Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Some of those border guards are jerks!

    I had one give me a lot of garbage one time as I was driving into Canada. I finally told him I would rather cancel my business meeting in Vancouver than listen to his crap.

    At that point, he backed off.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Some of those border guards are jerks!
    I had one give me a lot of garbage one time as I was driving into Canada.


    I'd be really careful with customs agents. They have complete say and control. They can rip your car apart if they suspect something, and they don't have to put it back together again either.

    They can refuse to let you cross into the country for any reason at all. It isn't your right to be allowed into another country, it is a priveledge. It is the same when we go the other way. I would advise answering briefly, honestly and in a flat businesslike tone.

    There is no way you can win if you get into a confrontation with them.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    "But I know what I saw"

    Not to run this into the ground but I did serch high and low and verified that 1967 was the one and only year a Grand Prix convertable was offered.

    I do have an idea though.

    At a car show once, I saw the most beautiful 1966 Catalina Convertable. It had those 8 lug beautiful Grand Prix wheels which made it look exactly like a Grand Prix. The owner said they could be special ordered.

    It was yellow with a beautiful black interior and it had bucket seats. It also had the mighty 421 engine with a four speed and three 2BBL carbs which gave it 376 H.P.

    It was jaw dropping, it looked so nice!

    BTW those beautiful aluminim "wheels" were actually the brake drums. I remember back in teh early 70's they were still available (only) from the dealer and they were 120.00 each!!

    I would guess they would be impossible to find now.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Oh, I know and I totally agree with you.

    I had heard from others about what jerks they can be but I had never encountered that myself except for that one time.

    I was polite and friendly and I didn't expect that kind of an attitude.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I had one give me a lot of garbage one time as I was driving into Canada.

    You found the one impolite Canadian.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    You found the one impolite Canadian.

    Very lol!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    There's jerks on both sides of the border but 99% of them are totally fine. I crossed the border hundreds of times and maybe ran into arrogant guards two or three times at most.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Are these terminals good for exports?

    Nope. Only one terminal (in LA I think) has gotten permission to convert to exporting. It's in the process of conversion.

    I read it in The Economist not too long ago.
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    I went to the Seminole Casino last night - only been there a few times in the past 8 years. I play 2 cent and 5 cent machines.

    I sat down at this multi reel machine and played $2.00 worth (100 credits a spin) for about an hour. I was up about $50.00. There is a progressive among these 10 machines and if you hit 9 of these quick pick logos on the 6 wheels, it pays the progressive amount. I figured I would spin 1 more time and then leave with my $50.00. I spin the wheels and all kinds of bells go off. I look and see the 9 quick pick logos and the machine stopped and reads out "call attendant"! I figured I won the progressive jackpot on this 2 cent machine. The attendant comes over and says congratulations. I asked how many hundreds of dollars did I win? She says you won $11,610.00! I said you must be kidding, this is a 2 cent machine. She says yes, but the progressive amount has been climbing for months and you hit it!

    Holy mackerel! She asks how I would like it, cash or check? I said check. 20 minutes later she hands me a check for the full amount. I still have to pinch myself to make sure this really happened. It's going into my car fund! Wow!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,367
    $11,610? Wow..

    Coincindentally, I need about $10K to buy a new (used) car.... ;)

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  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    It's going into my car fund! Wow

    That's amazing! I was happy I came out $36 ahead at the casino in Homestead FL.

    Like we said, I think I see a 2014 E-Class in your future....I guess it was meant to be.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Someone sent me some car questions this morning. Not sure how accurate these are, but it may be of interest to someone.......you can at least impress your friends with these facts.

    Q: What did the Olds designation 4-4-2 stand for?


    A: 4 barrel carburetor, 4 speed transmission, and dual exhaust

    Q: What U.S. production car has the quickest 0-60 mph time?


    A: The 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409. Did it in 4.0 sec

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,136
    YOWZA! That's oustanding, Mike. Congrats!
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,068
    edited March 2013
    Mike that is awesome!! I've forwarded this post to your Mercedes dealer so he will have that new E-class shined and ready for you!!! :)

    Great to hear good news once in a while!

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

  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    Nice, congratulations.

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Set aside about 30% for federal tax and enjoy the rest !
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Coincindentally, I need about $10K to buy a new (used) car....

    Let me see if I have anything left after I get the 2014 Mercedes (if the price is right). Then, we'll talk!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Set aside about 30% for federal tax and enjoy the rest

    Yep. Already thought of that. 22% is more around my tax bracket. I always have about $2000 taken out of my pension per year more than my taxes usually are. So, hopefully that should take care of all, if not most, of the taxes. I don't itemize since my standard deduction is usually more than if I itemize.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Someone sent me some car questions this morning. Not sure how accurate these are, but it may be of interest to someone.......you can at least impress your friends with these facts.

    I thought the Corvette was faster. My '67 Stingray with my 427 tripower carbs I believe was faster. I had the 4 speed Muncie - I think I got to 60 at or a little less than 4 seconds. See if I am right, unless you don't count the vette as a production car - although it is, isn't it?

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Way to go Mike. That new car just got cheaper !!! Don't tell the dealer !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,068
    Q: What U.S. production car has the quickest 0-60 mph time?

    A: The 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409. Did it in 4.0 sec


    The Dodge Viper posted 3.7 back in 2003. At one time I'm sure that the Impala was true, but it's been surpassed. I don't feel like looking it up, but I wouldn't be surprised if some late model Corvettes aren't better than 4 sec as well.

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

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Mike that is awesome!! I've forwarded this post to your Mercedes dealer so he will have that new E-class shined and ready for you!!!

    Great to hear good news once in a while!


    Thanks for letting them know I can afford thousands more than we talked about!

    Just kidding. I just got back from depositing the check into my money market account for "new cars".

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • jwm40517jwm40517 Member Posts: 303
    If 85% of your Social Security is not taxable already it probably will be this year because of the extra winnings. I sometimes see extra income of say $10,000 cause taxable income go up $15,000 or more because the Social Security that had been tax free suddenly becomes taxable when the total income goes up.

    You can't get around the winnings making your gross go up. If you itemize deductions you can deduct gambling losses up to the extent of winnings. Maybe you will have a bunch of "losses" by the end of the year. If you pick up losing tickets at dog or horse tracks try to avoid ones with footprints on them. Just kidding.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    The Dodge Viper posted 3.7 back in 2003.

    I think your numbers are better. I think that email I got was behind the times. Check out this list and see what you think.....surprised to see a Jeep up there:
    10 Fastest American Cars

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    . If you pick up losing tickets at dog or horse tracks try to avoid ones with footprints on them.

    lol......you got the angles covered.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jwm40517jwm40517 Member Posts: 303
    Do you know what GTO stood for. Sort of obscure but a lot easier to find in the internet era.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,068
    surprised to see a Jeep up there:

    Yeah, that was a beast for sure.

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

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    ...but it's been surpassed. I don't feel like looking it up, but I wouldn't be surprised if some late model Corvettes aren't better than 4 sec as well.

    I remember my Corvette very well. It had a spring loaded clutch and was rated at 435 horsepower. One of my friend and I drove from Chicago to New York back in 1967. We drove straight through. When he took the wheel near Sandusky Ohio, he put it into first gear, revved the engine, and popped the clutch. I swear I got whiplash from that. He took it straight up to 100 mph on the Ohio Turnpike and I nearly excreted a brick. He said the car was made for that. I told him maybe the car was made for that, but I certainly was not! To this day, I never experienced such raw power in a car. Not even the GTO had that "off-the-line power"!

    I was so depressed when I had to get rid of it after that same roommate jumped that parking barrier and landed right on the transmission and oil pan. What an awesome machine. If I had that car today, it would be worth 6 figures. It was the fast-back in racing blue. No power steering, no power windows, no power seats, just raw power!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Do you know what GTO stood for. Sort of obscure but a lot easier to find in the internet era.

    Grand Tourisimo Oleg....o, I believe.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Holy mackerel! She asks how I would like it, cash or check? I said check. 20 minutes later she hands me a check for the full amount.

    Congrats.

    BTW, was it a big check like they do at golf tournaments/lottery? :)
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Do you know what GTO stood for. Sort of obscure but a lot easier to find in the internet era.

    Grand Tourisimo Oleg....o, I believe.


    Gran Turismo Omologato (Italian for 'Grand Touring Homologated')
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    BTW, was it a big check like they do at golf tournaments/lottery?

    No - pretty hard to put that in my wallet!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    She asks how I would like it, cash or check? I said check. 20 minutes later she hands me a check for the full amount.

    As noted, taxes may be due on the winnings. I'm sure they took your SS# and you'll get at 1099-G next January.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Do you know what GTO stood for.

    I thought General Touring Otomobile...but that didn't seem right. I think the others got it.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    As noted, taxes may be due on the winnings. I'm sure they took your SS# and you'll get at 1099-G next January.

