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Comments
This guy swears by them:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LgfjgdvlhKU/TShgJJsgPAI/AAAAAAAAAJk/thV_i7F-fak/s1600/- coyote.jpg
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Trader Joe's has a kind of "cult appeal" in Southern California. There are dozens of them throughout San Diego County, LA County, Riverside County and San Bernardino County. They just opened one down here in Pembroke Pines, I believe. Not an economical place to buy specialty foods, spirits, etc.
When I lived in LA, I enjoyed going in there to purchase wines from small vineyards for a reasonable price. Beers from the world over, champagne from just about every region in France, and sparkling wines from Spain and Portugal. They specialize in non-branded items - but very high quality. I remember going into Trader Joe's to purchase sparkling wines, chips, salsa, and caviar with imported wafers for a big school function. I remember charging over $2000 on the school's board president's credit card. Excellent quality, but quite expensive.
Every so often you can find some great deals on wines from small vineyards that were some of the best wines I've ever had. They even sell imported cheeses from South America and Australia.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Well, we do have the Everglades! Lots of snakes out there along with the gators.
But one has to remember that in South Florida we have the #1 dealers in the nation in sales of BMW (Vista BMW), Lexus (JM Lexus), Infiniti (Infiniti of Coconut Creek), Volkswagen (Gunther Volkswagen of Coconut Creek), Rick Case Honda and Rick Case Hyundai (Weston), to name a few. They became #1 because of pricing and availability. Southeast Toyota (owned by JM Family Enterprises - largest Toyota/Lexus distributor in the country) and Auto Nation (largest dealer network in the country) are both headquartered here in Broward County.
More new cars are sold in Southeast Florida than any region in the country. Again, because of pricing and availability of vehicles. So, I guess Florida is not as snaky as one would think.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/ctd/3303111886.html
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Funny thing that Shop Rite takes up an old Pathmark - Pathmark started out as a bunch of Shop Rites that wanted out. Several years back they built a nice new Pathmark here in town. It's empty now.
If I was still in the car business, I'd never place an ad like that or try to sell a car like that. That car at that price is a wholesale piece or worse, a junker. I never used Craig's list to sell a car. We used AutoTrader in the hard paper issue as well as the Internet site. We would never have the available staff to answer all the calls we'd get.
As for advertising in Florida with the car physically in New Jersey, it smells like a piece of month old fish!
I once posted that if I couldn't put it on my lot, I always wholesaled it. If a customer came in and wanted to unload that car, I would tell him to sell it himself because he would get as much as 1000 dollars more for it than I could give him.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The closest Wegmans to my parents just opened and is in King of Prussia.
We have Genuardi's which is planning to close but they want someone else to buy and operate that location. Heck, when eh Pathmark closed up they put up Welcome, Pathmark customers!" signs all over - no "BTW- we'll be gone soon, too" signs... I like the Genuard's but it's a little pricey.
They closed up the local A&P but we still have a Super Fresh that is pretty much the same thing. Good for meat and produce and pricey for most everything else.
Basically nothing beats Publix and Costco. I use the latter for fruits, meats, lunch meats and household consummables. With their periodic coupons, bathroom tissues, detergent, or towels sell at best prices I have seen anywhere.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I wouldn't buy that car if they gave me $500 to take it off their hands. Looks like you would be lucky to be able to drive it around the block.
I liked this part of the ad;
The vehicle is listed as running and driving but the auction makes no grantees or warranties, all they are saying is that upon arrival to their facility the vehicle started with or without a jump start and pulled forward on its own.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yesterday, I decided to use Sport mode, just to see if it made much difference. It was like driving a totally different car, and I am going to use it most of the time now. As soon as you use Sport mode, the car hunkers down, actually gets lower to the ground, the engine revs up and you get a burst of power, the shifts are faster and you get that sports car sound from the engine, the steering becomes firmer, and the ride gets firmer, but the car goes over bumps with more feeling, but you know you are driving a real car...not a mushy sofa.
It is truly, like driving a totally different car. I am not going back. The car will probably use 10 or 20% more fuel, but it is well worth it. I might as well enjoy the car to it's max!!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This guy swears by them
Cute!
I don't know if I want to know how your brain matched that up.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That ad reminds me of the road show used guys selling cars near our Florida place. They have big tents and advertise cars that are repossessed, liquidation etc. The cars they had on the lot weren't cleaned or washed, many smelled like ashtrays....if you were sensitive to smoke at all you wouldn't be able to sit in the car. The cars weren't cheap, prices were about what you would pay on a reputable dealer lot. Though, I got the impression they do that because they may find a sucker that thinks that is a good price.
I thought they would go a lot lower on price if you were firm on price. I am sure they buy these crappy cars from auctions or repossession companies, and just mark them up, but they do minimal checking or fixing up. Probably give great terms so they can repossess them again and recycle them another time.
They have big tents, portable washrooms, hotdogs and drinks, I wonder how many cars they sell? Of course no warranty, you would be lucky if you can get these cars off the lot.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They tried to come into our town but our city fathers thankfully blocked that from happening. They did recently open a store in the town next to us and we
decided to stop in. It was disgusting and the jokes about how some Wal Mart shoppers look and dress were right on. People screamed at their kids in their native tongues. The aisles were crowded and the checkouts were disorganized and unprofessional.
The love to move into small rural towns where they quickly put mom and pop long term businesses out of business.
Some people who detest Wal Mart will neverthe less shop there because they can save a few dollars.
Never heard or a Wegmans or a Publix but I have heard of Acme. I think Acme was where the coyote bought all of his stuff in his futule attempts to catch the road runner.
Trader Joes is a unique well run operation that sells quality food. They are so fussy about what they sell.
I believe the first TJ's was in Hermosa Beach CA. When we lived in Rancho Palos Verdes we loved shopping there.
I just have to feel good about where I shop. Yes, I should probably be more focused on price but I don't want to feel like I need a shower when I leave.
We're all waiting on pins and needles for your response to that post! So, GIVE IT TO US! instead of giving me the business!!!
I’d say you and the others were given some pretty good advice already by a few of our other posters about what oil to use and when to use it. So now let me say it. You use the oil prescribed by your car’s manual and you lop off about 20% for the change interval and I wouldn’t wait for one year to do the first one, either. I’d do the first one in half that time especially if you haven’t put on 5/6 thousand miles in 6 months because if that’s the case, and I think it is for how you drive, you have been using your engine in the “extreme use” category (think taxi’s) by running too many short trips, like to Wal-Mart.
I’ve mentioned this before. Mrs. jmonroe’s 2012 Subaru Legacy recommends that the first oil change be done at 3500 miles. It was done at 3200 miles by the dealer with full synthetic labeled by Subaru. Thereafter, Subaru recommends 7500 miles. Since they agree with the way I have always done it they must be right.
There I said it so it shouldn’t have to be said again. Tell me, when you were teaching what did you say to your students that didn’t pay attention to what was said the second and third times they heard something?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
The largest Trader Joe's store is about 12,000 sq ft and carries about 8,000 items. The Wegman's they are opening in my town will be 140,000 sq ft and carry about 70,000 items. Now imagine most of them being the quality of TJ's or Whole Foods and costing 20% less. Imagine a 15,000 sq ft prepared foods area. Imagine it being less expensive than a typical grocery chain.
Wegman's is a new thing for New England. They are based in upstate NY and opened their first store in MA about 40 miles from Boston. My town will be second and then a town about 8 miles from Boston will be third - although that store will be half the size of their typical store.
We do have Whole Foods and they seem to be a first class operation. Not sure about their prices since my wife does most of the shopping.
I made enchiladas last night and for what I ended up paying more for the ingrediants we could have gone out to a nice Mexican Restaurant!
One chain I do like is Target. We have a Target and the place always sparkles. They help is attentive and well dressed and the merchandise is well displayed. Very professional operation in my opinion.
It is hard to get enthusiastic about cooking when you can eat out for less. In Florida there is a place with a half rib dinner, giant salad, choice of 2 side dishes, for $11. You can take enough ribs home for a lunch on another day, we can't finish our meal. They are the best ever, the restaurant owner has his own farm. The restaurant is on a waterway and there are boats and beautiful views. Why would I make this at home?
People either love Wal-Mart or hate them. We have one nearby but we try to avoid it. I don't like there business plan, and their inferior merchandise.
They not only put competitors out of business, they also squeeze suppliers into bankrupcy too. You can read about business case on the subject, Blascic Pickles, Shwinn Bicycles are just 2 examples.
However, occasionally we need 3 or 4 items and instead of going to 4 stores it was convenient to get all 4 items in 1 store (spindle light bulb, memory card for camera, birthday card, colored ribbon). They wouldn't stay in business though, for the number of times we go there.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I’m not the shopper in our house and never have been so Mrs. j has always been the one that has done that most of the time. Then a few years ago DIL #1 gave Mrs. j her second card for Sam’s Club. She didn’t want it because without raising a family now, we don’t need a 10 pound box of cereal and large packaged items the way they do it but DIL #1 convinced her to try it, if for nothing else but the paper products. You know what happened next, yes, I was dragged to Sam’s Club, almost kicking and screaming. We walked up and down the isles trying to find something to buy and we managed to find a few items. As we were walking past the meat dept. I figured what the heck I might as well see what they have. Damn, they cut their steaks thick like I like them and they are well trimmed too. I decided to buy a package of their rib-eyes and she was surprised because she knows how picky I am about my steaks. Long story short, they are as least as good as what I have bought at the hand cut meat counter at the grocery store and they are a few bucks cheaper per pound.
We had a cookout not too long after that first visit and someone mentioned the ribs that were on the grill as looking pretty nice. Mrs. j said they came from Sam’s and one of here friends almost fell over because she always thought they wouldn’t have nice meats there. I can’t remember the last time I bought a steak somewhere other than Sam’s. I’ve heard that Costco is pretty good too but they are 10 times further away (and that is not an exaggeration), so I don’t see myself shopping there.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I know about two MILLION who have moved out of upstate NY. The area is an economic wasteland where people who graduate college are forced to move away. The area where I live was voted 97th worst in economic recovery from the recession. It was beat by 3 other upstate cities for even poorer recovery.
I am hoping to soon join all the Red Sox fans in moving out of NY.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Well, if what I understand is true, Florida doesn't require any used car dealer to provide a warranty. The car you buy from a "reputable" lot could be no different than the one you get from the fly-by-night guys or a private seller. Seems you are truly on your own down there if a car blows up 5 miles down the road unless you buy a warranty. Makes you wonder why anyone would buy used from a dealer. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My students wouldn't dare make me repeat something two or three times because they weren't listening or paying attention! If one of them thoughtlessly raised their hand to ask me to repeat something, I would sneer, squint, growl, and then point to the student he/she should talk to after class to get the info from. I never said a word! They knew the consequences of not paying attention!!!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Not necessarily true. Most new car dealerships provide at least a 90 day warranty on cars they put on their lots. It isn't smart or good business to sell pre-owned cars "AS IS" with no warranty. That's why I always wholesaled cars at the auction or sold them for scrap (if beyond any usefulness). Why would a reputable dealer sell Junkers on their lots. It would be suicidal for their business!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
If a salesperson is going to be successful in the car sales business, the best way to make lots of money by selling lots of cars is to nurture your customer base. Many customers are loyal to their salesperson if they had a great car-buying experience. Not only will they be back to you for their next car, but they will refer their friends, neighbors, relatives and business/work associates to the salesperson they can trust and who treated them right.
I always sent birthday cards to my customers (including spouses) as well as Christmas and Hanukkah cards in December. I made it a point to contact my customers by phone at least once every three months to make sure their car was performing for them at or above their expectations. By the 3rd year I was in sales, I hardly ever took fresh "ups" because I was so busy with my repeat customers and referrals from those customers. It was a rarity to take a floor up, and only if requested by my manager.
Repeat customers and referrals are the life-blood of the car salesperson. The dealership I worked for supported me in my endeavors to broaden my customer base because it was good business for the dealership if I succeeded. They always paid for my postage and my Christmas and Hanukkak cards and reimbursed me for the birthday cards I sent out.
