Stories from the Sales Frontlines

robr2

I think Robr2 is due to get more snow.

Yep - Boston is supposed to get between 18-24" and high winds. My commute is only about 45' from my bed to my laptop. Wife is working from home and kids are home from school.

We're all ready. Crock pot food, milk, bottle of wine and gas for the snow blower.

robr2

Good advice because they do not want a repeat of the blizzard of 1978.

Back them we got about 32" of snow. That was on top of 25" of snow that had fallen a couple of weeks earlier. The snow removal equipment wasn't as sophisticated back then.

I recall getting over 3' a few years back and was only delayed about 3 hours in going to work. Boss man was insistent that all come in to work no matter the conditions. Of course, he didn't stop to consider that all our customers were dealing with the same issue, what we sold wasn't important and that UPS and FedEx weren't coming by to pick up packages. Today I am boss man and realize that the world will survive a day without the items I sell.

driver100

Not to trivialize your big storm but there was a thunder storm here yesterday evening. It knocked the power off for 90 minutes. A little difficult to read (and couldn't watch TV of course), but we could read with flashlights, and I had beautiful music from my MP3 player.

I felt like we were pioneers, except they didn't have MP3 players...but, it was nice having the music and a book to read, and good LCD flashlights.

graphicguy

To second Richard's message, east coasters please stay safe. Check in, if for no other reason than to let us worry warts that you're OK. You know how we start making up stories about your tragic end if left to our own devices.

roadburner

Yes- stay safe east coasters- our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

houdini1

Well, I have a degree in psychology, plus I have a very close friend who is a retired psychiatrist. That makes me eminently qualified to handle this lot...of course I would require full payment in advance.

Who's first up?

roadburner

On my way home from a hearing my son calls; the low coolant light came on in the X3, followed by the coolant temperature gauge pegging. Fortunately he pulled into a gas station and switched it off within @30 seconds. He was only about one mile from our house, so I told him to let it cool for 30-45 minutes and drive it home. I checked it over and found that the coolant expansion tank had split open(and yes, I know I should have replaced it at 120,000 miles; don't remind me :mad: ). After exactly nine years and 150,000 miles I suppose I can't complain too much. We have 24 hour breakdown coverage on our insurance so it was towed to the dealer last night. While it's there I'll have them R&R the seeping valve cover gasket as well. This summer my son and I will dive in and replace the radiator, and thermostat before he heads off to college.

sterlingdog

"Well, I have a degree in psychology..."

It is those with degrees in that field that we need to worry about most. Why do you think that they went into that area of study? :P You'll have to share payments with me; I taught psychology for years. I hold a certificate of Advanced Placement from the University of Alabama. Who's up second?

Richard

sterlingdog

"So far she only watches."

That's because her hard head husband will need a person available to call 911. As you say, we've had this talk before and you remember the advice. All of you guys be careful shoveling that snow.

Richard

mako1a

a book to read, and good LCD flashlights.

Driver, I think you put in wrong terminology just to elicit a response.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights are not Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

bwia

As you say, we've had this talk before and you remember the advice. All of you guys be careful shoveling that snow.

Now that you guys have scared me straight, I just called a snow removal company to clear my driveway. By the way, the snow is already coming down. The forecast was for late after start but it's here nonetheless.

Maybe it is not too late to run to Home Depot to buy a generator.

jmonroe

That's because her hard head husband will need a person available to call 911.

That’s exactly the lame response I get from her. Personally, I think she’s lazy.

jmonroe

jmonroe

Not to trivialize your big storm but there was a thunder storm here yesterday evening. It knocked the power off for 90 minutes. A little difficult to read (and couldn't watch TV of course),

Ya know, there is no law that says you can’t watch TV in the dark.

And you wonder why we question the bar level of Canadians. :P

jmonroe

houdini1

Thaf will be $200. please.

Thank you.

imidazol97

>Home Depot to buy a generator.

I'd call HD or Lowes first to have them hold one in case they trucked in an extra supply over the last few days knowing the storm was coming.

jmonroe

This summer my son and I will dive in and replace the radiator, and thermostat before he heads off to college.

I don’t know how difficult that is on a BMW but on the GM V8’s back in the 60’s through 80’s that was not a bad job to break in a son that wanted to learn how to twist a wrench and replace hoses.

Shame on you about the expansion tank. Don’t feel too bad because I’ve been bitten with similar things both with a car and the house. Years ago a fellow worker said it best…”have you ever noticed that people who are oblivious to things that need maintenance get through life just fine, but once, just once, when you are aware that something requires maintenance and you ignore it you will surely pay the price”. Truer words have never been spoken.

jmonroe

driver100

Driver, I think you put in wrong terminology just to elicit a response.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights are not Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

Did you take a psychology course too Mako? Actually, I wasn't trying for a response, I just made a dumb mistake (sometimes I admit to being wrong).

But, while we are discussing LED flashlights...they are really good things to have around. Sometimes you can buy 2 for $10 or 4 for $12, and they are nice to have around for emergencies, or for taking the dog out in the evening.

driver100

Ya know, there is no law that says you can’t watch TV in the dark.

I realize you could watch TV in the dark, but, if the electricity is out the TV doesn't work.....we don't have a generator here. Or do you have a battery pack on your TV?

explorerx4

The forecast now indicates we are supposed to get over 3 feet of snow.
I worked 1/2 a day and now I'm back home.
Back in January 2011, we had about 100 inches of snow, most of which I shoveled by hand.
The snow blower just couldn't get the snow over the existing snow banks, after a couple of storms.
I didn't realize it at the time, but the drive belt had stretched, so it wasn't really the height of the snow that was the problem.
I got pretty good at shoveling, almost 3 hours before I needed a break.
Not in anywhere near that kind of shape now.
If we don't lose power, everything will be manageable.

roadburner

I don’t know how difficult that is on a BMW but on the GM V8’s back in the 60’s through 80’s that was not a bad job to break in a son that wanted to learn how to twist a wrench and replace hoses.

It's not all that hard, it's just that BMW cooling systems are a bit fiddly in that they have lots of hoses and multiple bleed screws. The newer cars such as my son's X3 have quick disconnect coolant hoses so it makes things a bit easier.

boomchek

I checked it over and found that the coolant expansion tank had split open

Same thing happened on my 02 325 xi wagon last november. Luckily I topped it up and made it to my mechanic (friend's dad has a small shop).

$90 for the tank at an aftermarket parts store and $90 for labour. Can 't complain. Original BMW part would haver been 2.5 times that, and BMW labout another 2 or 3 times more I figured.

houdini1

driver, it is a state law in Florida that all tv's operate on a separate fail safe power grid. I think it is because they need to warn people about hurricanes, etc. Search around a little and you should be able to find the fail safe plug.

driver100

Search around a little and you should be able to find the fail safe plug.

Sounds like a good law. How do I know how to spot a fail safe plug, or are you guys putting me on :sick: ?

jmonroe

Sounds like a good law. How do I know how to spot a fail safe plug, or are you guys putting me on ?

It's very easy to find. It’s the lower left drain plug on the bottom of the breaker panel. Once the panel is drained all of the breakers automatically reset. Not sure how it’s done in Canada. :surprise:

jmonroe

houdini1

We have been on the lookout to trade my wife's 2007 Lexus LX on a newer one. We bought the 07 in 08. It had 29,000 miles on it. After driving it for 4 and a half years it now has 48,000 miles on it, so you can see that my wife only drives about 5,000 miles per year.

There are not too many LX's around and all the ones we have looked at have not been satisfactory. Earlier this week my Lexus salesman called and said he just got in the perfect LX for us. A 2013 with 1500 miles on it. A lady bought it new from them about 2 months ago, decided it was too big for her, and traded it back and bought an RX.

To make a long story short, I went in on Tuesday and picked the new one up. He told me to keep it overnight, check it out thoroughly, and come back in Wed. and see if we could make a deal. For all intents, it is a new vehicle and my wife and I loved it. It is nebula grey with light tan interior.

Back in we go on Wed., and after a little back and forth they knocked $9,000. off (typically they would discount a brand new one about $4,000.) the original sticker price, gave us $33,000. for the 07, and we are now the proud owners of a 2013 Lexus LX 570. Drove it home that same day. It has every option known to man.

In this day and age, it is probably not very smart to drive a truck like this that only gets about 14 mpg combined, but this is our 4th LX and my wife simply refuses to drive anything else. She is used to it, comfortable with it, and feels safe in it. That is worth a lot to me..plus she only drives about 5,000 miles per year so fuel costs are not too bad. In addition, it is about the most reliable truck known to man. We have never had to spend a dime on our previous ones, other than maintenance, and they have gotten us through some tough weather, etc.

houdini1

driver, yes we are putting you on. I am admitting it because I don't want this to end up like what happened to that poor guy at Notre Dame. Thanks for being a good sport.

nyccarguy

I'm still at work right now. It was sleeting for a while & now it seems to be turning to snow here in the city (Bronx). I think it's snowing back home in CT. I'm going to leave here around 3:00 AM.

boomchek

Congrats. Sounds like you have a good relationship with your Lexus sales guy. It's good to have contacts in the car business, somebody you can trust. Makes car buying pretty much painless.

abacomike

Drove it home that same day. It has every option known to man.

Enjoy the new Lexus, Houdini. Sounds like you got a super deal. Nice to see one of our posters getting that kind of deal on a 2013. Much luck and happiness to you and the Mrs.

explorerx4

Hopefully you mean 3PM. CT doesn't look bad judging by the traffic map.

nyccarguy

Whoops - 3:00 pm. Leaving in 5 minutes!

jmonroe

To make a long story short, I went in on Tuesday and picked the new one up.

Darn, a real live sales tale. You’ll probably suffer a whopping dues increase for this. You might want to take it back. :shades: Pass on my congrats to Mrs. Houdini.

I can only guess how the dealer must have stolen that truck from that poor lady. Your gain.

Enjoy,

jmonroe

roadburner

Congrats- I always say to buy what YOU like; life is too short to compromise!

roadburner

The Service Advisor from my BMW dealer called at 12:45 PM; I was sure that he would have more bad news, but he was just letting me know the X3 was good to go. Unbelievable. It was even washed and vacuumed when I picked it up.
I tried to call them at 7:30 this morning to tell them why the truck was there, but their phone system was down. One of the advisors called me on his own cell phone to find out why the X3 was there. I know more than one service department that would have not done a bloody thing until the dealer's phones were working...

explorerx4

If you want to try it out in the snow, come on up, we're getting plenty!

verdugo

driver, yes we are putting you on. I am admitting it because I don't want this to end up like what happened to that poor guy at Notre Dame. Thanks for being a good sport.

Can you picture driver being interviewed by Katie Couric about how he watched TV during a black out?

:P

driver100

we are now the proud owners of a 2013 Lexus LX 570.

Congrats on the new SUV. I like the part about $9000 off because it has 1500 miles. Sounds like a great deal, especially considering the trade in too.

Some woman bought it and then realized it was too big!!!!!!

Edmunds says that car has a MSRP of $81000.

If you ever get bored one day you can take that big V8 out for a good spin.

Edmunds 2013 Lexus LX 570

verdugo

But, while we are discussing LED flashlights...they are really good things to have around. Sometimes you can buy 2 for $10 or 4 for $12, and they are nice to have around for emergencies, or for taking the dog out in the evening.

I love LED flash lights. And LED lightbulbs too. We have pretty much only LED lightbulbs at home. I'm never changing another lightbulb!

driver100

It's very easy to find. It’s the lower left drain plug on the bottom of the breaker panel.

Thanks for the tip Mr Engineering major....I read a little further and got to the truth. Not a bad idea though.

I guess it is engineering type humor.

driver100

Thanks for being a good sport.

Who says I am a good sport?

I think JMonroe has a pretty good idea there. He should use his engineering expertise to make such a device. Use that brilliant imagination for the common good.

fezo

Well, at least so far what we have is a lot of cold blowing rain. It is miserable outside but with the exception of insane drivers not treacherous. All that could change. Later tonight we'll get snow but we are really on the low end of things.

After what we went through in October no one is complaining.

roadburner

When I picked up Number 1 Son's X3 I found this puppy sitting in the showroom:





The dealer also added the BMW Performance exhaust($3999!) and steering wheel($800)- plus it has the Competition Package, the upgraded sound system, and the carbon fiber roof(no sunroof )

Want bad...

stickguy

so just buy it. You have been teasing for years now, so take your own advice, and get what you really want that will make you happy!

If it isn't going to keep your son from going to college in the fall, just do it.

though I did just look at the price, so it might take at lest 1 of your wife's kidneys too. Put it is only money, and you can't take it with you.

Can't even imagine spending that much on 1 car, but I am poor so not a good barometer.

dino001

I think it is 335is. Joystick shifter means it should have 7-speed DCT (unique for "is" E9x models, unlike normal 6-speed autos having mechanical shifters). Nice. So how much do they want? 60 grand sticker?

roadburner

It's an M3; it stickers for $76,000 but they added $5,000 of M Performance accessories so they were asking $81,000. The sign on the car today said $71,500.

houdini1

Who says I am a good sport?

Well, you haven't shown up at my front door (yet) waving a baseball bat !!

jayrider

From the look of those front seats -- folks with love handles need not apply.

houdini1

WOW, gorgeous car!

Sure beats that Fiat 500 Abarth you were planning to spend your golden years in! I think this one fits your style better, and I bet your wife would agree.

roadburner

I sat in them, and they are pretty snug- I didn't check to see if the side bolsters are adjustable.

houdini1

Thanks to everyone who offered their congrats on the new ride. We are really enjoying it. Mrs. houdini would not let me take it out of the garage yesterday because it rained all day...made up for it today though.

driver, that $81,000. is the base price. The sticker on ours was $89,450. so after the discount the $81,000 is pretty close. I took out a 30 year mortgage and will have it paid off on my 100th birthday.