Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Some things are better left to the imagination. Movies no longer allow for that. That's one reason that many children aren't creative today. It's all been done for them by Hollywood and the gaming industry.

    It’s interesting that you said that because I feel the same way but that was just a theory I had. Nice to know I wasn’t totally lost out in left field. The regulars in here know I’m a grandfather. The kids today just engulf themselves with these hand held games and my grandkids are no exception to this, I can assure you. Their parents, at times, tell them to put them away but not often enough as far as Mrs. j and I are concerned. I open my mouth about this way more than she does and I hear about it from her when I do. It’s almost like she knows when to say something but I don’t. :confuse: I have one granddaughter, the youngest of 5 grandkids (turned 4 in September), and on Sunday we were in Best Buy with Son #2 and her. This little girl goes over to one of the gaming set ups and picks up one of the hand held controllers and starts to play. Then she stops. It was one of the games where you have 2 kids competing with each other so she picks up the other hand held controller and gives it to me and says, “play me”. I told her I didn’t know how and she said, “you’re big, you should know how. I’m little and I know how”.

    They have a brain, it’s up to the parents to get them to use it and not just sometimes.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Want to try real Chinese food? Go into your favorite restaurant and ask them to make you authentic food - not what's on the menu.

    Then be prepared to eat Cocker Spaniel and parakeet wings. :sick:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,143
    Richard...I've heard baking soda is the key for cleaning glass top stoves.

    I'm shopping again tonight for a gas stove. It seems that getting a basic stove relegates you to getting ugly ones, too. So, up the price ladder I must climb. :sick:

    I thought I had one picked out (Frigidaire Gallery). Seems as if they are on back order from the store I wanted to buy it from. While not an immediate situation, I do need one sooner rather than later.

    Pulled out my trusty "For Sale" sign from the closet to put in the BMW. We'll see if that generates anything as I drive it around.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Try finding a smooth top electric range in white with white knobs. There is just ONE---Whirlpool Gold.

    When we redid the kitchen in January 2010 we replaced a white Whirlpool electric smooth top. That’s the one that had the charcoal gray speckled top that didn’t show any minor scratches. I don’t remember it being the Gold series but it was a great unit according to Mrs. j. After about two months of it sitting in our basement Mrs. j was complaining to my SIL, who lives in the next town down the road, about me having to do something about it because she was tired of looking at it when she went to the basement. My SIL said that her daughter would be glad to buy it because her old gas oven was starting to go and she desperately wanted to get an oven that was self cleaning. Without batting an eye Mrs. j says, “great, we’re giving it to her, good riddins. How soon can Joe come and get it? Does she need a dishwasher too”? Unfortunately, for Mrs. j, she didn’t.

    If I only knew…you could have been its buyer, damn. Rather than getting nothing for it I could have ripped you off good given my poster buddy a very good deal on it. The dishwasher is still there. Wanna make an offer? :)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    We're too far apart for me to even negotiate with him any more at this point. But, he did call this a.m. wondering if he could come by again tonight to look at the car, again. I'm good with that, but don't hold out much hope.

    How are you about another test drive? :sick:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Sounds like your neighbor is a "stroke". Lots of them out there!

    Offering someone six thousand dollars less than an asking price is pretty much an insult.

    I would have told him...

    " Oh, I didn't know you had a 32,000 budget. If I had known that I could have saved us both a bunch of time...I'm sure you can find an older BMW or one with high miles in that price range"

    He wants to look at it again?

    " It's probably going to look the same as it did last night and just remember what I'm selling it for"

    Taking the car away can have a powerful effect.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I wouldn't let him drive it again unless a price is agreed on ahead of time.

    " It's going to drive the same way as it did yesterday"
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,086
    Italian Cream Coconut Cake with pecans

    Richard, that sounds amazing. Want!

    J,
    I've noticed that all the kids really love those portable gaming systems too. I guess as parents you have to regulate how much they use them. I know my brother will tell his 7 year old to put it down if he feels she has been on it too long.

    GG,
    Good luck with sale. I have a feeling it may be tough to sell simply because its a pricey car. Are you going to get a buy bid from a dealer?

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,143
    Thanks for the input everyone. Craig...you've done this for a living, so I appreciate your insight. I know I'm asking on the high side. But, I was hoping that would dissuade the tire kickers.

    Giving the car another look-see, not a test drive can't hurt.

    But, I'm guessing he'll want to go full grind mode, which I won't do.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • bwiabwia Member Posts: 2,913
    I firmly believe that all college freshmen should be required to complete a course in public speaking and oral communication.

    Someone once said, if the computer was invented before the telephone no one would be speaking to each other today. And I agree. Oral communication is great, yes. But it is a 20th. century model that we old timers are hanging on to.

    Today, what is important is instant and effective communication. It can be visual, auditory or electronic. The approach one uses is the most effective for that situation. Why should you talk when you can send a text, a twit or even a smiley?

    Colleges today look at public speaking as the domain of Toast Masters International. In other words, not worthy of three or four college credits. However, they encourage students to join clubs that promote public speaking and other social intercourse activities.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I got a call from Mrs. j yesterday afternoon telling me there is something wrong with her Subie. She thinks she heard or felt something funny. Over the years I have gotten my fair share of these calls and I’ve rarely found that there is a problem. I try to trouble shoot it over the phone by asking some questions but I pretty much knew that was fruitless. Got some weird responses and she says, “oh, you’ll just have to see for yourself when you get home, bye”. She has a terrible head cold and is not in a good mood anyway. She sounds like a 6 foot 4 inch linebacker so I know better than to try to forget about it when I got home especially since she left the car in the driveway. As soon as I open the door she wants to know when I’m going to drive it. I said, “how about after dinner”? She says, “how about NOW or there will be no dinner”. OK, I better do it now. She warns me that if I’m going to just drive it around the block I’m not going to find the problem. She says it only happened after she came to a stop sign then started out again not just slowing down then accelerating. OK, I now have my instructions on how to find the problem. I take the car out and do so many stops I think the car may need brakes now and it only has a little over 6K miles. As usual, I find nothing and I’m almost afraid to go back home having failed the test drive but I’m hungry so I braved it.

    The conversation went like this as soon a I stepped into the kitchen:

    Mrs. j: Did you find the problem?

    Me: Ahhhh, NO. :cry:

    Mrs. j: I knew it. I’m not surprised. You never find a problem when I have trouble with my car but when you have trouble with your car you know exactly what’s wrong. :(

    I’m thinking, ‘yeah, you’re right because when I have a problem it’s a REAL problem’ but I ain’t going to say that.

    Me: What did you want me to do, lie and say yes when there is nothing wrong? Do you want me to fabricate something that isn’t there?

    Mrs. j: No, I want you to take me seriously when I say something is wrong and try to find the problem.

    Me: I gave it my best shot and I couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it. I hope the car drives like that for the next 100K miles.

    Mrs. j: So, do you think I’m crazy?

    Me: Next question please or let’s eat.

    I refuse to believe that I’m the only husband that has had this kind of a problem. :confuse:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    Some areas like Memphis have 1 refinery. Here it is Valero. They blend to spec for just about everyone, but the refined gas all comes from the same place. Years ago the exception was Amoco which shipped in their gas by barge from another refinery.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Since you researched the pricing on your car, you know the market value. Now it depends on what you want versus what someone will pay. Is your asking price reasonable ? [I have no idea -- none of my business anyway] A lot depends on how bad you want to sell it. Sounds like this guy is interested and may have wanted to test your resolve. When I get an offer on something I'm selling, I'm rarely insulted. I just say no and ask them if they really want the item. I really try to get them to commit to liking it and wanting it before I start negotiating. I ignore low ball offers and keep touting the product. If they are strokes, it ends quick and I give nothing off asking price. I find it more productive to stay away from price and get into if they actually want it. After I get a commitment, I start with price.
    I got this from an old gun dealer who was next to me at a show. He asked me to watch him. A guy comes up and sees a gun priced at $250 and if the first thing out of his mouth is getting it for less he never says anything but do you want it. He would offer to discuss the gun but not the price. After he got a commitment, then he would talk price. And he could sell --- he felt that if he was in the ballpark on price, then talking price to convince someone to buy was a waste of time. This guy is showing some interest by coming back. I'd work the car before I'd come down a dime. Like the old guy told me, selling is rarely just about price. Have fun and good luck.
  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    Offer switching cars for a few days. If you still can't find anything wrong after a week, there is nothing wrong. The rattles and other noises can be dependent on ambient temperature, even air humidity, not to mention whether the engine is hot or cold. I had a few issues with my STI (rattles and such) and it took me three visists and ride with the technician to chase it down.

    Besides, you should have taken her with you into the car, so she can exactly show you what and when the problem was. If she can't even describe the problem, how would you know what to look for. At that moment, it would have been either "Now, this is ist!", or "Oh, no, it's not coming back".

    Are you sure Mrs. Monroe doesn't want a new car? Perhaps she saw something she liked, so now she is inventing "problems" with the Subie ;)

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,621
    edited February 2013
    As soon as I open the door she wants to know when I’m going to drive it. I said, “how about after dinner”? She says, “how about NOW or there will be no dinner”.

    If you're happy with this, then I guess it's all good. I have a lower tolerance for this sort of thing.

    You're clearly a better person than I, not that that's a very high bar.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You get four meals and a lunch out of a chicken?! It must weigh 30 pounds. :D We get two meals out of a chicken. I guess that we eat more than you do. Besides, after two meals, I don't want the same thing a third time. I notice that you only have one vegetable with a meal. We have at least two and many times three. Also, I never eat a meal without freshly baked bread. We also eat a dessert about two hours after dinner.

    I believe that we are more passionate about eating than you. Here was my lunch today: Baked chicken (one thigh and one leg), whole boiled new potatoes, turnip greens, shoepeg corn, and green beans, two large pieces of cornbread, and banana pudding for dessert. I also drank two glasses of sweet iced tea with mint. This evenng, we'll have tuna salad sandwiches and for dessert, we'll have metropoliitan ice cream with chocolate syrup. We still aren't overweight---yet. :D

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Offer switching cars for a few days. If you still can't find anything wrong after a week, there is nothing wrong.

    Are you kidding? You don’t know her. My Genny is an ’09 and she has not once even tried to start it, let alone drive it. It has push button start and she refuse to go near that thing. So, switching cars is never going to happen.

    I think I told this tale before about her driving someone else’s car or more correctly her not driving others cars:

    Once she has a car that’s it. That’s the only car she will drive until it’s gone. Everyone one in the family knows this and when there is a gathering at someone’s home and the people start to leave, inevitably someone is blocked in so several drivers grab keys and start moving cars around but she is automatically exempt. She had driven a ’95 Bonneville for years (you have to remember this). Then in ’06 I got her a Sonata. When she got the Sonata Son #1 was changing jobs and wanted a beater to drive to the other side of the Burgh so he got the ’95 Bonneville. About a year later we were at a family gathering and when the party was breaking up Son #1 saw that only 2 cars had to be moved to get this one person out who was leaving first. His ’95 Bonneville and another car. He gets the keys for the other car and flips his keys to his mother. She said, “what’s this. I’m not driving your car”. He says, “huh, it was your car for years, you didn’t have a problem driving it then did you? It’s the same car, just a little older”. She says, “I don’t want to LEARN how to drive it again” :surprise: and she didn’t move the car.

    Besides, you should have taken her with you into the car, so she can exactly show you what and when the problem was.

    As I mentioned she was not feeling well so she didn’t want to go. Believe me, I tried.

    Are you sure Mrs. Monroe doesn't want a new car? Perhaps she saw something she liked, so now she is inventing "problems" with the Subie

    The only thing I am sure of is that she does not want to get another car and LEARN how to drive it. See above.

    The Subie is her car and when we went to get it in Columbus I test drove it and then I asked her if she wanted to drive since it was going to be her car. I even asked several times on the way home if she wanted to drive it. I knew the answer and finally she said, “stop asking me. I’ll learn how to drive it when we get home. WITHOUT you in the car”. :(

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    I would like some thoughts on this....it seems more and more we are running into customers who come in after delivery and essentially make blackmail demands for a "good survey" and if they don't get whatever it is they want they will "trash" us on the survey or various websites....Just today we had a customer who purchased a used car 5 weeks ago demanding we fix some damage that he says was on the car "all along" and if we don't pay to fix it he will post about it everywhere. He never once said anyone promised him anything & The damage is the type that would have been spotted by multiple people in the recon process. We run a staight up place and this type of thing is really frustrating. If we did something wrong we own up to it without any non-sense. But I am seeing this type of stuff more and more.

    Any suggestions how y'all would handle this type of thing??
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Here was my lunch today: Baked chicken (one thigh and one leg), whole boiled…

    This evenng, we'll have tuna salad sandwiches and for dessert, we'll have metropoliitan ice cream with chocolate syrup. We still aren't overweight---yet.