Dealerships do the same kinds of things to broaden their customer base as well as nurture repeat business. When I became a manager, I offered free car washes to my existing customers, free bagels and cream cheese with sodas and coffee/tea and fresh Danish and Donuts and fresh cookies whenever they came in for service or for just a carwash. It cost my dealership about $25,000 a year for the finger foods and car washes but we made that back in spades with referrals and repeat business.
The reason I bring this up has to do with why we all buy our cars from those dealerships who know how to treat their customers right. Of course price has a lot to do with where we buy our cars, but all things being equal (pricing being the same or almost the same between two or three dealerships) we would buy our cars from the dealer that makes us feel like a part of their family! That's the key to a successful dealership!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
In addition to their corporate offices they have a store here too and it is, of course, their flagship store. I have seen Jim Sinegal walking the aisles on more than one ocassion.
The meats they sell there are either Prime or Choice. Not inexpensive and in packages that I wish were smaller.
Costco is an amazing well run company. They too, can be brutal on their suppliers and very demanding. They have made many a small vendor a lot of money and they have made things so tough on others that the vendors have blown Costco off.
They seeem t have thier fingers in everything now. I did most of the Costco Auto Buying Program at our store. It is a mixed blessing for sure with a lot of scrunity from Costco. A lot of stores have told Costco to get lost.
Blinds, kitchen cabinets etc. They get their cut. They even sell coffins now and have them delivered to the Funeral Homes.
Between the internet and stores like Costco and Home Depot, small town American stores are a thing of the past.
Still, Wal Mart is a store that I will not go into. Disgusting!
I do have to say however that a lot of the "loyal" customers would cut my throat if they thought they could save 100.00 by driving 100 miles.
Loyality isn't what it used to be,
Got a big letter when he shifted dealerships and here, a quarter century down the road I still hear from him. I did buy the unfortunate Windstall from him but since then he comes in high and ends up losing the sale. Very nice guy but not the final say in price.
I stop at Wegman's in Wilkes-Barre every time I drive through it.
OK guys you heard him. Let's see how he likes it the other way around.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Oh, I see. But The state doesn't require them to do so does it? NY requires at least 30 day/1000 miles or more depending on age and milage. So it's up to the dealer in Florida? That could be a good selling point. I wonder why the small used car dealers don't mention it. I assume that if I see an ad in NY there is at least the state minimum warranty. When I read an ad in Florida I assume NO Warranty unless they specifically mention it.
I need to know the rules before I start buying down there.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Loyality isn't what it used to be
From your username, I'm guessing you sold Hondas during those years. I sold higher priced luxury cars ($34,000 - $75,000) and managed a store that also sold luxury cars ($37,000 - $80,000). I found that loyalty at this level was more important than price, assuming that the price differential between dealers was no more than $350 - $400. Also, I found that customers appreciated the free car washes, refreshments, and the large comfortable lounge. My Mercedes dealer has two lounges - one with a huge HD TV and one that is quieter and more sedate for reading and private phone calls.
When I sold cars, $100 or $200 would not kill a deal for me. But more than that would have, however we never lost a deal over pricing is it was a few hundred. The dealership would never let a customer walk for a few hundred. But loyalty was and still is an important factor in car sales.
As for cutting throats, sometimes it's personalities, not price. If a customer would buy a car 100 miles away for a difference of a few hundred dollars, it was because of personalities, not money - and the customer was welcome to drive the 100 miles, but if he tried to come back for service warranty work, we'd make sure he remembered where he bought his new car!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH! Most don't last very long - even the good ones. At the Mercedes dealership, there are 4 salespeople working there that worked for me! Interesting, isn't it?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
That is so true. At the low end of sales ($5-$50) where I operate I get maybe a hundred "ups" every week. Many of them are repeat customers who tell me they always buy from me. They feel I give them personal attention and a fair price. That makes for super loyal customers.
What really sells a product is the transfer of your enthusiasm to the customers. If you really believe in your product it comes across to the buyer. I try to create an image of them enjoying my plant on their porch as company arrives or the taste of my veggies in a certain dish. It turns a buying chore into an enjoyable experience. That translates into repeat business.
It helps that I like to gab and as my wife puts it, know everything and make up what you don't know.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Boy, ain't that the truth! It's those customers who can ruin your entire day.
I really get a good response from people when I total up multiple items in my head and say something like: "that will be $32.47 but let's round it to $32". A couple of pennies is nothing and it brings customers back. Then you have the cheapos who try to do it to you in reverse and ask for half price if they buy two. :confuse: Those I send on their way because I know they will never be happy unless they are getting everything for less than cost.
Sometimes the only thing wrong with retailing is the customers. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Yeah, you are right. The required NY warranty is for drive train only as well but that would be my main concern on a older used car. If the AC compressor goes a month later you kind of shrug and say "well it was an old car". If the tranny blows out after a week you would really get mad. You would hope it would be covered.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The very worst part of retailing, especially auto sales, is the very stressful and terribly long hours on my feet! When I was a teacher, I would be on my feet 30-40 percent of the time - walking through the aisles as I taught or gong from desk to desk to check on student progress and work. When I sold cars, 60-70 percent of the time I was on my feet.
I would remember coming home from work at 9:30 or 10:00 PM with my feet killing me. Often, I wouldn't get home until 11:00 or 11:30 PM because there was always that customer who would come in at 8:35 PM (just before closing) and spend hours driving cars and seldom would they buy one so late in the evening.
Most of my days off I ended up going in because a customer wanted to buy a car on Wednesday instead of my regular day at work.
When I helped my Dad in his business when I was in college at NYU, so he could take a night off every so often, I would spend most of the time on my feet waiting on customers. So to me, the worst part if retailing was being on my feet all the time.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I can relate to that. I've lost a god deal of the feeling in my feet from standing 7 days a week. I used to comment that I went to my other job to get a rest.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When I retired a couple of years ago, my feet were in bad shape. I still have limited feeling in my feet because of those 10 years selling cars and being a sales manager (I think I was on my feet more when I managed). There is absolutely nothing that makes the numbness go away.
I try to walk about a mile a day at a fairly good pace - and that is when I get some relief, believe it or not. It's at night in bed that my feet bother me the most. All due to the years I stood on my feet 7-12 hours a day.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
It is called "free market", a concept perhaps forgotten in some places. You know, a concept that people are free to enter legal transactions at any terms they find acceptable, as long as there is no coersion or deception - and the state does not need to inject itself into the transaction (to protect one side) with predetermined terms. In free market, one player may elect to sell cars as is, no warranty, the eyes saw what they took, another may elect to give their customers a warranty. In such conditions, discovery of price and contract terms is through multiple transactions (or lack thereof, if somebody finds proposed terms unacceptable).
For example, there is no law compelling merchants to accept returns. Yet, most of them offer such return opportunity, because it is a good business. The return period varies by store and by merchandise, 7 to 90 days.
Yes, markets can be powerful. In Florida there are plenty "As is" used car stores, usually small owner operated businesses, not particularly lucrative. Everybody knows what the offer is and some people find it acceptable. Others go to a large franchised dealer and usually pay more and get some assurance, even for an older vehicle. Some other people would only buy new, while other would buy from an individual.
There is no need for state to make a rule of warranty - it pretty much would wipe out small operators, who can't afford to it. It would also diminish old used car values, especially older ones, as used car dealers would be very cautious in acqiring such vehicles. Auctions do not allow them to inspect vehicles. Every well-meaning regulation has its hidden cost, usually paid by the very people it aims to protect.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
A few years ago I saw the CEO of Costco being interviewed on a segment of 60 Minutes so it was probably Jim Sinegal. He was asked about how Costco goes about doing business because they seem to have a following, are very successful and compete well with their competitors. He said the standard lines when asked a question like that but I remember that he said they only carry so many products. I can’t remember the number now but it didn’t seem to be a lot for a store that did that much business (seem to remember it only being a little more than a couple hundred). He mentioned that when they take on a new product, something has to go because they can’t manage more products than what they have already established as the manageable number that is working for them. I don’t know if that is still their business model or not.
The question that I still remember being asked of him was, “what is your number one selling item”. Without batting an eye he said, “our name brand of 36 rolls of toilet paper. We keep our supplier constantly busy making that product for us and the trucks just never stop coming”. I'm not sure what that says about Costco customers even though it is an item used by all of us.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
How would you do that?
I bought 3 BMWs at Dealer A. I bought the 535 at Dealer B, though 30 minutes further away....and saved $6000.
Since Dealer A was closer I took it there for the oil change you guys talked me into doing. They were nice on the phone, still had me in their system (look it up under phone number of name), never mentioned where I or asked about where I bought the car, did the oil change for free though it wasn't really supposed to be free, washed the car and cleaned the inside.
I got the impression all the service department cares about is making money, and it is run completely separate from the store. That's just a guess.
I think they are smart to do it that way, a customer might just come back...in my case unlikely, but at least a small chance.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well, when you buy a new car every 12 years.........................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes, I saw a good program about Costco a few weeks ago on MSNBC. I believe it is about 7000 products comapred to over 30000 at most stores. Costco only sells one size of an item, say aspirin. Offering all those sizes just takes up space and most people buy the larger sizes any way. Also, they drop all the slower selling objects. There is a rule in business, that 20% of your merchandise will make up 80% of your sales. So, by just carrying the 20% you will have higher sales and less overhead.
They work to keep prices down. Hotdogs have gone up in price everywhere, but at Costco they kept the price down. Instead of using packages for condiments they have a central counter. They started to make their own buns. Price has stayed the same for years.
And, they do pay their employees more than minimum wages. They are clever, and always looking for ways to be more efficient.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
- they are not going to put a dishwasher liquid instead of oil into the engine,
- they are not going to scratch the car, use wrong tools, spill coffee in it, or leave a rug in the engine compartment, just because it was not a car bought in their place
- they are not going to turn my service requst away
- they may not provide a nicest loaner on the lot during first visit, but during second one they just might
- they are not going to deny a warranty claim if the defect is obvious - they might be more vigilant to get the claim approved if situation is not completely clear (but maybe not).
In my not-so-long experience, one or two service visits and you are "their customer", same as one who bought the car. It would take two, three or four cars already purchased in the same place and thousands of dollars dropped over ten years on "suggested services" to get something trully above and beyond, not just a car wash (like perhaps a replacement of a damaged part without a charge, or free engine repair after warranty expiration as "good will gesture", approved by the manufacturer, or similr unexpected favors).
New customer is one everybody is going after. It really beats me at times. All those one-time new customer coupons, then pony up bubba.
I just switched my car insurance, again - just one and half year after switching previous one. The insurer felt compelled to raise my price on renewal by 40% or so, since I was such a good customer without claims, tickets and so on. But heck, I was happy, so it was the time to raise my rate, wasn't it? The new insurer proposed a rate that was lower than one I was just paying. I'm sure in two or three renewals, my bill will jump again. Looking at their discount descriptions, around $100 worth (in six month cycle) seems to be one-time or limited life. So I'm already prepared to switch.
Yes, existing customer is soooo appreciated - yes, especially to subsidize the new ones
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Yes it is. New car sales, used car sales and service are treated as 3 different business units at most dealers. Each unit tries to maximize sales and profit - often at the expense of the others.
Did you know that at most dealerships, sales has to "buy" accessories from parts and then mark them up?
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I'm not sure I understand your response. I'm not complaining about the lack of laws in Florida requiring a warranty. I just need to know if they exist before I calculate a car's value. Just as a CPO car commands a higher price due to the presumed value of the certification so would a used car with a 30-60-90 day warranty. An "as-is" car would be worth less by the amount it would cost to purchase a warranty separately. Also, I would think more care would have to be given to the pre purchase inspection, just like a private sale, because the car dealer would have no skin in the game if something goes wrong later.
The other part of the equation is psychological. Rightly or wrongly I think a lot of people would feel better buying from a place that stands behind their product with a warranty. The thinking being that a seller isn't going to put a car on his lot that will cost him a bundle to fix under warranty.
I'm not saying that states that require a warranty are better or worse just that you have to know the rules before you shop. How many people in Florida just assume the $700 dealer fee is required by law and pay more than they have to?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible