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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited May 2010
    I don't disagree with you but pleaae understand one thing. Speaking for myself, I have never asked you or anyone else here to "feel my pain". Get it?

    It's a competitive market and some markets are much worse than others.

    Some stores pull a lot of dirty tricks and some customers bring this onto themselves with tricks of their own!

    I suspect you are in a cutthroat market. California?
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    That's very close...hope I don't lose my cover.

    As well you should. I think “your neighbor” oughta drop into your book store and then gets back to us. Something tells me you get everything you know about cars from those books. Especially their pictures. It’s about time someone ratted you out. :)

    We probably live within about 5 miles.

    You better hope it ain’t that close or you’re definitely outta here.

    What are the odds of that happening?

    I don't know but I hope we find out. :D

    jmonroe

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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Fintail worked literally right next door to our store. I kept thinking he would stop in one day and introduce himself but he never did.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    Ken

    You made some fantastic points. Part of my biggest problem when car shopping is that I'm a car nut. Obviously I have a budget in mind. I usually have a car in mind first. My problem is that I go into a dealership knowing that it is just a business transaction, but if I click with the salesperson somehow or find out they are a "car guy" too, I get excited and am prone to not want to cross shop price with another dealership.

    I'm also very particular about colors (sorry Craig) & options. The interior has to be black - that's not negotiable. When it comes to BMWs - my favorite marquee, the options list has got to be really short or the car gets really expensive really quick.

    I've learned a ton on this thread from posters & salespeople alike.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    isell--

    Our local Honda franchise was just sold to the ex-pro football player-owned Hyundai dealership next door.

    Frankly, it wasn't a great dealership anyway--plenty of screamer ads and constant sales turnover. Too bad really, because we really loved the original family run Honda store and I'm still kicking myself (just a little) for selling my 94 Civic.

    I don't hold out much hope for improved public relations under the new management based on what I have gleaned about the Hyundai dealership, but time will tell. The Honda dealership also sold new Chryslers out of the same building. That marriage ended when Chrysler was able to eliminate low volume dealers during their reorganization. Later the Hyundai dealership picked up the Chrysler and Jeep franchises so the Chrysler products have just moved--dare I say it--the length of a football field east of their previous location.

    In a mix of strange bedfellows the following brands are being sold out of two buildings: Honda (by itself currently), Jeep, Chrysler (Fiat eventually?) and Hyundai. Now, if they just sold Hillman!

    Gogiboy
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Oh, man! Hope we don't see our nearest owned by a pro football player Hyundai dealership expanding to other brands. Brad Benson. Ugh.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Fintail worked literally right next door to our store. I kept thinking he would stop in one day and introduce himself but he never did.

    Now what do you suppose made that not happen? :confuse:

    Your shoes did have some tread left on them, didn't they? ;)

    jmonroe

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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Well, he works at the National Headquarters for T-Mobile and I don't think they wold like someone walking in the door and asking for "Fintail".

    Our store, on the other hand is a walk in retail establishment.

    I could throw a rock and almost hit his building.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    too bad we didn't know about your neighbor earlier.
    could have given him some good advice.
    either rent some space for his KR or build another garage.
    that's what i did with my 'personal' cars.
    anyways, you have to wait for the punch line in this video to sum up my feelings. :)
    numskull
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I could throw a rock and almost hit his building.

    Save your arm. He probably wouldn't want you knocking on his window anyway. ;)

    jmonroe

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    if he walked into your dealership and said 'i want to talk to isellhondas', he probably would get run over. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Or run FROM, depending on what he looks like!

    Actually, they know my stage name.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,792
    I've actually bought 2 cars over the years from your store, Isell. My current Pilot was bought there in 08. I can only imagine what would of happened if I had asked the receptionist to speak with a guy called 'Isellhondas'...every guy on the sales floor would show up. :P

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,171
    I wonder how many people here have actually done what the sales guys are talking about, taking a price on a given car and then shopping it around to other dealers, to compare on the same model elsewhere?

    I guess I did with the last car I bought about 18 months ago.

    I went to my local dealer to get a price on a Mazda 6 and the trade of my BMW. They offered me a price of MSRP on the Mazda and less than KBB *Good* condition. They were probably quoting auction prices for the trade.

    Needless to say I thanked them for their time.

    I went home and checked the inventory at a dealer 50 miles away and they had the exact same car I was looking for. I emailed them and they replied in about an hour saying they would sell the Mazda for $100 over invoice and would give me KBB *Good* condition for my BMW - assuming it was in good condition when they saw it.

    I drove there the next day and bought the Mazda for a savings of $3,550.

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • biancarbiancar Member Posts: 965
    Wow, that's impressive. Well worth the phone call.
  • jb_turnerjb_turner Member Posts: 702
    Why did you buy a car $100 over invoice?
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...hope I don't lose my cover."

    I'm sure that you won't. There must be dozens of book dealers in Waterdown who drive BMW's. :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...but if I click with the salesperson somehow or find out they are a "car guy" too, I get excited and am prone to not want to cross shop price with another dealership."

    I am glad that you mentioned that feeling. I feel the same way. The sales guy at the Chrysler place who sold me my convertible impressed me. We have become buddies and he is such an honest person who tries to help his customers. He's not pushy, listens to what you want, and doesn't try to steer you in another direction just because he doesn't have what you want. It makes me want to buy our Explorer replacement from him. He has said that he will try to find us what we want even if it isn't a Chrysler product. Knowing this, I don't get so interested in visiting other dealerships. I guess that isn't very smart on my part but, once you find a good dealership with an excellent salesman, it's difficult not to think that way.

    Though flexible to a point, I'm also particular about colors and options. I guess we want what we want. There's nothing wrong with having preferences. As most of you know, I prefer a black exterior but can live with a tan or a white. The Explorer is pewter so I'm tired of gray. The convertible is blue and the one before that was red. My wife doesn't want white and prefers black or tan. I suppose that the next car will be one of those two colors. As for options, I must have those rear sensors this time. Things like nav and Bluetooth are nice but I could pass on them if I had to do so. All of this to say that some things are negotiable and some aren't. I imagine that many customers feel the same. If you get too particular, then you narrow the playing field.

    Richard
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,130
    explorer.....cool video. Thanks for posting it.

    I had driven my friend's KR Mustang several times. Yes, it was very, very fast. But, while I know it's sacrilege to say, it was a handful. They really are more at home on the track, not the street.

    His was a previous gen KR. I don't know if the current ones are more "streetable".

    Another friend of mine is an engineer at the local Ford plant. He's got a '98 Cobra convertible with 25K miles on it. It looks showroom new. I've been trying to get him to sell it to me for years. He won't tell me what he'd sell it for, but has hinted it is "for sale". Last offer I made to him for it was $10K. He turned it down. But, I still don't know what he would take for it. Even though it's got some years on it, I'd much prefer driving his '98 than any current version of the Cobra.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    edited May 2010
    That is not the shopping we complain about. I would do the same. Now if you had shopped the second guy (who provided a thin deal) to try and save a few bucks it would be what we are discussing. By the way, auction reports more accurately reflect the trade value of a car. They represent what dealers actually paid. KBB, NADA, Black Book etc. are merely estimates and are not nearly as real world.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    We probably live within about 5 miles.
    You better hope it ain’t that close or you’re definitely outta here


    What are the chances...living within about 5 miles for most of our lives, and bothe of us learning how to drive on Hillman stick shifts.....and then being on Edmunds?

    That's the type of lottery I win.......winning a million dollar lottery ticket will never happen. I don't even get one of the numbers to come up, and I should get a prize for that, that's hard to do.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    There must be dozens of book dealers in Waterdown who drive BMW's.

    That's funny. Waterdown has a population of about 10,000 people, and there is one little used book store run by an elderly guy who had a high pressure corporate job. He left it to run a bookstore which is a dream he always had.

    Our warehouse is in Burlington which has a population of about 150,000, and though there are probably less than a dozen bookstores and since ours is a warehouse (though it is 12000 sq ft) we are kind of low profile, sales to the public just once a month. So, I might be safe unless doug is a bit of a detective.

    You are correct though, not to many bookstores with an owner driving a James Bond Blue BMW Cabriolet!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    It makes me want to buy our Explorer replacement from him. He has said that he will try to find us what we want even if it isn't a Chrysler product

    That's a rough one! My Jeep salesman was as good as you could get too (speaking of which, where is boomer these days?).

    Always remembered me and my wife after 3 years. Always gave us a low and fair price...better than I expected even after doing my homework. No over selling.

    But, for me it was time to move up, and my wife wanted me to try the X3 (BMW just to comply with the new name the brand rules). After trying it, I was a new person. I didn't want to get out of it...I didn't want to give it back. Then I saw an ad for a GM dealer and our salesperson had changed dealerships.

    I am an Aries and though I don't believe in that crap I am supposed to be loyal, and I am, sometimes too loyal. But, the I think the lesson is, you have to do what is best for you overall. It is nice to reward a good salesperson with repeat business, but only if the car still suits your needs, but you really have to buy what is best for you.

    And don't forget to try out the Merceds GLK, you keep forgetting about it. ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Enough people knew my stage name that you probably would have found me.

    I abided by the rules here and I never promoted myself nor did I try to steer people toward our store.

    I did have a few figure it out. It was easy to click on my profile and learn my name.

    And, over the years I did sell a few cars althought that was never my intension.

    I even had a couple of troublemakers come to me through these forums.

    I honestly believe that for everyone who posts there are probably a dozen lurkers.

    And so, they let me keep my grandfathered user name which I always appreciated.

    In th time I've been here, I've seen a lot of people in the business come and go. A few left rather quickly and not by ther own desires.

    I was happy to see that happen too!
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I am an Aries

    At least you didn't say you drove one! :D
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I am an Aries
    At least you didn't say you drove one!


    No, but once I actually got one as a rental. Talk about lack of "feel of the road".
    I actually think a wagon would have more "feel of the road". The Aries felt like a box with a steering wheel attached.
    image

    The other day I did see a Lebaron convertible though. I always liked those, and that would make a nice car for Chrysler to bring back.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • biancarbiancar Member Posts: 965
    I always liked the looks of the Lebaron too, more so than the Sebring. Don't know how they were to drive, though.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    Way back in 1994, the lease on my Dad's '91 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer was up. He figured since he was leasing, why not try something new for the next 3 years. At the time, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the only SUV to come equipped with a driver's side air bag & 4 wheel ABS.

    He went down to the Jeep dealership, ended up meeting with one of the more experienced salesmen, test drove the Jeep, & liked it. Now my Dad is very picky about whatever vehicle he gets as well as colors & options. At the time, the Grand Cherokee came in base model (available with a 5 speed stick), Laredo, & Limited (I6 & V8 configurations). He hated the wheels, gold trim, & tan leather on the limited model. So he decided to go with a fully loaded Laredo (6 cyl). The Laredo he configured (Wild Berry w/ Grey leather) had to be special ordered since it had an MSRP the same as many of the Limited models.

    Remember, this was 1994, the start of the SUV craze here in the US. Jeep had these Grand Cherokees sold before they hit the dealer lots. They agreed on a lease price & the salesman said to my Dad that it was going to take 8 - 10 weeks to special order a Jeep. My Dad said no problem, call me when it gets in.

    He has a very close college friend who worked for Chrysler. He called his friend and his friend said - no problem, I'll take care of it.

    2 weeks later, he was driving by the dealership & saw a Wild Berry Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo sitting on the dealer's lot.

    He walked into the dealership & you should have seen the look of shock on the salesman's face. As he shook the salesman's hand, he said: "Hi, I see my Jeep is here." The guy looked at him in an almost fearful manor and said: "I don't know who the hell you know, but I've been selling cars for 30 years & have NEVER seen a special order car come in so quickly."

    Then the sales manager came up to him & asked him what he planned to do with his Explorer. He said, it is a lease, I'm going to turn it in. The sales manager asked him what the lease buyout was. My Dad looked up in the contract & showed him it was $10,000 - The sales manager stuck his hand out and said: "I'll give you $14,500 for it."

    DEAL!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • dougb10dougb10 Member Posts: 185
    Driver....don't think I will try to "hunt you down in Waterdown".

    I blend in pretty well though, so you probably wouldn't notice me....a 71 year old, white haired old fart, diving a 2003 silver Camry....my God....has it come to this?

    What ever happened to the 20 something young buck who drove a 4 speed 409 Pontiac convertible along 401...shifting from 2nd to 3rd at 75 mph and laid 25 feet of rubber on the road!

    Ain't life grand?

    Doug
  • biancarbiancar Member Posts: 965
    Now THAT is a good sales story! I've never heard of a salesman upping the buyout figure like that.

    I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo also, for three years from '97 to 2000. Liked it very much. Mine was a platinum silver with grey fabric interior. It was what was on the lot when I was shopping and for once I wasn't picky about color.

    Something about the fabric used to give my husband static electricity shocks all the time. Drove him absolutely nuts.

    Since then we've only bought cars with leather interiors - no more fabric, no more sizzing shocks upon getting out of the car.
  • biancarbiancar Member Posts: 965
    Doug - eh, I just turned 60 and I know exactly what you mean! I drive my 2005 Redline Nissan 350Z as my summer car, errand car, beach car. The Volvo V70 is our dog-toting car, vacation car, go places with friends car. Transport lots of stuff car.

    I like the Volvo fine, but love my Z. The day I give that up will be the day I am officially "old." ;-)
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    driving a 2003 silver Camry....my God....has it come to this?

    You need a Nissan Z like Biancar has to keep you young. I know what you mean though. Time sure does go quickly, and now that you can finally probably buy the car you would have liked in your 20s or 30s......you know it would be ridiculous, so you get something that is sensible.

    I am going to be checking all the 2003 silver Camrys that I see around here. Nice to meet you neighbor (in Canada it is neighbour).

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    $10,000 - The sales manager stuck his hand out and said: "I'll give you $14,500 for it."

    Wow! Never thought I would hear the day that would happen. Another nice thing was the 24 and 30 month leases Ford and Chrysler had at that time.

    They should bring those back again. That might get people in the market, and get the used car market going again. Nothing like a new car every 2 years!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    you didn't have to give your real age ;) , but I am going to adopt your philosophy about driving my mustang. i am not ready to feel old and i still enjoy driving with the top down and the way that v8 sounds.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...try out the Mercedes GLK, you keep forgetting about it."

    Selective memory? ;)

    Richard
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,357

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    That was a wonderful story. Also, your dad had excellent taste in color combinations.

    Richard
  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,171
    Why did you buy a car $100 over invoice?

    Why not?

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    What a lug nut! Wonder how many calls he got on that one? If he had been in my English 101 class, I would have resigned! :P :sick:

    Richard
  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,171
    They represent what dealers actually paid. KBB, NADA, Black Book etc. are merely estimates and are not nearly as real world.

    The KBB price was their suggestion. Not mine.

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,357
    What a lug nut! Wonder how many calls he got on that one? If he had been in my English 101 class, I would have resigned!

    I hate to admit it, but he lives in my home county- and people ask why I send my son to a private school...

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

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    24 Month Ford leases? I actually had one of those. I leased a 1998 Ford Explorer Sport for 2 years/24,000 miles - One pay lease. I think it was $6500 + tax to drive an almost $30K truck for 2 years.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • biancarbiancar Member Posts: 965
    you didn't have to give your real age

    I prefer to think of it as the 30th anniversary of my 30th birthday. :)
  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    So any of you folks giving him a call and helping him to buy a house !!! What a moron ! ;) :P
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Something about the fabric used to give my husband static electricity shocks all the time. Drove him absolutely nuts.

    This happened to someone I knew too. It turned out to be the material his skivvies were made from. Yeah, that can be annoying to a guy. :surprise:

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    but I am going to adopt your philosophy about driving my mustang

    Was that video of Gramps really you?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    "...try out the Mercedes GLK, you keep forgetting about it."
    Selective memory?


    Freudian something or other. I bet you haven't mentioned it to your kind and beautiful wife either.

    My father never liked trying out really nice cars because he might not like his Ford or Mercury as much any more. Could this be what is going on?

    I think you should try a GLK....you might hate it, and your decision to buy a Jeep or Explorer will be confirmed. However, if you do like it...........??????????
    I am curious to see how your wife would like it. I guaranty, once you drive it you will feel like a different person ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    i am going to adopt that one too! keep em coming. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I don't blame you. The tuition is worth every penny!

    Richard
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    might be some day. don't have a nice barn like that though.
    have to give credit to BMW for making use of videos like that one to promote their products.
    Ford definitely copied this strategy.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
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