Stories from the Sales Frontlines

fezo

We don't have a nearby Outback (despite the efforts of a guy who was mayor the better than 20 years - I think he still sees that as the greatest failure of his time as mayor; despite that I generally give him good marks.) It's maybe 25 miles to the nearest one. We end up saving those visits for when we see one on vacation. The younger ones view Cracker Barrel that way, too.

Of course right now I have t go to places that we know aren't just reheating prepackaged stuff which almost all the chains do. With any luck only a few more months on food restriction.

abacomike

When I want to refill and they don't come…

First, I want to comment on the "glass of wine or free dessert!" The establishment pays for that - if a waiter had to pay for that he'd go broke every time the kitchen blew an order. All I was trying to show here was that there is always the "correct" way to solve a problem.

*jmonroe, the exact same thing happened to me at Lawrey's in Chicago years ago - I mentioned the name because they had the best prime rib anywhere in the Midwest - don't know if they are still in business - but great food. We were sitting in a booth when this busboy dropped a tray filled with wine goblets right next to me. I felt something hit my left shin, looked down and saw nothing. A few minutes later, I felt my sock was very wet. I swiveled and pulled up my pants leg and blood was literally gushing down my leg.

Of course, the manager and the waiter came running over with towels, etc. they escorted me to the manage t's office where they pulled out a 1" piece of glass from my shin. They called the paramedics who put antiseptic on the laceration and bandaged me up. Of course i never got to eat dinner, but my wife and the other couple had their dinners while I was being tended to. Never could figure out why my wife didn't accompany me, but I never asked her about it because she was dying of breast cancer at the time.

The manager gave me a business card and paid for everyone's dinner and drinks. I ended up at my local emergency room and had 6 stitches put in my leg. The restaurant paid for all the bills I incurred. I too got a call from their insurance company and was offered $1000 for my trouble - but I refused their money - why? - because they had handled it above board and didn't try to turn their backs on me. I have a scar there, but they sent me a coupon good for 4 free dinners at any of their restaurants.

Story not over - I left the waiter a $50 tip before leaving that night because he did what he was supposed to do, serve dinner to perfection - it wasn't his fault the bus boy dropped the wine glasses. But I did not eat dinner that night for obvious reasons.

explorerx4

Yesterday, we finally went to the local Ford dealer so my wife could get a good look at what they have. It was after 5, so they were closed.
Her last 2 vehicles have been Escapes, so she is interested in the new one.
She is one of those people that still think 4 cyl engines are underpowered, so she will have to overcome that.
She also looked at the Edge. We were looking at a nice loaded black/black Limited model, when my daughter noticed it was unlocked.
We got to play with a few things, then locked it up.
My wife is stopping at another dealer after work.
Not sure if she is going to just look or test drive.
To be continued...

[Deleted User]

Most of my life I've preferred chains for restaurants and shopping, but working abroad sporadically over the last decade has taught me appreciation for independent places. I spent 3 months in a rural spot where you couldn't find a chain unless you caught a flight out of town. That pulled me out of my comfort zone.

One small restaurant in Italy is particularly special. I ate there at least once a week for two months. The owner would greet me in broken English as soon as I entered, and coupled with my broken Italian we'd discuss that day's fresh catch from the nearby docks. It was a quaint place, in a building maybe one hundred and fifty years old with seating for 20 or so people, and offered no menu. Every meal for every patron was freshly prepared using the ingredients picked that day from the dock and local produce growers. Each meal was unique and perfectly suited to how the owner and I steered our conversation about preferences and dislikes. What an experience! I've never been the same diner again and I'm grateful for that change.

Now my wife and I target the family run restaurants and stores. Europe is great for that life style, but it can be found around the US, too, if you look. We love farmers markets that place us face-to-face with the grower, the small restaurants where we interact and get to know the families who own/work them, and the shops that carry items a big box couldn't move enough volume to justify. We hit chains, too, but do our best to keep our local small businesses thriving.

oldfarmer50

"...if you are actively shopping for a used car..."