    They already issued the IRS form with the check. I turn that into my tax man next March. Yes, unless I can write off $11,000+ as gambling losses, I will owe taxes.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Writing off 2-3k in winnings is no problem. Unless you spend a lot of time at the casino as shown by a rewards card, you might get questioned writing off 11k. You do however have the rest of the year to gamble away your winnings. Just keep a notebook with dates, places and amount lost. The vast majority of regular gamblers would get cash on the win and blow most of it that very day. At best, the 11k might last a week. It isn't unusual to win some money at the casino, but getting home with the jackpot intact is the problem.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,068
    I'm not really a gambler, but if I ever hit a jackpot like that I would be leaving so fast it would make your head spin. In AC with a win like that, you could probably get a comp hotel room in the hopes you would give some back later that night or in the morning.

    I was playing the crap table one night and in the course of an hour I watched a guy go through (in my estimate) at least 5K. I left the table and saw him an hour or so later, and said "took a beating tonight?" he said that was nothing! :surprise:

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

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    edited March 2013
    Writing off 2-3k in winnings is no problem. Unless you spend a lot of time at the casino as shown by a rewards card, you might get questioned writing off 11k.

    Usually when I go to the casino, I either write a check or use a debit card, or, if it's a bad night, I use a credit card as a cash advance - but I pay those off as soon as they post.

    I keep copies of every statement I get from my banks and my credit card companies. I clip them together and highlight those transactions pertaining to the Casino. That should suffice, since each withdrawal is itemized, dated, etc. I also have a slot club card which, if necessary, I could have the Casino print out for me. But I doubt that will be necessary.

    As far as getting home with the jackpot, you are correct, but that is why I took the money in a check. After that, I played a little more and won another $1400.00, but that was not at one time. They only issue IRS forms if the payout is $1200.00 or more.

    As I mentioned in an earlier post today, I went to the bank where I keep my "money market account for new cars". The whole check plus the extra $1400.00 went in there immediately.

    What I try to do is put away about $1000.00 a month into that account. This way, when I want to buy a car, the money is there. The reason I can afford to do that is because I have very few expenses since I live here with Dad. My only expenses are the car payment ($273.49 a month), the Cable TV and High Speed Internet bill ($125.00 a month), my cell phone bill ($90.00 a month) and gasoline for the car.

    What I cannot stand about Casinos is the smoke! As soon as you walk in the door here at our local Casino, the place "stinks" of smoke. I can only take that for a few hours, then I have to get out of there. Just breathing that air is enough to give one lung cancer or at the very least, emphazema. I'm still coughing this afternoon from that darn smoke.

    There is one Casino in Pompano Beach that is smoke free, but it does not offer the number of slots (which is what I play) nor the services. At the local Casino, which is huge, they have a New York Deli restaurant with Pastrami and Corned beef on rye, etc.; A four star Italian restaurant that was written up in the local papers; a steak house that serves outstand food; and then, of course, there is the famous "buffet" which is always jammed. Like I said, I usually can't stay there very long, so it is rare that I eat there. Besides, I have what they call an "ELITE" card which gets me comped at the restaurants.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Hey, congrats on your big win!

    We have a new casino about 15 minutes from us. It's very nice inside, not tacky like other tribal casinos I've been in. It's like a rustic lodge with beam ceilings etc. They have a nice buffet with Friday night seafood.

    We probably go three times a year and usually walk out 20.00 or 40.00 lighter.

    I totally agree in the SMOKE! Even in the non smoking section the smoke is overpowering. Funny how they can get away with breaking the rules the non tribal places have to abide by!
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Funny how they can get away with breaking the rules the non tribal places have to abide by!

    Well they really aren't breaking the rules. IIRC, tribal casinos are "sovereign" land so unless they have the tribe has anti-smoking laws, there aren't any rules to break.

    In this area, NH Motor Speedway decided to ban smoking in the grandstand area this week. I'm amazed at the number of people up in arms about it.
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    We have a new casino about 15 minutes from us. It's very nice inside, not tacky like other tribal casinos I've been in. It's like a rustic lodge with beam ceilings etc. They have a nice buffet with Friday night seafood

    This Casino I went to last night is run by the Seminole Indian Tribe. They have 4 Casinos here in Florida. Two in Hollywood which includes the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (almost exactly like a Vegas Casino), one in Coconut Creek (just completed the new parking garage, 7 stories high, and totally rebuilt and mondernized the casino which is now 8 times the size it orginally was) and one in Tampa, which includes a luxury hotel.

    They have Blackjack and a few other 3 card games I don't know the names of. The Blackjack tables start at $5.00 and go up to $1000.00. Beer, wine, hard liquor are all free if you are an Elite Card Holder. Sodas and coffee of course are free so long as you are playing at the slots or sitting at a card table. The Coconut Creek, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and Tampa Hotel and Casino are luxurious venues. The other one in Hollywood is smaller and is frequented more by the locals.

    The Seminole Tribe has a contract with the State of Florida to allow table card games and electronic roulette (the wheel is run electronically). The other venues in Florida are limited to race tracks, dog tracks and Jai Alai frontons. They are not allowed to have the same games as the Seminoles.

    Florida tried passing a gambling statute to allow Vegas Style Casinos to build Casinos and Hotels, but that got shot down - the Seminoles have lots of clout and were probably responsible for the legislative branch not passing those laws.

    Several Las Vegas Casinos including Caesar's Palace, Boyd Gaming, Steve Wynn, etc, had plans presented to include huge gambling sites in Miami. I wish that would have passed because the income derived from those casinos is huge. The Seminole pay the State of Florida hundreds of millions of dollars for the rights to have table card games. We have no income tax in the state - gambling revenues and hotel/car rental/restaurant taxes and fees make up a huge part of the income the state realizes.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    edited March 2013
    Congrats on your win! Hard to believe that you can score that much off 2 cent slots. That's a pretty good $2 investment you made. :shades:

    You should have put it all on a hand of blackjack or a spin of the roulette to double it. :P Naw just kidding!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    The whole check plus the extra $1400.00

    Congrats, Mike. I won $400 on $1-3 slots in LV and was thrilled as the lights and bells went off. I could only imagine a LARGE win.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    "Well, they really aren't breaking the rules"

    Yeah, I know...just like they don't break fishing rules.

    Funny though, this tribe never existed until some people decided they wanted to build a casino. Somehow, they were able to push it through.

    Funny how that works sometimes....
  • bwiabwia Member Posts: 2,913
    She says you won $11,610.00!

    Wow! yesterday was indeed your lucky day and they didn't even spoil it by deducting taxes on your gambling recreational winnings.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "No sense in rattling the cages of a couple of the others."

    Thanks for the kind words. You are certainly correct. It's better to end a topic on a nice note, or at least a civil one. It benefits no one to allow a difference of opinion to escalate. If a person insists on having the last word, it is not usually life altering to let them have it.

    Richard
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    edited March 2013
    Congrats on your win! Hard to believe that you can score that much off 2 cent slots. That's a pretty good $2 investment you made.

    You have to remember that this was a progressive 2 cent slot machine. No one bets 2 cents. I was betting 100 2 cent bets on each spin, or $2.00 a pop. There are 10-12 machines set up 5-6 on each side. The progressive part includes a mini-jackpot (7 quick hit icons hit), a jackpot (8 quick hit icons hit) and a progressive jackpot (9 quick hit icons hit). The amount of the jackpot goes up every few seconds by 2 cents, 24 hour a day, 7 days a week. From what the attendant said, it's been growing for months. The jackpot starts at $7500 and then goes up based upon the amount of play all the machines get. Once the progressive is won, all the machines reset to $7500. I think the mini jackpot was $800, the jackpot was $2300, and then the progressive, over $11,000.

    I once won $10,000 in Vegas on a 10x machine, $5000 at the Vegas airport while waiting for my flight, $15,000 at Caesar's Palace on a Poker machine, and $33,000 on a 10 cent machine at the Seminoles when the first opened in 2000. That, too was a progressive slot and it was connected to all the same slot machines at all 4 Seminole Venues. I bought my first BMW 5 series the day after.

    But I can count on one hand the big jackpots I've won over the years, but notice I failed to mention the hundreds of times I lost money. I guess one does not remember the losses, but can remember every jackpot - because the are few and far apart!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I suspect you just may be a bit more than a "casual" gambler?

    Still, you seem to have a LOT of luck with some big wins along the way.

    You ought to try the MEGA-LOTTO now!
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I get it now. I thought you put in 2 bucks and were betting 2 cents at a time.

    Well you do seem to have good luck, especially wining $33k. Some people have good luck with gambling, and others, like me don't. :cry:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited March 2013
    Oh yeah...those "penny" slot machines aren't what they appear!

    Oh, you **CAN** play them a penny at a time but a "big" win might net you 21 cents!

    The worst thing would be to play a mega machine and not have enough money it it to realize the big win.

    I once was playing a dollar slot machine in Reno. This was back when they still used coins. Somehow, I neglected to put in the required third dollar that would have won 300.00! My 300.00 turned into something like 20.00!

    Making things worse was some "advise" the old lady sitting next to me had.

    " YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT IN THAT THIRD DOLLAR!
    Grrrr
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