Stories from the Sales Frontlines

oldfarmer50

"...I don't get much enjoyment from driving a bus, unless I am getting paid for it..."

There's not much enjoyment even when you ARE getting paid for it, believe me. :sick:

oldfarmer50

"...If I were the service manager and found out my employee pocketed $20..."

You have to remember that nyccarguy is from the New York City area. In NYC you "tip" for everything from a resturant seat to a parking space. If you don't, you'll have a very long wait. Local custom.

You should see the NYC crowd when they come up to Saratoga Raceway in the summer. A $200 tip for a good seat in the clubhouse is nothing. A few years ago the martre' d in the clubhouse was fired when it was learned that he had soliticed $100,000 in tips during the 40 day season.

In NYC a free loaner for $20 would be considered a steal.

nyccarguy

Too bad you're not a BMWCCA member. Aside from the fantastic monthly magazine ROUNDEL, as long as you're a member for 1 consecutive year, you could have received an additional $500 rebate from BMW of North America.

What color combo are you getting?

robr2

You have to remember that nyccarguy is from the New York City area. In NYC you "tip" for everything from a resturant seat to a parking space. If you don't, you'll have a very long wait. Local custom.

Oh I know - I'm in Boston. It works the same way here. But should service advisor even get tipped? After all, he should be doing special things in order to get a better CSI. I know the 2 dealers I frequent "take care of me" and they do it solely for a perfect score. They get me in fast, offer me discounts and loaners, fix little things for free - all without a tip. They'd rather get the perfect CSI and perhaps earn an extra thousand bucks that month from the factory.

nyccarguy - would you allow one of your counter people to pocket a $20 tip from a customer in exchange for a better discount or free product which is what the loaner car was?

explorerx4

My recent college grad has been posting their resume to a million places in hopes of starting their career.
Starting next week, a couple of part time jobs have opened up(just something to make some money).
Today they get a response for an interview. The contract is for someone to drive a certain brand of vehicle and present it at scheduled events and to record data about it's actual performance for several months.
The brand has been mentioned a lot on this thread lately.
Not saying another word about it, just saying keeping my fingers crossed.

nyccarguy

To me the loaner car is a service that is offered by the dealership at no extra cost. I didn't buy the car where I service it. When I bring the car in for service, I WANT (not need) a loaner car.

I know exactly which customers tip my driver & my other employees. My Employees bring stuff out & load it into customer's trunks/pickup beds. My driver has keys to some buildings and will leave material in the basement or bring things up to the apartment.

That being said, I do understand where you are coming from.

I've got oldfarmer in my corner! YEAAAAAAAH! Thanks for sticking up for me bro.

fezo

Ah, I was thinking of trading in the Cabriolet for a Kia Sedona...thought I would become more practical.

Actually, if Richard had done that instead of buying the SRX it would make Fenzo much happier.

Fenzo? :confuse:

I never complain about Richard's choices since we've reached our, um, agreement?

Did I say anything about not driving SUVs? I don't like them largely because they are ungainly beasts but drive what you like.

explorer- you get a special pass on SUVs in that you buy Fords. Ford has never built a good minivan but they've done several nice SUVs.

I should clarify - when I speak of beastly SUVs it's the really big ones I'm concerned with. The smaller ones are pretty close to station wagons, If the car companies made nothing but station wagons and convertibles it wouldn't bother me a bit. Not that I don't like a nice sedan.

gg - sweet!

explorerx4

You've got a new name, Fenzo.
We live in different parts of the country.
When the local hospitals ask the tv stations to request volunteers to get their personnel to work during severe weather, do they ask for minivans or sedans?
Umm... No.

explorerx4

I really missed 'Farm when he stopped posting here for a while.
So, 'Farm please don't do that again.

houdini1

I'll chime in on your side also. When in Rome...

fezo

The hospitals want anything with 4WD or AWD.

My wife is an RN and worked in a hospital for years. I think every vehicle the place owned was an SUV for exactly the reason you are getting at - they'd send the security people and such out in them to round up doctors and nurses.

In all those years she made use of that zero times. She did have a coworker bring her back home in 2 feet of snow in a Nissan Stanza wagon! She just said it was a 4WD vehicle. When I saw what it was I nearly had a heart attack!

I'd be more involved in all this fine discussion but today is the last day of vacation. Heading back to NJ tomorrow.

fezo

Oh, and count me in on the oldfarmer fan club!

explorerx4

Don't you live in New Jersey? It doesn't represent reality to a lot of other people. Well maybe those who watch MTV. :P

jwilliams2

The BMW sounds great. And where the car is purchased shouldn't be an issue. Any dealer should be happy for the service business. If not, you probably don't want to trade there anyway.

The dealership I worked at sold MB and BMW. We offered shuttles, pick-up and delivery, as well as loaner cars to all customers, regardless of where the car came from. We generally had 65 or so loaner cars, so in busy months they did tend to book up a couple of weeks in advance. But other than that there was never an issue.

fezo

As opposed to Connecticut? :P

Remember - those Jersey Shore people are from New York! We merely have to put up with them.

While I've lived in NJ all my life I've never lived in a town that fits the stereotype at all - grew up in the hills in the NW and have been living down by the ocean for 30 years.

isellhondas

OK, I know I'm cynical but something doesn't sound right.

No store can appraise a car sight unseen UNLESS it's a 1000.00 junker.

The fact the body work is guaranteed for the life of the car does nothing to minimize "an accident" on a Carfax and for most people (me) it wouldn't be of any comfort.

I just hope you're not in for some kind of a surprise.

isellhondas

Except, to me anyway, that "tip" sounded more like a case of greasing the guy's palm for a loaner.

MAybe us left coast guys don't understand?

nyccarguy

Don't worry, if they even think about offering graphicguy $1 less for his TL, he'll turn around & walk out the door;)

graphicguy

isell...believe me. I'm skeptical, too. It ain't over 'till it's over. We'll see how it works out and we're at on the deal. Until I sign the title and take delivery, for everything that we've agreed to on paper (on email), it's not a deal.

Again, the car has to be delivered to a dealership 50 miles away, it has to be exactly as described (and what I wanted), at the price agreed to. I have to get what they agreed to on the trade.

Otherwise, the deal doesn't happen.

I hope it does, with no surprises. But if it doesn't, it doesn't!!!!!!

isellhondas

Dan, I didn't mean to rain on your parade but to my cynical mind, I just feel "something" is going to change. I hope I'm wrong and I know you well enough to know you'll just walk if that happens.

Be sure to let us know and good luck!

snakeweasel

While I've lived in NJ all my life

You have my condolences. :shades:

I spent sometime in NJ, Cape May actually. The instant I got off the bus I was yelled at and insulted. And it went on all the time I was there.

explorerx4

My first college roommate was from New Jersey.
I doubt if he was the inspiration for the show.
Maybe he was just ahead of his time by almost 40 years.
Too bad he passed on, too young for that. :sick:

fezo

What was your time frame in Cape May?

There are plenty of folks who manage the ol' Jersey stereotype. I find it far worse on either side of the state - New York and Philly - but even then it depends where you are.

I will say that being down here in southern Virginia right now that I could live here just fine. I went to grad school at Florida State and Tallahassee fit me just fine.

If I could find a place that looked like Maine but had maybe Florida's climate I'd be fine...

sterlingdog

GG, best wishes on the possibility of getting your dream car. I hope that all things work out well for you.

We're heading West in the morning. The SRX is packed. Thank goodness for the cargo room. My wife thinks that she has to take everything not nailed down. Hope to "see" all of you at the end of July---stay well and be safe.

Richard

imidazol97

Have a safe trip and enjoy!

snakeweasel

What was your time frame in Cape May?

Oct and Nov '79

fezo

Don't suppose you could accidentally lose some of that stuff on the trip........

Have a great trip! Do drop in when you get a chance.

driver100

Hope to "see" all of you at the end of July---

Ahhh, no laptop. Maybe you will find an internet cafe. Have a great trip!

We had a really good trip and head back tomorrow from Vancouver. We went downtown on the Skytrain, only 20 minutes from the airport to downtown.
Vancouver has to be one of the most beautiful cities any where.

driver100

Don't suppose you could accidentally lose some of that stuff on the trip........

And you have a good trip back too...did you remember to bring the kids back with you?

Sorry about that Fenzo thing...it has been a bit rushed today, schedules to keep, planes to catch, last minute packing......................

kyfdx

Is that Evans? That's where I got my last car (used). They were pretty straight shooters.. Of course the F&I guy was shocked (shocked, I tell you!) that I didn't want to pay list price for the extended maintenance plan.. I think my salesperson worked mostly with new Volvos and used cars, though... He wasn't in the BMW showroom.

I don't pretend to know the dealer reimbursement plan for the BMW maintenance program, but it must be fairly generous, because any BMW dealer will generally fall all over themselves to get you to use them for service, over where you bought the car..

We've had four BMWs, only two bought from the local dealer (the 1st and the 4th), and we get treated the same, no matter where we bought.... loaners, car washes, free danish, yada, yada, yada..

I like the service at you-know-who pretty well, but I'm buying where I can get the car I want at the best deal... If the Dayton dealership found your car, then I'd buy it there... Also, that's only 60 miles from my house.... can't be more than 40-45 from yours...

regards,
kyfdx

P.S.: Since everyone else loves oldfarmer.... I guess I do, too.. :surprise:

nyccarguy

You are 100% right isellhondas. I definitely greased his palm to get a loaner car.

oldfarmer50

"...Maybe us left coast guys don't understand..."

NYC is the only place where I've seen a tip jar on the counter at McDonalds :sick:

oldfarmer50

"...Don't suppose you could accidentally lose some of that stuff on the trip..."

Shhhhhhh Let him go. Once he's away, you and I can go over to his house, climb in a window and go through his dresser looking for loose change.

Maybe even locate the will and see how much we're in for.

sterlingdog

That's why I didn't give my nephew a key to the house. :P We're off in about 20 minutes. The wife is trying to decide if we should unbolt the kitcvhen sink and take it with us. I've got the lap top. I'll try to check in now and then. I'm afraid to leave you guys alone for too long. :shades:

Richard

nyccarguy

Have a spectacular trip my friend!

qbrozen

Snake, when you go to a tourist destination like cape may or any number of shore towns, most folks you are dealing with are either other out-of-towers or, for those few locals, sick of the out-of-towers.

Applies everywhere. I went to school in Southampton NY. In the off season, you couldn't ask for a nicer town with nicer people. Come summer, it was a nightmare. I never blamed the locals, though.

604doc

If I have a good service visit, I'll usually swing back by with a 12 pack of good beer for the service advisor. He can pass it out as he sees fit. (After hours of course )

The guys at the shop seem to appreciate it.

graphicguy

Craig....no worries. If it happens, it happens. If not, no one was injured. No one was hurt. I'll just move on.

kyfdx....it is Evans. They seem to be straight shooters.

I had an Infiniti M and a 3 series in mind that I would pull the trigger on. The '11 Ms were pretty much gone. Really couldn't work with the folks at the local Infiniti store (which was really no surprise since I've never been able to), so ended up at Dayton's Infiniti store. Nice folks, there. Willing to search the country and truck one in for me. But, there was something about the M, as nice as they are (and they are indeed very nice) that didn't "WOW" me. For that kind of money, I want to be WOWed. Can't really put my finger on it.

Since I was already in Dayton, I decided to look around a bit. Went to an Audi store there. They had the last of the A6s they were willing to make a deal on. Again, nice car, but no WOW. Plus, they liked playing the grind game, and I really wasn't in the mood, nor liking the car enough to entertain doing enough research to make an offer.

Believe it or not, I even went to one of the Cadillac dealers there as they had a CTS coupe sitting right in front. Just for grins, I drove it. Not bad....probably one of the nicest interiors I've ever seen, in any car, at any price. But not nearly as good of a drive as my TL. Plus, I got the "these cars are so popular, they're the hottest car on the market, they're so scarce, we can't really do much negotiating", even before they knew if I liked the car. I thanked them and moved on. Interestingly, they have been the folks that have called me the most wanting me to come back in and make a deal.

I went to the BMW store you referenced. They sell Volvos and VWs, too. The two sales people I saw were busy. I told the receptionist to have one of them contact me if they came up with the particular car I wanted. I wrote it down for her to deliver. I also had made a copy of the MSRP of my TL and told her to show it to the sales person, after I wrote down the mileage for them to see, also. I pointed to it in the parking lot, so she could see it wasn't a dog of a car.

That's when the phone calls started from the sales lady at the store. She had a couple of misses, but found exactly what I was looking for at the port. She sent me a copy of the build sheet, which showed exactly what it was. I sent her the numbers I had and how I came up with them. She shopped my car a little and came back with a number that I was quite pleased with.

I was really kind of surprised my local dealer didn't find it first, unless they just weren't looking.

I gave her my credit card number for a $500 deposit and told her we had a deal. She's supposed to be routing the car to her store.

Again, we'll see.

Richard....have a wonderful time. To quote an old Doors tune...."keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel...cause you're gonna have a good time."

Again, we'll see how it plays out.

Understand, I told the two local dealers the same thing.

snakeweasel

Thats a novel thought, calling Boot Camp a "tourist destination".

:shades:

graphicguy

ooppppsss!!!! just noticed that my last post was a bit disjointed. Sorry...that's what I get for trying to post and make coffee at the same time.

driver100

because any BMW dealer will generally fall all over themselves to get you to use them for service,

Also, they want good reports in case BMW asks you to report on the service you got. I am always asked was everything satisfactory because we want to win the best service award? They always wash the car after service but last time they did the floor mats and dusted the dash.

I don't think they want to tell H.O. we did a half --- job because they bought the car somewhere else.

driver100

I'll try to check in now and then. I'm afraid to leave you guys alone for too long.

Yeh, last time you went away I got into a lot of trouble. Something about the BMW not having a dipstick. Oh well, please check in sometimes, we sometimes need your refereeing abilities, not to mention linguistic abilities.
Bon voyage!

Put me down as a member of the Old Farmer Fan Club too!
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

cdnpinhead

We flew from Vancouver Island to Vancouver...a 15 minute flight.

I'm sure that puddle-jumper event went well. Too bad you missed the opportunity to ride one of the ferries. Schwartz Bay to Tswassen or Nanaimo to Horseshoe bay each take most of 2 hours, but it's a delightful experience.

Wish I were there now.

Hope your holiday continues to be fun.

cdnpinhead

Vancouver has to be one of the most beautiful cities any where.

This is most certainly true.

If you're like me (which I hope you're not), you might occasionally ponder what the 5 biggest mistakes you've made in your life have been (so far).

Well, leaving Vancouver is #3 for me. Hope you continue to enjoy the place I wish I'd never left. It's God's country.

driver100

Schwartz Bay to Tswassen or Nanaimo to Horseshoe bay each take most of 2 hours, but it's a delightful experience.

Yes, we have done that. You need to rent cars though to make that work though. They used to have a boat from the island to Vancouver but that no longer goes. The seaplanes are really expensive...a few years ago it was $80 each way, now it is $200.

We had to go to Parksville and Vancouver to see kids and grandchildren. You book a flight to Nanaimo and it stops in Vancouver then you get a 2nd flight to Nanaimo. On the way back you go Nanaimo to Vancouver....catch the Skytrain to downtown. Go back, stay at the Fairmount right inside the airport, and catch a 7 AM flight home...all on one airfare.

#3 for me. Hope you continue to enjoy the place I wish I'd never left.
All things being equalled, it's the only logical place to live in all of Canada. However, when you build up friends, you have relatives, work and other activities it is hard to leave where you live and start over. Thus, going to Florida for a month or two a year.

Thanks for the good wishes, and we just got home...it was a beautiful trip.

driver100

A friend picked us up in his one year old Buick Regal. He had a Buick before that had no problems, so he got this newer one. He's an accountant so he is very practical, the last Buick was 3 years old and came off lease when he bought it.

My impressions. The good; seats were very comfortable, the ride is extremely smooth and quiet, workmanship looks nice and neat, lots of room, nice interior door panels.

The not so good; Star Wars type swoopy instrument panel, instrument panel comes up high so vision is not great, hood slopes a lot and you don't see the hood at all, Speedometer and gauges have a bit of a leather type cover over them that reminds me of a rug (hair piece type of rug).

They tried to jazz it up with a swoopy dash, but I don't know...it doesn't quite work for me.

fezo

Sorry about that Fenzo thing...it has been a bit rushed today, schedules to keep, planes to catch, last minute packing......................

If that's the worst that happens to me I think I'm in good shape. Was merely pulling your chain - no problem.

We were in Vancouver for a week 15 years ago. Man, was that a great trip. I've been in three great cities that really stood out for me - Vancouver, Sidney and San Francisco. I'd live in either of the first two no problem and the last one is a great visit.

fezo

just noticed that my last post was a bit disjointed.

Yeah, like that would stand out in this place....

fezo

Good idea. While we are there we can dig up some dirt on that nephew of his and improve our standing...

graphicguy

Fezo....Vancouver is one of my favorite cities, too. I could live there given the chance.