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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Richard, no need to apologize for being responsible and looking out after the financial security of your family.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    >I just don't believe in worthless people being protected by tenure or because they happen to belong to a union.

    Counterpoint:
    I dont' believe in people being moved to a lesser or more difficult job or dismissed to make room for a friend of someone in administration.

    To wit: a friend of my wife teaches in a small school system. The high school art teacher of long standing was moved to a middle school job (wasteland art). The new superintendent wanted to make use of technology, etc., in the art in the high school. Translation: new in town, she had met the wife of a local cable company executive who wanted to teach art. She took the position. Was advanced technology ever used? No.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    edited May 2010
    Tenure is a problem---becoming lazy because they can hide behind a law.

    Management is a problem---hiring friends instead of talent

    School boards are a problem---building stadiums instead of classrooms.

    The public is a problem---for allowing any of it to happen.


    Very nicely put.

    Those of us in the private sector have endured many cycles of layoffs, mostly in order to keep our companies at least moderately profitable. It galls to watch those in the public sector work (or not) with total job security and little or no incentive or requirement to produce, beyond personal drive and pride.

    There was a time when personal drive and pride were taught (at home & elsewhere) and rewarded. I fear those days are done, at least for the majority.

    . . .and the public sector grows.

    But not completely, to at least try to throw a sop to the automotive topic. Ford currently rules, while the two subsidized brands tank.

    There is still hope for those who work & value it in others, though it's fading.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Richard, no need to apologize for being responsible and looking out after the financial security of your family.

    You are absolutely right about that. While Richard doesn’t have tenure here, we all know of his sincerity about his lifelong profession which he loved so much. No apologies are needed by someone like him and no one here expects one.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    > tenure here, we all know of his sincerity about his lifelong profession which he loved so much. No apologies are needed by someone like him and no one here expects one.

    And you'll find 90% of the educators are like him. I've found that with the years of contacts with my wife's fellow educators.

    Some of us may be associating the political plum job types in local and state government and the somewhat tenure like comfort many of them gain, with the professionals in education at the secondary level. Educators in this state now have to spend something like 6 years getting to their full certification level which is actually a license now. I believe they start off with a probationary license, like a 16 year old used to get a 6 month temporary. They are evaluated through their first year or two by mentors. I'll have to ask my wife how that has been changed. It's not like when my wife graduated midyear and had a job in 5 days and established steps to more lengthy certification and then had a permanent certificiate to teach without ever needing coursework or renewal.

    I would guess the 90% who intend to do their job well correlates with police officers and car salesmen. We all know several salesmen here and they all have sincere intent to help their customers in a professional way.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Like most other things it's the 10% of rotten apples that spoil the barrel.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    "Is this what you had in mind?"

    Driver--

    Is it the peculiar "grill" to which you are referring or the asymmetrical rust patches on the hood? By the way, what kind of car is that? It looks French, but not in Parisian supermodel way.

    Gogiboy
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Although I am not positive I believe the car pictured is a renault, and I am pretty sure it is French...only they would come up with an off balanced design. By the way, that little vertical bar to the left was really a starburst, must have been broken off and just a bracket remains. You took an excellent educated guess. I thought the one mirror also added to the assymetrical design, you don't see that too much any more.

    Renault Dauphines were imported into Canada sometime around the late 50s early 60s. They were really cute, but lots of trouble.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Like most other things it's the 10% of rotten apples that spoil the barrel.

    In this case it is probably closer to 18%

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,123
    edited May 2010
    imid....don't know if that's the same Oxmoor Toyota dealership I visited several years ago when trying to nail down a particular used car they had from my son . But, if it is, I felt like I had to take a shower after I left. High pressure. Wanted to make a deal on what turned out to be a non-existent used car they advertised. I remember waking away from the store while the salesman was trying to grab my arm to stay on the lot. That really irritated me.

    I remember the incident you referred to at Miami. Admittedly, Miami isn't very racially diverse, but it is very laid back. And, the perp who posted the signs in question was a minority who had an agenda to make the university look racially intolerant (which couldn't be any further from the truth).

    There was a study done several years ago by the university which tried to pin point why minorities didn't attend Miami. The results had nothing to do with the university being closed to accepting any minority. However, the real reason was, the university was nestled in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of farm country. Trying to find any semblance of "city life" was an attempt at futility. Potential minority students wanted something in the way of a "hip/happening" campus life. Miami isn't that....not by a long shot. About the only trouble you could find was sneaking a car on campus that was unauthorized (guilty as charged). Or, being on academic probation (innocent). Or, being caught drinking beer outside (guilty).

    Or, the big one, having your RA catch you with a member of the opposite gender in your dorm room over night (plead the fifth).
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You don't have to "plead the fifth". We know you. :P :shades:

    Richard
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Richard - the $5K spent on the Jag in 1956 translates to about $40K in today's dollars. I don't think there is a Jag for sale that inexpensive.

    Tenure - my wife works for a school district as the Director of Early Childhood Programs (pre-school and child care). She is on a one year contract and has had only one raise in the past 4 years - and no raise is scheduled for 2010-2011. Fortunately, she has earned certifications in various types of adult education programs where she can earn extra money for the teaching she does.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...90% of the educators..."

    Excellent point. I knew so many wonderful educators over the years. They loved working with children and were so creative in their approaches to learning. The great thing was witnessing more and more men becoming elementary teachers, music teachers, science teachers, etc. The downside was that many of the men had to go into administration to provide for their families. Like me, they had rather have stayed in the classroom.

    It is the same with car salesmen. Many love what they do and they treat their customers with great respect, providing advice and guidance in the purchase of a car. Their ranks post here. :)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks to you and Houdini. That was nice of you. :blush:

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I agree. I would be hard pressed to find a new Jag for $40K. Peter Lawford must have used the "Jipster Approach" in 1956. Also, he may have used the GG approach with one offer written on a piece of paper. :P

    Bless your wife's heart---all of that hard work and no raise in four years. Times are tough. Teachers in North Carolina took a pay cut last year. Large layoffs are expected for next year. This type of action not only hurts educators, it harms the children in the end. Like your wife, I taught adult education at night for years. The extra checks really helped. I loved the work. The adults were so appreciative of my efforts to help them. They took the classes seriously because their jobs depended on it.

    Richard
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Does everyone have their Edmunds Shirts by now?

    I got mine 3 weeks ago and it finally came up next to wear today.

    image

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    edited May 2010
    image

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,347
    don't know if that's the same Oxmoor Toyota dealership I visited several years ago when trying to nail down a particular used car they had from my son . But, if it is, I felt like I had to take a shower after I left. High pressure. Wanted to make a deal on what turned out to be a non-existent used car they advertised. I remember waking away from the store while the salesman was trying to grab my arm to stay on the lot. That really irritated me.

    Oxmoor Mazda is equally bad. They tried to gouge me on both a vehicle purchase and on parts prices.
    A pox on allof Oxmoor's houses...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    How do you get a shirt??

    Somewhere I have an Edmunds hat that I got years ago at the New York Auto Show. That was a good time!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Oxmoor is one of those dealerships that comes up again and again on these boards and never in a good light.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    I tried to paste it from facebook

    First from "location" then from "address"

    Worked for a sec then disappeared. Must have been too big.

    Never found the place to make the size smaller (even after writing down the max sizes of pics from a previous poster. Oh well...you'll have that. Dave

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Thanks to you and Houdini. That was nice of you.

    No thanks needed. We know what you are and who you are.

    I can only guess what would happen around here if you had tenure. With my grammer, I'd never be allowed too post here. ;)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    How do you get a shirt??

    Next time you get a survey from Edmunds...answer it.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    edited May 2010
    Ah! Watch. Next time it'll be a hat like the one that is hiding in my closet....

    I should mention how well you model that shirt...

    One of the few people in her ehwo I now actually have a visual of.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Folks think that tenure type issues only exist in the public sector. May I propose that politics, non productivity and outright malfeasance in the business sector holds it's own in comparison. Run your company into the ground while you profit from the destruction of others can earn you a promotion, millions in bonuses and at worst a golden parachute worth hundreds of millions. How many loser relatives of dealership owners rise quickly to the top with no account for productivity. Daddy hires a good GM while Jr. lives a life of luxury. This stuff will always be around and tarnishes the reps of all the decent hardworking folks in every human endeavor. I have great admiration for people in commission sales where it is very clear who is successful and who is not. Education success criterior is a lot more complicated -- and someday we might get it right. If you could expell the 3-4 rotten eggs in most classrooms, you would have a tremendous resource of time, energy, and money that could be directed to those kids who want to learn. That is the problem that hurts teaching the most. But we have to work everything around the problems because you can't have an illiterate class of hoodlums roaming the streets. Just a friendly perspective from the school frontlines. :)
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    For some reason your dog looks a bit alarmed while looking at that t-shirt... can't tell if that is just a big eyeball or a patch of fur.

    I received my Edmunds t-shirt about 6 months ago. I haven't taken it off since. :surprise:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    edited May 2010
    Very nice shirt. And good modeling job. Cute dog too.

    I have a question for you. What is in the electric socket behind you? Is it a carbon monoxide detector.

    What is that object to the far left in the picture? It looks like it might be a little jockey :D

    (I tried to make a picture smaller too, using the method and it didn't work for me)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    That explains the smell around here. :surprise:
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    edited May 2010
    The window is too big, so I can't access the reply button.

    That thing plugged in is a night light. It doesn't have a light bulb. It's fluorescent so it uses very little power.

    Mako, I like the shirt. Nice dog too.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    edited May 2010
    The blue things in the sockets are nite lights.
    The dog is an Australian Cattle dog named Annie (she's a sweet dog).
    The jockey thing is a CD stand with an old t-shirt on it to prevent dust.

    I'd like to know how you folks see the picture. Mine shows up blank.

    link title

    Annie is my wife's dog...Frankie is my dog.
    (sorry for off topic, but I have to figure out this pic thing)

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    (hope this pic works without being too large)

    image

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Thanks for those pics. I never dreamed you were that good looking !! Great dog.

    Is that some type of Austin?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited May 2010
    Looks like maybe an American Bantam? First company to build a prototype 4X4 "Jeep" for the US Army.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,743
    one is Lincoln and the other is an Oldsmobile. :P
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    After many years as a Charter Member here, dispensing great advise and words of wit, Edmunds has sent me NOTHING!

    Guess that shows what my advise is worth. :(
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,743
    edited May 2010
    i responded to one of those surveys and was promised a tee shirt. i knew something was wrong when i was never asked what size i wear. :surprise:
    you deserve a CarSpace Tux! :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Shifty is Correct. An Austin offshoot 1938 American Bantam made in Butler, Pa.

    As a tieback to car sales, I offered the Bantam as trade when I bought my Solara 5 years ago. Asked $10k trade. They declined. I then sold it for much more than that a week later. It is now in a museum in Mooresville, NC.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    edited May 2010
    My shirt just says "Edmunds" on the upper left. I guess that was for the charter members when I paid my first $25 year membership fee to the host-in-charge. ;)

    Your picture is 720 x 540 pixels.

    650 is the maximum width allowed.
    So 650/720 = .9028

    .9028 x 540 = 487

    so your link should look like

    image

    image

    I inserted the space width="650" height="487" after the jpg" and before the > symbol.

    That gives the largest sized picture for the viewing pleasure of the forum readers. :)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Craig, Considering you give such greatadvice I would like to advise Edmunds to award you a top hat along with that tux. Sorry, Richard I beat you to it.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Thank you, Imidazol97. Duly noted. width="650" height="487" after the jpg" and before the > symbol

    Sorry for messing up the site with my oversized picture.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    If I had tenure here, you would still be allowed to post. I would just put you on probation until you finished your remediation classes. :P There would be a slight increase in dues to cover your tuition cost. :D

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    edited May 2010
    That gives the largest sized picture for the viewing pleasure of the forum readers.

    'imid'...Did we really have to see that head again? I've seen better on 3 day old beer. :cry:

    Now, if you want to see a real head with hair, I'll try to follow your instructions but I don't have a dog. ;)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I love the picture of Annie. She looks so sweet. You look nice in your t-shirt---in good shape with no beer-gut. I wish that I could claim that distinction. I weighed 125 lbs. forty years ago. Now I weigh 200 lbs. My high school and college friends can't believe that it is me now.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Did you ever get your tires for the Explorer? I sent you my specs.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I have been to that museum many times. It's not very big, but they have some neat cars there. It's on Hwy 74 north going toward Charlotte.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I agree with the top hat for Isell. Let's add a cape, white gloves, and a black cane with a gold Honda symbol on top. He deserves it for his years of devoted service here. (Good job with the grammar. ;) )

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    mako - You're the one on the left?

    Richard - the exact numbers are different but I hear you on the weight.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    fezo, you're from Jersey...let me introduce you to MY dog, Yo Frankie

    image

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    This is my last try at this.

    I mentioned a while back that I bought dedicated rims for the Genny snow tires. I couldn't find 18 inch rims from a V8 so I had to get the upgraded V6 18 inch rims (9 spokes vs 7 on the V8). The ones I got could have come from this V6 Genny since I got mine from this junk yard in Virginia. The color happens to be the same color as mine. I'm pretty sure 'tjc78' has a V6 that is also this color. Note the damage to this thing.

    front end damage

    Now look at the below photo and note how the cabin is totally in tact. When my Sons saw this they said to their Mother, “see how safe that car is and you had your doubts as to whether Dad should get one”. :surprise:

    cabin

    I don't want to ever find out how mine will hold up but it's good to know that a car other than the "crash dummy" faired pretty well in the real world.

    FWIW, the rims I got were in perfect condition. The web site for this yard said this Genny had 7100 miles on it.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    edited May 2010
    Yikes, I hope my rims weren’t from this Silver drive-by job.

    holes here

    more here

    right side view

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

This discussion has been closed.