Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

suydam

abacomike said:

berri said:

Mike - are you under Medicare with your insurance as secondary? I'm not sure, but if the hospital takes Medicare your secondary insurance that covers co-pays and deductibles may still have to cover you. You'll want to look into all this and what Suydam said too because out of network means you get raped financially. Your doctor's office may be able to help you sort through it all.

No, berri, I am under a Medicare Advantage Plan - an HMO.  So I must stay in their approved lists of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies.  The closest transplant team in network is at Jackson Memorial Hospital in South Miami - about 60 miles away.  Hopefully they will resolve the issues prior to my ever needing their services.

Well that sucks. But I'd get enrolled and listed at that Jackson hospital. The hospital where I had my transplant was 100 miles away. So 60 miles -- not too bad. Even if it's a few years away, getting listed at more than one place is a good idea anyway. I was listed at both Columbus and Cleveland, and a matching kidney arrived soonest from Cleveland so that's where I got my transplant.

driver100

Other states made triple damages when the car maker didn't pay on time.
I'd report it immediately to the BBB/or arbitrator and let the woman know the clock is still ticking.

And offering you a new car is absurd........they are even more incompetent than I thought, and they were at the maximum before.

I will write about my impressions of the new E400 very soon, got lots going on now.

andres3

venture said:

A week or so ago we were talking about Best Buy and someone said they had a good experience there. I need to buy some tablets and was going to stop at Best Buy.

A few days ago a friend mentioned that he recently bought his mother-in-law a computer there that they were having trouble with. Best Buy is giving him a lot of grief about it.

They are back on my "Don't even look" list.

Best Buy falls into my "life is too short" to go back to them list.

andres3

jmonroe said:

qbrozen said:

I would contact that arbiter. I don't see how their mistake can reset the clock. If that is the case, they could keep kicking it around their office until you die.

Good point. This could be a sore losers ploy.

Makes you wonder how many times they've done this.

jmonroe

They don't have to wait until someone dies. All they have to do is go bankrupt again and change their name to "GM the 3rd" or some other silly thing and declare themselves a new company with no obligation to the liabilities of the "old GM."

At least, that is what GM's lawyers argued in various cases.

houdini1

driver100 said:

Other states made triple damages when the car maker didn't pay on time.
I'd report it immediately to the BBB/or arbitrator and let the woman know the clock is still ticking.

And offering you a new car is absurd........they are even more incompetent than I thought, and they were at the maximum before.

I will write about my impressions of the new E400 very soon, got lots going on now.

+ 10 on contacting the arbitrator !!!

driver100

Drove the GLK in to pickup the new E400. Got it washed while we went in to do the paperwork
Arrived right at 12:30 and he was at the desk waiting for us.
In Florida I had to sign about 30 times, here I just signed my name about 5 times,
He filled out the form deleting all the extras I declined on the 2015...window tint, 3M film, so I didn't have to go into the F&I office.
Would have been done in 30 minutes but had to call insurance company to get copies of my insurance.

The car looks great in white with the black roof, light sand color interior.
Took another 30 minutes to go over the car.
I can set it to individual ride once I start......I deleted the stop start feature on individual ride. He explained they have to have stop/start to satisfy government regulations.
Unbelievable interior. It is longer and has a larger wheelbase than the 2015, so it is extra smooth and the steering although really nice on the 15 is even better.

More soon...........including a few I'm not sures..........

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GaEEqneAA9M

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rc6Yttm0fwU

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jWCZ54QVe74

graphicguy

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

Other states made triple damages when the car maker didn't pay on time.
I'd report it immediately to the BBB/or arbitrator and let the woman know the clock is still ticking.

And offering you a new car is absurd........they are even more incompetent than I thought, and they were at the maximum before.

I will write about my impressions of the new E400 very soon, got lots going on now.

+ 10 on contacting the arbitrator !!!

Good advice everyone. I dropped a note to the BBB, who is supposed to be the enforcement vehicle to the agreement we arbitrated. We'll see what happens. If it goes the way the lady on the phone said, Cadillac will be in breach of the binding agreement.

Found out a little more about the people who testified on Cadillac's side during my arbitration. Both were Cadillac employees. The person who testified remotely (from NYC) was actually on GM's legal team. The person who was present in the room during arbitration was actually the Regional Service Manager.

abacomike

oldfarmer50 said:

Having access to the data and attending are very very different. To get the data, I just need a dealer's login (which a friend provided me). To get into the auction, I need a dealer's license.

A buddy and me are planning on sneaking into the local auction with the help of another friend who works for a dealer. If we get in we can't bid but it'll be fun to watch.

Actually, OF, it can be very boring - oops - I forgot I am responding to the post of "the original used car connoisseur"!  How stupid can a guy be - moi!!! 

tjc78

andres3 said:

A week or so ago we were talking about Best Buy and someone said they had a good experience there. I need to buy some tablets and was going to stop at Best Buy. A few days ago a friend mentioned that he recently bought his mother-in-law a computer there that they were having trouble with. Best Buy is giving him a lot of grief about it. They are back on my "Don't even look" list.

Best Buy falls into my "life is too short" to go back to them list.

I couldn't tell you the last time I've bought anything computer or electronics related in an actual store. 

andres3

graphicguy said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

Other states made triple damages when the car maker didn't pay on time.
I'd report it immediately to the BBB/or arbitrator and let the woman know the clock is still ticking.

And offering you a new car is absurd........they are even more incompetent than I thought, and they were at the maximum before.

I will write about my impressions of the new E400 very soon, got lots going on now.

+ 10 on contacting the arbitrator !!!

Good advice everyone. I dropped a note to the BBB, who is supposed to be the enforcement vehicle to the agreement we arbitrated. We'll see what happens. If it goes the way the lady on the phone said, Cadillac will be in breach of the binding agreement.

Found out a little more about the people who testified on Cadillac's side during my arbitration. Both were Cadillac employees. The person who testified remotely (from NYC) was actually on GM's legal team. The person who was present in the room during arbitration was actually the Regional Service Manager.

I think you would have been more rattled if Mr. Lutz and Wagoner showed up on GM's behalf. Who was the appointed government car Czar during the bankrupcy? A Czar would be tough to beat.

Michaell

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

Other states made triple damages when the car maker didn't pay on time.
I'd report it immediately to the BBB/or arbitrator and let the woman know the clock is still ticking.

And offering you a new car is absurd........they are even more incompetent than I thought, and they were at the maximum before.

I will write about my impressions of the new E400 very soon, got lots going on now.

+ 10 on contacting the arbitrator !!!

Good advice everyone. I dropped a note to the BBB, who is supposed to be the enforcement vehicle to the agreement we arbitrated. We'll see what happens. If it goes the way the lady on the phone said, Cadillac will be in breach of the binding agreement.

Found out a little more about the people who testified on Cadillac's side during my arbitration. Both were Cadillac employees. The person who testified remotely (from NYC) was actually on GM's legal team. The person who was present in the room during arbitration was actually the Regional Service Manager.

I think you would have been more rattled if Mr. Lutz and Wagoner showed up on GM's behalf. Who was the appointed government car Czar during the bankrupcy? A Czar would be tough to beat.

The name you are looking for is Steve Rattner.

He wrote a book about the experience, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

driver100

E400 continued,
The interior is the hi-lite, seats, upholstery, dash layout are outstanding.



Entertainment includes DAB digital radio through an epically involving 13-speaker Burmester surround system, sounds magnificent.

GPS won't store addresses. They did away with that, didn't want bad guys to steal the car and have all the addresses.

The not so sure of items, Sightlines aren't as good in the 2015, especially the rear window is smaller.
Lots of features and extras, such as the driver can set the position of the passengers seat. But, all these features are almost overwhelming. There are all kinds of controls and settings, but, I kind of like the simplicity of the C250. The C250 doesn't really need a rearview camera or blindspot warnings, it is designed with large windows and the mirrors are perfectly positioned.

Maybe as I get used to it more I will come to like all the extra features more, and it sure is a luxo liner, but for actual fun, and no frills easy driving I like the C250 .

graphicguy

driver100 said:

E400 continued,
The interior is the hi-lite, seats, upholstery, dash layout are outstanding.



Entertainment includes DAB digital radio through an epically involving 13-speaker Burmester surround system, sounds magnificent.

GPS won't store addresses. They did away with that, didn't want bad guys to steal the car and have all the addresses.

The not so sure of items, Sightlines aren't as good in the 2015, especially the rear window is smaller.
Lots of features and extras, such as the driver can set the position of the passengers seat. But, all these features are almost overwhelming. There are all kinds of controls and settings, but, I kind of like the simplicity of the C250. The C250 doesn't really need a rearview camera or blindspot warnings, it is designed with large windows and the mirrors are perfectly positioned.

Maybe as I get used to it more I will come to like all the extra features more, and it sure is a luxo liner, but for actual fun, and no frills easy driving I like the C250 .

THAT is impressive!

dino001

So I'm really on the market. Volvo V60 is out, we are left with BMW 430i Grand Coupe, or in a very long shot, 330 wagon. 2018 GC seems much better packaged in terms of a value. The only thing going for the wagon is that red can be had with M-Sport package, which adds those just gorgeous black "shadowline" trim treatments, at a handsome price of course. BMW in their infinite wisdom did not see fit to avail the sportiest color on their "Sport 4-door" with their sport treatments. Anyway, want to do ED. Of course dealer No. 1, away from where live: Oh, we can do only sticker, cause all the logistics (what?), blah, blah. Ok, your price your choice. That I can do in my closest place. He gets a little indignant, as he was so nice to me and spent some time and now I dare to say no (my words, his subtle suggestion). That's the guy, by the way, who did not see fit to write/call a short thank you after the visit. BTW, his manager was so emphatic during the visit, how much they wanted to earn my business. I guess not THAT much, after all. It's alright, I'm a big boy, I have mine, you have yours. It's OK.

Again, ordering here in Florida seems to go same way - most of them think full sticker plus their huge fee. $1000 off on a $50k level is a huge favor in their mind, yet when taking from a stock, they can tap quite deep. I guess walking on car that's not yet made doesn't hurt as much, as on one that's sitting in front of you. Instant gratification rules. Fact of life. Move on. Florida market is growing, because of the population, so it just too easy to hit sales targets. Just look at the silly fees, mop and glo in downmarket, and you see they're not hurting.

fintail

We need to see pics of that E400, especially the digital gauges.

explorerx4

@dino001,
BMW euro delivery used to come with a fixed discount. Not sure if it does anymore. Maybe you can check the BMW website.

dino001

Bmw's ED is not fixed price. Rules are same as ordering US delivery, just slightly different pricing structure. Dealers set the price. Volvo and MB are fixed price, in turn no silly fees (BMW dealers can charge them). Don't know Audi.

stickguy

Dino, does Florida still have weird rules about buying out of state and registering the car there? I seem to recall hearing about this at one point, so you couldn't just go elsewhere to avoid all the crazy fees. Because if you could, just order it anyplace (heck, through RB the commission!), since you aren't picking it up where you buy it. I assume you can have it shipped anyplace when it comes over finally?

dino001

Considering that, too. Couple of dealers to go and will see then. I think the rules are relaxed, you just need to pay tax differential, I believe. Would need to investigate. There are issues with extended warranties, as those are considered insurance, but I'm not buying that.

BTW, you still get the car at the dealer when it comes ashore, unless you elect to take it at the Greenville/Spartanburg facility, which is what I want, anyway.

driver100

fintail said:

We need to see pics of that E400, especially the digital gauges.

I'll try soon....promise not to wear horizontal stripes. Actually, it's a little cool for that anyway, and looks like lots of rain for awhile. But, I will try.....I take the worlds worst pictures though.

driver100

dino001 said:

Considering that, too. Couple of dealers to go and will see then. I think the rules are relaxed, you just need to pay tax differential, I believe. Would need to investigate. There are issues with extended warranties, as those are considered insurance, but I'm not buying that.

BTW, you still get the car at the dealer when it comes ashore, unless you elect to take it at the Greenville/Spartanburg facility, which is what I want, anyway.

Dino, I looked into ED when I bought the 2012 535. At that time BMW gave you additional 7% off, independent of price paid.
When we looked for our Mercedes C250 we bought at MB Sarasota. We also went to Sarasota BMW across the street, and they were really efficient and friendly. Very successful expanding dealer, but, I don't know how they are at pricing.......seems BMW, MB and Audi are all selling well, and as you say Florida is booming - 1000 more people every day!

driver100

My MB salesman said the delay of the 2017 E400s was really hard on them. Some cars were 4, 5 , or 6 months late, so people traded in their cars based on their value at that time. Rep said they honored the prices they used at the time of buying....dealer ate the difference.

dino001

driver100 said:

dino001 said:

Considering that, too. Couple of dealers to go and will see then. I think the rules are relaxed, you just need to pay tax differential, I believe. Would need to investigate. There are issues with extended warranties, as those are considered insurance, but I'm not buying that.

BTW, you still get the car at the dealer when it comes ashore, unless you elect to take it at the Greenville/Spartanburg facility, which is what I want, anyway.

Dino, I looked into ED when I bought the 2012 535. At that time BMW gave you additional 7% off, independent of price paid.
When we looked for our Mercedes C250 we bought at MB Sarasota. We also went to Sarasota BMW across the street, and they were really efficient and friendly. Very successful expanding dealer, but, I don't know how they are at pricing.......seems BMW, MB and Audi are all selling well, and as you say Florida is booming - 1000 more people every day!

Different times. Only 5 percent today, on base not options (7 percent used to be on same thing). I will keep names off for time being. Perhaps will give them once signed. Didn't really want to shop my favorite guy, he will come with price on Wed. But it looks like I may have to, just to keep them more vigilant. Will see where it goes.

carnaught

driver, beautiful car....many happy and safe miles! I look forward to more pics.

dino001

On a separate subject, the scammers never sleep. I keep receiving these phone calls from all different numbers all over the country from supposed rewards program. I often cannot even pick the call up as the hang up before I have a chance. Two rings and it's gone. Then I called back and is that lady saying "this is the rewards program" etc. Can't block them, they keep spoofing different numbers. I wonder what that scam is all about.

Another one just today-some lady saying they're calling about my addiction referred by loved ones. Wonder what that is all about. I have no addiction loved ones in this country. I of course pressed the unsubscribe button at the end of the phone calls. That sometimes helps, otherwise they usually call you again and again. I also called the number back and it's not a valid number. Wonder what they want, your SSN, or what. Quite disturbing.

abacomike

@driver100

Car is great, driver!  I drove an E 300 loaded here in my area.  You have bought a top rated car with all the goodies.  Just enjoy!  

stickguy

Dino, who knows what they want, other than your money somehow. I work from home, and all through the day the phone rings, and caller ID shows from numbers all over the country (though they have been getting sneaky, and use more local ones a lot). No names of course, and sometimes says 800 service or a long ISP number. I never bother to answer, and they usually never pick up the message on the answering machine.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Dino, who knows what they want, other than your money somehow. I work from home, and all through the day the phone rings, and caller ID shows from numbers all over the country (though they have been getting sneaky, and use more local ones a lot). No names of course, and sometimes says 800 service or a long ISP number. I never bother to answer, and they usually never pick up the message on the answering machine.

+1 here in Colorado, too. Phone typically rings 3-5 times a day.

qbrozen

Guess I'm not the only one getting those calls. I get the "this is card member services calling about your credit card" quite a bit. There was also a few weeks there I was getting a call telling me "our records show you are of the age where you can fall and not be able to get up on your own." I yelled at that guy several times. Those seem to have stopped now. Oh, and of course the ever popular "you've won a vacation!" 

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

My MB salesman said the delay of the 2017 E400s was really hard on them. Some cars were 4, 5 , or 6 months late, so people traded in their cars based on their value at that time. Rep said they honored the prices they used at the time of buying....dealer ate the difference.

And of course THEIR car didn't depreciate twice as much during the same period. What swell guys. :@

oldfarmer50

dino001 said:

On a separate subject, the scammers never sleep. I keep receiving these phone calls from all different numbers all over the country from supposed rewards program. I often cannot even pick the call up as the hang up before I have a chance. Two rings and it's gone. Then I called back and is that lady saying "this is the rewards program" etc. Can't block them, they keep spoofing different numbers. I wonder what that scam is all about.

Another one just today-some lady saying they're calling about my addiction referred by loved ones. Wonder what that is all about. I have no addiction loved ones in this country. I of course pressed the unsubscribe button at the end of the phone calls. That sometimes helps, otherwise they usually call you again and again. I also called the number back and it's not a valid number. Wonder what they want, your SSN, or what. Quite disturbing.

You probably won millions in the Nigerian lottery.

abacomike

I don't answer my landline telephone ever because 99% of the calls are robo-calls from scammers.  I just let the answering machine answer the phone.  I must keep a landline phone because my Condo Association requires it for securit, fire alarms and the main gate.

99% of calls I receive that are legit come through my mobile phone.

Just last week I received robocalls for Microsoft Window Virus and license expiration, auto warranty expiration, credit card useage, requests for financial donations from 5 unknown organizations, etc.  and both my phone numbers are listed on the federal no call list.  What good is that if no one abides by the no-call regulations.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

My MB salesman said the delay of the 2017 E400s was really hard on them. Some cars were 4, 5 , or 6 months late, so people traded in their cars based on their value at that time. Rep said they honored the prices they used at the time of buying....dealer ate the difference.

Are they all new to the business? Hell, the one time I ordered a car and had to wait 6 weeks, they gave me an estimate on trade only and said it is very likely it will remain the same unless something drastic happens in the market. I totally understood. I can't hold them to their number if we suddenly fall into another great depression and used car values plummet overnight.

dino001

oldfarmer50 said:

dino001 said:

On a separate subject, the scammers never sleep. I keep receiving these phone calls from all different numbers all over the country from supposed rewards program. I often cannot even pick the call up as the hang up before I have a chance. Two rings and it's gone. Then I called back and is that lady saying "this is the rewards program" etc. Can't block them, they keep spoofing different numbers. I wonder what that scam is all about.

Another one just today-some lady saying they're calling about my addiction referred by loved ones. Wonder what that is all about. I have no addiction loved ones in this country. I of course pressed the unsubscribe button at the end of the phone calls. That sometimes helps, otherwise they usually call you again and again. I also called the number back and it's not a valid number. Wonder what they want, your SSN, or what. Quite disturbing.

You probably won millions in the Nigerian lottery.

Oh, no billions already, if sum them all up, between African rich widows/orphans, Irish lottery, and FBI/UN recovery money allocated to me. Why am I still working?...

driver100

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

My MB salesman said the delay of the 2017 E400s was really hard on them. Some cars were 4, 5 , or 6 months late, so people traded in their cars based on their value at that time. Rep said they honored the prices they used at the time of buying....dealer ate the difference.

Are they all new to the business? Hell, the one time I ordered a car and had to wait 6 weeks, they gave me an estimate on trade only and said it is very likely it will remain the same unless something drastic happens in the market. I totally understood. I can't hold them to their number if we suddenly fall into another great depression and used car values plummet overnight

.

To be realistic, an expensive trade in can drop a few $100 a month in value so 5 months could easily become an extra $1000 lost profit. Also, the mileage on the trade in will be more than estimated at the time.

However, I will say this depreciating allowance on your trade in is kind of a scam....you used to trade in your 2010 Hoovermobile on a 2017 model and a 2010 was a 2010 model for that year. Now the value changes monthly.

OF, no depreciation for a new car....it basically stays the same until the next years model comes out.

Thanks for your nice comments.....I'll see how I make out today. I feel like I am preparing to pilot an Airbus A380 Jumbo Liner. I am slow to change, At first I didn't want to give up my 2012 535 for the 2015 E, so maybe I will get used to the new E.....it is unbelievably smooth and quiet with tremendously responsive steering. It is like driving taken to a whole new level. It is a technological masterpiece....maybe it can be fun to drive too.

graphicguy

The "calls" regarding credit card scams, help with my student loans, free vacations, the approval for $250,000 loan, etc seem to ebb and flow with me. I have an iPhone, which allows me to block those phone numbers I find objectionable. However, these people just have a computer that dials phone numbers in sequence one after another.

NO matter how much warning they get, some people must respond to these calls to make it lucrative to buy the equipment and technical expertise to run the scams.

The U.S. "Do Not Call" list has been a waste of tax payer money and was worthless in stopping any of this.

Some weeks I don't get any calls. Some, I get 5-10/week.

The individual who comes up with an iron clad way to recognize and block these "robo calls" will become a rich person, very quickly.

imidazol97

dino001 said:

I keep receiving these phone calls from all different numbers all over the country

Active call screening:
I had tried blocking with my Panasonic phone that can block up to 250 numbers. But the scammers now are changing numbers and even using numbers from the metro area. We don't answer most calls. My Panasonic is set to not ring on the first ring, so numbers blocked never ring.

BUT I kept shopping the various call blocker boxes. Most are passive. You have a memory for up to 1500 blocked numbers but you have to add them to that memory after they call in once. OR they come with 5000 numbers already blocked from scammer lists which are probably no longer in use.

BUT I read the reviews of one that is active. It requires live action from the incoming caller which robocallers can't do. When a call comes in that is not already on the white list, they get a message to press '0' to leave a message. Then you can call them back and add their number to the white list. BUT the machine message can be changed. I now have a message to Press '0', and then hang up, and call back in. When they press '0' their number is added to the accept list and calling back in means they get past the blocker. I go through the list of incoming calls on the unit to see which ones came in, and can set each to Accept or Reject by pressing a button.

My Panasonic phone is in parallel to the call blocker. So when they call back in they have been temporarily approved from having pressed '0', and after 4 rings their call gets my recording or we already answered.

The documentation is poor on the unit. The operation has improved greatly with the current newer model. The company's video is poor as far as explaining operation possibilities. I learned from Amazon's reviews what could be done easily with the unit.

You cannot use the serial connection method. Each unit has to operate separately, so use a line splitter.
http://files.cablewholesale.com/prodimages/pa-8p8c-st_02.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiuW576mJ5U

It can block specific area codes you have enter. No calls at all passing through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNml1BHP5vY

qbrozen

driver100 said: To be realistic, an expensive trade in can drop a few $100 a month in value so 5 months could easily become an extra $1000 lost profit. Also, the mileage on the trade in will be more than estimated at the time. However, I will say this depreciating allowance on your trade in is kind of a scam....you used to trade in your 2010 Hoovermobile on a 2017 model and a 2010 was a 2010 model for that year. Now the value changes monthly. 

Of course, which is why the fact they gave these buyers guaranteed trade-in numbers in advance is suprising to me. A very bad business move.

dino001

I was thinking a little bit more about my recent experiences price shopping for a future order and I had epiphany. On the surface, one would think that the market price should be same on a vehicle, ordered or pickup from stock. Same invoice, same sticker, similar incentives (not same), but it's not. Some stated here that order should be even cheaper, as it costs them less to bring in (no inventory cost), which is true on the income statement. So what gives? Cashflow. Dealers, as most retailers, are generally cash-starved businesses, where whatever money you have, you want to buy inventory that you can sell. BUT - once you have the inventory, it is your ENEMY. It is not just psychological "instant gratification" aspect (I thought before it was mostly that), it is basic cash economics and it's rational - accept lower margin on existing inventory, as it is "perishable", needs to be maintained with interest payments, attended. When it's sold, it instantly frees capital, which you can engage in next volley of sale. Special order is money coming in the future - there is no urgency, there is no capital commitment, i.e. risk, so no reason to go overly aggressive on pricing. It literally, not just figuratively, hurts less when customer walks away from a not yet existing car, than from one that has to be supported by interest payments. All was lost is a little time of the salesman and sometimes manager. In that world, for guys like Craig, I'm an annoyance, taking his time, prickley guy who doesn't want his grey Civic, cause I just set my heart on red, which nobody has in 1000 mile radius (I'm saying with all the love, I know that's the way, Craig said it many times in a little less "pointed" way, but still quite bluntly).

BMW is even worse, as theoretical combinations are endless (they price themselves on it), but Sales Manager's imagination is quite limited, biased by his own color tastes, prejudice, history of what sold in last year/quarter. You can see those tastes, as you move from inventory in one place to another, ten-twenty miles apart and it can be, oh so different. Then you hear "we keep what sells". I call malarkey - it's what the manager thinks will sell. There is a confirmation bias there, as ultimately they sell what they have - they can track number of days in stock. However, if the choices are what they are, customers need to walk with a vehicle today, not in three months, they'll ultimately buy what's there, confirming that "it sells". Units similar to those sitting on the lot the longest will get booted out next time. In many ways, it's also what the manager thinks about his customers. That's visible especially when one guy has almost all particular model units at a certain price point and another has them all at 5-10 grand less or more. I have seen that, too.

dino001

imidazol97 said:

Active call screening:
I had tried blocking with my Panasonic phone that can block up to 250 numbers. But the scammers now are changing numbers and even using numbers from the metro area. We don't answer most calls. My Panasonic is set to not ring on the first ring, so numbers blocked never ring.

It's not my home phone - it's the cell I get those "reward redemption" calls. BTW, read up on those. Some bizzare scam, you get a discount on something and end up having your card charged monthly. I would never go for that anyway, but the irritating part they don't even let you say no, stop (they often hang up after two rings). The "addiction" scam is even more shameless - all about raiding your healthcare insurance.

fintail

I have an easier way for annoying calls - if I don't recognize the number, I don't answer. If it is important, they will leave a message. No point in blocking or trying to track down these numbers, as they can be spoofed.

Regarding the MB trade in fiasco, MB and likely even the dealership have more than enough to comfortably eat the loss, especially if it means a return customer.

js06gv

graphicguy said:

The "calls" regarding credit card scams, help with my student loans, free vacations, the approval for $250,000 loan, etc seem to ebb and flow with me. I have an iPhone, which allows me to block those phone numbers I find objectionable. However, these people just have a computer that dials phone numbers in sequence one after another.

NO matter how much warning they get, some people must respond to these calls to make it lucrative to buy the equipment and technical expertise to run the scams.

The U.S. "Do Not Call" list has been a waste of tax payer money and was worthless in stopping any of this.

Some weeks I don't get any calls. Some, I get 5-10/week.

The individual who comes up with an iron clad way to recognize and block these "robo calls" will become a rich person, very quickly.

Agreed on the worthless do not call list. Have you tried nomorobo? It's free, and while not 100% effective it has drastically cut down on the number of calls. You can always tell when it's working too, as the phone will only ring once when the call is blocked. The one type of call it HASN'T stopped is the one from the fake IRS, where someone who barely speaks English advises "there is lawsuit filed against you" and "you better take care on (not of) it." It's almost to the point that I don't mind those though, if only for the entertainment value of listening to them. Always recordings.

28firefighter

We took it one further and do not have a land line at all. We each have cell phones (well I have two at the moment, my regular phone for personal/business and then a phone attached to a client engagement) and that is more than enough in terms of ways to reach us. The numbers aren't listed and therefore we really don't get much of the SPAM calling, with the exception of the occasional robodial that is hitting every phone number around ours. Of course, because I still have a suburban Philadelphia cell number, those calls inevitably happen around 5am and I miss them anyway because the phone is on silent.

dino001

Had same "IRS will sue you" messages on my voice mail at home number, about three times. The voice is computer generated. Those guys are even so shameless as to provide a phone number to call them back. I reported it once to FBI/FTC scam list. Of course no follow up.

suydam

We havent had land lines for years but our cell phones get plenty of scam calls. It's like whackamole. You block one number and they auto dial another. I don't answer unless I recognize a number. If it's real the person will leave a message or text and I'll call them back.

Michaell

dino001 said:

Had same "IRS will sue you" messages on my voice mail at home number, about three times. The voice is computer generated. Those guys are even so shameless as to provide a phone number to call them back. I reported it once to FBI/FTC scam list. Of course no follow up.

I have a HS friend who recently retired from the FBI. He loves getting the IRS scam calls. He keeps them on the phone for a long time, asking pointed questions about where to go and what to do. He challenges them on every statement. He drives them crazy enough that they curse him out and hang up.

He then documents the conversations on Facebook.

dino001

The annoying part it's ringing and disrupting the day. But I guess it's cost of life.