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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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The difference is that under existing law a case would have to be made that you were, in fact, distracted and that it contributed to the accident whereas with a specific cell phone ban the very act of using the phone is itself an offense. Essentially, the burden of proof is lightened.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I think we're going to like it much better than the Subaru Outback we were also considering.
This is only the third non-Nissan product I've owned since 1980 (before many of the fine folks posting here were born, probably - now there's a scary thought) and the saleswoman was very interested in why I was now looking to be a Volvo customer. Just seemed to the be the right car for this stage of life: can transport us and friends in comfort, plenty of room for luggage, dog crates, etc., lots of safety features, and in the options I added, lots of nice luxurious touches.
It will come with Premium, Convenience, Climate and BLISS, and the Sirius radio.
I could have done without the Sirius, probably, but will likely enjoy having it anyway.
boom.....Matters not what you're buying. I 've always felt that if you listen to your customer, get as close as you can to their wants/wishes, have what it is that fits those wants/desires, the rest should take care of itself. Even if it's a big ticket item like a car, a boat, even a major appliance, if you don't have what the customer is asking for, why bother.
Something as simple as a gym membership, I told them what I wanted to do. The "counselor" ignored what I wanted....that is, to see the gym equipment and the locker room. She lost my business as a result.
I think handing out personal information has people skittish these day. There's too many ways to abuse that information. I know if I had given the gym my personal information, even though they're legit, it meant they now had the opportunity to barrage me with junk mail, spam emails, and phone calls. I understand they would have had to gather that information eventually. But, why give it if I didn't even know if I liked the place, yet. Their reasoning was pretty tepid, too.
I may be oversimplifying the sales process.....especially for cars (vs gyms). But, if you don't have access to a car I want, in the color I want, with the options I want, no amount of "pushing me" towards something else is going to result in a sale.
First, fatality rates are slightly lower, I can't find information on regular accidents. As stated before, cars are getting safer every year, and that's why there are fewer deaths.
If accidents go down even 2% because of yakking on cell phones, it would be a good thing. What a stupid senseless way to risk being in an accident.
Here is a statistic for you...25% of accidents caused by inaatention are caused by using a cell phone. I am not certain people will find something else to do while driving if they don't have a cell phone, or if that's a reason to allow people to be a dangerous driver by talking on a cell phone:
Most car accidents are entirely preventable. Recent auto accident statistics reveal that the drivers involved in accidents are most likely distracted, tired or possibly drunk. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reports that most drivers engage in activities that take their attention away from the road.
These activities include:
•Talking with other passengers: 81%
•Playing with the radio or CD: 66%
•Eating or drinking: 49%
•Using a cell phone: 25%
Accidents
Please find a test or article that shows cell phones do not cause accidents. The fact drivers will get into accidents by finding another activity to distract them is not supported by any article I have ever seen...lots of hearsay anicdotal evidence only.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thank you tidester, that is what I was trying to say but you said it so much better....that's why you're in charge here.
P.S. I guess you are allowed to use your cell phone to make a citizen's arrest or report a bad driver....that should be an exception to cell phone laws.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Though you have purchased your dream car, do stick around. Now and then, a salesman drops by this thread to greet us. :shades:
Richard
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
So, so true. Some of the salesmen I dealt with didn't seem to understand this basic fact. There were four essential items I wanted on my new V70, and a couple other things I would have taken if they were there, but weren't deal-breakers or deal-makers by themselves.
I explained that in my e-mail and face to face contacts. One salesman tried to say he had the car I wanted, but I compared his on-line price to Volvo's site, and realized it could not have the four essential things. I e-mailed back, saying "Please double-check that it has ...." and he replied "It has everything you want except...." Well, if it has everything except what I want, then it doesn't have what I want!! Sheesh.
Richard, thanks for your comments. I've enjoyed the shopping experience. It was fun to test-drive cars all up and down the price range, from high 20's to low 40's MSRP, and see what I could get for the money from different makes and models. I'm happy with where we ended up.
That was my thinking at first but having had the free trial for a few months I went ahead and subscribed. There are so many commercials on the regular AM/FM stations that I find the lack of commercials on some channels refreshing. Plus there are stations that simply have no terrestrial equivalent. I also like that some channel designations make sense; i.e. channels 05 - 09 are dedicated to songs from the 50s through the 90s respectively.
I also really like the data side of the setup: the head unit displays the song title, artist, and other data for each song. That's handy since sometimes I'll remember the title but not the artist. Even on stations with commercials I've noticed that the screen will list the product and 800 number or web site for it. The pessimist in me sees it as expanded marketing but my inner nerd is secretly thrilled that they would go to those lengths for a 30 second commercial.
If you do subscribe, pay by check so they can't use the "evergreen" clause to keep charging your credit card every time it comes up for renewal.
That’s the way I felt when I bought the Genny but after having it I decided that I wanted it and would have paid MSRP, to keep it if I had to, as I have already posted here. Still not a fan of the sun roof but since I have that too, I use it to help clear the hot air from the car (no snide remarks, please) before turning on the A/C. Now that is something I definitely won’t do without, ever.
Congratulation again,
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Here is a picture of what we bought:
2010 Mini Cooper hardtop in Pure Silver. Options include:
Steptronic transmission
Sport seats
Cold Weather package
Bluetooth / USB connection
It took 6 hours from start to finish because the dealership was pretty busy. We were the first customer to see the F&I person, and that was around 2:30 or so. After that, we had to wait for our salesman to be available so he could walk my daughter through the whole vehicle, including setting up her phone with the Bluetooth system. Of course, we took a 45 minute test drive as well (w/o the salesman), so that factored into it.
One thing I found interesting was that they asked me to accompany them when they test drove the trade in ('03 Saturn L300 with 95K miles).
Overall, a very enjoyable experience. As I noted in another forum (Chronic Car Buyers' Anonymous), the wife was eyeballing a Hot Chocolate S convertible on the lot, but fortunately she needs to have AWD because of where she works.
lrguy, if there is another Mini dealer in Colorado other than Schomp, I'd be surprised. The folks at the dealership told me that a second Mini store is scheduled to open in Loveland sometime later this year.
You too? I’m not so much into the 80’s/90’s but I do like the earlier years.
I also really like the data side of the setup: the head unit displays the song title, artist, and other data for each song. That's handy since sometimes I'll remember the title but not the artist.
Yep, I go for that too. It does settle a lot of ‘discussions’ that Mrs. j and I have had over the last year when an oldie pops up when we are in her car. I just say, “I could prove what I’m saying if we were in MY car”. You know how ‘they’ are about things like that. Makes me think that’s the reason she wasn’t so keen on the idea that I wanted to renew the subscription. In fact, she just made out the check last night for the renewal to XM. Of course before she wrote the check (I’m not allowed to play with the check book, loong story) she said, “do you still want this”? I said, “YEAH I still want it. Just write the check will ya, before they cancel my music. You’ve been sitting on that bill for about a week now”. For her stuff she writes checks on her way back from the mailbox, for my stuff it sits on the desk. :mad:
If you do subscribe, pay by check so they can't use the "evergreen" clause to keep charging your credit card every time it comes up for renewal.
That is a MUST.
Nothing like that satelite radio.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
One of them is open "24" Hours and the other one is named after a precious metal.
This way I don't have to mention names.
Both had me fill out a form "releasing them from liability" while I got the tour. No problem. I just didnt give them much info.
No real pressure to join althought the "24" guy was very adapt at overcoming objections. The "Precious Metal" place was so much nicer and the youg gal that led me around was very nice. The facility was much better equipped. Every piece of equipment had a television monitor to watch news, sports or whatever.
They even had a theatre that played non stop movies. Yoju can just sit on a piece of exercise equipment or work out while the movie played.
The "metal" place had a steam room and sauna that the other place lacked. both had a lap pool. No long term commitment or contract. I think the "24" place was 45.00 a month and the other place was 10.00 more.
Still thinking.
murphydog, I don't mind discussing the topic, just some other people didn't seem to appreciate it, and I don't know how many minds got changed. I actually learned quite a bit from the articles I read on the topic, so I enjoyed the debate. And, I always like to hear the opposing viewpoint, but eventually I prefer it if they convert to my side.(heh heh)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I told the "counselor" that. After showing me the equipment and the locker room, and if I found it fit my requirements, we can sit down and you can get my personal info...we can talk about the different "pricing plans". Those pricing plans, and having my personal info won't mean squat to me if the gym doesn't fit my needs/wants.
They got me in the door (which is half the battle), and they blew it. They didn't listen to what I wanted. Is it that difficult of a concept to understand?
I see this in car dealerships, too. They've got a script. Come hell or high water, they're going to go through the whole thing, without asking the simplest of questions...."What do you want?....what is it you're looking for?" If the sales person doesn't know what I want, or worse, won't listen to what I'm seeking, what difference does it make what the price is? Further, if they don't have what I'm seeking, nor have a reasonable expectation to get what I want, why give them my personal info?
Another example, a neighbor of mine is having problems with his fridge. He and his wife were looking for a new fridge to replace one of those high end Sub-Zero fridges that came with the house when he bought it (about 16 years old). If you're familiar with Sub-Zero, their sizes are certainly non-standard. So, he is trying to find something new that will fit in the space of his old fridge. He's gone to probably 3-4 different appliance stores trying to find something that fits. Sales person after sales person goes into the whole feature bit of whatever brand they're carrying. None of them listened to him when he's told them he needs something that fits....not how crisp it will keep his lettuce. It doesn't matter about the features of the fridge if it won't fit.
You can get beautiful, almost commercial free music from your computer. Go to icebergradio.com. Choose a genre of music and you get beautiful music in digital sound. I like "nostalgia" the best. I have wireless speakers in the living room, and can listen to excellent music with almost no interuptions.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This way I don't have to mention names.
LOL That was pretty funny.
They asked if I could wait a few minutes until one of their instructors could give me the full tour, as it's a very large facility. I told them I didn't mind, if they didn't mind if I took a look at their locker rooms. They pointed me in the locker room direction and off I went.
Nice locker rooms....clean, plentiful showers. Digital locks on the lockers (no need for a "master lock"). They even provide shaving cream and towels gratis.
Came out, and the person who was to give the tour was waiting for me. A first, she asked me what I wanted (thank the Deity). I told her I was only interested in the free weights and the nautilus portion. She showed me that area first. Very extensive and well kept equipment. She then took me to the pool area, which also had a sauna, whrilpool, and 2 steam rooms. We went further and she showed me the area for "spinning classes"....tennis courts, basketball courts. They've got all sort of recumbent bikes and elliptical equipment (with the requisite TV in front of you). Massages are available at a reasonable rate (discounted for members). Nutritional guidance is included, as are personal trainers, who are all degreed (if you book them in advance). They even have a rehab part that the hospital uses to rehab surgical patients.
All-in-all, very laid back tour. Zero pressure and quite informative. So got to the end and I asked her the charges. Straight $50/mo. Have to sign up for a year, but I don't have an issue with that. I'll go back tonight. Yes, the gym is nice. But, she also asked me what it was I wanted and focused on how they could accommodate me.
Not the cheapest place. And, they aren't open 24 hours, but the hours fit my schedule. Plus, if I keel over with a heart attack, the hospital is right next door. :P
Huge difference between them and the "Urban" place.
Nice car, but where does she work...at the top of a ski hill?
It seems there is little room to manouvre in making a deal on luxury cars. It's just my opinion, but we only have one bmw dealer within 20 miles, and the other one is owned by the same company. Next one is 40 miles away. Mercedes, Mini, and Audi are similar. When we last bought a Mercedes a dealer outside your area couldn't sell you a car...you had to buy from your closest dealer, though I don't know if that still works with internet sales these days.
My friends wife loves her Mini....so, have fun!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'll definitely give that a try. Radio has become almost useless these days if you want nice music. Talk shows can be of some interest, but like a friend once said, Do you really want to hear people dumber than you are discussing important topics? I think about that when I hear most of the people who call in.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
50.00 a month sounds expensive but I guess this is pretty much the norm. I would imagine the overhead is staggering. They have to pay for hundreds of top quality equipment and pay for everything else. I would think the water and electricity bills would be huge.
I'm just afraid I would lose interest quickly but since it's month to month that wouldn't be such a big deal.
Years ago, a close friend joined a Mom and Pop fitness center in California. He said it was small but fairly well equipped.
He got talked into paying upfront for three years (big discount). The first month, he went twice. Three months later he returned only to find the place empty with a sign on the door saying they were out of business.
We also have a "botique" fitness place in our town. I don't know what they charge now but five years ago there was a 300.00 initiation charge and 90.00 a month!
driver...we must be mind melding. I couldn't agree with you more regarding radio. I do have Pandora on my iphone which I plug into my car. And, I use it regularly.
Talk radio? As you state, the hosts, the callers, I don't need their opinion. I have my own (which is always correct, I might add :P ).
Even some of the inane XM talk shows, with limited commercial interruptions, make me want to poke my ear drums with sharp objects.
During a sales convention, while eating in a greasy spoon restaurant an old waitress told me the secret to selling anything and I never forgot.... Sit close, talk low, and don't take no for an answer !!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Probably even the new SubZeros aren't the same size now compared to the one he has. I was lucky when I replaced patio doors on our house. The replacements all were different sizes and would have used filler on the sides, but the original company was still in business in Cincy area (Pease) and I was able to get the exact same size with updated insulating glass so no filler was needed between the door and the brick.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
What? When i can come in here and read them? :P
I do have Pandora on my iphone which I plug into my car. And, I use it regularly.
Me, too.
What? When i can come in here and read them?
At least here you can skip the one's that don't make sense to you.....on the radio you have to wait until the next moron gets on the air. :P :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Also in here there sure seem to be a lot more open minded folks than you'll ever find on talk radio!
No, she works for a school district where not all of the roads are paved. On bad snow days the district is often closed, but she's more comfortable with the panoramic seating her VUE provides.
I did make the mistake, however, of showing her pictures of the upcoming Mini Countryman ... she was intrigued, to say the least. But, no plans to trade in the VUE, given that we've had it less than 3 years.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I do Pandora on my Pre over BlueTooth.
I've got charge/USB cables in my car for the phone but I don't really use them much. With Touchstone's at home & work, plugging in seems so archaic.
The auto show here in Denver starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday, and am hoping to get up there one day this weekend.
I'm thinking the Countryman may be a bit small for us, but I am curious to see it in person.
I personally like the looks of the Clubman - S model with 6-speed, cold weather package & Bluetooth / USB. BRG with black wheels. Nice blend of sportiness and utility.
Posted On: October 3, 2009 by John Watts & M. Stan Herring
Statistics of Cell Phones Causing Car Accidents
The Maryland Injury Lawyer Blog has posted an article about "jarring" statistics linking cell phone use to automobile accidents. Using data supplied by a Washington Post article, the blog post says that 342,000 accidents are caused annually by people being distracted by cell phones while driving. This also results in 2,600 fatalities and...
$43 billion each year in property damage, lost wages, medical bills and fatalities.
The Washington Post cited these statistics:
Cellphone users are up to four times more likely to be in a traffic accident, and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis estimated in 2003 that their use was a factor in 6 percent of accidents. That translated to 636,000 crashes resulting in 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths.
Truck drivers are at far greater risk when they reach for their phones, according to a recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. They are at almost six times greater risk when dialing and 23 times greater when texting.
In 2003 there were roughly 240,000 accidents and 940 fatalities from cell phone use while driving. This is clearly a problem on the rise.
Source: Cell phones/accidents
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Common sense should tell us this.
Richard
That has to be the funniest comment ever made on this thread. I laughed until I cried! Though archaic, we haven't figured out any other way to do it. :P :shades: Sorry,I just couldn't resist.
Richard
Richard
Feel good.
Yeah, it's a little pricey. But, we get what we pay for. I'm gonna like this gym.
Almost every sales job I had had a sales script. Almost every sales job I had I had to go through their training and learn the sales script. Almost every sales job I had I tossed the sales script out as soon as I walked out of the training room.
The best sales people I have known the first thing they do is feel out the customer, what they want and what they need.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
i went over to the mustang forum to read some posts about the '011 mustang which is generating a lot of internet traffic. not one post.
regarding the Sat radio, i think there have been a bunch of posts about it.
my wife has sirius in her escape and really likes it.
as one of her xmas presents, i renewed it for 2 years.
it has a lot of choices to listen to and i like that you can tune in something and not lose it on a trip. for me, that usually means a game.
locally, i listen to the springsteen channel.
maybe they even have some doggy themed channels, of course you won't be able to hear them.
Actually I wouldn't be surprised if there's a Cesar Milan "Dog Whisperer" channel out there. He is all over the place promoting himself.
I hope I like this car as much as I absolutely loved my Maxima. It's a very different sort of beast, going from the "four-door sports car" to a typical suburban wagon. At least I still have my Z for fun, and this one will be for vacation touring and dog-hauling duties.
Speaking of sales scripts - the sales woman I bought it from didn't seem to have one. She was interested in what I wanted; knew that the color she had was not my first choice and asked me if I was ok with it, and she had very good (but not excellent) product knowledge. She did a better job of explaining the car than some others had done.
The guys at the other Volvo dealerships definitely were following a script, and were a bit annoying about it as well. Plus - and this might be the former English teacher in me kicking in - I got a few e-mails from some of the guys that were so full of mistakes in spelling and grammar that I just didn't want to deal with such idiots. Maybe that's not fair to them, but my feeling is that if a salesperson approaches a customer in writing, then that writing is an expression of the person. Sloppy, careless writing makes a bad impression. Her e-mail contact was much more professional: mistake-free and well written.
SWs are great. I owned one (Cutlass Cruiser-not Vista Cruiser) and liked it a lot. When I was new to driving 66-67 the guy up the street from me was an old race car driver injured in the WW2 whom I drove to the VA once a week during the summer. He had a Chevy (I think Caprice wagon) and he taught me how to "leave yourself an out" in case you need it. Mentioned running moonshine as reasons to better yourself at driving. Worked for me. At 16-17 he was a wonderful teacher. And that brand new Chevy wagon was a pleasure to drive.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD