Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

You have to be the most flexible person that I have ever known. As long as it had a good engine, I believe that you would buy any design, in any color, with any options. That's why you were such a successful salesman. You didn't push any particular vehicle because you didn't have any particular preferences. You deserve an award for objectivity. Me? I'm just too picky about so many things. That's why I take medications. :P :shades:

Richard

houdini1

I own what is probably the only CR-V in my county with a 5-speed stick.

Coming out of the dash like that must make it very awkward to shift.

fezo

I love the look of the Flex. If I needed something that size and had the money I could easily see myself in one. I do note that the Mrs is rather quiet when I say that as opposed to the 'oh, yes, that is nice" that I'll get pointing out other vehicles.

Craig - yeah. some colors are saleproof. Anytime people who are car shopping start asking advice one of my key things I'll say is to not buy anything with something you can't stand on it because you'll spend years cursing about it. While I don't understand the shift being such a big deal i understand that some will. Heck, I know a guy (and you do, too) whose wife wouldn't let him even look at an Odyssey because she hated the little table between the front seats. Said she's only take one if they not only removed the table but also any evidence that it had ever been there! Takes all kinds....

Yeah, that awful gold variant is one of those colors I was talking about. There are several yellow and oranges that don't work on the cars they show up on.

jimbres - yo ever decide you are selling that stick shift CRV be sire to announce it here first.

houdini1

When your wife AND sister gang up on you, you just go buy an SRX.

LOL, how long will it be before they talk you into a European Man Purse ? :shades:

tjc78

In order to shift into reverse it requires that the shift lever be pulled toward the driver.

My car won't go from neutral to reverse without having your foot on the brake. There are so many safeguards today.

To all talking about the Flex... If wanted an SUV it would be top on the list. I just love the looks and the fact that it doesn't look like every other car-based "egg" SUVS (Ford Edge, Lexus RX, CRV, CX7 etc.)

graphicguy

Here's some things I'm looking at in no particular order- RAV4 V6, Murano, Ford Flex, CX9, maybe a CPO RX, maybe maybe the new TSX wagon.

ti....I don't think there's a bad choice in that bunch. I think any of them would make you happy.

Good luck and keep us posted!

fezo

That's it! Richard - give us your wife's E-mail address so we can get you that nice man purse.....

driver - on dad's many ventures - do remember that the reason there were so many of them when I was a kid was because that flopped one way or another. I only decades later found that he was digging out of a hole his brother had put him in. Also, when my mom gave him the ultimatum that got him into GA one of the things they said he couldn't do was run his own business. Chronic gamblers do terrible things to businesses. After several years he got back into his own businesses but things were under control enough to do that.

Here is my favorite of what he did later on. Since several of those businesses when I was a kid revolved around taverns or restaurants he knew his way around liquor licenses in NJ. I don't know if this is still so but back in the 80s you had a law that reverted an unused liquor license back to the town if it went unused for some specific period of time. Dada tracked a couple of these down back then, bought them from the owners who were invariably family of the owner of the license who had since died. He bough them cheap because were they not used soon they'd be worthless.

Next thing he does is rent out a storefront for a couple of days and registers the license with that. Tells us all to go down and have a drink. Worked the operation out of a cigar box. Now he had a license with more time on it.

Nest he's set up all the paperwork including buying or leasing the place he has in mind and basically does all the work up to but not including opening the place up because he didn't want to be in that end of the business anymore. He'd sell the whole deal as a ready to open business. Made as much in one transaction in the mid-80s than I make in a year now. He spent it all but what the hey! It was a brilliant plan.

This, BTW, is something to point out to folks that think you need a degree to be bright. Dad never went past high school. Was amazed that his 5 sons all graduated college.

nyccarguy

I can't stand the shifter sticking out of the dash. It is actually much of the reason I HATE the Lexus RX350/Toyota Highlander. It is just very minivan-ish.

My parents are very particular about their cars. I think the last car they bought off the lot was a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E.

My Mom's White/Black 2011 Cayenne. White was chosen because "there's NO WAY I'm paying an additional $800 for a color on an SUV that costs so much." Plus she really loved the way the Sand White looks - and she's never been a "white car person."

Her 2008 BMW 328Xi that she turned in today with over 62,000 miles was Sparkling Graphite. She had to special order that because she wanted every option except NAV & the Sport Pkg.

The 2005 BMW 530i she leased was Black/Black but had to be special ordered because she didn't want NAV or the Sport Package.

Before that was her much HATED 2002 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro that was Ming Blue/Black that had to be special ordered because every A6 in North America had a beige interior.

My Dad ordered her 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (Black/Black) in August 1997 for delivery in march of 1998 because he thought the car was so beautiful.

Her 1995 Dodge Stealth R/T (red/Black ) had to be special ordered with an automatic & NO SUNROOF.

Her 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E was bought off a dealer's lot.

Her 1985 Volvo 740 Turbo had to be ordered because they had to have the Black with Red Velour/White Pin Stripe that was in the catalogue. The manager insisted it was a European only color, but ordered the car when my Dad gave the deposit.

jimbres

Coming out of the dash like that must make it very awkward to shift.

Yeah, it took some getting used to. But now I have a couple of pre-launch martinis before I take the wheel. Shifting couldn't be easier!

tifighter

My general, unscientific observation is that most men like the looks of the Flex, and all women hate it. The Edge is exactly the opposite, IMHO.

lemko

I'm sure you meant 1972. Anyway, I remember when they changed from Esso to Exxon. They had a commercial on television with the cartoon Tiger that went "Your old friend has a new name and a great new gift for you!" The gift was a drinking glass. I remember when Amoco used to be called American and there was a small sign below the large one that read "As You Travel Ask Us."

fezo

Yes, I meant 1972. What the heck did I write? I really do have to start checking these things!

Yeah, that was in that short little period of time where you could offer something to entice people in at gas stations in NJ. All through growing up we'd get "offer not valid in New Jersey." Suddenly in the late 60s that was gone (apparently a court ruling) in time for Tigerino and Win-a-Check (at Flying A), glasses and all sorts of goodies. Then they passed a law that took it all away.

I don't know what it is with gas and NJ. They are pretty anal about it. Heaven forbid you get a glass for buying a tank of gas.

isellhondas

Oh, I'm a bit fussier than that.

I just don't zero in on certain trivial (to me) things.

I don't HAVE to have leather and I couldn't care less about heated seats or auto dimming mirrors. That kind of stuff.

And, no, I never pushed certain cars on people. I tried to be a good listener and I tried to figure out what their needs and wants were along with their budget.

I suppose I talked people out of buying V-6 Accords sometimes when I felt (and still do) that they were really unnecessary.

If they were on a tight budget, I might suggest a lesser model or going with a cloth instead of a leather car or going without (gasp) a sunroof.

It always seemed that the people with the tight budgets and/or marginal credit were the same people who "had" to have everything.

With used cars, I tried to gently steer people toward cars that I knew would be reliable and steer them away from cars that were troublesome. Sometimes I was successful other times not.

When I saw they were determined to do things their way, I backed off and sold them whatever they wanted to buy.

isellhondas

I happen to really like the looks of the Flex.

Ford is doing some great things right now and I really applaud their ability to get back on track with some nice cars.

Kirstie_H

A reporter would like to talk with someone who had owned or shopped a Toyota in the past but now drives a Ford or a Hyundai. Please email your daytime contact info to pr@edmunds.com by Friday, January 7, 2011.

stewardrobbins

I don't hate the looks of the Flex, but it does remind me of those super long limos that are made from Hummers. The Flex looks like a Mini Cooper limo to me.

gogiboy

"This is our trip car, so comfortable and quiet are plusses. Mrs tifighter and myself cycle a lot, and I like putting the bikes inside the car where they are dry, don't whistle on the roof and are not coated with bugs after a 3 hour drive to the central coast."

Ti--

Have you seen some of the new trailer hitch bike racks? I bought a Kuat two-bike rack over a year ago and it has seen several thousand miles of use. It's really elegant, beautifully engineered and not particularly heavy--plus it avoids all the bug mess, road grime and noise associated with roof racks. It's easy to access and has its own built in locks and can be cocked at a 45 degree angle so the rear hatch can be opened without removing the bikes. It clamps the bike's wheel(s) so no damage to carbon fiber or other frames. Of course, it doesn't protect the bikes from rain--or snow. I haven't used mine in the winter.

Don't tell my wife, but it is much, much nicer looking than her Scion xB to which it is affixed from time to time. It even comes with an integrated work stand (that can be removed) so that repairs can be performed before that century or venturing off-road. It's a 100x better than any typical trunk rack. The best part, though, is that it gives me tons more space inside the Scion for other stuff including two dogs and lots of gear. Net result: Much smaller, more fuel efficient car that still holds plenty of gear and the bikes travel with only rain as an issue.

Gogiboy

houdini1

I guess my wife and I are the exception to the rule. She kinda likes the Flex and I don't like it at all.

Sandman6472

It really is so much easier. I use a card with my oldest girl, as she's living home again temporarily & the wife uses her business card with the middle girl having access to it also. Just makes the bookkeeping simpler as when the older girl buys groceries for the house, I pay for that since we don't charge her any $ for room & board. (We'd rather her save her income so she can move out with her sister next year). I go through my receipts at months end & pay it off in full. Ditto for the wife.

I also only carry a small amount of cash as I'd rather charge everything & get the rewards point. Got the bill yesterday and had 5700 points so I'm getting a $57.00 credit on my next bill...sweet! Just for using the card, and I've already gotten over $200.00 credited over the past 1 1/2 years, so it does work out to use the card. A win/win all around! Yay!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

driver100

Yes, you would get a better price with our “Conquest Discount”

Geez, what's next, a "Crusader Discount" or a "Taliban Discount"? "Conquest Discount" sounds a bit over the top to me....are they taking prisoners now?

I hate sales where your regular loyal customers get aggravated. They could quietly have a sale that is slightly better for their loyal customers who come in, maybe a "Not a Traitor" Sale...and give a surprise discount a little bit better.

Why would you want to lose your best customers?

driver100

If there is still dissension I'll turn it over to Driver who will argue it to death

Since, I was invited to comemment, here goes....is this the ugly protuberance we are talking about?

isellhondas

Makes zero sense.

A person who has been loyal to Buick (my parents) for years get's a worse deal than someone who happens to stumble in?

No wonder GM has troubles!

isellhondas

That's it and I still don't see who that would bother anyone to the point it would eliminate it from their buy list.

Hell, Corvair started that in 1960!

I knew a guy who had one.

He used to say..." Have you heard of four on the floor?..Well, I've got two on the dash!"

tifighter

GB- Yeah, I've looked at the hitch racks, and your point of combining it with a small car is a good one. So far, my preference is to have them enclosed somehow; cycling is one of our main hobbies, and our bikes are priced [in]appropriately. I like them to be out of site when the car is parked...the weather protection is an additional bonus. But a rack is a reasonable thing to consider.

As far as hitch racks go, though, this thing is pretty primo.

fezo

My freshman year of high school I used to ride 20 miles a day in one of those Corvairs. I remember it well.

tifighter

And regarding the Flex, there seem to be some reasonable deals on these used locally at the moment-

2WD Limited

AWD Limited

The second one looks to need tires soon.

I'm sure these are ex-rentals. But not bad given a '11 AWD Limited stickers at about $41k.

driver100

on dad's many ventures

Sounds like your Dad would have made it if he didn't gamble...that is a killer.

It reminds me of the hockey player Tim Horton. Always wanted a business on the side for when he retired. They all went under, car lots, burger joints, etc.
Then he had a goofy idea for a Coffee and donut place. Started with a few of them in the early 60s. Then he killed himself in a one car accident in his Corvette....returning to Toronto from Buffalo at about 150 mph.

Well, the donut chain is a huge success with over 3000 stores in Canada, 500 in the US, and his partner paid Hortons widow a million dollars for her half when Horton died. Today, the partner is worth 1 billion dollars.

snakeweasel

I don't like the gear shift on my SIL's CRV, nor do I like the hand brake. I will agree that hand or foot is no big deal but what I hate is where its placed. The SIL's car its on the dash looking like a hand grip, whose was drunk when they designed that?

Sure I can get used to it, but then again I could get used to a 2X4 upside my head every morning. They question is why get "used to it" when there are other choices out there that I already like?

fezo

I've been to Tim Horton's many a time. It's pretty much a requirement when we are up that way.

Dad eventually made it very well. From maybe his mid-50s on he was on a roll. The stocks that tanked and became not much more than paper did it maybe two months before he died at 90 and he knew nothing about that for which I am grateful.

My mom retired at 62 and they did all sorts of traveling and bought a four seater plane (my mom was the pilot - something she took up at 62). The plane was more a little investment and she just liked being able to say "my plane." She leased it to an aviation outfit that made it available as a daily rental. Let me tell you - there is nothing like the feeling of being up in one of those single engine planes and knowing that the only thing between you and the hard ground below is your 70 yer old mother. Good times.

After mom couldn't travel any more and was in assisted care or the nursing home dad took all the boys and their families on tow trips - one for a Disney week and the other in Williamsburg. He was about to do it for Tortola and then late in planning got to where he couldn't travel. Three of us with families made the trip anyway.

isellhondas

Oh, c'mon..I find the hand brake on our 2003 very easy to use and I didn't have to "get used to it".

Amazing!

fezo

Maybe you need push buttons on the horn like the old Edsel tranny....

kyfdx

1) It is dorky looking

2) It is awkward to use, compared to a column shifter, or floor mount.

3) You can easily bump it, reaching for the radio, though I only popped it into neutral, once..

It was the single thing that I disliked the most about what was a stellar vehicle in almost every other respect... 6.5 years and 106K miles.. Mine was the '02 model...

I wish I'd stuck with the stick-shift that I had in my 1st generation CR-V... typically fantastic Honda clutch/shifter combination..

regards,
kyfdx
visiting host

snakeweasel

so that repairs can be performed before that century or venturing off-road.

I do hope you ride more than one bike.

snakeweasel

Oh come on now, it sits there on the dashboard disgused as a handgrip. When I frist drove it I looked for the slot to put the nickle in so I could pull the handle and watch the dasg spin with anticipation of winning the big jackpot.

No sir I don't like it.

driver100

My Dad ordered her 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK320

Your Mother and father sure have good taste in cars. That's like a wish list of great cars to own.

I do wonder why many luxury makes charge an extra $700 - $1000 extra for most colors. But, all the non-luxury cars charge the same no matter what color you choose.

driver100

Oh, I'm a bit fussier than that.

We now know what you don't care about, including color, where the gear shift lever is, whether the car has leather or heated seats, whether the car is a 4 or a 6 etc.

What do you care about.....that is, what must it have for you to consider it?

driver100

The Flex looks like a Mini Cooper limo to me.

It looks like a Mini Cooper on steroids to me, and I am glad Richard's wife prevailed. The SRX is much nicer.

Seems the Flex wins the love it or hate it award! :shades:

driver100

I've been to Tim Horton's many a time.

Most of the Tim Horton's in the US are on I75 on the way to Florida, so Canadians can fill up with coffee on the way to Florida. Tim's is a Canadian institution, bought out by Wendy's. They do make good coffee, and one friend likes it so much he was thinking he would like it piped into his house.

I am glad your father's businesses worked out so your family was well cared for. Starting one business is very difficult - it is just one person against the world, - but starting all over again and doing it several times takes a lot of courage and determination. It is easier, working for someone else. Your father really deserves a lot of credit, and I know you realize it.

fezo

Oh, absolutely. We were well into our 20s when he really got going. There was a night that was the turning point - my mom giving him an ultimatum.

I don't know if I've been to a Tim Horton's in the states. You do see a lot of them near the border. I have a travel mug from them.

nyccarguy

Thanks driver. Those listed are what have been my Mom's daily drivers. My Dad's are as follows:

1966 427/390 Moss Port Green/Black Corvette Roadster that he bought used in 1974 & commuted 6 days a week (with a Great Dane) until it started giving him major mechanical issues in 1981. Yes, he still has that same car in his garage & it has not been started since 1999.

In 1981 he bought a Yellow/Tan Vinyl Chevrolet Citation.

The Citation lasted him until 1987 when he bought a Ford Bronco II w/ a 5 speed stick.

The Bronco II lost 4th gear in 1991 & our accountant brought up the idea of leasing. It was a good idea because the Citation was donated to charity with 125K & the Bronco II was sold for $400.

He leased a 1991 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer. Red w/ Tan interior.

When the lease was up on the Explorer, he decided to give Jeep a try. Now a very close friend of his worked for Chrysler. My Dad special ordred a 1994 Wild Berry/Grey Leather Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. He didn't like the gold trim on the Limited model, so his Laredo cost as much as the Limited. Because of his friend, his special order Jeep was built & delivered in 2 Weeks after the salesman said it would take 2 months.

My Dad saw his Jeep on the lot 2 weeks after he ordered it. Went to the Salesman & the guy looked at him like he had just seen a ghost. He said "I don't know who you know, but I have NEVER seen a car built & delivered that quick in 30 years."

Now 1994 was the beginning of the SUV craze. The salesman asked my Dad what the buyout on his Explorer was. $10,500. "We'll give you $14K for it."

After the Jeep, he leased a '98 Black/Beige Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.

Then a 2002 Infiniti QX4 Silver/Black.

Then came the Sterling Grey/Black Leather Sport Pkg 2004 X5 that had to be specia ordered because no cars in the northeast had the Sports Pkg. Came in 4 weeks.

When that lease was up, he got an '07 X5 3.0 that also had to be special ordered because he had to have the Sport Pkg. His '07 was Sapphire Black/Black interior.

That brings us to his current ride that was ordered for him, a 2010 Tahoe LTZ in gorgeous red metallic/Black

verdugo

I've been away for two weeks and I'm just catching up on the 700+ messages. I was feeling bad hearing about Fezo and then I got to Karen's post. RIP Tidester!

Kirstie_H

Wow! Braving 700+ posts is a venture in itself. Glad you did, and yes... this was a huge blow to the Edmunds.com community. :sick:

An emotorcon doesn't do the loss justice.

Kirstie_H

Lease Return Fees

Anyone want to offer comments to this person? I sent him/her here, because the original post location wasn't likely to yield opinions.

tallman1

Mini Cooper limo... yes, I think that describes it for me. :shades:

And the two-tone shades are not my cup of tea either.

So Richard's wife has good taste in cars... and men???

sterlingdog

Perhaps a male purse would change your opinion of the Flex. :P :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

"So Richard's wife has good taste in cars...and men???"

That's why I have to buy expensive jewelry and mink coats. :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

"The SRX is much nicer."

It must be based on my experience this afternoon. After the long holiday trip, I had it detailed. Then I went to the Cadillac dealer for its first oil change and lube. As usual, I was expecting a bill in the $30 range. The cashier presented me with a bill for $92.50! I nearly fell over. I looked at the service advisor and said, "Surely, this can't be!" He replied, "Welcome to the big leagues." Thank goodness I only have to do this every 5,000 miles.

With our light colored interior, I noticed that our front mats were getting pretty soiled. I had them shampooed during the detail. At the Cadillac dealer, they had some nice clear mats to fit over the carpeted mats, especially made for an SRX. I bought the set of four which retailed at $90. I negotiated with the parts lady using my best charm. She knocked off $15. I thihnk that it is worth $75 to protect those light colored mats.

Let's see now: $70 for a car detail, $92.50 for oil and lube, $75 for clear mats totals $237.50. When I got home, I showed the figures to my wife. She said, "Why in the world did you spend that much money?" I responded, "You were the one who wanted a black SRX with camel interior. If you're going to ride with the big boys, you have to pay." Yes, we ate dinner out tonight. Still, my remark was worth every penny of that dinner. :P

Richard

imidazol97

>The cashier presented me with a bill for $92.50! I nearly fell over. I looked at the service advisor and said, "Surely, this can't be!" He replied, "Welcome to the big leagues."

Did they use synthetic oil rather than the standard oil?
I believe the oil sump on the Northstar holds more than the nominal 4-5 quarts, so that would raise the ante as well.

sterlingdog

Yes, those reward points are nice. It's really the best approach all around.

Richard

houdini1

Black floor mats would probably look great in that SUV !!