Stories from the Sales Frontlines

snakeweasel

Hybrid seems to be a selling point, but what is being sold?

To some it is an issue, to others its fuel economy. Depending on the mileage that the hybrid will get and the price difference between the hybrid and a comparable non-hybrid I might consider it. So I will admit that it is a long shot.

snakeweasel

I still use a pocket watch.

sterlingdog

You wear a pocket watch? That tells worlds about you ---a man of style, taste, and grace. It seems so appropriate for your good sense, intellect, and practicality. I know that I shouldn't say this as a smoker, but a nice pipe would look great with your pocket watch.

Richard

atlanticone

Hi to everyone. New here and looking to see what's going on everywhere.

sterlingdog

I respect your ethics and I know that you are right.

Richard

explorerx4

I have a pocket watch that my mom gave me from my grandfather.
Don't even know if he bought it or it was passed to him.
I use a 5+ year old cell phone, which has a similar effect when someone sees it.

sterlingdog

Well, you came to the perfect place. Welcome! This forum is definitely "what's going on everywhere." You'll find us unique, entertaining, loving, argumentative, opinionated, caring, and like a family. We even discuss cars at times. (Wink here.) Stick around. You're in for the treat of your life. Just chime in at any point. Don't be shy and don't be thin skinned. We all have to take our lumps from time to time. It won't be personal; it will just be us.

Richard

sterlingdog

You certainly have a sweet wife. What a wonderful gift. You deserve it. My nephew wears that Oyster Perpetual. His boss, Greg Norman, gave it to him for finishing a golf course early in the Grand Caymans. It's a beautiful time piece.

Richard

fezo

This the same nephew that's eyeing all your stuff? If so tell him he's horning in on my territory. He's obviously better off than I am. (this is supposed to be the :P emotorcon here) . :P

Built a golf course? I'm impressed. This isn't the same one worrying about getting his kids through college is it? It sounds liek a non-worry issue even not knowing your little secret. BTW - you and your sister are doing the right thing by doing that on your own. A late, great friend of mine that I met in these parts set up a fund enough to put his two grandkids through college and gave it to his daughter to manage. His son-in-law used the moeny to finanace a nicer lifestyle. Happy ending is that both kids won full scholarships anyway.

I don't even have a fake Rolex but the name on the watch does end in x and the company used to make them in Connecticut. It looks nice and keeps excellent time.

sterlingdog

Just Google "fake Rolex watches" and it will come up on their home page. There are several sites which offer them for between $100 and $200. I love the blue Submariner, real or not. I think that the blue and gold look so rich together. I own a nice Seiko, a Fossil, a Bolivar, a Citizens, and my favorite which is a Vernier. It's a big, chunky, gold, square design with a wide brown alligator band. On a daily basis, I wear a Timex which keeps perfect time.

Richard

snakeweasel

I looked it up and I do have to say it looks real nice, for a bracelet. :P

explorerx4

i wasn't really trying to run down NJ. Driving anywhere in the North East corridor is about when you do it, as in what time of day.
Off hours, you can make great time.
I have been to Delaware many times and have always want to take the ferry from Lewes, but I am always in too much of a hurry.

sterlingdog

It's a Catch 22. My nephew gets paid extremely well but, because of his position and his boss, he has to maintain a certain life style to stay in the business. His wife, an ICU nurse and nursing instructor, is the only wife in the company who works. She refused to give up her career. I love her for feeling that way.

As far as the college fund is concerned, it has certain stipulations. The two boys must use it to further their education or go into some form of legitimate business after high school. If they do neither, the money may be used at age 30 toward the purchase of a home. My sister and I don't want the money squandered. We both worked too hard to get our educations and get started in life.

I wonder what my nephew and niece would think if they read the will and saw Steve LaSala's name in it? How does a 2008 SRX sound in about twenty years? (Grin here.)

Richard

isellhondas

If I had a customer look at their watch, I would ask them if they had a time problem.

If they told me they had to be somewhere in a half hour, I would suggest making an appointment for a time that would be better for them.

Funny, it seemed they ALWAYS had time for a test drive!

fezo

I know but I couldn't put an emotorcon at the end of that.....

Years ago they used to have special maps taht Oregon would send people (well, actually some people in Oregon did this) which would show you how to go around the state without actually setting foot in it. They liked what they ahd and didn't want anyone else in.

Someday you'll have to bite the bullet, take your time and do taht ferry. It's very nice.

Now Richard has me looking at fake Rolexes.....

Decades ago I had a girlfriend who would tell me about the guys selling afke watches on campus. They'd have fake names that looked right at about 1:50. Rolidex, Bolivia and Somequa.

fezo

I wonder what my nephew and niece would think if they read the will and saw Steve LaSala's name in it?

There's only one way we'll ever know.....

driver100

Yes, not bad for $89! I don't know how they get away with it though. I thought there would be lawsuits flying over this.

driver100

How does a 2008 SRX sound in about twenty years?

Better than a 2003 Explorer

fezo

Better than a 2003 Explorer

Ain't that the truth!

houdini1

Thank you Richard. Yes, I am a lucky man. A couple of years later I bought her the gold and stainless ladies Rolex. She never has worn it much and I haven't even seen it for months....but it is still in her collection.

tidester

Did you ever look at your watch to coax a less than serious prospect to move on? Or does subtlety not work?

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

driver100

Did you ever look at your watch to coax a less than serious prospect to move on?

I am LOLing with your comments. But, one I do wonder about is: Do you think if a car salesman wears a Rolex or similar watch, would that scare you off or make you feel the guy must be a good salesman? Would you feel more comfortable if the salesman was wearing a Timex? Does any one sell cars with a tie and jacket anymore.

snakeweasel

Does any one sell cars with a tie and jacket anymore.

Well there is this one dealership I drive by every now and again that I peek into the showroom (never have gone in) where I always see people in there with suits and ties. But then again they sell Rolls and Bentlys. So with a 300K car you want to give some type of impression.

jwilliams2

Does any one sell cars with a tie and jacket anymore.

Yes, it was required where I worked for 10 years or so. And some did wear nice watches. Of course, lots of clients did as well.

graphicguy

I know my Acura sales person always seems to have a very nice watch. Some of the brands I've heard of, some I haven't. He gets them as sales awards from the dealership and Acura corporate. None of them have been Rolexes (Roli?) though.

I like nice watches....a trait I've inherited from my Father. While I don't mind a quartz, I prefer a mechanical automatic. I appreciate that sort of build.

Anyway, there's a wealth of companies who make swiss watches (with swiss ETA automatic movements) that look dead on a Rolex. They don't call them Rolex. They call them by their company's name. But, they're built as well, use the same movements, and the same materials (except for solid gold and diamonds). One of my favorites is DeBaufre.

Another note, I drove one of those Tahoe Hybrids a couple of years ago while my Tahoe was getting serviced and the service manager let me use one. Very nice vehicles. I couldn't open the "craigslist" ad so I don't know what it said. But, according to the Chevy Service manager, they get 20 MPG around town. My "regular" Tahoe got about 14 MPG around town. That's a substantial improvement.

I don't recall whether they could drive strictly on electric motor as I never tried. It had more torque at take off, though. Plus, it shut down the gas engine at red lights. Those were the two things I noticed most.

The downside, they stickered for about $60K and came ALL LOADED UP. That's a high price to pay for the privilege of driving a hybrid. Still, good concept that was well executed.

Lastly, I happened to be driving out east for work. I had been in a hurry all day, from making my flight early that morning, to making all of my meetings on time, etc. As such, I hadn't even checked my wallet. I guess my "then" spouse decided she needed some cash and removed some from my wallet the day before.

I came to the George Washington Bridge and had all of 2 singles in my wallet. I believe the toll was at least 3X that. Looking behind me, there was no way to back up and out of line. I get to the toll takes, actually show him my nearly empty wallet, beg for mercy.

He looks at me upon hearing my mid-west accent and states...."what's wrong wit yous guys?". He looks at the line behind me, looks at me. He then says "get the !@#$ outta here" and waves me on.

sterlingdog

None of the guys at the Cadillac place had on ties, but I noticed some nice watches, rings, and bracelets. It's the same way at the Chrysler place. Then again, this is golf country. Most men around here don't even wear a coat and tie to church. I do because I grew up that way.

To Tidester: If the shoe were on the other foot, and the salesman kept looking at his watch, I wouldn't like it. I would assume that he wasn't interested in me as a customer. Would I make a comment to him? Probably not. I would just walk.

Richard

Kirstie_H

Glad you made it here!

For the others, I found this member in the Hyundai forums, and if I'm not mistaken, he/she is a salesperson, so I thought this would be a good place to check out.

altanticone, we'd love to hear any of your sales stories you'd like to share.

tidester

if a car salesman wears a Rolex or similar watch, would that scare you off or make you feel the guy must be a good salesman?

Probably neither but if he made some snide comment about my Timex I'd walk for sure.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

stickguy

Well, the watch I happen to be wearing right now is a Peugeot! Nice simple watch that I have had for quite a while (Xmas gift from mom).

I am not an expensive watch person (OK< iI am cheap), but I did get a nice (forget the brand) ultra thin one a couple years back for work. I hate overly large, bulky watches, and this one is more like wearing one of those wrist bands you get at an amusement park!

isellhondas

The store that I worked at had a "Country Club" dress code.

Basically you had to look nice. I usually wore a dress shirt and a nice pair of slacks. In the summer, I wore a lot of my Hawaiian shirts.

Some of the guys would wear ties and sometimes I would too but I don't think it made any difference in the number of cars sold.

In my corporate days, I had to wear coats and ties and I had had enough.

Even now, when I stop by my old store I dress nice. If I'm in the area wearing sloppy clothes I won't go in. Just out of respect, I suppose.

isellhondas

I hope your Peugeot watch doesn't smoke when it runs like the Peugeot Diesel Wagon I once had!

laurasdada

Since I was a young'un, I've had an eye for wristwatches. I'd sell seeds door to door and earn points towards prizes and I'd claim a watch. For HS graduation, my Father gave me a beautiful automatic Seiko chronograph which I wore daily for the next 16 years before I treated myself to a Tag Heuer, followed by anniversary gifts of an IWC and an Omega. Automatics, of course.

Along the way, one fake Rolex (bought in Chinatown, NY: "Real Rolex, look good on you! Thirty dolla!" I paid $15, six months later the battery died. I was too embarassed by the fakery to replace the battery...), Timex, Seiko, Invicta and a few oddities. I continue to eye my next watch, perhaps another IWC (Ingeneur) or Tag (Carrera GMT?)....

I still have the Seiko, engraved with my HS graduation date. My father said he gave it to me as he was worried: He had an older version of the same watch, when I was younger he told me that I asked him if I could have his watch when he died! He decided to be proactive, take away any incentive for an early demise! Thanks, Dad. For the watch, the sense of humor and support.

And, I'm always thinking about buying a new four wheeled enclosure for my watches! Eyeing used Jag XKs for some time, although in Gift of the Magi fashion, may have to sell all my watches to pay for the insurance!

laurasdada

And, of course, I Zaino my watches!

fezo

Hmmm... remind me to use that approach on Richard....

"hey, Richard, about your watch.".....

Actually my dad left us 4 pocket watches. He had 5 boys and meant to get a 5th but it never happened. My one brother wanted a ring of dad's instead and that was good. We still have to pick through the watches. None of them work presently but I have reason to think all will. The one I'd like out of the bunch is the one that has actually been in the family the whole time. My mother's father had a watch that his mother gave him (engraved and all) for turning 21. It's the only nice thing I ever heard of my great-grandmother. She was generally thought of as a witch.

gogiboy

"People still wear watches? I'm on Verizon time."

Ex--

I laughed when I read that. You should step into a college classroom because "Verizon" or AT&T time is pretty much the standard for undergraduate students these days. Maybe 20% wear a wristwatch and no one wears a pocket watch--not even the really old professors.

20 or so years ago the college rage was Swatch--which nearly single handedly revived the Swiss watchmaking trade. Remember those? That was followed by Fossil. Now, no self-respecting student would be caught dead with anything but the latest smart phone. In fact, I've been told that my "dumb" phone is referred to as a "brick" in the vernacular of hipster teens.

A similar change has taken place in terms of bicycles. When I started teaching in the mid-80s there were still plenty of the 70s-style European road bikes on campus. Those were supplanted by BMX and mountain bikes, which became the dominant two-wheel transport in the 90s and early 2000s even though 90% of them never saw a bit of dirt or off road usage. Now the fad is fixed gear (or single speed) cruisers modeled after what bike messengers ride in the big cities. The real poseurs will only ride old bikes that have been converted to fixed gear. The riders are unflatteringly referred to as "Fixies".

Gogiboy

gogiboy

"Yes, not bad for $89! I don't know how they get away with it though. I thought there would be lawsuits flying over this."

Driver--

I read a brief review of a current photo exhibition. The photographer was granted unprecedented access to the customs enforcement area of JFK or Laguardia and recorded a huge range of contraband including counterfeit designer merchandise. One of the most popular counterfeited items is Luis Vuitton bags. Now I couldn't tell a real one from a fake because I don't know what a real one looks like, but it appears to be the flavor of the month.

Gogiboy

jwilliams2

There have been lots of lawsuits filed, but it is difficult when most of the producers are in China, which doesn't exactly adhere to the western worlds patent or copyright laws. And if one gets closed down, another opens.

sterlingdog

My wife only buys handbags when we go to New York---on the street corners for
$20 a bag. She has Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gucci, Guess, Dooney Bourke, etc. She has a way of rationalizing things. When I told her that they were either fake or stolen, she claimed that no one would know that they were fake, and that, if they had been stolen, the police wouldn't allow them to be sold on the street corners. Go figure. (Sick goes here.)

I once knew a teacher who would buy them off vendors on the street corners in New York, and then sell them out of her trunk after school for three times what she paid. She had quite a business for several years. She claimed that it sent her daughter through college. Let's see: 100 bags at $20 cost is $2,000. Sell 100 bags at $60 each yields $6,000. Yep, it could be true. There's nothing quite like creative capitalism.

Richard

jmonroe

We had it cleaned, etc. about 8 years ago. That cost around $500.

Holy cow !!! Do you know how many cleanings/waxings I can do on the Genny for $500? :P

jmonroe

greanpea68

Let us know if you end up back in sales.Was her remote starter put in by an independent garage?

Yes it was but she doesn't care about it that much cause she will be getting a new car soon.... she is not high maintainace.... one of the reasons I like her

And yes I was moved back in to sales last month..... we have been wicked busy. I was fortunate to have gained the knowledge of the service department.... and I was put back into sales to help out on that side... Service depatment wants me there but Sales has more pull in a dealership, I am just happy to have a job

greanpea68

I am not about to tell the salesperson what I am willing to pay. I have given this dealership first crack at my business

I know this is a late response but couldn't help respond.... I would say not entirely your bad A good sales man should always be able to negotiate a offer out of a customer or find out what you are willing to pay..... That is how you need to be closed.... this talk about giving the dealer first crack at your business is nice of you. But once again a salesmans job is to solicit a offer from you and if you are serious and have a figure in mind it is the sales mans main priority to be able to get that information out of you!!!! sounds like you ran into a new salesman or one that is too bull headed..... or one that just sells to laydowns :lemon:

isellhondas

Well, I for one didn't give customers numbers to go shop.

That's what they want. A hard number. Then they shop it all over the place.

I never "lowballed" a customer but I can see why some stores do this.

driver100

There have been lots of lawsuits filed, but it is difficult when most of the producers are in China, which doesn't exactly adhere to the western worlds patent or copyright laws.

Good answer! Our computer genius at work looked at the sights that are selling fake Rolex's from google and he can trace them back to China. The companies are all started one or two months ago, which leads him to believe they are closed down and started up continously. Also, the chances of you actually receiveing the merchandise is slim (many say free shipping included). The sights don't give you any clue they are in China, the girl in the ad with her new Rolex looks very American.

One of the sights shows the prices as $75.0000 or $60.0000. He thinks Chinese money has 4 numbers after the decimal and they don't realize there are only 2 places with US dolaars, so I think your chances of actually getting your watch are not too good.

snakeweasel

I don't know who I got my love of watches from as my dad always wore Timex watches. While I have a nice assortment of wrist watches (given to me as either awards or presents) they all lie in a case needing batteries. I have a nice variety of pocket watches that I use instead. I have one eggshell watch from the 1850's (Its key wound and set), a couple of railroad watches from the 1880's (Craftsmanship you will not see today with accuracy that rivals anything today) a few junk ones from the 20's and 30's and several modern ones including a Mickey Mouse pocket watch.

No one uses solid gold in a watch, its just to soft, best you will see is 18 karat gold.

snakeweasel

I continue to eye my next watch, perhaps another IWC (Ingeneur) or Tag (Carrera GMT?)....

Make a bold statement of class and get yourself a pocket watch. No seriously try a good pocket watch with a nice fob attached to your belt line. You might get hooked.

explorerx4

My cell phone is pretty old, not even sure how old it is.
It's on it's second battery and charger.
Thanks for the campus history lesson. I have 2 kids in college, so I make on campus occasionally, but not into the classrooms.
Neither have IPhones, although they would like to have one.
When I get my next new car, I will get a new phone.
My wife has bluetooth in her car and I think it is her favorite feature.

snakeweasel

Now the fad is fixed gear (or single speed) cruisers modeled after what bike messengers ride in the big cities.

Actually they are called track bikes, they are a type of racing bike for velodromes (a loop track for bike racing). In most areas it is illegal to ride them in the street unless they are modified to have a brake (yes track bikes have no brakes).

greanpea68

if a car salesman wears a Rolex or similar watch, would that scare you off or make you feel the guy must be a good salesman?


It should do neither.... you should never base anything off of peoples apperances... it could have been stolen, it could have been won, it could mean the guy's wife makes a lot of money.. or the person is succesful at what he does and likes the to wear name brand stuff

jimbres

The sights don't give you any clue they are in China

I'm curious - is "sight" the way that Canadians spell "site"? Here in the States, "sight" refers to the eyes, while "site" refers to, among other things, a web destination.

isellhondas

Snake,

If those batteies sit in those watches too long they will leak and distroy the watch.

I speak from experience.