Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

tjc78

Michaell said:

Thanks, guys!

I've already decided to say no to the friend. Just hard, because I'm a generous person by nature.

Regarding the promotion and raise, I really think my boss wants to do more, but corporate politics are in the way. Given that I have 9 direct reports and a finite budget to distribute as raises, I feel for my boss, as I'm sure he is in the same situation.

Hoping that I'll get a series of above average bumps over the next year or two.

@oldfarmer50 - I'm not inclined to look for another job. This one is such a good fit for my experience, skills and passion. Just a wee bit frustrating to manage folks who are paid better while having less responsibility.

I don't blame you for being a bit ticked off at the situation.  If you feel comfortable that your boss isn't the hold up from getting more money, then as soon as corporate allows your pay should be brought up to where it should be.   

Way back when I took a promotion about a month or two before review time.  I took it on a verbal conversation with the nod that during review time I would be compensated.  Naturally review time came and I was offered a standard merit increase.   I refused to sign the review and asked for what I felt the new position was worth.  In the end I got it, but from that day on I knew I'd never take a bump up without something more formal. 

ab348

tjc78 said:

Way back when I took a promotion about a month or two before review time.  I took it on a verbal conversation with the nod that during review time I would be compensated.  Naturally review time came and I was offered a standard merit increase.   I refused to sign the review and asked for what I felt the new position was worth.  In the end I got it, but from that day on I knew I'd never take a bump up without something more formal. 

Pretty much the biggest benefit of being retired, aside from not having to go to bed at a reasonable hour and not having to get up in the dark, was no longer having to do or be subject of the annual HR exercise of performance reviews. In my experience it was the single most useless and most irritating part of work life.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

tjc78 said:

Way back when I took a promotion about a month or two before review time.  I took it on a verbal conversation with the nod that during review time I would be compensated.  Naturally review time came and I was offered a standard merit increase.   I refused to sign the review and asked for what I felt the new position was worth.  In the end I got it, but from that day on I knew I'd never take a bump up without something more formal. 

Pretty much the biggest benefit of being retired, aside from not having to go to bed at a reasonable hour and not having to get up in the dark, was no longer having to do or be subject of the annual HR exercise of performance reviews. In my experience it was the single most useless and most irritating part of work life.

Ditto on the performance review. In my experience the PR is just a tool employers use to build up a case for firing you. At the school they used a 1-5 scale (5 being the best). Everybody got 3s no matter how dedicated or perfect their work. The only deviation was if they wanted you out you got 2s. No one ever got even a 4 let alone a 5.

Totally meaningless for improving performance since with multiple cameras and GPS monitoring everything, you were informed instantly of any transgressions.

Speaking of transgressions did anyone see the video of the runaway NYC bus speeding backwards down the street sans driver? That driver would definitely get a 2.

driver100

Just got back from Miniature Wunderland. It was really good, even better than we expected. Everyone should see this at least once in a lifetime.
The first part was fascinating, and could be easy to miss. They have about 20 showcases, about 3 ft X 3 ft. The first one shows an untouched piece of land before it was settled. Next case shows it years later as people settle and make a town. Each case shows the same land but goes right up to modern times. Overhead is a video that explains developments during each period....laws started to be made, lady in shackles for stealing, even covers WIL then Berlin Wall and present.
Great little restaurant on sight, tables look like train car seats with a window looking at fields.
This was really worth seeing!

driver100

Companies have found that by tightening the budget for raises they can hold the line on increases. Manager only gets so much allowance, might give some to someone he favors or needs, cuts out raises to others.

driver100

Most cars here don't have the model printed on the car. I see all BMW and Mercedes have the makers badge, but don't have 335 or C 300 etc. Most Audio have no model designation. Don't know why?

stickguy

My Company was famous for crying poverty, but finding money too woo people back when they gave notice. Or rehiring at more pay 6 months later.

fintail

Debadging has been a thing in Europe for decades. It's usually a way for people to hide that they have a small engined model, as the cars can be nearly identical otherwise. Some will also use it to disguise their high performance model, the "sleeper" concept.

driver100 said:

Most cars here don't have the model printed on the car. I see all BMW and Mercedes have the makers badge, but don't have 335 or C 300 etc. Most Audio have no model designation. Don't know why?

roadburner

fintail said:

Debadging has been a thing in Europe for decades. It's usually a way for people to hide that they have a small engined model, as the cars can be nearly identical otherwise. Some will also use it to disguise their high performance model, the "sleeper" concept.

driver100 said:

Most cars here don't have the model printed on the car. I see all BMW and Mercedes have the makers badge, but don't have 335 or C 300 etc. Most Audio have no model designation. Don't know why?

I think I mentioned that a friend re-badged his modified M3 as a 316td. It tricked some poor nitwit to the point that he wrote to European Car magazine asking where he could buy one in the US. I may yet convert my 2 into a 220i.

Michaell

roadburner said:

fintail said:

Debadging has been a thing in Europe for decades. It's usually a way for people to hide that they have a small engined model, as the cars can be nearly identical otherwise. Some will also use it to disguise their high performance model, the "sleeper" concept.

driver100 said:

Most cars here don't have the model printed on the car. I see all BMW and Mercedes have the makers badge, but don't have 335 or C 300 etc. Most Audio have no model designation. Don't know why?

I think I mentioned that a friend re-badged his modified M3 as a 316td. It tricked some poor nitwit to the point that he wrote to European Car magazine asking where he could buy one in the US. I may yet convert my 2 into a 220i.

I, for one, would actually like to see a 220i (well, a 220xi, to be precise) offered here in the states.

28firefighter

I'm not going to speak too ill of my soon-to-be former employer, but they are/were well known for the "and opportunity" - taking on additional responsibility with no change in title or pay in exchange for the experience and chance to prove yourself. Before transitioning to my current role a couple of years ago, I was doing two full-time jobs (literally, 80 hours a week - 40 for each - my previous role and my current).

Folks, too, have left for other opportunities to come back a year or so later to 30-40% more money in the exact same or slightly higher level position.

qbrozen

I don't mind SOME debadging. For example, on my G35, I removed the "INFINITI" letters that stretched across the whole trunklid. That was it, though. I did not want to hide the fact that it was a G35x.

nyccarguy

This AM I saw a W204 (previous generation) C63 AMG.  It was white with the "regular" split 5 spoke wheels that you find on every "run of the mill" C300 4Matic.  I saw the 6.3L AMG badge on the side and was confused.  Then I saw the 4 tail pipes sticking out of the back and knew the badging was correct & the car was sweet.

driver100

fintail said:

Debadging has been a thing in Europe for decades. It's usually a way for people to hide that they have a small engined model, as the cars can be nearly identical otherwise. Some will also use it to disguise their high performance model, the "sleeper" concept.

driver100 said:

Most cars here don't have the model printed on the car. I see all BMW and Mercedes have the makers badge, but don't have 335 or C 300 etc. Most Audio have no model designation. Don't know why?

It doesn't make sense to me to debadge. I like to know what model I am looking at in case I may want one. I saw 2 2015 Mercedes E class wagons, both taxis, one had the twin exhausts showing so one was probably a 300 and one a 400.

I now understand why Mercedes is making E Class cars with 4 cylinders. The performance is pretty good and they can sell lots of them as taxis. They are large and comfortable, but still get decent mileage. Lots of Primus but seems most taxis are Mercedes El Class and about 30 to 40% are wagons. Almost no BMW or Audi taxis.

graphicguy

Thanks for all the input. I truly do appreciate it.

The result of dinner I spoke about?

Yeah....it was generally a whine session....by both he and his wife. His wife accenting how "unfairly" he's been treated. As I told her, life is unfair. What's fair to one, is unfair to another...depends on who is being the judge. She was a little taken aback with that, given she expected me to be in total agreement that he's been treated unfairly.

After about 15 minutes of hearing why he could not succeed with his cemetery gig (mainly because not one person is on his side), I finally just cut to the chase.

"Is there anything you can do to change your circumstance?" He proceeded to tell me who was keeping him from doing so.

I repeated the question a different way...."what can you do to change your circumstance?"

He seemed to get what I was saying. As I explained to him, it will cost more for the cemetery to fire him and hire someone else than it would be for him to be successful. That the "great conspiracy" being perpetrated against him makes no sense as it's counterproductive and more expensive for his employer. I gave him a little "atta-boy" that I knew he was talented and that he had the "success gene" (OK....I was piling on a little Power of Positive Thinking gibberish on him).

He said he's got two weeks to meet his June quota or he's gone. I told him to spend the time productively and to totally rid himself of non-productive efforts (I.E. complaining and whining) to focus on making "the number".

Oh yeah...he and his wife let their check linger on the table until I finally got up to leave after handing the waitress cash for my dinner and tip.

fintail

Back when I had the E55, I was sometimes tempted to rebadge it to "E200 CDi" (I think those were about 130hp, not exactly fast), but never went for it. I assume the sound and stance would be a giveaway to those who know.

roadburner said:

I think I mentioned that a friend re-badged his modified M3 as a 316td. It tricked some poor nitwit to the point that he wrote to European Car magazine asking where he could buy one in the US. I may yet convert my 2 into a 220i.

fintail

You probably won't find many 6cyl E taxi in Europe, given the price of fuel. Those were likely diesel cars with sport trim. Virtually all E taxis will be 4cyl, and diesel. 4 cyl gas and diesel E have been European mainstays for decades. You can still even get a new E with a manual there. I think MB has a program that sells directly to fleet buyers, and I suspect many are also ex-rentals. Amusingly enough, it doesn't hurt brand cachet - being a taxi isn't seen as a negative, although MB definitely has kind of an old persons car image there.

driver100 said:

It doesn't make sense to me to debadge. I like to know what model I am looking at in case I may want one. I saw 2 2015 Mercedes E class wagons, both taxis, one had the twin exhausts showing so one was probably a 300 and one a 400.

I now understand why Mercedes is making E Class cars with 4 cylinders. The performance is pretty good and they can sell lots of them as taxis. They are large and comfortable, but still get decent mileage. Lots of Primus but seems most taxis are Mercedes El Class and about 30 to 40% are wagons. Almost no BMW or Audi taxis.

roadburner

Well, at 32,800 miles the Michelin Pilot Super Sport on my M235i were well and truly worn out. I considered other options but went back to the OEM PSS. I would have gone with the new Pilot 4S but that tire isn't available in the sizes I need(225/40ZR18 front, 245/35ZR18 rear). I really saw no reason to change, considering that the OEM PSS tires survived four track days and one test and tune night at the local 1/8 mile strip. I had the car aligned while I was at it and I was glad I did- front and rear toe were out of spec as was rear camber.

abacomike

graphicguy said:

Thanks for all the input. I truly do appreciate it.

The result of dinner I spoke about?

Yeah....it was generally a whine session....by both he and his wife. His wife accenting how "unfairly" he's been treated. As I told her, life is unfair. What's fair to one, is unfair to another...depends on who is being the judge. She was a little taken aback with that, given she expected me to be in total agreement that he's been treated unfairly.

After about 15 minutes of hearing why he could not succeed with his cemetery gig (mainly because not one person is on his side), I finally just cut to the chase.

"Is there anything you can do to change your circumstance?" He proceeded to tell me who was keeping him from doing so.

I repeated the question a different way...."what can you do to change your circumstance?"

He seemed to get what I was saying. As I explained to him, it will cost more for the cemetery to fire him and hire someone else than it would be for him to be successful. That the "great conspiracy" being perpetrated against him makes no sense as it's counterproductive and more expensive for his employer. I gave him a little "atta-boy" that I knew he was talented and that he had the "success gene" (OK....I was piling on a little Power of Positive Thinking gibberish on him).

He said he's got two weeks to meet his June quota or he's gone. I told him to spend the time productively and to totally rid himself of non-productive efforts (I.E. complaining and whining) to focus on making "the number".

Oh yeah...he and his wife let their check linger on the table until I finally got up to leave after handing the waitress cash for my dinner and tip.

When working for a cemetery, there are only a few ways I know of to increase productivity. One is to quickly lower the average life span of people living within a 30 mile radius of the cemetery! This can be accomplished through terrorist attacks, chemical contamination, water contamination, etc. The other is to make daily visits to the oncology and geriatric units in the local hospitals - especially with families facing the inevitable loss of loved ones, always making sure you leave your "calling card (business card)" on the food trays in food services.

Other than the above, there is very little control a salesman possesses who works for a cemetery that will result in increased business - which increases productivity. Let's face it - you need to increase the numbers of dead bodies around town - unless you can think of other possibilities!

isellhondas

abacomike said:

Just got back from the doctor's office. Had another ultrasound. After that, the doctor looked at a carbuncle that has formed on the upper left side of the back of my neck. Very painful - almost went to the ER yesterday but decided to wait until I saw the doctor this morning. This malady occurs about twice every year in the very same place - he feels it is a cyst which should be removed by a surgeon.

Right now, I am on cephalexin (a generic form of Keflex) to kill the infection. This time, it is very, very painful. The antibiotics kill the infection (usually) and then it is difficult to find the area of the cyst again once the swelling disappears. That's all I need - another surgical procedure.

I'm telling you guys, my body is slowly but surely giving up on me. It's always something - pathetic!

I feel for you Mike! It's like your body feels you need to be punished for something. I hope you get to feeling better soon!

isellhondas

stickguy said:

for no particular reason, felt like posting a picture of my current foster doggie (got him Thursday, he got fixed Friday, which explains the makeshift clothing (wound licking protection).

It sounds like that dog picked the wrong foster home!

Michaell

This is how it goes around here...

isellhondas

graphicguy said:

OK.....need some feedback from the peanut gallery, yet again! This has nothing to do with cars or car buying. So, skim through if you're not interested.

So a friend of mine (actually two friends as they are college friends who married each other) has been trying to set up a time for us to get together. We used to get together fairly often as his wife is a teacher and my ex was, too. So, they had lots to talk about. He and I reminisced about our college escapades, but other than that, have little in common.

Admittedly, I've been ducking him because I know what he wants to talk about. Background info on him.....dropped out of college (too much partying). But, got a decent clerical job at a local insurance company. After a dozen years, they let him go...according to him it was because of politics. I get it. That happens sometimes.

Anyway, he went on to selling for a cemetery. From what I understand, he's pretty good at it and was among the sales leaders constantly. He pitched me once and I put an immediate stop to it because I already have made those arrangements.

His boss left the company about 8 months ago due to health issues. At the time, my friend interviewed for the job, but lost out to another co-worker, who I guess had been equally successful. Not sure it matters, but his new boss is female.

That really set him on tilt, as he felt he was the better candidate. So, for a period of time, I was getting weekly, even daily phone calls listening to a barrage of his complaints, about his new boss, the President of the Cemetary, co-workers and sales people, etc.

I listened....empathized, offered generic advice. After a while, I kept making excuses why I couldn't talk to him (on another line, work, family stuff, etc). Well, none of it worked. Phone call last night from him telling me it's urgent we meet to discuss his "situation". Urgent to him...not so much to me.

In deference to how long we've known each other, I agreed to meet with him tonight. At first, he said he'd meet me at my home. Thinking in the back of my mind, I'd have to kick him out if he decided to go full "the world's against me and I can't leave until satisfied you feel all my pain" on me. I suggested we meet at a restaurant. That way, I can eat and leave.

I got the core of what the issue is. One, he's still miffed about not getting the promotion. To add to that, he hasn't met his quota for 5.5 months. Anyone who's ever in sales knows, at the end of the day (week/month/year), you have to make your number or things get hairy. I guess his dreaded boss put him on probation a couple of months ago, and it's now time to put up or shut up.

As our conversations have gone, his performance is a reflection on his boss, his co-workers, upper management, everyone but himself.

All of you know where this is going. So, let me cut to the chase. Is it better for me to be totally blunt and tell him to just do his job and quite whining? Or, do I soothe his fragile ego and tell him everything's going to be alright?

OK, I'll give you my two cents worth.

As a long time retail manager starting at age 23 I learned that once a person has turned bitter that there is very
little that can be done to change things. I would seriously try and I would try hard to reverse bad situations but usually my effects would be temporary. I had little time for people who made constant excuses or blamed their problems on others.

I used to hear..." You would THINK a company as big as **** should be able to do this"!

I used to tell them that there were situations that I could fix and there were others areas that we were working
on and that there were certain things that would never change. I once managed over 200 self employed
distributors and I learned that a couple of crybabies could poison an entire district. The crybabies has some legit
things to complain about and those were the items they would focus on. At Sales Meetings they could be
disruptive and vocal. I was patient for the most part but on more than one occasion I would say " If you are that miserable you may be in the wrong business" I would then tell them that if they can find a perfect business to
let me know and I would join them!

Misery loves company. You need to be supportive but blunt at the same time and suggest that just maybe, it's
time for him to move along. You don't need this!

roadburner

Our rescue dog has it rough as well...

abacomike

Michaell said:

This is how it goes around here...

This forum site is slowly but surely going to the dogs!!!

stickguy

Another cutie. The one I have now is really sucking his way into our hearts. My daughter is totally smitten. But she is also leaving for College again in August! So I was trying to hold off on adopting since hoping to relocate in the next year, just foster when I can.

I think I'll let him go to a nice family, but it might break my heart a little!

stickguy

Oh, best part for this place. His name is Bentley!

thebean

graphicguy said:

Thanks for all the input. I truly do appreciate it.

The result of dinner I spoke about?

Yeah....it was generally a whine session....by both he and his wife. His wife accenting how "unfairly" he's been treated. As I told her, life is unfair. What's fair to one, is unfair to another...depends on who is being the judge. She was a little taken aback with that, given she expected me to be in total agreement that he's been treated unfairly.

After about 15 minutes of hearing why he could not succeed with his cemetery gig (mainly because not one person is on his side), I finally just cut to the chase.

"Is there anything you can do to change your circumstance?" He proceeded to tell me who was keeping him from doing so.

I repeated the question a different way...."what can you do to change your circumstance?"

He seemed to get what I was saying. As I explained to him, it will cost more for the cemetery to fire him and hire someone else than it would be for him to be successful. That the "great conspiracy" being perpetrated against him makes no sense as it's counterproductive and more expensive for his employer. I gave him a little "atta-boy" that I knew he was talented and that he had the "success gene" (OK....I was piling on a little Power of Positive Thinking gibberish on him).

He said he's got two weeks to meet his June quota or he's gone. I told him to spend the time productively and to totally rid himself of non-productive efforts (I.E. complaining and whining) to focus on making "the number".

Oh yeah...he and his wife let their check linger on the table until I finally got up to leave after handing the waitress cash for my dinner and tip.

Wow, reading this makes me glad I only have 2-3 friends and they are all pretty well adjusted and not whiny. Good move on the check - having cash for your portion was well thought out.

ab348

Like many things in life these days it seems, I do not understand debadging at all. To me it just makes the car look like it has been in an accident and had the damage repaired on the cheap. But I am old so what do I know?

driver100

GG, perfect, with friends like these who needs enemies. I think you did what you could do and now you should have a clear conscience. Poor guy, but nothing will work for him if he is negative and blames others.....He needs a new job.

We went to this place that does cremations. I would say the sales person could make a big difference in whether they make sales. Have to be sensitive and win the confidence of a perspective client. Someone who whines and is negative probably doesn't have the right attitude for such a sensitive position.

driver100

isellhondas said:

stickguy said:

for no particular reason, felt like posting a picture of my current foster doggie (got him Thursday, he got fixed Friday, which explains the makeshift clothing (wound licking protection).

It sounds like that dog picked the wrong foster home!

Yeh, I don't think he looks too happy right now.

andres3

jmonroe said:

fintail said:

Is that Sonata really a "redesign", or a facelift? Looks like the same car with a Jag/Ford-ish front end, and some rear end updates.

And the same old no respect badges.

Some things never change.

jmonroe

I found an old Kia Amanti going down the freeway the other day that to Hyundai/Kia fans, would be passed off as a Mercedes Benz where they would say "you can't tell the difference." Hard to believe MB didn't file a lawsuit for copyright infringement for the design on that one.

isellhondas

roadburner said:

Our rescue dog has it rough as well...

At least he didn't just get castrated!

graphicguy

There are some really smart people who post in here. Not sure I can keep up with the minimum requirements to keep posting.

Mike, Crag, Bean and the rest of you, great observations.

So, chalk this up to "I had no idea"!


Compensation for cemetery sales (at least the one my acquaintance works at) has several components....

1. Upsell the family who has an immediate need. Meaning, upsell to a more expensive Casket, burial vault, more elaborate viewing and final service, etc (apparently you can shop around for the best price on a coffin)

2. Selling "pre need" packages count more than immediate need. Selling the family more plots during the interment of their loved one, counts more....with a higher commission rate.

3. Bigger, better grave markers count more, with a higher commission rate.

I was informed of others, but I stopped the compensation explanation because frankly, it was not all that interesting to me.

Anyway, his quota is $25K the first month of the qtr, $28K the 2nd and $30K the 3rd month of the qtr. Acclerators hit after you make your quota for the month.

I know having services for my parents were at least $10K, and I think more for my Mother has she passed away about 7 years after my Father. I didn't buy the most expensive casket, nor the cheapest, either...it was probably a little on the higher end of the price scale, though.

So, aside from only having families who only wanted to put their loved ones in a box, with no service, it really doesn't sound that difficult to sell $30K/mo. In order to make any real money, assuming a 10% commission (straight commission), you'd have to go over quota, hit accelerators, and sell the higher margin products and services.

More than any of us needed to know about cemetery sales.

driver100

thebean said:

graphicguy said:

Thanks for all the input. I truly do appreciate it.

The result of dinner I spoke about?

Yeah....it was generally a whine session....by both he and his wife. His wife accenting how "unfairly" he's been treated. As I told her, life is unfair. What's fair to one, is unfair to another...depends on who is being the judge. She was a little taken aback with that, given she expected me to be in total agreement that he's been treated unfairly.

After about 15 minutes of hearing why he could not succeed with his cemetery gig (mainly because not one person is on his side), I finally just cut to the chase.

"Is there anything you can do to change your circumstance?" He proceeded to tell me who was keeping him from doing so.

I repeated the question a different way...."what can you do to change your circumstance?"

He seemed to get what I was saying. As I explained to him, it will cost more for the cemetery to fire him and hire someone else than it would be for him to be successful. That the "great conspiracy" being perpetrated against him makes no sense as it's counterproductive and more expensive for his employer. I gave him a little "atta-boy" that I knew he was talented and that he had the "success gene" (OK....I was piling on a little Power of Positive Thinking gibberish on him).

He said he's got two weeks to meet his June quota or he's gone. I told him to spend the time productively and to totally rid himself of non-productive efforts (I.E. complaining and whining) to focus on making "the number".

Oh yeah...he and his wife let their check linger on the table until I finally got up to leave after handing the waitress cash for my dinner and tip.

Wow, reading this makes me glad I only have 2-3 friends and they are all pretty well adjusted and not whiny. Good move on the check - having cash for your portion was well thought out.

Be with people who are poitive, honest and decent. People who whine and are negative just bring you down and zap you of your time and energy.

driver100

graphicguy said:

There are some really smart people who post in here. Not sure I can keep up with the minimum requirements to keep posting.

Mike, Crag, Bean and the rest of you, great observations.

So, chalk this up to "I had no idea"!


Compensation for cemetery sales (at least the one my acquaintance works at) has several components....

1. Upsell the family who has an immediate need. Meaning, upsell to a more expensive Casket, burial vault, more elaborate viewing and final service, etc (apparently you can shop around for the best price on a coffin)

2. Selling "pre need" packages count more than immediate need. Selling the family more plots during the interment of their loved one, counts more....with a higher commission rate.

3. Bigger, better grave markers count more, with a higher commission rate.

I was informed of others, but I stopped the compensation explanation because frankly, it was not all that interesting to me.

Anyway, his quota is $25K the first month of the qtr, $28K the 2nd and $30K the 3rd month of the qtr. Acclerators hit after you make your quota for the month.

I know having services for my parents were at least $10K, and I think more for my Mother has she passed away about 7 years after my Father. I didn't buy the most expensive casket, nor the cheapest, either...it was probably a little on the higher end of the price scale, though.

So, aside from only having families who only wanted to put their loved ones in a box, with no service, it really doesn't sound that difficult to sell $30K/mo. In order to make any real money, assuming a 10% commission (straight commission), you'd have to go over quota, hit accelerators, and sell the higher margin products and services.

More than any of us needed to know about cemetery sales.

Sounds like a dead end job!

isellhondas

GG, you handled that well and I doubt if you'll hear from him again.

