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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Gray vs. grey and theatre vs. theater:

    Grey is usually the British spelling. It was "Americanized" here as gray. Feel free to use either. BTW, a person's name must be spelled the way that they want it spelled, regardless of the conventional spelling of the word itself.

    Theatre was the French spelling used in America for many years. It then gave way to theater. Feel free to use either.

    It's the same with the word "judgement" vs. "judgment", though I prefer the spelling that contains the "e".

    Richard
  • jsyodesjsyodes Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2011
    MG is now owned by a Chinese company, SAIC, and they are back making cars, it appears. They look quite a bit different from my 1976 MGB.

    link title

    Hope this link works.

    Steve
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I have seen 4 Bentleys and 2 Rolls Royces just walking around today."

    I wonder if they are cheaper on the other side of the pond because they are manufactured there.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    They certainly look different from my little yellow one back in the '70s. Wonder if they'll make a convertible?

    Richard
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Thanks for the link, Steve. I was rather expecting an updated version

    of the MGA, MGB, Bugeye Sprite (Austin Healey) or TR6 (Triumph).

    I'll go along with the first reader comment...
    "British + Chinese engineering? I'll pass."

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    In modern times in the US, the British spellings are often used to make something appear more upscale than it is. Something named a "Centre" seems fancier than a plain old Center.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Oh-oh, don't say that... Driver will be changing his name to Drivre now to go along with his upscale BMW. ;)
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    MG is now owned by a Chinese company, SAIC, and they are back making cars, it appears. They look quite a bit different from my 1976 MGB.

    The last MG's built by Rover were nothing more than rebadged Rovers.

    In 2006 SAIC had plans to open a plant in Oklahoma to build MG's but that pesky worldwide recession got in the way.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Oh-oh, don't say that... Driver will be changing his name to Drivre now to go along with his upscale BMW.

    You’re right, he must not be encouraged to misspell anything. He does a pretty good job of that without trying (of course he’ll blame that on being Canadian). Anyway, if you’re going to go “upscale”, you’ve got to go higher than BMW. :D

    jmonroe

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

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    If he does that, I suspect you'll be moving to a posh, French look by becoming jmonreaux.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    In that case, since I own an SRX, just pronounce my name Reshard. As my fellow posters have stated, please don't encourage Driver to use alternate spellings. I have let him by with murder the last couple of years. Every post has at least one painful moment. :P :sick: :shades:

    Richard (Reshard)
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    You make a good point.

    fezeaux
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    When drivre gets back he'll no doubt experience culture shock as he eases back into Ontario culture.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    If he does that, I suspect you'll be moving to a posh, French look by becoming jmonreaux.

    That has a nice ring to it and if I weren't afraid of my dues going up I'd go for it; sure beats 'drivre'. :shades:

    jmonroe

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    How to get a free pen.

    Definitely catch the video.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    No sir, don't like it.

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

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,510
    nyzcargey?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Definitely catch the video.

    The way I understood it he had a right to the pen. Then again my Czech ain't as good as my English. Maybe something got lost in the translation. :confuse:

    jmonreaux

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    He certainly won't have any room to make fun of where I live, will he? :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I tend to agree. Both men had pen boxes in front of them. I would assume that he had the right to put it in his pocket.

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    DANG !! If Ida knowed Ontario had gud' ol' boys like them...Ida muved thar years ago.......YEEEEHAAAA !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    LOL ! He very well might have had a right to the pen...but he sure thought he was stealing it !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    That's my thought, too. I have no doubt he had a right to it but he sure looks sneaky enough taking it - and he left the nice box!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...he left the nice box!"

    I noticed that as well. Poor guy. He should have just waited until the interview was completed to get his pen. Someone got his attention while he was admiring the pen. He made the wrong decision to put his hands into his lap and then put the pen in his pocket. I hardly think that he had theft of a pen on his mind. People can do some strange things in front of a camera.

    I saw his interview on climate change last year, and admired his position. He also spoke English very well. His poise and directness left me with the feeling that he is a genuine person---a rare find in political circles these days.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    This thread seems to be unusually quiet and slow as of late. Perhaps we have run out of idle topics for discussion, as we await some sales stories. Even our regular posters appear to have taken a leave of absence.

    My only sales story is the purchase of a dishwasher today. After much research, accompanied by final frustration, we purchased a Frigidaire. There were pros and cons for all brands. We bought this brand for three shabby reasons: (1) The appliance department head highly recommended it as his favorite. (2) We both grew up with Frigidaire appliances. (3) It was on sale. Nothing scientific about those reasons. It rated 3.8 out of a possible 5 for quietness and cleaning the dishes. The model did receive 5's on energy efficiency and water conservation. It is also tooted to have the largest flatware baskets of any dishwasher. We had planned to buy a Bosch, but several people told us that it doesn't dry the dishes well---uses a fan without heat. Who knows about appliances these days? You can have success or disaster with any of them. At least it is a done deal. i grew weary of Mrs. Richard complaining about the old one.

    Richard
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    Your old one probably suffered only from a hardened plastic diverter valve that affects the pressure to the sprayers and from needing a cleaning with CLR to remove mineral deposits. ;)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Oh, swell. Now we'll have to listen to a buyer's remorse story.... ;)

    We have a Frigidaire stove which we're quite happy with. It's only a few months old. If we wanted to keep the wrong name for appliances we should have a Hotpoint freezer....

    Speaking of inappropriately names I always thought some ofthe worst named ballplayers were Steve Swisher (or his son Nick) who are supposed to hit rather than swish and, of course the pitcher Bob Walk.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jwilliams2jwilliams2 Member Posts: 910
    It is also tooted to have the largest flatware baskets of any dishwasher.
    Hmmm, not sure I'd want a dishwasher that "tooted".
    :P
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Well, you have to admit that it's better than having one that "pooted". :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Typical of fair weather friends---they come around AFTER you need them. :P

    Richard
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,412
    well, I was at the kitchen/bath showroom yesterday, and may be buying home improvements soon, instead of a car.

    so, a new shopping topic.

    has anyone had experience with re-staining kitchen cabinets? the once we have are in pretty good shape, and reasonably good quality. they are just very dated looking (a washed/pickled oak finish that was popular in the early 90s), with an almost pink tinge.

    So, I had a painter in to give an estimate, and he said instead of painting they could just restain them (as long as it was going darker, which we would,, to cherry.)

    I am still waiting on the price quote, but if it is reasonable, I may do that instead of ripping it all out and doing from scratch. That way I can keep the solid surface counter top. and of course, a lot of money, that I can redirect into doing the master bath instead!

    but, I am just concerned about how the stain job will come out, and don't want to pay for that and end up replacing the cabinets soon after anyway.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...we'll have to listen to a buyer's remorse story..."

    No, no. I promise not to complain---until something goes wrong. :shades:

    Richard
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,510
    To a theater near you, "A Sales Story". Starring nyccarguy, mrs. nyccarguy, nyccarguy jr., & nyccarguy III.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    This is from your friend who has owned 14 houses: Have the painter to remove one cabinet door and stain it. If you don't like it, move on from there. I had a painter do that once. We didn't like the stain, so I told him to paint it and let us see how we liked it. We liked the paint job and proceeded. We also added new hardware to the cabinets. They looked great, updated the kitchen, and saved a ton of money. Like you, we're planning on doing the master bath. I'm dreading that prospect. I could be worng, but I have a figure of $30K in my mind. I'll let you know the estimates when I get brave enough to proceed.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thank goodness! I'll spring for the popcorn. When is the first showing?

    Richard
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,412
    thanks. he did say they would do a test in a place you would not see to make sure it was suitable. I have a powder room right around the corner with a matching vanity, so may do that first, since i was planning to paint that myself anyway!

    I would like putting new in, since we would like to change some cabinet guts around (and could get more usable space with a redesign), but I really don't want to pay the price!

    i do have a designer coming this week to look it over. she will draft a design and price it out, so that will give me a reference point for the other end of the spectrum.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Gee, we bought a new vacuum cleaner the other day. However, I didn't follow any of the recommendations when we were discussing those a few months ago. :) We bought an LG.

    Good luck with the new dishwasher!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    >they come around AFTER you need them.

    Didn't I send you an email about that. That's been a long while back. The problem is taking off the couple of layers of parts under the sprayer arm in the bottom of the dishwasher is not something most DIY folks are going to try to get to the little flexible plastic tab. :blush::)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Driver, with you popping up on occasion, sending out a quick message and disappearing. I feel like you are some kind of international mystery man

    Yes, I am the international man of mystery.. I am in Dublin and who know where I will pop up next. Dublin is really beautiful...widest main street in Europe...busy with mostly busses and taxis. The best thing is the hop on hop off bus...great way to see a city. Guiness factory was interesting to see, but the best so far is the prison. It isn't in use but they executed a lot of political rebels and convicts there. During the potatoe famine in 1845 - 50 some people went to prison just to have food and shelter. Built to hold 200 it sometimes held 9000. You could walk into the cells....seems strange but several people say it is the most interesting thing to see.

    I am going to try to catch up on reading - can only go on a few minutes when there is time...to maintain my new persona...international man of mystery.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I'm wondering if MG is still in business.

    There seems to be MG passenger cars...not sure if it is the original MG. Ford makes some nice smaller cars...and I have seen a few bmw X1s...which are just coming to North America. They look about the size of a 3 series, but look like an X3.

    The mystery deepens

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    4 Bentleys and 2 Rolls Royces just walking around today."
    I wonder if they are cheaper on the other side of the pond because they are manufactured there


    Just a guess, but i doubt it. Everything is taxed here heavily, all hidden taxes.
    I think there are just lots of wealthy international business people here. You sometimes see a Rolls Royce with a sheik guy getting out of it. Lots of luxury cars here.
    I don't think they sell to many Bentlys in the USA because it would be hard to find dealerships to maintain them, you would have to live in major cities.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I think the guy stole the pen in case it wasn't a freebie. I think they were complimentary, but just to be on the safe side he slipped it into his pocket. The lady stealing money from the cash box form us did it exactly the same way.

    I think the guy talking was actually saying in Polish, "Watch this thief on my right slip the pen from the box into his pocket...cheap B------".

    Don't buy a Bosch dishwasher...ours broke down a week after the warranty was up and it cost $300 to fix! Also, European models at that time...about 10 years ago...didn't mash food up too well, so you had to clean it out by hand once in awhile.

    Now, I am going back undercover until I pop up again. At least with things being so slow and no cars being bought or sold, I don't have too much to catch up on.

    Oh yes, and Le Drivaire Uno Cien would be a good name.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    My only sales story is the purchase of a dishwasher today.

    You gotta be kidding. Just last week we got a replacement for the Kenmore that we bought when we did the counter top and appliance replacement in January of 2010. We had a Kenmore and it worked fine until the display panel went wacky and no cycles could be selected. It was out of warranty by a couple months but I called the Sears service department to see what they would do about a free repair. I was essentially told to go pound sand.

    I decided to call the Sears store where we bought it and complain to the store manager. I couldn’t get to him so I was directed to the appliance department and was told to call back later in the afternoon when the manager, who is also the regional appliance manager for a few stores in the area, would be in. This sounded like a round around but I had no choice other than to call later in the day. When I called back this manager said he had no control over the service department/division and couldn’t make them do a courtesy repair which he felt should be done. I’m thinking ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’ then he says, “I want to take care of you because you’re a good customer”. We bought all of our appliances from Sears, different brands but all from Sears. He goes on to say, “come in and pick out a comparable value dishwasher and it would be delivered ASAP”. :surprise: That’s the way Sears used to do business and it’s good to know they still do, at least for me they did. The only down side to this is that I had to install it myself. I’m getting pretty good at this by now. This is the forth dishwasher I’ve installed in this house since 1998. The first GE had a recall that I put in about 2 years before the kitchen redo in January 2010 which was the third dishwasher in this house. :sick:

    FWIW, the replacement is a Samsung. Of course we had to add a few bucks to get what we felt (she wanted) would be an equal. This Samsung is even quieter than the Kenmore that I thought was pretty quiet itself and it washes at least as well. Mrs. j likes it and is getting used to it. So far so good which is fine with me because I don’t want to install another one. :cry: Although this last one only took about 45 minutes. Like I said, “I’m getting pretty damn good at this now”.

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I had a chance to check my own emails and \I found this very unusual offer from my BMW dealer. I thought it was different and quite clever, probably a comeon though:

    Dear Driver, ABC BMW' will make you an offer to trade your current vehicle for any new 2011 BMW or Certified Pre-Owned BMW. All current BMW incentives may be used in conjunction with this event. You qualify for all factory incentives including interest rates as low as 0.9% and cash incentives up to $10,000.00.

    Why take advantage of the Upgrade?

    You have been selected because your vehicle status makes us confident we can make this exchange with little or NO out-of-pocket expense and maintain a monthly payment at or below what you are paying now, for a new vehicle over a new term!
    CLICK HERE>>>>

    How does it work?

    ABC BMW' is offering above market value on trade-ins to fill an immediate need for vehicles for the BMW Certified Pre-owned vehicle program. As a past customer, we feel your vehicle may qualify.

    What do you think.....are they giving them away?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    replacement in January of 2010. We had a Kenmore and it worked fine until the display panel went wacky

    The dishwasher was just over a year old and they wouldn't look after it? There is no reason for that....they should allow a bit of leeway on an appliance that should last for 12 to 15 years.

    There was a report of Sears stoves and people couldn't turn them off. Burners would keep burning and make marks on the glass. Sears didn't think they were responsible because the stove was pat the warranty period. I felt confident with buying appliances at Sears, up until lately with problems like that. Hope this isn't their new way of doing business.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    edited April 2011
    >... he says, “I want to take care of you because you’re a good customer”. We bought all of our appliances from Sears, different brands but all from Sears. He goes on to say, “come in and pick out a comparable value dishwasher and it would be delivered ASAP”.

    WOW. That is the way the Sears used to be for regular customers.

    I wonder if the Kenmore washer was made by Whirlpool.

    My last experiences with their auto department has me never setting foot into the stores. I did buy a vacuum through their online ordering because it was much cheaper than buying in the store. I was searching online pricing for the model and one of the listings was Sears. I was surprised they were competitive online.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    potatoe famine

    So he's not only Canadian but a Republican to boot!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    There was a report of Sears stoves and people couldn't turn them off. Burners would keep burning and make marks on the glass. Sears didn't think they were responsible because the stove was pat the warranty period. I felt confident with buying appliances at Sears, up until lately with problems like that. Hope this isn't their new way of doing business.

    For me it wasn't "their new way of doing business". Sears stood behind their faulty Kenmore dishwasher and while the sales people couldn’t make the repair people repair a just-out-of-warranty-dishwasher at no charge to me, they did the next best thing by replacing it. Dollar for dollar, without a charge.

    When we bought our second house in 1989 we had a Kenmore range display panel act up (again, just out of warranty) and when I talked to the local Sears service department they said, “talk to your salesman. We can’t do a free repair on our own”. The salesman had the service people do a free repair. The sales people must have had that kind of power back then and I never forgot that. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to buy the full complement of appliances from Sears when we redid the kitchen in January 2010.

    I know I got lucky both times…but I’ll take it.

    jmonroe

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

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    I was searching online pricing for the model and one of the listings was Sears. I was surprised they were competitive online.

    Me too. The vacuum that we just bought was about $140 cheaper at Amazon than Sears. It always pays to check around because you never know when Sears might surprise you. I got a killer deal on a microwave a few years ago.

    We also have a Sears Outlet store about 9 miles away. Big savings there.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Must be kin to Dan Quayle? :D

    Richard
This discussion has been closed.