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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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On meeting folks, I've met some . Micaelll obviously. Did a day at the Philly Auto Show this year with lemko who is excellent company at an auto show. Was hoping to get stick or andre1969 along on that one but it didn't work out.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Let's just say the philosophy is that it can't be that bad, because otherwise members would be complaining about it.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I found the BMW GPS much better than our old Garmin. I think they may have added or changed some things, to make it work better.
Those warning and directional arrows show up on the speedometer face now.
My guess judging by my experience, the BMW GPS takes your current speed and determines your time of arrival. If you stop for gas, or to eat, or if the traffic pattern changes, the arrival time will change, but that can be mentally calculated too.
I think it is too much to ask of the young lady to know if lanes can change directions. I don't know how they make these things, but that seems like an intangible you can't account for.
I think, if someone like me, a techno-caveman can operate the GPS pretty well, then they have done a really good job of it.
On the news they said Sears was closing. What is the world coming to!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
BTW overestimation of travel time was based not on stops, because the travel was 90 miles of interstate and 30 miles of regular road and it kept that overestimation all the way to the exit and then mile-by-mile it was bringing estimated arrival sooner and sooner by each mile traveled from the exit to the destination. Basically, it was estimating last 30 miles to take over an hour and it took about half of that. The traffic was quite light.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
My nav system folds up and goes in the glove box. I also have a female voice constantly telling me where to turn and asking "when are we going to get there". That has made me quite good at estimating travel times.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
:shades:
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I usually pulled up the ETA and miles to travel while on the highway. I would say it was completely accurate. If we stopped for 15 minutes then the ETA changed to become 15 minutes later. I would have to say, with my limited knowledge of such things, it does a pretty good job of estimating for me.....I think it takes into account your speed and the distance of your destination.
The first i-systems were criticized....the new one gets lots of praise. It brought driving long distances to a totally new level. You can see how many miles to go and know approx when you will arrive. We could figure out how far we would get, call a hotel that will accept us and our dog, find out the rate, book the room, and then find the address. It would be hard to live without a GPS now.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
lol, that was funny. That program about BMWs said they have experts that study the sounds for those voices for hours and hours, to get just the right tone. The voice is pretty good, but a French accent would be even better.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
area Oleeve' Braanch Estates (Olive Branch Estates). Sounds wonderful with
the accent.
I tried Australian, but just couldn't understand the directions.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
2018 430i Gran Coupe
OK I'll admit to being late to the party but things are slowing down for me right now, but I have over a thousand posts to catch up on.
That being said I could hook you up with a couple of people that had absolut nightmares with warranty issues with Subaru.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Here is where a cost benefit analysis comes into play. Is the BMW a better and more enjoyable car to drive than say my wifes Sonata? Yes it is, however the least expensive BMW is almost 60% more. So the question is is the BMW at least 60% more enjoyable to drive?
That is a personal choice, some will say yes others will say no. I am in the latter group.
Another way to look at it is what would give me more enjoyment? Buying that 1 series or buying that Sonata and spending the additional $12K on other things that will give me enjoyment?
Not everyone has the same answer.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The paperwork basically blamed me for grinding those gears, but they paid it anyway out of goodness of their hearts. Boohoo - what really happened, '02 and '03 WRX had reported abnormal number of transmission repairs and '04+ got a new stronger gears. But not to admit a modelwide problem, they were replacing those things on "goodwill" basis and did not to have to report it as warranty problems, possibly saving themselves further work in the future, once warranty and goodwill periods were over. If it really was my driving, they would not redesign the gearset and would not put the new one in my tranny. But what do I care - it was done, I didn't have to pay.
BTW, Subaru has 3 year wear and tear warranty, which means even brakes would be replaced if needed (but you won't get there in 3 years - they do it if pads have 1 mm left). But other smaller things they'd do, such as wiper blades, seals, latches, squeeks and rattles. Subaru is great. I'd continue to buy them if they had a car that was for me, similar to previous generation Legacy in wagon manual trim, nice interior and quick engine. But they don't, unfortunately.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I thought yours would be a Southern Belle...Hi y'all sugar plum, now honey why doan you do a nice sweet right turn at the next set of lights.
Actually, stopped at the Hotel in Perry Georgia and the waitresses were all friendly southern belles, thought we were in town to see the rodeo. Very fine friendly service y'all.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I believe you and I am sure there is a logical reason having to do with speed and traffic conditions etc. I don't think it can take all that into account, but I think it does an amazing job. We were in Findlay Ohio and I thought it was a lot further to get to our home address. It gave the distance and the exact time we arrived home, but added 15 minutes for the one stop we made. Highway is more steady driving than city driving, but I was amazed, and found the information very useful.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree. Some people would rather buy a cottage, a 2nd home, go on a cruise, buy furniture, build a swimming pool, buy a larger house, fly to Europe, buy fine scotch, lots of things rather than own a BMW.
I have the things I really need and I enjoy fine engineering, especially if I am going on a 1400 mile trip. But, that's my choice, other people might not get any satisfaction from driving a BMW....my one brother who drives a 9 year old Civic thinks I am nuts....he would rather invest his money in bonds. I'd rather enjoy my life and buy things I can afford to make my life a pleasurable as possible. I have seen to many people go with money left in the bank that they could have used to enjoy a few things in life.
People value different things, that's why they make bmws and Sonatas, because each has people who want that kind of car. Put another way, if I didn't spend the money on the 5er...what exactly would I do with that extra money? I could save it in the bank. That's no fun!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Or eat. Let's not forget eat....
Don't get alarmed. They are closing a chain they own the "The Great Indoors" which is home decorating and remodeling focused.
They did release the list of 81 stores they had previously announced would be closing.
That presupposes that anyone in their right mind would want to go anywhere near Newark. :P
IDK, one of these days I guess I'll have to crawl into the 21st century but it's hard giving up the old seat-of-the-pants navigation I'm used to. For years before NAV systems or cell phones I traveled the country on business on everything from interstates to logging roads and developed a "feel" for finding my way.
When we were in Florida a while ago the rental had a NAV system. My wife and I couldn't figure it out so my son had to work it. Turns out the software hadn't been updated so it kept directing us to stores which had gone out of business and restaurants which had moved. Pretty useless.
As for DC, my BIL lives there any so far I haven't had a problem getting around. We went to my nephew's wedding and the roads were laid out in a pretty logical fashion. If I can look at a map and get a mental picture of a city I can usually blunder my way through without too many wrong turns.
I feel sorry for young people who have to rely on technology so much. If the system ever crashes they are going to be lost. The old farts will still be able to find their way by instinct and tune a car by the sound of the motor.
We'll be gods! :shades:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Don't you have something to do with tax returns (sorry, but the memory ain't so good)? Pretty early for that season to be ending. Maybe people just don't make any money these days.
I just finished my federal and state taxes today, the earliest ever. Usually wait until the last minute but since I normally get back from the state more than I have to pay the Feds I did both and will send the state return in tomorrow . I'm hoping I get my refund back before the Federal tax is due.
Now all I have left is my state sales tax return from the farm. My wife has given me a bottle of wine to calm me down as I usually get pretty hard to be around when I'm paying taxes. :mad:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I heard on the radio they were closing 120 stores, but it sounded like they were going out of business. Then I looked this up and this news release says they are closing Sears and K-Mart stores.
Sears Holdings Corp (SHLD.O) will close as many as 120 of its Kmart and Sears discount and department stores after its holiday sales slumped, sending its shares sliding more than 27 percent to their lowest level in three years.
On the radio it sounded like they were bankrupt. They are doing badly it seems, and will probably close more stores, but it looks like they will hold on for awhile yet.
If Sears closes, where will I get appliances?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
BTW, Sears is now more real estate than retailer. Their retail model simply exhausted itself and they don't know how to fix it. They tried cost cutting and it run the people off their underinvested stores. Their prices are still too high for the merchandise they offer. Their consumer electronics section is pointless. Their apparel is mediocre. All they really have is tools and appliances, but even there people have more choices than they used to.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Well, they lost $3 billion so if not now, soon. I haven't been in a Sears store since 1996 when I bought a small tractor. Maybe be Isell could give you some insight. Didn't he use to run one of their auto stores?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Yes, I saw lots of Famous Tate TV ads and newspaper ads when we were in the Tampa area for the last 2 months. The prices were amazing.
When we were in Tampa I needed a breakfast stool so I could work at the kitchen counter while on the computer. I checked Sears and they had about 4 different kinds, that I didn't like. A Google pop-up said we can list lots of web sellers who have bar stools. The first one I tried was rugsusa.com and I had a choice of about 300 different bar stools. 5% off and free shipping. Cost about $100, came in less than 2 weeks, it is a really nice design....we would have had to go to dozens of stores to find anything as nice. The internet has changed the way we shop. Sears will have a hard time making it, unfortunately.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good memory. I am sure isell is around, but not here any more.
I haven't been in a Sears store since 1996 when I bought a small
It's people like you who ruined Sears.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Ha ha yep! I brought down Kmart after they screwed me on kitchen cabinets. Sears could be next.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When I was a kid, having a car - any car - was important to me. Now, "any car" won't do. I've grown to enjoy my home-away-from-home (my car). I look for the latest technologies, best audio systems, most comfortable to drive vehicles, etc. A Honda civic won't do!
But I do understand that a large percentage of our population look at cars and other vehicles as basic transportation - nothing more and nothing less! I have total respect for those people and, at times, I even envy them for their simplistic attitudes and opinions. After all, it's like flying in a plane in coach or first class - we both get to the same places at the same time!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Since the Passat has been americanized, I tihnk you should look instead at the CC.
Welcome aboard, and I hope you stay with us for awhile...we will kind of grow on you.
There was an old airplane ad that said "Getting there is half the fun".
That's part of the fun, enjoying the drive to get there, not just getting to your destination. Most cars will get you from Point A to Point B, but some cars make the trip more enjoyable. I have driven boring cars, Camry, RAV4, Civic, Impala and many more. I prefer a car that has great engineering, steering and handling...it's like watching a 55 inch TV compared to the old 28 inch ones.
Sometimes, I would agree, it would be nice to drive a beat up old car and park it where ever you want. Not worry about it if someone opens their door into your car. But, that would probably get boring after awhile.
My one brother buys a Civic when his old one falls apart....every 10 years.
Driving and cars give him no real enjoyment....that's fine. I do get enjoyment from a nice car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Actually, we`did. I like the looks of the CC, kind of like a baby Maybach.
The problem is the seats, though they look beautiful, aren't that comfortable, and the sight lines are not great, especially for my wife. Small windows and you are sitting pretty low.
I like the looks and the idea, but taking the 2008 335 down to Florida will work much better. More comfortable, more powerful engine, better handling, and will cost less than a CC.
It was a good try though.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"If Sears closes, where will I get appliances?"
Now, now. Remember our discussion on free trade and open markets? You can get your appliances from one of America's new owners. :P
I did read something nice about Sears recently. For their employees who were in military reserves and went active duty, Sears has been holding their jobs open for them and continuing to pay all of their benefits. I guess that won't last much longer. :sick:
Richard
Awesome! Congratulations Richard.
Thanks for the tip. I just did that after not being able to log in here for two days.
Richard
Such experiences are happening now. I was in a store recently when the cash register system went down. The cash drawer was open but it wouldn't tell the young clerk how much change I was due. I purchased an item for $1.89 and gave the lady a $5 bill. She stood there bewildered. I told her to give me three ones and eleven cents. She said that she would have to call the manager. :sick:
Here's a new one for you. There was an article in one of my recent educational journals that lamented about the fact that some states and private school systems will no longer teach writing in elementary grades. Reason? With keyboarding, texting, email, cell phones, etc., they no longer have to be able to write. Writing their names can be taught at home. For an old English teacher like me, I had to have a drink, a cigarette, and a sleeping pill! :sick:
Richard
You can get a new job in management. :sick:
I've encountered that for a number of years. Kids don't know how to make change. I was making change and working a cash register when I was 6 - maybe 5. My dad had a store and out us all to work. We loved it - except maybe washing out deposit bottles....
You know how you can't buy cigarettes now unless you are an adult? I was SELLING them when I was 6! 26 cents a pack.
My 10 year olds are aware of the fact that they may be the last crew that learn actual cursive. Sigh.
That said by far the most convenient place for e to buy Kenmore appliances and Craftsman tools is Kmart.... :sick:
I do applaud that they hold jobs and pay benefits for those serving. They aren't the only ones who do it but I'm pretty sure they are in a small minority that do.
What am I going to do if Sears goes under? Not only is that Craftsman and Kenmore but they own Lands End as well.
driver - have you no shame? Still getting mileage out of the would be car purchase story...... At least soon you'll have a new BMW, though by now we are tired of you buying BMWs. If you bought something else that would pick things up around here.
That is essentially what defines bankruptcy. Shareholders owning bankrupt company get nothing (bankrupt - nada, no money) and creditors basically get company assets (Chapter 7, liquidation) or piece of a new company (Chapter 11, reorganization). The latter is more frequent and once a new company is formed, it often gets some new cash and can acquire other company, so nothing strange there. Anyway, it happens.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I couldn't either. I just replied to a post and it asked for my user name and password. I could log in that way.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
http://www.edmunds.com/help/
then report an error.
Complaints from YOU folks are the only way to get attention to these issues.
No need to even include your email address unless you want a response.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
After all, why would they believe you? You only use the site alot and see what people are complaining about.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Yeah, I thought that was a particularly bad example of capitalism. They screwed the stockholders, screwed many vendors and then got new rich investors who made a killing on the new stock which was unburdened of the previous debt. The new stock skyrocketed so much that they bought Sears with it. Made a lot of people poor and a very few rich. :mad:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I do have to give them a break... Forums is the only place on the entire website where users have direct, day-to-day interaction with any representative of Edmunds. When something malfunctions on any other area of the site, there's no one to gripe to or with - the only way for a user to express dissatisfaction is via the Help Desk. So, our people aren't used to having one real human (or several, since all the hosts have mentioned it) speak for the experience of our masses.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I have a factory installed nav system on two cars with a female voice now. I used to hear a female voice, like you, before the one I hear now. Back then after a few of those "when are we going to get there", I’d have liked to have folded that one up and put it in the glove box too but that ain’t legal where I come from. :surprise:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Oh well, it had to happen sometime. Just turned 1300 miles.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yeah, all that "new" cash is the "old" cash that used to belong to the shafted stock holders.
The GM deal was even worse for the bond holders.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The kids also learned at an early age (and still remember today!) that when I point to a cart and ask what it is, they reply "evil".
Other than that, if you park in a lot with a slope park at the top.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.