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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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Now that is funny. I can imagine the look on your faces when Grandma ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese. I would love to have been a fly on the wall to watch all the heads turn as your server brought the dinner to your
Grandma. Funny, Funny, Funny!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I enjoyed hearing about your experience at restaurants in Florida. We were near Tampa for a few months this winter and everything you said is so true.
There are 4 chain restaurants a block away, Bob Evans, Denny's and two others....they are packed every day from about 4 pm. Of course they are empty by 7 pm.
I don't know if people actually eat dinner at home in Florida. I told my wife I was going to sell the stove so we would have more space in our kitchen.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's funny! It reminds me of my brother, we take him to a Greek restaurant that has delicious Gyros with a Greek Salad. What does he order.....a bagel.
Then, one night we go to a fabulous Chinese buffet restaurant. It is as big a buffet as you could ever find, and the food is excellent. They assume every one will just go to the buffet, but he asks to see a menu. They take about 20 minutes to find a menu because no one asks for one. By the time we eat our food he just gets his plate, that the waitress probably just took from the buffet.
I made a barbeque dinner, steak....and I asked every one how they wanted their steak. My brother said he would prefer a hamburger. I told him there was a Wendys and a MacDonalds about 1/2 a mile away.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes, that was based on a book where the author went in to work at some of these places to see what goes on. Basically, it is mass produced food, made in a central location, frozen, then shipped to their restaurants so any one can warm it up. The author had a job adding the garnish to the plate and she had to memorize what to do, basically if it was fish put a lemon on the plate, if it's pasta, garlic bread....etc etc.
Mmmmmmm.....yummy.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"But Richard, she did spy an SRX..."
That is exactly what happened with me. I have to say that they are really nice vehicles and that we have enjoyed ours. Naturally, you couldn't go wrong with the BMW or the MB. Your three options are all great cars.
Richard
No, I mean that I was finished---working on computers. :P
"The house is getting a new roof today..."
We did that a few months ago, and the hammering drove me crazy for three days. I never realized until night fall how wonderful silence could be. :sick:
Richard
You and me!
Richard
No, it was a rural county which happened to be the largest county in North Carolina. We had 45 schools with 3,000 employees. Three of us managed the personnel end of things. I was in charge of hiring and mentoring the 1,500 licensed staff members. My good friend across the hall was in charge of the 1,500 non-contractual employees. A third person took care of the licenses, renewal courses, evaluation documents, etc. As I now reflect, I don't know how the three of us managed it all. We each had a secretary, but mine was the best. If I stayed at work until 8 PM, she did like wise. She could anticipate what I needed or wanted done before I could get it out of my mouth. She was fast, creative, and very efficient---just what my Type A personality needed. When I retired, she retired. She told the superintendent that she didn't want to work for anyone else. What a great lady.
As for urban areas having the worst teachers and administrators, I wouldn't say that. The poison is every where. In fact, many incompetent educators seek rural districts with the rationale that the citizenry is more ignorant and that they won't get called down for not doing a good job. My goal was not to hire any more of them than necessary. Unfortunately, our principals were allowed to over ride my objections if they really wanted a certain instructor. Some of the principals made really stupid choices, and then I had to clean up the mess.
As for incompetent principals, they also exist. I got so weary of the superintendent moving two or three around the school system. More than once I had to rush to a school to put out a fire created by a bozo principal or assistant principal. The worst were those on an ego trip who derived great pleasure by torturing a new teacher or bullying an experienced teacher who happened to have a great idea or a differing opinion. Then there were the parental calls to my office. Every parent seems to have at least one teacher or principal that they want fired TODAY. If teachers and administrators would show a little more patience and diplomacy when dealing with parents, most differences could be worked out to the satisfaction of all. Thank goodness more did that than didn't.
Tenure? It's a tricky and rocky road at best. Though intended to protect the good, it often serves to shield the evil. Unfortunately, the current desire for political correctness and the fear of being sued has placed tenure squarely in the hands of the very ones it should dismiss. As we speak, North Carolina's legislature wishes to abandon tenure in favor of merit pay. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for merit pay---IF YOU ALLOW ME TO SELECT MY STUDENTS. It's pretty hard to have consistently high test scores if you are teaching unmotivated students or students with behavioral problems or students with parents who set no priorities for education or students who remain on probation at the courthouse, etc. A (bozo) principal once asked why my first period class had the top scores in the school but my third period class had lower scores. Answer: First period was an honors class and third period consisted of 60% non-readers. I was actually proud of my third period. Their scores still placed above the state average---though that figure was nothing to brag about in North Carolina. Getting back to tenure, it's a tough call; but it's needed for the good of those who really practice the art of teaching.
