Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

houdini1

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First thing I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Good story farmer. That looks like a lot of car for $16,700.

houdini1

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First think I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Nice car but just like @driver100 your buddy gave away $200. Don't worry, the guy needs the FAIR profit to cover his son's party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR guys.

jmonroe

jmonroe, all those years you were working, your title wouldn't have been Vice President of Hindsight would it?

houdini1

abacomike said:

explorerx4 said:

@Abacomike, That Sony TV is probably the same one I bought a few months ago. Pretty nice TV for the price.

Thanks for your input. Yes, it seemed like a fair price. I'm just worried about drilling into a poured concrete wall in my bedroom to install it. The Condos in my community were all built with pre-formed concrete walls (not concrete blocks), ceilings and floors. Only two short walls in my apartment are not concrete. The rest are all support walls. So, it is a dilemma (dilemna as driver100 would spell it) for me right now and is the only thing keeping me from going ahead with the purchase.

What I need to do is discuss this with others who know about installation into concrete walls or who have done it in their condo units. Just want to do the research (like I do when I buy a car) to make sure I am making the right decision.

Mike, two words---Duct tape.

abacomike

@oldfarmer50:

One of my first days on the showroom floor as a salesman at the Lexus dealer was just like what you mentioned but my reaction was a "newbie" response rather than a "seasoned veteran" response.

This couple walks into the showroom and the man shouts out, "...who is going to be the lucky guy who sells me and my wife a car today?" Being a "newbie" on the floor, I raised my hand (like when I was in school and needed to ask permission to use the "boys' bathroom pass") and started walking toward them. He shakes my hand and pauses - looks at the floor models of the Lexus line - and then says to me, "...oops, I thought I was in the Toyota dealership - too rich for my blood!" He and his wife head for the door of the showroom.

At the time, we had about 12-15 salesmen on the floor. A roar broke out as they exited with each salesman pointing at me and laughing their guts out! I definitely didn't make that mistake again - but after all, I wasn't a "newbie" anymore, was I?

abacomike

houdini1 said:

abacomike said:

explorerx4 said:

@Abacomike, That Sony TV is probably the same one I bought a few months ago. Pretty nice TV for the price.

Thanks for your input. Yes, it seemed like a fair price. I'm just worried about drilling into a poured concrete wall in my bedroom to install it. The Condos in my community were all built with pre-formed concrete walls (not concrete blocks), ceilings and floors. Only two short walls in my apartment are not concrete. The rest are all support walls. So, it is a dilemma (dilemna as driver100 would spell it) for me right now and is the only thing keeping me from going ahead with the purchase.

What I need to do is discuss this with others who know about installation into concrete walls or who have done it in their condo units. Just want to do the research (like I do when I buy a car) to make sure I am making the right decision.

Mike, two words---Duct tape.

I can picture it now - I'm watching my new SONY HDTV attached to my bedroom wall with gray duct tape in my bedroom as a low-flying helicopter passes over our Condo building. A few seconds later, half the paint and plaster on the wall along with my new SONY TV crashes to the floor. I bite my lip, clench my fist, and blurt out at the top of my lungs, "...THIS IS ALL HOUDINI'S FAULT...!"

ab348

abacomike said:

<
Thanks for your input. Yes, it seemed like a fair price. I'm just worried about drilling into a poured concrete wall in my bedroom to install it. The Condos in my community were all built with pre-formed concrete walls (not concrete blocks), ceilings and floors. Only two short walls in my apartment are not concrete. The rest are all support walls. So, it is a dilemma (dilemna as driver100 would spell it) for me right now and is the only thing keeping me from going ahead with the purchase.

What I need to do is discuss this with others who know about installation into concrete walls or who have done it in their condo units. Just want to do the research (like I do when I buy a car) to make sure I am making the right decision.

I never heard of such a thing before. Is there drywall affixed to the concrete?

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

We must have looked like we were pretty close because the salesman wanted to know our "relationship" with each other. I guess "coach" is better than "significant other".

LOL

imidazol97

abacomike said:

What I need to do is discuss this with others who know about installation into concrete walls or who have done it in their condo units. Just want to do the research (like I do when I buy a car) to make sure I am making the right decision.

Is there a maintenance manager person for the buildings who could tell you what works best and that others have used?

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First thing I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Your buddy STOLE that, unless there is something wrong or it has bad history. That's a mid 18s auction car all day long.

abacomike

ab348 said:

abacomike said:

<
Thanks for your input. Yes, it seemed like a fair price. I'm just worried about drilling into a poured concrete wall in my bedroom to install it. The Condos in my community were all built with pre-formed concrete walls (not concrete blocks), ceilings and floors. Only two short walls in my apartment are not concrete. The rest are all support walls. So, it is a dilemma (dilemna as driver100 would spell it) for me right now and is the only thing keeping me from going ahead with the purchase.

What I need to do is discuss this with others who know about installation into concrete walls or who have done it in their condo units. Just want to do the research (like I do when I buy a car) to make sure I am making the right decision.

I never heard of such a thing before. Is there drywall affixed to the concrete?

No, it is actually plaster - very thin layer that is smoothed onto the concrete wall and then paint over that. I guess it's like a stucco. If I rap the wall with my knuckles, the sound is dull and hard - not like the kitchen/foyer wall that has a hollow sound. I know it is strange, but these condo units were built to last, that's for sure.

driver100

isellhondas said:

I have NO IDEA how this has happened but I AM BACK!

This makes me so VERY happy! I just hope it doesn't happen again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now I am missing isell4

Could you still check in as #4 once in awhile

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, and may you all buy a new car in 2017.

driver100

ab348 said:

@isellhondas welcome back! Only 931 posts until you reach the magic 20K mark.

He should be allowed to count his isell4 posts.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

What I need to do is discuss this with others who know about installation into concrete walls or who have done it in their condo units. Just want to do the research (like I do when I buy a car) to make sure I am making the right decision.

Is there a maintenance manager person for the buildings who could tell you what works best and that others have used?

Excellent idea, imid!

We just transferred that responsibility to "managed maintenance". The building hired a manager who handles all problems, issues and phone calls regarding the building. I think, if I am not mistaken, that most of the buildings in our community now hire a maintenance manager to handle problems. It used to be the elected building representative(s) who would have to address such issues (building maintenance, trash pick-ups, roof repairs, elevator repairs and inspections, exterior building painting, etc.). So, I will give that individual a call and see if the manager can answer my questions and concerns.

driver100

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First think I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Nice car but just like @driver100 your buddy gave away $200. Don't worry, the guy needs the FAIR profit to cover his son's party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR guys.

jmonroe

OLDFARMER: Good story and very well done. It sounds like your friend got a great car for an excellent price.

Don't listen to JMonroe...he would have blown the deal over $200!

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

whatever it was, Isell better write down his password this time.

Farmer, nice deal. That seems like a much more reasonable price for a 2012. 20K seemed out of line to me. But, what do I know?

Funny thing, as we were finishing up the salesman mentioned some trouble he had with a grinder with out of state plates last week. Said the guy walked in with a sandwich and shouted "who wants to sell me a car...TODAY". He said they broomed him out real quick as he shouted about $200.

Did he say his name was JMonroe?

stickguy

there are plenty of anchors to use in concrete. Skip the huge bracket gizmos (though you can certainly install using the anchors, I think it requires 4 bolts) and try one of the lighter (wire style) systems.

this is a pretty basic one (might need next size up though). Noted in description is it includes hardware to mount in a concrete wall. Really just a slightly different anchor and bolt.

https://www.amazon.com/Mount-23-50-Fixed-Single-BTHN511S/dp/B00PXFAQ06/ref=sr_1_91?ie=UTF8&qid=1483231310&sr=8-91&keywords=tv+mounting+for+concrete+wall

here is one of those wire systems. Not much different, since still have to bolt in a couple of anchors.

https://www.amazon.com/HD-Fashion-Bracket-100x100-compliant/dp/B0035U6FII/ref=sr_1_114?ie=UTF8&qid=1483231629&sr=8-114-spons&keywords=tv+mounting+for+concrete+wall&psc=1

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First thing I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Your buddy STOLE that, unless there is something wrong or it has bad history. That's a mid 18s auction car all day long.

There's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Last day of the year and this dealer had several Cameros on his lot. Real boat anchors in winter up here. Maybe they just wanted it off the lot. The salesman did say he was into it for over $17k.

stickguy

smells like them just taking something to help the balance sheet on the last day of the year. Don't question, just be grateful!

agreed that up that way, not a lot of RWD performance cars out on the road. I know my BIL always puts the good stuff away for the winter.

iluvmysephia1

Welcome back to the National Car Nut Club, isellhonda's! Been quite a battle for ya.

jipster

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle! So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive. First thing I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked. Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700. The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined. All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Your buddy STOLE that, unless there is something wrong or it has bad history. That's a mid 18s auction car all day long.

There's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Last day of the year and this dealer had several Cameros on his lot. Real boat anchors in winter up here. Maybe they just wanted it off the lot. The salesman did say he was into it for over $17k.

Any history on the vehicle? Carfax? Your buddy's strategy? Miles are really low for such a steep/non jipst method price drop.
Your buddy mentions "wiggle room" then offering 5 grand less than list price was kind of funny.

oldfarmer50

jipster said:

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First thing I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Your buddy STOLE that, unless there is something wrong or it has bad history. That's a mid 18s auction car all day long.

There's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Last day of the year and this dealer had several Cameros on his lot. Real boat anchors in winter up here. Maybe they just wanted it off the lot. The salesman did say he was into it for over $17k.

Any history on the vehicle? Carfax? Your buddy's strategy? Miles are really low for such a steep/non jipst method price drop.
Your buddy mentions "wiggle room" then offering 5 grand less than list price was kind of funny.

Like I said I was suprised when we didn't get thrown out over the $15k offer but even more shocked when they came back at $17k. Never saw a dealer drop $3k right off the bat. There was a CarFax with the ad I posted, don't know if it is still active. Showed two local owners with the second owner only having it for 6 months. That was a red flag for me so I asked about it. Salesman said second owner traded it for a pick up about 70 days ago. He said sometimes people buy sporty cars in the spring on impulse and then trade them for practical AWD in winter.

In the end I think they just wanted it off the lot.

bwia

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

From the deep turquoise blue Caribbean, Happy New Year to all. There are so many cruise ships in port it seems as though there is no one left in North America except you bloggers.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

imidazol97 said:

\
Is there a maintenance manager person for the buildings who could tell you what works best and that others have used?

Excellent idea, imid!

My thinking is that a person doing maintenance and repair for the association or management might understand more how it's done.
I also thought of calling in Ask This Old House and seeing it they can do a "house call" and effect a mounting for your TV.
AND, like I've seen on ATOH, they would mount a cover for the wires running up the wall to the TV like they've done to cover some wiring rather than bury it into house walls. That chase could be painted the same color as the existing wall and would blend ir mostly.

I can just see it now, Mike the homeowner chatting with Norm, Pete, and all the guys on ATOH.

driver100

Maybe you need one of these!

imidazol97

Happy New Year to everyone!

Hope everyone enjoyed their extra second in 2016. Hope you didn't spend it all in 1 place, but it was extra time to buy that new or previously tested car for this year.

Note the two clocks at the right side of this link and down a fraction.
https://www.timeanddate.com/time/leapseconds.html








Seconds are added based on astronomical measurements unlike leap days which are added 1 every 4th year but skipping 3 out of 4 millennial years to keep our calendar matching the Earth's revolution around the sun (2000 got a leap day but 2100, 2200, 2300 will not).

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

jipster said:

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First thing I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Your buddy STOLE that, unless there is something wrong or it has bad history. That's a mid 18s auction car all day long.

There's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Last day of the year and this dealer had several Cameros on his lot. Real boat anchors in winter up here. Maybe they just wanted it off the lot. The salesman did say he was into it for over $17k.

Any history on the vehicle? Carfax? Your buddy's strategy? Miles are really low for such a steep/non jipst method price drop.
Your buddy mentions "wiggle room" then offering 5 grand less than list price was kind of funny.

Like I said I was suprised when we didn't get thrown out over the $15k offer but even more shocked when they came back at $17k. Never saw a dealer drop $3k right off the bat. There was a CarFax with the ad I posted, don't know if it is still active. Showed two local owners with the second owner only having it for 6 months. That was a red flag for me so I asked about it. Salesman said second owner traded it for a pick up about 70 days ago. He said sometimes people buy sporty cars in the spring on impulse and then trade them for practical AWD in winter.

In the end I think they just wanted it off the lot.


Asking for a 25% discount right off was nervy, but, it worked.
Hope the trading it in for a truck story is true - it sounds logical but...........
It was sitting for 70 days and the chances of a convertible selling in the winter aren't great.
I traded in my 2008 bmw 328 Cabriolet in November, although people loved the car it sat for 5 months before it was sold:

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First think I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Nice car but just like @driver100 your buddy gave away $200. Don't worry, the guy needs the FAIR profit to cover his son's party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR guys.

jmonroe

jmonroe, all those years you were working, your title wouldn't have been Vice President of Hindsight would it?

I never had that title but it would have been fitting. I used to say, "we have a lot of mouths around here but no one seems to have ears that listen. How many times do we have to relearn this crap"?

I was better know as a PITA.

jmonroe

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Isell reclaims his birthright and I have a car sales story...it's a Festivus Miracle!

So my buddy and I drive out to a Chevy dealer in Amsterdam to look at the 2012 Mustang GT Premium I posted about before. List price $19,999. 35,290 miles. First thing I notice was that the color was different than the ad. Instead of Race Red it's Candy Red which looks more like my dark red car. I like it better. Buddy goes in and asks for salesman #1 with whom he made the appointment. "He's off today" we are told...great. Not a good way to begin but salesman #2 gives us the keys and says "keep it under a hundred". Off we go on the test drive.

First think I noticed was the great exhaust note. A check under the car showed the previous owner had replaced the resonator with an H pipe. I made a mental note to get me some of that for my own car. The last owner also installed a strut tower brace but no other crazy mods, not even a cold air intake. Car drove nice and rode nice. My buddy was hooked.

Back at the dealer he says he likes the car but wants to know how much wiggle room. The salesman seems to be a straight shooter and tells my friend that he hates walking and would like to bring only one offer to his manager. He then proceeds to pull out a 'four square' sheet and I almost fell off the chair. He must have noticed the look on my face and told my buddy to just write an offer anywhere. Buddy writes down $15,000. I was sure we were going to get thrown out but the sales man takes the offer to his manager. He comes back with $17,000 as the bottom line, won't take a nickle less counter offer. Buddy say he'll come up to $16,000 but no more. Returns to the manager and comes back with $16,700 telling us how he was losing money at $17k so this is the absolute final offer. I suggest that my friend split the difference at $16,500 but he loses his nerve and accepts $16,700.

The deal is done except for a delay while the salesman tries to contend with his 17 yo son who is throwing a party in his home while mom and dad are at work against parental orders. Phone calls back and forth, a few threats to the kid etc. before the drama ends

We were then wisked to F&I for the real drama as they tried to sell an extended warranty. I thought of the driver100 method as the guy tried to tell us "$1300 is only $300 a year. Can you get anybody to fix your car for $300?". I was waiting for him to break it down to the cost of a cup of coffee a day before my buddy politely declined.

All in all an enjoyable day of spending someone else's money.

Nice car but just like @driver100 your buddy gave away $200. Don't worry, the guy needs the FAIR profit to cover his son's party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR guys.

jmonroe

OLDFARMER: Good story and very well done. It sounds like your friend got a great car for an excellent price.

Don't listen to JMonroe...he would have blown the deal over $200!

I need that $200 to pay for my overpriced car insurance. Every penny counts.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

jmonroe

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

imidazol97 said:

\
Is there a maintenance manager person for the buildings who could tell you what works best and that others have used?

Excellent idea, imid!

My thinking is that a person doing maintenance and repair for the association or management might understand more how it's done.
I also thought of calling in Ask This Old House and seeing it they can do a "house call" and effect a mounting for your TV.
AND, like I've seen on ATOH, they would mount a cover for the wires running up the wall to the TV like they've done to cover some wiring rather than bury it into house walls. That chase could be painted the same color as the existing wall and would blend ir mostly.

I can just see it now, Mike the homeowner chatting with Norm, Pete, and all the guys on ATOH.

That's the way I would do it.

I'd never try to bury wires and boxes is a concrete wall.

jmonroe

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

That has got to be the biggest pain.

Did the side of the water heater spring a leak? Usually it's the bottom that drops out. In an case that has to be a real b---h.

Good luck. Go watch a football game with a few cold ones to take your mind off of this.

jmonroe

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

That's why air conditioners breakdown on the hottest days, furnaces go on the coldest days, electricity goes off just when you fill up your freezer and have reset all your clocks, my E400 gets detroyed on the day I fill it up with $60 worth of gas. It is a law of nature!

Another thing....I hate when that kind of thing happens, you get it fixed and you got nothing to show for it, that same money could have bought a new 55 inch TV installed with a wall bracket.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

That has got to be the biggest pain.

Did the side of the water heater spring a leak? Usually it's the bottom that drops out. In an case that has to be a real b---h.

Good luck. Go watch a football game with a few cold ones to take your mind off of this.

jmonroe

Yep, about 2/3 the way up. I guess it's gh ying-yang thing. Good car story balanced by bad water heater story.

jmonroe

@abacomike

This is what I would use to hold the wall mount bracket.

http://www.mutualscrew.com/product/powers-9210-1024-caulkintrade-machine-bolt-anchor-185011.cfm?source=froogle&gclid=CIjH3IiqodECFYmCswodbWcIXw

I wish I had a buck for every one of these I used "back in the day". Four of the ones that take a 1/4-20 bolt (drill size for lead sleeve is 1/2 inch) should do the job. Anyone who calls themselves a maintenance guy knows all about these.

jmonroe

jmonroe

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

That's why air conditioners breakdown on the hottest days, furnaces go on the coldest days, electricity goes off just when you fill up your freezer and have reset all your clocks, my E400 gets detroyed on the day I fill it up with $60 worth of gas. It is a law of nature!

Another thing....I hate when that kind of thing happens, you get it fixed and you got nothing to show for it, that same money could have bought a new 55 inch TV installed with a wall bracket.

You got that right. I feel that way when I buy tires...same round black things I had before. :@

You forgot one...windshield wipers fail when it's raining. I'll never know how these mechanical things can out wit humans.

jmonroe

ab348

driver100 said:

He should be allowed to count his isell4 posts.

The imposter guy? I dunno about that. What if that fella comes back?

ab348

jmonroe said:

I need that $200 to pay for my overpriced car insurance. Every penny counts.

jmonroe

Plus, the cost of all those sandwiches must add up.

tjc78

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

That has got to be the biggest pain.

Did the side of the water heater spring a leak? Usually it's the bottom that drops out. In an case that has to be a real b---h.

Good luck. Go watch a football game with a few cold ones to take your mind off of this.

jmonroe

Yep, about 2/3 the way up. I guess it's gh ying-yang thing. Good car story balanced by bad water heater story.

I've never seen that. Ugh, what great time of year to have that happen. Here is my water heater story. My cousin is a Union steam fitter, so he does my plumbing work. I remember speaking to him right before Thanksgiving one year that "after the holidays" I'd like to replace my aging Bradford White water heater with a new one. No problem, that's less than a six pack job, lol.

Naturally Black Friday weekend after spending big bucks on holiday gifts, we get home and I hear water running, huh? Get down the basement and the bottom had a giant hole. Thank goodness there was a drainage hole under it that led to my French drain system. I never even knew that hole was there but it saved me probably thousands of dollars and headache. There was minimal water and zero damage to anything.

Mr_Shiftright

stever said:

I switched a month before my wreck. The new company hasn't blinked (yet) at adequately handling my claim.

Funny, I didn't switch for any savings this time, just didn't feel good about the company or my agent.

Insurance companies are extremely impersonal about stuff like that. They don't care if you "win" and they lose--they don't act all hang-dog about it; and they don't pump their fists when they beat you up on a claim. All they care about is the bottom line at the end of the year. Black ink.

And they don't care if you "go somewhere else" because someone out there is coming from "somewhere else". They don't care if your rental car is dirty, or if you accidentally get an upgrade to a Maserati on their dime and crow about it. They simply do not care as long as there's a + sign on Dec 31, 2016 (or whenever their fiscal year closes out).

So my advice is to be unemotional and cold-blooded when you negotiate anything with them, because that's how they are. It's strictly business.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

stever said:

I switched a month before my wreck. The new company hasn't blinked (yet) at adequately handling my claim.

Funny, I didn't switch for any savings this time, just didn't feel good about the company or my agent.

Insurance companies are extremely impersonal about stuff like that. They don't care if you "win" and they lose--they don't act all hang-dog about it; and they don't pump their fists when they beat you up on a claim. All they care about is the bottom line at the end of the year. Black ink.

And they don't care if you "go somewhere else" because someone out there is coming from "somewhere else". They don't care if your rental car is dirty, or if you accidentally get an upgrade to a Maserati on their dime and crow about it. They simply do not care as long as there's a + sign on Dec 31, 2016 (or whenever their fiscal year closes out).

So my advice is to be unemotional and cold-blooded when you negotiate anything with them, because that's how they are. It's strictly business.

I agree and found that out this week. Our insurance back home is $2400 for the two cars - 2015 Mercedes with full replacement value.

Here we are up to $2400 a year, for one car, a 2014 Mercedes. I decided to double check as we have been with Allstate for 4 years now....they usually start taking advantage of you after 3 years.

I call AARP (yeh, I belong to get their discounts and to read all the hearing aid ads in their magazine), and give all my information to the Hartford agent. Quotes me a rate of $2500 for the year. Tell him I'm not switching to pay more! He says but don't you want to make AARP stronger and have the power of them behind you? I said thanks for confirming the rate I am paying is not too bad.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Maybe you need one of these!

NOW THAT I LIKE!!!

fintail

I have to imagine that FL is one of the more expensive areas for insurance, given socio-economic and demographic issues. Probably the same throughout the region. My friend who did time in ATL said his insurance went through the roof when he was there.

abacomike

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

That's why air conditioners breakdown on the hottest days, furnaces go on the coldest days, electricity goes off just when you fill up your freezer and have reset all your clocks, my E400 gets detroyed on the day I fill it up with $60 worth of gas. It is a law of nature!

Another thing....I hate when that kind of thing happens, you get it fixed and you got nothing to show for it, that same money could have bought a new 55 inch TV installed with a wall bracket.

You got that right. I feel that way when I buy tires...same round black things I had before. :@

You forgot one...windshield wipers fail when it's raining. I'll never know how these mechanical things can out wit humans.

jmonroe

Windshield wipers - RATS! I think I mentioned this last week - had to go to the BMW dealership's service dept. regarding that traffic alert at the bottom of the dash - the one that refused to delete no matter what I did. In any case, the driver's side windshield wiper was constantly "chattering" in moderate to heavy rain. I was told that they can only replace those once every year. Luckily, the car was less than 2 weeks old so they were able to charge it back to the new car department. BMW no longer has the same free maintenance program for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, for brakes, belts, wipers, etc. They stopped that in 2016. All they offer now is free oil-changes every year or 10,000 miles, for 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first.. Filters, belts, etc., are no longer covered. That's why I bought the extended maintenance program which is transferrable to the next owner. That covers every conceivable maintenance item for the 3 years. Hope I never have to use it.

stever

I need that set up for my dual monitors.

That "it's just business" applies to a lot of stuff. About the only time personal feelings are involved are with docs and I'd pay a bit more for a decent car mechanic, but that would be cheaper in the long run anyway. In just about everything else in your work or home life, it's your wallet first.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

Well happy freakin' new year. Came home from church to find my water heater washing the basement walls. Got the water turned off and went to work trying to find somebody to come on New Years Day. Quote was $1300 which included a $100 holiday charge. I was a lay down and didn't even argue the price.

Do they build these things to blow up at the worst possible time?

Sorry to hear. Folks across the street had the same thing happen to them on either Christmas Eve or the 23rd, can't recall exactly. Apparently a good section of their basement was finished space as there was a disaster cleanup crew in there for a few days, taking away furniture and other stuff. The people have not been living there since so it must be a real mess.

abacomike

Opened my mail this morning (from yesterday's delivery) and I again got an "OPEN IMMEDIATELY" notice that usually tries to trick you into buying a maintenance or extended warranty from this "boileroom-type sham". Usually, I just throw them away without even opening them - but this time, it listed my 2017 BMW and something about Stolen Vehcile etchings which were intended to protect me from a stolen vehicle that would not be reported to the police.

So, it cost me nothing to open the perforated letter (much like you get from Social Security), which I did. Here are the major contents of this letter:

"ANTI-THEFT TRACKING & EXPIRATION NOTICE! We hope you have been enjoying your vehicle so far. Please call to register and receive your anti-theft Police Traceable Labels and Decals. Without an active Police Traceable Decal and VPR Tracking on your vehicle, Police and Law Enforcement Agencies will not have access to track your vehicle back to you through the National Theft Search & Recovery Database in the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen.

We are waiving the $399 fee the Police Decals cost when you *register on or before the expiration date of 1/6/2017."

The more I read, the "smellier" the notice became. I wonder how many people actually fall for this scam. They waive the $399, but of course there are processing, handling and postage fees that cost over $150 or something like that.

I also seem to be getting more and more phone calls from this similar or same company warning me that my 2008 Mercedes Benz warranty is about to expire.

The old expression, "...there oughta be a law..." sure seems appropriate!

fintail

I wonder if BMW uses the same OEM Valeo wipers as MB. On my first W212 several years ago, the blades skipped and chattered constantly - intolerable to me on a new car. I took it in a few times to have them changed out, then gave up as new ones would revert to the old ways in a week.

I ended up buying a set of Bosch Icons, removing the rubber blade from the holder, and placing the blade in the MB holder (as they look a lot better). Problem solved. I actually moved them on to my next car, as the blade holders were the same. The new W212 has a slightly different blade holder design, and doesn't skip nearly as much.

abacomike said:

jmonroe

Windshield wipers - RATS! I think I mentioned this last week - had to go to the BMW dealership's service dept. regarding that traffic alert at the bottom of the dash - the one that refused to delete no matter what I did. In any case, the driver's side windshield wiper was constantly "chattering" in moderate to heavy rain. I was told that they can only replace those once every year. Luckily, the car was less than 2 weeks old so they were able to charge it back to the new car department. BMW no longer has the same free maintenance program for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, for brakes, belts, wipers, etc. They stopped that in 2016. All they offer now is free oil-changes every year or 10,000 miles, for 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first.. Filters, belts, etc., are no longer covered. That's why I bought the extended maintenance program which is transferrable to the next owner. That covers every conceivable maintenance item for the 3 years. Hope I never have to use it.

driver100

abacomike said:

Opened my mail this morning (from yesterday's delivery) and I again got an "OPEN IMMEDIATELY" notice that usually tries to trick you into buying a maintenance or extended warranty from this "boileroom-type sham".

We are waiving the $399 fee the Police Decals cost when you *register on or before the expiration date of 1/6/2017."

The more I read, the "smellier" the notice became. I wonder how many people actually fall for this scam. They waive the $399, but of course there are processing, handling and postage fees that cost over $150 or something like that.

I also seem to be getting more and more phone calls from this similar or same company warning me that my 2008 Mercedes Benz warranty is about to expire.

The old expression, "...there oughta be a law..." sure seems appropriate!

ooooooh, Official Police Decals so the police can catch the car thieves, isn't that miraculous?

I have received about 20 FINAL NOTICES to extend my warranty, which I don't need since the car is covered for 2 more years. Some come in those perforated envelopes, some come with a "confidential and top priority" label. I wonder how many people fall for this scam? I wonder what it is like to try and collect from those guys?

It also amazes me how that expiry date keeps changing as you ignore them too.

ab348

I have some similar fun to look forward to this coming week. I finally got a notice from SiriusXM that my subscription is coming up for renewal. But then it went on to say that they would auto-renew at their normal (high) rate using a credit card they had on file. Unfortunately for them, that CC expired in June.

Several problems here. The last time I went through this I told them I did not want auto-renew ever again. Also told them I wanted to get a bill to pay by mail. No problem, the rep said. Of course now that is all out the window.

I don't want it any more regardless, so I will let them try to charge it on the now-expired credit card and wait for them to call so I can blast them before cancelling.

stever

I got a free trial in November, one of those no credit card required deals.

Then the van got stuck in the shop for a month and it was all wasted.