Stories from the Sales Frontlines

imidazol97

>My family keeps telling me I need to get on facebook,

I don't see the necessity. Some people live their lives on their 'Droid phone watching facebook and other real time access info on the internet along with texting and reading emails. I don't see that as a happy life.

I logged onto facebook a few months ago to see a person's page and the info on it under a fake name. But I used an email address out of several I have. Facebook is still sending emails trying to get me to log back on because two people want me to be friends on facebook. One of them has been dead for a year and a half. Is facebook that hard up? Do they get money for each logon?

driver100

So, better go out and buy a new car soon before the shortage hits
I bought a month ago, does that make me proactive?

Maybe it makes you clairavoyant!

Or maybe just lucky!

Or maybe just dumb luck :P

sterlingdog

To me, Facebook is mostly a waste of time and energy. Three years ago, two of my high school friends kept pestering me to join FB. Finally, I caved. I filled out all of the information forms---college, career, hobbies, political party, religion etc. Then I started thinking. Do I want the world to see all of this? I went back in and deleted everything with the exception of name and marital status (for obvious resons).

I never go to FB unless I get a "friend request". If I don't recognize the name, I ignore the request. The funny thing is, you accept the "friend request" and you may exchange a greeting or two and that's it. Many of my former students have found me. It's nice to know that they now have families and are doing well. I certainly can't keep up with the 200 or so who have found me on FB. There was one positive thing that came from joining. My college freshman room mate found me. We had completely lost track of one another. We have enjoyed visiitng back and forth, but not on FB. We use the telephone.

FB can also reach the ridiculous level. People will post a message saying, "I just had a cup of coffee." Really? Well, good for you. FB also has these silly games like "Mary sent you a heart request. Send Mary a heart back to her." I'm just not into that kind of stuff.

With the number of people on FB, it must ring plenty of bells for people. The bell just doesn't toll for me.

Richard

604doc

Those wacky Brits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlSkU0TFLs

Kirstie_H

I don't put anything on there that I'd be embarrassed for the world to see. It helps that my kids are 'friends' with me, so they see everything I put on FB.

Also, my real name is very hard to find on the internet. I'm pretty much invisible.

delta737h

richard64,

I agree that anonymity is, in certain instances, appropriate and even prudent. However, if you're going to slam someone publicly, at least have the guts to reveal yourself. Perhaps she was slamming the school and principal for a very good and legitimate reason. If so, I respect her for having the guts to do the right thing. Most humans are yellow belly cowards and won't speak up when they witness wrong doing because they're afraid. Anyone that refuses to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences, is a coward.

John Clark
Medina, Ohio

PS: Notice I disclosed my name and location. I don't hide behind screen names like most humans do.

boomchek

Hi Richard,

I've been around just been busy. :shades:

boomchek

Hi Driver,

Thanks, when I have time I'll post some stories. I have a lot more since I'm an Assistant Sales Manager so I see more deals come my way.

gogiboy

"I agree that anonymity is, in certain instances, appropriate and even prudent. However, if you're going to slam someone publicly, at least have the guts to reveal yourself."

John--If indeed that is you real name--perhaps you could clarify exactly whom Richard slammed publicly. He mentioned no name in his anecdote and he has a great deal of credibility on this forum due his long and continuous association.

Driver 100 happened to relate a story from the news and Richard saw fit to broaden the discussion as it relates to internet privacy or the lack thereof.

The fact that you have listed your name and location means what? Does it make the content of your message more legitimate? Is there something I'm missing? I'll agree that many, many internet posters find security in the anonymity of computer screen names, but I see very little evidence of posters on this site making statements that they don't stand behind.

Gogiboy

tallman1

Facebook has been great for our large, extended family to keep up with each other. However, I have all my privacy settings fixed so that no personal info gets shared publicly. Many people do not.

I read about this site in our local paper: youropenbook.org

Some people have their "wall" set so that anyone can read their posts. For fun, type in something like "I hate my boss." Boom... it's there for all to see. If they had just fixed their setting for "friends only," you wouldn't be able to see this. Crazy. :sick:

driver100

Someone sent me some redneck pictures (I always like getting them) but I had to share this TV stand for the bedroom...since we have quite a few DIYers and home remodeling experts around here.

imidazol97

Why didn't they use duct tape? It's available in colors now...

houdini1

LOL. Is that a tv or a video camera?

sterlingdog

John,

i appreciate your candidness, and your remarks certainly hold merit. I really don't know if the teacher had an axe to grind, or if her complaints were justified. Either way, one must be prepared to suffer the consequences of one's actions. If a teacher is unsatisfied with his/her current situation, it is better to seek employment in another school system. If parents, students, and administrators see that you're unhappy with the personnel and conditions, they don't perceive that you will do a good job for the children. Your dissatisfaction and pessimistic attitude often transfers to the classroom.

I certainly agree that people should step forward to correct the unjust. I did plenty of that as a teachers union president. Still, your complaints should be forwarded to those who make policy and finalize decisions...and in a professional manner. Complaining to the masses, who may or may not understand the situation, is not often the best avenue of protest.

As for hiding behind screen names, we were told to select a screen name when we joined Edmunds. They added the "64" to my name. My real name IS Richard. The regular posters here know that I live just outside of Pinehurst, North Carolina. Some friends on this site even have my personal email address. i haven't listed my last name because two other gentlemen in the area have the same first and last names as mine. I don't think that it would be fair to them.

Thanks for posting and do join us for automobile discussions. We would be happy to have you.

Best,
Richard

driver100

imidazol: Why didn't they use duct tape? It's available in colors now...

Houdini: LOL. Is that a tv or a video camera?

Those are hilarious comments. I also liked the decorating like the box of old clothes in the corner....and the nicely made bed.

driver100

Most humans are yellow belly cowards and won't speak up when they witness wrong doing because they're afraid

Just to put in context, Richard said one sentence that you may or may not disagree with;

Last year, a teacher slammed her school and principal on Facebook

Whisleblowing when you have concrete facts is to be commended. Shooting from the hip and making claims that without any basis in fact is just foolish. If she did have facts, then she should present them to the appropriate people....but you don't make them on Face Book or Twitter.

How would you like someone slamming you....John Clark of Medina OH....and there are 8 of you listed on mylife.com

You are welcome to join us and to your opinions, but personally, I don't think it is smart to go blasting off at someone on a social web-site unless you first present the facts to the proper authorities first.

sterlingdog

Thank you, Mark. In relating the story, I didn't mean to upset any of our readers. As on Facebook, we have to remember that many people read our statements---even those who usually do not post here.

i did hear an interesting Facebook story on the car radio this morning. It seems that a young lady in Australia decided to use FB to invite her high school friends to her birthday party. She made an error in the posting which sent the invitation to the entire world. Within 24 hours, 20,000 people responded that they would be in attendance. Within four days, 200,000 people had accepted the invitation! Needless to say, the party is off now. The local police have been notified to patrol the area on the girl's birthday. Some people may still try to attend. You would certainly need a large birthday cake and plenty of ice cream to entertain such a crowd.

Richard

explorerx4

Richard (if that's your real name - winky emotorcon), it's probably just some social engineering for another website.

sterlingdog

Friends only---

That is an excellent suggestion. It certainly could save a person a lot of trouble. At times, i do get a few messages that are under "Between me and Richard". I don't mind answering those.

Richard

jmonroe

...since we have quite a few DIYers and home remodeling experts around here.

Ya know, when I first put that out there on FB I would never have dreamed that it would get so much circulation. Now I'm really glad we weren't in that bed.

jmonroe

sterlingdog

While I am not crazy about the decor, the rug has possibilities. With a good cleaning, and placed out in the open, it might be very presentable. As to what that is on the bed side table, i dare not venture a guess. Regarding the TV stand, we offer one point for creativity, one point for visibility---and deduct 98 points for interior design. :sick:

Richard

sterlingdog

LMAO!!! Only you!

Richard

driver100

Ya know, when I first put that out there on FB I would never have dreamed that it would get so much circulation.

Don't show it to your wife...she will want you to buy one, or even worse....make one.

Sandman6472

Ditto Snake, my thoughts exactly, but I've been saying that since day 1 when I came into Edmunds...this is truly my favorite site on the whole internet...bar none!! All I need now is an Edmunds key chain(I collect these folks...if anyone's interested) as I've already been sent a t shirt...an Edmunds cap would be truly sweet guys...wink wink!

Seriously, I come here 1st thing before even checking my e-mails I love it so much and really, is there any other automobile website that has a forum section like Edmunds?

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

sterlingdog

In this crazy world, you're probably right.

Richard

driver100

as I've already been sent a t shirt...

What! How did you score that?

How do we get ours?

sterlingdog

Really?! I've been paying dues and buying cars all of these years and have no t-shirt. I wish to appear at the next meeting of the board! :mad:

Richard

Sandman6472

I like what you've written about FB! Personally, I go there and have found many friends from college & both of the high schools I went to, so in that way, it's been a great thing to re-connect. But lately, I've cut back like almost 90% & don't really miss it at all! "The thrill is gone" if I may quote B B King...been there, done that!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

michaellno

as I've already been sent a t shirt...

What! How did you score that?

How do we get ours?

Not sure about sandman, but I've been offered shirts each time I respond to a request to talk to a reporter or writer about contributing to an automotive related article in the press.

I've been referenced twice - once in Business Week and another time in Parade - the insert you find in the Sunday paper.

fezo

jmonroe - if you could pull of that TV stand hand making the new dining room set should be a snap!

If you really want Richard's E-mail address that's a snap it's xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx I hope you ahve your setting right. Otherwise it will just appear as a bunch of xs.

Well, last night my daughter gets pulled over for a friendly "your headlight is out." Then they check the registration and realized it had expired without us noticing at the end of last September. No ticket but no car as well. They towed it away. Her boyfriend picked her up. Today I lost half a day of work getting things back in order. I'd sell the car to have a story but this is the famous 00 Accord that I bought when we got rid of the dreaded Windstall. It's got 211K+ on it - all ours. I'm kind of attached to it.

explorerx4

Guess what? I'm wrong. I should have just checked their profile, but I'm not going to 'creep' on them anymore.
When you look up stuff about someone, my kids call it 'creeping'.

explorerx4

Too bad you didn't keep the old Windstall. It's worth some money.
When I stopped by a dealer last weekend, they had 20+ lined up in the back of the lot. Ford is buying them back.

michaellno

Then they check the registration and realized it had expired without us noticing at the end of last September. No ticket but no car as well. They towed it away. Her boyfriend picked her up. Today I lost half a day of work getting things back in order.

How exactly does one allow the registration to lapse? Don't you get notices in the mail from the DMV?

I'm waiting for the new paperwork for the CX-7 to arrive so I can get the new registration and tags -- we're keeping the plates from the VUE as they are deemed 'special':

Sandman6472

Ditto for my kids but only the girls have friended me, as my boy is in "the need to know" position...he only let's us in on certain things in his life, he's a very private person & has been for years since he was small & we respect his wishes in that way. Though within the last few months, he's really begun to tell me some personal things since he knows that I'm very trustworthy & he finally respects my opinion...a wonderful thing for both of us!

My girls are much more open & they'll be real honest with me when they see fit, and especially on what I post in FB. If it crosses a certain line, they waste no time in telling me & what I should do at that point...and I do respect their opinions as the adults that they've all become. But I do hear ya when it comes to FB...don't post anything that you wouldn't tell others about or that's just too personal!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

driver100

I've been offered shirts each time I respond to a request to talk to a reporter or writer about contributing to an automotive related article in the press

You must get those requests from being on another topic at Edmunds. We don't get too many requests here, unless someone needs info about dishwashers, laundry soap, or furniture.

Next time someone needs information I am going to claim to be an expert even if I am not....or that I bought a car even if I didn't...I can use a nice new T-shirt.

Sandman6472

Yes, if you read many of the posts in this forum, you'll see that Richard is well respected in our community and is the "grammar director" with many stories to tell. He can be brutally honest but has a heart of gold and is always there with a positive attitude towards life. This forum would definitely not be the success that it is without Richard's presence...period! Plus, the rest of the guys are all top drawer folks with differing backgrounds but great sense of humor's to match that of Richard's.

So I'll 2nd the welcome that he gave you & please feel free to come & set a spell with the rest of us!

The Sandman :sick: :shades: aka Sandy Grossman from South Florida

fezo

Gee, I don't have a t-shirt either! I did get referred for an interview thing - but that was back in the days of the Clinton administration. Somewhere I have a cap.

How you you let the registration lapse?..... You live in a household of six people and somehow that one gets lost in the mail and the nice register on line only works if you have the PIN that the DMV prints on this renewal I never saw. Such is life. All is well now and they didn't write her for anything. I'm splitting the tow with her.

Sandman6472

Way cool man!!!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fezo

Sandy - good post. Those of us that have been around here a long time are quite amused at the Richard we have now vs. the one that first popped in. A wonderful lesson in admitting you were wrong. Classic stuff. Don't make me look up when that was.

Easy enough to look me up. Just hold your cursor over my user name and it will tell you Steve LaSala in Manahwkin, New Jersey. Not exactly hard to find.

Sandman6472

Sounds more "creepy" than "creeping"...lol! Like the term though, "creeping"...will ask my kids about it as I'm sure they already know the term.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Sandman6472

I've got a handicap plate on my car & a placard for when we go out in the wife's/kid's cars. The plate down here goes with the vehicle and I think I get a new plate like every 5 or so years. Really helps when I can barely walk, which unfortunately has been happening more & more often lately much to my unhappiness with the situation!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

houdini1

I knew President Obama used that teleprompter a lot, but I didn't know he would go that far !!!

Sandman6472

Now that would be a sweet thing to have...I find as my top gets thinner, I tend to wear a cap more often & with all the hot sun down here, I really need one sometimes. Funny story, but back in June of 2006, my boy graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. While at graduation weekend, we flew into a rainy, cold front and it stayed cold for the 1st couple of days...really nasty. So, on graduation day, it turns into the low '70's with real sunny weather. There, graduation is held outside & we didn't get seats under a tree. Didn't realize it until 2 1/2 hours later that my head & face felt very tight, as I am very fair skinned. Within 4 hours, I'm burned so badly it really hurts. After a few more days, my head & face start to peel big time. Man, I felt so stupid & being from South Florida, I shoulda known better...I got 2nd degree burns over my body back in '71 by using baby oil at the beach...talk about a stupid move...they had to call a doctor to come to the house...the worst few days of my life up till then the pain was so severe!

So now, I always keep a cap on the back ledge of my car just in case & don't travel without one packed in my backpack...EVER!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fezo

Gee, if your son did a summer at Phillips Exeter he could have had my brother for a science course. He teaches physics and astronomy at the U of Southern Maine and teaches at Exeter in the summer.

Sometime just past the age of 40 I discovered keeping one''s head covered. I was out playing golf and didn't have a hat on because I'd always had plenty of hair to keep mt head ok. Later on my scalp feel all weird in a not so comfortable way. Yep. Sunburn.

snakeweasel

Knowing me just dumb luck.

explorerx4

So why doesn't Exeter have the 2010 have the rowing results on their website? Yes, I do have personal interest in the lack of results.
I was there for the NERA's.

mako1a

all of these years and have no t-shirt

Richard, I got my second Edmunds t-shirt while you were busy
moving furniture so decided not to bother you.

It's hanging in my closet, new, unwashed, unworn. Size XL.
I would be glad to trade it for that Orient shirt you have.
Dave

604doc

Small world. My folks live about a mile down the street from the academy.

explorerx4

My kid rowed for a public school. so it was a big deal for us.

tallman1

Just hold your cursor over my user name and it will tell you Steve LaSala

And we all know how great a name Steve is. :shades: