Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Stories from the Sales Frontlines
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
I’m pretty sure I told this tale a while back but since we’re on batteries again I’ll repeat it.
I think it was in the late 70’s and I had a battery that went bad so I went to Sears. I knew I was going to be getting rid of the car within a year so I bought the 48 month battery vs. the Diehard which was more expensive and had a 5 year warranty. If I was as cheap as a fellow poster says I am, I would have gotten the 36 month battery but even I wasn’t willing to stoop that low. Back then I had success with Sears batteries and I wanted to take advantage of their free electrical system check too. They charge for those checks today but back then it was free. The battery was installed in one bay then it was moved over to another bay for the electrical system check. As the guy was doing the test I asked him how long the battery would last. He glances at it and says, “48 month battery it’ll last 36 months”. That was long enough for me. I’m pretty sure it had a 2 year over the counter free replacement warranty that was not prorated in that period.
Getting back to the life of a battery, hot weather seems to shorten it more than cooler weather.
I ran into that when I lived in SC. When I needed a battery for the ’74 Olds Omega that I was holding for Son #1 until he decided what he wanted to do with it, I went to K-mart to get one. I wanted the same battery that I had in the ’80 Buick Park Ave. because that battery was several years old and still in good shape so that’s why I wanted that same battery for the Omega. The guy said, “that’s a Yankee battery and it won’t last down here so we don’t carry that model. You want a battery that is built to take the heat we have down here”. I knew there were such batteries so I got the equivalent quality higher heat range battery that they had for the Omega. A year later it failed so I went back to K-mart and the same guy was there and I said, “hey, you gave me a Yankee battery anyway and now I’m back”.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
They were calling to start setting things up. This is getting way closer than it was in my head. Monday it's go meet with the transplant doc and transplant coordinator. The Thursday I have to go in for IV medication to prepare for transplant, Friday back up for the same thing plus to have them put a catheter in my chest. Saturday back up again for IV again and Sunday they admit me so I'll be posting from SK. I'm down by Long Beach Island so this is quite an itinerary. My wife has never driven in NYC. She will likely get her shot on Friday because I'll be coming out of anesthesia.
Wish me luck, guys and anyone who want to help out drop a line. E-mail is in my profile.
This got a whole lot more real today.
That sounds better, right?
pulling for you though. At least you are being worked on by some of the best medical people in the world, in a premiere facility.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Starting Monday I'll be there very day except Tuesday and Wednesday. It costs a good $100 a trip. This is nuts. At least once I'm in the trips stop for a while.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Let us know if the ribs are good there.
All the very best, hope it goes as smooth as possible. Hope it won't cut back too much on your "sales frontlines" time.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They always say that so that when you start complaining they know you're feeling better and then they send you home. Take em up on it and give em hell the first day. You know your poster buddies are pulling for you so you do your part and get back to us soon.
The Solara needs a driver.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Richard
"That's all fine and dandy, but what about the will...?"
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
In case the article does not come up, it is from the February 27, 2012 issue, by Becky Quick. Enjoy.
Randy
Car salesmen: Still sexist, still stupid
February 28, 2012: 5:00 AM ET
14 Email Print The way they've always treated women used to be plain discrimination. Now it's just plain dumb. When will they learn the caveman approach is bad for business?
By Becky Quick, contributor
FORTUNE -- When I waited tables as a teenager, I learned one lesson very quickly: Treat every person in a dinner party equally, because you never know who's picking up the bill -- and therefore determining your tip. It's the most basic of business survival tips, but one that few car salesmen in this country seem to have learned. And if you doubt me on this point, try walking into a car dealership seven months pregnant with your husband and two kids, and see who the salesman approaches first.
As the birth of our third child approached, my husband and I decided we needed a bigger car. It was to be my primary car, and after doing my research, all I wanted to do before plunking down my money was test-drive the Town & Country, the Odyssey, and the Sienna minivans. But getting someone to take $40,000 from you can be tougher than you might think, as I learned at one Chrysler, one Honda, and three Toyota (TM) dealerships.
The scenarios all went something like what happened at a nearby Toyota dealership, where I walked to the front desk and asked to have someone show me the Sienna. A salesman came right out and introduced himself to the man who happened to be standing behind me. After the bystander made clear that he wasn't my husband, the salesman asked me where my husband was -- still without introducing himself or asking my name. The sales rep then went on to respond to questions I asked about the Sienna by looking at my husband and talking to him, until my husband told him to talk to me. When the guy took me to his desk to take down my information, he asked me for my home phone number and followed up with: "Obviously you don't have a work phone."
Lest you think that I am just particularly unlucky, let me share the story of another woman, Anne Mulcahy, the former chairman and CEO of Xerox (XRX). Three years ago Mulcahy decided it was time to treat herself and went shopping for a Porsche. After test-driving one beauty -- a 911 Cabriolet -- she announced to the salesman that she'd take the car. After a pregnant pause, he responded, "Don't you have to talk to someone about that first?" Her reply: "If you don't start working on the paperwork in the next 10 seconds, I'll drive 30 minutes to the next Porsche dealer and buy the car there."
The Porsche salesman got right on the paperwork, but the insults didn't end there. The finance officer followed up by asking Mulcahy if she needed someone to co-sign on her lease. For the head of a Fortune 500 company, the experience came as a jolt. "It threw me back to my twenties when I'd go for a loan. I was working and was totally financially secure, but I'd have to get co-signatures on my loans just because it was the 1970s," says Mulcahy. "Then it was discrimination. Now it's just stupidity."
It doesn't take an MBA to recognize the bad business practices on display. Women were the primary buyers of more than 44% of all vehicles last year, and they influenced almost 80% of all auto sales, according to CNW Research. That's no secret to the auto companies, and any executive would blanch to hear stories like these. But somehow the lesson hasn't trickled down to the sales force.
The issue may be that the problem is so pervasive in the auto industry. Every salesman I dealt with on my minivan adventure automatically deferred to my husband. And in the end, even a stupid salesman can make a sale when he's selling an essential good. I ended up buying the Sienna from the dealership I described above, mostly because the baby was coming soon and I was tired of shopping around.
That's not to say there isn't an opportunity cost. After an experience like this, I am in no rush to step back into a showroom anytime soon. Which brings me to my memo to any auto company exec willing to listen: If you want a leg up on your competition, teach your sales force the lesson of waiting tables. Treat every customer with the same respect, because you never know who's going to pay the bill. And that's my tip.
This article is from the February 27, 2012 issue of Fortune.
Posted in: Becky Quick, car buying, car salesmen, cars, sexism the the Fortune site
Randy
The salesman knew she was bluffing...they never put Porche dealers just 30 minutes apart.
Aside from that, the story probably makes a valid point. However, I found salesmen to be pretty good these days. Unless they are really from some kind of old school they know or should be aware women buy their own cars these days, a lot even buy houses these days, and women usually have some say in the car their husbands buy.
I am surprised out of the 5 dealerships she went to she found this to be a problem. Even when my wife went in just to look at Mercedes on her own, she was treated very well.
Any salesman these days is foolish, if he doesn't think every one is a potential customer. My friend who is buying a $130,000 Maserati always wears old jeans and a sweat shirt. Sometimes the people who don't dress up have the bucks so they don't have to get dressed up. Sometimes the young hot shot with jeans down below his butt is the one who owns a high flying internet company .
You really can't assume anything these days.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Actually, I am pretty sure that there is another Porsche deal that close to the one near me!
anyway, as to the story, I am sure that if a practice continues, and the guy stays in the business, it must work. though really how could it hurt to simply ask who wants to do the talking? Worst that happens, the wife says toalk to the guy, but feels happy to have been asked!
I always figured that if i did go into car sales, I would make it a practice to cater to women. And suck up big time.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It's so funny, 15 years ago in a backward country of my origin, my mom and dad had quite opposite experience. My dad was shopping for a new car, doing a lot of research alone, but when he showed up with my mom, the salesman jumped up and said he now was seeing the actual customer, so he knew the sale was coming soon. Some flattery there, probably, but it shows you some people know their job and others are clueless and still in business.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Thanks, stick! Good to know you have my back.
Bunch of things during the day which will continue for a week and then suddenly stop. Have to do my taxes in the next couple of days and get all sorts of ready for the extended absence. Put the gym membership, that I;d only started using again, on hiatus until at least October.
in a new book, The American Way of Eating she talks about how some restaurants have become the assembly line of eating. The head office of the chain makes the portions of food in a central location, freezes the portions, and sends it out to restaurants so people can dine out at reasonable prices. The author gets a job putting the garnishes on the plate, that's all she does on her shift. She has to learn what goes on what plate. There are some guidelines, such as, all fish dishes get a wedge of lemon, all Mexican dishes get salsa. She talks about how food gets to your plate and the poor people who put it there.
My only point is, in some cases that is what sales has come down to. Order takers. Some sales people have said customers know everything there is to know befor they get to the dealer. They can look up prices and options before they come in.
I am glad my salesman wasn't like that. He showed me features that made a difference. He said I was better off for my needs to get a 6 and not an 8 cylinder. I am glad good salespeople are out there.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
It sounds like there are about 6 dealers selling less than 1000 cars. Each dealer just sells a few cars a week! Don't know why you would need that many dealers to sell that many cars.
I think Porsche only sold about 30000 cars in total in the USA last year.
Porsche sales 2011
Or this one:
Porsche sales North America
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yeah, but where were you when I went to Cumberland Island? Put the tent up and went for a long beach walk and someone stole the sneakers I had stashed along the boardwalk. Had to go barefoot overnight and had no spare shoes in the car either when we got back to the mainland the next day. :sick:
Take care!
He's going to be fine. I really don't think that he needs to make one.
Richard
Richard
He's going to be fine. I really don't think that he needs to make one.
:P
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Richard
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I got a ticket in Tennessee on the way back from Florida. I was going 96 in a 70 mph zone....actually that is the same miles over as yours.
Officer said I could just plead guilty and send in a certified cheque. I keep calling but he hasn't turned in his papers yet, so I don't know what the cost will be. If I don't plead guilty I have to go back and appear before a judge.
My last ticket was 18 years ago, it was for going over the limit by about 15 miles. I have had about 6 speeding tickets in 50 years of driving.
I was caught on I-75 this time and here is what happenned. The highway has 2 lanes heading northbound, and just as I was about to pass a truck he turns out into my lane and tries to pass another big truck. For about 20 miles they jockey for position, one gets ahead and then the other one moves forward. There are about 20 cars behind me waiting to get by, and I am right behind the truck on the left. Finally the truck in my lane gives up and falls behind the truck in the right lane.
At that point I just wanted to get by get some distance so I pressed on the gas pedal and the officer got me at my peak speed of 96 in a 70 zone. I was already back in the right lane, and slowing down to let the other cars go by and I wanted some distance between me and the two crazy truck drivers.
I drove within the speed limit the rest of the way and actually found that it is just more enjoyable, less stressful not to have to worry about being caught for speeding. In fact, it is fun not speeding and seeing police cars and knowing they can't get you.
I said to my wife, that was a wake up call. It does make me realize I am going to get caught one day, and it is just more enjoyable driving and not trying to get somewhere a few minutes sooner.
Then I got this email.....watch this to see what a few seconds of not paying attention can do. I don't usually pass on videos like this....but, this one is well worth watching - just 30 seconds!
Watch this!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have to agree with you, slowing down and just relaxing and enjoy the ride makes driving so much more enjoyable.
Speaking of speed tickets the office I do taxes at is at the end of a three lane (one in each direction with a dedecated left turn lane) street through a residential area with a SL of 25. The police are pulling people over wholesale. Yesterday in a mile and a half strip (maybe a bit less than that) I saw three cars pulled over.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That gets me about my ticket too. Although the speed limit on I75 was 70 mph every one is going at least 80....if you were going 70 you would be hindering the flow of traffic. My ticket should be for 16 miles over and not 26 miles over...that would really make more sense.
I am not fighting the getting a ticket. I'd say I got through at least 60 speed traps or police cars in each direction on that trip - a total of over 100, so to get one ticket isn't really too bad.
They should have a place on the ticket where you can plead guilty with a good reason.
That 25 mph limit where there are 3 lanes each way sounds like a trap for the city to make money.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Not sure where you are at but here all the interstates have at least three lanes. So if you are maintaining good lane disciplin you could stay 10 under the rest of traffic and not be to much of hinderance.
That 25 mph limit where there are 3 lanes each way sounds like a trap for the city to make money.
No it's a total of three lanes, one in each direction and a dedicated turn lane. It goes through a heavily residential neighborhhood with a park on one side at one point. There is plenty of foot traffic crossing it in warm weather so 25 isn't bad for that part of the road. With longer days and warmer weather they could very well be cracking down for safety reasons.
They should have a place on the ticket where you can plead guilty with a good reason.
Here in IL they allow something like that you can get "supervision" for most, but not all, tickets. The way it works is that you are pleading no contest, pay the fine and if you don't get another ticket in 6 or 12 months (depending on the county) in that county the case is dismissed. It used to be that the "supervision" wasn't reported to the state but they changed that law. Now it is reported to the state but not as a violation so there isn't any punches on your license.
However granting of "supervision" is the descretion of the judge but many juristictions do have that choice on the ticket. Just check it send your payment in and don't get pulled over for at least 6 months.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Lots of I-75 has 2 lanes in each direction. Some places have about 8 lanes in each direction. I think they are building every year so the goal might be to have 3 lanes in each direction, but that isn't the case for now.
25 mph sounds pretty slow unless it is resedential or there are playgrounds and parks around. Sometimes the speeds the city expects people to go are way out of synch with reality.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
If we like the Passat we will probably order one for November, or at least get everything in place to buy one in November. Might try the Accord too.
If we take the 335 down we have to get it registered, Florida plates, pay sales tax, etc. This way we can keep it or trade it on a 328 in the Fall, or next Spring.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Be thankful! Treat it as a good warning. I think we go over the limit so much we become complacent and just think we will get away with it. It's just not worth it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So... give it some time....
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Interesting! I called when I got back and they told me to call in 10 to 14 days, the officer would hand in his tickets by then. Friday was 14 days and it wasn't in. I still think it will show up, so I am not expecting to get off.
I was surprised he wouldn't reduce the number of miles a bit, I was very polite, didn't argue or complain, my wife was there looking very innocent. Our 10 pound bichon frise slept through the whole thing on the back seat.
My story did make some sense. I don't like being behind or beside empty
semis where things fly off or stones come flying from the tires.
It's kind of weird though, I phone and each time it is like they aren't sure who I am trying to talk to or where I should be directed. It's someone in the courtroom I think. Also, there is no indication of the amount of the fine....like who determines that?
It is kind of mickey mouse in a way. I'd just like to pay and hope what happens in Tennessee stays in Tennessee and doesn't find it's way up here.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's what got me! I don't normally pass on emails like that but I sent it to my friends just to say "Be Careful", just one foolish mistake can lead to such a big disaster.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
V1? Sounds like a WWII flying bomb.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's why I don't pass semis in snow. It looks like the SUV hit the heavier layer of snow to the left of the track. My suspicion is the draft pressure of the wind front from the front of the tractor was pushing against the SUV and he was accelerating harder to get through that wind pressure. And he also had the side pressures from being next to the semi pushing against the extra large area of the side of the SUV, causing it to twist. And that's all she wrote.
I'd like to know by whom the video was being taped. Police vehicle? Does anyone read Russian?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I like your analysis and that is why I don't like to drive near semis....I should send that video to trooper #389 in Tennessee.
I spent some time trying to find out more info but couldn't. I was curious to know if there was any survivors, but, I doubt it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thats it exactly, heavy residential with parks along the way. Lots of traffic pulling out onto the street too. 25 might be to slow but the max would be 30.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I have seen simular videos and my understanding is that is a Russian Citizen who has a dash cam on his car.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
"Car crash on highway M-7 in Petushki district of the Vladimir region near the village of Omutischi February 24. Nissan Navara car for the oncoming issued under the Freightliner. Driver from Nissan, the current one leg and found a part of it ... She wrote that on this video saw the death of her friend. his name was Alexander, said that was a good guy, an experienced driver. was driving home to his wife and 2 children m ... February 24 happened. Burial at 12:30 on February 28 in Balashikha ... it's such grief ".
May he rest in peace ...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,