Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

BMW selling cars they had to take back as lemon law repurchases and them ending up resold to an unsuspecting public

BMW would do that! I am disillusioned. I wonder if other manufacturers do it too.
That is low. I will say one thing, that turbo problem is supposed to be fixable, so I don't know why they couldn't fix them, and then sell them.

They haven't recalled those cars in Canada yet.....my wife's car has the turbos and should be recalled. I am sure they only do a recall if forced to do it, legally or by public demand.

I am disappointed, but I think almost all manufacturers play this game...trying to avoid doing a recall.

driver100

some people just can't help but going to the 'dark side'.

This is true. I once sold books to a guy and he had lots of excuses as to why he wouldn't pay $500 he owed. I was told by an ex-agent he had that he just never pays. Once the money is in his hands he can't give it back.

I called a collection agency...they know how to get to his bank and ruin his credit rating. They charged 20% of any money they get. He paid quickly, and I was happy to get the $400, at that time that would have been a huge loss.

snakeweasel

That's NERVE, asking for new batteries for a stolen phone.

No, its worse than that, they were trying to exchange the dummy battery that they stole off a dummy phone.

FWIW our company used a CDMA network which means no sim cards, the phones are hardwired. So a stolen phone is worthless as it could never be activated once tagged as stolen.

stickguy

not sure if it parcels out to thirds, but my theory is some people are inherently good, some are inherently bad, and the rest flip back and forth depending on the situation!

houdini1

Before we moved from California to Kansas we had a garage sale. I noticed this one guy kept looking at some of my misc. small tools, etc. I saw him slip a socket into his pocket and wander off. While I was pondering what to do, if anything (if he needed it that bad he could have it) he wandered back to the tools and put the socket back!

People are funny critters !!

kyfdx

When I had the winter tires put on, I also had two new rear tires to put on the summer wheels...

255/35-18 on 18 X 8.5" wheels...

My tire guy said he wouldn't mind if I took that business elsewhere, next time.. Said if he bought one of those new $7000 tire changers, it would be a lot easier, but he'd never make his money back out of it..

fezo

So much for the shuttle tomorrow. It's been put off until Thursday at the earliest. That might still fit in the plan.

On teh thieves front, I am always amazed at people who need to go outside the law when they have the goods to make the money honestly. No idea what causes someone to do it.

Will catch up in here next week after I get home but so back to vacation...... We have started in a rain cycle here. We missed a 34 day long dry spell. We'll keep oursleves entertained one way or another.

sterlingdog

When I gave you advice and steps to take about a year ago, I did so from a legal perspective based on my years as a personnel director. Your request this time is more speculative as it relates to a multitude of psychological possibilities. When I taught psychology, my students would dissect such books, plays, and movies as "The Bad Seed", "Marnie", "Woman of Straw", etc. in an effort to discover why people steal, and even kill. The point is that no two criminal psychologists will ever totally agree as to motive and cause. People are complex creatures influenced by genetics and environment. One would have to examine your former employee's life from birth forward. Even then, evidence might not point to a clear understanding of why she steals---or why any person steals for that matter. If the employee herself tried to explain it, she might not be able to do so.

Whether you have the video as proof or not, you must never divulge to another employer that she was caught stealing. An attorney can make a good case for a "doctored" video, among other things. Should any future employer contact you regarding this person, you are to make one statement and one statement only: "Jane Doe was employed by this company from month/day/year to month/day/year." If pressed for more information, you are to repeatedly say, "No comment." Following this procedure will keep you safe, and the other employer will get the intended message.

It was always my belief (highly disagreed with by my employers) that a business should prosecute the person. Yes, it will cost you money, time, and energy; but a police record and a court proceeding will be established. It prevents some of these people from victimizing other businesses. While I realize that some cases are very sad, one cannot allow emotions to enter the picture. Hard working people have been cheated here---you, your employees, and your customers. Laws were designed to protect people, not to excuse others from wrong doing.

Would I steal? Yes. If my wife was starving or needed medicine, and I had no money, I would do it as a last resort. At the same time, I have to expect that I will be caught and punished. It's a trade off of the worst possible kind, but it can and does happen. I leave the final judgment to a higher power.

Last year, our house keeper of three years stole a check from my check book. I mistakenly left it out on my desk. She came with excellent references and was an impeccable cleaner. We paid her well. I tiled her kitchen floor and gave her two oriental rugs at no cost. We gave her nice birthday and Christmas gifts. When I discovered the missing check, I contacted the bank to verify and had a copy sent to me. It was a pretty good forgery. I did not ask her why she stole from us. I simply called her and made two statements before hanging up the telephone: "We have a copy of the forged check that you stole from us. We will be prosecuting." The result was that she had to pay back the money, pay court costs, and be placed on probation for one year. No one has called for a reference. I understand that she still works for some of her regular customers. Hopefully, she learned a lesson. I seriously doubt it.

Richard

verdugo

Another thing about run flats is your wife won't be stranded in the middle of nowhere trying to change a tire or waiting for the AAA to come along.

That's kind of sexist. My wife can change a tire. :shades: (shades)

verdugo

I have heard with stocks 1/3 will be losers, 1/3 will break even, and 1/3 will do well. You just have to hope the last third is slightly larger than the 1st third.

Yogi Berra is alive and well! :P

driver100

The point is that no two criminal psychologists will ever totally agree as to motive and cause.

Interesting, and thanks for your comments. One thing that amazes me is that people sometimes work harder at stealing than they would by working. 2 years ago our alarm went off in the night, thieves tried to break in but ran when the alarm went off.

I thought, here they are risking jail time, working all night, ruining any semblance of dignity, trying to take a few items they will probably sell for for little, ....when they could probably get a job that would be a lot easier.

I did get your email address and will keep it handy, just in case.

Thanks once again, even though there isn't a difinitive answer to my question, knowing there isn't a definitive answer helps to explain it better (yes verdugo, there's another Yogiism).

driver100

thing about run flats is your wife won't be stranded in the middle of nowhere trying to change a tire or waiting for the AAA to come along.
That's kind of sexist. My wife can change a tire.

I don't think it was sexist at all. It was being chivalrous. My wife could change a tire just as well as I can. I like the fact she has run flat tires so she won't have to do it. Not because she can't, but because I don't want her stranded on a country road in the night during a snow storm....just concerned for her safety.

Same reason I prefer them, I don't want to be stranded in Deliverance Country trying to change a flat tire when some guys with banjos see me.

driver100

I have heard with stocks 1/3 will be losers, 1/3 will break even, and 1/3 will do well. You just have to hope the last third is slightly larger than the 1st third.
Yogi Berra is alive and well!

Writing a Yogiism is a compliment. Would you like me to give you my excuse for doing it?

It was late, and I was replying to a few mosts. What I thought would be implied, was those thirds are rough, and you would be hoping the 1/3 that do well is slightly more than a third (36%), and the bottom performing third is less than a third (say 30%), and the top performing third has a larger gain than the loss, from the worst performing third.

But, if you read it as it was written, it is pretty funny, and actually qualifies as a Yogi type statement, which puts it in the genius category.

How did I do getting out of that one?

m6vx

A while back I stopped at Home Depot to pick up a few things. The first thing on my list was something really small. While looking at something else and without thinking about it, I slipped my checklist and that item into my pocket. After spending a few minutes on item #2, I reached into my pocket for the checklist and felt item #1 (which sent a chill through my body).

Had someone seen me put the item in my pocket, they would have thought I was stealing.

Some things aren't quite as they seem.

jhs70

Boy, this really resonated with me! Let's just say I'm probably a bit older than most here. Sometimes when I go into the local hardware store or wherever, I don't take a basket or cart along with me (half the time they're nowhere to be found anyway)... So if I'm getting several things, I'll slip one in my pocket to carry it, or if I'm looking at something else, I'll put it there to free up my other hand. I know, not a great idea, but it's me. Most of the time when I'm checking out, I empty my pockets and pay for whatever is there. But sometimes I catch myself forgetting to even look (reference the age thing). I absolutely dread forgetting to look, walking out, and getting caught. But as you say, sometimes things aren't as they seen....

Another quick story: one time I remember taking my oldest boy to the hardware store with me (he must have been all of 3 or 4 at the time). When we were finished shopping and walking out to the car, his pants kept falling down. I kept pulling them up. Couldn't figure it out. When I was putting him into the car, I discovered that he had filled his pockets with bolts and washers from the self service bins! He must have thought they were free.. We walked back inside and he learned a gentle lesson in honesty!

Ok, these aren't car stories, but thanks for letting me share them.

mikefm58

I thought, here they are risking jail time,

Only jail time? Here in Florida, and I'm sure in states like Texas, they are risking death. My alarm has gone off once (false alarm) in the middle of the night, and the first thing I grabbed was my Beretta in my night stand.

houdini1

I have to admit that I have caught myself almost putting some small item in my pocket when shopping so I could see how that would happen. Usually happens when my wife sends me to look for something for her while we are shopping and she has the cart, etc. I think it is just an automatic response.

tjc78

It is very easy to do at Lowes or Home depot when picking out fasteners. I needed just two bolts/washers (from the little drawers) and when I went to pick up somthing bigger instinct took over and to the pockets they went. When I got to the register I emptied my pocket onto the counter. The cashier didn't even look surprised.

driver100

Had someone seen me put the item in my pocket, they would have thought I was stealing.

That has happened to me too. I have never walked out with the item, but caught it just in time. It isn't a theft until you leave the store.

I really try to never put items in my pockets before they are paid for though, it is too easy to forget and it is too risky taking a chance getting caught for theft for such a stupid thing.

driver100

he had filled his pockets with bolts and washers from the self service bins! He must have thought they were free..

That is a really cute story. It would be a good time to go back into the store and to pay for the items (or return them) and explain to your son how a store works.

I find it really nice when kids come to our book sale, and the parents give them money to pay for the books. I think it is a good learning experience for the kids, and they appreciate the books they buy even more. Plus, they learn how our great capitalistic system works!

verdugo

Writing a Yogiism is a compliment.

Suuure it is :P

Would you like me to give you my excuse for doing it?

No need to, you know it's just friendly teasing. It just cracked me up.

verdugo

Like somebody said recently, what happens if the tire shreds? For me it's not a hypothetical. It happened to me last week. I had a low tire pressure warning for 2 days that I ignored. I blamed it on the recent cold and I ignored it. (blush)

I was coming home from work when I heard a noise. Hmm, I thought, that didn't sound normal. However, everything looked ok.

I continued for another 10 miles (on highway). Right before my exit I heard another noise. I told myself "that *definitely* did not sound normal." I lpulled over and I didn't have any tire left ( Kirstie can vouch that I'm telling the truth, she can see the picture in Facebook).

Luckily my car has a full spare. Even better, California Highway Patrol has free tow trucks and they changed my tire for me. The guy wouldn't even accept a tip. I was very impressed.

isellhondas

I didn't know the CHP had anything free.

About a month ago, after a hike, I stopped into our local Target.

I was wearing a hip pouch that I keep my wallet and keys in when I hike.

At one point, I stopped in an aisle and looked in my little pouch for something. This aroused the suspecions of one of the security people who was walking the floor. I caught this immediatly and I thought I would have a bit of fun with him.

So, I wandered from aisle to aisle looking at things and picking up an item or two in the process. I was really looking for a 32 inch HD television for our garage.

He was so obvious that I was really having a good time.

As I was leaving the store, I stopped to use the restroom. Soon after reaching the urinal, he joined me at the next one. I knew he would be showing up!

As I washed my hands I watched him in the mirror as he went through the motions.

Finally, I said to him..." You need to be less obvious" So, he asked me..." Excuse me? what are you taking about?"

" You are store security...you think I'm going to or have already stolen something..we both know that"

He was speechless. I then told him..." I'm not going to bore you with my background but you need a whole lot of training"

Then, I walked out, through the metal detectors with him watching from a distance.

I think I'll wear my pouch on my next trip there!

oldfarmer50

"...Have you ever had any customers steal tomatoes..."

Oh sure, it happens occasionally at the farmers' market. I used to have a self-service table in front of the farm but had to close it when the "finger blight" got too bad.