I was really impressed with the way that you spoke so passionately about educators. Then again, I am always impressed with your thoughts, ideas, and helpful tips on how to do things. I can tell that your wife was a dedicated and caring teacher. Bless her and bless those who support our efforts to help children.
Richard
I do love Mrs. Jmonroe. I just can't say it often enough. For your type of personality, you really lucked up and married the perfect lady. She SO has your number!
Richard
PERFECTLY PUT! My FIL paid BIG alimony each month for 30 years (with a built in inflation clause!) plus a new car each year, and kept the new, young wife in the style to which she had become accustomed. Expensive? That word doesn't even begin to describe it. Dumb attorney---forgot to put a limit on the price of the new car each year. Don't you know that my MIL selected her cars with ALL of the options available? What a hoot it was.
Richard
Damned insomnia has me again - and I have some first rate sleep medicine not doing the job.
I've never understood how merit pay for teachers would work if it is based on improved performance of students. In my humble opinion, people pop out of the womb with a certain amount of intelligence. And, in general this doesn't change. I went to school for 16 years. Sitting among other humans all this time. Certain people are just not going to 'get it'. All humans are going to 'get it' for various amounts and at various speeds. Unless an uncommon amount of time is spent with the slow learners (there, I said what is probably not a PC word), they will never attain the same level as other students.
When you attempt to pay someone based on how they can improve the test scores, I think what you will most probably get is cheating on the testing.
It's actually a Volvo, Infinity, Porsche, Mercedes dealership. Went into the Volvo door. I know little about them or Infinity and don't want to know much more. They moved me into the Porsche area. I'm not right now a SUV person, will not spend the Panamera (sp) money, and my current Corvette is everything I want in a sports car so 911's don't interest me. So, they moved me next to the Mercedes area.
A salesman of, as is said on here, a certain ethnic group, was there. (Probably one you would not guess.) In what I guess was a $1,000 suit, $100 tie, $400 shoes, etc. He 'qualified' me a little, and I think I can pass this when I tell him I have a Cadillac, a Honda Ridgeline, and a Corvette and if I buy a new car I'm not going to trade any of them because I've got a close friend that is a used dealer and he has sold all my recent spare cars. I must say he did get me a cup of coffee, and did show me a E350 (I think). And talked about them a little. And I must admit I did not ask to drive a car, mainly because I also don't know much about them. I poked around on the car a little and he talked about it a little. I asked about any CPO used stuff they might have and took a walk into his office for him to look at a printout. After looking there, and telling me 'If you can tell me what you want, I will contact you if we get one in'. He then told me 'Why don't you go sit in the E350 if you wish'. And he wandered off. If he would have vanished, I might have thought he had some business to take care of. But he went into another glass walled office, sat down, and obviously started to BS with a fellow salesman. Leaving me to finish my coffee and leave.
If I go back, I will ask for the sales manager and request anyone except this salesman....
I have seen similar things happen. In one case we walked into a new MB dealership in town. They have about 20 cars parked in front in water pools....sometimes they are all white, sometimes black, sometimes alternating colors. They have a manicure shop, coffee shop, and a glass wall looking into the garage and you could eat off the floors in that garage.
They must have 20 salesman, not one came over. We sat in about 12 different models but walked out without talking to any one.
I liked the MBs, but I know there are things about a bmw that suit me better, so I didn't care....in fact it was better this way.
I hope you don't think that is a reflection on the car though. You should try to talk to a good salesman.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Unfortunately, some people think they can treat poorly what they perceive as "non-customers" and it will not affect their "real" ones.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2018 430i Gran Coupe
When we were in St Petes looking at Passats (sorry, I had to mention that again) the dealership also sold Porsche and BMWs. After talking to the very nice Passat salesman, we wondered over to the bmw showroom.
We were just looking and explained we were snowbirds but were thinking of getting a 328 or 335 later in the year back home in Canada. The salesman, who was also of an ethnic b.g. more associated with Asian cars loved the cars so much he told us all kinds of facts about the models on display. In fact, he told me things about my 535 that I didn't know. He knew he wouldn't be selling us a car, but I think he would be an excellent salesperson to buy from.
A big part of sales is attitude. Your guy probably thought he wasn't going to sell you a car so why waste his time. The bmw sales guy knows we won't buy, but he has nothing to lose....if we do end up buying he has a chance, we may recommend him to friends, and he is getting good practice for when a real customer shows up. Smart!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Roofer didn't show up. Drove my wife crazy that he didn't call to say he's not coming. I suspect it has to do with rain predictions and he doesn't want to have to cover the roof overnight. Rain forcast overnight tonight also. Stack of shingles sitting next to driveway.
I'm a little weak on hearing, but I suspect the hammering or nail gun sound will be my strong frequency.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
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At 9:00 A.M., everyone who was there on Monday returned with one exception - the instructor - who already warned me he wouldn't come back into that class after experiencing what he called "a kindergarten class gone wild!"
A substitute instructor showed up, took 25 minutes to take roll call (same problems - Schwartz, Robert - so a women says "here I am", Roberta Spector - good grief). But, I must admit, the class moved along fairly briskly including the films, slide shows and lecture.
The best part of the class was when the instructor would present a hypothetical and then have the particpants discuss what was correct about the hypothetical and what was not. You should have been there - the arguments between the class members were so loud and so threatening, I thought I was in the middle of an insurrection. "...No, the woman driver was wrong for making a right turn at the red light - no she wasn't, she was right, no she wasn't, yes she was, no she wasn't, yes she was." This goes on for 2 or 3 hypotheticals. I SAID NOTHING. Even when I was asked by the instructor to participate, I responded, "...NOT IF MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!"
Finally, after almost 3 hours of this, he gives out the tests. I finish first and submit it to him. He said that I passed with flying colors and that I would receive my certificates, etc., in about 3 weeks.
I learned something by this experience - next time I take a Defensive Driving Course, I'm going to do it at a High School or Community College where I can maintain some form of sanity and not be forced to eat potato pancakes and applesauce that had to be 7 or 8 days old - you can tell their age when they are as rubbery as playdough.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
But enough to replace the car?
When we had our house built in SC I got to talking to our builder about the reliability of his sub contractors and he had a low regard for roofers but he said they usually do good work for me but I think they’re a little on the other side if you ask me. So I ask him why he felt like that. His response was, “think about it, there has to be something wrong with a trade that chooses to work on the highest part of a house. Yet the higher the pitch the happier they seem to be. Your house with a multi section 10/12 pitch will make their day”. :sick: The painters were pretty much down to earth types.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I had a black car last year (2011 Mercedes E350), the last black car I will ever own (I say that every 5 or 6 years, and then I see a black one I like, and had forgotten what it is like to own a black car and buy it). Boy, are they gorgeous when washed, polished and have no hits, runs or errors on them. But after admiring how beautiful black is, the sprinklers go on and my baby develops chicken pox all over her body.
Nope, no more black cars for me - silver seems to show no spots, no dirt, etc. So, I'm sticking with Platinum Silver.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I remember one morning when I got this page on my pager. So I call the office and ask my secretary what the problem was (it was a big school with 40 classrooms, etc., so that is how they located me because I always visited every classroom every day. It's called Management By Walking Around). So my secretary tells me our nurse is in the primary (grades 1-3) boys' washroom and needed my help STAT! So I run down there and I hear this screaming from one of the students coming out of the washroom. My nurse meets me at the entrance and tells me that Stevie is in the washroom near one of the urinals, on the floor, doubled up, crying. Nurse tells me he won't let anyone help him except Dr. --------- (me).
So she accompaniess me to the urinals and when Stevie sees me, he comes running toward me, and holds me around the waist, and cries. I see this significant blood trail and blood is dripping all over my shoes. I ask him what's wrong and he moves back and points to his crotch area where it was obvious he had caught what little manhood he had at age 7 in the zipper of his trousers. He said he would only let me unscathe him from his zipper.
I run, drenched in blood, to a phone and dialed 911. I will. Ever forget this experience, which my nurse and I still talk about (she retired down here with her husband) the poor little 2nd grader who wouldn't let anyone unzip his trousers except his principal. Thank goodness there were witnesses to this or I'd have been prosecuted as a sex offender.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Hey Richard...can you top this one?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
That's what I was thinking. I like the way you save $400. You're an example to all of us!
Glad you're feel that much better. IT's a long trip, but somebody's gotta do it.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I wish you would go back to that class to get some more stories you can share with us.
I have a question for you relating to cars and your dealership experience.
My wifes 2008 bmw has some tire noise. The dealership says it needs an alignment and two or 4 tires (RFTs). I forget what they wanted to charge but I think it was in the $1500 range. She only does about 1000 miles a month and we are thinking if all goes well we will trade it in around Sept.
I think the car will get through until then without a problem, she doesn't even here the sound, but I can. Do we spend $1500 now because they will knock that off when we go to trade it in anyway, or, do I leave it and hope a) they don't notice it and give me book value or b) they figure they can fix it for about half the price at cost in their shop?
I always thought, dealerships may look at the wholesale cost of fixing up a car for resale, so it is better to let them do it than me.
Similar to that $400 scrape on the bumper of the Accura.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Unfortunately, you are correct. We have seen cases where the teacher will walk silently by a student's desk and point their finger to the correct answer. We have also caught teachers erasing the bubbles and filling in the correct answers. I have even known administrators and testing coordinators to do this. The fear of job loss or demotion is very real. Also, schools do not want to be labeled as "low performing" schools. Teachers suffer much stress during the school year because they feel compelled to "teach to the test". Many students also suffer great stress because they feel forced to do well in the eyes of their parents, teachers, and peers.
Richard
And plumbers, electricians, lawn care workers, building contractors, flooring contractors, housekeepers, pest control technicians, etc.
Richard
Don't make me come to New York and pull a plug. Also, don't forget that Wills can be changed.
Richard
So what you are saying is you plan to keep the car another 4-6 months and put on about 4-6 thousand more miles.
If she drives the car on a freeway/interstate, get 4 new tires and the alignment. When I took took in trades, I would subtract about $1000 if the car needed tires. If it needed an allignment from what I picked up on the test drive of the trade, I would deduct another few hundred. So, you actually break even by doing it now.
On the other hand if you do nothing to the car, consider getting the new car sooner than later. Bad allognments and worn tires are very dangerous on
BMW's.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Don't get me started on teaching to the test. I swear anything my older two kids learned in school was because someone thought it would be on a test!
Yes, you learned not to mess with Seniors.
Richard
YOU BETCHA!!!!!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
As for dents on cars, you have to have the right perspective. It's like using fine china or nice silverware. You're going to break a plate or put a fork down the garbage disposal. It's just part of life. Don't let these things prevent you from enjoyng your vehicle.
Richard
Curriculum is what is to be taught because it provides a blueprint and/or path to teach specific concepts and sub concepts to the learners. On the other hand,out a test is well designed and asks all the tight questions to measure learning, they end up teaching the test anyway. You cannot stop that from happening with all the pressure teachers are under these days.
The test then becomes the curriculum! If you test for everything that is to be taught vis a vis the curriculum, it's sort of like pitting the horse behind the cart, or WHICH CAME FIRST - THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? Is the curriculum the test or is the test the curriculum?
So long as we are required to test/measure learning, this dilemma will continue to philosophically cause all those engaged in education NIGHTMARES!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Believe me Richard, I don't!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Actually, yes. On a Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM, i heard a loud scream coming from the back of my 4th period class. I rushed down the isle and spotted water on the floor. The next thing that I spotted was a student named Vashti going into labor. First, I sent a student to the office for help. Second, I sent two students to the home economics department to bring clean towels and boiling water (only because I had seen this done in movies). Third, I told a student to get a ball of twine that I kept in the bottom desk drawer, though I had no idea what I would do with it. I simply felt that looking as though I knew what I was doing would calm Vashti and the other students. I held Vashti in my arms as she screamed bloody murder for at least 15 minutes. The rescue squad arrived as the head was coming out. The baby was delivered then and there. The principal had a substitute to cover my last class and I went to the hospital with Vashti. Her mother finally showed up and I went home. When I got home, I took a shower, drank a half bottle of Vodka, and went straight to bed. Does this experience count?
Richard
You, of course, are correct in that if they are testing properly it shouldn't matter. These are bright enough kids of I do say so myself but their younger sisters are showing them up. It didn't help that the town we live in doubled in popualtion when the older kids were in school. Things got dropped.
I thought that was part of the wonderful "feel of the road" experience. :shades:
Richard
You're right when a dealer looks at a trade that needs work he sees his wholesale cost to make the fix but he deducts from the trade what you would pay his shop to do the work.
All things considered, if you want top buck for your trade it has to be in top buck condition. When I traded Mrs. j's '06 Sonata for the '09 Genny the kid that was taking the few things I always travel with out of the trunk said, "this car won't even need the carpets shampooed and I doubt it's going to be waxed either. I haven't seen one come in like this for a long time". That explained why I got $600 more than they first offered.
Top condition, top buck and dealers do not ignore tires.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
AMEN!!!
Richard