I never had a lot of patience for Pity Parties and people who worked for me were quick to know that.

I once met with a couple who weren't doing well in their business. They came prepared with newspaper articles that portrayed how bad the economy was and how businesses were closing etc. This was in lumber country and the Spotted Owl situation was in full swing. coastal Oregon HAD been hit hard and I agreed with them that times were challenging. I also showed them numbers of other distributors nearby that were doing much better.

I got the " WELL, that's because....." So, I asked the question.." Are you doing EVERYTHING in your power to be successful?" I learned that he was leaving his house at 10:00 and getting home around 3:00 for one thing.
They got empathy and not the sympathy they wanted and they actually improved after that.

thebean

When I go, I'm donating my body to the medical school/research hospital in Dallas.  Since they are helping me fight my aggressive prostate cancer, I hope when I go that my body can help them in their research/teaching.  After they are done with the body, they creamate it free of charge and return the ashes to your loved one, assuming they are still alive.  My wife is doing the same thing.  Since we both have no siblings or parents left, this makes a lot of sense.

cdnpinhead

Debadging flies in the face of flaunting what you drive; people who wear their cars as opposed to actually driving them get the vapours and head for the fainting couch when such things are discussed.

I noticed this for the past 15 or so years in Europe. Social climbing may be done differently there, or maybe not at all.

houdini1

driver100 said:

GG, perfect, with friends like these who needs enemies. I think you did what you could do and now you should have a clear conscience. Poor guy, but nothing will work for him if he is negative and blames others.....He needs a new job.

We went to this place that does cremations. I would say the sales person could make a big difference in whether they make sales. Have to be sensitive and win the confidence of a perspective client. Someone who whines and is negative probably doesn't have the right attitude for such a sensitive position.

If someone comes whining to me, I go on the offense and try to out whine them. If I think they want to borrow money I try to beat them to the punch and ask if they can spare a couple of hundred until I can get over a small rough patch. Works like a charm.

houdini1

Driver, I just heard a good joke about Canada. Seems this good 'ol boy from Saskatchewan won a new fishing boat in a raffle. His wife asked him what he was going to do with a fishing boat when there was not a good lake within 50 miles, etc.. He said well, he won it and he was going to keep it.

A few days later his brother came to visit. His wife told him his brother was out back in his fishing boat. He walks out and sure enough, his brother in sitting in his boat right in the middle of a big field of flax. He yelled and asked him what he was doing. His brother yelled back, what does it look like, I'm fishing. His brother yelled back and said, you know, you're the reason people think that people from Saskatchewan are not very smart. You make me so mad, if I could swim, I would come out there and kick your butt !

graphicguy

driver100 said:

graphicguy said:

There are some really smart people who post in here. Not sure I can keep up with the minimum requirements to keep posting.

Mike, Crag, Bean and the rest of you, great observations.

So, chalk this up to "I had no idea"!


Compensation for cemetery sales (at least the one my acquaintance works at) has several components....

1. Upsell the family who has an immediate need. Meaning, upsell to a more expensive Casket, burial vault, more elaborate viewing and final service, etc (apparently you can shop around for the best price on a coffin)

2. Selling "pre need" packages count more than immediate need. Selling the family more plots during the interment of their loved one, counts more....with a higher commission rate.

3. Bigger, better grave markers count more, with a higher commission rate.

I was informed of others, but I stopped the compensation explanation because frankly, it was not all that interesting to me.

Anyway, his quota is $25K the first month of the qtr, $28K the 2nd and $30K the 3rd month of the qtr. Acclerators hit after you make your quota for the month.

I know having services for my parents were at least $10K, and I think more for my Mother has she passed away about 7 years after my Father. I didn't buy the most expensive casket, nor the cheapest, either...it was probably a little on the higher end of the price scale, though.

So, aside from only having families who only wanted to put their loved ones in a box, with no service, it really doesn't sound that difficult to sell $30K/mo. In order to make any real money, assuming a 10% commission (straight commission), you'd have to go over quota, hit accelerators, and sell the higher margin products and services.

More than any of us needed to know about cemetery sales.

Sounds like a dead end job!

Driver...what I can't figure out is how he justifies staying in a job that doesn't pay squat...even making quota? I know his wife has been a teacher for a while. I have a pretty good idea what she makes as I know what my (ex) wife made with about the same about of teaching years experience. He's making about ½ what his wife is making.

Heck, you could get any number of hourly jobs and make more than he is. I can't figure out why he's whining about the job. Further, I still can't figure out why he's failing at it. Any of us here could roll out of bed and without trying all that hard and sell 3-4 burials in a month, I'm thinking.....WORKING PART time, in all probability.

graphicguy

Just finished up some meetings in Milwaukee. Weather is really pleasant here....high '70s and sunny.

Something that's a first for me, Hertz put me in a Honda CRV as a rental. I don't know that I've ever seen a Honda "anything" as a rental. I know Craig has said many times that Honda doesn't do fleet sales to rental car agencies. I'll assume Hertz ended up with the CRV as part of some sort of anomalie.

Anyway, not a bad little compact CUV. Engine is willing (although not very fast). Steering has good feel and is precise. Typical FWD understeer, though. Was surprised how well it road.

Brakes did well.

Transmission shifts smoothly and quickly up or down the range. Surprising amount of room in such a small package. Plenty of cubbies around and in the dash.

Base model, so not much in the way of equipment. But, it has power windows and locks. Lots and lots of hard plastics throughout. Nice padding on the center console and door arm rests.

Pretty comfortable. I can see the appeal.

carnaught

graphicguy said:

Just finished up some meetings in Milwaukee. Weather is really pleasant here....high '70s and sunny........

@graphicguy, you were in luck, summer in Milwaukee happened to be scheduled for today.

(I know, originally from that area, LOL.)

andres3

28firefighter said:

My first Father's Day consisted of Sam waking up at 1am (after going down at 5:30pm) because of jet lag and then screaming most of the remainder of the night. For reference he normally goes down between 6p-7p and sleeps for 11-12 hours.  I wouldn't change it for the world. 

A small excerpt of some thoughts I shared today with family and friends on my first Father's Day:

My Dad said growing up that he always felt that everyday with us was like Father's Day. I did not totally understand that until Sam was born. Every smile, tear, diaper, bottle, and snuggle each day will mean more to me than any one day can convey.

I think I could make do without the tears and diapers. Yes, I could live without those.

28firefighter

Not to me. It's all part of the journey.

Keep in mind my perspective though. My wife and I had been trying to have a baby for nearly two years and the initial testing made it look like we may not be able to have kids. So, I'm more than excited and thrilled to experience every part of parenthood.

abacomike

Just spoke with my son.  He said it's 121 degrees where he lives in La Quinta, about 10 miles east of Palm Springs.  I remember those scorchers when I lived in Palm Desert - 7-8 miles east of Palm Springs.  But 121 degrees is getting into the unhealthy and dangerous range! 

isellhondas

graphicguy said:

Just finished up some meetings in Milwaukee. Weather is really pleasant here....high '70s and sunny.

Something that's a first for me, Hertz put me in a Honda CRV as a rental. I don't know that I've ever seen a Honda "anything" as a rental. I know Craig has said many times that Honda doesn't do fleet sales to rental car agencies. I'll assume Hertz ended up with the CRV as part of some sort of anomalie.

Anyway, not a bad little compact CUV. Engine is willing (although not very fast). Steering has good feel and is precise. Typical FWD understeer, though. Was surprised how well it road.

Brakes did well.

Transmission shifts smoothly and quickly up or down the range. Surprising amount of room in such a small package. Plenty of cubbies around and in the dash.

Base model, so not much in the way of equipment. But, it has power windows and locks. Lots and lots of hard plastics throughout. Nice padding on the center console and door arm rests.

Pretty comfortable. I can see the appeal.

A lot of appeal. Just a car that does most things right. We are on our 4th one now.

I've been gone seven years now so it's possible Honda has started selling cars direct to the rental companies but I doubt it. In the past I know some rental companies would buy cars through dealers but not often. Anything is possible.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=naL9ZhfXVSY

andres3

28firefighter said:

I've had to re-train my parents in how to change diapers. The last diaper they changed resulted in a blow out shortly after...they forgot to pull the wings out.

Unfortunately, just like with tires, blowouts do happen with diapers. Some brands may have less blowouts than others