Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

I keep saying that this boy has talent. They should have allowed him to write the article and sent him a check for $500---going rate for beginners. Wake up Edmunds. You've got some new blood here. Hire the guy.

Richard

sterlingdog

Not until they return the money that I lost. :P

Richard

driver100

, when I ride I assume that I'm invisible to other traffic- and that anyone who can see me will definitely try to kill me.

That is extremely wise. What scares me the most is the unknown. The guy who tries passing going in the other direction, the guy who pulls out of a driveway, the guy who turns left right in front of you etc.

Being a defensive driver is probably 80% ok, it is that unknown that I don't like. That is why I sold my little sailboat, a wind can come up and just tip you over....which isn't too bad, you can get it back again. But , if you get tangled up it could be not very good for you....it happened to me, and it wasn't too bad, but it could have been.

driver100

"...so I bought the stuff."
You're such a baby seal!

I was once told the easiest person to sell to is a salesperson. The reason is because they are sympathetic to the poor sales guy who is working so hard to make a sale.

In my case, there is a lot of truth in that bit of advice. I can keep from buying, but I really appreciate a great sales pitch....and this kid was good.

driver100

e you would have to re learn about everything you knew about riding a bike, starting with no leaning into corners, etc.
Does the rear wheel do the steering?

I do kinow the front wheels are used for steering. The one I saw sounded very powerful...they aren't as wimpy as they look.

The guy was filling up with gas. He asked his kid if he wanted to keep riding. The kid said "No", I guess he had had enough.

Yes, I don't think you lean into corners....and generally I don't think you would ride it in that way. I haven't seen them going very fast, just in slower traffic.

explorerx4

When the Sales Manager said 'Don't do anything to that car, put it on the line now', he wasn't kidding.
they left the college stickers on it

snakeweasel

I have seen those Can Am's too, there are two dealers not to far from me. Occasionally you see them on "The Price is Right". They do look like fun.

28firefighter

Quite a compliment to you! I have a sneaking suspicion my bimmer will be wholesaled. At least, I hope so.

snakeweasel

The Volvo guy should have never allowed her to do this---regardless of her rants or pleas.

I would have allowed her to, but then I would have just driven the Volvo back to the dealership and let her walk back. But thats just me.

sterlingdog

Excellent idea!

Richard

sterlingdog

"...and this kid was good."

Believe me, I know. In our years in education, we bought cookies, bar-b-q plates, doughnuts, banners, pens, pins, Christmas cards, calendars, t-shirts, raffle tickets, cakes, pies, candy bars, baseball caps, yard flags, car washes, Avon products, Amway products, magazines, books, toys---anything to keep the children and parents happy. If we had all of that money back, I could buy a new BMW. :P

Richard

explorerx4

I'm thinking that was some kind of set up by the other salesperson and his girlfriend.

imidazol97

If we had all of that money back, I could buy a new BMW.

But those things were all made in the USA: BMW isn't.

explorerx4

So, are you going to add Sat radio?
Do the rear seats fold down? It looks like it, but I didn't see any pictures with them folded.
The 5 year safe and secure package sounds great as long as you don't mile up the car.
Hopefully, it's not a Red Sox edition model.

fezo

He could buy one of those South Carolina ones....

sterlingdog

LOL! Good point!

Richard

28firefighter

Part of the deal was they were adding the volvo OEM module. That was why I couldn't take it that day.

The rear seats fold flat, just two quick handles, one for each side in the hatch.

In terms of mileage, I only drive about 10k miles a year, so I will have it for the full 5 years.

sterlingdog

I could NEVER do that. Why do you think that North and South Carolina are divided? :P

Richard

explorerx4

It isn't like you to compromise, so it makes sense that you are getting the SAT radio installed.
If you need a car seat, you can fold down one seat and still have plenty of room for all the 'stuff' AND the car seat.
Just wanted to be sure, as I couldn't find any pictures showing that.

fezo

Good point. Silly me. What WAS I thinking?

I always have to remember - North Carolina - good. South Carolina - bad....

Meanwhile, in the that was fast department - NJ Gov. Christie reimburses state for helicopter flights.

"A list released by Christie's office on Thursday did not detail why a helicopter was needed, or where the governor flew to or from.

The most common use was for trips to New York City on nine occasions. When he goes to New York by car, it can be disruptive because the Lincoln Tunnel is shut down for the governor."

Well, sure. There's no room fopr anyone else when he's in there....

28firefighter

My fiancee and I dated distance for the first half of our relationship, so I spent virtually every weekend making the 183 mile one-way trip to Columbus, OH. I have had satellite radio ever since, and I do enough long drives even now that it makes sense.

I took a page out of jmonroe's book and negotiated for a full year of service for $90 a while back. They haven't made me give it up yet! I would get the lifetime, but they get testy about what receivers you can transfer it to and how many times.

If I could not get everything I wanted as part of this deal, I would not have done it. There was no reason to compromise because I didn't NEED a new car. Sometimes I think I am too logical.

tallman1

Nice article. Especially interesting because my wife was just in Stamford last week. Long flight from our side of the country.

On a car related note, her rental was a Camaro and she hated it. She said that she felt very cramped and that she had to duck her head down to see stop lights. She's only 5'4" so she isn't used to that. I said, "Welcome to my world."

She hated the high "beltline" and said that she couldn't see a thing when backing up. But I'm sure she looked great in it... it was a red convertible.

driver100

There was no reason to compromise because I didn't NEED a new car. Sometimes I think I am too logical

LOL I know what you mean. I have bought cars and then worried whether I did the right thing after. I would have thoughts of what if I can't keep up with payments, what if I lose my job, etc., but in the end I am happy that I bought every car.

I ended up driving a good reliable car and I think overall I was much better off driving newer more reliable cars.

driver100

Avon products, Amway products, magazines, books, toys---anything to keep the children and parents happy. If we had all of that money back, I could buy a new BMW.

A little while ago I got a telephone call. The caller sounded like a teen ager with a really cute voice....she was selling some credit card from a bank I don't deal with and the last thing I need is another credit card.

After about 10 minutes I said, well after I get the card what if I don't want it any more? She said, "Well, don't worry, if you are poor and lose all your money and have to live in a cardboard box or something you can just cancel your card". She broke me up so after I gave her a bunch of information (nothing secret of course), she said she would mail me the forms.

After all that I get a letter from the bank, they think I have enough cards and a big enough line of credit that they refused me the card.

I was just trying to help the kid!!!!!

robr2

The most common use was for trips to New York City on nine occasions. When he goes to New York by car, it can be disruptive because the Lincoln Tunnel is shut down for the governor.

He's just a governor - why would they shut down the Lincoln Tunnel?? Couldn't he take a ferry instead?

He's used helicopters to tour flood zones, to get to four far-flung town hall meetings, to two funerals and two hospital visits with law enforcement officers.

These I could see the use of the chopper.

verdugo

Interesting article and I was amazed at these numbers:

I was amazed at this number:
As a result, the Prius, made in Japan, is now selling at a $5,000 premium, according to the Kelley Blue Book.

How stupid can people be? I think it's great for the salesmen though.

verdugo

4 wasted hours. Ambushed!

How selfish of hers! You should've had cameras around. You could've made a fortune with a reality tv show.

verdugo

After about 10 minutes I said, well after I get the card what if I don't want it any more? She said, "Well, don't worry, if you are poor and lose all your money and have to live in a cardboard box or something you can just cancel your card". She broke me up so after I gave her a bunch of information (nothing secret of course), she said she would mail me the forms.

I would NEVER, EVER give any personal information (secret or not) to any salesman cold calling over the phone. NEVER, EVER!

You're too trusting driver.

tcp2

I had a look at some similar bikes (trikes?) recently while in Paris. They are very popular in Europe. The front end articulates on a single pivot point and they do lean in the corners. Probably not to sportbike angles but enough to turn the average corner with 4wheeled traffic at a proper lean angle. The two front wheels have individual single sided suspension(like a strut) and there is enough equalizing force to maintain an upright position when stopped at a light.

I crawled around the front end of one of them parked on a Paris street. People probably though I was nuts, but I really had to know the details of that front end.

kyfdx

They are made by BRP... I think that's the same company that makes Sea Doos...

I see them all the time.... mostly for the mid-life crisis guy that doesn't want to commit to the bike thing...

driver100

You're too trusting driver.

I would normally agree, but I will say the call display and the call made it certain that I knew it was that particular bank. I didn't give them any information that could help them get into my accounts. All figures were in round numbers and no accounts given.

But, I don't think I would do it again. Although we have a no call list here and we don't get too many calls any more, we get bombarded with calls from companies that we have dealt with and now there are people hawking stuff at the gas station and the grocery store and I am getting very tired of it. So, for that reason I am going to say "no" unless it is something I really need and it is done in a very non-offensive manner.

Two very nice kids came to the door about a year ago asking for money for a subscription to something we get any way and I it would raise money for the school. I gave them a check for $15 in case they weren't legit. We never got the newspaper but they didn't cash the cheque either. I don't know what that was about.

Then an artist came to the door selling paintings he does. What are the chances you are going to want or need one of his paintings? Then there's the driveway guys and the weed people. Leave me a flyer or mail me something and I'll decide, I don't phone or come to my door any more.

driver100

The two front wheels have individual single sided suspension(like a strut) and there is enough equalizing force to maintain an upright position

Thanks for the info tcp (do you work for Shell?). I saw quite a few in Florida, seems to be for the over 60 crowd though down there.

Not suitable for Hell's Angels guys yet...maybe when they're over 60>

driver100

I see them all the time.... mostly for the mid-life crisis guy that doesn't want to commit to the bike thing...

Yes, I just read your comments after I said over 60s. As you approach 60 you can see how precarious life is and you have enough physical problems to deal with, without injuries from a motorcycle.

I think it is probably a good idea for senior citizens.

fezo

He's just a governor - why would they shut down the Lincoln Tunnel?? Couldn't he take a ferry instead?

Nah. It would sink.

tallman1

Leave me a flyer or mail me something and I'll decide

I read something many years ago that helped me with the phone and could be applied to the door. Thank goodness the Do Not Call List has eliminated the calls so I don't have to use the method now.

When someone would call, I'd simply say, "My wife and I have an agreement that we won't buy anything (or donate) over the phone." There wasn't much they could say after that. On the rare occasions when someone got pushy, I'd just repeat the line. I always tried to be polite though.

fezo

My politeness has limits. If I say no thanks and they keep talking I hang up. I tried being nice but most of them never vary from their script which doesn't have, "OK, thanks for your time" in it.

I used to say things like "you sound like a nice young person. You can't possibly enjoy such an annoying job,"..... and kindly try to convince them to find honest work. That usually got them to hang up.

driver100

I'd simply say, "My wife and I have an agreement that we won't buy anything (or donate) over the phone."

I have said that to people who come to the door. We don't donate and we don't buy anything at the door. If they want to mail or leave a flyer we will get back to you.

I did this about a weekago, they were collecting for wheelchairs for handicap people. She quickly took out a flyer and left it. I looked it up and it was a legit charity so we mailed $10 cash...we didn't want to send a cheque or do it online because then we would be on the sucker list.

driver100

"you sound like a nice young person. You can't possibly enjoy such an annoying job,".

I feel too sory for people who have to take those jobs. I usually say it sounds like a great product but it doesn't suit our needs. That usually confuses them and I can hang up before they have a comeback line.

If people are passing out literature on the street I say,"No thanks, I can't read". By the time they figure it out I am way past them.

snakeweasel

What we did is we got another cell phone, its a cheap prepaid one that costs us about 5 or 6 bucks a month to use. We use it as a back up phone in case we forget our phone at home (we usually keep it in the car) and we use it in case we have to give our number out for a one time deal thing and we don't want repeated calls from it.

Sales related part of this: we gave that number to the salesman when we bought our last car. Yes we wanted to have him be able to contact us after the car purchase just in case, but didn't want to have them able to contact us months afterwards for any promotional stuff.

snakeweasel

I looked it up and it was a legit charity so we mailed $10 cash

Never send cash, to great a chance of it not making it to the charity. I have worked for to many places that deal with cash to know that at least some of the cash never makes it into the organizations bank. If you don't want to use a personal check send a cashiers check or a money order.

sterlingdog

You're sitting on a gold mine and don't know it. Just call Driver, mail him a request, or kinock on his door. You'll end up with money every time. :P

Richard

fezo

This works! I'm going to need cab fare to his house first....

sterlingdog

He'll probably come and pick you up. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

Though we are on the no-call list, we also have Caller ID. If we don't recognize a number, we don't answer the telephone. In fact, we don't always answer the numbers that we do know. :P

Richard

fezo

No wonder I haven't been able to get you on the phone!

So, how far away are you from Boone, NC? Another one of my poking around to see areas. I love being up in woody hills...

gogiboy

"I would normally agree, but I will say the call display and the call made it certain that I knew it was that particular bank."

Driver--

Are you aware that there are quite a few low-lifes who now use a technology called "Caller ID Spoofing"? Your caller ID will show what appears to be a known and/or legitimate name/number, but is actually generated by another (fraudulent) individual or enterprise. The scam does not require particularly sophisticated equipment or skills and is in wide enough use that it is given a page on websites like Wikipedia.

So, tread carefully!

Gogiboy

isellhondas

When I was a kid, we loved to get even with people that gave us a hard time.

Nothing like going through the Yellow Pages on a boring summer day.

We would send taxis, pizza deliverys, plumbers, applicance repair shops, tow truicks...you name it!

Caller ID now would stop all of that fun!

driver100

Though we are on the no-call list, we also have Caller ID. If we don't recognize a number, we don't answer the telephone.

I try to do the same but for one thing I am curious. For another thing, it can be someone you do know, but they might be using a calling card, or people you know calling you from another phone, or some cell phones don't register a name, and people with an unlisted phone number probably won't show up on caller I.D.

Some numbers I do know who it is and I don't answer, but they'll call every night until you answer. I would rather just tell them I am not interested and end it.

I'd rather answer it and then tell them I am not interested or it doesn't suit me. What if it was a free trip or Readers Digest?

driver100

This works! I'm going to need cab fare to his house first....

Would you prefer me to send a limo to pick you up? :P

driver100

quite a few low-lifes who now use a technology called "Caller ID Spoofing"?

I wasn't aware of that and I will be more careful. I have seen and heard of people copying credit cards, and they use cameras to observe people using their "secret" PIN numbers.

In this case the young girl said things which made me pretty certain she was calling for the bank, but, you are right, if they catch you with your guard down it could be a financial nightmare...so, I shall be more vigilant in the future.
The warning is much appreciated.