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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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You weren't listening. 'fezo' wants you to put the tires on the BMW, point it South, then give it a gentle push and let it have the "feel of the road" all the way to Jersey. :shades:
If I got this wrong he'll let you know.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
One Piece at a Time.
Kind of a mobile Sanford and Son.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I've sold a few items on CL but never a car. I've called to check out several cars and have usually gotten some bad vibes or further information on problems that have prevented me from actually going to see the car. I don't know if I would feel comfortable with a wad of cash in my pocket when meeting for the first time.
When looking at CL cars use the search function to check how many different cars come up under the same phone number. The curbstoners and title flippers usually will have multiple listings.
Thanks to all you guys who liked the picture of the farm. It's only about seven and a half acres but we back up to several square miles of forever wild land. If you were to stand next to the Corvette you could see a mountain across the valley and if you stood next to the Eclipse you could see RPI.
Oh BTW, it's for sale so get out your check books.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Lived half my life on a couple of acres on a hill. The rest near the ocean. I'd like going back to the hills.
This one provides a better visual
Of course, I had no bad intentions.
That's the way to do it. That was my goal....we had 100 acres, it was a tree farm, not a real farm. But, I always said why pay taxes on 100 acres when you can buy a house with a great view or natural park right next door....you can look at it and enjoy it, but you don't have to maintain it or pay tax on it.
Oh BTW, it's for sale so get out your check books.
Did you try listing it on CL? I don't know how many people will show up with $1000s too pay cash for it?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I remember that song well and the auto body shops and shade tree guys that heard that song and brought cars to a mock car cruise that looked pretty much like the pieced together Caddy that ‘explorer’ showed in his post. It was sponsored by a local watering hole and it did bring a fair sized crowd. People voted for the most unusual car and the winner got a trip to one of the Southern car race tracks. The part I liked best was when he came to the microphone to accept his award and was asked what he thought about being the winner. He said something like, “Gee, this is great but where’s the money to make this thing look right and get it legally titled”? Needless to say that brought the house down.
Yeah, I have fond memories of that Johnny Cash song back in the 70's.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Leave it to a Yankee to ruin the chipped ham cheese melt that I had in mind. :P
Richard
The same way that you explain a $20,000 dining table and six chairs....VERY carefully.
Richard
The same way that you explain a $20,000 dining table and six chairs....VERY carefully.
Now I know how the antique business pays such large amounts and why one can have an SRX to haul around antiques in.
Maybe I'll start buying up old furniture and give it to charity - one that lets me write up my own receipts. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Richard
So, daughter picks out BMW as the place to stop (a 15 YO badge snob! Who ever would have expected that). So, we stopped there, and after some delay (they had a ton of staff, only a couple people waiting to look, and a lot of confusion about getting cars for us), we went off for a short tour in a 2011 BMW X3xdrive28i (full name added for Richard).
Actually quite humorous. My wife was driving, and had not the faintest clue what to do with the "key", and if the saleswoman had not shown her how to use the gear selector we would still be sitting there! then there was the incident where no one (including her) could figure out how to get the parking brake off after I put it on...
as a side bar, they have made these cars way too complicated (I did not even try to have her use the idrive). What happened to simple, logical and intuitive?
anyway, she really liked driving it. I don't think she would have any problem moving from the minivan, an even said it seemed to have plenty of room (which I would have to remind her of first trip we took, when I told her that half the crap she piled up by the front door wasn't coming along...). Made a comment about "I could live with this".
Somehow let ourselves get swept back into an office (I had said when we arrived that we were starting the looking or proof of concept phase). But we did not stay too long, promising to go check out the build your own site and touch base next week.
Right now, anything would be an order since there is a small supply of 2011s left, and the 2012s are just filtering in soon, and we would never, ever find one equipped the way we wanted in colors (light interior) we liked.
Actually, the one we drove had just the right equipment (base motor, 17" wheels, deluxe cold weather package and the premium package). The stuff I have to have, and nothing extra. So not a strippo, but a relatively base level car, and it still had an eye-watering MSRP of $44,020. Yikes.
So, at least I know that the wife likes something that type and size. So when we get a chance, we will check out other options (and as she guessed, hit the car show again!). Want to look at the Volvo XC60, and out of the future stuff, the C-maxx (hybrid), CRV and Santa Fe, all of which should be coming out new next year sometime.
but man, if you got the money, the X3 is a sweet driving unit.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Yes, I forgot about our new buddy. He either caught his wife at RA or he is probably reviewing videos from 2004 to see if he can see himself buying a watch at the Rite Aid store. :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
European cars are a required taste. It takes awhile to appreciate the simple elegant lines that will last over time. American car makers are catching on though, they are designing better looking cars all the time.
I probably thought the way you did about BMWs, until I bought the first one, then I found out what it's all about. I thought they were high cost furrin (foreign) cars that looked a bit cheap because of the plainer interiors and exteriors. But, that is something that grows on you too.
Glad you are starting to appreciate the look..........
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Try not to let these changes get in the way of your decision. You and your wife will adjust very quickly to these little changes, and you will get to like them.
You might want to try the new 2012X1. I just read a review and they really liked it. It comes with a turbo 4 cylinder. Cost is a lot less and it is a great driving vehicle.
There are times when you can save a lot buying a 2011, especially if you are going to keep it for a long time. But, the savings have to be pretty good to make up for the $4k to $5 difference you will have when you go to trade it in after 4 or 5 years.
Though the X3 will be in the $40k range, some of these Camry's and that are in the $30k+ range, and if you factor in the extras plus the driving enjoyment it might still work. Cut back on a package of cigarettes a day, a bottle of wine a day, 2 lattes a day (oh wait, you might need those if you are driving a BMW), 2 Starbucks coffees a day and you can swing it with the Driver budget program for getting into a BMW.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Could cut out 1-2 eating out excursions, but even those are low budget.
Maybe if I stopped funding my daughters social life?
we also will be keeping what we get for a long time (shooting at 10 years), unless, of course, we lease!
Just going to be a hard decision to add $600/mo (or some such) to the budget for 5 years! Especially considering I have not made a car payment since ~ 2007.
So, we will consider the BMW and evaluate the financial landscape at the time, but also do due diligence checking out other (cheaper) options. A new CRV or Santa fe (upcoming new designs) are likely to be nice driving, full featured (probably more goodies than the X3), and at least 15K cheaper. Certainly something to consider!
One good thing about keeping cars a long time (the van will be 8 when we upgrade): damned near anything is a vast improvement!
I would love an X1. Thinking it will be too small though for my wife, especially since it will have to serve as the family travel mobile.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
IMHO I would certainly look at CPO when the time comes. The savings can be great and even used car interest rates are really low right now. If you could grab a one year old in the mid 30s, trade in the van and add a little cash you could easily end up in a payment in the low 400s for 48 months.
I envy all you people shopping for cars right now, I have been on "wedding 24/7" but after a week of hell we finalized a date and venue. Just dropped 2K on a deposit and they want another 3K in 60 days. Must be nice they get to keep my money and make interest on it over a year in advance.
I am waiting about another month or so and then I want to make a move on a car. My truck is not suitable for a DD (for me anyway) and my 6' tall near 300lb behind is not gonna work in an Elantra much longer.
Driver, I like the color combo and I have to say that the new 5 is one of the nicer BMWs in the last few years. They even claim it rides softer than before.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I wasn't sure of what a CPO is....I guess Richard isn't the only one who needs better definitions at times. I think becuase I don't text I am not used to the new short forms...had to think about KYs use of CL for awhile to figure out he meant Craigslist.
Si I looked up CPO and went to the Moneycentral site. They said CPOs were a good way to ensure getting a good car for a lower price. But, to be careful, certified can mean different terms for different manufacturers. For example:
However, the specifics of what consumers get for the extra cash they spend on a certified pre-owned car varies a great deal. Lexus, an early pioneer of CPO programs, adds a three-year, 100,000-total-vehicle-mile limited warranty to its CPO cars. Chrysler, while offering an inspection and a return policy, offers only a three-month, 3,000-mile limited warranty and an 80,000-total-vehicle-mile drivetrain-only warranty on its certified pre-owned cars.
More at:
Money Watch CPOs
Good luck with your wedding plans tic. Hopefully you will get a newer car soon. The car to watch will be the 2012 3 Series, it is time for a big change this year. I wish it would look like this but this is just a drawing;
Thanks about the color combo...my wifes 2008 335 is white with the white interior and black trim and it still looks good. I also like black but she said if I get black I will have to wash it every day!!! :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If you are referring to that "link title" thing on my post that was just a mistake made using the wife's i-pad. I haven't figured out how to make corrections on it yet and sometimes when I try to put in an emotorcon my big sausage fingers hit two or three buttons at once.
I am not very computer literate. driver100's picture posting instructions made my brain hurt. I'll have to get a 5yo to explain it to me.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I brought my leased VW R32 to the dealer for a nagging "fuel cap" light, and decided to walk the lot for a few minutes. (It's a VW/Nissan dealer.)
A salesman approached me and introduced himself, and I explained that I wanted to buy a pickup, but my lease wasn't done until December, and I was just looking around. He seemed like a nice guy, and since it was early in the day, and not busy, he showed me around a bit.
I had been researching trucks for about a year or so, and had narrowed down my choices to the Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, and even though it was too big for me, I really liked the Ford F-150.
He showed me a "fresh off the truck" dark grey (night armor) Frontier. Beautiful truck, but it had the off road package, and I thought it might ride a little too stiff. He thought I'd be pleasantly surprised if I drove it. It was still wrapped up in plastic, and hadn't been prepped at all.
He asked if I knew what the pay off on the VW was, and I said I couldn't remember the exact amount, but there were 4 payments left, plus the residual. He asked if I would mind if he checked what the payoff was, and I said "sure".
He came back a few minutes later, and said that it we could probably make a deal on the truck if I was interested. I said "well, let's see some numbers". So far, there was no pressure or pushiness, just casual conversation.
He went to the manager's office for a few minutes, and came back with the numbers. It was basically MSRP minus the $3,000 rebate, and he said I had $500 in negative equity on the VW the would have to be factored in. On top of that, I could get 2.9% if my credit was good. Nissan was currently offering 1.9% or the $3000 rebate.
At this point, I hadn't done any research on the VW's value, because I hadn't planned on trading it in, just turning it in at lease end, and buying the truck without a trade involved.
I told the salesman "Thanks for your time and running the numbers. I'll think about it and give you a shout one way or another." We shook hands, and I went over to the service department to get my car.
In the tradition of Mack:
To be continued...
A tree farm IS a real farm. The crop is just different.
"...Did you try listing it on CL?..."
Can you imagine the flakes you would get for that? Many people do list their homes on Craigslist. I saw a condo in the Tampa area that was listed for $5000. It seems that half the units in the complex were in forclosure so the HOA couldn't fix the leak in this seller's roof!
Right now we don't anticipate any offers we would accept, the market is just too soft. In the next 5 years the economy will either rebound and we'll get our price or it will collapse and we'll need the land to grow our own food.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Wow, that is sharp looking. Is that your color too? White will go very well down in Florida in fact if you are over 60 it seem to be a requirement.
You might lose it up in the great white north though. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The trees weren't raised to resell. The government had a plan, they planed about 1000 trees for a few cents each. Most were evergreens so at Xmas time we had a party for all our friends and they could cust down a tree if they wanted to. People lovedit.
The 535 will be exactly as shown in the pictures. The call the interior oyster and black......there is one that is all light beige but I like the contrast. The carpets and some of the back on the front seats are in black.
I went to one dealer to look at colors and they only had 4 535s on the lot, all next to each other, and they were my top 4 choices...silver, medium gray, black and white. My daughter says white isn't a color, but I think it is one you don't get too tired of. It is a problem in snow though, but I am sure you get more snow than we do. Besides, I will be in Florida for most of it and will fit in with all the other white cars...just like you said.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good story doc. I can't wait to read the rest. Hopefully sometime today!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We use the "free" ad on craigs list all the time - if you want something gone pronto put in on CL for free. My wife is the master of this - she even arranges the pick ups so that we don't have to talk to people. She will set a time, label the items and put them on the curb. My neighbor was laughing because we had 9 piles on the curb after some spring cleaning - 45 minutes later it was all gone, and my neighbor was impressed.
That can still generate flakes. I had an old truck cap from a vehicle I had junked which fit nothing I owned. It was useable but kind of beat up so I leaned it against the telephone pole out by the street put a "FREE" sign on it and posted a "free" ad on CL giving location.
For the next week I got e-mail after e-mail asking if it was still available. Thankfully, I didn't post a phone number. Finally some poor guys driving by saw it and took it away. They were so grateful to get it that I gave them some free rope to secure it.
One of the e-mails explained that they didn't want to drive over if there was a chance it would be gone and could I "hold" it for him. He was lucky I didn't respond. I mean, are you kidding me? It's a FREE item for crying out loud. You take a chance that somebody will beat you to it. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I firmly believe in letting the bride and her mother/BFFs plan the whole damn thing (as long as they can stay on a budget!). Your job should be to get fitted for a tux, pick up the tux, and show up.
Oh, pick out the limo too if you are getting one. That is car related!
No problem about not wanting to share, but just curious what place won out. I just had to find a place for my daughters sweet 16, but that is a smaller event at a restaurant (private room)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I am surprised you didn't get one that asked you to UPS it to his home :shades:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A friend was telling me about a guy we both knew in high school. He got involved in a soccer game on the day of the wedding and he arrived about an hour and a half late, to his own wedding! He didn't try his tux on before the day of his own wedding so he had to have it pinned up and even then it didn't look right.
That marriage only lasted 3 years, no one was too surprised when it ended.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
you're all AFC then it's the Jets? My team forever...Steelers, lost to
the Texans today. My wife's team is the Packers. You can bet the last
Superbowl was tense here. I had to congratulate her and my SIL
(on one knee) after last years Superbowl.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Where I live we're pretty thick with Philadelphia fans.
Yep, here is an example of the simple elegan lines of BMW that lasted over time.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I don't remember the exact numbers, but it looked to me that the wholesale value of the VW was right about what the payoff was, especially when you factored in mileage, which was just above 21K. The car was in great condition, with no dings, and just a little curb scrape on one wheel. It was a limited production car, with only 5,000 imported to the US.
While I was on the computer, the salesman called to let me know that if I wanted to drive the truck, they were going to prep it first thing the next morning. I said I'd love to drive it, because if I didn't like the way it drove, I wouldn't waste any more of his time with negotiations, etc. We scheduled an appointment the next day at 11am to take it for a spin.
I met him at 11am the next day, and the truck was out front ready to be driven.
As promised, I was really surprised how well it drove. It was very quiet inside, and even sharp bumps were absorbed without any steering or suspension drama. We stopped in a dirt area to play with the 4WD a bit. It's typical shift on the fly four wheel drive, with a low range. The off road package adds electronic rear locking differential, skid plates, and Bilstien shocks. The truck also had the luxury package, which added heated leather seats, a sunroof, and a roof rack, all stuff that I wanted anyway.
We went back to the dealership, and I thanked him for his time, and said I was really interested if we could make the numbers work, and that I would go home and put together an offer. He said that sounded good, and he hoped to hear back from me soon. (I'm sure he thought he'd never hear back at all.)
I went home and put together the offer in an email. I offered $500 over invoice, with the requirement that my trade was paid off with no negative equity rolled into the deal. I also stipulated that I wanted the 2.9% rate, knowing that my credit was in the high 700's, and sent off the email.
He called me back in a bit and said that we were real close, and would I be willing to come back in and go over the numbers?
I drove back up and talked with him about how I had come up with the number I did. He said the offer was fair, except that this truck had the ipod adapter, which I hadn't figured in. (He was right) I added the invoice price of that to my offer, and the deal was done. I took the 2.9%, and the $3,000 rebate.
I'm thrilled with the truck! I have about 700 miles on it now, and have zero regrets.
Did I leave some money on the table? Probably, but I'm not a grinder. I made what I thought was a fair offer. I was happy and the dealership was happy.
Sorry this story was so long. No wonder Mack broke his story up into pieces!
BTW, this is my daily driver now. It's very comfortable, and not too big. Mileage isn't great around the city, but I expect it to improve a bit as it breaks in. The mileage was better on the VW, but it took premium fuel where the Frontier takes regular, so it's probably a wash fuel costwise.
And she still married him? Who was the more foolish person in that team?
As I've said before my wedding cost $20 and that was because someone told me it was expected that I give the padre a few bucks on the way out.
I was dressed in a sport jacket that I had owned since high school and the bride wore a dress or maybe a pants suit. I didn't care, I loved her so much she could have worn burlap and still have been beautiful.
With the money we saved on the big wedding we went to Hawaii and bought a house load of furniture when we got back. Still have some of it.
I'll never understand spending $50K on one day but I'm a knucklehead who got lucky so pay no attention to my rantings.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I'm a mild Bills fan. I agree, Giants are useless.
Edit: I misread what you typed. You said Giants UNLESS. My mistake.
The Giants are still useless. :lemon:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My SIL was late for his wedding. It was because his brother was being flown in for the wedding by the Army at the last minute (him and all his brothers are career Army people), so I guess thats a good excuse.
I was dressed in a sport jacket that I had owned since high school and the bride wore a dress or maybe a pants suit.
Thats how it used to be done, people just wore their best clothing and didn't get anything special for the wedding.
I'll never understand spending $50K on one day
Neither can I, I think our wedding was under $5K. Church and service was free (we were members of the church so use of the church and the pastor was free) so it was just her dress and the reception afterwards which was a simple affair.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
John, I appreciate your remembering to spell it out. You're a good guy.
Richard
A $7 watch at that. :lemon: Bless his heart!
Richard
Well, maybe not required, but certainly an acquired taste.
Richard
At least the Eagles gagged another one away today. Good times!
Bills fan still made at the Giants? Who would have thought wide right would last this long.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I'm an FSU fan as well. Wide right are painful words.
When I was a kid someone up the street had one of those Isettas. Good feel of the road because your rear end actually WAS on the road.
We had a nice chip in wedding. Decorated a cheap fire hall ourselves, Jen's mom made her dress and the bridesmaid's dresses. Her sister baked the cake, her brother was the photographer (something he does for a living), my dad catered the thing. Couldn't beat it.
Rented out some kind of hall (not sure who's, but there was a bowling alley on the 1st floor. my wife loves when I tell people we got married in the bowling alley). My FIL drove his Caprice wagon (about an '80) down to Jersey and bought cheap beer and liquor and brought it home. No idea who did the food, but they hired a couple locals to man the bar. the band was IIRC 3 old guys with an accordion (the family is polish, what do you expect?)
so a tux and a dress that I am sure was not too expensive, and low budget baby!
I plan to offer my daughter a check and 2 tickets to Vegas to get married at the wedding chapel when the time comes. She takes after me, and just might go for the deal!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
A man after my own heart. I pick the price I will pay, and if the dealer takes it, I'm done. I don't care if someone else could have gotten $25 or $250 less for it, or even more. I guess that means I'm not as worried about the size of my genetalia as I'm supposed to be.
Either way, enjoy that truck, and don't look back.