    WOW…eating like that and not gaining weight...you must be FAST eater. :shades:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,086
    Here was my lunch today: Baked chicken (one thigh and one leg), whole boiled new potatoes, turnip greens, shoepeg corn, and green beans, two large pieces of cornbread, and banana pudding for dessert. I also drank two glasses of sweet iced tea with mint.

    Alright, first you tease me with the cake you talked about earlier, now you are all out being mean. That lunch sounds awesome!

    My wife and I are pretty much self confessed foodies. We both love to cook. She recently got a Kitchen Aid stand mixer and has been making homemade stromboli and pizza. Holy crap was that stuff good.

    Jmonroe,
    My wife usually won't shy away from driving anything, however she will not drive the Grand Marquis. I can't figure it out. I had to move it out of the driveway the other day for her to run up the street to the Wawa.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "It can get downright frightful when the countertop is going to be granite..."

    You are so right. When we switched out the island counter gas top for the electric, we ran into a problem. The new glass top stove was 1/8 of an inch too big. No matter how they tried, it just wasn't going to fit. The island top and our counters are Majestic White by Corian. The thought of cutting that Corian sent fear into my heart. I couldn't get a countertop man to even think of touching it---granite yes, Corian no. I told my wife that she was going to have to have the gas stove put back in place. Then my electrician of 20 years spoke up and said that he believed that he could do it with the right diamond cutter. Having seen him do many near impossible things over the years, I agreed to let him try. As the drill began, my heart was in my throat. My wife had to leave the room because the process worried her to death. Little by little, William very slowly moved around the large square in the Corian. His assistant kept the spray of water constantly going to keep the dust down. Thirty minutes later, a perfect cut had been made, and the stove dropped right into place. Talk about relief! William did a wonderful job.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Explorer, I love the color of your new purchase. Congratulations on a very nice car. It was great to have another sales story---they are few and far between lately. I hope that you and your wife will have many happy miles of driving pleasure.

    Richard
  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    edited February 2013
    I'm getting the picture. It seems she is quite insecure about driving. Probably hates the activity in general, if somebody loaned her a chauffeur, she would be all happy. My mom doesn't drive. Doesn't have a license, never needed it, as my dad and now my nephew are all too happy to drive wherever she needs to. Well, she does not live in the US with its long distances, so she also goes on foot and uses public transit a lot, too. I bet many women would rather do that here, too, but they can't. They have to drive, no choice.

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...best if there aren't little kids around though that can reach the dials."

    They have dial locks now to protect the children. You need to watch more HGTV. ;)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    edited February 2013
    "Gosh I miss her."

    I know, but you had such a wonderful life together---many special memories. There are so many people who never experienced that kind of togetherness. I'm so glad to hear you speak of her that way. I figure that she was pretty lucky in her choice of husbands.

    My wife is a breast cancer survivor. I can so identify with what you must have gone through. I still remember the sleepless nights, the treatments, and the many worries that we had back in 1993. I rather die myself than see her go through that again.

    Richard
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I know I sure wouldn't buckle under to a threat. As you are aware, it's possible to "kill" a new car survey but ther is nothing to stop a nasty person from trashing you on some website.

    It's too bad there isn't a way to post a rebuttle to these.

    I would just tell that customer..." Do what ever you think you need to do. Just be aware that most readers pay no attention to one or two nasty comments. They figure it's from a disgruntled customer or employee"

    Anyone that would do this is a total (unprintable) jerk!

    I also have learned that by paying money some of these companies will make sure you never get a bad comment that shows up.

    that's blackmail too!
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Surely she cannot be serious about some of those car choices."

    She probably isn't. She's bringing them home because she knows that GG can't stand them. Never underestimate a woman scorned. GG is playing it cool. He's keeping quiet---smart guy.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "How can you enjoy your meal when every forkful will cost $10?"

    A light lunch there won't break the bank. You could even treat your BIL and SIL. You don't have to have cocktails or dessert.

    "Maybe we can stop and use their washrooms though."

    They are also very nice. ;)

    Be sure to use your GPS. It's easy to miss the turn in to the lodge from the main highway. At least take a ten minute stop. You'll enjoy it.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I'm a patsy for poor stories."

    As a former educator and car salesman, you should know better. :P

    Richard
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Any suggestions how y'all would handle this type of thing??

