Stories from the Sales Frontlines

1115411551157115911602003

Comments

  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    edited October 2010
    Recently I have learned more about watches and vacuums than about cars or car sales stories. If car sales stories are not there-- atleast a car related issue.. So where do I start? OK then-- when will GM pay our tax money back ?? [Wink goes here] ;)

    No prizes for giving the correct answer. Let the flaming begin for me trying to divert this thread ! [ Wide grin goes here-- Tidester ,are you listening?LOL! :P ]
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Not many people had much money at the time us old guys were growing up. For some reason I remember a Christmas when I got an orange, a pair of work gloves, and a single shot cap pistol. I was happy as a clam !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I take the Alford Plea.

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    edited October 2010
    Not many people had much money at the time us old guys were growing up. For some reason I remember a Christmas when I got an orange, a pair of work gloves, and a single shot cap pistol.

    I was happy as a clam, plus we were always clean, starched and ironed and were well fed. What else could you ask for !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    You ARE a slick one. Are you sure you are not from Arkansas? Ever in politics?

    On a serious note I have a question for all of you. Some states do not have a sales tax. If someone was interested in an expensive car, say $80,000. or so, could they go to one of these states, rent a cheap apt. for a month, buy the car and title it there sans the sales tax? Then, after a couple of weeks return to the original state 6 or 7 grand richer and simply transfer the title to that state?

    Someone asked me that question a couple of days ago and I have no idea. With all the brain power here, what is the answer.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    how am I supposed to measure the angle on my Casio digital watch?

    What? You mean you don't have the model that comes with GPS? :P

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    I'd like some more geometry problems. But something somewhat car related did happen today. I take the MPV into Big O tires to have a small piece of metal taken out of rear passenger tire, which according to my wife was causing a slow leak which lowered the tire pressure to 20psi. They have the tire for 40 minutes, then say it's ready. I go up to pay, the store manager says, "that's o.k, it's ready." Now why would a business repair a flat tire for free? I'm out the door before the second syllable in "ready" is out his mouth. The only thing I can think of is the metal didn't puncture into the tire, there was no repair other than pulling out the piece of metal, so they didn't charge me. I guess saved me about $16... which is good.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I received a catalogue on watches!

    There is no way anyone could get your snail mail address from our site. Considering there are 353 other people in the U.S. with your name someone would have to go through a great deal of effort to pick yours out. I'd chalk it up to coincidence.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    At about 14 I used to go to sleep with a transistor radio under my pillow playing WABC in New York. It took a while to get to sleep because Cousin Brucie rang a bell after each hit song.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Cap pistols went out of vogue when we used to unroll the caps on the sidewalk and hit them with a hammer. If your thumb holding the roll was too close it hurt like a b### and your thumbnail turned black. :shades:
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Won't work -- when you register in the tax state you will have to show you paid tax to be credited. I don't know if you registered the car and lived there for a year if you woul;d be required to pay but a few weeks won't do it.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I think we'll switch over to another type of analog watch.

    Here is one for you, one of my antique pocket watch has both hands the same size and shape. The only difference is that the hour hand is a gold color and the minute hand is silver.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I always suggest folks buy an Ext warr for their cars irrespective of how reliable a make is.

    I don't for a couple of reasons. First the period that the extended warranty covers is the most reliable time frame for a car.

    Secondly consider this, when you pay for that extended warranty that company has to 1.) pay a commision, 2.) pay salaries for their people, 3.) pay for the building that they are in, 4.) pay for utilities, office supplies and such and 5.) pay for repairs on cars that they are warranting. So on average they payout less for repairs than they take in on fees.

    The main purpose of a warr is like insurance-- You pay for car or home insurance

    Spending a few hundred a year to protect me from possible liabilities that could run into the 100's of thousands is a lot different than spending thousands to protect me from possible liabilities that will only cost me thousands.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Most, if not all, states will make you pay the difference between the sales tax in the state you bought it in and the state you are trying to register it in for recently bought cars. Now if you have had the car for a year or two and move then you wouldn't have to pay.

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

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,724
    >But does AM or PM affect the angle?

    Machts nichts.

    I was pointing out that there is more than one time represented by 12:30, so the time is not unambiguous. ;)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    There is no way anyone could get your snail mail address from our site

    I think the same. I actually bought my $15 Rolex but I haven't received any other offers!

    Tidester, Also, the I key in italics below doesn't work as well as it used to. You have to move the section you want in italic text away from the margin or it won't work. It's hard to post a sales story when everything isn't working properly.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    I was pointing out that there is more than one time represented by 12:30, so the time is not unambiguous.

    Oh, gotch ya. I still think some of these clocks will throw your angle measurements off.

    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    I always suggest folks buy an Ext warr for their cars irrespective of how reliable a make is.

    And I suggest that you're better off if you build up a contingency fund. Put a few dollars every week into one of the online savings accounts.

    Snake is right. You should buy insurance to protect yourself from truly catastrophic losses. In my part of the country, where construction costs are high, even a small house fire could cost me a quarter of a million dollars. That's why I carry the best homeowner's insurance available.

    But cars are entirely different. The biggest repair bills that most of us will see won't run much higher than $2K. If you're unlucky, you might get hit with a bill that big once or twice in your life. My emergency fund can easily cover that, & more. So why I should I pay anyone to take on a risk that I can handle myself without any difficulty? It just doesn't make sense.

    For all the talk of how complex today's cars are, the truth is that they're much more reliable than the cars of the 70s & early 80s. I'm speaking from experience here. The only car that I've ever owned that made me wish that I had purchased an EW was an early 80s Audi, & I got rid of that car over 20 years ago. Everything that we've owned since then has been pretty good.

    You're a big fan of Consumer Reports. Haven't you noticed that CR recommends against EWs - even EWs backed by manufacturers?
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    There is no way anyone could get your snail mail address from our site. Considering there are 353 other people in the U.S. with your name someone would have to go through a great deal of effort to pick yours out. I'd chalk it up to coincidence.

    I’m not so sure about it being “a great deal of effort”. I don’t know if you pulled that 353 number out of the air or not or if you did a search of Richards name. However, since you know Richard’s name (first and last, via the profile info that is provided) you could do an actual search of his name and get, let’s say 1200 hits. If someone else had his full name they could do the same thing. From there I don’t think it is all that difficult for a lurker to get Richards address and send him the watch catalogs that he got.

    It could have happened like this:

    During the time Richard has posted here, I remember at least once when he gave his last name and in several posts recently he has mentioned where he lives. So with that info and a little bit of search time, I think it is very plausible for someone here to get Richards street address. After all, how many Richard Edmunds (just used that name as an example and to stay a little bit on topic), can there be in the smallish town where Richard lives? Even if the internet watch salesman sent catalogs to all 30 of those Richards, our Richard would get one and that’s who they were after.

    I could be all wet about this but maybe I’m not.

    jmonroe

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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 268,464
    That seems like a lot of work to sell a cheap watch..

    If he is an internet watch salesman, what the heck is he doing sending out catalogs through the mail?

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    You have to move the section you want in italic text away from the margin or it won't work.

    I'm not seeing that but if it continues or if anyone else has that problem please let me know.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    pulled that 353 number out of the air or not or if you did a search of Richards name

    I did a search.

    Another point is that a number of people engaged in the "watch" discussion and, as far as I know, no one else has gotten any similar solicitations.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    That seems like a lot of work to sell a cheap watch..

    If he is an internet watch salesman, what the heck is he doing sending out catalogs through the mail?


    Like I said I don’t think it’s a lot of work. Of course there is some work involved but since you can’t drop an advertisement link here, a catalog in the mail to someone who admits they like watches is a good way to see if they might be interested in something out of the ordinary.

    Who knows, after Richard spent a nice chunk of money on that Caddy he might be relegated to cheap watches for a while. Plus, the person could just be having some fun doing it.

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    edited October 2010
    If you hold your cursor over the poster's name at the top of a message, it will show the poster's name and where they live....city and state. Some of you have first names listed only. Others show both first and last names. As in your case, some only show the thread names that we go by. In my case, it shows only "Richard". It was my own big mouth that revealed last name and city. I could take those names ,that reveal first and last names plus city and state, and find your street address in White Pages, People Search, etc.

    Still, I'm sure that Tidester is correct. It just seemed like a strange coincidence.

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Another point is that a number of people engaged in the "watch" discussion and, as far as I know, no one else has gotten any similar solicitations.

    I'm not saying that it did happen the way I suggested, only that it is possible.

    As for others not getting a catalog, that could be because Richard is an easy mark and he's in a spending mood lately. He must have done something wrong that he isn't telling us about :)

    jmonroe

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

  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    Can't believe noone else has commented...

    The 'angles' between the hands are the same for square, rectanglar, and any odd shaped clocks as the angles on a round clock.

    Think about it. The hands move around a 360 degree circle. In the same amount of time. It doesn't matter what the edge of the clock looks like.

    Unless - the clock is 'odd' shaped and has some kind of complicated variable speed motor attached.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    Another point is that a number of people engaged in the "watch" discussion and, as far as I know, no one else has gotten any similar solicitations.

    It is probably more likely Richard went on a site to see the Rolex Mariner he has been loning for for $89. AS our computer expert showed me, these sites are all in China, and are only one or two months old...probably means they keep getting shut down and opened up. They probably got Richards info when he checked the site, I suppose it is a cookies issue.

    Tidester, I had to indent your quote to make the italics work this time again. I might be the only one doing it, but it's the only way I can get it to work.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    The 'angles' between the hands are the same for square, rectanglar, and any odd shaped clocks as the angles on a round clock

    Thank you for answering my question....I can see now where that would be the case.

    However, the clock below looks like the angle would be about 178 degrees!

    What do you think? If it isn't 165 then the question should haqve said a symmetrical clock.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    edited October 2010
    Can't believe noone else has commented...

    Oh, we could have commented but there are a few here who wouldn't listen. It's more fun to try to weasel you're way out of being wrong even when 90% of the world is on the same page. Always did have to acknowledge that 10% group but that doesn't mean we can teach them anything. :D

    As for that "clock" that 'driver' keeps showing (last seen in post 59476)...that ain't no clock, it's a piece of art.

    jmonroe

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Unless - the clock is 'odd' shaped and has some kind of complicated variable speed motor attached.

    A variable speed motor? Sounds like a Timex I had once when I was in high school.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    That clock Driver keeps showing may be a real clock. I know I have seen actual clocks that look like that.

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    That clock Driver keeps showing may be a real clock. I know I have seen actual clocks that look like that.

    I agree that it is a clock because I have seen similar "clocks" but as far as I'm concerned anything that looks like that is more art than function. I would never have been able to tell time if I had to learn on something like that.

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "It's more fun to try to weasel you're [sic] YOUR way out of being wrong..."

    You're absolutely correct. I knew that the shape of the clocks didn't matter a bit. I didn't comment because I just enjoyed having fun with Tidester.

    It's like those times that you wouldn't listen to Mrs. Jmonroe about the furniture. You knew that she was right, but she was unable to teach you a thing. You had your own arguments against the purchase. I'm surprised that she got that new kitchen out of you. (Joke goes here for entire paragraph)

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    edited October 2010
    I'm surprised that she got that new kitchen out of you.

    Even I'm not write about everything. (tongue out hear) :P

    jmonroe

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

  • 604doc604doc Member Posts: 182
    edited October 2010
    " I'm out the door before the second syllable in "ready" is out his mouth. The only thing I can think of is the metal didn't puncture into the tire, there was no repair other than pulling out the piece of metal, so they didn't charge me. I guess saved me about $16... which is good."

    There is a tire/shocks/battery chain out west here called Les Schwab. They pride themselves on customer service, and will fix anyone's tire for free. When you try to pay for it, they just say "come here when you need tires next".

    I bet a lot of people do go back.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I'm not a big fan of the chain you mentioned. This is for a number of reasons that I won't get into.

    Big O and Discount Tire doesn't charge for tire repairs either and they say the same thing to their customers. I guess if one chain does this, they all have to.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    Even I'm not write about everything

    No, and you aren't "right" about everything either..

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My tire guy fixes flats for free as well. i keep him well provided for in many other ways. He's got our 00 Accord today. It's starting to eat up a lot of repairs at 200K but still runs great overall. It will need a timing belt soon but I don't see much reason to move on.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    I agree that it is a clock because I have seen similar "clocks"

    It is a real clock...check out "weird clocks". I just hate to admit to being wrong.

    Actually, I don't care about being wrong, it is just fun to tease people who are right (write).

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    "Big O and Discount Tire doesn't charge for tire repairs either..."

    A Big O tire store took over the building where my Honda dealership once was located.

    One of my students took her car To Big O for an oil and filter change. Unbeknownst to my student, the tech didn't fasten on the filter properly so the filter shot off spewing oil and subsequently seizing the engine. She had the car evaluated by another mechanic who agreed to sign an affidavit that the filter was improperly installed.

    At first Big O was willing to act responsibly by replacing the engine, but then their insurance company told them to dig in their heels and refute any accusation of wrongdoing. My student sued them in small claims court and prevailed, but not until months of inconvenience had passed.

    Big O went out a business not long after that. Coincidence? Bad karma? It would seem that Big O could give a thousand free tire repairs and that wouldn't make up for this one significant lapse in ethics. At least that's my perspective.

    Oh...another tire company is there now. It must be a good corner for that type of business.

    Gogiboy
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Actually, I don't care about being wrong, it is just fun to tease people who are right (write).

    There is a difference between you and I. I'm not going to argue with someone who has gooder grammer and spellin than I duzz. :P

    jmonroe

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

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Nislee sed.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Exactly why I avoid the chains when it comes to car repair.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 268,464

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    edited October 2010
    That's great, guess it could apply to cars too!

    Also, great to see Dagwood again, kind of miss Mr. Bumstead though.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,601
    . I'm not going to argue with someone who has gooder grammer and spellin than I duzz

    Now that I find hard to believe!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    They pride themselves on customer service, and will fix anyone's tire for free. When you try to pay for it, they just say "come here when you need tires next".

    Humm, they've always charged for flat tire repair before. The last flat tire being less than a year ago. :confuse:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    edited October 2010
    I've been going to Big O off and on for over 2 decades, they've always been honest and have done good work for me.

    They couldn't come close to matching Goodyears price on a set of Goodyear Tripletred tires I wanted to buy about 3 years ago, so I bought them at Goodyear, Chains stores, like dealerships, are only as good as the owner runs them to be.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    So on average they payout less for repairs than they take in on fees.


    Snake how are you my old friend???? You are so correct in your statement that warranties pay less... even manufacturer warranties..... They actually pay about half for the work performed in a service department than if you were just walking in off the street. But a dealer has to perform the work to be servicing the customer properly.... many times when I was in the service department I would here a customer say thank you for correcting this problem because I went to three dealerships and nobody could duplicate the problem.... I was always sure they could diagnosthe problem but when they realised it was warranty they would pass on the deal and charge a diagnostic fee.... I mostly think the tech would know the problem but know it would be warranty and pass on the work and grab the nextx car coming through the service department.... sad but true.... but I had seen many cars come through with a extended warranty and save themselves $600 bucks for a window motor... cars are more sophisticated with computers and as I said I reccomend them... Every one is entitled to thier opinion ..... that is what makes the world go round
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    but when they realised it was warranty they would pass on the deal and charge a diagnostic fee...

    If the car is still under warranty the dealership shouldn't charge a diagnostic fee to have it looked at. At least my Mazda dealership didn't on the one occasion I brought it in and the problem couldn't be duplicated.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.