Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

she bought a Loaded Fusion SEL 4 CYL and after driving the Fusion, she didn't bother looking at the others.

She made a wise choice. I have driven those 3 cars and the Fusion would be my choice very easily.....and I got 30 mpg on the highway, 26 city.

I have driven quite a few different cars in the last few years, and a Fusion would be at the top of my list. The one I would compare it to would be a Sonata and a Kia. Maybe they should make a Fusion convertible...that would be really nice.

There is a lot of good things about the Fusion, but I particularly like the interior finish and the amount of room inside.
She made a good choice.......................

driver100

Richard said about nycguy: I can never remember that you're only in your 30's. You are so mature and have such a good head on your shoulders.

Richard just meant you sound like an old codger like the rest of us!

Actually, he is right, I didn't have half of that much maturity when I was in my 30s. I truly wish I knew then what I know now.

graphicguy

kirstie....oldbearcat,

Every year I do a road trip. Starting from Cincinnati, there are some beautiful drives into Amish country, or driving south over the OH river into KY. There's the bourbon trail, which eventually leads to Georgetown, home of the Corvette plant and Corvette Museum, always a fun drive. Go a little further south, and you're in Nashville, which in my opinion, offers up the best amateur music you'll find in any city (including NYC and LA).

I've been through Nicholasville several times. Anyone who is even mildly a fan of really good bourbon will find the holy grail of bourbon, driving through some beautiful scenery in KY.

jmonroe

Growing up in Steel City, a bunch of us used to take my 1971 Olds Cutlass Convertible down to where the hot ingots came out of the steel mill on rail cars. We would park as close as possible then drop the top. Usually in below freezing weather. The heat from those ingots warmed the entire area making the beer we were drinking all the more enjoyable. Anything similar, jmonroe?

Nope, I didn’t do any of that. However, when I was in High School I dated a girl for a while who had an older sister in her 20’s that had a ’56 Ford Victoria convertible (white with the orange? accent stripe on the sides) that we took out a few times. We did “park” in a few fields somewhere but we weren’t exactly looking outside watching the crops grow as I remember how it went.

When that romance ended I had to use my father’s ’58 Plymouth Sport Suburban wagon. Don’t laugh, because other than a convertible, that type of wheels was a teenage boy’s dream car.

The first new car I owned was a ’66 Bonneville 2 door and I was thinking about buying the Burgundy Grand Prix convertible that was on the floor but I chickened out because of the rattles and squeaks that convertibles eventually developed in those days. One thing that you didn’t have to worry about with that model year was to zip the rear window down before putting the top down because IIRC, GM introduced the stationary sewn in piece of glass that year and you didn’t have to replace it because of it yellowing either but I still decided against a convertible. That’s as close as I’ve ever come to buying a convertible and that’s a shame because I still have lots of hair to blow in the breeze. While not all of it is the original color it’s all there, honest.

jmonroe

driver100

and that’s a shame because I still have lots of hair to blow in the breeze.

I once had a buyer that I called on to sell to and he went for a ride with his buddies in a convertible. He was in the backseat and the wind took his rug right off and they didn't go back to get it.

On Monday morning he had to wear his emergency backup one in to work and it had changed color and didn't fit right, lopsided with pins showing on the sides.

You should take advantage of the situation....don't know if there will be a Gennie convertible but you might have to get a Sonata.

Sandman6472

It's just "Delray Beach", and we were there yesterday getting on the turnpike for parts north. Nice little city just above Boca Raton.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Sandman6472

Probably should've not said a word about it in here, but sometimes just verbalizing things just makes them seem less important. What's done is done!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Sandman6472

Ditto, but how about an Elantra one too for all us small car drivers who don't need a large trunk.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Sandman6472

Guess we run the gamut on age in here. Proud to say I'm 56, though feel 80. Am more content at this age than at any other time in my life. Finally have the last 4 + months to just relax my body, I'm seeing life through another perspective. Once all the pieces fall into place, I'll exhale the last few breaths I've still got in me. Then, and only then, my next phase of life will begin. And I'm looking forward to it & what I'll be able to find in the part time work force.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:

jmonroe

You should take advantage of the situation....don't know if there will be a Gennie convertible but you might have to get a Sonata.

That may be but I’m still not a convertible person and neither is Mrs. j. However, that would be a sight with the two of us cruising down the road with our hair flopping around at our age. The sickening thing about this hair thing is, while she is just a month younger than I am, her hair is still the original color and she does not use the artificial stuff either. I’ve combed our house several times looking for that stuff and it is not there.

I’ve said this before, the only plausible explanation for this is that I’m a very easy person to live with.

jmonroe

fezo

Proud to say I'm 56,

Oh, just a kid....

michaellno

I came
I saw
I liked
I left
We returned
We looked
We drove
We liked
We haggled
We bought
We drove home

The end

jmonroe

Oh, just a kid....

Yeah, you got that right. I didn’t even know that they were allowed on this site. But if they are I’ll bet they pay the kiddy rate for dues too. :mad:

Now if you want to talk about the senior discount rate, Richard can help with that.

jmonroe

robr2

Whenever I see Russians living in terrible conditions, or men doing that dance where they kick their legs out, I feel so fortunate that he escaped...or that could be me!

Or with a little luck and knowing the right mobsters, you could've been Mikhail Prokhorov.

Sandman6472

Perfect!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:

nyccarguy

Actually, he is right, I didn't have half of that much maturity when I was in my 30s. I truly wish I knew then what I know now.

Thanks so much driver. I appreciate your high compliments.

Most of my maturity (at least when I post here on edmunds - LOL) stems from my high patience level & values in general. I've learned in my 34 years & 11 months of to truly appreciate what I do have. My wife, my 2 boys, my parents, my sister, her husband, my nieces & nephew, my job, our home, & 2 mechanically sound cars that start up every day.

We have an amazing support system. My mother-in-law drives up from Long Island to our home in CT every Monday to watch our boys. My Mom drives over from Rockland County, NY to our home in CT every Thursday to watch our boys so my wife can work & we don't have to pay for daycare or a Nanny.

I work for my Dad & see him 6 days a week.

I knew all 4 of my grandparents, 2 are still alive. My Grandfather (on my Mom's side) is 87, still drives, works (even though he's not supposed to), & lives on his own (In Pittsburgh). My Grandmother (on my Dad's side) is going to be 94 at the end of April. She still lives on her own, walks without a cane or walker, & comes into work 3 days a week. I even knew 2 of my Great-Grandparents.

nyccarguy

Got a fancy Direct Mailpiece from Lexus saying to go to my local Lexus Dealership to test drive any new Lexus Model & receive a $100 Lexus Visa Gift card. So I asked myself, why not?

I walked into a Lexus dealer and was greeted by a receptionist & an impeccably dressed salesman.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I got this direct mailpiece from Lexus telling me they'll send a $100 Gift Card to me if I test drive a Lexus. I'm not in the market for a car right now & I certainly don't want to waste your time by test driving a car I have NO intention of buying."

"Not a problem sir. We just need to scan your license to prove you were here. Log on to the Lexus website & enter our dealer code & your invitation number. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Is there anything else we can help you with today?"

"No. Thank-you. Have a fantastic weekend."

Not to bad a ROI on 5 minutes of my time on the way home from work on a Saturday.

Sandman6472

Somewhat of a similar story here also with the family & grandparents, great grandparents, in-laws watching the kids. Think many of us have been blessed with some extended family help, but at different extremes! And you work for your dad? Our grandparents/folks sold the business right before we came to Florida, so no business to pass on...they were in the "rag business" or "schmata" trade...women's sportswear.

What kinda work do y'all do? Still on the books as a letter carrier. Anyone else want to chime in? Sounds like y'all have lots of "experiences" in life that should be very interesting to hear about. So far I know we have a teacher, a car salesman, a letter carrier, but that's about the best I can recall...oh yes, a semi-retired judge. For anyone that doesn't want to tell me, no prob, it's just that I feel like I'm starting to know some of y'all a wee bit!

My middle girl just came home for break and her Accent's a mess...told her we need to clean her up this week & get the oil changed...and a darn good wash while we're at it. Coming home from the supermarket, we passed the Hyundai store where we bought her car & that same Indigo Ink/Purplish Elantra is still sitting there. Don't get it but I do remember when we bought the Mazda3 back in '05, they had a purplish one on the lot that they really wanted to move & gave us a killer price on it. I said to the wife, we're crazy not to jump on it...but she held to her guns & wanted to wait on the dark gray that was supposedly on the way. End of the story, they brought out a silver one with some extra goodies, swapped from another store, thinking we'd not know the color difference. She told 'em they'd have to throw in the extra's or we'd walk to get what we were supposed to get. Naturally, they caved immediately as they didn't want to loose the sale since it was the last day of the month. Turned out to be a win/win for all...both sides were happy!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:

ray80

I never get those things (then again if they know me it would likely be for a yugo or something)

Sandman6472

Surprisingly, in South Florida, neither have I. Now that I've got the time, that would be way cool to get some just to go on a test drive. My bad, last August I did get the free detail from MB just to come test the C Class. Great car, killer detail but no sale. Still get service reminders for my Civic from then to this day...why on earth would I bring a Civic there for an oil change at their prices???

But if some other makers want to throw some driving invitations to me now...bring 'em on...got my driving gloves all ready to go!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Kirstie_H

Huh. I did some student teaching at Jessamine County high school MANY moons ago. I actually lived in Wilmore (went to college there) just down the road. I'm sure no one has driven through there because.... there's not really a "through." The road just ends at the river.

fezo

I envy those who knew a great-grandparent and had or have parents taking care of kids. The parents part was in my game plan but life didn't go according to plan. My parents didn't marry until they were 30 and I didn't until 34. My folks hung out with my oldest a few times and then mom started slipping and that was kind of that.

I started out with 3 grandparents. My dad's dad died at 56 just after my folks got married. Lost my mom's mother when I was 10 and her dad when I was 14. My dad's mother, this tiny Italian lady from off the boat, made it to 84. I was 26 at the time. I treasure the years I had with her. I've yet to find someone who could make a meatball or gravy (you might know that as sauce) that came close.

michaellno

What kinda work do y'all do?

I'll play ... though my professional life isn't terribly exciting.

Graduated from college in '85 and went to work for a small software company in my hometown. Their biggest customer was the city I grew up in and so spent time working on Police and Fire department applications.

Went to the home office, where I started doing a combination of tech support, education and consulting. The company never grew beyond about 30-35 employees as it was run by a family who didn't want it to be so big they couldn't control every detail.

Started traveling in '89, which allowed me to see a lot of the country and visit family I have scattered about.

In '93 an opportunity came up for me to do software instruction full time, so I moved to Denver and traveled even more, averaging about 40K a year in air miles from '93 to '03.

The period from '97 to '01 was turbulent as the company was merged once and sold twice, ultimately ending up as part of IBM. In '03 I lost my teaching position due to cutbacks so transferred back to the support organization. In '07 I was offered the opportunity to become a "Business Operations Manager" for a larger support org, so I took it. Now I drive spreadsheets and powerpoints all day as I collect, analyze and report on cost and revenue data for the organization I'm attached to.

No more traveling - and I don't miss it. Plus, I have the benefit of working from home in a virtual environment. My boss is in Toronto and my teammates are in Kansas City and California, but the folks I work with are scattered all over the globe. In fact, I've got two phone calls tonight with folks in Singapore and Japan.

Just a "worker bee", as my wife says. I've had thoughts of moving to management - IBM has a great training program for managers. But, I'm kinda happy with the work I do, so I'll keep at it for the forseeable future.

jmonroe

I never get those things (then again if they know me it would likely be for a yugo or something)

I get stuff on a fairly regular basis (at least every other month) from the local screamer ad Dodge dealer. It seems that I have a key that is guaranteed to either open the door of a car that I don’t want (although if it was free I’d take it) or win something like a groomer pouch (nail clipper, that kind of stuff). Just knowing how this dealership advertizes, I wouldn’t buy a Dodge or anything from him.

jmonroe

driver100

Or with a little luck and knowing the right mobsters, you could've been Mikhail Prokhorov.

Nah, with my luck I would be doing the Troika dancing or whatever it is called.
I wouldn't be the one to find an oil conglomerate....and then get thrown into prison.

jipster

Good for you, but if I were Lexus, which I'm not, I would be pretty miffed.
The money is meant to get people to test drive cars, whether they are in the market or not is irrelevent.

Some people out there actually make impulsive buying decisions that could be beneficial to Lexus. So, unless the dealership is crazy busy, there is no reasonable reason not to insist a customer test drive. Give away my money will they. :mad:

sterlingdog

"I envy those who knew a great-grandparent..."

I envy those who knew a grandparent. I only knew one grandmother. Then again, what can you say when your grandfathers were in the Civil War?! They married very late in life, and married much younger women than themselves. My one grandmother embodied the Norman Rockwell depiction of American life. She baked biscuits and cakes, grew beautiful flowers, and made quilts. I inherited one of her quilts---a real treasure of small stitches done by her own little hands. Nothing is sweeter than that memory.

Richard

sterlingdog

Love that sales story!

Richard

sterlingdog

"Now if you want to talk about the senior discount rate, Richard can help with that."

I've been with AARP so long that they don't even charge me annual dues now. :shades: :sick:

Richard

explorerx4

I just hit the double nickel last week. Still married to my one and only wife, 2 kids in college. Mom and father in law both 81 and hanging in there. Work in Insurance software supporting applications written by russian madmen, plus a bunch of other stuff. Hope to work another 10 years and be known as explorerx5 or explorerx6 by then. Working on x5 now, but there is no immediate timetable.

explorerx4

A(ll) A(bout) R(ichard's) P(riorities) - no wonder there are no dues.

michaellno

Love that sales story!

That's how it went down .. the wife now drives a 2010 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring AWD.

For those of you that are alphanumerically challenged, here's a picture I took earlier today at my wife's work:

snakeweasel

Then again, what can you say when your grandfathers were in the Civil War?!

Gee how old are you? My great great grandfather fought in the War of the Rebellion. Guess what? I actually have his discharge papers.

stickguy

I got one late last year from BMW (first in a while for me). $50 for a test drive. had to register it on the website, which somehow resulted in an email from the local dealer to see what I was interested in. Asked about the X1, which isn't even out yet.

But, when i did the website part, at the end I got a message thanking me, saying I would get my card in X weeks. Seemed odd.

well, it was more like 2x weeks, but the other day my $50 amex card showed up in the mail! So I beat the lexus deal, since I didn't even have to show up at the dealer!

fezo

Then again, what can you say when your grandfathers were in the Civil War?!

Got me beat! Confederacy?

My girlfriend through two years of college never knew any grandparents. Her parents fled Estonia in WWII with the Russians coming in one way and the Germans coming in another. One grandfather was shot by a Russian firing squad. After that I felt really luck to have what I did.

jwilliams2

I'm in the over 65 crowd, kids are in their early 40's. I have a grandson (daughters) who is 11, and my son and his wife just had their first, a little girl 3 weeks ago. Daughter lives 5 minutes away here in CT, Son lives in Boston. No grandparents since the 50's, and parents have been gone for a while.

I've been an AARP member for years, maybe Richard can tell me how to turn off the mail. I must get some AARP junk mail every day. It's kind of annoying knowing that many insurance companies have my info. No test drive offers, though.

Sandman6472

We did that when the wife turned 50 & it helps sometimes. At this point, any senior discount works for me. We're so close to being out of the school stuff, middle girl will finish grad school in April, we can't wait...all 3 done,yay! Had 3 great grandparents & 4 grands while growing up which was pretty cool. Was always very thankful for that.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

mako1a

While not a VW fan, the video of the Phaeton plant was amazing.

It was embedded in an email I received so I hope it opens for you.

VW Plant

roadburner

What kinda work do y'all do?

In addition to my court assignments I write a monthly column for a local newspaper and every so often I get a story assignment from the BMW Car Club Magazine Roundel. Those are fun; I've covered a few press intros and been sent on a couple of semi-pro rallies. And recently I've been appraising classic and exotic cars for a couple of banks. Might as well let your passion help pay for your toys...

oldbearcat

I've actually been to Wilmore at the college. My son is a music teacher, in an Army Reserve Band (100th Division) , and quite proficient on Oboe and English Horn. He got invited to play oboe at a musical event at the college on one occasion, and, wife and I attended. My son and his Wife are both UK grads.

Its a small world.
Oldbearcat

oldbearcat

I got one of those too. However, my wife mistook it for junk mail and pitched it out before I could use it. Funny - in 03, I actually visited the local dealer to shop Lexus. The salesguy took one look at the Dodge Intrepid I was going to replace, and, informed me that I really should go to the other side of the showroom and shop for a Toyota - it'd be more my speed. Wife and I left the Lexus dealership, and, went to the Jaguar, Mercedes, Volvo, and Landrover dealership. Ended up trading for a new Jaguar.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

snakeweasel

I had an experience like that once. My wife gets on these so called "Let's ger a [insert car type or brand here]" and this time it was for a MB. We arrived at the Benz dealership in a Chevy Corsica and the salesman said to us "Our cars are rather expensive". I so much wanted to point to a car and say "Not so expensive that we couldn't pay cash for that car, but since you have such an attitude you lost this sale". And yes we do have the ability to pay cash for a Benz.

We went to another benz dealership that treated us well.

jmonroe

...but the other day my $50 amex card showed up in the mail!

I got a $100 Amex gift card from Bridgestone when I bought tires for the Genny last Spring. It was past due the promised date when I got it. So far past due that I was wondering if I’d ever get it.

They are quirky to use at a restaurant because of how they handle the balance and the tip when the card doesn’t have enough to cover the whole bill. Like what would have happened to me if I used it at a restaurant for what was left after the first use. I can’t remember the details now but it was crazy because what law says you have to leave a tip? Anyway, after hearing the restaurant manager explain it, Mrs. jmonroe said to me and the manager, “don’t worry, they’ll take it at any of the stores in the mall because you don’t put tips on those purchases and I can put what is still owed on my regular credit card”, as she snatched the card from my hand.
:surprise:

jmonroe

jmonroe

I have a grandson (daughters) who is 11, and my son and his wife just had their first, a little girl 3 weeks ago.

Congratulations. Your wait wasn’t as long as ours. After having two sons then 4 grandsons, Mrs. jmonroe used to complain by saying, “the only way there’s going to be a girl in this family is if someone adopts one”. Finally, two years ago last September, Son #2 provided a girl. No, she’s not spoiled tooooo much and she likes to play with her brother’s/cousin’s cars rather than dolls and tea cups. Mrs. j has said numerous times, “when she gets a little older I’ll take her shopping and we’ll fix that”.

Another one bites the dust.

jmonroe

jmonroe

The salesguy took one look at the Dodge Intrepid I was going to replace, and, informed me that I really should go to the other side of the showroom and shop for a Toyota - it'd be more my speed.

There we go again with the pre-qualifying thingy.

I’d have the same thing happen to me if I pulled up with either of my Hyundai throwaways. Sometimes you just dig yourself a hole that’s hard to climb out of.

jmonroe

sterlingdog

"...as she snatched the card from my hand."

Your wife has to be one of the coolest ladies on the planet. She can always flim flam her husband before he knows what hit him.

Richard

sterlingdog

"Gee how old are you?"

My students were forever asking me that question. My response was: Old enough to know better, but young enough to still get in trouble.

Actually, it isn't MY age that connects me to the Civil War. It was those 55 year old grandfathers who married 18 year old girls. The 37 year difference put them at another place in history.

Having those discharge papers is really neat. I have a pass signed by General Sherman which allowed my great aunt to cross enemy lines. Though a Southern nurse, she helped the wounded on both sides.

Richard

sterlingdog

"Got me beat! Confederacy?"

But of course.

Richard

sterlingdog

"...maybe Richard can tell me how to turn off the mail."

Actually, I dropped my membership last year because they supported the new health care plan. Believe it or not, the mail stopped within about three months. I can get the same type of discounts with my AAA card. I don't miss them a bit, plus i save a little money.

Richard

Sandman6472

Exactly, basically said the same thing to my oldest the other night. Once my employment situation comes to it's conclusion, I need to lok for some part time work in the auto industry since like you, cars are my one true passion. Makes sense to get paid to do something that you love...sorta of a win/win scenario. Did inquire at the Hyundai store about possible part time courtesy shuttle, since many senior citizens here do that. I'm much younger than they are by a pretty good margin also. But once the man in charge saw me, as I was introducing myself, his eyes went straight to my cane...what I said didn't register one bit! This is where I'm gonna have a problem...they will see me as "damaged goods" who could be unreliable so they will pass me by, legally of course, but still will be passed by.

But doing nothing at the present time until I land on my feet...then we'll see.

The Sandman :sick: :shades: