Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,250
    "...Every station pumps your gas at no extra charge..."

    As Isell would say: "You paid for it". Just think what the price would be if they let you pump your own. Here in NY where it is all self-service I know of two stations where they have separate full-service islands. The cost is 10 cents a gallon more.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    It also sounds like a good model for cutting down on overhead (lots, stock carrying costs).

    That's a big advantage...you don't have to keep too mkany cars on your lot...not too much money tied up.

    I had a business course once and one guy became very successful in selling used cars. The first time he got into the business he bought a few cars and put them on a lot, and waited, and waited, and waited.....none sold.

    Then he became a kind of broker....go to him, tell him what car you are looking for. He finds it for you, then he gives it a full inspection, any repairs work is done, and a full warranty. His business did really well and he was making a good income...very low overhead.

    He said, once a buyer said, I'll buy the car but knock off another $1000. He said, sure I can do that for you.....what do you not want us not to do, a full inspection, all repairs made or give up the warranty...your choice!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,047
    Actually, NJ has some of the lowest gas prices around. We are always lower than just over the bridge in PA. Local Wawa was 3.77 this morning.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,250
    "...A couple of times we hired a slimebag..."

    Speaking of which I was reading another car forum where a car buyer was complaining because the dealer had sold him a car with a badly rusted frame in which big holes had been filled with bondo and then painted over to conceal the damage. A few miles down the road the bondo began to shake loose and drop off onto the pavement. He said his frame looked like swiss cheese.

    Another was complaining that he was sold a car with no catalytic converter and when he refused to make payments until it was made legal the BHPH joint repo'ed the car in the middle of the night. They refused to let him take his plates or personal belongings off the vehicle so he can't even cancel the insurance on a car he no longer owns.

    Now to me, THOSE are slimebags, not some salesman trying to make a living.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    No, people who do things like that are not only slimebags but crooks too.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,368
    That's true. a lot of forums died because of heavy handed hosts that kept things in line with a choke chain until the "regulars" lost interest.

    Agreed.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    t least you don't leave the front door to your house standing open. That's what my neighbors do.

    Actually, I live in the woods so the front door can't really be seen from the street. It's a long driveway but the garage door is still visible.... and it is an attached garage so it leads into the house. :surprise:
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    The funny thing with gas in NJ is that every time someone floats the idea of letting self serve exist people come out of the woodwork claiming it would make the price go up because other states have self serve and gas costs more there. :sick:

    The oil companies all want self serve in but it ain't happening.

    To me the points raised against it are easily dealt with. They bring up outrageous difference in cost for full service. So write it into the law that they can't charge more than 5 cents (or pick your number) for full serve. Oh, what about granny who can't pump gas? Well, write it into the law that if you are 60 or older or disabled (example) they have to give you full serve for the price of self serve. Easy to do but it will never happen.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,467
    you still need an attendent. he just sits in the booth instead of running out to the pumps.

    most of the stations here are 'family owned" anyway, so no real extra cost for a few more guys out there!

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

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    New Jersey gas stations are run by some scary looking dudes.

    I pulled in and was looking at the GPS when this guy taps my

    gas door. I thought it was a terrorist looking at him in the mirror.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Still need an attendant? Well, if you are going to do the exceptions like I popped in you would but loads of gas station run with no one there at all - just pull up, zip the credit card, fill and be gone.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    It can haoppen easily....mixing up breast cancer and postrate cancer. Did they have sex education classes in school when you went to school?

    Sure did. Those were the best 20 years of my life. I purposely failed a few of those classes just to do the repeat to make sure I didn’t miss anything. A couple more than twice. :blush:

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Actually, I live in the woods

    Are you sure you're not in Deliverance country...da na na na na na na.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    If this is correct, than a lot more Americans go to Florida than Canadians or any one. I'm not sure how accurate it is though, because they claim Florida has 80 million visitors each year, most sites say 40 million. They say 2.6 million Canadians go and others say 3.1 million. But they say a whopping 71.2 million Americans visit Florida.

    Still, some interesting statistics:
    Q. How many visitors came to Florida last year? In 2009, estimates show Florida received 80.9 million visitors (not including residents). This was a 0.1% decrease from 2008. For current figures, please check the VISIT FLORIDA media web page at http://media.visitflorida.org/

    Q. Do most visitors come to Florida by car or plane? The air/non-air split for all visitors in 2009 was 51.3% by air and 48.7% by non-air means.

    Q. How many cruise passengers come through Florida? Between October 2008 and September 2009, a total of 12.9 million people took cruises out of one of the seven seaports in Florida.

    Q. How many international visitors come to Florida? In 2009, 9.6 million visitors came to Florida from Canadian and overseas markets. Overseas travel to Florida decreased 1.3% in 2009 from 2008 levels and accounted for 8.6% of total visitors to the state. Canadian visitation decreased 7.9% over 2008 and accounted for 3.3% of total visitors to the state.

    Q. How many domestic visitors choose Florida as a destination? Final domestic travel to Florida was up 0.3% in 2009 at 71.2 million people. Domestic visitors represented 88.1% of the total visitors to the state.

    Q. What states do domestic visitors to Florida come from? The top origin states for domestic visitors to Florida in 2009 were Georgia (11.4%), New York (9.4%), and Illinois (5.7%).

    Q. What countries do international travelers to Florida come from? The top origin countries to Florida in 2009 were Canada (2.6 million), the United Kingdom (1.2 million), Brazil (712,000), and Venezuela (401,000).

    VISIT FLORIDA

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,467
    If you don't have a person there, who is going to hold Driver's wife hostage to make sure he pays?

    I have never seen an unattended station. There is always someone there, even if just manning the mini mart counter! and to take money from people that can't pay at the pump.

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

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    There are many unmanned stations in Europe. Problem is you have to have a card with a chip or a pin number to use them.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    We have one here. It requires a debit card with a pin number. There is actually a building on the lot, but it is empty---used to be a regular gas station.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I hear a creeking noise coming from my steering column on the Sebring convertible. I use the word "creeking" as in an old house creeking or an old floor creeking. It's not loud now, but my wife said that it was loud for a while when she drove it to Raleigh one day last week. i wonder what it is? Any thoughts? (Naturally, the warranty ran out last month :sick: .)
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    The attendant-less places I saw were down south - either Virginia or North Carolina. There was a little place for an attendant and he was there during the day but at night you could just use a credit card with no actual human contact.

    Not my way of doing business but it did work.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Sorry Richard, can't help you with that as I am not experiencing that issue. Car is going great.

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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    It could be your elbows. Getting old is tough! :P
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Are you sure you're not in Deliverance country

    Your visits to Florida would get you a lot closer to Deliverance Country than my house in the Pacific Northwest. Besides, I'm not THAT isolated... I do have neighbors. ;)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Besides, I'm not THAT isolated... I do have neighbors.

    and how are Ma and Pa Kettle doing?

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,250
    "...Any thoughts..."

    I had that problem with my Chrysler Cirrus (Sebring cousin). Took it to the shop and the guy said: "It was the floor mat pushed up and rubbing on the steering column". I thought he was nuts until he pulled out the mat and showed me where the column had worn a groove into the rubber backing of the mat. He could have taken me for some expensive repair but treated me right.

    Pull the mat back and I bet the creaking sound stops.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Pull the mat back and I bet the creaking sound stops.

    Either that or have your elbows scoped out....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,776
    She has an 8 year old Malibu, Mileage is low, but it has issues.
    Engine has a leak, not sure if coolant is getting into the oil or oil is getting into the coolant.
    Also, every part of the car has a dent or noticeable scratch.
    Dealer repair estimate is $1100(comment on estimate - could be lower).
    From my research, the estimate is not out of line with the repair.
    I do have her convinced to buy a smaller vehicle.
    After looking through many dealer inventories, I might have hit on something.
    A fairly local dealer has about 1/2 a dozen 2010 Hyundai Elantra's still available.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    It requires a debit card with a pin number. There is actually a building on the lot, but it is empty

    I am pretty sure that would not be allowed here. Where there is gasoline and people who have cigarettes or could overfill there tanks, or many other problems I think the gas station would have to have someone there to watch.

    Besides, how do you hold up one of those stations?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    i wonder what it is? Any thoughts? (Naturally, the warranty ran out last month

    Hope it isn't the Dodge Death Wobble.

    I know my 4 year bumper to bumper warranty isn't free.....but it would be nice if you had one on the Sebring.

    How do the manufacturers know how to make the car hold together until the warranty is up. We had a power window (passenger front door) that went one month after the 5 year warranty was up....$450 later.......

    Hope it is just the floor mat.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    There was a little place for an attendant and he was there during the day

    Wouldn't mind that job. I could just sit in there and read my book. :)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    A fairly local dealer has about 1/2 a dozen 2010 Hyundai Elantra's still available.

    If your Mom liked her Malibu she might like a Chevy Cruze. Even up here they start at $16k with auto and air....and not bad looking either.
    image

    Another car that looks pretty good is coming soon, 2012 Buick Verano...built on the Cruze platform.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,776
    A Cruze is not out of the question, but all except the base model have a turbo engine.
    The small Buick would be nice, but she wants one now.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "It could be your elbows. Getting old is tough!"

    I know that Fezo told you to say that. It sounds just like him. You know what they say: If you can't say something nice (or constructive)..." :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Either that or have your elbows scoped out..."

    Quit training Isell. One King of Smarta$$es is enough. :D

    Richard
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,776
    Searching the internet can be your friend.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks for trying to help, but it's not the mat. I checked. I'm going to drive it some more and see if I can better locate the source. I haven't driven it much lately as I've been using the SRX---so much more comfortable and easier to enter and exit. I started using the SRX when I got the shingles.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    In post 68020, I did not spell the word "creaking" correctly. Sorry about that one.

    Richard
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Oh, I thought you were using the canadian spelling.

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,776
    That changes everything. We thought the sound was like a 'babbling brook'. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thank you so much!. I keyed in "creaking noise in a car" and a wealth of information appeared. It could be struts (most expensive item at $300-$500 per pair), bushings, joints, booties, power steering fluid, etc. I'll have to be careful not to get ripped off by the dealership. I'll casually ask them to check the power steering fluid first. Then i may say something like, "Let's check those bushings while I'm here." If I begin with the complaint about the creaking noise, they'll just tell me that the struts are bad. If they are, I want that to be the last one on my list. I wouldn't think that the struts would be bad in a three year old car.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Driver won't let me use that excuse, just because I live a ferw miles south of the border. :cry: :mad:

    Richard
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,687
    This time the phone call wasn't an automated selling call where you get connected to an agent speaking a language barely understandable to me as English. It was a call from a nationally known polling company.

    They asked about the economy, Oprah, and Arnold. Very tightly designed questions. Very clearly done in the way it sought answers and views. A few demographic questions to establish political leanings, income, sex, age, and whether I post on Edmunds or not... :shades:

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    LOL!! I love that one!

    Richard
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,047
    fairly local dealer has about 1/2 a dozen 2010 Hyundai Elantra's still available

    My GF has an 08 Elantra. Good little car. Just about ready to turn 3 and no problems other than the CD player is flaky and its the 3rd one.

    The only thing I would suggest is to get the upgraded alloy wheels. The portions of the steel wheel exposed behind the hubcap is already starting to show a little rust. Pretty soon, I'll have to sand each one down and hit it with some flat black paint.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,368
    I suspect the noise is caused by an airbag connector in the steering column known as a "clock spring". My 1999 Wrangler has a similar creaking noise that varies in intensity but I've been too lazy to fix it.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I had a 2000 Elantra wagon. ran it up to about 175K miles with no real issues.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    edited May 2011
    A Cruze is not out of the question, but all except the base model have a turbo engine.

    She might get to like the turbo......I really like turbos, economical but lots of power when you really need it. Never too late to become a hot rodder.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Seems your not alone...most call it a clicking noise coming from the steering. Here are two people with the same problem;
    Topix.com

    Aug 14, 2007 i have a 2001 sebring 140000km
    the problem is the steering.
    every turn it makes this scratching and sort of like metal to metal sound. i have taken it to 3 different mechanics including chrysler dealer but just couldnt find the problem.
    MJdadofJAA
    Southfield, MI

    |#2
    Mar 17, 2008 Have the same noise and no resolution on 2001 Sebring with 110K. Any suggestions?

    Then there is this post on Edmunds. I'll print it all because it seems to be a hard problem to find. You are probably right not to take it in and let them start replacing parts. This one was in the Chrysler Sebring posts, in Edmunds:
    Chrysler Sebring Forum Edmunds

    #8 of 721 2001 Chrysler Sebring sedan problems by dianall Aug 28, 2002 (10:11 am)
    I bought a brand new (leftover) 2001 Chrysler Sebring in Nov. 2001. It was a quiet ride...for about 2000 miles. Dealt with a rattle under the middle of the car which was remedied after 2 visits by tightening exhaust. Around 4500 miles noticed a loud creaking noise in the front end when turning. Have been back five times since. So far the Five Star Chrysler Dealer service dept has replaced the control arms on the left side, the stabilizer links on both sides, and lubed an area on the tire rod which "should" have been factory lubed. In between all that I was told those noises are normal. Within the last two weeks I took it to 2 independent service technicians. They feel it is in the struts. Chrysler said they cannot authorize repair
    because they cannot hear the noise. Also, the warmer the weather, the less sound is heard. Pulling out of my garage in the morning it sounds like an old rocking chair for several miles. I will be leaving my car for them to drive "cold" again. There is currently 8000 miles on it. In addition to the creaking noise in the front end, I notice a clicking noise from the steering column, and a shift in the seat on quick acceleration/stops which I am told is normal for these vehicles. The garage did replace what they said was a defective bolt in the seat, it is only a little better. This is my 4th new Chrsler product and I am greatly disappointed. I never returned to the garage with the others.
    Anyone else having problems with their 2001 Sebring sedan?

    I hate it when it is a minor problem but you know it will cost a lot to correct the problem. :cry:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    To be fair here those complaint were for the second generation Sebring, Richard has a third generation Sebring.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    edited May 2011
    To be fair here those complaint were for the second generation Sebring, Richard has a third generation Sebring.

    Maybe the steering gear is the same though :sick:

    Also, I am not running down a Sebring. Any car can have similar problems (though Chrysler does seem to have a pretty big share of them (see Chrysler Death Wobble) but I was trying to show this seems to be a common problem, and what is very frustrating is the manufacturer doesn't really care.

    In the next post I will relate my experience with Proctor and Gamble for those who care.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Thanks for trying to help, but it's not the mat. I checked.

    Well, it looks like you’re going to have to go with the old standby fix for creaking/squeaks…use the volume knob on the radio. :surprise:

    Sorry I can’t suggest anything here other than to look closely at the steering column for lose items. Whatever you do, stay away from ALL cables and electrical connectors. :sick:

    jmonroe

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

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