Stories from the Sales Frontlines

fezo

What a relief to be able to sleep again.... Keep it going.

Things are going fine. They sent in a music therapist today. I kept him busy and taught him a thing or two! Sweet.

oldfarmer50

"...Craigslist has a ton of wholesaler listings..."

Around here we call them Flippers (and a lot worse). Do they have dealer licenses? Do they give warranties? They may get cars from auctions but some of the characters I see around here get them from junk yards, doctor them up to quiet the knocking bearings and head gasket leaks then dump them on trusting people. They may also be from insurance auctions where the cars were totaled and cobbled back together.

oldfarmer50

"...So it's all in context..."

The guy at the CU said he had never seen such a thin credit report with such a high number. It had exactly two entries, my now out of favor MC and my 0% loan with Mitsu on the Eclipse. If I canceled my original card it probably would have killed my score. That's why I told Chase MC that I was going to throw it in the back of a drawer and never use it again thus making them pay the cost of servicing the account.

They were totally unimpressed but I guess they never heard what happened to Kmart after they messed with me. :mad: Check back with me in 20 years or so.

jmonroe

FWIW, I avoid The O after dark, if possible. Nothing good happens there late at night. That said, after an evening out, sometimes you just want O fries...

Don’t worry, I was in good hands. I went with Mrs. j and my two sons. Didn’t even have to wear my “Don’t Mess with Me” T-shirt.

Can you believe this? Mrs. j ordered a dog without the bun. She’s on a self imposed no/low carb diet. She did, however, sneak a fry or two but that was it. She ain’t no fun no more. :surprise:

jmonroe

jmonroe

If you owe $100 on your one card with a $1000 limit, you are at 10%.

I get that.

You owe $100 over 5 cards with a total limit of $5000, you are at 5%.

But not that. Isn't that 2%. :confuse:

jmonroe

jmonroe

But if somebody has many well established cards with some old store card they never used and the rest of their cards has barely any credit utilization, the hit from cancellation is negligible, if non-existent. Moreover, canceling airline cards is immediate savings on annual fee, so it is non-issue for somebody with decent score and more credit available.

I don’t plan to cancel our US Airways Master Card. I’m just going to see if they will still waive the yearly fee but not give frequent flyer miles. They were willing to do that a few years ago but I’ll see what they’ll do now.

A few years ago Mrs. j kept hearing all this talk on TV about calling your credit card company and demanding that you want the yearly fee removed in order for them to keep you from canceling the account. Well, she called and played hard ball with them and they said, “sure, we’ll waive the fee because you are a good customer BUT you won’t get frequent flyer miles anymore”. She went away with her tail between her legs then proceeds to try to blame me for not telling her about that. I did tell her that but she wasn’t listening. All she heard was what the girls and financial people were saying on TV.

The last time I looked at the monthly bill for that card the credit limit was something like $28,200 and the time I looked at it before that it was around $26,500. It’s probably $30K buy now. I wanted to call to have that reduced but I was told by a few people that would lower my credit score so I should just leave it alone. Personally, I think that is a ridiculously high credit limit for a credit card.

jmonroe

explorerx4

That guy is selling a hybrid tofu/seaweed dog with red food coloring added. Yum!

jipster

Around here we call them Flippers (and a lot worse).

I've had "flippers" come right out and say they were wholesalers. Tell me where they get their cars from, how many a month they sell etc. Others it's like pulling teeth from a chicken to tell you how they aquire their cars. I had previously avoided "flippers"... now not too sure. Definitely do your homework, as most of their cars are priced thousands below private party, very easy to jump at what one thinks is a good deal.

Test drove a 2006 Nissan Altima S with 93k miles today. Excellent condition. About the only thing that bothered me with the car was what I believe to be tire roar (noise) coming from the back tires. Very loud around the 40mph mark, didn't really notice at highway. The tires are Big O Euro tires... a midline tire I believe ( almost 2 years old, tread about 70%). Tire wear seemed even.. balanced. Any ideas of what may cause such noise... other than just plain lousy cheap tires?

fezo

Thanks, Andy. You've saved me.....

[Deleted User]

That's great news, fezo. Best of luck to you.

sterlingdog

In 1992 we had cards for Sears, Penney's, Belk's, Lowes, Harrod's, Neiman Marcus, Ivey's (Dillards), Kaufman, Montgomery Ward, Exxon, Gulf (BP), Texaco, one Visa, and one Mastercard. I decided to cut them all up except for the Visa and the Mastercard. I didn't cancel the accounts; I just tore up the cards. As time went by, I would receive a letter now and then stating that if I didn't use a particular card, they could not reissue me a new one. I never responded, but neither did I cancel them. Over the years, the accounts went from active to inactive and simply disappeared. I know because I checked on several of them. As a result, my credit score in the high 800's was never touched or "hit".

My Visa card is 40 years old. The credit line has increased to $47,000 over the years. I rarely use it. We use the Mastercard when we travel. It has a 7% APR. Last year they suddenly raised the rate to 14%. I called and complained. They looked over my record and noticed two things: (1) Frequent use and (2) paid in full each billing period. They returned my rate to 7%. As one poster here says, "If you don't ask, you don't get."

As our Host pointed out, just pay on time every time and there is no problem.

Richard

mako1a

It has a 7% APR. Last year they suddenly raised the rate to 14%.

I don't even know what my % rate is and don't need to know. Like you, I pay in full every month and have an 800+ FICO and a 300 BPI. I've paid 0% for about 35 years now. What difference does it make what the rate is if you're a pay in full each month person? I did like the free GPS they gave me, however.

imidazol97

>They sent in a music therapist today

A music therapist!!! All they sent me was people to poke, prod, and cut. And they pulled tape off with hair under it!

tjc78

As our Host pointed out, just pay on time every time and there is no problem

Yes, I've never focused on "building credit" or watching lines, open accounts, etc. I've just always paid everything early/on time and at age 33 have a FICO over 800.

A little responsibilty is all it takes.

fezo

Today I know why they were being so nice and not committing when I'd say maybe I got lucky on side effects. Today I feel miserable.

This waking one up every three hours is for the birds.

We're a week from transplant. I think by then the big this is being exhausted plus having to dodge infections like mad. We'll see.

Maybe I'll feel better after breakfast - that or breakfast will end up in the trash.....

Funny thing - like others I've noticed when you pay bills on time all the time you get a nice credit score. With what cards I have I likely have enough credit to buy Equador but have no desire to do do and find it irresponsible of the banks to give me that much.

dino001

You are right - a lot of this "expert" advice stems from attempts to mitigate terrible habits of an "average" consumer in America. I compare it to advice given to teenagers about sex: everybody knows that the best course of action is long committed and exclusive relationship and relatively late initiation, but since everybody also knows that most teens don't follow such advice, they get conditional advice what to do in case they are already into those less-than-ideal conditions (use this, don't do that, etc.). The parallel to credit is really striking - paying bills on time and using debt sparringly is best way to live (in such life credit score is not even a real factor), but somehow most consumers succumb to temptation of living beyond their immediate means - so to mitigate the consequences of such choices, the TV experts tell them use this and don't do that.

BTW, since we are all telling how great we are, I also pay off my cards every month and carry only car and mortgage. However, I was able to observe first hand how quickly the score goes from 90%+ percentile to 79%. All I did was got a car loan (replaced one I had paid off), quickly refinanced it (two months later for a better rate) and then opened one credit card within three month period and canceled another card (in other words, made a switch). So suddenly my behavior "changed" in eyes of the agencies (when looking deeper, it did not at all, most of those moves were "in-kind" switches with slight increase of the minimum required payment due to higher car loan). I don't worry about the hit, as it is temporary and goes away after when I resume my normal way. However, computers "detected" pattern change, recent accounts, several inquiries. OMG, I'm making trouble But seriously, credit score is only important just before one wants to acquire new debt (or awap old one). At any other time, makes no difference as long as it is high enough not to trigger "universal default" clauses that some accounts still may have (most major banks declared voluntary withdrawal from that by now, but whatever).

jmonroe

My Visa card is 40 years old. The credit line has increased to $47,000 over the years.

That is one hellava credit limit and here I thought our Mastercard at about $30K by now was high. We’ve only had this US Airways Mastercard for about 7 years. We had a US Airways Visa up until then but my Florida brother put me onto getting the Mastercard because they were giving one free ticket if you got it so we did.

I think I found a down side to these high limits, at least with this Mastercard we have now. Twice now they have shut it off because of “out of normal use” (their words). The last time this happened was when we went to Myrtle Beach with our two sons last summer. We were staying in a condo so the girls went shopping for some food items at Sam’s. Because they didn’t get everything they wanted there because of the large quantities they sell they went to a Kroger’s for some smaller packaged food items. When Mrs. jmonroe gave them her card they said it wouldn’t go through. I called them and they activated it right away. I asked them how this could be avoided in the future and they said to call them before going on vacation or other “out of normal use”. Since credit card companies are liable for unauthorized use of cards over $50, I think their security dept. is on overtime when they see these “out of normal use” transactions.

The last time I went to see my brother in Florida in September 2011, I called and told them if I had a problem the account was going to be closed. I didn’t have a problem with that trip so the call must have worked. Like I said maybe it’s because of the credit limit but maybe it is Barclay who is the issuer of this Mastercard. In either case I don’t want to babysit my credit cards like that.

jmonroe

ray80

'Test drove a 2006 Nissan Altima S with 93k miles today. Excellent condition. About the only thing that bothered me with the car was what I believe to be tire roar (noise) coming from the back tires. Very loud around the 40mph mark, didn't really notice at highway. The tires are Big O Euro tires... a midline tire I believe ( almost 2 years old, tread about 70%). Tire wear seemed even.. balanced. Any ideas of what may cause such noise... other than just plain lousy cheap tires? '

Wheel bearing perhaps?

dino001

Those out of normal uses is typical for people who do not travel much. It happened to me in the past once when I tried to use my Visa in an electronic store in Poland. The cashier called some center, I answered some questions and it was still denied (I blame translations, possible spelling errors when the lady was putting security answers into the system).

Never been declined inside of the US. I don't travel a lot, but I think it is enough for systems not to go crazy over a latte purchase at an airport, or gas or groceries on the other side of the country. I did have a fraudulent charge twice within ten years - once it was declined internet, another time several Redbox purchases 1000 miles away. Also, I had couple of "suspicious transaction" calls after I made "out of character" purchases to confirm that it was I who made them. So they are definitely watching and I appreciate it most of the time - it doesn't bother me.

tjc78

The best thing to do is if you are going to travel (especially outside the country) to call your CC provider and tell them dates, where you will be, and about how much you will be spending. It also isn't a bad idea if you are going to be putting a large (out of the ordinary) purchase on.

Last year when we took the cruise to Bermuda I did that and had no problems.

Of course a week after we came back Citibank called me to tell me they had to issue me new cards because one of the CC terminals in Bermuda was compromised and my card # was at risk.

dino001

I recall I actually did call the bank before the Poland trip next after the rejection incident and perhaps once more. Later I did not, but never had a problem - suspect computers already had the "sometimes goes to Europe" in them. Admittedly, I also changed my spending a bit to avoid currency transaction fees. Cheapest way to travel is to withdraw local currency cash from an ATM using your checking account card in larger increments, say $300-$500 - transaction fees usually are limited to a US-based bank flat fee plus about 1% foreign transaction plus sometimes ATM owner fee (which may be a percentage based), generally beats credit card store foreign transaction fees (3%+) combined cost by a couple of percent. However, both methods (cc or atm) beat exchange kiosks at airports or downtown, which are just awful ripoffs. I made some comparisons last time I was at Dulles and my hair stood up when I realized how much those guys were charging for the convenience. Markups were well in over 10% territory.

Last time in Germany I was even able to avoid the ATM fees altogether, as Deutche Bank ATMs are treated by Bank of America as their own. That's probably only real upside of having checking account with those big banks vs regionals/credit unions - you may be able to avoid/limit ATM fees, if you plan your trip properly. With that in mind I now use credit cards overseas only when I run out of cash, or for incidentals at airports, usually first or last day of the trip.

robr2

If you owe $100 on your one card with a $1000 limit, you are at 10%.

I get that.

You owe $100 over 5 cards with a total limit of $5000, you are at 5%.

But not that. Isn't that 2%.

jmonroe

Details, details. Don't bother me with details. I'm a big picture guy!!

driver100

We went to dealer B yesterday, had a great sales experience, I really liked our sales guy. He worked out a price for a Passat SE at $27000 less $1000 discount to make it $26000 with all fees in.

I saw an ad for another VW dealer, a little further away...Dealer B was 40 minutes, Dealer C is about an hour. Dealer C says they will sell all their cars at least $2000 below invoice price, and they will sell for less than any other dealer. I checked their website, and they put the prices right on the site. They list MSRP, discount, there price.

If I add in the same fees as Dealer B, then Dealer C will be $500 less...$25500.

Should I ask dealer B if they will match that price?
Should I see what dealer C says the price would be online...driveout price?

I won't be buying until the end of August...will order a 2013 for delivery in November.

Sorry Fezo, I thought I had things under control.

stickguy

doesn't hurt to ask. I am sure you aren't going to be the first person to do it!

You just have to decide if you are willing to go to the other dealer, or pay a little extra to deal with the people you liked.

Normally, I would follow the cash. But, you are not doing a normal deal (planning 5 months ahead of an order and 8 months ahead of delivery!) So in your case, comfort level with the dealership will carry a premium.

jmonroe

Details, details. Don't bother me with details. I'm a big picture guy!!

OK if you say so.

I happen to work in a field where 3% makes my world crash and burn. Right now I’m twiddling my brain about what to do with an instrument that is out of accuracy by +0.18% at 160 degrees F. At room temp it is perfect.

jmonroe

jmonroe

Should I ask dealer B if they will match that price?
Should I see what dealer C says the price would be online...driveout price?

Since you are soooo far away from sitting down to sign on the bottom line, I would wait a good bit longer. I think you are just torturing yourself doing this now. But then, this is just lil-ole jmonroe talking.

jmonroe

robr2

OK if you say so.

I happen to work in a field where 3% makes my world crash and burn. Right now I’m twiddling my brain about what to do with an instrument that is out of accuracy by +0.18% at 160 degrees F. At room temp it is perfect.

That's why I love my marketing job - lots of shade of gray.

You engineer types are way too uptight. It' just .18%. Gotta get a little zen about it and blame the design guys - they should've known that tight a tolerance would be impossible to meet.

jmonroe

That's why I love my marketing job - lots of shade of gray.

I’d love a job where I could over commit to make the sale then pin it on engineering to make it happen. When I grow up I want your job.

You engineer types are way too uptight.

I just told you why we’re like that.

It' just .18%. Gotta get a little zen about it and blame the design guys - they should've known that tight a tolerance would be impossible to meet.

Actually this type of instrument has met all specs before so this is one of those outcasts.

Don’t worry; another $65K to get another one will make it right. I’m glad it’s not my money. Although the consequences of a failure are too great.

jmonroe

robr2

Don’t worry; another $65K to get another one will make it right.

Try tapping it with a screwdriver - that usually works for me.

robr2

I’d love a job where I could over commit to make the sale then pin it on engineering to make it happen. When I grow up I want your job.

Actually engineers have made it hard for me to do my job. When the customer asks for a widget that's this size, this color and cost this doesn't mean you have to tweak it so it doesn't meet specs just because you thought your idea was better.

There was one engineer that did that all the time. But when he listened he was great...

driver100

normally, I would follow the cash.

That is a consideration. I think my limit would be around $400 to stay with Dealer B. If it is any more than that, I think I would go to Dealer C.

I guess my main problem is I don't know if I can trust C because every car is at least $2000 below invoice and they show a discount of almost $3000 on a $25000 car.

I might write to the email address, but I think JMonroe has a good point in the next post.

driver100

Right now I’m twiddling my brain about what to do with an instrument that is out of accuracy by +0.18% at 160 degrees F.

If you can work on a project like that then I am going to listen to your advice.

You are right, I might as well wait until the end of August and order a 2013. I am concerned prices may go up if sales are good, as Passats are selling fast, and they have a lot more content than the competition. Leather seats, touch screen, digital, power drivers seat, traction control, top safety pick, for a lot less than Accord or Camry....and there is a fun element to driving it.

But, i think you are right....wait until August and check out Dealer C....tell him a cash deal (I think this dealer has low prices because they really push financing) and ask him to give me his best possible price.

Hey JM, do you write up wills too by any chance?

verdugo

Last time in Germany I was even able to avoid the ATM fees altogether, as Deutche Bank ATMs are treated by Bank of America as their own.

That's the only reason why we have kept our BofA card. We have used in the UK, Canadan Mexico, and New Zealand with out paying any ATM fees.

oldfarmer50

"...any idea of what might cause such a noise..."

Probably just the dead body in the trunk. :surprise:

Seriously, tires, wheel bearings, bent rear axel from an accident. Hard to say. Time for a visit to the mechanic.

Personally, I run from a seller like that. If it's such a good car why is it cheaper than private party?

oldfarmer50

"...having to dodge infections like mad..."

Better stay away from small children. The kids on my bus are like little petri dishes. Like clockwork, two weeks after they come back from a school break I get sick as a dog. I should get combat pay for all the tropical germs these kids bring back with them. :sick:

oldfarmer50

"...an instrument that is out of accuracy by +0.18%..."

I'm with rob2, I feel that in most situations 90% is 100% good enough.

If something blows up you can always blame the janitor. :P

jipster

Seriously, tires, wheel bearings, bent rear axel from an accident. Hard to say. Time for a visit to the mechanic.

This is a car on a Honda dealership lot... ollllllldfarmer, not from one of those "flippers" we had referred to earlier. They are asking KBB dealer retail for the car.

I would prefer it be a dead body in the trunk, as that would be an easy fix... just stuff it under the crawlspace. :surprise:

But, in researching the problem with the noise, it is more than likely one of the problems you mentioned. I emailed the dealership asking them to take another look at the car. Yet to hear back from them.

I would imagine their 8,956 point inspection, dealerships always crow about, would have inspected the tires and rear suspension and found the problem. Maybe they are hoping we (buyers) won't notice. You can't miss the "howling" NOISE while driving though... about as loud as an irate mother in law.

oldfarmer50

"...on a Honda dealership lot..."

Then you can probably skip the dead body cause. Unless....

Wait for it......

They were offering you a "killer" deal.

mako1a

wheel bearings, bent rear axel axle sic

That's why you should always get a good stereo.

Turn up a Nakamechi to level 9 in a Lexus.

You could drown out a broken flannagin gear in the wheelabrator.

stickguy

that's my answer to people who complain about their car being too noisy on the highway (usually something I would consider quiet). Open the moonroof, turn up the stereo, and problem solved.

fezo

If something blows up you can always blame the janitor.

Isn't that what happened at Chernobyl?

Well, I've made the big move - they put me in a bigger, nicer room on the corner. If you are driving down the FDR Drive and look at the right spot you could see my room. Heck, you could see it from the East River. Very nice. Short of spontaneous healing this is the best.

nyccarguy

I'm taking delivery of my 2011 BMW 328xi sedan. Thank-you all for your help & support in helping me make my decision.

One of my main arguments for keeping the TSX was the fact that in a little more than 2 1/2 years it'll be paid off and we'll be back to 1 car payment. Richard put things in perspective when he told me to just think about car payments as part of your monthly utilities. I plan on keeping our 2011 Pilot until the wheels fall off, so in 4 years I'll only have 1 car payment.

I got a little misty eyed cleaning out my Acura tonight. My wife gave me the evil "HMMMPH" because I'm trading in "her car.". My 5 1/2 year old & 3 year old sons were in tears on Sunday because they "Love the Acura TSX.".

I'm confident I'm making the correct decision. This one's for me. Wish me luck everyone!

stickguy

take my word for it. Kids are fickle. They will move onto the next shiny object real quick.

sterlingdog

Wives, too.

Richard

sterlingdog

You are so right. When I taught school. I would get sick each September, after summer break, and each January after Christmas break. They do bring the germs back with them. When I went to work in personnel at the school board, I never got sick. I just got sick of some of the lazy, sorry [non-permissible content removed] people.

Richard

sterlingdog

"Don't bother me with details."

Pennies make dollars.

Richard

sterlingdog

"That is one hellava credit limit..."

That's the one that I bought a car with on a Saturday in 1995. Good thing I paid it off on Monday morning. The guy at the bank couldn't believe that I bought a car with a credit card. Neither could my wife. What's that saying? Necessity is the mother of invention?

When traveling out of state, I do let the credit card people know. When we headed out West last summer, both credit card companies wanted the names of the states that we would be visiting. I made it simple for them and for us. I told them to check off every state west of the Mississippi River. I bet some one had to scramble for an atlas.

Richard

sterlingdog

"At room temp it is perfect."

Place a cold cloth around the instrument. It will bring the temperature right down. :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

You'll be fine. Let us know how the delivery goes. Good luck.

Richard

roadburner

My 5 1/2 year old & 3 year old sons were in tears on Sunday because they "Love the Acura TSX.".

My first press loaner was an X5 4.6is- a hot rodded SUV with an engine from German Uber-Tuner Alpina. My 6 year old was distraught when I had to return it; he even said he'd sacrifice his allowance to help buy it...