Stories from the Sales Frontlines

verdugo

You keep mentioning facts but do you really know them as facts.

Mike,

Let me introduce you to Andre. You will enjoy banging your head on your desk as you try to reason with him.

verdugo

Richard,

You're such a good person. I hope your advice doesn't fall on deaf ears.

A.

Kirstie_H

Well, I was just sitting here with my St. Jude medallion and a little bit of extra time on my hands, and given that my father is a PhD microbiologist/immunologist, I thought the question was a pretty soft lob.

driver100

I could actually get by with one here fairly easily. No store that I frequent is more than 1.5 miles away, all on roads that only lead into and out of this neighborhood,

Yes, under the right circumstances they are a great way to get around economically. Just me, but, I don't like your odds if you are using one in heavy traffic or where cars are going pretty fast.

Same with a bike, on paths or quiet streets they are good fun. The last time I road my bike, about 20 years ago I couldn't believe how many people in cars ignore you....they open doors right in front of you and they make right turns as if you didn't exist. I am getting too old to get broken bones or spend a few months recovering from major injuries.

driver100

And apparently I can't do math. That's 7" longer not 5"

Yes, it costs about 50 cents more an inch for that larger left blade.

The last time I bought blades and installed them myself, probably 20 years ago, they came in a narrow package and they were both exactly the same size. Had to really think about it to be reminded - they are different sizes these days.

driver100

given that my father is a PhD microbiologist/immunologist, I thought the question was a pretty soft lob.

I know I am wasting my time and doing what I told "poor" Mike not to do, but this article says it so well, no one in their right mind would argue.....and I posted the link just in case.

Flu Myth #3: The flu vaccine can give you the flu.

This is the flu myth most likely to drive experts bonkers. “There is simply no way that the flu vaccine can give you the flu,” says Hay. “It’s impossible.”

Why? For one, injected flu vaccines only contain dead virus, and a dead virus is, well, dead: it can’t infect you. There is one type of live virus flu vaccine, the nasal vaccine, FluMist. But in this case, the virus is specially engineered to remove the parts of the virus that make people sick.

Despite the scientific impossibility of getting the flu from the flu vaccines, this widespread flu myth won’t die. Experts suspect two reasons for its persistence. One, people mistake the side effects of the vaccine for flu. While side effects to the vaccine these days tend to be a sore arm, in the past, side effects often felt like mild symptoms of the flu. Two, flu season coincides with a time of year when bugs causing colds and other respiratory illnesses are in the air. Many people get the vaccine and then, within a few days, get sick with an unrelated cold virus. However, they blame the innocent flu vaccine, rather than their co-worker with a runny nose and cough.

The top 13 Myths about the Flu

abacomike

Mike,

Let me introduce you to Andre. You will enjoy banging your head on your desk as you try to reason with him.

*verdugo, notice that in my several posts about this, I said "I'M DONE"? I meant it. I am not going to try to reason with someone who is "unreasonable"! Now that makes sense, doesn't it?

abacomike

Well, I was just sitting here with my St. Jude medallion and a little bit of extra time on my hands, and given that my father is a PhD microbiologist/immunologist, I thought the question was a pretty soft lob.

I have my PhD in Educational Administration, my MA in Education and Teaching, and my BS in Management and Business Administration and attended Stuyvesant H.S. in New York City (a school for gifted students) and have known for years how vaccines are produced and for which viruses. But When you start getting responses from someone who seems not to trust his own shadow, one begins to wonder why fight the fight.

Even if I had gobs of time on my hands and nothing to do, I would not "stimulate my own cerebrum" to begin to convince someone that he or she is wrong but really doesn't want to be convinced and would rather stand on the edge of a south Florida Beach with a category 5 hurricane headed straight for him/her.

Why aggravate ones own thoughts and bodily functions to convince chicken litte that the "SKY IS NOT FALLING?" Why do that to yourself.

Next time you feel like you "must" respond to a post(s) from someone like that, think of "Chicken LIttle" and how futile it would be to try to convince that stupid "hen" that the sky will not fall.

abacomike

I'm sure that I speak for all of us here when I say that we wish you well, and that we appreciate your contributions to this forum. We'll be hoping for a positive post in the near future.

*Richard, you have the patience of a Saint, a Rabbi, A Priest, A Minister, and a Psychiatrist. I'll give you a call for an appointment as I sure could use someone like you!

Love ya, Richard!

houdini1

The old Honda Express, circa early 80's, was a great moped, my oldest son had one when he was about 13 or so. It had wheels and tires about twice the size of the current ones on the market. Like a bicycle on steroids. Very safe and easy to ride.

The current moped offerings have tiny little wheels and look like "scooters". I don't like them very much...Dagnabbit...there, how's that for a 70 year old's moped rant.

Kirstie_H

Well, not very rant-y, really.
I'm not considering getting a moped, especially as we're moving to an area where it would no longer be practical or particularly safe. I was just saying that it's my first choice of the options moped, walk, or Smartcar. Fortunately, I don't have to make that choice as your namesake is running fine (my Escape is nicknamed "Houdini").

houdini1

(my Escape is nicknamed "Houdini").

Cool...I am honored !!

Kirstie_H

You're welcome to feel honored, and you should... though it was actually after the original Houdini. What better name for an Escape?

abacomike

I know I am wasting my time and doing what I told "poor" Mike not to do, but this article says it so well, no one in their right mind would argue.....and I posted the link just in case.

I REST MY CASE DRIVER! Just read the above extract from your post. Now, discuss wiper blades or alignments or the price of new cars - trying to change someone's mind or opinion about something requires that the individual is willing to at least listen!

stickguy

the family across the street from me has 2 little boys (I would guess 2-4, maybe 3-5?), and when I came back from work this afternoon, they were out on the front lawn with what I assume was a Christmas present. One of those motorized kid cars (battery powered). But not a jeep, this one was all modernistic (looked like a hot wheels car). Actually pretty cool looking.

I would rather drive that around town than a Smart car. I saw one yesterday from the side, and it looked so ridiculous.

andres3

All I’ve been able to do so far is to take a few sales away from my unreasonable dealer and he knows it. I doubt that it’s worth the time and effort to do that with Rite-Aid for penny ante purchases but you can always give it a try.

I don't have to do much for Rite-Aid. I avoid them when at all possible. I just never shop there, and have probably been inside their doors 1 or 2 times in the last 18 years. I will throw a party when they go out of business. It'll be a positive happy experience then.

I knew a colleague once that said he successfully picketed a Carmax dealer for selling him a lemon. Before year 1 was up, the vehicle basically fell apart, and he felt slighted. They wouldn't do anything for him, so he started picketing their sidewalk for 8 hours a day with a big sign that noted their negative customer service. On day 5 they caved in and bought it back for full price. (He's lucky he was unemployed at the time; they didn't count on his persistence).

I don't sweat or stay angry at rite-aid... it's not much sweat off my back. But the workers there shouldn't wonder why I'm celebrating the loss of their jobs.

andres3

If you had your original receipt,

I didn't have it, but I may have perhaps made more of an effort to find it if he insisted I needed it.

Since it was over a few bucks it was not worth dumpster diving for.

Any Walgreens or CVS will have the same policy.

Perhaps, but I bet you 99% of the managers would give the HS teenager (probably 16 years old) the benefit of the doubt in a similar situation to mine; especially since it's over a few bucks and the customer insisted to speak with a manager and all after the clerk was unhelpful.

Losing a teenager for life is bad for business... that's on average over 60 years of lost business given average life expectancy!!! Over a few bucks? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

andres3

I'll acquiesce to the notion that your doctor deliberately malpracticed,

Well, someone (I believe it was you; stated NO ONE would recommend the vaccine while someone's still not 100% well). I was clearly at the doctor because I was still coughing after like a month of "feeling better." The flu shot only came up after the fact, and he strongly recommend I let the nurse inject me after I was done with him.

If what you on this forum are saying is true, it seems black and white crystal clear he was either misinformed, uninformed, for deliberately malpracticing as you say. don't get me wrong, I like Kaiser as an HMO, but I only saw this doctor one time (the first and only last time). Not because I've had him fired, but because I haven't needed a doctor in over a year. Should I change doctors? Certainly off to a bad start.

As to standard medical laboratory Q/A, who's ensuring the standards are followed and adhered to?

You all seem to think medical vaccinations (or anything coming out of a medical manufacturer) are more reliable than even a Honda or Toyota :P

andres3

I don't get bogged down by the small stuff (though at the time I was a teenager and a few bucks mattered).

I'm not angry at Rite Aid... boycotting and blacklisting them for life evened the score just fine. I get a bit peeved when people here defend bad management practices (probably pro-bailout too).

Bad companies with bad management go out of business, and that's a good thing. It's healthy for an economy for that to happen.

andres3

I think you just need to be careful with your use of the words "always, 100%, never, perfect," and other absolutisms.

Although I didn't have to sign my life away to get the flu vaccine, the dentist did make me watch a video that said I could die from having my wisdom teeth removed before he started. Even for a routine procedure like that, they don't say 100% always.

oldfarmer50

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

andres3

What bothers me is that you take things so to heart when you need to realize that life has some big and small bumps in the road.

I do take business personally sometimes. You are right about that, maybe I can improve that. I just don't take crap from businesses, and I don't accept it either. It is personally insulting, as it says "you think I'm going to let you get away with that?"

Maybe I should look at myself as just another number, the way lesser businesses look at their customers. When an insurance company acts in bad faith, I shouldn't take it personal, I should look at it as a good cost savings claims denial that helped their bottom line; and I'm just a number.

Of course, there is the good deed that getting a company "thrown out" of the State can only happen if enough people take the initiative to complain about them.

You had a problem with a $7 watch, but you recovered 70% ($4.90) of your cost. The loss of $2.10 is unfortunate but not worth hating Rite-Aid or its manager.

It was more like I got back $7 instead of $13. So a loss of $5 to $6 or so. Either way, it just wasn't right. Hate is a strong word. I guess I don't hate the manager or the company. I simply don't trust or like them, and think they are retarded.

Trust me, I don't want to do a law suit unless a lawyer tells me I have a clear cut case. I have no ill will against Kaiser, nor even really the doctor with the bad recommendation. He's probably just pushing the company line "take your vaccine dammit" while the CEO buys more stock of the manufacturer to gain profits.

It's my fault, for 33 years I believed the "if it ain't broke don't fix it mantra" and I let my doctor talk me out of it. When I got sick for the 2nd time back to back for the first time in my life, trust me, it wasn't a "small" deal at the time.

That being said... suing Kaiser isn't like suing my employer, a family member, or a friend or business partner. It would just be one number fighting another number, nothing personal. In the end the Lawyers probably get the biggest numbers.

In my 2nd life.. I'd be a lawyer myself, but in this life, no thank you.

But in all honesty, I could sue Kaiser without a bit of ill will or personal feelings involved. It would simply be because they REALLY pushed the vaccine on me while I was still sick.

I'll stick to my high immunity vitamin C regimen.

andres3

Experts suspect two reasons for its persistence. One, people mistake the side effects of the vaccine for flu. While side effects to the vaccine these days tend to be a sore arm, in the past, side effects often felt like mild symptoms of the flu.

That line right there sounds like an admission of guilt, that the vaccine (at least they admit in the past) has given the flu, or at least symptoms like the flu (who defines "mild," anyway?) Maybe that's what I got, only it wasn't that mild in my opinion.

The other excuse given about getting a cold could be another possibility, but then why can't we accuse the vaccine of lowering our immune systems so that you'll get the cold if you take it? Whereas if you didn't take it your immune system would have likely fought off that same cold with no effect.

I'm listening.. I'm willing to have my mind changed about the flu shot, I just hate hearing the word impossible.

No one has addressed my 3rd possibility, a tainted needle being injected into your arm that was touched by someone with the flu.... with a live virus.

andres3

From Driver's Link; flu myth #8 has been debunked I think:

Many people assume that if they’ve had the flu recently, they can’t get it again -- and thus don’t need to get the vaccine, Perl says. That’s not the case because flu infection can happen from more than one strain of virus.

“In any flu season, there’s usually both Type A and Type B influenza in circulation,” Perl tells WebMD. Both can cause the flu. It’s quite possible that you could get infected with one type and then the other.

So if you’ve already had the flu, you should still get the vaccine. “Otherwise, you could be sick and unhappy twice,” Perl says.

See, if they were honest they should say you could get sick and unhappy twice EVEN if you take the stupid flu shot! That's what happened to me, and many others.

Or do they claim a 100% success rate with the two types of flu the vaccine covers?

kyfdx

Your doctor reuses needles? :surprise:

abacomike

Sometime in late March or early April, I would love to take a train trip to California to see my grand kids and then take another route back to Florida. I have about 10-12 days to do it.

I figured if I could take a southern route there and a northern route back, I could cover the country by rail. I looked up the timetables and destinations, but could not find a direct route from southern Florida to California and back. I'd have to go to New York, then Chicago, then to California. No other alternate routes and AMTRAK wants $5000+ for a bedroom car, TV, etc., with a private bath/shower.

I always thought I could take a train to Jacksonville and then a train right out to California via the Interstate 10 access, but unfortunately they don't go that way. I was so looking forward to taking the train across country as an experience and travel sightseeing tour, but alas, no way except through NY and Chicago.

To just get on a couple of planes and travel 2500 miles like i usually do to see the grandkids without seeing our beautiful country would be a shame. I don't want to drive, too much for me to do. I won't sit on a bus that long, too much sitting. At least on a train, you can get up and walk a little, go for dinner in the dining car, have a few drinks in the observation car, etc. I was very disappointed when I could find no direct trains out west.

Anyone have any ideas?

tjc78

Maybe something like a repositioning cruise? I know that NCL does a Miami to Los Angeles (through Panama Canal) sometime in April. That would at least get you something scenic on the way out.

abacomike

Maybe something like a repositioning cruise?

I've gone through the canal on a previous cruise I took a few years ago, but if I hadn't already done this, it would make for a great trip. Thanks for the suggestion, tjc!

verdugo

Yes Mike, I saw them after I posted. Good for you.

verdugo

To just get on a couple of planes and travel 2500 miles like i usually do to see the grandkids without seeing our beautiful country would be a shame.

Just make sure you get a window seat! :P

stickguy

Hot air balloon?

abacomike

Just make sure you get a window seat!

The reason I hate flying in a plain is because I usually end up getting sick with some virus or flu. They recirculate the air at high altitudes so the airborne viruses run rampant in a plane.

I used to like window seats in coach. But if I end up flying out there, which I will probably do, I'll go first class for the comfortable seats - that's the only reason.

abacomike

Hot air balloon?

Very funny, stickguy. Although out in the Coachella Valley, where Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage. La Quinta, etc., are, they fly hot air balloons all over the desert there. Also known for soaring in gliders because of the tremendous up drafts created by the heat and mountains.

But thanks anyway for the suggestion, though a bit tongue in cheek.

mako1a

Hot Air Baloon...Now that was a hoot!

I've been looking at these lately, Mike. Can't convince the wife, but I still look.



2003 Tiffin Allegro

andres3

I hope they don't reuse needles, but maybe someone sneezed on it....

abacomike

I've been looking at these lately, Mike. Can't convince the wife, but I still look.

That would be a great idea if I had a family on a trip like that across country, but I can't drive across country alone - otherwise I'd drive my car. Much cheaper on gas. To drive across country without sightseeing from south Florida to Palm Desert takes about 4 or 5 days at 500-600 miles per day. When I was 20 years younger, I drove from Los Angeles to the Poconos in northeastern PA in 3 days, 2 nights and did most of the driving at night when traffic is the lightest - no trucks - and did it alone. Today, driving to Jacksonville (300 miles) is about the most I can handle now.

I think I'll probably fly out there. FLL to DFW, DFW to PSP - about 6 or so hours including one layover.

driver100

I hope they don't reuse needles, but maybe someone sneezed on it....

or a mouse ran across it, or a cockroach breeded on it, or the doctor forgot to wash his hands, or a mosquito fell off the ceiling and landed on it, or a spider................

tjc78

I've been looking at these lately

Nice looking motorhome. I can't believe how nice these things are inside. What will that end up going for, as it must be well over a $100K new?

I see these things and wonder if there is any advantage to touring the country in one. You could cruise around in a big SUV or luxury car at three times the fuel mileage and stay at alot of hotels for the cost/upkeep/insurance on one of these.

mako1a

This will work when you can't do hotels. I have an 85 yr old mother, my lovely wife and 3 dogs and I smoke (8-10 cigs/day). Few hotels would have us.

Tiffin is built on a Freightliner chassis with Cat or Cummins diesel engine with Allison A/T. They have auto levelers, and pushbutton everything like awnings, steps, etc. I like the inside layout too. 36 feet is about the max I could handle.

tjc78

The unit you posted is impressive. I guess with two drivers you could probably not have to stop for a good while. It must have pretty large fresh and waste water tanks.

I also noticed that the one you posted only very low miles (under 40K) that is most likely nothing for a rig like that.

There is a frequent poster over in the Chronic Cars buyers thread that has a large motorhome (IIRC Royal Monaco). If you have any ?s pop in there. Mark156 is the username.

driver100

Can't convince the wife, but I still look

Mako, I have a friend who bought one of those, it was his dream. First trip it broke down in a small town. Dealer had to UPS him the parts. He had to stay over with his family in a little motel in the middle of this little town where there was absolutely nothing to do....for 2 nights.

Another thing that bothers me is travel trailers that are tall and narrow and have these thin little tires. I see them coming and going from Florida. They don't look very stable and I have seen them blow around on a windy day.

They also go slow and cause accidents behind them.

My friends travel home cost $150K. If you add up that, plus insurance, plus fuel etc, the interest on that would buy you a decent hotel room at night.

Can't get a good picture of those skinny tires;

andres3

You do realize that some medical malpractice lawsuits are valid and that doctors and nurses are human (as are lab techs). Humans make errors.

mako1a

Driver, I went to Mt Rushmore in a tow-behind with my best friend. You can't go back and take a nap or make a sandwich in those as you can't be in it while it's being pulled so no dice there.
If I get one it will be a Class A Diesel pusher with all the conveniences.
Wonder why the guy didn't just stay in his motor home even if it needed a part?

mako1a

Yo andres, If you're going to talk about medical malpractice lawsuits and doctors and nurses, at least tell us what kind of CARS the lawyers, doctors and nurses drive instead of blathering on and on about medical crap on a car forum.
We get off point sometimes, but we eventually get back to CARS and other vehicles.

abacomike

I was just up to my dealership for a car wash and stopped in to see the General Sales Manager. He said he just got the ordering protocols for the new E350's and that there are some major changes in the vehicle. The photo that *driver posted a week or so ago is not the 2014.

Major changes include full LED headlights; new front grille with no Mercedes Star hood ornament on the sport model; redesign of rear camera to include guide lines and predicted position with current turning ratios; new wood grain choices for interior; analog clock between front center vents; 3 tube instrument cluster like CLS (mine has 5 tube cluster); new interior air vents and additional ambient light colors; inclusion of chestnut brown leather option; addition of power folding mirrors in the Premium Packages; addition of ECO start/stop like in the GLK and CLS; a new optional AMG 18" wheel package; newly redesigned rear quarter panels; new front light sweep design - whole front grille and front end is totally new for 2014.

So he asks me to circle on his ordering protocol sheet the colors and options I would want if I bought a 2014 for delivery in May/June. I told him I am not buying a new car this year - and then he says with the Mercedes Benz Club $1000 discount, USAA discount, Financiing availabilty money and the fact that he sells me cars below invoice anyway, how could I resist. I said no way, no how, not this year.

So he tells me he is ordering his first 2014 in Diamond White Metallic, Chestnut Brown Perforated Leather with ventilated front seats, full LED front lighting with daytime running lamps, electrically operated rear trunk lid, special AMG 18" wheel upgrade with special wheel package, Premium 1 package (no premium 2 package anymore), Keyless Go, wood/leather steering wheel, the new light walnut grain wood interior, Harman Kardin 800 watt stereo system, etc. He said when it comes in, if I don't want it, he'll just sell it to someone else - but that the order is going in under my name, just in case!

I guess he knows me too well by now, after 7 new cars, that I'm hooked, line and sinker, with the new body and interior. Well, that remains to be seen.

My concern is when is the next major change occurring - 2015 or 2016? If it is going to change again in one year, I will not buy a new car.

I'm sure *jmonroe has something to say about this, that's for sure.

driver100

Wonder why the guy didn't just stay in his motor home even if it needed a part?

I guess he could have done that....he couldn't go anywhere so he would be in the garage or at least on the garage lot. I don't think it was driveable at that point and the motor was probably partly taken apart, may not have been able to get some power going.

I am not saying there isn't anything wrong with motor homes if it suits you....I just have no desire to drive something that big and kind of klunky, and besides I would keep feeling like Robin Williams in RV.

Preview movie RV

driver100

ordering protocols for the new E350's and that there are some major changes in the vehicle.

All of a sudden there is lots of information about the 2014 E Class. Hard to find pictures of the sedan, but I have seen coupes, convertibles and this wagon.


All the things the manager said were listed in some articles. I googled 2014 mercedes e class and got lots of pix...but no sedans yet. You can see the grill, headlights and rear on coupes. They look nice, but not a huge difference.

I wouldn't make any definite plans, that manager knows how to psych you up and what buttons to push.

robr2

I was just up to my dealership for a car wash

Mike - why do you go the dealer for a car wash? Is it free? Is is really nice?

Going there all time is like an alcoholic going to a bar everyday.....

Sandman6472

Totally agree...there seems to be some anger issues here that should be addressed...see that trait in some other folks here in all these forums. I lurk most of the time in Edmunds and see a lot of interesting posts! It's probably a sad way to go through life, but hey...people are people. I'd rather be half full when it comes to life!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

sterlingdog

I'm finally taking my computer in for repairs. Wish imidazol lived next door to me. They say that it will take 2 or 3 days. I'm drawing a chart of where the cords go back in the tower. Wish me luck Jmonroe. See you guys soon.

Richard