Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

The four door was much prettier than your picture. There's a picture of one on flitr.com. Also, our four door 1960 Star Chief was a pretty car---lots of luxury for a car of that period.

Richard

sterlingdog

What was the name of the town in South Carolina where you lived?

Richard

sterlingdog

At least he tried to make amends. Sounds like a pretty decent guy.

Richard

fezo

Very decent guy. Ain't no easy by the book method to back out of a wedding. There ought to be. Imagine how many weddings go through becuase on or te other party doesn't have it in him or her to say "STOP!"

Yeah, I don't eat food that is looking at me. When we were in China at one restaurant they gave us a plate of chicken heads which are considered delicacies there. No, thank you.

Day two of retirement is going better than day one. Yesterday I felt miserable. Today I am in better shape. I really should get to the lawn. What I should really do is hire someone to take care of it.

jmonroe

What was the name of the town in South Carolina where you lived?

I lived in Aiken SC. For you pro football fans, Refrigerator Perry (Chicago Bears) and his brother (I can’t remember his name now but he played for the Cleveland Browns) are from this town.

OK, you made me go to Google to look it up. The hotel is the Willcox Hotel but it was known to the locals as the Willcox Inn. There is a pretty nice write-up on Google and Wikipedia (The Willcox) about it. You might want to look at it.

jmonroe

fezo

Oh, I know a guy down in Aiken. Works for a power plant. Went to elemebtary school with half the kids I went to high school with. Somewhere in middle school his family moved to the next town so I didn't know him in school but he came to out 35th reunion some years ago and got to know him pretty well.

Just out mowing teh lawn. The good news is I found my 10 year old's glasses. The bad news is I found them with the mower.

604doc

"Congratulations on the new truck but I have one comment.

I’m not a grinder either but how much did the ipod adapter cost? From what I’ve seen about these, they are under $50 but maybe I’m wrong. If I’m right it sounds like your dealership is the one that is the grinder. But as long as you’re satisfied with the deal that’s all that’s important.

jmonroe"

Actually, the ipod adapter retails for $290.00 per the Monroney label, invoice price was $246.00 according the Edmunds. Way too expensive for what you get, kinda like factory nav systems.

fezo

$246 for an iPod adapter? Holy smokes! :surprise:

tjc78

wow! When I bought the Genesis I said I wanted the Ipod adaptor and the salesman reached into the drawer and handed me one! I think the retail was $30.00 or so.

[Deleted User]

I'm afraid to ask, but what exactly is edible on a chicken head?

jmonroe

Actually, the ipod adapter retails for $290.00 per the Monroney label, invoice price was $246.00 according the Edmunds. Way too expensive for what you get, kinda like factory nav systems.

I did a quick check on Crutchfied for an ipod adapter and they show two for a 2011 Frontier. One is pretty basic and costs $28 and the deluxe model that plays and charges the ipod goes for $150. Since the one on your Monroney sticker goes for $290 that must be similar to the Crutchfied deluxe job.

I know what you mean about factory nav systems. Son #1 recently bought a Garmin 5 inch job which was highly recommended by CR. CR is pretty good for this kind of stuff, also independent reviews said the same. He got it on ebay and it was a new reconditioned unit with a full 12 month warranty for $109 and it does everything and more that my Genny factory installed 7 inch unit does. Package probably cost around 2K on the Genny but the advantage of the factory installed is that you don’t have to paste it to the windshield. Then again it’s not portable. I played with it on our way to Myrtle Beach in August and it’s well worth the $109.

So I’ve been told, a lot of these reconditioned units are really not recondition at all but rather they are units that are returned because people couldn’t figure out how to use them or just got buyer’s remorse but because the box has been opened they sell them as “reconditioned”. This pretty much jives with what Son #1 told me about Sony products when he worked for Sony a few years ago. The employee store had tons of returned products that were in perfect health at much reduced prices. The rest went to their “outlet stores”.

jmonroe

driver100

Also, our four door 1960 Star Chief was a pretty car--

I found one on this sight, but they won't let me copy the picture:
64 Pntiac Tempest 4 door

It does look like a smaller Bonneville, nice neat look to it.

Here is a 1960 Catalina 4 - door, I think the Star Chief was very similar, but I can't find a 4 door SC,

driver100

I'm afraid to ask, but what exactly is edible on a chicken head?

I don't know but in Newfoundland a big delicacy is Cod tongues!!!!!! They also have a specialty, fried baloney and macaroni.

My mother said when she was a kid she was given chicken necks to play with. Not quite as good as a Gameboy.

Not sure what is edible about a chicken head, but maybe chicken tongues.

imidazol97

Here's driver's Tempest--one of the cleanest, neatest styles from the past.

fezo

When I was a kid the neighbor two doors up had that Tempest in Lake Blue.

The Westerners would eat the meat off the chicken's neck. The Chinese managed to fined some on the head itself.

At this same restaurant there were vendors outside with live animals - turtles, eels, whatever. You could pick one out and they'd put your name on it and send it in and that would be your dinner. I have enough of an issue with lobster....

fezo

McChickenhead.

tcp2

What a novel concept. She's going to cook at home from now on. It's probably not a good idea to eat anything that starts with "Mc". The head was probably healthier than the rest of the "meal".

imidazol97

I've had enough of an issue from watching my mother twist off chickens' heads as a way of killing them, to prep, and to cook them later in the day. I believe I even chopped a few necks as an alternative way of killing them when I was a kid on the farm.

The image of eating a chickenhead or several other things people eat just never sat well with me.

explorerx4

Don't forget she is comparing a 7 year old Ford with 90+k miles on it to a group of cars that average 60+k. The Mini brings the average down.

explorerx4

Driver, you should have asked 'Do you know the Prince of Pinehurst?'

imidazol97

I was at an area Buick dealer last weekend to see when the Verano is going to show up on the lots. They had an '08 Buick on the floor. It is spotless and in great condition. It's a delicious cream color. I'm wondering if that Buick could be a good buy!

I'll see if I can get a picture on here.

sterlingdog

That's not Driver's Tempest; it's mine. Also, you found the exact picture, and I thank your for it. Ours was a smoke blue with gray interior. I did love the car.

Richard

sterlingdog

You have the correct bottom, but the worng top. The 1960 Star Chief had a top that slanted toward the back. Ours was a light blue bottom with a white top. The interior was light blue trimmed in navy blue leather. It was a true tank with lots of horses under the hood.

Richard

andres3

My understanding is that it took him about 3 years to pay the money back.

Still a lot cheaper than a wife and a divorce later after the marriage from what I hear :P

driver100

McChickenhead.



That's enough to make me become a vegetarian.

driver100

Driver, you should have asked 'Do you know the Prince of Pinehurst?

Geez, why didn't I think of that! I am sure they would have known if I had done that.

I did ask if they ever saw a guy driving a black SRX who looks like an older George Maharis.

driver100

I was at an area Buick dealer last weekend to see when the Verano is going to show up ">

That Verano looks really nice. I like the Cruz too, it looks a lot more substsantial than the price would indicate.
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driver100

That's not Driver's Tempest; it's mine. Also, you found the exact picture

No, I found it first, but I found a picture they wouldn't let me copy. Imidazol found a way to get it, or he didn't obey the copyright laws :P

driver100

My understanding is that it took him about 3 years to pay the money back.
Still a lot cheaper than a wife and a divorce later after the marriage from what I hear

I hope he got a receipt for the total amount paid back.

explorerx4

Maybe you should have said Fabio?

imidazol97

That's the Verano.

But this is the '08 that they had on the floor.

Notice the leather. The thin tires like today's tires. The convertible so I can be right up with Richard and his spouse. Notice the two straps to the front of the '08 to hold the convertible top up in inclement weather so you don't get wet or cold (well maybe that won't work like today's cars).

driver100

But this is the '08 that they had on the floor.

Very nice...that's one Buick where I am sure you will have the "feel of the road"

Especially when you have to get out and crank it up.

mako1a

I've been going a little crazy for the last couple weeks trying to figure out what to do about a new Mustang. There is a 2012 GT near me that is a plain jane in white A/T for $29,500. Then there is a 2006 Saleen in Clayton, NC (near Richard) for $25,500. Decisions, decisions. Saleen>
Not sure what's with this site. I add image, preview, looks good, post...no pic.GRRR

I've been talking with our friend imbrentwood on the "What's it worth" board and we came up with $23k+. I would be happier with a unique car (2006 Saleen) more than the 2012 GT, but now I'm wondering about insurance and other variables. If the 2012 gets hit, insurance pays full tilt. The 2006 Saleen could be left to the discretion of the Insurance Co. Hmmm Suggestions? Dave

mako1a

Driver, here's the site with pics. Maybe you can find a good one and make it post.06 Saleen

A pic is worth lots of words. Thanks, Dave

driver100

here's the site with pics. Maybe you can find a good one and make it post

I seemed to have a problem copying the Mustang you wanted...I don't think those pictures will work. Is this one similar?

mako1a

Except for the glass top and light blue instead of grey...that's it! Thanks

tjc78

I'll confess to not being a Mustang expert, however, I really like the Saleen. I remember when they came out. You will certainly not see another like yours very often. It is a different animal than a "plain jane" 2012. I would be willing to bet you could keep a few years, and lose less money on it than the 2012.

I would be curious which car in faster. I bet its close.

imidazol97

I asked if it was a leftover model from '08. Did it have a factory warranty?

It was "traded in" by an owner who has many antique autos. He wanted it to be cared for. So he traded it to the dealership owner, I would guess for a very fair price and got a new car as well in the deal.

Who says those GM's don't last as long as those foreign jobbies?

mako1a

I was hi-bid on the Saleen twice at $22k/$20k then it expired with out a response. So I sent an email offering $22,500. The next day he responded with, HI DAVE, THANKS FOR THE OFFER. THIS IS MUCH MORE CAR THAN THAT. RARE COLOR CAR AND WITH THE AUTO. $25500.00 IS WHAT I CAN TAKE FOR IT.

I'm sure he's correct on it being "more car". I'd probably be the biggest lay down in history if I heard the exhaust when it fired up. I'd be throwing money at him saying "get some plates on it QUICK".

[Deleted User]

Did you confirm the accessories and features on that '08? Navigation, 10 air bags, seat position memory, seat warmers/coolers, etc...? At least we know it has auto climate control....whatever it happens to be that day.

-Ty

Kirstie_H

So, I waited awhile to tell this one because I wanted to be sure the issue was actually fixed, but here it is: I DIAGNOSED AND PERFORMED MY FIRST CAR REPAIR ALL BY MYSELF. Now it's up to you all to act like I basically rebuilt the entire engine.

My "low coolant" light kept coming on. Opened the hood, and the reservoir is right at the cold fill level. OK, I'm not very car savvy, so I have my S.O. look at it. He checks everything, comes to the same conclusion. Light stays off for a few days. My S.O. goes on a biz trip, and on comes the light again. My dad was in town, so he looked at it in case we missed something, can't find anything wrong.

Suddenly, I notice that there's a clip that holds the hose going from the reservoir to the radiator, that seems to hold the hose in a particular position. It's plastic, and it appears to be broken and the hose slipped out of it.

$1.99 for a bag of zip ties (you can't just buy one), attach the zip tie to the hose, holding it in the same position where the plastic clip formerly did, and presto! Light hasn't been on since (and it's been a month). And here I was about to take it in for service....pshew!

fezo

Well, they'll deduct a point for not using duct tape for that repair so give yourself a 99! Very good indeed!

imid - looks like it might lack some of the newest type features like windows and such but I see it has a nice little seat in the back for your wife. Better grab it before jmonroe does.

jmonroe

Just out mowing teh lawn. The good news is I found my 10 year old's glasses. The bad news is I found them with the mower.

I had a similar experience but I didn&#146;t have to wait 10 years.

Back in about 1990 I couldn&#146;t find my glasses, had no idea where I had them last. Since I don&#146;t need glasses for anything other than distance, I had to buy another pair ASAP so I could find my way to work. Because I don&#146;t need glasses for up close work that&#146;s what threw me off. The following Saturday morning when I opened the hood to check the fluids, there they were all flattened out sitting on the top radiator support. Ding, now I remembered. When I came home earlier that week I opened the hood because I heard a squeak and set them down.
I had nothing to lose since I just bought another pretty pair just like the old ones so I grabbed a pair of needle nose and decided to straightened them out. I felt sure they would break but they didn&#146;t. I now had a spare so what&#146;s the big deal? Mrs. j thought it was.

Thanks for reminding me that I have to cut the grass. With all of the rain we've had (about four straight days) it's pretty high right now. It's looking pretty nice right now but it will probably rain by the time I get home.

A retired guy like you should be able to get to it for me before it rains again, right?

jmonroe

fezo

I still have another half to mow. Maybe I can find mire valuable things that I can pulverize. This glasses had been missing three days. fortunately they came with a $99 deal to replace in their first year. That would expire next month. Only ten year old I know with bifocals. Is that my kid or what?

[Deleted User]

NICE! Doesn't that feel great to diagnose and resolve a problem? It's my natural high. First there's the curiosity of what's wrong, and then the frustration if I can't initially figure it out, and then a rush of adrenalin once I nail down and resolve the problem. Great job. I agree about the need for duct tape, though, and obviously you haven't watched enough Red Green.

I spent a month trying to locate a transmission fluid leak in my Grand Caravan. Finally I came across a Dodge service manual that detailed out the various seals and traced where the leak could originate in order to drain out of a weep hole in the transfer case. Bingo! Got it. What a great feeling.

jmonroe

Suddenly, I notice that there's a clip that holds the hose going from the reservoir to the radiator, that seems to hold the hose in a particular position. It's plastic, and it appears to be broken and the hose slipped out of it.

Sounds like a total misdiagnosis to me. Are you sure that wasn&#146;t a &#147;hose clamp missing&#148; light you saw? :confuse:

jmonroe

Kirstie_H

The problem was that the hose being slightly out of position must have made it appear, to the sensor, that there wasn't enough fluid. Who knows?

If the zip tie fails, I'll put it back together with duct tape, I promise... or maybe an untwisted bit of coat hanger.

Kirstie_H

This will be a two-fer for me if today's deck building project goes as planned. The frame is together, one outer board is slightly warped so the support cross-pieces don't quite hit it in one area. Problem: the warped board is underneath another deck (it's multi-level) so you can't get to the side where you'd need to pull it.

My fix: attach two eye bolts, strap them together with a strap with a ratcheting mechanism (we have these for tie-downs)... attach joist hangers, etc., remove straps. I have ZERO skills in this area, but my S.O. (who's a wizard with home improvement projects) loved the solution. I'll take pictures if it works, and delete this post if it doesn't.

ray80

Either duct tape or Baling Wire should be acceptable, they always seem to work for me

imidazol97

I don't understand how the hose, if it's not kinked, would affect the coolant level sensor in the radiator. Does the radiator have a separate cap to check level in it when the system is cool? The radiator level might be low and expands above the sensor when warmed up.