Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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Yes, it is unfortunate...I think he is the first person to ban himself! Explorer has been around for a long time and i hope he stays, he does add some good info and comments.
You have a good memory for some of the posters who have passed through the hallow halls of sales frontlines. I am shure the young fellow with the baby was boomcheck, who went on to do internet sales. Just some names from the past include greenpea, British Rover, Houdini, Moo, and of course Tidester. Explorer, JMonroe and a few others have been around for a long time....they have become very knowledgeable about everything from Lincoln Town Cars to diswashers and now over the years, and now even know about Mont Blanc pens.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think they all have bought copies of your book. They know it's you when they see you coming, they have sent out posters to all the dealerships, they have your picture from the back cover.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have four daughters. Not going there...
I know Richard is off doing other things, but there are several on here that don't normally go anywhere near this long without posting.
I am really boring these days. I haven't done much of interest that I can talk about. We did go to 2 VW dealers to get an idea of color combinations we may want. The first dealer, this was on Saturday, the salespeople were all busy so we wandered around. They didn't have many cars in stock.
At the second dealer a salesman came up right away. I explained we weren't buying, just looking at colors for buying a car in the U.S. for Florida. Salesman was very friendly and answered all our questions even though it couldn't lead to a sale. I told him if we like our Florida Passat then I might buy one for Canada and I will come and buy it from him. As he looked at the 5er he had a good laugh.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
I noticed that too, but I've been sitting in the car trying to figure out how to get the iPhone apps working on the car's computer. Got Pandora Radio and iHEART Radio working finally along with Bing, Microsoft's new search engine. Then, got the intuitive park assist program working as well.
At least we had our Canadian hassling some VW dealerships - lots more interesting than what I did. Have you guys decided what color combinations your new VW will "FLAUNT?". Will the 2012 colors be available on the 2013's? I would have thought you might want to get a rear wheel Drive car for Florida!
cdnpindead - come on - you must have done something today - pass it along to us!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
driver - glad to hear you are checking different colors on my Passat!
Yes, looking at new VWs sounds better than trying to get phone apps to work. We have been getting white cars a lot lately...I think our last 4 cars in a row have been white. I think white is the biggest seller these days. I am kind of bored of colors for cars and I think white just looks neat and clean and is always in style....same with appliances. I think the only choices for interiors are black, tan (they call it Cornsilk) and light gray (called Moonrock). After all that looking we are stuck on white, I think the 2013s will be the same because they try to keep things basic. Interior will probably be Moonrock as 1st choice and Cornsilk 2nd. We don't usually get black interiors, especially in Florida.
I would have thought you might want to get a rear wheel Drive car for Florida!
My wife wants a European car. She lived in England for a while after university and just likes the Euro styling and engineering. That trumps the advantage of rear wheel drive. The steering in the Passat is pretty good for a FWD car. It is a bit heavier, but she doesn't mind that. It is too bad they don't offer the same car...in this case aPassat with a choice of RWD or FWD.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
fezo, you haven't submitted your choice of color yet. If you look the colors up let me know what you like...a Passat SE model, and I will ask my wife if she wants to go along with your request.
Hope you enjoy those new speakers. I have two Bose radios because my running wires all over days are finished. Even the computer in Florida is all one piece, the tower is built into the screen...no more wires!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I was speaking with Lexus Torrence, CA (Lexus US headquarters) and was talking about audio components, i.e. amplifiers and speakers. I shared with them that I preferred Harman Kardin over Mark Levinson (Mercedes Premium System vs. Lexus Premium System) and the Tech Geek I was speaking with said that Mark Levinson is a subsidiary of Harman Kardin. Didn't know that. Levinson system has 230 more watts of power and 3 more speakers than the Harman Karmin in the Benz, but I found the Harman Kardin crisper and clearer and less bassy than Levinson. I guess it all has to do with speaker quality and separation as well as graphic equalization.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
JBL
Lexicon
Infinity
Mark Levinson
Harman Kardon
AKG
Mark Levinson is one of the highest end audio manufacturers around. A CD player from them could easily run you 5K!Here is one IMHO the Mark Levinson system in the Lexus vehicles is more like the JBL systems in lower Toyotas than what Mark Levinson really is. I'm sure Lexus pays a premium for the name and then passes that cost onto the customer. Great marketing!
It was no different in the Hyundai Genesis I owned. It came with a Lexicon branded system. Everyone was saying how unique that is, etc. I explained the whole Harman thing and that is most likely using the name more than anything else. Having said all that the 17 speaker system in the Genesis is one of the finest OEM audio systems I have heard.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Didn't realize the broad markets Harman Kardon commands in its audio division for automobiles. The quality of the sound in the Lexus with the upgraded Levinson system is stupendous, but I prefer higher levels of trebble. The only adjustments are trebble, midrange and bass. In the BMW, you have a graphic equalizer which did not improve the quality of sound in the BMW since I had several 5 series cars with that system. I just enjoyed the quality of the Mercedes Harman system.
I will say this, I can boost the volume on the Levinson system way up without any distortion at all - while on the BMW and Mercedes, I would get distortion at that level of volume.
I think the option for the Levinson system was $1400 or so, I'll have to check it out, but well worth the money since I was in the non-Levinson GS350 with the Pioneer system, and it was just flat - that's why I opted for the Levinson.
17 speakers and 870 or so watts of power. My neighbor's 2012 Toyota Avalon with the upgraded system doesn't sound anything like a premium radio - even though he paid extra for it.
I believe it has to do with the type and placement of the speakers, size, and the amp, of course.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Surprised at that. My 06 Avalon had the JBL and it was pretty nice. I will say there are better systems (including the Harman Kardon in my LaCrosse) but I was satisfied. I wonder what they changed?
OEM systems have come a long way, but if you are really into car audio for less than 2K and some labor you can blow away any stock system. The problem is, it is getting harder and harder to install aftermarket gear. The cars have everything too integrated.
In the 05+ Avalon to install an aftermarket head unit, you have to relocate the factory radio to the trunk so your HVAC will continue to work. Not worth the trouble IMHO.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Just got home after going out shopping and looked at the adjustments to the audio system through the screens and found out why my system sounded less satisfying than the Mercedes - each audio subgroup requires you to set the sound preferences when in that subset - i.e. I set up Levinson when I was playing a disc, but I did not set it up for Pandora, IHeart, FM HD, or Satellite.
So, I went in and set up base, treble and mid-range for each, and WOW, what a difference. The sound is actually superior to Mercedes Harman Kardin.
The base was set all the way up and the Treble and Midrange was set all the way down. Once I brought the base down to 2 or 2 (out of 10) and the treble and midrange up to the top, the sound literally blew me away.
Like I mentioned in previous posts, this GS350 is too TECHED out for most people, including me. The manual is just too thick (800+ pages) to read, and then there is the 300+ page NAV manual. I just don't have the patience any more to sit and read through all that stuff.
In the manual, under audio, it says "...you must reset volume and tonal qualities for SAT, DISC, FM/AM HD, and APP STREAMING separately.
I really am a dummy after all!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
It sounds like you are figuring things out quite well.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Below, I copied the explanation and specifications of the audio system they put in this car. I don't understand most of it, perhaps you do, tjc.
Mark Levinson® 17-speaker Premium Surround Sound Audio System [1]
This 17-speaker, 835-watt, all channels driven @ less than 0.1% THD, 20-20,000 Hz [2] Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound Audio System [1] is powered by a digital amplifier and features GreenEdgeTM speaker technology
[1] Mark Levinson® is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Inc.
[2] Continuous average power, all channels driven, at less than 0.1% THD; 20-20,000 Hz.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
fezo, I agree!!!
Old Man Harman just recently passed away leaving his entire estate to his very young wife, from what I remember.
Didn't realize how big this company is - you should see their websites for Harman Industries and Mark Levinson. Big company - plants and operations all over the world!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Talking to him after he gets the car back he thinks that there might have been a small fire in the engine compartment that did the damage as the car is running a lot better than when he first got it. While I cannot fully agree with that I do think that something was wrong with it since it is working better than when he took delivery. It's very possible that they came up with the critter story to avoid warranty work.
I told him if he truly feels that way a letter to the dealerships owner and GM is in order. His response was that he wouldn't feel right taking it back for any other service if he did. I asked him if he felt that they were playing games like that does he feel right going back for service no matter what?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
She tells me I don't even want to know how he picks cars out. She hasn't bought one yet but leans like I do towards Honda, Toyota and kind of has her eye on an Altima.
I thought you were interested in Passats :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Sounds like a squirrel or a racoon got in under the hood. They climb up the tires and right into the engine compartment. They use that stuff for their nests. They love the insulation stuff and of course the wires to strengthen the insulation into a nest.
We have losts of critters down here in FL. Mostly squirrels like to get in under the hood down here. Raccoons are pretty big for that kind of maneuvering.
I wouldn't be surprised if the critters had entered at the dealership.
I bought a 2004 Infiniti G35, and it was full of fire ants all over the inside of the engine compartment and they started getting in to the car. When I took it back, they told me it was my problem. Then, I took them out back where they kept the cars and sure enough, ants all over the cars in the rear of the dealership.
Not only did they pay for exterminating the ants, but they also paid for extended maintenance, etc., to satisfy my as their CSI was pretty bad and they sure didn't need to have me send in a bad survey. Lots of people complained about those ants, and they are miserable little suckers - they bit and have been known to kill large animals and cause terrible harm to humans. Very tough to get rid of, for sure.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I love my Klipsch speakers; I sometimes get the urge to upgrade myHT Receiver or Sub- but NEVER my speakers!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Meanwhile they ran the fundraiser for me tonight which I got to watch on Skype for almost 5 hours. The Internet connection here is bad which made the music choppy but what a thing. They raised a ton and the support was just fantastic. You don't know how many people care until something like this. Just stunning.
My S-I-L bought my 2004 X3 in 2008. About 2 years later he says there are big puddles on the floor after it rains....DID I KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I said, "no I haven't ever had that problem, go see what the dealer says"
The dealer finds chipmunks, which are all around their house, and they always leave the garage door up, had eaten the insulation in the forward roof pillars and around the firewall. That's where the rain came in.
It was a great car, the dealer even said he was getting a nice car when he bought it through the dealership as my trade in, but I prefer not to sell a car to a relative..........
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's wonderful....and so amazing, that you could watch it. You have good brothers and friends, and that means alot.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
ALWAYS! This is going to become a lifetime event! I sit and read and push buttons and utilize the system mouse and go into sub routines, but I haven't mastered this mass of technology yet. I've even sat at the dealer and had lessons, but the TECH GEEK they have had to call Lexus in Torrence himself. This is the first car in a series of new Lexus models to have all this technology. Knowing which segment of the population drive Lexus vehicles didn't stop them from creating a true paradox for older drivers - or maybe they are marketing their cars to a different niche!
YEP - still playing with this!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I'm still not sure what I should do with the car key they sent me.
Do you really want someone in here to tell you where to put that key? :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
And I have my own problems. This has happened to me 4 times now, and it can be embarrassing.
The first time my wife and I got out of the 535 and went into a lighting store. A young fellow came over to me and said, sorry to bother you sir but I think the alarm went off in your car. I go out and there is a whirling siren noise and all the lights are flashing. The poor dog looked totally stunned. I opened the locks and locked it again and that turned it off.
Yesterday, we went into the supermarket and after a few minutes I heard this loud piercing noise again. I went to the door we came in and there was my car, loud noise and lights flashing, and about 10 people all staring at the car. I unlocked it and locked it from the doorway, I don't think anyone knew it was me doing it.
This morning I went into the bank for about 20 minutes. When I came out there was no noise, but the lights were all flashing....looked like a police car.
I am wondering if it is the panic button on my key fob, and maybe, somehow I accidentally push it in, or brush against something. Each time it has happened my wife was with me and she has a key in her purse, so maybe, somehow she accidentally squeezes the button.
My 2000 Jeep had made a loud "BEEP BEEP" noise when I locked the car with the remote. Several people jumped, and rather than be sued for causing a heart attack, I had them disable the noise. I don't need the panic button if that is what it is, I would rather have it disabled then go through the embarrassment of going through this again.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Glad someone is raring to go, there hasn't been much going around here for the last few days.
How was your vacation....the good news is you survived.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We're moving back to the town from whence we came. The community college has been twisting my arm for months to come back to work two or three days a week. I think that I would enjoy teaching again---just two classes a day and I may select my own schedule. On top of that, the Georgian house is one that we have always loved. Life is interesting. You never know what will take place.
Richard
Awesome!! You must have done a great job staging it for sale. It is a very tough market right now.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I think that is exactly what it is - the panic alarm. If it is not that, then it's a malfunction in the security system. Didn't the dealer explain what he thought it was? If the lights and/or horns don't go off unexpectedly again, chances are it was the panic bottom being inadvertently pressed. At least I hope that's all it is!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I never understood why anyone would spend an hour or two at a dealership’s negotiating table. I have bought 4 new cars since 2005 and I haven’t spent that much time for all 4 of them combined at the negotiating table. With the advent of the internet my deals were just about finalized before I got there. Only 2 of them were somewhat negotiated because the internet price was close enough to get me to walk in the door. Once there, I don’t think that either one took more than 20 minutes. With the Genny in ’09, the only reason I balked was because I wanted more for my trade. Once the guy knew that I knew what I was talking about I got my price. The price for his car was already established via his internet price and a phone call.
The reason some of those surveys might “skunk” a salesman is because once the excitement of getting the new car wears off the customer has had time to think about the buying process. By the time they get the survey, they can then see that it wasn’t as great of a buying experience as they first thought. Also contributing to the bad surveys is the fact that a lot of customers don’t realize the full importance of it as far as the pay goes for the salesman even though they may have been coached.
If a dealership doesn’t want a bad survey, don’t keep the customer there for an “hour or two” trying to get a good price on the car they want when YOU know going in that the car could be sold for what they want to pay. I consider one iteration acceptable. After that I don’t play the game.
As for that guy (doctor or not) not giving you a full 10, especially when you delivered it to his home, because the ribbon was pink vs. red is ridiculous. I’m a very picky person myself (my engineering profession pretty much demands it) but I’m not nearly that unreasonable.
You called him an SOB. I'd have called him something that this forum wouldn't allow an acronym for.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I occasionally set off one of mine. I keep the keys in my front pocket, and if I am sitting or squatting (say, checking the tires) often the panic button will get pressed.
I'm with you, most likely I would disable the feature on my car if there was a way to do it. If nothing else, they should recess the button or make it require 2 pushes, though I guess that might hurt in an actual panic situation!
actually, I wonder how often anyone really used the feature for the intended purpose? And of course, had it work (since normally alarms are completely ignored).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That survival part is no small matter. I never walked so much since I can’t remember when. I’ve already told Mrs. j to start laying the ground work for us not going to Disney World when Son #2s three plus year old daughter is old enough to go and not be pushed around in a stroller all day. He had his chance this time and felt she couldn’t enjoy it because she is too young. When I asked why I wasn’t being considered I was told to, “grow up and stop complaining. How many chances do you think you will have to enjoy this type of a vacation with your grandchildren”? One more and I won’t be going on any vacations anywhere.
On Saturday after I cut the grass I asked her if she wanted to go for a walk. She said, “ARE YOU SERIOUS”? I made my point. Even she didn’t bargain for that much walking and it wasn’t as cool as it was supposed to be this time of the year. Almost every day it was near 90. Didn’t bargain for that either.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Congratulations....excellent news. Now you will have more time to get down to more serious working, posting on sales frontlines.
You must have had that house in great shape to get those offers in this economy. One way to win in this market is to move up....the house you will be buying will be much lower in price than what your current house will lose.
If prices dropped 20% the new $500k house will be $100k less, while your $300k house drops $60k. Probably a bigger drop on the expensive house - fewer people buying in the higher price range.
But, the most important thing is you are going to love your new home.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My salesman thinks it is a programming issue. But, I think it is the alarm. I am going to test it now while it is in the garage. See if pressing the alarm sets it off. If I take the car in they want it for a day, and they will give me a loaner.
If it is the panic alarm I would like to have it disabled.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Congratulations.
That has to be a big relief. Now all you have to do is get the boxes packed and unpacked. Although with all of your house flipping you probably have that down pretty well.
Hint: Let Mrs. Richard set up the computer. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Funny you should mention that. When it went off when I was in the grocery store about 10 people were staring at the car. I doubt if any one would have called the police or stopped someone breaking into the car.
I think it is possible it just brushes against something, like the shopping cart and goes off. My wife has a set of keys in her purse and the alarm has only gone off when she has been with me. So, it could have something to do with her keys.
I am going to see if it goes off now when I press the panic button. The dealer will let me bring the car in on Wednesday morning which is good service, but they want to keep it for the day, although they will give me a loaner. But, do I want to leave it for a day, drive 40 minutes each way, and find out it was my own stupid fault for accidently pressing the panic alarm.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Oh, I forgot about setting up the computer again. Richard should never have moved again. I would avoid moving at all costs just thinking about rewiring computers, TVs and stereos. :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I don't think it has that.
I tried the panic button and the alarm does come on, but you have to hold the button in for about 6 to 10 seconds before it goes off.
The alarm doesn't start until we have left the car for about 5 minutes.
We are going to be extra careful with our keys to see if it goes off again. My wife rarely drives the car so she is taking her key out of her purse. I might tape over the panic alarm so it will be harder to set it off accidentally.
I would like to get it disabled, but just my luck, I get it disabled and some guy will try to mug me and I won't have a panic button. :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Don't need an alarm because with the car comes a 7' guard named Harold armed to the teeth with an Uzi and lots of ammo! He doesn't warn you or alert you, just shoots!
LOL
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
This might wake you up during the night, but its a pretty sure way of trouble shooting it. Put the keys by your bed, you probably can dis-arm/alarm it from there.