Stories from the Sales Frontlines

abacomike

To answer your question, there was no '14 E350 on the show floor. If there was, it looked an awful lot like the current edition, because it really didn't stand out at all.

Thanks, graphicguy. I believe if there was one on the floor there, it might have been the Luxury version because the Sport version is the one with the completely redesigned front end and I'm sure you would have noticed the absence of the Star hood ornament and the new grille-work.

Thanks!

verdugo

Wow, that totally sucks for the poor waiters/waitresses.

boomchek

Yeah I know. I always thought that the tips I give go straight to whoever serves me. I guess that's not always the case.

verdugo

Doesn't matter who gets which portion of the money. Both car dealer and restaurant owner put in print that "their" price is $X, but magically you end up paying $X+$Y before even Uncle Sam comes to collect his share.

I disagree again. The tip is "voluntary." You can be a cheap [non-permissible content removed] and leave 0% tip. The waitress/waiter won't like it, but there's nothing they can do about it.

Try buying a car and saying "I don't feel like paying the document fee."

dino001

But I disagree - only a jerk would not pay a deserved tip. So at the end honest person ends up paying more than advertised, just like for a ar.

roadburner

I wonder what that guy was doing to go off the road all by himself on a straightaway.

Several possibilities:

Gold chains became painfully entangled in chest hair
Admiring mullet in rear view mirror
Trying to impress bleach blonde cocktail waitress riding shotgun
Attempting to read Super Chevy magazine without moving lips

I'm sure others could think up more possible causes...

abacomike

I'm sure others could think up more possible causes...

Here are a few more causes of the "ruining of a great Corvette"...

*Bleach Blonde shotgun passenger bit down too hard after going over a bump!!!!
*Driver's size 13 EEEE shoe got caught between the brake and the accelerator.
*Driver lost control of car after reading a passage from the Bible on an outdoor advertisement sign for a new "drive-in church".
*Driver was testing out the new 600+ hp engine to see if the car could "fly" over a guardrail.
*Driver's attention was distracted trying to remember if the name of his insurance company was Geico or Geko!

driver100

Seem the legal beagles in Florida came to their senses.

(The) requirement may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), an international treaty to which the United States is a signatory,” the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

“Therefore, the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made.”

The Canadian Automobile Club got on this right away to point out how silly the law was. 3.2 million Canadians come to Florida every year, so it could really hurt the economy.

Seems the law can't be changed until March, but in the meantime it won't be enforced.

graphicguy

Anyone have any ideas why my pics from photobucket don't show up in my post?

mako1a

The IMG button has to be opened (and closed) after entering pic address.

You can always hit "Preview" before hitting "Post my message".

imidazol97

Both pictures are good. I copied the direct link from the photobucket choices and selected the entire link and used the IMG button. I couldn't replicate the error in the source code.

graphicguy's pictures

If it weren't for the emblem on the grill, I would have thought this was an upcoming Buick. Note the Buick sign above the car in the background... That's a grill only a mother could love in my humble opinion...

michaellno

Driver - since my manager lives in Ottawa (and my previous manager lives in GTA), I've bookmarked NP, Globe&Mail and McLeans in my browser. I like to keep up with what's going on north of the border.

I am not, nor have I ever been, Canadian, but I've traveled there many times for business over the years. I have a great respect for your country and wish that most US citizens would understand that it's not really the "51st state" and that Canada's history and development are markedly different than that of the US.

Question for the group (minus driver) - what are the Meech Lake Accords?

(no peeking on wikipedia or other similar sites)

abacomike

Question for the group (minus driver) - what are the Meech Lake Accords?

All I remember about Meech Lake is that it's located in Quebec and has something to do with the Canadian Constitution and PM Mulrooney. That's all I remember.

graphicguy

Thanks IMID....I'll try the direct link....

More pics....Corvette, of course....

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx73/graphicguyster/Vettef_zps682f4b3d.jpeg

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx73/graphicguyster/VetteR_zps218c5649.jpeg
http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx73/graphicguyster/Vette_zps59117582.jpeg

driver100

Question for the group (minus driver) - what are the Meech Lake Accords?

Hint...it isn't a type of Honda.

I do remember now you mentioning working in Canada. It is rare that two countries share a border and culture and yet are both so friendly with each other.

Tom Brokaw explains Canadians to Americans is a very well done;

Explaining Canada to Americanslink title

graphicguy

Q50...if you like the style of the M, you'll like the Q50. Interestingly, the previous gen G37 was still getting more eyeballs than the Q50 was.....
http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx73/graphicguyster/Q50Front_zpsab0cc9d6.jpeg- - -
http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx73/graphicguyster/Q50side_zps2c4a2f09.jpeg

Not my cup of tea, but probably will be for someone.......

This one's for kyfdx.....
http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx73/graphicguyster/Rosebud_zps6ced99a9.jpeg

jmonroe

Doctor called and he has a suspicion it could be from some bad meat I ate - he said if meat is not thoroughly cooked, it can give one a virus or food poisoning. Who knows?

Stepped out for awhile but I’m back. My employer is taking advantage of me again. Said something like, “we’d like to get 40 hours a week out of ya; since we’re paying for that kind of effort”. :surprise: I have news for them; I only work on critical problems because that’s why I was asked to come back.

By now I hope you are feeling much better. A few years back I think I might have run into what your doctor said got to you but mine must have been very mild in comparison to what you described because, buy the next morning, all was well.

Keep up the good work.

jmonroe

driver100

Thanks IMID....I'll try the direct link....

Great pix GG. I like your comments too...have to agree about the Lexus.

Everyone is trying to make distinctive grills these days...that's the best way to tell the different cars. Lexus's grill looks like a modified Audi trying to be more techno.

As strange as it seems we may get used to it eventually. I see that same car, which looks pretty nice, but, would look nicer with a more traditional grill.

I am not sure about the Corvette too...but, then I don't like change, I kind of like the classic look of the older Corvettes more...like the one on Route 66.

jmonroe

The 4,000 passengers and crew aboard the stricken Carnival Triumph cruise ship will disembark after dark tonight from the fetid cruiser dubbed "the poop deck" on social media, according to officials.

We have only been on one cruise and that was the boat we were on. This was back in November of 2001 and I think that boat was in the water only a couple of years at that time. We had absolutely no problems with Carnival. In fact, Mrs. j and I commented to each other several times at how well they kept after that boat. I thought they were going to rub the brass railings thin because there seemed to be someone on them constantly cleaning the finger prints from them. I kind of felt guilty touching them. It appears that they may have cut back on upkeep quite a bit since 2001.

We are not cruise people but were thinking of trying it again. I guess we should be looking into other cruise lines.

jmonroe

tjc78

NCL has a nice product IMO. Two cruises with them and we were treated like gold. I like that you don't have a fixed dining time and can go to dinner whenever you want. They also have a bunch of themed specialty restaurants that (for a modest surcharge) offer some great food.

We have friends that also swear by Royal Carribean.

jmonroe

Try buying a car and saying "I don't feel like paying the document fee."

Yeah, I know what you mean. Just seeing a DOC fee listed on the bill of sale irks me no end even though I have accounted for it when I buy. For some reason just seeing it makes me feel like they got me. :mad:

The regulars here remember how I was jumped on by a few of the sales guys here a few years back just for calling a local dealer and asking what the DOC fee was in PA because I wanted to confirm that they had just gone up to $150 from $55 back in ’09. It seems like just taking the call counted as a hit against the poor salesman’s up count. OH BOY was that something? :sick:

jmonroe

imidazol97

I'm going to really like this Vette when I see it in some of the colors...

michaellno

I had not seen that NBC piece .. very well done.

I have many positive memories of my visits to Canada .. the people, the food, the sights. Have had dinner at the restaurant in the CN Tower ... seen Niagara Falls from the Canadian side ... attempting to communicate with a room full of (French only speaking) students for an entire week in Trois-Rievieres .. eating at The Keg and Swiss Chalet.

jmonroe

NCL has a nice product IMO.

Thanks for the input. Like I said, “we are only THINKING about it”. But a lot of the lines are on the table now if we go on another cruise.

I heard that some of the cruise lines are doing away with the Midnight Buffet. I don’t want to go on one that has done that. Like I said before, we went up to the Midnight Buffet the first night, just to watch. If I didn’t know any better I’d say those people just came off an island where the food ran out or to be more current, a ship that lost power. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I have been known to put away a fair amount of food in my day but I couldn’t hold a fork to that crowd. Speaking of forks, I would have been afraid to reach in front of that group. What a sight to behold. I wouldn’t want to miss something like that again. :surprise:

jmonroe

driver100

CN Tower ... seen Niagara Falls from the Canadian side ...

Everyone should try to see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side...that truly is a wonder of the world.

The Keg and Swiss Chalet are excellent too!

It's always nice to have friendly neighbors (neighbours)!

michaellno

The Keg and Swiss Chalet are excellent too!

The Keg opened a restaurant here in Denver a few years ago. Haven't been to it since it's a bit of a drive (approx. 45-60 minutes).

Not a coffee/donut person so never have been to a Tim Hortons.

Always fun to get poutine at McDonalds!

driver100

Always fun to get poutine at McDonalds!

There's the question to ask....what is poutine?

Answer: Probably, a coronary waiting to happen. Gravy and cheese sauce poured over french fries. It is better than it sounds.

Unfortunately, or probably fortunately for my health, days of eating anything like that are over for me.

Jmonroe wants midnight buffets. I'd be happy to go on a cruise that limited you to 3 normal meals a day...they would be doing me a favor.

My donut eating days are over too. But Tim Hortons has great coffee, and I will have it with a bagel occassionally.

tjc78

I wouldn’t want to miss something like that again

Well, I think most mainstream lines have done away with the midnight buffett. Fortunately for you, the same sights can be witnessed at the breakfast buffet.

I saw plates with about a pound of bacon on them and one gentleman managed to stack a plate with what appeared to be ten to twelve slices of bread on top of whatever else he had. Really? I've been known to cut into the profit margin of many a buffet, but sometimes you have to call it quits.

abacomike

I would have been afraid to reach in front of that group. What a sight to behold. I wouldn’t want to miss something like that again.

With my suffering over the past three days with this intestinal virus, just the thought of food creates nausea for me. But when yo mentioned midnight buffets, jmonroe, it brought back memories of my first cruise 5 years ago. We decided to go to the midnight buffet just to see what they served. By the way, the cruise's theme was "Healthy Eating and Exercise in the Caribbean which is why we took that particular ship - Norwegian Lines.

At about 11:45 PM after the late show in the night club, we went to the big dining room to sneak a peek. There was a crowd that had formed in this long line made up of men and women who, on average, were 40 ponds overweight each. Just the sight of that crowded line made me imagine what cattle being herded to slaughter at the Chicago stock yards must have looked like at the turn of the 20th century.

The had this circular buffet table that had to have a circumference of 200 feet. On the table were roasted turkeys, roast beefs, suckling pigs, all kinds of Italian foods, sushi, chefs cooking omelets with what seemed like tons of bacon and sausage links, every imaginable pasta, Chinese foods of every kind, peeled fresh jumbo shrimp the size of a Human hand, lobster tails, freshly broiled and fried deep sea scallops the size of a small cupcake, soups, fish, whole smoked salmons and whitefish, etc, etc, etc!

The barriers holding back what seemed to be at least 500 people where opened and the sight resembled Yankee Stadium after the Yanks won a World Series with all the fans running on to the field after the last out. It was so disgusting to us that we went back to our cabin for half an hour so the crowds could dissipate. When we went back to the main dining room, the crowds had dissipated enough to approach certain sections of the buffet table. It looked like buffalo carcuses after a flock of vultures had picked them clean. There was almost nothing left to eat that was worthwhile. I asked the head chef why there was nothing being brought out to restock the buffet. He said that since this was a Health and Fitness Cruise, they did not expect so many people who ate just about everything that was not tied down and thus had nothing left in the kitchens that was prepared for consumption. He apologized and gave us coupons for free alcoholic beverages for the rest of the cruise.

But I never went to a midnight buffet again after that experience. It truly was disgusting to see so many obese people getting more obese.

jmonroe

Fortunately for you, the same sights can be witnessed at the breakfast buffet.

Since I was always up before Mrs. j, I went to the breakfast buffet alone but only to get a coffee, some fruit and read a magazine until I felt Mrs. j would be up by the time I got back to the room. Then we went to the restaurant for a nice sit down breakfast. For some reason the breakfast buffet didn’t quite seem like the mayhem that the Midnight Buffet displayed. That might have been due to the time I was there (usually around 8 AM, never later than 9). In a way, it was kinda disappointing. :confuse:

jmonroe

driver100

It looked like buffalo carcuses after a flock of vultures had picked them clean.

I am still lol at your description of a midnight buffet. It is more fun watching the people at these things than eating the food.

I assume you are on the road to recovery.

cdnpinhead

ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

--H. L. Mencken

"Cruising" falls into the Honey Boo Boo category, so far as I'm concerned, but YMMV.

I sailed my boat from Victoria, BC, to Wrangell, AK, a number of years ago and visited Skagway, AK, more recently on a driving vacation. The cruise ships didn't add to either experience.

abacomike

I am still lol at your description of a midnight buffet. It is more fun watching the people at these things than eating the food.

I assume you are on the road to recovery.

The fever seems to have subsided for the time being, but the pain and plumbing and ability to eat food are still way off kilter. I have lost 10 pounds between Tuesday and now with no let up on sight. I am trying to take in lots of liquids since that seems to be what most of my weight loss is. If I'm not better by tomorrow morning, it's back to the emergency room for me. The doctor said I needed to be careful about my electrolyte levels.

Thanks for asking. I always seem to get sick at the height of the snowbird season. What can I say.

stever

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(Driver100, the falls are really fun in early Spring when all the ice is going over the lip).

oldfarmer50

First let me express my sympathy to Mike for his close call. Be careful, old guys don't bounce like the young kids. :sick:

Today I received a mailer from Lexus offering me a $75 Visa card if I test drive any of their cars. Being paid to test drive a car I could never afford sounds like a dream come true but I'm suspicious of anything that's too good to be true. I would like to drive am IS350 just once before I die. I can also use the money.

Are there any problems that I should be aware of? Do they require any sensitive data like SS#? If I tell them I'm really not in the market right now will I get an attitude?

I'm sure you guys get offers like this all the time but I've never been so blessed. Walk me through this.

abacomike

Are there any problems that I should be aware of? Do they require any sensitive data like SS#? If I tell them I'm really not in the market right now will I get an attitude?

First, oldfarmer, thanks for your kind words.

As for the gift card, there really shouldn't be a problem. They probably won't give you the card at the dealership. They will ask for your address, phone number, etc., and then have Lexus send you the card a month or two after your test drive. I doubt they will need your SS# unless they plan to send you a 1099 or similar IRS form since you received a cash value of $75 in the form of a gift card. So I don't know if they will do that, but name, address and phone number and possibly a copy of your driver's license. Let me know if I was correct once you drive the IS350.

dino001

Don't worry, go for it. Those promotions are much more common than you think. I used it once in the past with Subaru, but I have a friend who shamelessly does those things on regular basis, from Mazda, to Mercedes, to Cadillac. Anything that he finds interesting, even if it's way out of his range, he would drive. The salespeople obviously don't care for such strokes, but they won't say anything. The card usually comes after couple of months.

oldfarmer50

"...the salespeople obviously don't care for such strokes..."

Yeah, I figured that. If I understand the info they sent me, I get a code from the dealer after the test drive and then go to a Lexus web site to plug in all the numbers.

I seem to remember one of you guys telling of a similar deal where you just told the salesman upfront and you didn't have to waste his time.

I would really like to drive the car though.

boomchek

From my experience, most of the seasoned sales guys could tell if someone is serious or there just for the promotion.

I'd go in and say that you got this offer in the mail and would like to try one out. You might be asked questions as to whether you're in the market or how soon you plan to buy, so just say that you're thinking of replacing your (whatever you drive) but you just started your search and looking to buy one within 1-2 months. You might also be asked what other vehicles you're looking at so just name off a few in this price range like the Mercedes C Class and the BMW 3 series.

Because sometimes if you just say you want the free Visa card they might blow you off for another day (go in at a less busy time like weekday morning or late evening) or will just fill out the freebie form for you and you won't get a test drive.

If you feel bad bs'ing then just be straight up with them but like I said you might not get the test drive you wanted.

roadburner

Are there any problems that I should be aware of? Do they require any sensitive data like SS#? If I tell them I'm really not in the market right now will I get an attitude?

I think I've been paid @$300 in gift cards and merchandise. Most dealers are pretty good about it, but then I usually go on a weekday afternoon- NEVER on weekends. A few places copped an attitude, and not surprisingly, a couple are now shuttered. Like boomchek said, be polite and honest and you'll likely be fine.

nyccarguy

I've actually done this. Once got $25 from Ford & $50 from Lexus. I went to the sales person & just told them I didn't want to waste their time, just get the code so I could get the cash card. They seemed appreciative of the gesture. If you want to drive the car, by all means go ahead. Just don't do it on a busy Saturday.

abacomike

I just noticed that www.mbusa.com posted the new E Class sport sedan on their web page. They have a good view of the new front end and updates.

bwia

Consumer confidence ... up
Housing starts............... up
Foreclosures.................. down
Interest rates ............... low
Auto sales .................... up
Manufacturing............... up
Gasoline prices.............. stable
401 (k) portfolios........... up
Existing home prices...... up

While some people are focusing on the 7.9% unemployment rate the economy is remarkably strong with auto manufacturers on pace for a record setting year in sales and profits. It is true that the Detroit 3 is losing market share to foreign name plates but that in itself is not a problem.

What appears to be a big problem for the Detroit 3 is really a bonus for the American people. Manufacturing has simply shifted from the D3 and the rust belt to other areas of the country. Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Nissan, Volkswagon, to name a few, are all here producing cars that Americans like while at the same time creating jobs for domestic workers and auto parts suppliers.

It is true that the unemployment rate is high but again it is not as bad as it seems. Most households today are two-parent working households. If one person loses her job that is not as catastrophic as it used to be when only one parent was the bread winner.

What could change this trajectory? Rising interest rates which would crater the bond market and negatively impact baby boomers comfortable nest eggs.

tommister2

Are you talking about the USA? Gas prices in Virginia have gone up 40 cents per gallon in the past week or two.

oldfarmer50

"...don't do it on a busy Saturday..."

Ha ha, even I am not so dumb as to do that. I wouldn't go to any dealer for any reason on a Saturday since I hate crowds. Fortunately, I'm off work this week so I'll call ahead and make an early appointment. Maybe I'll combine it with taking my niece driving and I'll just "happen" to stop by the Lexus place to borrow a $50,000 car "for fun". She's already is in awe of my collection of cars and hoopties.

oldfarmer50

"...not as bad as it seems..."

I guess you didn't hear about the secret internal WalMart memo that stated their February sales were the worst in 7 years.

kyfdx

How is it secret, if you know about it? :P

nyccarguy

RWD, 415 horsepower V8, 50/50 weight distribution, Sport Tuned Chassis, Nice Looking, HId Headlights

Chevrolet SS

Looks like a nice competitor to the Dodge Charger. I was behind a blacked out HEMI powered Police Charger last night while crawling home (1 1/2 hours to drive 39 miles). Sharp.

Give me all that good stuff with optional AWD and I'd certainly give it a test drive:)

driver100

How is it secret, if you know about it?

He doesn't really own a farm. He is really a Walmart exec in disguise, he just wants to find out what us common folk are saying!

driver100

I just noticed that www.mbusa.com posted the new E Class sport sedan on their web page. They have a good view of the new front end and updates.

I feel there is going to be another car sale coming up in a few months.

Mike, I think you should see if that new grill will fit on your present car...it will look like a 2014 and cost a lot less.