Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,612
    some of these are priced really high, as in as much as a new one probably goes for.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Richard, don't fall for that overpriced CPO stuff.
    Every car I have ever sold was CPO I certify this car was pre-owned by me.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Jim, two terrible mistakes have been made in this case---one by the school system and one by the hearing officer. First, the school system should have suspended the teacher WITH pay until a guilty verdict was declared. Then, after the jail term, he could have been legally fired. You can't punish him twice for the same crime. The school district attorney should have given better advice to the superintendent.

    Secondly, the hearing officer has locked the school system into an impossible situation. By declaring that the school system had previously punished the teacher, the teacher's position is guaranteed. Under the law, you CANNOT PLACE another teacher in the man's class. The school system will have to allot (purchase) another position. The state won't give the school system an extra slot. They award new slots the previous spring of the year. This means that the local school district will have to purchase a new position out of their pocket---not a cheap expense. On top of that, they will have to pay this guilty swine to do SOMETHING for the remainder of the school year. They will probably have to move him to the district office and assign him to one of the supervisors. The supervisor will more than likely have him do research or some type of paper work. His current salary grade CANNOT be lowered.

    There is something here worse than the money. The credibility of the school and the school district will suffer. The justice system will suffer more ridicule ---16 days in jail was a stupid decision. Also, the judge should have requested that the state revoke the teacher's license for the usual period of seven years. That would have freed up the teacher's position in order that a new teacher be hired. LOTS of slip ups on this one. Bottom line: This teacher must never be allowed to be near children again---EVER!

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You were absolutely correct. I should have made myself clearer. Thanks.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Online courses for the kids? They had better get out the checkbook, fund a new local position, and hire a teacher. I smell parental lawsuits in the wind. See my previous post.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You arrived home just in time. Some old friends who teach on the island are on their way to see us for a couple of days. They're leaving the island in the morning. I told my wife that the only reason that they chose us is because we are the best cooks that they know. :P

    Hope Earl decides that N.J. is too little to bother. Good luck.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I'll remember what you and stickguy said. I had thought that CPO meant that the car was in better condition than the usual used car. I keep learning on this site. Thanks!

    Richard
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    This is just a tiny school district and you know how just one salary can affect them. The state is investigating and they will probably revoke his license but that takes time.

    Here's the article from today's (Tues) paper: Morton Parents Protest Return of Teacher.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,612
    well, it depends on the manufacturer, and how good the dealer is. Also more important on a few year old car, with higher miles. That might give you some new stuff like brakes that a normal used car might not get.

    But, on a 1 year old/10K miles unit, really all you are getting is the extension of the warranty. and maybe an oil change.

    So, while getting a lightly used domestic is a great idea (saving a lot of $$), It may not be worth paying a lot more for the CPO.

    Just do the math. if you can get a nice Explorer for 20K or a CPO just like it for 23K, is the extra money worth getting a couple years extra warranty (also probably a limited, more powertrain type)

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,117
    Stick, Fezo, you guys are both close to my ex's town of Glendora, NJ you're making me nervous.
    NJTP Exit 3 Black Horse Pike.


    I really will make you nervous! I am less than a mile from Exit 3!

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    As I get further into the buying process, I may decide that some data are worth less than other data.

    I agree jimbres. CR is not totally useless information. Some things might not apply. They point out things such as the back seat is not large enough. Well, if I only carry two people at most I don't really care. But, if they say the steering is loose and numb, I will want to check that out.

    All information can be useful, the more armed with information one is the better.

    I thought I better write something today, I have been quiet lately and my fans may be worried. :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks for the article. I see that he used the Alford Plea. He had a smart attorney. That is really sad. A district with less than 300 students wouldn't have the funds for a new position. They are really in a bad situation. Hopefully, the state will act quickly, but then appeals can take months or even years. It could be that the parents will solve this problem. If they keep up the pressure, the guy might resign. At age 56, he may be eligible for his pension.

    Richard
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    At age 56, he may be eligible for his pension.

    He's on the edge... depends on when he started. Washington switched plans in 1977. Those of us who were lucky enough to get in on "Plan 1" were able to retire with full benefits after 30 years. Plans 2 and 3 make you wait until you are 65.

    I like to mention that to all my colleagues who just missed.... I started in Jan, 1977. ;)
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited September 2010
    Had that guy been teaching in my hometown, he would have been taken care of in quite a "different" way.

    Especially if the girls had been Italian.

    And, in my book, that's not a bad thing!
  • nortsr1nortsr1 Member Posts: 1,060
    Richard....try this site....Truecarcost.com
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    OK - you can come to our get together, too!

    richard - if it starts looking too bad here we're heading to your house. I hear the food's good....

    We're actually 5 miles inland which is enough that for us storms are entertainment. When I lived three blocks off the ocean - one block from the bay which is the bigger issue - it was a very different story. I was extremely lucky to not get wiped out by hurricane Gloria.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I hope none of you are affected by this.

    It's always something, no matter where you live.

    When we moved to the Seattle area from So. California I thought we had gotten away from earthquake problems.

    Was I ever wrong! This area is much more likely to have a major earthquake and by luck, our house happens to literally straddle the fault line.

    Yes, we do have earthquake insurance which I understand is now near impossible to buy.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Batten down the hatches guys!
    I hope none of you are affected by this.
    It's always something, no matter where you live.


    I hear ya. When I moved to Colorado, I too thought I was safe from most natural disasters - no earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes in Colorado.

    Wrong!

    We do get the occasional tornado where I live, and the blizzards have caused us to be housebound quite frequently during the winter months. Thankfully, we've never had an extended power outage due to any storms.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,801
    I hear ya. When I moved to Colorado, I too thought I was safe from most natural disasters - no earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes in Colorado.

    Wrong!


    Shoot, you're pretty much in range of the Yellowstone supervolcano.

    And speaking of Seattle earthquakes, I was working in Sodo on 1st Ave S when the Nisqually quake hit. A 6.8 at the top of a multistory building built on landfill is no fun, trust me. The building next door, and across the street collapsed. So when we had to move for my wife's career, where did we have to go? The Bay Area of course...and I just realized this weekend that the Hayward fault is a half mile from my house. I'm just going to start wearing a helmet everywhere...

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,848
    My POV is, if you are going to buy a domestic, why look at CR? They are only going to trash it, so it does not have much value to me.
    When you bought your BMW, was CR reliability/maintenance data a major consideration?
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    When you bought your BMW, was CR reliability/maintenance data a major consideration?

    I'll answer that...for me. The 3 Series and the X3 before had a fair reliability record with CR. I did eliminate some cars near the bottom of the list like a Rover.

    In the end, I decided, with a 4 year bumper to bumper warranty I would trade the car in after 4 years if it gave me trouble. If it proved to be problematic, I would probably switch to a more reliable brand next time around...which would possibly be Lexus, but is open. So, does CR influence me? I definitely like to look at it just to make sure there isn't any big issues I would want to get involved with, and I would strike cars off my list if they were in the bottom 25% of the list. But, the difference between the top 10 and average might be 2 or 3 more repairs in 1000, so that isn't a major problem. I would say constant electrical problems, or recalls might influence my final decision.

    So, I think all information is worth something. You just take from it what can help you decide. I actually found CR was more favorable to domestic makes.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    My POV is, if you are going to buy a domestic, why look at CR? They are only going to trash it, so it does not have much value to me.

    Their current top pick in the family SUV category is the Chevy Traverse. In the pickup truck category, their favorite is the Chevy Silverado 1500.

    Their favorite family sedan is the Nissan Altima, but they give high ratings & their recommendation to the Ford Fusion, which, according to their frequency data, qualifies for a "much better than average" reliability rating.

    So, no, they don't trash domestics, although their non-truck favorites tend to be Asian brands.

    So will you stay away from Fusions, now that you know that CR not only likes them but actually recommends them?

    When you bought your BMW, was CR reliability/maintenance data a major consideration?

    In the early 2000s, the E46 3-series was CR's favorite premium sports sedan. At the time I bought mine, in 2001, the reliability rating was average, which was good enough for me.

    Still, my decision to buy was based largely on my test drives, which hooked me on the car.

    Would I have bought it if the reliability rating had been much worse than average? Probably not. My previous German car was an Audi 5000, which was the worst car I'd ever owned as far as reliability was concerned. (When it ran, it was a pleasure to drive.) That turned me off to German cars for a long time, so I needed data that suggested that not all German cars were as bad as the Audi was.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    How can CR give a "much better than average" reliability rating on a car that hasn't been out that long?

    That is why they have lost all credibilty with me.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,848
    They recently got a dose of reality. Does not make me want to trust them at all when making a car buying decision. I last bought a used vehicle in 1987, so I prefer to buy new.
    Of the 5 vehicles my name is on, the most troublesome one was a first year model.
    There's a revelation.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Does not make me want to trust them at all when making a car buying decision.

    But how can you decide if a piece of information isn't trustworthy if you don't read it first?

    As I've said before, when you're in the early stages of the buying process, you can't afford to ignore any data. You want all of the information that's out there. As you get further into the process, you'll probably discard some data because you doubt its trustworthiness. But you don't do that at the beginning. That would be just plain dumb.

    Right now, I'm shopping for a new printer, & I'm reading hundreds of reviews on Amazon.com, Newegg & Buy.com. (I've been known to spend more time researching computer components than shopping for a new car.) I'm flagging some of the reviews for a 2nd pass while deciding that others lack value. (Some glowing reviews appear to have been written by paid shills, while some of the extremely negative reviews - particularly those in all caps - were probably written by hopeless incompetents.) But I can't decide if a review merits further consideration unless I read it. And I would be a real idiot if I said that because some reviews on Amazon.com are untrustworthy, I won't read any reviews at all.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I can think of a couple of times where we actually went into holdback but there was always a good reason for doing this.

    This sounds like when a dealer has to meet a sales goal to get their monthly/quarterly bonus. I’m pretty sure I was the beneficiary of this when I bought in ’05 as I mentioned a little while back. Am I right? If not can you give the reason, because in the end it had to be good for the store to at least try doing this.

    FWIW, my Father was in sales for most of his life in one area or another (although never car sales). I remember several stories he told where he said he’d only go so far to get the sale then it became a personal thing and he would stop when he knew he’d kick himself later for making a sale under ridiculous conditions.

    jmonroe

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    richard - if it starts looking too bad here we're heading to your house. I hear the food's good....

    You only heard that from him. I never saw a review of his cooking here at Edmunds or anywhere else for that matter.

    I think you have to consider the source of information when it comes to traveling that distance for a so called good meal. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Right now, I'm shopping for a new printer, & I'm reading hundreds of reviews on Amazon.com, Newegg & Buy.com.

    I don't know much about computers or printers but HPs are always a safe bet. We once got a color printer at work and it sounded like a washing machine when it was making copies...it was a Brother.....never again.

    About CR, I don't understand not reading their review and then interpretting it and getting from it what you can.....which is what you are saying but they don't seem to get it. Somehow they think they are anti-U.S. cars, but you have shown they are not. I don't know what more you can say about it.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    But, the difference between the top 10 and average might be 2 or 3 more repairs in 1000, so that isn't a major problem.

    C'mon, do the math. For most drivers that's 2 or 3 times a month you're in the dealers coffee lounge. :surprise:

    Even 2 or 3 times per 10K miles is no sign of reliability as far as I'm concerned.

    jmonroe

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,848
    Everyone has their own view on buying decisions. I will ignore a source that I feel has an obvious bias against something I am considering, or has an obvious bias towards a certain product. CR auto recommendations fall into that area for me.
    They fostered a group of Kool Aid drinkers.
    Never once did they report/forecast any issues with certain brands. If their surveys had any validity(a bit harsh), some red flags should have been raised long before the multi million recalls.
    We have different tastes in vehicles, so maybe that is the difference.
    I don't say you are dumb because of that and I don't feel I am either.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,704
    > I never saw a review of his cooking here at Edmunds or anywhere else for that matter.

    Does CR do reports on Richard's cooking?

    Or maybe only trust his cooking if we've seen him or his wife cooking on the Hell's Kitchen guy's various cooking shows?

    Or maybe Paula's kitchen?

    Where would Richard64's cooking be most at home?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    I think the FAQ`s on CR`s website answers every single question that folks have. You have to read the FAQ page in its entirety to understand what they are saying and what the reliability dots are and what the problem areas are and other predicted reliability and ratings info. Here's the link: :P

    http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/auto-test/consumer-reports-car-- reliability-faq-8-06/overview/0608_consumer-reports-carreliability-faq_ov.htm
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Where would Richard64's cooking be most at home?

    I don't know but I'm sure we're going to get his vote on this. ;)

    jmonroe

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

  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    -I'm slow to report, but Richard, the wife did make your German Potato Salad. It was very good. We did eat it warm as you recommended.

    I sincerely think potato salad tastes much better when it has aged overnight in the refrig. Yours got even better the next day. But, it was not close to what i remember from the San Franciso restaurant. What I ate there continure to elude me.

    -Printers.... My recommendation - Canon.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    I don't know much about computers or printers but HPs are always a safe bet.

    HP's reputation is slipping a fair bit when it comes to printers... at least from the many reviews I read a year or so ago. I've had bad luck with a couple of Epson's.

    My current Brother printer is the best I've owned. And ink costs are so much lower.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    -I'm slow to report, but Richard, the wife did make your German Potato Salad. It was very good. We did eat it warm as you recommended.

    I don't get it...loves German potato salad, hates German cars!

    There's something wrong with that boy! :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    HP's reputation is slipping a fair bit when it comes to printers... at least from the many reviews I read a year or so ago

    If they were CR reviews they were meaningless, according to some people.

    HP did a strange thing. We had 2 great color laser printers at work, and they cost about $300 5 years ago. One of the broke down.

    These printers have to write addresses on about 200 envelopes at a time. The store recommended a brother for about $200. It got so hot it sealed the envelopes as it printed them.

    We returned it and got an HP which works fine. But they don't have that mid=price copier any more, you either have to get a low price one for $150 which won't put addresses on that many labels without sealing them, or you have to get the better model with a fax and scanner for $700.

    Why do they do that? :confuse:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    CR likes the HP Photosmart, but the large number of negative reviews on Amazon's web site are putting me off. Too many people are reporting that the HP up & dies after 2 weeks. So I'm leaning toward Canon - particularly because the Canon I have now has been pretty good.

    I also have a nearly 9-year-old Brother laser printer that's starting to make strange noises. I'll keep using it until it croaks & then replace it - probably with another Brother. (I like having both an inkjet AIO & a laser printer on hand.)
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I sincerely think potato salad tastes much better when it has aged overnight in the refrig.

    You are so right.

    Mrs. j’s almost famous potato salad is that way for sure. It’s probably the fermenting of the salad dressing (Miracle Whip). She has been asked for her recipe lots of times and when she gives it out she tells everyone that it should be made the day before eating it. They say, “OH, that’s you’re secret. Most people don’t like to give out their true recipe, always seem to leave something out, conveniently”. Not Mrs. j, she thinks it’s a pain to make that stuff and the more people that can make it, the less often she’ll be ask to bring a barrel of it to cook outs. But I think it’s her turn this week end. I saw a big bag of potatoes being hauled out of her trunk yesterday. :surprise:

    jmonroe

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    …or you have to get the better model with a fax and scanner for $700.

    Why do they do that?


    Probably because it takes better parts to make a printer that will perform better and for a longer period of time. Almost like cars.

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I think the FAQ`s on CR`s website answers every single question that folks have

    Some interesting points on the sight. Such as, information like this could be very useful if you were considering a Tourag....which I might have done.

    . More than that, the Volkswagen Touareg, which had the worst new car prediction score in the 2009 survey, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the best, the Honda Insight.

    And, this answers some peoples concerns:
    Some Japanese models in our survey have scored below average in reliability, and some American models have scored above average. Those findings provide evidence against pro-Japanese bias on the part of our subscribers.

    Recently, some American models are on par or even surpassed the reliability of those from major Japanese manufacturers. In our 2009 survey, the front-wheel-drive Ford Fusion, its Mercury Milan twin, and the Chevrolet Malibu V6 scored above average in predicted reliability whereas both the V6 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry scored only average. Among upscale cars, the front-wheel-drive version of the Lincoln MKZ, a plusher cousin of the Ford Fusion, beat out perennial reliability champs such as the Acura TL and Lexus ES.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Probably because it takes better parts to make a printer that will perform better and for a longer period of time. Almost like cars.

    The $300 one bought 5 years ago worked fine, and got a lot of use. A $300 printer 5 years ago should cost about $150 now. I think they have done market research and they think people either want a cheap printer for $100, or if they need a delux model it is probably for a business, and the consumer will just pay the $700. It isn't profitable to make a middle of the road unit.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited September 2010
    Just bought a new Canon printer to replace a three year old lightly used HP that has never worked right. So far, the Canon is fantastic and it prints photos in brilliant color. We paid 140.00 for it.

    I remember buying an HP Deskjet 500 20 years ago and paying close to 700.00!

    Now, they give away the printers and rip us on the ink not that the HP 500 ink was cheap either.

    Anyone want our old HP?
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    My 7 year old hp printer froze up and died. Went to target and bought a lexmark all in one for $39. Not much more than a couple of ink refills. Works fine for my needs. I only print receipts and hotel reservation confirmations so it doesn't get much of a workout.
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    So far, the Canon is fantastic and it prints photos in brilliant color. We paid 140.00 for it.

    Which model?
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    edited September 2010
    HP's reputation is slipping a fair bit when it comes to printers...

    I bought a multi-function HP (printer, scanner, copier) and returned it. The printer was fine, but its software was a piece of crap. Bought a Canon and I love it. I have the MX860.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,612
    well, tying 2 current threads together, in the most recent issue of CR, they tested printers!

    I recently bought a Brother all in one (model 495). Works very well. better quality and quicker than the older HP it replaced. Primary reason for the change though was to get a flatbed scanner.

    one thing that works in the Brother's favor is that the ink costs (per CR) are much lower than for the HP.

    I got it on sale at office depot, and paid a whopping $99 for it.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    It's an MP 990. Love it!
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    one thing that works in the Brother's favor is that the ink costs (per CR) are much lower

    That has been my experience. I had to take out loans to buy ink for my old Epson. :surprise: The Brother ink is so much cheaper. I get it from Costco online and it is here in a day or two.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Iremember buying a Lexmark for the cheap price only to learn they made up for it in ink.

    Have an Epson that I like a lot these days.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
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