Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

I knew I couldn't be the only one that had that model.

Now I just need something so I can overide the thermostat in the house :mad:

Hey, your the engineer, lets make the Manthometer, you secretly keep it in your pocket and it sets the temperature to what you want it at.

houdini1

Maybe you could rig up a clapper to work. Loved the poem and shared it with my wife. Even she laughed.

driver100

Loved the poem and shared it with my wife.

You are brave!

I like the clapper idea, if it can work only at the frequency of my clap.

Every time I walk by it I have to turn it lower in the winter and lower for the a/c in the summer, but, it mysteriously goes up a few degrees the next time I walk by.

jmonroe

The Subie AWD and vehicle dynamic system are exceptional, and when they're functioning right, snow will be a non-event.

As I said in an earlier post, tomorrow I may get my chance.

I was remiss in not wishing you all the best with building your new home. I was fortunate enough to do it twice. Our first house and the one when we moved to SC. The first home, although we couldn’t afford to make too many changes, was still exciting for a couple reasons. We were getting out of an apartment, just like we planned after 2 years, and Son #1 was born at the same time. I moved into that house and was all by myself for about a week. Really, Mrs. j was no help at all. She was still recovering from child birth and was staying at her parent’s house. The second time we built a house it was vastly different. I red lined the entire drawing plan but everything still went pretty much as scheduled.

If the builder you have is half as good and cooperative as the one I had in SC you’ll be thrilled. I still can’t believe how good that guy was. If I could have been assured of getting a guy like that when we moved back to the Burgh I would have built again but I knew that would never happen again.

Good luck again and let us know how it goes and if you can squeeze in a new piece of sheet metal for the garage tell us about that too.

jmonroe

jmonroe

Now I just need something so I can overide the thermostat in the house

I know what you mean. It got a lot better at our house when I installed a digital thermostat about 10 years ago. Now she can see the temperature setting compared to saying, “I just moved it up a little”. :sick:

If you want to keep it set as you set it, do the simple fix. Install a mouse trap right where the buttons are on the thermostat. Leaving a mouse in there will guarantee she won’t mess with it.

jmonroe

mako1a

bought a new King Ranch on Thurs

We're going to need to hear all about that purchase. Trucks are expensive. Especially the King Ranch. That leather interior should outlast the truck itself and looks so thick and heavy duty. They're loaded with everything!

I'm partial to the platinum ever since my two tone interior on an Explorer Limited. It just made me feel like a member of the elite as I plodded to work everyday. You'll have to tell us why the WS6 is the "Baby" and the GT isn't. Curious minds want to know. ps, what's your 20? I'm in Virginia.

explorerx4

A few weeks ago , we had some discussion about sound bars.
I bought one last week, A Boston Acoustics tv10.
The salesman started out trying to sell me a Bose 3 speaker system, close to $600 out the door, but I told him That was too much.
He then showed me a sound bar with separate sub woofer, for around $325 out the door, but I told him I didn't want a sub woofer.
The he showed me the sound bar I bought. It was cheaper, $158 out the door, than I could get it on line, looked like an open box item.
Despite some not too good reviews, I thought I 'd give it a shot.
I had to build a small shelf for it to fit underneath the TV in the cabinet, but that only cost about $11 including the wood, stain/shellac and brush.
It could sound better, but is not too bad. It turns on and off with the TV, due to the Optical cable connection and I was easily able to program the volume control to work with the cable company remote.
I did have to turn off the TV speakers, using the menu options for the TV for it to work correctly.
After 3 1/2 weeks, the low fuel light finally came on in my new Fusion. I just haven't driven it that much, yet.

abacomike

I love projects as they keep me busy at home.

I know how excited you and your wife are over this project! But I thank The Lord it isn't me running around picking out colors, textures, elevations, flooring, etc. I did that twice, once on a tract house and once on a custom built house. That's enough for me. But when you are younger, you have the desire and stamina to keep you going from one appointment to another.

I remember trying to pick out the oak flooring for the family room, the den/office and the entry foyer and kitchen. I think we spent three full days trying to pick the grain, size of planks, and just the right staining. I couldn't believe there were over 100 various combinations of grain, plank size, pegs or no pegs, 4 inch boards or 6 inch planks, etc. I was worn out from just that.

Because we built the house in a cold climate, we opted for an 8x2" rafter roof with instead of a truss roof.

Just enjoy your selection process - it can be some job!

roadburner

Boston Acoustics is a good company, but it's just about impossible to make an inexpensive full-range(no sub) soundbar. I lucked out with the speakers I have in my basement system- I found the 5.1 Energy Take Classic system at Circuit City when the company was going under for 50% off($300). Kudos for passing on the Bose system, they are incredibly overpriced for what you get...

nyccarguy

Congrats on the new place! Many years of luck, love, & happiness!

driver100

Install a mouse trap right where the buttons are on the thermosta

Good idea...let's take it to Sharktank.

jmonroe

Good idea...let's take it to Sharktank.

That show bugs the hell out of me and I’ve only seen about 4 of them. I can only imagine all of the back room legalese that is put in place before any of those shysters invest one cent.

jmonroe

abacomike

Since May of last year, Apple has now replaced 3 iPhone 4S's (including the one they replaced today) with the same issues - they "drop" WiFi connections on an irregular basis. This time, they told me not to restore the brand new one from the back-up on my computer, but to manually set up the phone. They think that when I back up the phone and then restore the new phone from the old phones back up, I end up with same problem.

The Apple Store was very accommodating and erased all the data from my old phone before I left with the new one. When I got home, an AppleCare representative called me from Colorado and spent the better part of 3 hours working with me to get the new phone loaded with all my music, by Apps, user names and passwords to all my Apps, and made sure we erased the old back-up on the iTunes App on my computer erased. Then we backed up the new phone.

As of this evening, I have not had any incidents of WiFi drops - which in and of itself is a rarity. So, it would seem that the first two times they replaced the phone, I ended up re-loading the new phone with the glitches from the very first phone since I was using the old back-ups from my computer. Hopefully we got this one right.

You gotta hand it to Apple - they go out of their way to satisfy their customers. The just opened a huge new store at the Boca Town Center Mall.

It's a good thing I invested in an extended AppleCare service agreement. This contract is good through May of 2014. Definitely worth the $100 bucks.

driver100

I can only imagine all of the back room legalese that is put in place before any of those shysters invest one cent.

I like the program...mainly because of the way it shows how entrepeneurs get started....I can relate.

But, I have read some background and not too many deals meet due diligence. However, some of those people have made deals and have become very successful.

js06gv

I'll copy here my post to CCBA.....

Pulled the trigger on a new 2013 F-150 King Ranch 2WD. Some background....I've been a GM fan for most of my life with some Fords sprinkled in. Things took a turn when I surprised my wife with a new 2011 Mustang GT at XMas 2010, after having chosen it over a Camaro. Fast forward to today, and here I am selling my old Avalanche (which I still love) and carting home a Ford. It's the new Kodiak Brown color which looks fabulous. After I talked my wife into why I needed a new truck (really didn't but that's why I'm on this board right?) and coming to an agreement about how much I'd spend, she got in it when I arrived home and immediately accused me of spending at least 5 grand more than I did just based on the fancy interior. Love this truck!

Yes, the King Ranch interior is what sold me. I like the Platinum too, especially the power deployable running boards, but just didn't think the interior was "special" enough. And I wouldn't consider the new Limited because it only comes with the ecoboost engine and while plenty powerful I want my truck to sound like a truck and not a weedeater! The Limited also only comes with the red interior and we already have that on the 'Stang.

Good discounts with Ford right now, both dealer and rebate. I landed the truck for about $10,300 off with no trade involved as I sold my Av to a coworker.

My reference to the Pontiac being my baby is that its really a toy while the GT is my wife's daily driver. They are both a blast to drive, just very different due to age, technology, and transmission (T/A is 6 spd manual and GT auto).

I am in Frisco, Texas...about 30 mi north of Dallas.

houdini1

It has been almost 24 hours here without a single post. Has the Rapture taken place and left me behind?

explorerx4

Connecticut is still here, too.
I heard you had a lot of snow out your way.
Spring could actually be on the way this week, so I'll get to drive my new car more.

kyfdx

Has the Rapture taken place and left me behind?

If it had, who could tell you for sure?

verdugo

Did you get the "feel of the cement warehouse floor" handling those parts?

LOL That was good, driver!

verdugo

SOmething I would love is having cable and ethernet jacks in every room, so the computers can he wired instead of trying to do them all wirelessly.

I had a couple of network drops added at home. They were very cheap. I think it was like $70 each (for CAT6.) I kicked myself for not doing it earlier.

abacomike

Last week, the Mercedes Club sent out an email explaining a change in the amount of the rewards certificate - $500 instead of $1000 effective April 1st. So I sent back an email to them complaining about MBUSA's cut in the certificate. I got a response today stating that so long as the car was ordered before April 1st, and if I printed my Reward Certificate prior to April 1st, they would honor the $1000. It affected over 100 club members who ordered new 2014 E350 Sport Sedans.

Even if the car is delivered after the expiration of the certificate on May 25th, it would still be honored after the expiration of the certificate so long as the dealer attaches proof of the car being ordered prior to April 1st. So it looks like one of the obstacles for getting my new car has been overcome.

Now, my car is scheduled for production on April 3rd with delivery to the dealership the first week of May. So, assuming some good pricing, there will be a sales story forthcoming in May!

stickguy

between this and the casino jackpot, it seems preordained. Kismet if you will.

driver100

It has been almost 24 hours here without a single post.

Yeh, I noticed that. I played tennis today, had lunch with friends, had more legals (don't let a family member manage your company) and I am too tired to think. Maybe I'll think of something tomorrow......good nite!

[Deleted User]

By the end of the weekend we had locked in our lot, the model, the elevation, the exterior color scheme, and some "structural" options they needed identified early, including a door between the master bedroom and bathroom so my wife isn't disturbed by my early morning rise, a tray ceiling in the master to make more room for the ceiling fan, and upgrading the kitchen to a "gourmet" option with double electric ovens and built-in gas stove.

Next on the list is picking our electrical and plumbing options. Plumbing will be pretty easy as we're only upgrading the hot water system to a recirculation system for faster access to hot water, similar to a hotel. No more running the faucets waiting for hot water.

Electrical will be more complicated. We want to eliminate all switched outlets and change nearly all the lighting to recessed can lights. We contemplated using integrated LED cans, but the cost is still quite high, so we'll stick with compact fluorescent and then replace the bulbs with LED down the road. Plus we'll be adding a substantial solar panel system in hopes to generate enough electricity to provide for all our net sum needs through the year. We'll still be attached to the grid which we'll draw from during inclement weather, evenings, and in the summer when the AC kicks in, but otherwise we'll be adding back to the grid. Finally we need to decide the multimedia/phone/coax lines. We're a one-TV family with heavy wi-fi usage, so I'm thinking we'll keep the wiring pretty basic.

Lots of decisions to be made. Fun ones

Does anyone happen to have photovoltaic experience? This is new for us and I'm not entirely certain what to look for in a robust system. How about the LED conversion bulbs? The price has come down to about $25/bulb, which seems reasonable considering the advertised life and almost complete lack of heat generation.

driver100

Now, my car is scheduled for production on April 3rd with delivery to the dealership

When did it change from "dealer would order a car and would save it for me in case I was interested" to "my car is scheduled......."?

I think MB knows if they give you the full $1000 discount because you bought before the deadline it has the gambling affect......if you don't buy one now you will lose $500. They must have heard about your big win.

driver100

, including a door between the master bedroom and bathroom

We had to add a door between the bedroom and the ensuite bathroom in the Florida home. That was one of the first things we had done.

Why have a bathroom, where someone could turn on a light in the middle of the night (or be sick or whatever) and not put a door on?

This is another thing that you would think builders would figure out.

Good luck ty and have fun, building a new home is or moving to a new place is a great adventure.

stickguy

If you think you might need a wire of outlet in the future, better to put it in now while it is cheap and easy!

jmonroe

I’ll let you guys know how I do if I’m successful.

I guess I’ll have to wait until next year to see how the Subie does in the snow.

There was only about 4 inches in the driveway and a few car tracks in our development when I left this morning but I took the Subie anyway. The roads outside of our development were plowed and salted. The PA Pike is always cleared so I knew I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Even the Genny, as worthless as it is in the snow, could have made it with no problems.

jmonroe

abacomike

between this and the casino jackpot, it seems preordained. Kismet if you will.

I think I was just lucky - jackpot-wise and certificate-wise.

I signed into my MBCA site, clicked on "print Rewards Certificate" and out came my certificate with my name, address, membership number, certificate amount, and dates. The dealer just fills out the form and, if necessary, proof the order was placed prior to April 1st. I believe the car was ordered on February 27th.

I guess *jmonroe had me pegged about getting the new car. I saw pictures of it on mbusa.com and the sport sedan sure has changed significantly. Can 't wait to take delivery - 4 or 5 more weeks.

jmonroe

Can 't wait to take delivery - 4 or 5 more weeks.

Gee...aren't we surprised.

jmonroe

abacomike

I think MB knows if they give you the full $1000 discount because you bought before the deadline it has the gambling affect......if you don't buy one now you will lose $500. They must have heard about your big win.

Nothing would surprise me! But, truthfully, if I had not seen an exact photo of the car I ordered in silver with gray leather interior, I would not have made up mind so quickly. Besides, the GM told me that when the car gets in, he has guaranteed me a price I would buy the car for and the trade value on mine, which is totally acceptable.

So all that really remains is getting it built next week and delivered the first or second week of May. I am starting to get a little excited. But it doesn't take much to get me excited about a new car.

abacomike

Gee...aren't we surprised

You called this one months ago, *jmonroe. But the combination of the jackpot win, the additional $1000 from MBCA, and several pictures from Mercedes of the car I ordered, pushed me into this decision.

But honestly, *jmonroe, I promise, one of these days I will actually own a car long enough to have the oil changed - one of these days, I promise!

[Deleted User]

Thanks Driver and Mike for the well wishes. We are having fun with it and looking forward to the process.

Stickguy: we still don't know what's standard on the outlets. I know I'll load up the garage with extra outlets, including a 40 amp 220v outlet for an eventual electric vehicle. I figure when we replace the Subie a plugin electric hybrid could be an option by then (about 8 years). Worst case I get my welder

houdini1

Congrats on the new house. Exciting times!

All those options will add up very quickly so you will need to be careful and use some restraint...but if you can swing it, it is nice to get what you want up front.

mako1a

Does anyone happen to have photovoltaic experience?

I read this newsletter every day and am a subscriber to the pay section.

http://urbansurvival.com/week.htm You can go to previous days once there.

This guy has done what you're trying to do with mostly off grid and tells of

the good and bad of a large array listing mistakes made along the way.

I started buying LEDs a few years ago and find them to be very good. I

ordered from Amazon and got direct shipment from China. Then got some of these> Then they goofed and sent me a bunch of triple LED 110V lights with bayonet fixtures for which I bought a bunch of these> and now I have great lighting which uses very little juice and produces almost no heat. I'm sold on LED. I tried to load pics. Preview showed them...posting doesn't. Oh well Go to Amazon for LEDs.

robr2

How about the LED conversion bulbs? The price has come down to about $25/bulb, which seems reasonable considering the advertised life and almost complete lack of heat generation.

When I did my addition and renovation, I installed more than 30 recessed fixtures. The vast majority of them 6" units. I have been replacing the incandescent bulbs with these:



They run about $25 here in Boston as the utility companies are kicking in a bit. They replace the bulb and trim directly. Unlike fluorescent dimmables, these work with my smart dimmer switches.

Finally we need to decide the multimedia/phone/coax lines. We're a one-TV family with heavy wi-fi usage, so I'm thinking we'll keep the wiring pretty basic.

It's cheap to do upfront so you really should put a cable outlet in each room at a minimum.

...including a door between the master bedroom and bathroom...

I'm a big fan of pocket doors as they take up very little space. They are more expensive up front but they open up floor space.

jmonroe

We want to eliminate all switched outlets and change nearly all the lighting to recessed can lights.

I don’t mind a few switched outlets but I have been in homes that have overdone this. Just make sure you have 3-ways and even 4-ways where they are convenient for your use. The house I’m in now should have had a 4-way for the upstairs hall light in my opinion so I put one in. It was easy because I had access from the attic to do it. Not catastrophic but I don’t know why the house didn’t have it to begin with. The down stairs foyer light should have had a 4-way too. One by the kitchen entrance in addition to the upstairs hall and first floor foyer but I can’t get at that through the attic. I’d have to come up through the basement twice and I know I’ll have a nightmare doing that. Especially with the run on the outside brick wall with insulation so that’s just about off my list but not entirely. Mrs. j says, “it would have been nice but we’ve lived with it for 15 years so why torture yourself”?

When we put a cathedral ceiling in the family room about 7 months after we moved in I told the contractor that I’d do the wiring for the cans and everything else. The first words out of his mouth were, “you know it has to be done to code don’t you”? I said I knew that but I like wiring to be above code so that is why I’m going to do it. I installed 3-ways for all lights from each of the two entrances to the family room (a bank of three switches at each entrance). When the contractor saw that and how I placed the receptacles because I knew how the room was going to be laid out, he wanted to know if I’d do a job for him. I told him he couldn’t afford me but he said “try me”. I don’t want to do this kind of stuff for money. I do it for myself, family and friends so I gave him a high MSRP and he said, “you’re right”.

I know the fun you’re having, just take your time and be sure you don’t overlook anything. Especially the expensive ones. As bad as they may be now, it's a lot worse later.

jmonroe

jmonroe

I know I'll load up the garage with extra outlets,

Man, did I ever do that when we built the house in SC. I even had them put in a tub along the back wall of the garage. I used it quite a bit for all the cleanups after my car washing/waxing events. A lot better than messing up Mrs. j’s laundry room. You might want to look into this if it isn't already on the plan.

As I mentioned before, the builder we had in SC was unbelievably good and reasonable. When I wanted extra electrical work he said talk to my electrician and he’ll give you a price. If you have a problem let me know. I don’t want you to think I’m marking it up too much. It just so happened that he was using a new electrician because the one he had before was getting too persnickety and my house was going to be the first house that this guy did for my builder. My builder assured me that he had seen his work and I wouldn’t have a problem. I sure didn’t.

As it turned out as I was giving the electrician my plans for the house he had to go finish up another house so he said I see what you want and it’s not too bad. I told him that I had quite a bit for the garage and wanted him to stick around for about another hour. He said he promised the other owner that he’d be there and he was already about 20 minutes late so he said, “just give the sketches to my crew for the rest of the house (only had two more bedrooms to go over) and what you want for the garage and I’ll work with you on this. Honest, it won’t be bad”.

You won’t believe this:

When the electrician saw what I gave to his crew he said that I was pretty much in line with the house stuff and he was expecting something like that then he said, “MAN, DID YOU GO OVERBOARD IN THE GARAGE with the all the lights and receptacles but I can appreciate why you want it like that”. I told him that’s why I wanted him to stick around. This is the unbelievable part; he said, “switches and outlets are not that expensive or difficult to do but if you buy the fluorescents (4 double tube 8 footers and 2 double tube 4 footers) I’ll do all of what you have on your sketches for nothing. Just tell Pete that I worked with you on this because I want to be his primary electrician, OK”. I said, “c’mon Dave I know this is more work and there is some expense and I’m willing to pay a reasonable price. So just tell me what you want”. He said, “forget it, just talk to Pete”.

I got him a certificate to a restaurant for his help and of course he said I shouldn’t have done that. After I gave it to him I’ll never forget what he said about the extra flood lights that I put in the front and back with the 4-ways to control them. He said, “prison yards aren’t lit up this bright”. :surprise: I asked him if he knew that first hand or if he just read the book.

Like I said before…building that house was a real pleasure compared to the horror stories I have heard about building and it was done in 4 months just like he said it would be even with a few of my on the fly changes.

jmonroe

kyfdx

One think I'm picky about..

No more than three switches on one panel.... Once it gets higher than that, I can't keep them straight....

jayrider

When I had my workshop built in the basement, a last minute addition was a slop sink --- don't know what I would do without it.

jmonroe

No more than three switches on one panel.... Once it gets higher than that, I can't keep them straight....

Are you really that forgetful? :P I know what you mean. We have a 4 gang in the foyer and every so often I have to think about which one does what. Sometimes I guess wrong. :sick:

jmonroe

abacomike

Just got back from my dealership this morning. My car has been assigned a VIN and has been produced, awaiting transportation. From what my dealership tells me, they would not be surprised to see the car arrive for the USA kick-off date of April 15th! That would be amazing!

They told me that they are trying to get as many 2014 E Class Sport/Luxury Sedans shipped to dealerships for the big launch on April 15th, so that is why they think my car was produced a week earlier than originally projected.

Should be soon now!

robr2

My car...

Looks like someone has emotional ownership...

stickguy

gives new meaning to the "puppy dog" close, when the dealer can do it on a car that has not been built yet.

abacomike

Looks like someone has emotional ownership...

You could say that! We've agreed on pricing already, so that was all I was waiting for.

Kirstie_H

Ours are labeled. In fact, that was one of the features that the buyer of our last house mentioned as being of note. If nothing else, it gives the impression that the owner is detail-oriented and might well have been with the rest of the home care (we were).

Other home-building tips from someone who's built one and sold it -
-As everyone else has mentioned, get those outlets installed everywhere you even think you might want them. You won't regret it.
-Spend your money on the kitchen (which you've already done) and in the master bath. Make sure you choose really nice plumbing fixtures for the master bath. You, and future buyers, will notice those and forgive if you've installed more basic ones elsewhere. One big miss in our last house was only one electrical outlet in the master bath. Sharing sucks. This time, they placed the electrical outlets under the hand towel racks, which is a pain.

This should be great fun for you!

stickguy

I'm trying to convince the wife to move next year when our youngest graduates HS (I want to go south a bit), and if we do, will consider (depending on logisitcs) building a house.

I think it would be great fun, and really, the only way to get the odd feature set that we each want. Plus hard to find the type of layout I want.

we did recently do major remodelling to this house (gutted kitchen, moved the laundry and all 3 baths) so picking out stuff is not a problem.

likely won't happen, but I can dream about my new garage!

Kirstie_H

That was one of the reasons for building - no existing layout really fit what we were looking for. So, we combined what we liked about 1.5 story homes with what we liked about atrium ranch homes. It was fun, but I doubt I've got it in me to do it again (I did the construction management rather than a builder, so obviously it was a lot more work, as there weren't any pre-set options. Had to do it all from scratch).

Every now and again I wonder how the buyers are enjoying it, and what it looks like inside today. They're either buried in it, financially, or they like it, as they're still the owners. Here it is, in case anyone wants a look:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/101-Bellerosa-Dr_Saint-Louis_MO- _63122_M80857-31012#axzz2Ofu2296f

mako1a

Ours are labeled.

When I moved into my first house purchase in 1975 I was checking things out.

I found a light switch and didn't know what it was for. I spent 3 minutes flicking

it on-off-on at about 10 PM. Next day the neighbor said she was relieved to see

I was OK as she wasn't sure why I was turning the bank of floodlights on-off-on.

robr2

The most we have are 3 in one bank. When it get's bigger than that, the box really needs some support. They only ones labelled are in the garage - my wife can never remember what they are for. As for outlets, I put in 6 across one wall of my garage. Each is a pig tailed GFCI so I wouldn't have to have to go to the first one in case it tripped. I also installed a cord reel extension cord plugged into one of the door opener outlets. I use that one the most.

I have friend who is pretty green. They have labels on their switches that identify the wattage of the fixture when it's turned on. It's a reminder to them of how much energy they are using.