    Suggest that he "not" trash you in public or the internet. I also suggest that you immediately get an attorney to call this guy and threaten him if he willfully trashes your company without evidence.

    There are laws about publicly demeaning a company or individual. Liable is one, Slander is the other, depending if it is oral or written down somewhere.

    It is definitely worth a $500 retainer to have your corporate attorney contact the individual before he starts threatening you.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    edited February 2013
    "That's the one that had the charcoal gray speckled top..."

    No, our new one is totally white---the top and the knobs. All you see is faint gray circles for the burners. That's why it was so difficult to find. Whirlpool Gold was the only one. All of the other appliances---commercial refrigerator, dishwasher, trash compactor, ice maker, microwave, and ovens are all hidden by white cabinet door covers. You do see the windows for the two ovens and the microwave. All of the white sounds pretty stark, but the walls are yellow and we use blue and white accessories to give the kitchen color. There are two large white columns on the island that houses the stove top. These columns support an elevated bar on the other side where we have stools. Above the columns is a large square of crown molding which houses the anchor for the Tiffany pool table light fixture. It lights up the stove and bar areas. We added the pool table light fixture. When we sold our last house, I refused to leave without the light fixture. It was my favorite thing in the whole house, plus it cost me a pretty penny. My wife didn't think that it would work over the island, but I was determined. Now that it is in place, she loves it as much as I do.

    Wanna make an offer on the old light fixture? It's pretty. :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "How are you about another test drive?"

    I was thinking the same thing. There is no way that I would allow that again. If he wants to walk around it and then give me a check in the right amount, that's fine. Otherwise, go home and dream sweet dreams.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Want!"

    When I get a chance, I'll post on how to make it. You'll love it once you try it. It's not just a cake; it's a creation of sheer delight. :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Why should you talk when you can send a text, a twit, or even a smiley?"

    That is exactly why I'm teaching an eight day seminar for industry beginning in two weeks. Two industries called the college requesting communication training for supervisors and team leaders. They say that communication skills have broken down on the work floor, in team meetings, and in the conference room. They want some sensitivity training, communication skills, team building, proper employee conduct, adjusting to change, listening skills, etc. It appears that entitlement, isolation, and power grabs are the order of the day. I found out this morning that a third industry is requesting the same assistance. My boss at the college says that it appears that I will be busy through April.

    I am of the Joan Rivers philosophy: Can we talk?

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Why did that conversation with your wife sound so familiar to me? :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    That's an interesting perspective.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...FAST eater"

    LOL! Not as fast as I used to be. ;)

    Richard
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,817
    edited February 2013
    Brought home the Fusion today after work.
    I am really excited about this car.

    How about the rest of the story?
    Don't forget, I had not been to the F&I office.
    I'm amazed nobody asked about the doc fee.
    Hope I didn't reopen that can of worms again. :P
    We had to wait awhile to get in, but it was the last day of the month.
    The finance guy was what I would consider to be fairly young, but we immediately liked him.
    Th opening interest rate was written up at about 4%, so I told him the bank my current loan was with was almost 2 points lower.
    He said he would check a couple of banks to see what he could do.
    I ended up around 2.5 for 60 months.
    The loan interest over 5 years is about 1500, so even if I refinance at a lower rate, how much am I going to save? I will do that calculation, just in case.
    Then we came to the extended warranty. He offered one for 7 years and 12k per year for around 1250.
    I asked if it was a Ford warranty, he said it was not, so I told him I would not consider any other one.
    He got out his book and came up the the top of the line Ford plan for 7 years and 100k for less than another 150.
    I really think I'm going to really like this car and want to keep it, so I said yes.
    BTW, the doc fee was 399, which seems about the norm around here.
    Even with the warranty built into the loan, I can add an extra 100 a month, so same payment as Explorer, and pay it off in 4 years.
    I'm excited about this car, did I say that before? :shades:
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Can't believe that we didn't ask about the doc fee. Sounds as if the F&I experience went well. I like the idea that you were able to get the warranty and it didn't exceed what the Explorer payment had been. I think that you got a really good deal and a beautiful car. I can feel your excitement from here. Enjoy yourself old buddy.

    Richard
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I agree about the lawyer part. Especially if the bill of sale had notes that you guys didn't make any extra promises to him to repair any body imperfections, and especially if you have other witnesses or something recorded from him (email, voicemail, text message) where he said he would trash you guys if you don't give him what he asks for.

    One dealership I worked at actually has a few bad comments on Google, but all of them have a reply from the General Sales Manager where he acknoweldges the issue and asks the complaining person to contact him directly to resolve it. That's about the only thing you can do once a nasty review has been posted somewhere online.

    Now in retrospect it's sometimes better not to sell anything to a customer like that. The nasty reviews and headaches after the fact cause more trouble than the benefit of a few thousand gross profit made on the deal (and usually with customers like that you end up making nothing anyways).

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Now in retrospect it's sometimes better not to sell anything to a customer like that

    I posted this comment I am about to present several months ago, and it does pay off in spades!

    When I was a sales manager at the last dealership I worked at, the owner made it very clear to me and the general sales manager that we were not to sell a car to an obviously unhappy or angry customer. Selling a car to an unhappy or angry customer only creates big problems for the dealership. It didn't happy very often, but if a customer raised his/her voice, got nasty with a salesman or manager, or "seemed" to be unhappy by observing behavior and demeanor, I would merely walk up to the customer, thank him for coming in, but that we just cannot complete the sale (for whatever reason seemed appropriate). A dealership does not have to do business with a customer and has the right , under Florida law to refuse to do business with a customer who is causing a problem or is behaving in appropriately.

    I used to get all the complaints from customers and the Better Business Bureau whenever a complaint was lodged. So long as I responded to the BBB or the state agency making the inquiry, in an honest manner, we never got on trouble. I always responded by providing a minute be minute accounting of the customer's inappropriate behavior. Our ratings were never affected.

    The moral of this story is, "...if a prospective customer is not happy with the process or result of negotiations, don't sell him/her anything!"

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,556
    What's the damage to the car? How much is it really going to cost you to fix?

    I know you hate to give into blackmail on principle, but is the bad survey worth the headache? ON the other hand, you seem to have a fantastic thing going & many happy customers, so 1 bad reviewer isn't going to kill your business.

    It does seem like NOTHING you do will make this guy happy.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My, you have been busy little bees in my absence.

    Well, I went in on Tuesday for a doctor (infectious disease doc) and a bunch of follow up tests - bone density, EKG, pulmonary function, etc and finally see the Nurse Practitioner on my case. I have osteopenia, which is a little thinning of the bones and not out of the ordinary for a guy in his sixties. Basic instructions are make sure I'm getting calcium and vitamin D. No word on the other tests but I expect they'll be fine.

    I feel better than I have in ages. About two weeks ago things started a major turn for the better and it's obvious enough that people notice the difference on the phone. I hit a year post-transplant March 28.

    GG - you should have charged him for the test drive.....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    My, you have been busy little bees in my absence.

    That is such great news, *fezo! I'm so happy things are going so well regarding your health. As one approaches late middle age, bone density begins to ebb. My doctor has me taking 2000 units of vitamin D every day to prevent problems with bone density and other related deficiencies.

    So happy to hear that things are going well!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Terrific Fezo!

    On reviews, since people typically research cars on something like 18 (or more) sites, I doubt that one or two bad reviews will mean much. Unless the dealer is really bad, then everyone will be panning them.

    Around here, dealers have an opportunity to respond to bad reviews and that helps their credibility too.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,551
    good to hear Fezo.

    just curious, but did you actually pick up any "new traits" thanks to the new blood supply?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I believe that we are more passionate about eating than you.

    You definitely are eating more appetizing meals than we do. I got hungry just reading about your gourmet meals.

    If I ate what you just stated, I would gain about 5 pounds a week, and I play tennis 6 hours a week!

    I think once I reach my ideal weight, minus 2 extra pounds for a buffer zone, I can eat more normally because I will stabilize and just have to stay at that level.

    We have a rule, we like good food, but preparation time has to be a maximum of 15 minutes.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    No "new traits" yet but they did warn me that one place one might notice that is the taste buds. It seems some people develop food preferences from the donor.

    Stay tuned.... I hope he doesn't like anchovies...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,551
    We need richard to get that cake recipe up. I love coconut cream cake/pie, and this one sounds fantastic.

    and yes, I need to be losing 20 pounds, not putting them on!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,551
    Good thing TJC was not your donor. You would be selling all them furrin cars and the whole family would be driving 1993 Town Cars by now.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

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