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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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Mike, don't rub it in.........for these poor saps in the North. It was 50 when we started playing tennis at 10 and 58 when we finished at noon............beautiful weather, especially compared to back home where the high today will be 32.
There we were, playing tennis right next to the Gulph, no wind, sunny, felt like air conditioning....as one guy said, this is why we come to Florida in the winter.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If what you mentioned above should actually occur, it is my belief that car sales would decrease - how much sales would decrease is not known but sales would ebb. My rationale has to do with buying activities such as physically touching, eying, trying the car on for size, test drives, etc., that commonly occur when a customer visits his dealership for servicing his/her current car. Without dealership visits like those, impulse buying would obviously decrease.
How much "impulse" buying occurs at a dealership is not known, however I obviously am one of those. My last purchase in November occurred because I was ogling over a CLS 550 in the showroom while I was in for a car wash. That's where I was offered a deal I could not refuse.
When I worked in dealerships, I can't tell you how often a service customer would be browsing in the showroom and 2 hours later he's driving home in a new car. As a sales manager, I sold at least 5 cars a month due to service customers browsing in the showroom.
Without that opportunity, sales would decrease because the impulse buyer would not be at the right place at the right time for the right price.
A car dealership is an exciting place of activity - new cars coming in and pulled off trucks; the showroom filled with gorgeous new cars; complimentary refreshments and lots of conversation about the newest technology; free car washes; just a few of the activities taking place at a new car dealership.
Additionally, there are hundreds of thousands of sales personnel who would become unemployed as a result of online car buying and delivery.
If Amazon-type sales should occur on the future and replace new car dealerships, I believe it would hurt the auto industry in the long run.
What is more important here is to speed up the purchase process and make the in-dealership sales experience more palatable. It can be done if dealerships treat customers more as guests in their own home rather than as enemy combatants.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
My recent purchase was much like yours, Mike. I'd been looking at compact hatchbacks for several months. Wasn't sure if I was going to ever pull the trigger, but when my step-son and daughter in law wanted to 'borrow' my Saturn for an extended period, I knew I was going to need something new.
One morning, I had some time to kill between a doctors appt and meeting my wife for lunch. On a whim, I stopped at the local Hyundai dealer to look at the Elantra GT. I was looking for a cheap lease, and the salesman got a quote from his manager that was "too good to be true".
When I met my wife, I showed her pictures of the car without telling her what brand it was. She liked the looks of it, then I told her how much it would cost - initial quote was 1st payment down and payment of $215/mo + tax.
She agreed to see the car - once we agreed that we both liked it, it took only about an hour to complete all the paperwork. Quick and simple - just the way we both like it.
I don't think buying a car should be similar to buying something from Amazon. Too large of a purchase, and too emotional, to do remotely.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
There are many possible "recipes" one could follow/utilize for buying a new car. One is the current system of dealerships. Another is dealing exclusively on line with a dealership and then going in to the dealership just to sign paperwork and pick up the car.
Tesla is using centrally located showrooms in shopping malls. If you like what you see, they bring a car to your door, you drive it, and if you are ready to buy, it's one price. Sign paperwork and write the check.
I prefer dealing at the dealership because I have established a great relationship with management. When I buy a car, they merely assign a salesman to complete the paperwork and I go right into finance to write the check.
But for the average car buyer, the process is tedious and unnerving. It is up to the dealership and it's personnel to set the tone for this process. If done properly, car buying can be accomplished relatively painlessly.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
>
Mike, on the surface I think you are right, without dealers sales would decrease. But, look at retail stores....traffic at Christmas time is down 1/3 from just 3 years ago. The reason, people find it easier and more convenient to shop online. Best Buy stock just tanked 28% because their sales decreased this year...because shoppers go to BB to look at products, and then order them for less online.
I am not saying dealerships will disappear. They may take a very different form. For example, dealerships could be more like a Tesla dealer - be in a mall, have a small showroom, keep some test cars on hand. Might even improve traffic as there is lots of traffic in a mall (and lots of men waiting for their wives to shop).
Service is now very rare. Cars are pretty reliable and even oil changes are only needed once a year. So, dealerships could be further away, but be more centralized. When you special order a car they will have a huge pool of cars to choose from. Savings will be huge as you won't have various dealers competing for sales. You won't have as much overlap in personnel. Sales people won't be paid commissions, maybe a salary and smaller bonus.
Just saying, it is a changing world...the car buying system hasn't changed much over the years, I think it is due. Remember too, when these changes occur, we don't forsee them exactly as they will be - we can't predict the future that closely. Who would have thought amazon would be such a huge force in retailing.....from a company that just started selling books online.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
True, but you could just as easily have been walking around in a mall and the same thing could have happenned. Cars are usually an emotional purchase, so you can buy when you aren't really serious about buying, if there is a good salesperson around.
I was in sales for many years, so I believe in the power of salespeople and of person to person selling. But, if you can find a way to bring down the cost, maintain a way to have customer contact, you will sell more cars in the long run....people just want to pay the lowest price possible. That's why they look at TVs and computers at BB, but buy them online.
Dave Ramsey, who has sensible financial advice says the average car owner has a payment of close to $500 a month for their car. That's average.....and that's a lot...I once rented an apartment for that much. So, your $215 a month payment is very sensible. You are living within your means, and a lot of people don't these days.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We got hit by an early morning snow event. The first flakes melted on the roadway and soon froze. I was in the RWD 328i with Blizzaks on all four corners and thus had little trouble. The problem was with the other idiots out there. One example: I'm following a car down a slight hill. A car coming up the hill is flashing its lights frantically. The car in front keeps cluelessly plugging until he/she finally notices a bunch of cars stuck at the bottom of the hill and blocking both lanes. KABOOM!!! Thanks in large part to the tires I was able to stop and turn around(no one was behind me thank goodness).
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
For major purchases, such as fine jewelry, automobiles/trucks, fine crystal such as Waterford, and fine Sterling Silver, even Rolex watches, people need to be physically involved in the selection and examination process.
I agree that buying online is expeditious and less taxing - but for high priced purchases, the interactional behavior is important.
The younger generations will have fewer objections to online purchasing, no doubt.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Most pocket watches are pretty study, I have yet to do any real damage to one. If you are worried about the crystal you could always get a hunters case (that's where the watch has the case that opens to reveal the face). A lot of clothing do have pockets for watches, check your right side pocket in slacks, sometimes they have a little pocket inside them that is for watches. Sometimes if you look carefully along the bottom of the waistband you might find a small pocket for watches.
Illinois watches are a little harder to come by, if it is good condition and/or if it is a railroad watch it could be worth something.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That's how I make the scotch I serve guests.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I have to agree with you on that. While nice I really cant see paying their prices for a watch.
Well you can always give the cashier your food stamps with your left hand and flash your Rolex Model 18956.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
There is truth in what you say....actually business was still up in the high end retail stores.
So maybe people need a dealership for a Mercedes, but they will buy a Kia online if it costs less.
Not sure, but, I think there will be changes coming. Agree people have to touch and test new cars, just think some genius will come up with a more efficient (less expensive) way to sell/buy cars. Tesla, could be a start.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I am afraid to ask, but, if you make it that way for guests, how do you make it for yourself.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Should?????
Try this
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I go out and buy the good stuff for myself.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Talking about used Rolex's check out these prices
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Has anyone heard of Sprint Racers before? We went to the Friday night fish dinner at the Moose lodge (fish, baked potato, coleslaw, roll for $6.50) and one fellow told us about Sprint car racing....there is a track a few miles away.
Basically, here's what they are;
Sprint cars have a high power-to-weight ratio, making speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour (230 km/h) possible on some tracks. 900 horsepower (670 kW) is commonplace for these machines which typically have a 410 cubic inch engine displacement.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
LOL
I like the car in a package from Amazon and those cheap used Rolex's...you're on a roll Snake.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
@oldfarmer50 said: Nah, strain it through a dirty sock and you'll be fine!
I am afraid to ask, but, if you make it that way for guests, how do you make it for yourself.
Driver100,
How did you make the box yellow?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
He strained it through a dirty sock.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
"they don't have our email"
Once at a craft store as I bought a few bucks worth of trinkets they had the nerve to ask for my email. The young woman in front of me had already willingly given up her's
I simply replied "what's an email?"
The girl giggled, then looked puzzled and then rang up my purchase in silence.
Outside my wife asked me why I did that to the girl. I responded that my other choice was to scream that it was none of her business.
My wife said I made the right choice.
I still don't know why the young woman in front of me gave up her's without a thought.
I also bet that I gave the cashier a good story to tell about the old coot who didn't know what email was.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
You bring up an interesting, if not important, point about email. I have wanted to change my email address for some time now due to the over abundance of ads I get each day. But then I think about what changing my email address will do in terms of the many, many important contacts I currently have and all the work I will bring upon myself in contacting banks, credit card companies, family, friends, business contacts, etc. that's when I decide that life is too short to have to spend that much time and effort just to change an email address.
So, I filter as much email as I can with my comcast server. I guess I would rather click "delete" a few times a day rather than spend days informing others of my new email address.
Guess I'm just a lazy good-for-nothing, not to mention an almost 70 year old fart!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I don't doubt that what you say is true but it's inconceivable to me that someone would spend $40k + on an impulse. If I walk into the dealer I know exactly what I want and it's just a matter of price. I could never make a decision of that magnitude on impulse.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Driver, I thought everyone has heard of sprint racers. Look up Outlaws Racing. They're real big in Pa. I've always heard they remove (or greatly reduce) the flywheel which gives them very rapid takeoff. They're fun to watch due to the incredible speeds they reach on small tracks.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
If I walk into the dealer I know exactly what I want and it's just a matter of price. I could never make a decision of that magnitude on impulse.
I completely understand your position from your point of view. But I can tell you from experience that I have sold many, many cars to service customers who never had any thought of buying a car that day.
It has to do with timing, pricing, attraction to a specific car on the showroom floor and how the customer is approached and how he/she is treated. I will tell you that men are much more apt to buy on impulse than women. I don't think I have ever sold a car on impulse to a woman.
But as for men, old, middle aged or young - there will always be impulse buyers for cars. You have to trust me on this one, farmer!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
>
I have no idea. I saw it after I posted....and I liked it, but, have no idea why it is yellow. It may have been a quote in a quote or something.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mako, they have been around since 1978....and I haven't heard of them. They do sound like they would be fun to watch. Here's info about Outlaws;
Sprint car specifications
A World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car is a purpose-built open-wheel race car that must weigh at least 1,400 pounds with the driver in the car. The 410-cubic inch engine is fueled by VP Racing Fuels methanol. The cars produce approximately 850 horsepower and transfer it to the ground through Hoosier Tires. The series' cars have a large top wing with sideboards that face opposite direction to help produce a great amount of downforce to plant the car on the track and help the car turn and maximize grip, both in the corners and on the straightaways. The cars also have smaller nose wings.[3]
Sprint Cars have a very distinct stance since they have two very different rear tires. The right rear tire on a sprint car is 105 inches in circumference. In contrast, the left rear tire is only between 90 and 98 inches in circumference, depending on the track size and conditions. The difference in the tire sizes is called stagger and the more stagger the car has, the more easily it turns into the corner, but at the expense of straight line speed.[4]
Sprint Cars do not have starters in them, so push trucks are used to fire the engines. Sprint Cars only have an in/out direct drive, no reverse gear and no clutch
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
He strained it through a dirty sock.
Not sure if this is a quote within a quote. I wish I knew how I did it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I did it! Seems to be when you do a quote within a quote....hard to do that too often.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
> Once at a craft store as I bought a few bucks worth of trinkets they had the nerve to ask for my email. The young woman in front of me had already willingly given up her's
>I simply replied "what's an email?"
I just simple state that they cannot have my email account. My employer doesn't even have my email account.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I think the best is to not give out email at all to most stores.
And I have a couple of throw away emails I can use for some
business who might actually want to use email.
I was looking for something for my wife's scarf holder. Radio Shack
had them on their website and I had to enter an order with email to
find out the shipping. I then ordered from a kitchen supply company
online where I had to give an email. Same day I was getting lots more
spam mail than before. My bet is on Radio Shack selling the emails
before their ink is even dry--whether you order from them or not.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Big deal in our home. Last night my son passed his Eagle Scout board of review and was awarded the highest rank in Boy Scouting. Needless to say, we are very proud of his accomplishment.
Last night my son passed his Eagle Scout board of review and was awarded the highest rank in Boy Scouting
Congrats to your son and his parents for supporting him as he pursued this honor. As an Eagle Scout when I was a teenager, it was a great honor - my parents were also very proud of both me and my brother.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
@robr2
Congratulations! You have every right to be extraordinarily proud! That's fantastic news!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
You should be pleased. I've presided over several Eagle Scout Courts of Honor and I have always been impressed by the young men who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
review and was awarded the highest rank in Boy Scouting. Needless to say, we are very proud of his accomplishment.
Excellent! Most kids today are too "cool" for the scouts but it's a great character builder. You should be proud.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
"trust me on this one, farmer"
Oh, as I've said, I don't doubt that impulse buys are common. Just don't understand them. I wonder how many lumps those guys have to take when they get home and the wife finds out he spent their retirement.
A fella I know has a stepson who did an impulse buy on an old Camaro. his wife was furious that he had spent $4000 without asking her....until she found out that he had really spent $11,000 and the $4000 was just what he charged on her credit card without her permission.
From what I gather there was silence in that house for many months.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
He needs advice from Dave Ramsey (he solves people's money problems)...or not only will he be in debt for a long time...his marriage could suffer too. You can't just do that and live a happy productive life.
My rule of thumb is that all of your vehicles—I’m talking about cars, trucks, boats and their Sea-Doo sisters, motorcycles, and anything else like this—should not total more than half your annual income.
Why? It’s because all of these kinds of things go down in value. You never want half of your income going into things whose value is dropping like a rock. You don’t need a $20,000 car if you’re making $30,000 a year. That’s just stupid. Think about it this way. If you’re making that kind of money, and I walk up and tell you I’ve got an investment opportunity that will turn $20,000 of your hard-earned income into $12,000 in just three or four years, are you going to take me up on the offer? If you’ve got a brain in your head, the answer’s no!
Now, I’m okay with it if you make $300,000 a year and buy a $20,000 car if you pay cash. That’s like most people running out and buying a Happy Meal. It’s just not a big deal!
cbn.com/finance/ramsey092110.aspx
Qusetions????
***How do you get to convert these links into just words.
***Congrats Rob, nice to see good responsible kids growing up these days
***Where has my good friend Verdugo disappeared to?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Same day I was getting lots more
It wouldn't surprise me if your email address gets sent directly to the spam factory. I filter spam to be deleted but the same emails keeping coming back. The list of spam emails is increasing daily. If I don't reply to them the first 100 times what makes them think breaking through my spam filter will make me want to converse with them any more.....ever!
Why would I even do business with a company that would use these methods to try to obtain customers? I don't need a warranty for my car, or a diploma from some unknown university, or car insurance at ridiculously low rates. Why can't they leave me alone?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
driver, I think that the yellow box is like a yellow caution light that warns you to slow down. You might possibly be nearing your limit of allowable posts for 2014.......SMILEY FACE ! JOKE!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Congratulations to the proud papa ! That takes a lot of hard work and is not easy to accomplish. It is also a strong indication of your son's future success...not to mention your influence and parenting skills. Tell him we are all proud of him.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
@robr2 said:
Last night my son passed his Eagle Scout board of review
and was awarded the highest rank in Boy Scouting
Congratulations to your son, and to his parents for supporting him, for reaching that great honor in Scouting. --Our son earned the Eagle as well.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Congratulations to the Eagle and his proud family!
My son earned his Eagle when he was 16. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to achieve that rank. Of course, added incentive for him was we would not allow him to get his driver's license until he passed the Eagle board of review.
Other incentive was his Dad is also an Eagle...and my Grandfather was a Scout when it first came to the US in 1910.
@robr2: Congrats to your son and your family, from someone who squeaked out a couple merit badges as a Boy Scout.
Houdini....you don't have to explain at the end...I won't get upset just because you make fun of me (just joking, and I knew you were joking). I don't think the yellow means I am posting too much, I seem to keep accumulating points for some reason. 8 points this week alone. If I keep going I may be able to buy Edmunds one day.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yeh, I think I got one for tieing slip knots or something.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I aspired to tying slip knots.
One day grasshopper!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Speaking of "Sales," I just saw a 2015 Mustang sell for $300,000 on the Barret Jackson auction. Amazing. It was the #1 Mustang to be sold retail for 2015. And it was a charity car.
But $300,000. Wow.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,