The apple grower next to me at the market is a kind of "hippy" type who is so laid back that when he needs a break he asks a customer standing at his table to "watch things" for a while. He turns over his money box to near strangers and wanders off leaving the customer to wait on other customers. I think he's nuts but if he's ever lost a dime he's never mentioned it. Maybe it's being granted that much trust that shocks people into being honest.

Like you the biggest chance of theft comes when you hire someone to work the market for you. One farmer knew his worker was stealing but couldn't figure out how. The one day the worker dropped his pen, a BIC with a clear plastic case. When the farmer picked it up he saw that the man had placed several tightly rolled $50 bills inside the pen and was planning on just walking away with them. The worker left but at a faster pace than he had planned with the angry farmer in pursuit.

I wonder if any of the sales pros could comment on why when selling a car, otherwise honest car owners become liars. We've all been in private sales discussions where the seller tells you "the AC just needs a charge" (bad compressor) or "it might need a tune up" (blown motor) or "it shifts smoother when it warms up" (bad transmission). :lemon:

My favorite is "it's only a $20 part". If it was so cheap to fix why didn't the seller do it? :confuse:

stickguy

my son goes to college in NY (couple hours from oldfarmer). You pass through some farm country to get to town after exiting the highway. In the summer, it is a great place to stop for corn. And all the stands are self service. My usual is an old chevy Astro van that they put the corn in. You help yourself, and put the indicated amount in a container (I think that may be secured somehow, but if you wanted the cash, it would be no problem). The van even opens out toward the road, better for customers, harder to keep an eye on.

maybe dealers should do this. Leave all the cars ready to go with a price on them (like when you pick up a rental at Hertz). Just drive out and sign some papers at the exit, and away you go!

stickguy

I was the one with the shred. Run flats or bottle kits are fine for a tread puncture, but when you get a sidewall slice, even run flats are useless, right?

ANd there is a huge difference being stuck with a car on a tow truck, and being able to throw a donut on the car, and at least get to civilization if not home!

jimbres

I think I'll wear my pouch on my next trip there!

Glad to hear that you've found a retirement hobby.

isellhondas

Oh, we used to hear this all of the time.

" Yes, it does have 165,000 miles but it's ALL highway miles"

" I'm sure the A/C just needs a charge"

" The check engine light is on but I'm sure it's something minor"

" The transmission probably just needs an adjustment"

I heard these comments all of the time and I knew the people were either lying or they had poorly maintanied the car or were too cheap to keep on top of maintenance.

What they didn't realize was the fact that the person appraising the car HAD to assume the worst case senario. We once took in a Volvo and the air bag light was on. " Probably a loose wire" the owner was thinking. Yeah, right! I think we figured 500.00 to fix it and the Volvo dealer ended up charging us 1400.00.

If the transmission had "morning sickness" and they wouldn't go into gear until they idled for five minutes, you can be very sure the owner got it nice and warmed up before bringing it in!

It was funny how they really thought we could be so dumb sometimes!

driver100

California Highway Patrol has free tow trucks and they changed my tire for me. The guy wouldn't even accept a tip. I was very impressed.

Yup, it doesn't take long to tear a tire to shreds. Now I can see one reason California is in financial trouble though....free tow trucks! You mean you don't have to fight off tow truck vultures who swarm you and then charge you a huge amount to get your car back?

(I was hoping you would say "toe" truck so we could see the picture of the "toe truck" again).

isellhondas

After this election I doubt if you'll see much of anything "free" in California again. Boxer and Moonbeam aren't going to be able to spend like they were.

jayrider

Great story ,isell, the deals on tv's are getting better. Target isn't comptetitive imo. The best deals are at Ultimate-Best Buy and some online stores. Just walk in and look every week or so -- they have stuff not advertised if you're not after a particular brand. Got 2 19" Sharp hdtv's for 148 each -- replaced the old big tube models in the bedrooms. The working ones went to Goodwill. Forecast is for additional discounts due to oversupply next few weeks.
The cool thing is that when you connect these tv's directly to cable [no box] and auto program them, you get the local hd channels by scrolling up through the channels. You have to reprogram if you unplug or lose power.

isellhondas

Oh, I've been keeping busy. doing a lot of hiking and working at the local Food Bank one or two days a week. That's hard, physical work plus they like me on the front counter where I banter with the clients. Still on stage, I suppose?

And, I joined the Kiwanis which is enough to keep anyone as busy as they want to be.

And, who knows? I may even get a part time job. Target needs me!

oldfarmer50

"...they were trying to exchange the dummy battery that they stole off a dummy phone..."

I think I told the story before of a Maple syrup producer who bottles his products in decorative jugs. Several of these gallon jugs he filled with sand to weight down his table cloth and to use as a display.

Sure enough a few weeks later he gets a phone call from a woman who was irate because the Maple syrup she received for Christmas was filled with sand.

Someone had done their Christmas shop-lifting early. :sick:

tjc78

The cool thing is that when you connect these tv's directly to cable [no box] and auto program them, you get the local hd channels by scrolling up through the channels

Comcast just took that away in my area, you need a box to get anything now.

jayrider

I may go into the store security business as well. Only thing I'll have on my resume is "It takes one to know one." Any odds on whether I get hired ?

oldfarmer50

"...aren't going to be able to spend like they were..."

Don't be too sure about that. Lack of money never stopped a politician from spending. :sick:

We in NY now have the honor of having both the highest taxes and the most business un-friendly environment in the country. Yet, nearly every incumbent was returned to office yesterday.

I'm looking for land down south.

isellhondas

I've told this story before...

There was a run down Sears store in a not so good part of L.A that has been closed for many years now. The neighborhood was in severe decline and they had talked of closing the store for years but they hung in to support the community.

So, one day they fire half of the help including a bunch of managers who were running a big theft ring. They called on some of the other stores in the area to provide people and managers to fill in on a temporary basis.

When they approached me, I told them that I would work for no more than a couple of weeks. I would NOT work nights and I would be parking my car directly in front of the Auto Center.

We used to have dummy car batteries that looked exactly like the real thing only they were empty inside. When filled with water they were pretty heavy so they didn't get knocked around.

It was a hot day and the A/C wasn't working so they used a couple of these water filled display batteries to prop the front doors open.

I was in the back office working when I heard a squeal of tires and a lot of laughter erupt from the sales floor.

The sales guys were whooping it up so I asked what was so funny.

" Man, a couple of guys just stole one of those fake batteries and they tore out of here"

I joined in the laughter as I thought of them installing this "battery" in one of their cars.

About an hour or so later I heard squealing tires again and the sound of breaking glass as the battery came through our front window.

They must have heard us laughing.

graphicguy

I've done that before.....put stuff in my pocket while in a store with every intent of paying for it once I hit the register.

This happened a few years ago right around Thanksgiving (U.S.), but I was in the local grocery store to pick up a "few" items. As such, I didn't bother with a cart nor one of those little baskets. As I'm shopping, my arms quickly fill. But, still trying to resist using a cart, I stuck a couple of cans of chicken broth in my jacket pocket with the intent of removing them at the checkout.

In a hurry, I get to the "self scan" checkout aisle, and as you probably guessed, forgot about the two cans of broth in my pockets. Before I exited the store (but after I had left the checkout area with my two bags of groceries) I'm approached by the store's security. As soon as they stopped me, I finally remembered about the cans of broth. As I began to make excuses and apologize, they stopped me and just asked me to pay for them (I think less than $2 for both cans).

Of course I did. But, I also asked them why they just didn't haul me off for shoplifting. They chuckled and said I didn't make a very good thief. First, I suppose I was too bumbling with my arms full of groceries. 2nd, I was way too casual and slow in my "get-away" with all my "loot". Lastly, they said I really needed to set my sights higher with the worth of what I was trying to shoplift.

Since I'm already WAY OFF topic, someone mentioned (driver?) that their spouse was a family therapist.

I once had one of the guys who reported to me, actually a really good guy, whose performance was slipping. Given that his performance was slipping so precipitously, and so unexpectedly, I had him meet me for lunch one day, just he and I.

Long story short, he was having marital problems. He explained it wasn't a case of infidelity, or drinking, or money (like normal topics that put a strain on a marriage). He and his wife were just unsatisfied with each other.

I didn't want to hear any of this. And, before he got even more in-depth, I suggested he contact our HR dept for a recommendation for a family therapist. I also suggested he keep the matter as a personal issue, and not let it spread throughout the company.

Things got better for awhile. I could tell that his attitude was improving. But, after about 4 months, his performance began slipping again. Finally, he wanted to meet me for breakfast before work. He was not a morning person so I knew he must have something he really needed to say to me to meet about 6:30 a.m. I agreed.

He didn't beat around the bush. He said he was leaving the company. Thanked me for the opportunity. And said he was also leaving the state. While I told him I'd appreciate an explanation, but in no way was he required to delve into his personal life to do it.

Seems as if during the marital counseling sessions, he and the therapist fell in love and began to have an affair with him. She was leaving her husband and practice. He was leaving his wife and job. They were moving to another state.

I was dumbfounded. Seems like going to the marriage therapist sealed the deal for him to leave his wife....with his therapist. I'm sure that's in more than one way, at the very least unethical on both their parts.

Bizarre to say the least!

gogiboy

"And, who knows? I may even get a part time job. Target needs me! "

Isell working at Target--perhaps even as a security guard...I love it!

Your blunt, sometimes gruff responses remind me a lot of the library cop in an episode of Seinfeld--and I mean that as a compliment.

You have an unimpeachable work history and I know that no one ever stolen a car from you literally or figuratively. Just remember to club those flat screen TV purchasers like a baby seal.

Gogiboy

verdugo

After this election I doubt if you'll see much of anything "free" in California again. Boxer and Moonbeam aren't going to be able to spend like they were.

I know

crkeehn

If you go to your "My Carspace" page, you will see a copy of the announcement. On December 8, Edmunds is launching a redesign which will incorporate some of the elements of My Carspace into Edmunds. Other parts will disappear. I suspect that those people who got the emails were those who were using the vanishing elements.

I think I got a glimpse of the new Edmunds a week or so ago, when I logged on and saw a drastically different website. I didn't like it.

isellhondas

Just kidding about working for Target especially as a security guy.

" blunt, sometimes gruff responses"

Me? Only to those who bring it on to themselves!

driver100

Seems like going to the marriage therapist sealed the deal for him to leave his wife....

Yes, good memory GG, my wife is the family therapist. Well, at least the therapist your employee went to solved his problem.

I am not sure she did the ethical thing though. I think it would have been better if she gave him some time to sort out his own life, before forming a relationship with him. Unfortunately, almost any one can hang out a shingle and become a family therapist (at least here in Ontario). I'd make sure they have a degree in a related field and some courses in Family Therapy before going to one.

driver100

responses remind me a lot of the library cop in an episode of Seinfeld

How about Paul Blart, mall cop!

isellhondas

I actually rented Mall Cop and turned it off after about 15 minutes.

Maybe I didn't get to the good part?

tjc78

Maybe I didn't get to the good part

What good part?....

driver100

Maybe I didn't get to the good part?

I read the reviews so I didn't see it. But, the concept sounded good, and what a great name for a cop.

explorerx4

I bought a 2007 model in March of '08 with certain parameters in mind.
Since i had such trouble driving my Focus in snow, wanted a car with a moon roof and AWD.
Gave my Explorer to the kids to drive, and figured they were old enough to drive and wanted to let them, thus needing a car with a roomy back seat, I chose the Fusion.
So far, I offered it one of my kids but they don't like it because of big turning circle and lack of heated seats. Also took it to Carmax, but got a low offer, so I still have it.
Anyways, although it doesn't have any real vices, I just never felt I really connected with it.
Over a 3 day weekend, put about 1600+ miles on it and it earned my respect.
We are bonding. 'smiley emotorcon'.

driver100

Anyways, although it doesn't have any real vices, I just never felt I really connected with it.

If you want "the feel of the road", you know what you have to buy.

I liked the Fusion I rented in Florida, it was one of the better rental cars I have had. It is pretty basic, but it does everything well, and it is a nice neat package. One friend has 150,000 miles on his 4 cylinder model and it hasn't had any problems. It is a very comfortable too.

Fusions are a bit bland, but much better driving experience than a Camry, or RAV 4, and I prefer it to a Chrysler 300 I rented.

explorerx4

What is 'you know what you have to buy?'
If it is what I think it is, I wouldn't settle for less than the M(anly) series. winky emotorcon.