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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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'burner'...nice looking kitchen and I'm sure you don't need my approval of it.
Now, I said I got "hammered" with a kitchen redo and you inferred that the same thing happened to you. In my opinion you were "clobbered" because you replaced the cabinets, got rid of the bulkhead above them and did the floor. Mrs. j actually liked her cabinets/floor so we kept those (only 10 years old). However, she did want me to get rid of the bulkhead and that's where I drew the line. I know there is stuff up there that I didn't want to see/move or worse yet pay someone else to do it just to have an 8 inch space above the cabinets. We had almost 10 foot ceilings when we built a house in SC before we moved back to the Burgh. Guess who had to do the vacuuming up there because she doesn't do her best work while on a latter? Right, and I ain't doing that no more. :mad:
You really have to use the right adjectives when you make a comparison.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
You weren't listening to a thing I said were you? :mad: "Still" ain't good enough, it's better with stainless.
Putting the 30k redo cost toward a ride in 18 months. Anyone have a problem with my financial plans?
Nope, I think that's an excellent plan, and let us know what you bought. We could use more car buying tales here.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
What was his major?
Now when I went to college it took me 7 years, however I was paying my own way through working to earn the funds. So I didn't exactly go full time.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
actually, I bought 1 that stickered more than 20, but we got a deal so it came out to 28.5K.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My son was told that after 4 years, he is on his own. Nothing like some incentive to keep them motivated!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Nah, nothing like that. I’m in total control around here. :surprise: For a while there I was pretty busy at work and didn’t have the time to do any posting. The redo did take some time with “looking” at all the options when I got home and after that I was ready for a nap. I really don’t understand how they can look at the same thing so many times and I don't think that’s just me. Finally I just threw in the towel and said “this is the last time I’m going to waste anymore time on this, OK?” Come to think of it that may have been when I took those naps. :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Don't get me wrong. I'm very proud of him. He's worked part time while taking a full course load. But, so did I.
It didn't help that most of his peers are taking 5 years to get through their undergraduate degrees.
He's making noise that he wants to get an MBA. I'm all for that. Only, I'm not going to be funding it. His new employer can (when/if that happens) if they want. But, at some point, 'ya gotta get out there and apply what you've learned. Sooner, the better. He needs real world experience at this point....not more course work.
Besides, I think an MBA is useless unless you've got real world experience to go along with it.
He must have been slow, as he opened up a little about there business recently. Understand, he's been at this same dealership for over 10 years. He said out of that 10 years, there was only 4 months when he didn't hit his draw. There was a 3 month period when the economy was tanking a couple of years ago that he couldn't make his draw. And, again this past February when we had a couple of weeks with lots of snow. Both times, he said he sold less than 10 cars in the month. He also said that during the height of the economic meltdown, he only sold 4 cars one month.
This is a guy who's got all sorts of awards at the Acura dealership. Between him, and another sales person, he says between the two of them, they sell over half the cars the entire dealership sells in a given month. Lots of repeat business (like myself). He went on to say that a good month for him is 30 cars/month. A bad month is less than 25 cars/month.
Interesting to talk to him about all of this...especially since he was being candid.
He said during the economic meltdown, he seriously thought about quitting the business.....even though he had had lots of past success.
I asked him what made him stick with it. He mentioned that sometimes you just have to step away from it and quit beating yourself up. He took a week off. Did nothing but regroup. Came back refreshed, willing to fight through the downturn in the belief it couldn't stay so bad, for so long.
Funny, but he said the sale he made to me kind of got him on a roll. Coming off a bad February, he said right after I bought my Acura, he sold 21 units, in only 10 selling days.
It's all that aura you developed helping others buy cars that left him feeling good about his abilities again. You knew what you wanted, how much you wanted to pay within a range, and you didn't clobber him.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Wow, I wish my wife would let me spend that much on a car. But then if she had I don't suppose our net worth would have risen from virtually zero to well into seven figures in the 14 years we have been here. I'm really hoping she will permit a Camry next time instead of a Corolla.
I was wondering if you bought a car while I was away from this board, now I know. Congratulations. I'm not going to ask for a redo of that tale and bore the others here, it just wouldn't be right. Those are the lumps you have to take when you go away for a while.
Coming off a bad February, he said right after I bought my Acura, he sold 21 units, in only 10 selling days.
I'm surprised at you, believing everything a car salesman says or are you just repeating what he said?
And about doing an undergraduate in 4 years, I told both of my sons, "do it in 4 or the additional expense is on you". They listened. They both got their MBA with their employers money because I also felt that you need to be out there to get some experience so that you can more appreciate what is being taught and you would be able to better contribute to class discussions about what is really going on out in the real world.
Son #1 liked the idea of spending his employers money so much that he went on and got a second masters. Now that may be a little bit of piling on but it didn't come out of my pocket so who am I to judge how an employer should spend their money.
Congratulations again.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That's wild GG. Did Avis really think anyone would actually pay that? Especially since it was all their fault. Did you ever get a justification from Avis for trying such a scam?
I would think they would be falling all over themselves to make your return ordeal up to you. Did they expect you to miss your flight? I wonder what corporate dope thought it would be a good idea to get customers mad twice. :confuse:
Oh, BTW, thanks for agreeing with me in a previous post (the check is in the mail).
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Using that formula I can just squeeze into a used Yugo.
Actually that's what I've always thought too. Unless you have enough cash to pay for the whole thing. Thanks to my frugal wife that was the case for my last two new cars.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Did your net worth really increase that much because you bought Corollas instead of Camrys, or is it for other reasons?
Sometimes people do save money by being frugal, and then use that money to invest in property or stocks, or a business. There is a guy who lives in Toronto and he was a garbage man all his life, but he became a multi-millionaire. He came with nothing from Europe. Loved working as a garbageman, couldn't wait for Monday morning to go to work. Bought an apartment building and lived in one of the units (no housing bubble in Canada by the way, not yet any way), and never owned a car.
Another question for you though is....did you finally get your Camry or do you have to still drive a Corolla...or should I ask do you still prefer to drive a Corolla?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Using that formula I can just squeeze into a used Yugo.
Still loling,
Interesting that you came to that conclusion too.....but I think most people have a rough idea of what they want to spend, and they know what they want. But, I think a formula would help most people judge what they can realistically afford, much better. Then maybe, we wouldn't be in the economical mess we are in...with people spending, more than they can afford.....and that probably doesn't happen too many time to a farmer, who has to work very hard, against impossible odds (like weather, rainfall, market conditions, know what will be in demand), to make a profit.......farmers have to be extra careful about spending, so yes, that used Yugo is a wise choice.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well there is this guy (gal?) driving around here in a Yugo, I could ask if they want to sell it.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Finally, the custodians of the coffers came up with the idea of offering much needed courses in alternate semesters. This situation caused students to be unable to take certain courses needed for graduation in a timely manner. The traditional four year track became a 5 to 7 year track based on student majors and newly required electives. This was an unjust maneuver for both students and their parents. As in so many walks of life, the money factor was the bottom line.
We must try to remember that not all students are lazy or wish to stay in college forever. Some things are beyond their control. I'm sure that your son works hard and is deserving of your assistance. The sooner that he acquires his MBA the better. It helps in the job search and in the promotion arena. Also, it translates into higher salaries. Best wishes as he moves forward.
Richard
Nah, I decided to splurge and go with a 22 year-old GMC van. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Isn't a "required elective" an oxymoron?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
If you want it I can tell you where its at and a nearby hardware store where you can buy an ax.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
i have offered each of my kids a new car (lost opportunity for car sales people) if they went to a less expensive school, but they refused.
of course, we had/will have them assume some of the financial burden, so they have some 'skin in the game'.
we like it in the sense they they made a decision to pursue what they want, even if it mostly on their parent's financial support.
although i still look at vehicles in the 50% category, i realize in the 25% group is more realistic.
Reader's digest version....I traded my Tahoe for a new Acura.
oldfarmer....not much I disagree with you on.
richard.....I'm all about education. I believe it's the key to success, regardless of career choice. It makes for better people, as well as confidence building as related to goal attainment.
That said, I'm also a big believer that education without experience is worth very little. If my son wants an MBA, I'm all for it. Doing it while he's getting real world experience, he can relate what he's learning to apply it to his work situation. Getting it without experience is nothing more than an exercise in theories without knowing how that education is applied.
I certainly can appreciate, and understand what you're saying, though.
While I've been out of school for decades, I can't think of anything I learned in school that would overtake what I experienced.
Good catch! However, the way it works is that a certain number of elective credit hours are required but the student gets to choose which courses will make up those credits.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
No, of course not, but it helped a little. We started from virtually nothing, worked hard, and were (are) careful with our money. In that time a couple of investments we made have come good too (and a couple haven't). We have put two kids through university and paid off our house in that time.
Another question for you though is....did you finally get your Camry or do you have to still drive a Corolla...or should I ask do you still prefer to drive a Corolla?
No, my Corolla is now seven. I would prefer a Camry and I expect to change the Corolla next year. I'm going to be pushing really hard for a Camry, but I have a lot to be grateful to my wife for and if she says 'no' then it's no.
That's a wonderful accomplishment. I am assuming you came from another country and have built a great life for you and your family (sounds like a team effort).
I understand where you are coming from regarding your wife's wishes. We, my wife and I built a great business against impossible odds.....and our interests and talents combined to make something neither of us could have done alone. So, I would have the same view, except my wife is easier about spending than I am...that's different. But we both respect each others comfort zones, and respect each others wishes.
Your story was a real bright spot for me today.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Your comment make me nervous. My 18-year old is off to OSU next fall and because he has interests in several different areas, I'm expecting him to change major as well.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Have him start out in as many general type courses as possible, the ones that are transferrable to any degree, at least as electives. And have him talk to as many advisors and upper classmen as possible, early on.
One thing that threw us for a curve was engineering versus architecture. As he got in to architecture, he realized it was more artsy, where you are designing space, and that space happens to be the building, much different from an engineering degree. That cost him a good year plus.
If KY, I just wonder what the bill is for out-of-state tuition is per year? That's a big "nut".
My son went to a Jesuit high school. He was accepted to Loyola in Chicago. While he did have some scholarship money coming from there, and he got some monetary consideration because of his high school affiliation, I was looking at a huge bill, one that I hadn't planned for. Not that I wouldn't have sent him there if he really wanted to go. I would have. Just would have had to work for a few more years to do so.
As it is, he decided most of his friends were either going to Miami U. (my alma mater) or University of Cincinnati (UC). He looked at Ohio State. Decided the campus was too big and impersonable. I pretty much left it up to him where he wanted to go (maybe a slight nudge to Miami). Short of MIT, University of Cincinnati has a wonderful business program, as well as a computer science program.
Given that he could live at home, that's the school he picked. Personally, I think you learn as much socially as you do academically by living on campus. UC doesn't really lend itself to on campus living, though. For all intents and purposes, it's not situated in a very nice part of Cincinnati. It's not in an idyllic setting like Miami (one of the prettiest parts of Ohio). Nor is it set in a bustling and culturally rich area like Loyola (downtown Chicago). But, for him, and what ne needed, it was perfect.
I can honestly say that the last 5 years have been a joy having him around, too. He's turned into a considerate, thoughtful man, right before my eyes.
He's on Spring Break right now in FL. And, judging by the phone pics he's sending me, he's doing things that I wouldn't approve of (but things I did myself at his age
MIke....I concur with you. If any college bound person isn't sure what their study focus is, get the general courses (university requirements) out of the way first. That way, whatever they choose as their course of study further down the line, they won't lose any credits.
Richard
At the time, I think Avis had a big problem on their hands there. The employees were surly. Their cars out of that location weren't really that well kept. And service was just another word to them. I don't expect preferential treatment. But, I was a Preferred Select renter.
It didn't surprise me that there would be a walkout by the employees there. What did surprise me was they tried to stick their customers with issues that clearly were related to the way they ran that particular location. I couldn't have been the only one they tried to charge. Everyone around me was parking their cars on the service street in front of the rental lot. There was absolutely no room on the lot. It's not surprising that cars were towed, either. There was barely enough room to get to the other rental lots on the same service road since it was so overflowing.
Hertz was only too glad to take my business from them. I showed them how many cars I had rented from Avis in the previous 3 months. Before I knew it, they gave me a Hertz #1 5 star gold membership. They've been great. They upgrade me at no charge when they can. Their cars always are in good shape. It's quick in, quick out. That's all I ask.
I've never rented from Avis since. every once in awhile I'll try National or Alamo. Hertz is still the best for me, however.
My daughter will be graduating in May with a BA in Creative Writing. This is after she changed majors twice - going from Zoology to Biology to Creative Writing. And, she will have graduated in 4 years. She took summer courses to stay on track. But, like others have posted, she also knew that our support only lasted 4 years .. if she needed more time, she was responsible for the cost.
Now, she's looking at Masters programs. Is applying to an MLS (Masters of Library Science) program that starts in January 2011. On her dime. Then, she'll have to make some hard choices as to what she wants to do with the rest of her life.
OTOH, my wife is working towards her BS in Early Childhood Education. She's been taking courses on-line through the same university as my daughter. However, she just got accepted into a program at a different state college that is much closer to her specific field, and has set up the program so that she'll get her BS in just over 2 years.
I got my bachelor's in just 32 months, back in the day ...
I'll go first: 35yo, no kids, partner in a business that imports backpacking/camping gear from europe. I've only been doing the self-employed thing for a year now and its been an eye-opener for sure. Downside - taxes got more complicated. Upside - I am my own HR department (whew)...
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Do you have a website? I'm into backpacking/camping gear. Probably best to email me at my carspace account.
Hmmmm...started out of college doing coding for Xerox in the Palo Alto Research Park. Old enough to have seen the predecessor to the Macintosh there. I made skid marks out of college to move to CA, only to eventually move back to my OH roots.
Was involved in one startup that was successful during the big silicon valley boom. Also involved in one of the "busts" when the bubble burst. Did my own business for the last couple of years, and just recently sold it to another company.
Was married. Not any more. 1 son, who still lives with me. And, he's getting ready to graduate.
Scary that I can sum up my career in just a few short paragraphs, yet can drone on and on forever about buying a car. :surprise:
We are both from small rural towns in Arkansas but left the state right after college. We have lived in Oklahoma City, San Francisco, and now the Kansas City area for the last 30 years. It is definitely home now.
I will play in about 15 or 20 amateur golf tournaments each year because I love the game and have been playing for about 50 years now. I got both of my boys into golf at young ages and it has been a common interest of ours ever since. Helps keep us together as we still play together a few times each year. I would highly recommend the game to any of you guys with young kids. It will certainly draw you closer.
I hardly missed a days work in 40 years, and that, along with some extremely good luck, has put us in an excellent position for retirement.
Oh, and I love cars !!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
68 High School grad, then Penn State...dropped out and joined Navy (1A Draft Card) to avoid Draft during Viet Nam War. 4 year hitch. Sold Real Estate, Worked in a machine shop. Got a job as a Govt Contractor. Got a real Govt Job, Dept of Defense...world traveler many times over...retired at 53. Ahhh retirement, Best job I ever had.
Married Debi from Racine, Wi in 1983. No kids...therefore never had to grow up.
I can still say I'm under 60 for a few more months. Dave
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
46 years old. California native, but moved to Colorado in 1993 for work.
One "practice" marriage, one current marriage. One child, two stepchildren.
I work for IBM as a Business Operations Manager, which means I crunch a lot of numbers and develop presentations on metrics for managers. It also allows me to work from home - my boss is in Toronto, and my team is spread out all over North America.
OSU has dorms that group the students into communities by their choice of interest, such as science and math students, or in the case of a friend who is in architecture, by the architecture interest. They also have Honors dorms and we're looking at that program in a couple of weeks since he qualifies.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
"Bianca R" - woman, age 59 for a couple more months, retired from the Foreign Service a few years ago. I've lived in Europe, Africa, and South America, enjoyed them all, now live in Northern Virginia. Grew up in Michigan, where my uncle always had a red convertible. He is, I tell him, directly responsible for me buying my own red convertible, a 350Z roadster. (He's still hale and fit, though no longer buying convertibles, at age 91.)
I'm married, no kids, two dogs, hope to compete with one of them in obedience and agility, in the market for a new crossover or wagon or small SUV. Have just started test-driving; so far, have driven Chevy Equinox and HHR, Volvo V50, V70, and XC70, have looked at Subaru Outback and Forester and plan to drive them this week. Very much appreciate the insights of the sales guys and others on this forum, and hope I have something useful to add every so often, too.
I'm probably one of the younger ones here at 32 years old. Born in Poland, moved to Italy with my parents when I was young due to communism, and after 2 years in Rome we came to Vancouver.
Been here ever since, did some college, worked at a well paying hospital security job for 7 years until the union job was contracted out due to cutbacks (and pay cut in half).
Always wanted to try car sales as I've been a big car buff so here was my opportunity to jump into it without feeling guilty of leaving a well paid job. I loved it and wished I would have done it earlier. Worked at Honda, Nissan/Infiniti, and now I'm at a Chrysler dealership doing internet sales and marketing. Been in the car biz almost 7 years now.
Met my wife at Honda when I sold her a new Civic, now we're married and have a 6 month old boy that means the world to me.
We love to travel and been to many places, I love my cars and car stuff and hope to retire sooner than leter.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
me, i was born when eisenhower was running for re election.
went to a small 4 year college in VT and then 6 months of computer programming school.
live in CT, married, have 2 children, one a college junior (Redhawks) and the other a high school senior.
for about the last 15 years, i have been working for a software/support company that has been acquired several times and is now part of a large multinational.
my daily driver is an awd fusion, but i also have a 91 mustang gt convertible with 34k and can still sneak the keys away to drive my old explorer once in while.
i have been trying to find a fusion 4cyl and stick with couple of upgrades, but they don't seem to stay around long.
here is something that will really tell you something about me. i grew up in Mass as a Yankee fan.
Oh my goodness!! I don't know if I can still speak to you anymore! I lived in Boston for five years and became an ardent Red Sox fan. Haven't lived there for decades but I still cheer for the Red Sox and the Patriots.
Growing up that way certainly must have been a character-building experience for you in defending positions that were clearly in the minority.
Re the "biancar" - yeah, I didn't realize when I signed up that it would be ambiguous with that "car" ending. Just a co-incidence due to the great Italian habit of ending names with vowels.
53, married 24 years with a 15 year old son. I'm a semi-retired state court judge in Kentucky, which means I get sent all over the state to fill in for judges who have to be off the bench for one or more days.
I fill my spare time by volunteering at our church, instructing at driving events, freshening up my 1975 BMW 2002, and riding my old Triumph. And I never miss any of my son's soccer or basketball games. Less frequently I install home theater systems for my techno-phobe friends(I can usually put together a system that sounds better than most so-called professional installations for 30%-50% of the cost of the pro setup). Oh yeah, I also collect model cars and Godzilla toys:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive