Yeah with the small amount of inventory we have I think we could get our entire new car inventory under cover by using the shop, showroom and detail bays.
But they're Land Rovers - they yearn to be out in the open air mucking about in the elements.
Actually, anyone working at a car dealership should be able to use it daily, and the rest of us can surely manage to get it into conversation at least one a week. :shades:
Yup that is true. In fact our 1959 has an all alumimium body except for the doors and the galvanized steel bits that seperate and hold the alumimium bits together.
Actually I just remembered I was in a nasty hail storm with an LR3 last summer and it faired ok. The hail was probably just smaller then golfballs and I couldn't find any dents afterwards.
OHhh and we don't offer 22 inch wheels on any of our cars from the factory.
They were actually built that way at first because there was not enough steel production capacity in the UK after WWII. What little steel the UK had was for export products only and the original Land Rovers were not built for export.
interesting. certainly the frame and suspension aren't aluminum. as a casual observer, there seems to be considerable metal on these vehicles and numerous pieces parts to the suspensions.
time for me to take a closer look next time i'm near the local dealership perhaps.
right, when the rhino hits it, it should tear easily like a coke can, not hurt the wildlife.
Far from it, in fact the rhino would probably come off worst. The body panels weren't made of 'soda can' aluminum but a very hard, tough and resiliant alloy of magnesium and aluminum called 'Birmabright'.
Rick Case Honda has a indoor garage for the Hondas and luxury used vehicles. A cadillac dealership in Miami has a huge indoor garage. And I am certain the Mini BMW dealership of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on US-1 (they suck by the way) have cars indoors. The weather in Florida has gotten quite temperamental and I guess they can still sell cars even if it rains. Rick Case Honda provides umbrellas and they only greet you if you come into the show room. They do not approach you if you are "just looking" in the parking lot. Very nice, and easy to deal with dealership. Fast too. Frankly, I have found shady salesman are usually at shady dealerships. People are what their work environment create. This goes for a lot of professions. Good schools have good teachers, good coaches have happy teams etc. I have bought 7 or 8 cars since 1998. My experience has been, happy salesma=happy selling= happy customer experience.
There was in article in Automotive News that said something about the dealers in Tx wanted a hail storm so they could have a "hail damage sale" to get the buying season started. The paintless dent removal guys also were waiting on a good hail storm. It must be part of the economy.
Frankly, I have found shady salesman are usually at shady dealerships. People are what their work environment create.
or stated another way, it's the people that establish and maintain the work environment.
i tend to agree with you - i would think if you're running a store and you care about your customers and employees, want to keep a good rep in the community you don't encourage, develop, reward or keep shady salesman.
Well the original rovers did use alumimium alloy for most of the body but the frame, engine axles etc were made of steel.
Later on the engines were made in alumimium as well but the frame was still steel. The original alumimium used for the birmabright, thanks for reminding me that I couldn't remember what it was called, was recycled from World war II era airplanes.
RE: Next Gen Range Rover.
I am glad you have heard the same rumors that I have about the next Range being all alumimium. I have heard a time frame between 2009 and 2010 MY and weight savings of as much as 1,100 lbs.
I find it funny too. In the same way a Mercedes-Benz or BMW is just a car in Germany it's only here that they are treated with kid gloves. Both those companies have great marketing departments and I guess Land Rover would like to go the same way.
I think it has a lot to do with both appearance and cost. While the Defender and its antecedents were often taken offroad from day one, most Discoverys (Discoveries?), Range Rovers and LR3s usually have to wait until their second or third owner before they see anything more than dirt back roads. They generally just look too good and cost too much to repair, to risk involuntary pinstriping by squeezing through trees and bushes.
I just wondered, because here we have coupons available that knocks a few bucks off admission for our auto show. Not sure if Detroit has the same situation.
A week ago Thursday I received a call from a man shopping CRV's. I gave him a price and he agreed and said he would be right down. He came down, we didnt have the exact color/model in stock but he agreed to let me locate one for him. He asked about a deposit but I gave him my standard " your word is good enough for me" speech. He wasnt going to have his down payment together for 7 days anyway. Friday I ran a locate for the car and started making calls. No success finding his car in Friday. I called him and let him know. Monday I continued to make calls, again no success. I called him and let him know that we werent out of the ball park yet that I had a way of obtaining a car that was going to be delivered to a dealership that month. He seemed agreeable. Late Monday I had another customer, A couple that I had sold a car to three years ago come in with their son. In his words he had had a " pretty good year" at the Wall Street bank that he works for and was expecting a " substantial bonus ". He ordered 2 Honda Pilots and an Accord Hybrid from me. He was buying these cars for his Dad Mom and sister. What a nice gesture! Again I had the same talk about deposits to get these vehicles. As you might expect I spent the rest of Monday and most of Tuesday locating and arranging transportation for these three vehicles. But I continued to make calls and keep my CRV customer informed on the progress of his CRV. Turns out I was able to arrange to have a CRV in his color by the end of the month. I called him to inform him of this and he was out. Back to the three cars from the rich son. I found all three cars. I am located in SE Ohio. One of these was in NW Ohio ( 175 miles) one was in Indy ( 220) and one was eastern Pa ( 520 miles). I arranged to have drivers go do the trades for these cars. All of this on a handshake. On Wednesday I called to inform CRV guy that I had found a CRV in his color to be delivered before the end of the month. " I went to Columbus last night & bought one from another dealer. " A red one with leather?" I asked because that was what he had me looking for. Nope I bought a beige one with the Navigation system. I had to do what I had to do. Mind you this was 2 days prior to the original deadline that he had set for me. I was furious! So this has been my week I had one skunk who wasnt as good as his word and another son who was very gracious and his word was solid gold. In the end I sold three cars.
While I agree that you did a good gesture in looking for a CRV for the guy who wasn't very good at keeping his word. I think the dealership who eventually made the sale asked a few more pertinent questions and had a little more information than you had. They found out that the guy would buy a beige one (instead of red). Not brow beating here, but why didn't you know that? Did you ask him if he would "settle for" another color? Obviously, he did.
At the very least, the guy should have called and told you to call off the search as he found something he liked somewhere else.
As for the guy who bought 3 vehicles from you, that's the way it's supposed to work, right? Good for you. Your hard work paid off in that situation.
Again, not berating you in any way. Obviously, you're going the extra mile for your customers. That's a good thing.
I don't feel carhag did anything wrong - it was obvious that the customer had agreed to a specific car. There are 2 things that don't change: 1. People change their minds 2. Customers have been known to (how do I say this nicely?) not tell the whole truth all the time 3. Many customers have exactly the same ethics that salespeople get accused of on this forum
One of these was in NW Ohio ( 175 miles) one was in Indy ( 220) and one was eastern Pa ( 520 miles).
Curious....how do you pass along this cost?
Not to start another discussion, but at my dealership we do not charge to locate/obtain cars for a customer. This is one of the things that the dreaded " doc fees" are supposed to cover. In this case it was a driver to indy to trade vehicles, a driver to Findlay Oh to trade vehicles, and 2 drivers plus an overnight stay in a motel to eastern Pa, because that was a flat out dealer purchase for us.
Not brow beating here, but why didn't you know that? Did you ask him if he would "settle for" another color? Obviously, he did
GG I dont take your comments as brow beating, they are valid questions. I did in fact ask this fellow if another color would be ok along with 2k worth of extra equipment. I was told that A red EXL ( without navi) CRV is what he wanted. Period. I just felt like because the promise he made was to a " car salesman" it didnt deserve to be honored. And that was the frame of mind he was in. He didnt seem bothered when i asked him, his comment was , well ya gotta do what you gotta do.
If we can find a car at an instate dealer or at port, we don't charge the customer. But if it is at another dealer out of state, transportation charges will usually run from $400-$1000 or more. If the other dealer wants a car back from our stock, we must pay for transportation for both cars. We do (and tell the customer BEFORE we do the trade) charge the customer.
My guess is that he managed to get it for a price that was essentially not having to pay for the extra $2K in extra equipment. Who knows, though. I'd consider it to be normal, since I've had suppliers and customers in the past both flake out on me so often that unless I see cash in my hand, there's nothing "done" about a deal.
Besides, it's his money - that's just how it goes. He wanted something *now* and didn't want to wait a month. Perfectly understandable, thoguh a phone call would have been nice from him.
Non refundable deposits if it's a car that's not easy to sell I will confess my ignorance here. Is it legal to have a non refundable deposit? Me ( & the powers that be at my dealership), believe that its not legal to keep someones deposit. I am sure that we could make a case to keep any expenses incurred if we had to go get a car for someone but that would surely turn into a long drawn out legal type affair.
For any deal, a purchase agreement is made out, signed by the manager and customer, and a deposit is taken.
That is pretty much binding but deposits are refunded for many reasons to avoid long drawn oiut legal affais.
However, if it's a special order car, like a Honda Insight for example (limited production, special order), and the customer orders one, and lets say they want to have an aftermarket sunroof installed, and some other things that are would not appeal to most buyers, then we will write on the worksheet/purchase agreement that the deposit is non refundable.
For example we had somebody order a Civic Hybrid, and they wanted aftermarket ORANGE leather installed in it. The non refundable deposit would be kept if the deal goes sideways so that we could re upholster the car in some more mainstream color.
When we take a deposit we do a buyer's order that states that it is non refundable and a colorado disclosure. I don't know if we have had to keep any but I think we are covered legally.
The guy should have noted to you he was willing to alter his requirements, once you inquired about them.
To me, a promise is a promise. If the guy didn't want to wait, or if he was willing to look at a different color/equipment level, he should have responded as such when you quizzed him. This is true particularly given the amount of work you were doing for him.
That said, you and I both know that buyers make the commitment at the last place they visit. He decided to shop some more after he met with you (nothing wrong with that, if you're not asking the dealer to track down a particular make, model, color, feature set). IF you are still shopping, then the right thing to do is to contact the dealer and call off the search, at the very least.
Comments
But they're Land Rovers - they yearn to be out in the open air mucking about in the elements.
But they're Land Rovers - they yearn to be out in the open air mucking about in the elements.
They also have aluminium skins that don't take to well to hail damage.
Actually, anyone working at a car dealership should be able to use it daily, and the rest of us can surely manage to get it into conversation at least one a week. :shades:
Eh - they've gotten all wussified with they're fancy pants interiors and air suspensions and 22" wheels.
Rovers should be allowed to run free in the wild. Little dents and scratches and some mud should be considered character.
FAIK, they have always had aluminum body panels.
Even the ones roughing it in the Kalahari.
Actually I just remembered I was in a nasty hail storm with an LR3 last summer and it faired ok. The hail was probably just smaller then golfballs and I couldn't find any dents afterwards.
OHhh and we don't offer 22 inch wheels on any of our cars from the factory.
time for me to take a closer look next time i'm near the local dealership perhaps.
Far from it, in fact the rhino would probably come off worst. The body panels weren't made of 'soda can' aluminum but a very hard, tough and resiliant alloy of magnesium and aluminum called 'Birmabright'.
Rick Case Honda has a indoor garage for the Hondas and luxury used vehicles. A cadillac dealership in Miami has a huge indoor garage. And I am certain the Mini BMW dealership of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on US-1 (they suck by the way) have cars indoors. The weather in Florida has gotten quite temperamental and I guess they can still sell cars even if it rains. Rick Case Honda provides umbrellas and they only greet you if you come into the show room. They do not approach you if you are "just looking" in the parking lot. Very nice, and easy to deal with dealership. Fast too.
Frankly, I have found shady salesman are usually at shady dealerships. People are what their work environment create. This goes for a lot of professions. Good schools have good teachers, good coaches have happy teams etc.
I have bought 7 or 8 cars since 1998. My experience has been, happy salesma=happy selling= happy customer experience.
or stated another way, it's the people that establish and maintain the work environment.
i tend to agree with you - i would think if you're running a store and you care about your customers and employees, want to keep a good rep in the community you don't encourage, develop, reward or keep shady salesman.
Later on the engines were made in alumimium as well but the frame was still steel. The original alumimium used for the birmabright, thanks for reminding me that I couldn't remember what it was called, was recycled from World war II era airplanes.
RE: Next Gen Range Rover.
I am glad you have heard the same rumors that I have about the next Range being all alumimium. I have heard a time frame between 2009 and 2010 MY and weight savings of as much as 1,100 lbs.
I find it so funny that all over the world Land Rovers are abused to their mechanical limits and here in the US we treat them like queens.
and I am seriously bored
Then you have time available for working on your "porte cochere" issues. No excuses from now on!
We're talking like a bunch of brie eating, Saab driving metrosexuals.
I like my chesse melted on top of something else.
???
I just wondered, because here we have coupons available that knocks a few bucks off admission for our auto show. Not sure if Detroit has the same situation.
Admission is what, $10-12 per person. I don'y know for sure as I had a ticket for the industry preview.
Or you could get your tux out and buy the benefit ticket for the charity event tonight and be wined and dined. $400 for a good cause.
Late Monday I had another customer, A couple that I had sold a car to three years ago come in with their son. In his words he had had a " pretty good year" at the Wall Street bank that he works for and was expecting a " substantial bonus ". He ordered 2 Honda Pilots and an Accord Hybrid from me. He was buying these cars for his Dad Mom and sister. What a nice gesture! Again I had the same talk about deposits to get these vehicles.
As you might expect I spent the rest of Monday and most of Tuesday locating and arranging transportation for these three vehicles. But I continued to make calls and keep my CRV customer informed on the progress of his CRV. Turns out I was able to arrange to have a CRV in his color by the end of the month. I called him to inform him of this and he was out.
Back to the three cars from the rich son. I found all three cars. I am located in SE Ohio. One of these was in NW Ohio ( 175 miles) one was in Indy ( 220) and one was eastern Pa ( 520 miles). I arranged to have drivers go do the trades for these cars. All of this on a handshake.
On Wednesday I called to inform CRV guy that I had found a CRV in his color to be delivered before the end of the month. " I went to Columbus last night & bought one from another dealer. " A red one with leather?" I asked because that was what he had me looking for. Nope I bought a beige one with the Navigation system. I had to do what I had to do. Mind you this was 2 days prior to the original deadline that he had set for me. I was furious!
So this has been my week I had one skunk who wasnt as good as his word and another son who was very gracious and his word was solid gold.
In the end I sold three cars.
At the very least, the guy should have called and told you to call off the search as he found something he liked somewhere else.
As for the guy who bought 3 vehicles from you, that's the way it's supposed to work, right? Good for you. Your hard work paid off in that situation.
Again, not berating you in any way. Obviously, you're going the extra mile for your customers. That's a good thing.
Curious....how do you pass along this cost?
BTW, you hit three for four. As a ballplayer I consider that fantastic.
1. People change their minds
2. Customers have been known to (how do I say this nicely?) not tell the whole truth all the time
3. Many customers have exactly the same ethics that salespeople get accused of on this forum
Curious....how do you pass along this cost?
Not to start another discussion, but at my dealership we do not charge to locate/obtain cars for a customer. This is one of the things that the dreaded " doc fees" are supposed to cover. In this case it was a driver to indy to trade vehicles, a driver to Findlay Oh to trade vehicles, and 2 drivers plus an overnight stay in a motel to eastern Pa, because that was a flat out dealer purchase for us.
GG I dont take your comments as brow beating, they are valid questions. I did in fact ask this fellow if another color would be ok along with 2k worth of extra equipment. I was told that A red EXL ( without navi) CRV is what he wanted. Period.
I just felt like because the promise he made was to a " car salesman" it didnt deserve to be honored. And that was the frame of mind he was in. He didnt seem bothered when i asked him, his comment was , well ya gotta do what you gotta do.
Besides, it's his money - that's just how it goes. He wanted something *now* and didn't want to wait a month. Perfectly understandable, thoguh a phone call would have been nice from him.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I will confess my ignorance here. Is it legal to have a non refundable deposit? Me ( & the powers that be at my dealership), believe that its not legal to keep someones deposit. I am sure that we could make a case to keep any expenses incurred if we had to go get a car for someone but that would surely turn into a long drawn out legal type affair.
For any deal, a purchase agreement is made out, signed by the manager and customer, and a deposit is taken.
That is pretty much binding but deposits are refunded for many reasons to avoid long drawn oiut legal affais.
However, if it's a special order car, like a Honda Insight for example (limited production, special order), and the customer orders one, and lets say they want to have an aftermarket sunroof installed, and some other things that are would not appeal to most buyers, then we will write on the worksheet/purchase agreement that the deposit is non refundable.
For example we had somebody order a Civic Hybrid, and they wanted aftermarket ORANGE leather installed in it. The non refundable deposit would be kept if the deal goes sideways so that we could re upholster the car in some more mainstream color.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
The guy should have noted to you he was willing to alter his requirements, once you inquired about them.
To me, a promise is a promise. If the guy didn't want to wait, or if he was willing to look at a different color/equipment level, he should have responded as such when you quizzed him. This is true particularly given the amount of work you were doing for him.
That said, you and I both know that buyers make the commitment at the last place they visit. He decided to shop some more after he met with you (nothing wrong with that, if you're not asking the dealer to track down a particular make, model, color, feature set). IF you are still shopping, then the right thing to do is to contact the dealer and call off the search, at the very least.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
While I can believe that, surely it makes the whole concept of a deposit meaningless?