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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Maybe if we get enough people together here Mako could do a circuit and plow out driveways. Of course we would get a discount for buying in bulk.
Richard must be having a good time if he forgot about us, or he doesn't have any interesting stories to tell us about.
Hey Richard, it's time for you to check in!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Do you think you are related somehow?
Were you both from the Catskills? You may be related - closer than you think :shades:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Nah, I think that kind of stuff goes on more in mako1's part of the world. The Catskills are more a resort area for wealthy people from New York City with a few hippies left over from Woodstock.
I was trying to get stickguy to pick up one of the many BMW's for sale in the rich town where I work. People there put them out on the curb on trash day when they get dirty.
My mistake was in telling him about a Z4 that turned out to have the wrong engine and tranny configuration. Owner also wanted about $3K more than Edmunds said it was worth. I don't think he trusts me any more.
Shame, there aren't many Bimmers out in Amsterdam.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Some dealers just make a habit out of gouging their customers; on one of the Mazdaspeed boards(where opposable thumbs are a rarity) some doofus was telling me that he had a friend with a new 3er and that the oil service cost $175. I asked why the car wasn't covered by BMW's free maintenance; he said that it was- but the dealer put the price of the service on the invoice to show what it would cost out of warranty. Hmmmm, my dealer never did that, but then they charge less than 60 percent of that price to do the same service.
Of course, some dealers will just flat out try to screw you; my local dealer(Swope BMW, Louisville) performed an Inspection II(AKA the 60,000 mile service) and a brake fluid flush on my wife's X3 for just $374. In contrast, Santa Monica BMW charges $1105 for the same work(I called and checked). I realize that the cost of living in California is higher than that of Kentucky, but 295% higher? Again, that's what happens when an uninformed customer grabs his ankles in front of an unscrupulous dealer...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Whenever I take the BMW in for service they give me a full invoice showing the real cost. Then the last line shows nothing owing. I prefer that so I know how much the tire cost under warranty $375. It also shows everything they did in detail, which could be useful information. I save those receipts too, just in case...I remember some guy named Andre once lost a receipt for a watch he wanted to return.
$175 for an oil change isn't too bad if people keep in mind you only do it every 15000 miles. It isn't that much more expensive considering that, but think of the time saved only doing an oil change about once a year.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I wonder if that really does make a difference, I think it does. I found new cars cost less in a big city like Toronto, population around 5 million, because there is so much competition. But, used cars seem to cost more, maybe because there is more demand for lower priced cars. The problem with used cars in a big city is they really get roughed up. Too much starting and stopping and standing in traffic etc.
In case many of you are busy tomorrow a Happy New year to all and all the very best for a great 2012!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My dad took his Dodge truck to the former Dodge dealer I worked at and where he bought it new from me, also for an oil change, a year after I left the place. The Ram is only two years old. He calls me about 2 hours after checking it in asking why it's going to cost him almost $400. After I called and found out that the work will also have a bunch of inspections, and that it was too late to cancel. My dad became furious and gave them heck when he went to pick it up. I know who the service advisor was and how he operates so I wasn't happy with what was said to my dad to coerce him into doing extra "inspections"
One thing I don't get is why my parents call me way after the fact asking these things when they should have called me right from the service counter instead, before agreeing to any work that sounded a bit excessive.
Heck even when I took my wife's Civic for an quick inspection at the place I worked at before, they came back with a $1200 work order on a car that had 40k miles and drove like new. Yes, ideally, you can change all the parts in a car, even the good ones to prevent future troubles, but not really necessary, especially on newer cars unless there are symptoms of malfunction or possible failure.
Just goes to show, do your research and know exactly what you want done and why.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
You're still confused. We don't cotton to that sort of thing. However, I do go to NRA events with the county sheriff, so I'll have him keep a keen lookout for any New Yawk license plates passing through the area. Just in case one of them answers to the pseudonym oldfarmer.
Remember the guy in the chrome sunglasses that said "that car looks fast...you must have been speeding".
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Yes, it would save me nearly 30 minutes- that's how long it takes me to change the oil in one of my BMWs(plus $55 for synthetic oil and an OEM filter)...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
It's not unusual for a service department to consider any part not 100% to need replacement.
Like you said, you have to do your homework.
My '02 Explorer felt like the right rear wheel was sticking/dragging when you made a turn.
The dealer said I needed new LSD clutches, about $700.
I signed up at a site that provided Ford diagnostic help.
Their answer was to replace the rear axle fluid including a friction modifier additive.
Did that and all is well for $70.
You just have to do it every 50k miles.
Oh oh, I guess when I go south I better use my other pseudonym: Kent Steerwell.
Happy new year.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Now that was funny.
Just a quick story for a slow New Years day.
We needed a 3 in one for our Florida place.
Saw an add at Radio Shack for a new model HP. Reg $99 for $49.
Our IT guy at work said it was a good buy. 3 in 1 and it is wireless. Also set up for pictures, just put your chip right in the printer.
Went to "The Shack" and the manager said he can't recommend it because
the wireless doesn't work. He sold 5 and 5 were returned with this problem. I asked and he said a cable was included if you need it.
So, I think, he probably was told, don't sell any at $49 because it's a loss leader.
So, I take it, get it home and the wireless won't work. We decide to keep
it anyway because it is a pretty nice unit. But, there is no cable.
I go back to the Shack, tell them the problem and they sell me a cable for $18. I take it home and it won't fit.
I go back to the Shack and explain. They say, I need a printer cable...it's $25 so I pay another $8.
I go home and set it all up. Works fine with a cable.
Then I get an email from HP wanting to know if I want to do updates.
I reply "Yes".
It does some updates then I see the wireless will now work.
I return the cable to the Shack and get my $25. Fortunately I keep receipts, have drawers of them.
I tell them how to get the wireless working....I don't think they liked that I got the wireless working.
I think they wanted to keep the printers until next week, when they go back to $99.
Happy New year all.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My story is I went to Best Buy to buy speakers for my wifes brand new computer. Best Buy had several ones for sale but most were high priced ones as they were sold out of mid range ones. The only other one they had was a low priced set on closeout marked down to $10. Since we needed just basic speakers I got them.
At check out I was asked if I wanted the extended service contract for them. For something that costs $10 I'll take my chances. But curiosity got the better of me and I asked how much.
The service plan for a $10 pair of computer speakers was $6.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Isn't that ridiculous! The $18 cables I bought at the Shack had a warranty for 99 cents. I said, "What can possibly go wrong with a set of cables?"
The saleslady said, "A guy came in with a set of $50 cables that broke and he wishes he took the insurance on them".
Yeh right! For $50 the cables should have a warranty for life!
I'll use my pseudonym I. C. Rhodes
That's a good one. I like these. I remember one time when I watched the Simpson's the phone rang at the bar and he asked the bar tender if he could ask if there was an I.P. Knightly in the bar.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
And there are some BMWs in Amsterdam, but I believe my BIL owns them all (he has 2).
There are quite a few near me. The biggest issue has been time to get out and look. Trying to work on that in the next week.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I know...and I got a drawer full of receipts at both homes now. In fact, I have so many receipts, that if I had to find a receipt, I would never be able to find it.
I guess I would have to get the store to review the security tape.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
These are fun....and you actually called the zoo and asked for Mr. L. E. Fant.
I might play tennis at the same time my wife has exercise classes so now we are considering a second car for Florida. This year we might rent something for a month because we have blown a lot already. The Florida place is great, but it is never the way you want it exactly...at least the way one of us wants it exactly.
I would like to get about a 2010 Fusion. My wife would like a 6 speed manual, which seems hard to find. She would like a Jetta which actually costs about the same or more.
One thing I like with a Fusion is they have an extended warranty, 100000 miles or 6 years and that would be good for our situation...you know it should be good for 6 years if they honor the warranty...unlike some manufacturers, who have been removed from my list...even though that Kia Optima looks like a really nice car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Also, there is a Cable Box set up too.
Any ideas what could work?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The other has to do with what has to happen to get Craig back on here. Hmmm. . .
Happy New Year, everyone!
And yes, I did actually call and ask for Mr. Fant. As soon as I actually said Mr. L.E. Fant, I knew I had been had. They got the new kid really good. I even had to laugh at myself.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Thanks...I might just do that. I guess it would be easy to add a DVD player so there would just be one HDMI cable that would have to be added.
I just don't know if I want to deal with the cable provider again. It will mean being on the phone all day long and then waiting around for a day while the guy comes to drop off the new cable box.
I might have to do that, but, is there any other solution as a back up plan?
I wish I was there when they called out for Mr. L.E. Fant. I was looking up some names and found Ben Dover and Dick Tater.
Well, it's a slow day around here.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
then again,if you are retired in Fla, what else do you have to do?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
When I was in maybe 7th grade I was working in my uncle's sweet shop for a summer. Also working there was this hot older woman - she was a 16 year old kid. Well, one day the phone rings. Now in my uncle's place the phone number listed in the phone book was for one of the phone booths across the store from the counter (there was a phone just behind the counter but atht was the unlisted number for family). Anyway, the phone rings, Jeannie runs across to answer it and yells to my uncle "Do we have Prince Albert in a can?" My uncle tells her it's a prank and to hang up and she doesn't quite understand and says "What?" He repeats himself and she's still not getting it. Finally he says, "Yes!"
You can fill in the rest yourself.....
Maybe this:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080794/Man-attempts-pay-1m-Walmart-shop- ping-trip-North-Carolina.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Thanks...I will see if that can be done. Knowing these guys, they won't have a store.....probably operate for the back of barn somewhere.
I wish you could come down here and set it up. You have to be a certified technician to make the new unit operate the box and TV from one remote.
It's true about having all day when you are retired. One little project fills out a day. Today, I am gathering up all the receipts we have accumulated and putting them ito one larger drawer since the drawer is full.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If Richard had a million dollar bill on him he wouldn't be spending it at Walmart.
I am getting worried though. Hopefully, he is just having a great time in Florida. Maybe he is having trouble with his laptop (computer that is).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I haven't heard that one for a long time. Since I am retired and have so much time I might try calling a few stores and asking them that today.
When they say "Yes" I am supposed to say, "Well then why don't you let him out!" Right?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Do you actually think you'll find a store that still sells pipe tobacco?
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There are three within a 10 or 15 minute drive of my house that I know of. Two are tobacco shops and ones a Walgreens that does stock loose tobacco. There is also a new Binneys near me that I know has a walk in humador so I would think they sell pipe tobacco too so lets make that four.
When I was in high school I worked in a store and got that Prince Albert call once, I replied "Yes and I will make sure he washed he hands after he is done."
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
http://www.wnd.com/2005/04/29732/
I think that when I buy my next car I will pay in $2 bills.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
He does have a history of problems with computers...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I think it's Richard with computer trouble again. I can feel the other end of the wire being pulled from here!
Now, as you know, we have one dollar and two dollar coins instead of paper money. At first I didn't like them, carrying so many coins around, but these days it is better...vending machines can work in $1 and $2 increments.
Now we are switching to plastic money instead of paper. The new bills are supposed to be rip-resistant, virtually impossible to counterfeit, and won't melt in the dryer or freeze in the winter. The polymer-based $100 bill is the first in a series, and includes holograms, metallic elements and a clear, see-through window designed to make them harder to counterfeit.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Ok I see we are on old stories again. I’ll save myself some typing. Go look at post 48336 to see how we handle extended warranties in the ‘jmonroe’ house.
This account could have easily handled the $3000 repair bill to dump a new engine in the XG350 but we opted to buy the Subie instead. While the account didn’t cover all of it, a good bit of it was covered. Then we put the money for the extended warranty of the Subie, that we refused, into this account and the cycle continues.
The down side of this is that there is only $1140 in there now and a new Subie engine will surely cost more than that. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
And let’s not forget where you learned that lesson. Keep up the good work.
As far as looks go they can be deceiving.
FWIW, I might have snubbed another Hyundai sale. We are in the midst of re-doing the bathroom so I was at Loew’s on Saturday. As we are getting out of the car, a couple is walking by and we had a conversation that went like this:
Guy: that’s a 2012 Legacy isn’t it? How do you like it?
Me: yes and so far so good but it only has a little over 500 miles on it. So that’s not much of an endorsement.
Guy: yeah, but I’ve talked to a couple people who have had them for more than 150K miles and they are very satisfied with them and wouldn’t hesitate about buying another one. That’s why I’m considering one. I see that’s a 6 cyl. but I’m thinking about getting a 4 cyl. because I liked the test drive I had in one the other day but I want to test drive a Sonata before I decide which way to go.
I tell him the story and he said what everyone has said when I tell them.
Guy: WHAT !!! They really did that to you?
Me: that’s why you see this car. Otherwise it would be the XG350 sitting here and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Guy: I’ll have to think about that before I decide if I still want to test drive the Sonata.
His wife jumps into the conversation.
Guy’s wife: I think I’ve heard enough. I’m ready to just go buy the Legacy now.
I hope his wife has the last word.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
It’s a different type of car so that wouldn’t be a fair comparison. For one thing it doesn’t have nearly as much power as the V8 in the Genny but the 6 cylinder does a pretty good job of moving it. Like I said in a previous post it’s just a baby so I can’t say much right now. However, what I can say is that the Edmunds review of its NAV system is true, it’s quirky. It’s a touch screen vs. the wheel operated one in the Genny but it is not consistent in how it displays. When you’re trying to learn how something new operates it should be repeatable but it’s not. Sometimes I have to shut off the engine (which obviously isn’t always convenient) then restart it and everything is how I remember it. I’m going to wait a little while just to be sure it isn’t me but if I’m right, it’s going in for service. The only reason why we got that gizmo is because Mrs. j liked the backup camera and to get that you had to go whole hog with the NAV thingy. I know she’s never going to use the NAV because she knows exactly how to get to the mall but that’s life in the fast lane.
About an hour ago she called me at work wanting to know how the weather is here because where we live (about 25 miles away) she said there was snow all over her beauty because it is sitting outside while the contractors are using her half of the garage for a staging area while things are being done for the bathroom redo. She also liked the idea of the Subie being AWD just in case it snows. That’s also going to be a non issue for her because at this time of the year she keenly listens to the weather reports just to make sure she isn’t going to be caught out driving when the forecast calls for snow.
If the Subie is as good in the snow as they say it is, I’m the one that will find that out unless Son #1 beats me to it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
GPS is a guy thing (the way I see it). My wife also knows directions to her favorite places and the GPS I bought for her sits in the box in the bedroom.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Just went to VA this weekend for a wedding, and it came in handy getting from place to place in a strange area.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That should be enough to cover the repairs on my hooptie van. I just discovered that the lower control arms have rusted so badly that the coil springs are sticking through. Looks like a torch and hammer job for sure.
Just send me a check.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
While in Key West, I thought of you guys. I saw so many BMW's and MB's but very few Cadillacs. As usual, the SRX performed beautifully and provided us with a comfortable trip.
Driver, I thought that you might find this interesting. I gave my wife a Nookcolor for Christmas. It provides books, the Web, and email. I thought that it would be nice for her to use when we travel. I think that she is going to enjoy it. She won't have to travel with 4 or 5 books from the library. Also, we won't have to lug the lap top around when we travel.
I hope that everyone had a nice holiday season, and will have a happy, prosperous, and healthy 2012.
Richard
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It's in the mail. Let me know when you get it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl