Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    edited September 2010
    Congratulations! I'm adding you as the fifth charter member of The Tankers.

    Richard, President
    The Tankers
  • murphydogmurphydog Member Posts: 735
    edited September 2010
    flattered to say the least...though more of a fan of just the big SUVs - I lean more towards the sporty sedans, e.g. CTS, C/E series

    though back in the college days working as a valet I did like driving the town cars and such - I had a real soft spot for the Lincoln Mark VII's though...had a couple of regulars with them. We had a HUGE parking lot, so you could get out back and stretch their legs out so to speak. Always a fun game to see how big a jump you could make the digital speedo make, like from 10 MPH to 35 MPH!

    Valets are never hard on cars.....at least if you tip well...
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    If you are going to count big SUVs maybe explorer should be in your club. He does drive a Fusion but likes his Explorer as well.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,184
    lemko....couple of months back, there as a guy posting in the Acura threads who was absolutely in love with the new Buicks. Can't remember his name off the top of my head, but he was enamored with the new ones. He was convinced the new Buicks were going to bury Acura, Audi, and probably a couple of other brands I can't remember, too.

    I don't know how old this guy was, but it was clear that Buick struck a chord with him (something I'm certain they're trying to do to win some customers from other brands).

    I'm sure they're current models are fine cars. But, the point I made to him was I doubt Audi, Acura etc are quaking in their boots just yet. I doubt very seriously that people shopping the high end Japanese models (with the possible exception of Lexus), or high end German marks would consider a Buick. And, that Buick would probably steal more sales from Cadillac than any other brand.

    That said, I am glad that a once grand and storied brand like Buick is still around and seems to be revitalized
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,185
    edited September 2010
    . I doubt very seriously that people shopping the high end Japanese models (with the possible exception of Lexus), or high end German marks would consider a Buick

    There were quite a few threads around here that were boasting that the LaCrosse outsold the ES350 so far this year (month?). I think that is very impressive, of course the Lexus is a four year old design now so I would expect its volume to be dropping off simply because it is due for a refresh.

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    As a fan of big SUVs and the CTS, you still qualify for membership. You have a track record here of supporting posters who drive large vehicles. :D

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    You guys are going to need a name for your club - like The Mighty Big Car Club or Octane Anonymous....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I think that The Tankers says it all.

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Well, tanks but no tanks...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,185
    I kinda like Octane Anonymous... however, its Richard's club and Tankers it is. As of right now I wish I had one of those old boats as my Genesis just left me stranded in a parking lot....

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Oh, don't let jmonroe hear that! :surprise:

    What's up?
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Thanks Richard, I am honored to be a charter member of the Tankers. I am making an exception here, because as Rodney Dangerfield used to say, I would usually never join a club that would sink so low as to invite me to become a member. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    because as Rodney Dangerfield used to say, I would usually never join a club that would sink so low as to invite me to become a member.

    While good 'ol Rodney may have said it, he wasn't the originator of the quote .. I believe it was Groucho Marx who coined the phrase.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,185
    I don't know whats going on, its going to the dealer on Monday (for other issues anyway). It stalled out on highway last night twice, when I got where I was going I noticed it was dead because I couldn't even lock the doors (or open trunk) after shutting it off. Two hours later fired right up.

    It then was dead again when I got it home and shut it off, grabbed the multimeter and battery showed 13 volts but car had no power at all. Today all was fine, went to lunch (2 mile drive) came back out 45 mins later and car was dead again. Roadside assistance came and jumped it (was reading two volts at underhood jumping point, not at battery in trunk). It died again when I got back to the office, and as of right now not sure if it will start when I go to leave. If it doesn't start, the dealer can tow it. I am not buying a battery issue if last night when the car had no electric at all the battery had plenty of voltage.

    I should have driven my S10 to work today,,,, so I am the idiot.

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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    You guys REALLY need some Sales Stories, don't you?
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Indeed it was Groucho.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Can anyone besides me name all of the Marx Brothers without chaating?
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,185
    You guys REALLY need some Sales Stories

    Oh yeah...

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo and Gummo.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,914
    Fez,
    Considering an Explorer like Richard and I have is shorter than a last generation Camry or Accord, I don't think it qualifies.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,748
    you forgot Karl.

    I would have missed Gummo.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,748
    well, my Odyssey is a tank. Also longer than an explorer. even longer than the upcoming one. And I think it might be just as long as a Tahoe.

    I consider it a barge, but it can hold a whole bunch of stuff. I still am looking forward to being able to downsize from it. My wife is too (and she is the DD on it).

    as to sedans, my 2005 Accord is plenty big, but still manageable. Anything larger (including the new style accord) is to me an Ark.

    I had a 2009 Taurus rental last year (prior body style) and I felt like I was piloting the queen mary.

    And this from someone that probably has 2K miles behind the wheel of a FS Ryder truck (diesel freightliners or Internationals) with 26" Boxes! The FL was easier to pilot in traffic. At least I knew where the front end was.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,748
    50% chance you have one from Tic by middle of next week, after he dumps the Hyundai, lease be darned!

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,914
    edited September 2010
    I did some informal checking and it looks like you would be lucky to get a new Explorer before the calendar starts the new year.
    Production is predicted to start November 1. If there are any early production glitches, I am sure they will hold up delivery to dealers until it is corrected.
    They did this when the introduced the Edge a few years ago.
    The old philosophy was to deliver them to the dealers and make the fixes there.
    Maybe that didn't always get done, hence the change.
    For your trip up to NY, maybe you can rent one of your choices.
    Good way to find out if you will be happy with it.
    I suggest GLK. :P
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Good job! Most people forget Chico or Gummo.

    Car story...

    Quite a few years ago, my best friend was in the market for a Lincoln Mark Four.

    He answered an ad and asked a lot of questions. The Lincoln was in Palm Springs about a two hour drive.

    My buddy arrived cash in hand. an old Jewish guy answered the door. He asked if he had heard of the Marx Brothers and let him know he was Gummo Marx.

    The Lincoln had been scraped badly on both sides where the old guy had scraped his grage walls. It didn't have half of the accessories he told him it had.

    He told him..." It's fully loaded. It has everything". It was as stripped as it could have been and still been a Lincoln.

    He thought the celebrity status would have been enough to overlook the shortcomings. Wrong!
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    Don't tell Driver this but I know at least a few BMW owners that switched to Buick.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    It then was dead again when I got it home and shut it off, grabbed the multimeter and battery showed 13 volts but car had no power at all.

    I am not buying a battery issue if last night when the car had no electric at all the battery had plenty of voltage.


    Don’t be so sure the battery is good just because you measured 13 volts at the battery terminals without a load being drawn from the battery. The best way to measure the battery voltage is under load. Normally you can’t do this by yourself unless you have leads long enough on the meter so that you can read the meter from the driver’s seat while the car is being cranked. The most common way is to have someone else turn the key while you watch the meter. If the meter drops below approximately 9.5 volts while the car is being cranked, that’s a good indication that the battery is bad.

    Roadside assistance came and jumped it (was reading two volts at underhood jumping point, not at battery in trunk).

    If the battery is good, one reason you’re only getting 2 volts at the jumper terminals under the hood could be that there is a lose or corroded connection in one (unlikely both) of those long runs of battery cables from the battery in the trunk on its way to those jumper posts. I never liked the idea of those long high current carrying cables going from the trunk to the engine compartment but that is something I’ll have to live with since that’s the design and I can’t do anything about that without a lot more work than I’m willing to do to change the design.

    Just last year (about this time) we had a discussion about batteries and how long they last and 5 years is when you can expect to have problems. I remember that several here thought ‘isell’ and I were battery salesman when we said something like, “why take a chance when a battery is 5 years old or more and is not giving reliable starts like you had been getting when the battery was younger”? Your battery is not that old but it could be bad. How do I explain this, ‘random failure’. It happens and I wouldn’t like it either but better now than in the dead of winter.

    jmonroe

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Hey! Your Explorer may be short for richard's club but it's unwieldy enough and get about the right mileage.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,184
    tjc..I've seen those threads about "this vehicle outsold that vehicle", too.

    You can really say that about any vehicle. Heck, I can say that an F150 outsold a Lexus. Doesn't make them competitors, though.

    Speaking of Buicks, I know that most Buick dealers also sold Pontiacs. Now that the Pontiac brand is gone, I wonder how those dealerships are doing?

    They have GMC, too. But, still there's a pretty good chunk of volume those dealerships gave up when Pontiac went away.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...tanks but no tanks..."

    I love that! Actually, I'm not opposed to a different name for the club.

    "Hey! Your Explorer may be short for richard's club but ..."

    It definitely qualifies in length at 189 inches and 79 inches in width.

    Richard
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,185
    Don’t be so sure the battery is good just because you measured 13 volts at the battery terminals without a load being drawn from the battery

    Very true, J. What I found funny was that if the battery showed 13 volts how in the heck wasn't even the interior light on?

    I am waiting for the next time it acts up (if it does before Monday) to check both the battery voltage and the jump start points under the hood. I am curious what I will find, if anything it will be good info for the dealer. I haven't driven it today (drove my truck) but may chance it tomorrow.

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

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,185
    50% chance you have one from Tic by middle of next week, after he dumps the Hyundai, lease be darned!

    LOL, tell me about it. I will not be happy if this thing continues to unreliable. I am sure I am upside down by a good 2K, so the chances of trading it in are slim.

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,914
    edited September 2010
    Fez,
    You do realize that since 2002, the Explorer has had IRS and the Sienna still has a rear beam axle.
    That's so K-Car. ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,611
    Driver Let's be a little more tolerant of your friends to the North.
    JMonroe Unless you're Santa Claus, we have no friends to the North.

    After you wrote that the lights went out around here.

    I thought I lossed all my Edmunds buddies for ever. It was quite sad. We need a way to meet again if this happens again.

    I am away for about 3 weeks, so no more posts about "the feel of the road" for awhile. Business trip to London UK, then 3 days in Rome, then a cruise, 2 stops in Italy, 3 in Greece, 1 in Egypt and 1 stop in Turkey.

    Be back Sept 30th. Play nice guys!
    Hope this isn't our cruise ship
    Waves hit cruise ship

    This is kind of funny, especially the guy who rides the piano around!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Have a wonderful trip. When you return, check the posts. My buying story and the mystery car story will be there. I think that it is all coming down by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. We've made the decision and the car has been found. It's 100 miles from here. We'll be going up to see it Monday or Tuesday depending on another appointment that my wife has Monday morning.

    Give my regards to the Queen and to the Pope. :P Happy sailing.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Good luck with the battery situation. Hope you don't get stranded again. Keep us posted.

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    What I found funny was that if the battery showed 13 volts how in the heck wasn't even the interior light on?

    Like I said in my previous post, if you have a bad connection (a corroded terminal/lose connection point could do this) somewhere in the run of those battery cables to the jumper posts under the hood the full voltage at the battery terminals is not getting to these jumper posts. You pretty much confirmed this by reading 13 volts at the battery and only 2 volts at the jumper posts. The battery voltage has to get to the hood area and from there it is distributed to the cars electrical system. That’s why I’m saying that there is a bad connection somewhere in that run if your meter is properly connected and making good contact at the points where you are taking voltage readings.

    After I made my original post I went to the Genny forum here at Edmunds and I saw where you said that you lost radio presets and other memory related items. This is because you don’t have enough voltage (2 volts is way to low) under the hood to be distributed to the cars electrical system. Again, this points to a bad connection somewhere between the battery and the jumper posts.

    One of the easiest places to check for a bad connection is at the battery itself. Looking at the terminals isn’t good enough, you should remove the cables at the battery and check to see if corrosion is on the contact points where the cable clamps are held to the battery terminals. As far as electrical connections go I’ve always subscribed to “bright and tight will make it right”.

    When the problem is found let us know how you made out with this.

    jmonroe

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

  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    Richard ,Good luck with your new car and we need all the gory details of your purchase story ! ;)

    And since you are driving 100 miles,it better be a good choice ! :shades:
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,611
    Thanks for the good wishes on the trip. I am sorry I won't be around to hear the details about the wheeling and dealing, and about the car you have chosen.

    I think you have broken the number of cars bought from this site!

    I will try to check in from time to time while away...we are taking the netbook with us, so I'll be watching for the story....I can hardly wait to hear all about it. I wonder if it qualifies as a "Tanker".

    Best of luck on the wrap up of the deal, with all your research abilities, I am sure you have chosen a fine car.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,914
    Driver,
    If you haven't left yet, have a great trip. Do you earn 'frequent floater' miles when you take a cruise?
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,725
    I'm disappointed I'm being left out of the large car club. I think leSabres which hold 6 comfortably put me in the Town Car type category.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    OK, OK, you're in ! Welcome to the TANKERS !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,748
    thought of Richard when I saw this.

    was at the market the other day, and parked across the aisle was a nice medium blue town car. Looked pretty new, and actually sharp in that color (don't recall ever seeing it before).

    Oh, and the couple that owned it were having a little trouble getting the last bags into the trunk. The old guy that owned it had a walker that kept getting in the way.

    thankfully I got out of the lot before they started moving!

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I would never wish to leave out one of my favorite posters. LeSabres definitely count as large cars. Welcome to The Tankers as a charter member!

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You were doing so well with your post until you got to the old man with the walker. :sick: At least you made a nice comment about the Town Car. ;)

    Richard
  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    So my local Toyota dealer has 3 lifetime oil change packages. Normally I do not take such packages but the prices were very tempting plus my 09 Camry has just 5k miles. :shades:
    The packages are:
    1.Regular Package: $399 - Every 3 mon / 3k miles[Max 4 limit/yr]-regular oil
    2.Deluxe Package : $479 - Every 3 mon / 3k miles[No limit/yr]-regular oil
    3.Signature Package:$799-Every 3 mon / 3k miles[Max 4 limit/yr]-Synthetic oil

    I drive less than 12k miles per yr ,so the regular package will be fine. But I dont like going to the dealer every 3 months. That`s why I use synthetic oil every 6k miles or 6 mon. But the Signature package also has 3 month intervals which would be a overkill.
    So what do you folks say?? Should I go for it? If so , which one? I was thinking -- Maybe I could buy the Signature Package for half price of $400 and ask them for a limit of 2/yr instead of 4/yr. Dont know if they do this or not. :P
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    So what do you folks say??

    Are you kidding? :confuse: With those prices you can come over to my garage and I’ll even take $10 off each oil change if you show up on time for your appointment (I have an opening at 2 PM today). I’ll also have Mrs. jmonroe make you some fine coffee. Plus, I’ll probably do it right. :surprise:

    jmonroe

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

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    I'm with JM on this one.
    Why would you ever want to enter into a long term contract with businesses failing left and right.
    If you're like most people you want oil changes done on your schedule and to your specs.
    Just get them done as needed using the oil you specify and pay the bills one at a time.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    edited September 2010
    Depends on how long you plan on keeping your Camry. As long as you keep it within the next 3 years I'd go with the number one package.

    If you usually pay $30 per oil change at 4 oil changes a year, you will have gotten your money back in 3 and 1/4 years. Sounds like a great deal. Keep that Camry long enough, it may get down to an average of around a nickel a oil change. Anybody want to figure out how long that would take? Snakie?

    I'm wondering if the dealership includes shop supplies, disposal fees and all that other bull with the lifetime price?

    Also, every 3 months/3k miles is overkill IMO. Unless you're the kind of guy who goes back to the buffet table 3 or 4 times to get his money's worth, getting the oil changed every 4 months/4k miles should be more than adequate.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    JM, If I bring the Yota to you for an oil change, can I get a chipped ham sandwich along with that coffee? Price is no object and I don't care what brand of oil you use. I'm just in to it for the BBQ (and a hi five since the Steelers squeaked by on their first game).

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

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