You've got to be kidding. This group is shopping in their sleep.

oldfarmer50

"...I can't complain if they don't tip me..."

You must be a saint. One thing I learned working in the food industry is don't anger the person who handles your food. That would include the pizza guy.

Once we ordered pizza and after an hour and several calls to the pizza place a middle aged guy in a smoking old hulk arrived all flustered. He was obviously new to the job and had gotten lost. The pizza was cold and looked like it had been dropped as he banged on door after door. I felt so sorry for him I still gave him a tip. The pizza went in the garbage and we cooked burgers.

He must have mentioned this to someone because now we always get excellent service. I hate to think what happens to the pizza of the non-tippers.

oldfarmer50

"..."no sharing"..."

We're not that bad but my wife will bring her own zip-lock bags when we go out to bring half of her meal home. I usually finish everything they serve, including the plate. :P One of the benefits of physical labor is that you can eat all you want.

explorerx4

I was looking at some previously owned vehicles, but the asking prices are so high, it didn't seem worth it to even start a negotiation.

mako1a

we finally went to the local Ford dealer

I drove an Escape for nearly two years while my driving points got back down to zero. It was a 6 cyl XLT. Cloth seats, had to turn on the headlights manually, but it did have power locks, windows, mirrors etc. I actually liked the vehicle (and I'll dump a car in a minute if it isn't up to speed for me).

Not sure how a 4 banger would be, but the 6 was fine. They may put an ecoboost in the Escape. Now that would be the one to get. Those ecos are very well powered. I'd be very cautious not to get sucked into the hybrid.

Edge is an entirely different vehicle. More upscale (up price too).

The nicest thing about the Escape was how it parked in the garage. Room to spare. Edge would require a shoehorn and 2 assistants to park.

oldfarmer50

"...mass appeal..."

That makes me sad that BMW might be doing away with the feel of the road that you talk about. The car is becoming very common where I live which is funny considering the economy. Today I was driving to the market and I was behind a white 328i. It turned off and we went our separate ways. A block later I pulled up behind an identical white 328i. What are the odds? A few years ago it would have been pretty low.

abacomike

We're not that bad...

Of course you're not! You and your wife ordered a meal for each of you and your wife, knowing she won't/can't eat the entire meal brings her own "doggie bag". Absolutely legal, in my opinion.

I was having dinner in a reasonably nice Italian restaurant two weeks ago. Across from us there was a table of 6 - made up of 3 couples. They each ordered a dinner entree. One of the women had a large satchel with her - much larger than a pocketbook. They kept ordering more and more garlic rolls and when she thought no one was looking, dumped 8 of them at a time into this satchel. By the time dinner was over, she had to have had at least 2-dozen garlic rolls in that large bag. Now you northerners need to know what these garlic rolls are - 8 rolls baked in an oven then literally smothered in olive oil and tons of fresh crushed garlic (heaven on earth to me because I love those garlic rolls). Needless to say, those garlic rolls are greasy and reek of garlic - so when they stood up to leave, the weight of the garlic rolls and olive oil put a hole in the bottom of the bag and as they were walking to the cashier, the bag split and 2-dozen or so greasy garlic rolls ended up on the floor. The aroma from all that garlic caused apoplexy among the patrons.

I asked the waiter if this happens frequently - retirees absconding with all those garlic rolls and his response was, "...is the Pope Catholic?" I said he had to be kidding and he told us that they have maybe 100 guests for dinner on the average weekday evening but the go through over 1000 garlic rolls every weekday meal service. He said if you believe 100 people can each eat 10 garlic rolls for dinner along with their entrees, he knew of a volcano near Rome that was for sale!

Unbelievable, isn't it!

mako1a

explorer, if your wife likes a little power, put her in a Mustang. Doesn't matter 6 or 8. Those things are fast for an inexpensive vehicle. $24k for a stripper 6. If she's used to the Escape, a Mustang will feel like a rocket. Or go full tilt with a GT Premium for $40k or the Boss for $44k (Boss only comes in stick). Then again you could pick up a Shelby GT 500 for $67k and change. Shelby comes with 2 keys. One black and a Red one for ahem (track use). As in the Virginia Beach Expressway race track. 650 HP. That will get your heart racing.

jmonroe

Talk about inconsistant! We can have an excellent meal there one time and have two lousy meals in a row. We leave, saying we will never be back.

I have had just the opposite at Outback. They seem to be the most consistently good restaurant that we have gone to and I’ve been to about five of them. Even the one we went to in Augusta GA when we lived in SC was very good. The one just minutes away from us now is always packed even on week days. Mrs. j and I have often commented about if the economy is so bad it doesn’t stop people from going to that place. I’ve called several times on a Saturday at 3 PM to use their “call ahead seating” only to hear they didn’t have an opening until 8:00 PM or later. As much as I like Outback, I only go to places that can accommodate me when I’m hungry not when they have an opening.

We usually buy their gift cards when they have a special. Spend $100 and get a card worth $20 free. The first time I suggested this to Mrs. j she said, “Really? Why should we lay out $100 now”? I said, “we are coming here anyway so why not take the free $20. We don’t get a 20% discount at other restaurants we go to unless you have coupon”. Now when we use the last card she says, “I hope they make that offer again”. They usually do it two or three times a year. Always around Christmas for sure. Yeah, I just had to show her how to see it my way.

Over the years, even with car purchases, I’ve gotten pretty good at that.

jmonroe

fezo

I remember a couple of little mom and pop places that year I was in Tallahassee that were just fantastic. One was somewhere around Eastpoint - a little cinder block place across Rt 98 from the gulf. I passed it almost any time I was going to the beach and someone tipped me off about it. It looked like nothing an and out and half of the time the first thing you'd order they'd say "they didn't catch any today," but I have only a very limited appetite for seafood and was never stuck for something fantastic. I introduced it to a lot of people and it stayed pretty busy but they aren't there anymore.

The other place was about 20 miles west of Tallahassee in Quincy, FL (Central Time Zone....) . The Garden Grill. You'd look at it and it was very obvious that before it was a restaurant it was a gas station. The cement supports from the pumps were still there. They painted it all white inside. The tables were where the repair bays used to be. The register was where the office had been and I guess they'd put up a wall to separate the kitchen. The average age of the employees must have been 85 and all related. An old lady waitress, an old lady cashier and an old guy cook. We're wondering about the woman who pointed us here....

It was the best southern cooking in the world! Huge portions. Just a wonderful experience. I was down a year later and made a special trip to Quincy but it was gone.

jmonroe

Shelby comes with 2 keys. One black and a Red one for ahem (track use). As in the Virginia Beach Expressway race track. 650 HP. That will get your heart racing.

And more than likely back into an Escape for you again.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

"...I don't think that would happen at a mom/pop place..."

Don't you bet on it. I have to carry a million in liability insurance for the farmer's market in case someone breaks a tooth on my tomatoes. Sad.

Our generation wouldn't think of suing over a minor mishap, no so with the youngins'.

mako1a

And more than likely back into an Escape for you again.

That's why I tested the waters with the 6 cylinder Mustang then eased into the GT. If you get used to 420 HP slowly, you're less likely to go bat sh*# crazy.

oldfarmer50

"...it didn't seem worth it..."

You have to get down in the Craigslist gutter like me. Those sub $3000 hoopties can make you feel so good in a naughty sort of way.

tjc78

I am not sure if I want 420hp, the 303 I have is temptation enough. :shades:

driver100

Today I was driving to the market and I was behind a white 328i.

8% are unemployed but 92% are still working and many at good paying jobs.
Many restaurants are packed, so many of the people who are making money are making a good amount. And the general population is getting older, getting to the age where their mortgage is paid, kids have left, and they can finally buy a bmw.

When we got the white 2008 335 white was unusual. Now it is common, too common, so the odds are pretty good you will see lots of white ones.

To get a real "feel of the road bimmer", you may have to get a 2008 or older model.

[Deleted User]

Fantastic! Those are exactly the kind of places we love to stumble upon. Too bad the one place closed, though. Now that we're settling into our new home in Colorado, we're on the hunt for the local treasures.

abacomike

Every Monday evening, the Weather Channel runs a new episode of "ice Pilots NWT" (Northwest Territories) at 9:00 PM. They air reruns all week long. I've been following the series for almost a year now and truly enjoy it.

It's a reality show about a privately run airline in northwest Canada (Buffalo Air) and it follows the planes and pilots as they deliver cargo and fly passengers on WWII vintage planes like the DC-3 (C-47), C-46, DC-4, and several Lockheed Electras. I'm an X-private pilot so I truly enjoy the dangers they fly in and out of, stories about flight training and young guys who move up to the Northwest Territories to learn how to fly those vintage planes.

I don't know if any of you watch the series, but I wholeheartedly recommend it if you want to learn all about these aircraft, the pilots and the airline. Great pastime if you like getting away from it all for 30 minute episodes.

abacomike

when we got the white 2008 335...

Back in the 1960's-1970's, the most popular color for a car down here in Soith Florida was white. My grandparents on my Mothers's side moved down here to Coral Gables (when the Gables was beautiful and distinctive) in 1949. Both of my grandparents had white cars because white was the coolest color because it reflected the sun's heat and remember, air-conditioning was not available. They always had white cars. My parents moved here on 1974 and they always bought light colored cars (white, light blue, silver, beige, etc.) and light color cars did not fade as quickly as the darker colors.

This new E350 is the first white car I've ever owned and I must admit it is much cooler inside the car because it reflects more heat from the sun. But now down here, you don't see that many white cars. But black and dark gray have become very popular colors. You would think that people who live down hear year round would have lighter colors. But for black to be so popular is contrary to my comprehension of heat reflection and heat absorption.

bwia

"...I can't complain if they don't tip me..."

A lot of positive stories about tipping. But I don't think anyone mentioned tipping at breakfast oriented restaurants. I find these waitresses, in some cases, work harder serving breakfast than dinner.

However, the breakfast bill is much smaller than lunch or dinner that leaving the usual 15% or 20% seem so unfair. What I do in those cases is to leave a minimum of $5.00 even though my breakfast bill is $8.00 or less. I think this is the right thing to do because these waitresses work their tails off.

jmonroe

Great pastime if you like getting away from it all for 30 minute episodes.

Sounds good but I don't think the regulars can leave this place for that long. They want to get their dues worth every month. :P

jmonroe

jmonroe

However, the breakfast bill is much smaller than lunch or dinner that leaving the usual 15% or 20% seem so unfair. What I do in those cases is to leave a minimum of $5.00 even though my breakfast bill is $8.00 or less. I think this is the right thing to do because these waitresses work their tails off.

I agree, the waitresses are really hopping at that time. We go to Bob Evans a lot of times on Sunday morning and the placed near us is always jammed. They bring in extra help at that time to accommodate the crowd. You are overly generous with your tipping. I usually up the tip to around 25% but I’m not leaving over 60% like you do. However, you must get marvelous service.

jmonroe

tjc78

We go to Bob Evans

I'm usually a Jersey diner type of breakfast person (we have 10 in a 2 mile radius).... but.... Bob Evans sausage gravy and biscuits is just good eating.

graphicguy

Bob Evans sausage gravy and biscuits is just good eating.

You'll hear no disagreement from me on this. That said, I do enjoy a good, genuine diner breakfast....and not Waffle House, either.

explorer.....yayyyyy.....a sales story.

I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago for a conference. I was staying downtown, so given it cost $50+/night to park, no rental car. Most of the taxis I road in were hybrids. A couple were the Escape hybrids. Now, I obviously didn't get to drive any of them. But, I must say, they road very nice and were smooth....at least from the back seat. They were all well used, too. So, I expect they are relatively reliable and put together well.

If you're not towing and just need an economical grocery getter, I would look at an Escape hybrid.

tjc78

Wow, that is higher than NYC. We have a room booked and they have valet for 27/ night. I'm going to see if I can leave my car there instead of at the cruise terminal which is 35/night.

driver100

. What I do in those cases is to leave a minimum of $5.00 even though my breakfast bill is $8.00 or less.

I agree, servers work harder at breakfast for a lot less money. Although your tip makes sense from a work standpoint, I tend to think it is generous. On $8 I would leave 3, even though 20% is $1.60 I think that is low for the amount of work involved.
That reminds me, we went out with friends on Saturday. It was an Indian food buffet restaurant, the food was excellent, and our waiter was very professional, helpful, and knowledgeable, explaining the different dishes etc.
We split the bill which was $108. My friend asked if 10 would be a reasonable tip. Thinking he meant $10 I thought it was reasonable considering a $54 bill for half, which would be about 20% for a buffet which is normally a 10 or 12% tip, since you do it yourself. So, after he says that he says, OK, then 10% it is! :sick: $5.40 tip for a $54 bill on a beautiful meal with professional service.

abacomike

A lot of positive stories about tipping...

*bwia, your point is well taken regarding breakfast servers and tips and this can even be extended to lunch as well as those servers work very hard also.

I believe that $5.00 for an $8.00 check, however, is a bit much. First of all, you are one person. Secondly, let's say the server visited your table a few times:

1. To get your order
2. To pour you a hot cup of coffee
3. To bring you your order and refill your coffee
4. To bring you the check.

I believe a fair tip would be $2.50 or $3.00, but no more than that. If there are 2 diners (i.e., you and your significant other/wife/daughter, etc.) and the
tab comes to $10.00 for the both of you for breakfast, then I would leave a tip of $3.00 to $4.00 since there were two meals served.

So in conclusion, I believe it depends on how many people are being served, not how much the tab is. I have left a $5.00 tip for a $10.00 breakfast, but those are rare instances. Also remember that breakfast and lunch servers wait on more tables at the same time than do dinner servers. A breakfast server might have 8 tables, but a dinner server may only have 4 or 5 at most.

Just thought I would add my "2 cents" worth!

jmonroe

.... but.... Bob Evans sausage gravy and biscuits is just good eating.

Believe it or not I concocted a good sausage gravy myself years ago and I say it is better than Bob Evan’s if I can be so humble. It’s not health food for sure and I try not to eat as much of it as I did in my younger days. So, when I’m feeling particularly healthy, when I decide to eat at home on the weekends, I sneak it onto the table before Mrs. j gets out of bed. When she does catch me she says, “you know that’s going to kill you, don’t you”? What a way to go.

FWIW, DIL #1 thinks I make the best Chicken Marsala. So much so that she doesn't want to eat it out anymore, tired of the disappointment. Mrs. j likes it too but I never hear about that as much as when I eat sausage gravy and biscuits. :sick:

jmonroe

isellhondas

I believe if a person ate a Bob Evans breakfast every morning that they would be dead in a month!

driver100

This is a true story. This guy picked up these supplies at a Home Depot store. The materials were loaded at Home Depot.
Their store manager said they made the customer sign a waiver.

While the plywood and 2X4s are fairly obvious,
what you can't see is the back seat,
which contains
-- are you ready for this? --
10 bags of concrete @ 80 lbs. each!



They estimated the load weight at 3000 lbs.
Both back tires exploded, the wheels bent and
the rear shocks were driven through the floorboard.

It is true, if you check on snopes they have pictures from other angles;
hHome Depot-loaded Jetta

abacomike

I received a call from one of our neighbors this afternoon who asked me, "...should I get a new car, Michael?" I helped her buy a 2010 Honda Civic 3 years ago from one of our local dealers. She paid invoice for the car in October of 2009.

I asked her how many miles does she have on the car. She responded "9255 miles" and I have the oil changed every 2500 miles. I asked her if there was any damage on the car or if there is a problem with the car, and she responded no to both questions. So I asked her why she thinks she needs a new car? She responded that she received a call from her dealer who said they needed recent Honda Civics as trades to sell on their lot and could offer her top dollar on her Civic if she purchased a new Civic. So I asked her, "...if you hadn't gotten a call from the dealer about giving her top dollar for her trade, would you have thought about getting a new car?" She responded no to that question.

I told her that dealers will say almost anything to get you into their showroom to sell her a car, even if she didn't need a new car. I told her that with less than 10,000 miles on a Honda Civic that should give her at least another 4 years of service without much trouble and further due to the fact that she is 91 years old and probably won't be driving in a year or two, why buy a new car? She responded, "... I felt that if you get new cars all all the time, maybe it was time for me to get a new one!"

I ended the conversation by telling her to keep her car - it was like new!

oldfarmer50

Just look at what a great deal this is. $32,500 less than book, WOW!

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3293608360.html

abacomike

less than book...

Less than book in whose book?

oldfarmer50

"...9255..."

Tell her that her car is dangerously miled up and no dealer would touch it. Then tell her that you know a kind-hearted gentleman from NY who will give her a few thousand bucks for her hulk.

My wife gets at least one offer per week to buy her PT Cruiser for high book value because they are in such demand. LOL!

She also gets one offer per week for extended warranties. :confuse:

explorerx4

Not a sale yet, but hopeful. Test drives are next.

oldfarmer50

How to NOT get your price.

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3289304635.html

tjc78

That is funny!

If it is as described you could do worse for 850.

abacomike

How not to get your price…

Some of the first things they taught me when I first started selling cars was don't oversell your product and don't talk about what's wrong with your product and don't use words like OK, fair, good, etc.

So we know for sure this guy has never tried to sell cars before. He didn't even clean and polish it before he took the picture.

tjc78

Or put on a set of $10 Walmart hubcaps.

stickguy

why not just take the train up instead, and not have to worry about the care?

Heck, if this is for the honeymoon, it would likely end up being cheaper to hire a car service (a nice town car!) to take you up.

driver100

Fair condition; 70,791 miles. Kelly Blue Book values this car at $35,000. Selling to settle an estate of family member who passed at 88

Wow, a 2000 Buick values at $35000 and he only wants $2000! Oldfarmer, you better run on over and add that one to your stable of fine cars. Such a deal :sick:

driver100

less than book...
Less than book in whose book?

Less than book.............in the year 2000!

oldfarmer50

"...you could do worse for 850..."

True, since it's basically an Eclipse with a Chrysler body but I'm waiting for the price cut.

driver100

No ridiculously high Blue Book value?

What happens when you hand over the $850 cash, and then you can't get home because it has ". oil leak from valve cover gaskets." Nice!

tjc78

Stick,

I looked into car service. From our area over $300 each way! I'm too cheap for that! I wanted to take the train, but my Fiancé doesn't travel light.

I'll suck up the parking, the hotel the night before is on points so its no biggie.

It is also nice having your car right there at the ship when you get back.

And it is the honeymoon. 9 days on a ship far from NJ!

J,
Please post your sausage gravy recipe if you don't mind!

fezo

Damn! That vintage Century was my dad's last car. For maybe 15 years up to that he leased Devilles. Had he not decided to go to a smaller car, which he hated before the ink was dry on the lease, I'd have taken the car. I wanted his last car but he never liked that one ever. Just didn't seem right.

Had he done one last Deville I'd have had to have lemko show me all hi how to keep a Cadillac perfect tricks.