t be eligible for a merit increase until mid 2019 so that was part of my thinking. 

You are absolutely 100% correct in asking now. I have seen too many times someone in your shoes takes less, even with the promise of "we'll take care of you next time around." Then next time around "times are tough right now, we'll take care of you NEXT time." And on and on it goes.

Strike while the iron is hot, @tjc78

Couldn’t agree more!

Just had this conversation with someone last week.

Every year about this time I start getting the phone calls from recruiters, competitors, etc....wondering if I would like to jump ship and work for them. I listen....sometimes I’ll jump.

But, if it isn’t at least a 15% bump in hard dollars (benefits, perks, etc are a separate item), I dismiss them.

Early in my career I worked for well over a decade for a well known business machine/copier company. Did quite well. Once I hit a certain level, I’d get my reviews and the raises offered would be a pittance. Even though I was doing well, the excuse was always “you are at the top of your position’s pay scale”, or “next year we’ll have more for raises and we’ll take care of you then”. Every year it was another excuse.

When I left them, they were shocked. My boss said he took it personally (whatever). When he asked why I was leaving, I told him about all those “we’ll take care of you later” excuses as the main reason. He tried to guilt me by saying how well they took care of me. I was a National Sales Manager for them at the time, and reminded him that I exceeded every unrealistic objective they ever put in front of me. After the first week of my two week notice, my boss miraculously found a nominal raise to give me. But, too little too late.

The conversation I had last week with a company who was interested in having me join them asked...”we are really interested in bringing you on board”. Understand, I know the company and they know me, so it’s not like I’m a total blank sheet for them, or vice-versa. They went on to say that their only concern was the amount of companies I had been with in the past.

There’s been a well-known study that was circulating done by Deloitte that in essence stated those who stayed with the same company with only one move in a 20 year period made almost 20% less than someone who moved to different companies 3 or more times. I quoted that study.

The person I was speaking to didn’t have any further questions regarding my career moves.

When I started my career, I thought loyalty to a company had intangibles like stability, a sense of permanence. Not so anymore. Every person I hired in with lo those many years ago at the copier company have been let go for a variety of reasons...mostly for reasons that had nothing to do with their performance. I have no reason to believe I wouldn’t have suffered the same fate, regardless of my performance.

@tjc78 ....go for it!

nyccarguy

She took the train this AM. 2 hours door to door. She was doing well until she decided to transfer subways instead of taking 1 subway and walking more. She waited 10 minutes for a subway. So maybe she could have saved 15 minutes. Still 1 hour 45 minutes door to door.

stickguy

Why I won't commute into the city for a new job!

Philly I could do, that is about 45 minutes so not too bad. And pretty cheap.

pensfan83

@tjc78 - I will echo the others and say go for as much as you can now. Your company sounds like mine in that when a promotion is given in one year you forgo your merit increase the following year and receive $0, unless your position qualifies for an incentive payout. Plus as others have said if you accept the role with an increase that isn't to your liking with a promise attached the raise will come in due time, it's possible that time will never come and you'll be given excuse after excuse. Good luck!

pensfan83

graphicguy said:

There’s been a well-known study that was circulating done by Deloitte that in essence stated those who stayed with the same company with only one move in a 20 year period made almost 20% less than someone who moved to different companies 3 or more times. I quoted that study.

The person I was speaking to didn’t have any further questions regarding my career moves.

When I started my career, I thought loyalty to a company had intangibles like stability, a sense of permanence. Not so anymore. Every person I hired in with lo those many years ago at the copier company have been let go for a variety of reasons...mostly for reasons that had nothing to do with their performance. I have no reason to believe I wouldn’t have suffered the same fate, regardless of my performance.

@tjc78 ....go for it!

I know more than a few people who have left my company to take another job and when they found that other job didn't suit them, returned here but were able to come back as external and thus get farther ahead on salary in a year's time by leaving than they would had they stayed.

stickguy

My company was notorious for that. Us dedicated people that stayed tended to get shafted.

andres3

qbrozen said:

tjc78 said:

So what say the experts....
Three weeks ago or so I got pulled into my boss (and her bosse’s office) and was given first pass at a new position. 

It’s a move up from a Manger with three direct reports to a new position with 6 direct reports and “Senior Manager” title.   It’s a completely different job but I was chosen because my knowledge from my position now is essential.  

Today I was formally offered the position with an offer letter.  I explained I was basically on board but they offered about a 6% bump.  I countered with a 10% bump. 

I am waiting to hear but was curious about some opinions.  In taking an increase now I wouldn’t be eligible for a merit increase until mid 2019 so that was part of my thinking. 

You are absolutely 100% correct in asking now. I have seen too many times someone in your shoes takes less, even with the promise of "we'll take care of you next time around." Then next time around "times are tough right now, we'll take care of you NEXT time." And on and on it goes.


If there is one thing the great recession has taught me, it is to get it while the getting's good!

When things go south people can be ruthless.

andres3

I think that issue comes from some HR theory or Business MBA book that a person is only worth what their last job/employer paid them. Pretty old-fashioned in my view.

andres3

oldfarmer50 said:

murphydog said:

Slight shift in topics here - my brother in law came over last weekend, he has a new truck as well, a F-150 Lariat 4x4 V8 in black. Similar options as my Ram, though Ford has a few more bells and whistles - the 360 view camera for parking is very nice for a big truck in the city!

Anyway he has added $10-12K in extra's - Lift kit, new wheels and tires, fender flares, and a Flowmaster exhaust system. While his truck looks cool, there is no way I am spending that much extra cash on mine - a new set of more aggressive tires is all I am looking for...until I heard his truck, wow the Flowmaster system sounds so cool, not too crazy mind you, but a nice deep rumble.

So I start looking on line and I come across one that sounds even better by Borla, and for the most part changing the muffler from stock to one of these is a simple 30 minute bolt on job that can easily be done at home.

Haven't purchased yet, but the muffler itself is $140 with free shipping....I may have a weekend project in the next month or so...


Oh and Sirius, they are relentless - I canceled the Mercedes in 2016, and while they did cancel my service they will not stop contacting me with follow up offers, I think they are now offering 6 months for $30. "cancel anytime"....right...Good luck to all of you who have active accounts. The free preview in my truck expires next year, I am sure it will be a huge fight to shut it down...

I'm putting a few dollars in the cookie jar each week for muffler and handling upgrades on the Ford.

Had a supposed 1 year free SR with the wife's car but they sent material demanding $12.95 activation fee. No thanks. Never missed it.

Companies are having a harder time understanding what a "free" trial means. My last foray with AT&T/Direct TV resulted in a very costly "free trial." They did refund after I complained.

Michaell

Since we've been talking about work, I thought I could solicit some input from the managers who frequent this thread.

Our annual reviews are coming up in a couple of months. As this is the first time I'll be on the delivery end of these talks, I'm trying to do some prep work ahead of time.

I know that I'll need to provide positive feedback (easy) and some areas where "growth" or "improvement" is warranted (not so easy). Given that my entire team is remote, how does one identify those not so positive areas?

I want to be fair, but I know I don't live in Garrison Keillor's world where "all my employees are above average".

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

ab348

Not having to do or receive annual performance reviews are the single biggest thing I appreciate about retirement. I firmly believe they are in general one of the more useless HR requirements, really only useful to cover your rear end if you are trying to terminate someone.

My own reviews the last few years were in the "everything's wonderful" vein and focused more on to-do initiatives for the coming year. The ones I did of my direct reports were more around developmental objectives rather than "you need to do better in this area" or "you didn't do a very good job on X" because I wasn't trying to get rid of anyone. My position was that if I was unhappy with their performance in any area over the last year I would have told them that at the time it occurred. So in the review we would talk about (for example) strengthening finance/budgeting skills and whatever training might be useful to achieve that. That's the part that would get written down.

Mr_Shiftright

I Don't Think This Will Ever Happen In the Foreseeable Future, But...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-26/california-mulls-following-china-with-combustion-engine-car-ban

stickguy

Michael, good to keep a folder on each employee during year. Save positive and negative comments. And reach out to people they work directly with for general feedback.

And this is why m reluctant to go back into a job requiring people management. I'm too damned old to deal with other people's crap. Consulting and "change management" is much more pleasant.

tjc78

Thanks everyone. Playing the waiting game now! I'm thinking it is going to be like a car deal and they will meet me in the middle. Stay tuned.

ab348

tjc78 said:

Thanks everyone. Playing the waiting game now! I'm thinking it is going to be like a car deal and they will meet me in the middle. Stay tuned.

If they won't meet your salary demands, ask them if they will throw in a free undercoating job and a set of snow tires.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

My company was notorious for that. Us dedicated people that stayed tended to get shafted.

Kind of like cars where they give conquest buyers a better rebate than loyal customers.

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

I Don't Think This Will Ever Happen In the Foreseeable Future, But...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-26/california-mulls-following-china-with-combustion-engine-car-ban

If I'm not dead by then, that kind of nonsense would sure motivate me to take a swan dive into a coffin. :@

graphicguy

Michaell said:

Since we've been talking about work, I thought I could solicit some input from the managers who frequent this thread.

Our annual reviews are coming up in a couple of months. As this is the first time I'll be on the delivery end of these talks, I'm trying to do some prep work ahead of time.

I know that I'll need to provide positive feedback (easy) and some areas where "growth" or "improvement" is warranted (not so easy). Given that my entire team is remote, how does one identify those not so positive areas?

I want to be fair, but I know I don't live in Garrison Keillor's world where "all my employees are above average".

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Micheal...it's a little bit of work, but on each of my people I make a list of things I expected (or the company expected) of each individual. Pick your top 5 "objectives". Rate them from A to F on how well they achieved those objectives. Write a sentence or two about the ones they should look at spending some time to improve. Both of you should agree on whatever those steps should be.

Next year, you can repeat the process and gauge how well they did on those mutually agreed upon objectives.

cdnpinhead

Talking (or e-mailing) with the people your direct reports work with on a regular basis is a useful exercise, but only if you've developed enough of a relationship with them that you can expect honest feedback. Back when I mattered in my company, we did the 360 degree review process, and it was something to behold. It may have been labor-intensive, but at least it didn't work very well. It's no longer "in service." Feedback from "internal and external" customers is the key. See. . .I still know how to use the buzzwords.

thebean

ab348 said:

tjc78 said:

Thanks everyone. Playing the waiting game now! I'm thinking it is going to be like a car deal and they will meet me in the middle. Stay tuned.

If they won't meet your salary demands, ask them if they will throw in a free undercoating job and a set of snow tires.

Or, just take a sandwich into HR and tell them you ain't leaving until you get your salary number. Get @jmonroe on the phone and follow every bit of his advice. If needed, put him on the phone with HR and refuse to take the phone back until they cave.

toomanyfumes

MKX goes to the dealer next week. Climate controlled seats haven't been working, not having the cooled seats hasn't been a big deal, but we want the heat for winter. I have a list of what is covered by the cpo warranty, and that isn't listed, but the dealer thinks they are, depends on the part number. First problem in two and a half years of ownership. Also need tires, should be another $1000.

stickguy

I hate performance management (a complete misnomer anyway). various iteration of senior "leadership" bought into the idea that it needed to be done, and somehow accomplished wonderful things. In reality, it was rolled out late every year, there were never any kind of useful organizational goals, so people did some half-baked performance plan with their boss, which then went into some black hole until January, when you had to do the final recap piece and sign off on it. No one ever managed to it during the year, and usually the goals became meaningless as things changed during the year.

My favorite year was one where the unit bosses never pushed it out, but at year end, suddenly we needed it. So in about March, I did it for the prior year. Wrote up "goals", summarized how I met them, sent to my immediate manager who accepted it, and was done.

the fact that the ratings were never actually tied to anything concrete like raises made it even more of a joke.

isellhondas

What's not to like?

The brakes were one thing! Center Plane brakes with two front wheel cylinders on each wheel. Tricky to get adjusted correctly. The rears were nasty with that big nut holding the drums on. The drums had to be beat off with a three arm puller. Those were HEAVY cars that needed all of the stopping they could get!

driver100

Once again the Canadian TV show Marketplace shows how SOME car dealerships rip off customers by scaring them into buying more products. The report says dealerships may make $1000 to $2500 on a car, but, these days they make much more on service. Many service managers are on commission for 50% or more of their total pay....so they have to sell to make a living.

One lady takes her Honda in, and they try to upsell her on things like brake pads, but, they don't mention the Takata airbags that should be removed....not much money in doing that.

It is 22 minutes long....but, it will really make you wonder how honest your dealers service department is.
https://youtu.be/jBpMe36GoW0

driver100

Performance reviews........who invented those? Like ab said, they are only useful for recording as many negatives as possible....in case you have to get rid of the poor employee one day.

I am so glad I am retired. If I was an employer I would never ever hire me...I would be the worst worker around, I just want to play tennis and pickleball all day long

jmonroe

thebean said:

ab348 said:

tjc78 said:

Thanks everyone. Playing the waiting game now! I'm thinking it is going to be like a car deal and they will meet me in the middle. Stay tuned.

If they won't meet your salary demands, ask them if they will throw in a free undercoating job and a set of snow tires.

Or, just take a sandwich into HR and tell them you ain't leaving until you get your salary number. Get @jmonroe on the phone and follow every bit of his advice. If needed, put him on the phone with HR and refuse to take the phone back until they cave.

It's nice to know that at least one guy in here listens when I talk.

jmonroe

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Ldk211bz8

explorerx4

@murphydog,
I walked by a C1500 that had some pretty aggressive Goodyear Wranglers on it.
You may want to look at those.

berri

Well Stick, an awful lot of this HR performance nonsense comes from consultants