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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Here's the kicker....they want $700 for it. Deal or no deal?

    Offer them $650 OTD, real friends would grab it. :)

    Let us know how you like it, we all know you're a sucker for a bargain. :shades:

    jmonroe

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

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    craig...j....I'm tempted.

    I've only started it....not driven it. Although, I have ridden in the passenger seat with the current owner. I keep telling myself "how can you go wrong for $700 (or $650)?"

    That said, I've heard horror stories about people restoring old cars. They think they've got a bargain, until they start tearing into it. They end up with a bunch of parts laying all around and no idea how to get out of it without taking a bath to get it back on the road.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Worst case scenario you are out $700 + your time to tear it down, which if you are a motor head you don't look at that as time lost.
  • thenebeanthenebean Member Posts: 1,124
    graphicguy - i know you aren't in CT, but there is a guy down the road from me who lives to restore old beetles. he's always got 6-8 or more of them out in front of his house that he's working on. i bet once he restores them he sells them for a pretty penny. im sure you can find someone close to you who is a beetle expert that you can ask about information for restoration...or maybe sell to him to restore at a higher price...

    i could always wander down to see this guy (i think my friend's dad might actually know him) and get his info so you can talk to him about restoring it - if its something you decide to do.

    just some thoughts - im very bored at work, and it is friday and all!

    -thene :)
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    bene....if you could talk to this guy and find out anything, it would be greatly appreciated.

    I know these are pretty simple machines. I could probably do most of the work. I know me, though. I'd get half way into it and get bored or frustrated. And, it would sit.

    It took me two years to build a home theater in my basement....a job that should have taken two months.

    I'd probably ship out most of the work to someone who knows these cars better than I do, anyway.

    Thanks!
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    ...im very bored at work, and it is friday and all!

    You've said this quite a few times already. Sooooo, when are you going to get back in the car biz? :)

    jmonroe

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

  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    For what it is, it's a deal. If you want a fun runaround, great. If you want a hobby car, great. If you have visions of it becoming a fully restored vehicle that will sell at Barrett Jackson for big bucks, forget it.

    Unless you have car restoration in your blood it's much cheaper, and far less stressful, to buy one that's already been restored.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Never had a VW (but always wanted one, particularly an old convertible), but I believe someone told me once years ago......that the way the heater works....is that the engine is air cooled and has some cooling vanes on it (I visualize like an old 4 cylinder lawnmower engine). That air flow exhaust, can be directed forward into the passenger compartment.

    Again, I don't know for sure whether any of this is correct, but that is what someone told me years ago.

    I also understand you can buy parts fairly easily. Had a neighbor when I lived up in NJ 15 years ago restore one, and he was always getting parts delivered (fenders, bumpers, lights, chrome, etc).
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    >That air flow exhaust, can be directed forward into the passenger compartment

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but the air flow to the front was strickly based on pressure of air from the car's movement. When stopped at a light, no heat.

    A niece and her husband had an early beetle and I drove it a test run. She went through the windshield in an accident in Ft. Wayne. They didn't buy another.

    College roommate had a beetle, idiot that he was for other reasons. He drove back and forth from NW Indiana (da Region) and had to stop to adjust valves in middle of the trip.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • thenebeanthenebean Member Posts: 1,124
    graphicguy - sent an email to my friend - the one who i think her dad knows the guy, just to verify and maybe get some contact info...

    jmonroe - probably won't ever get back into the business - at least anytime soon. im still pushing on those t-shirts that i designed...the website should be up soon - just waiting for the next run of shirts to be done so we can photograph them and put them under the products page. once the site is up, i'll put the link on my carspace page (don't want to be blacklisted here for "soliciting"!!)

    im just where i am now to pay bills...im not much for corporate america...im too artsy fartsy!

    -thene :)
  • joe131joe131 Member Posts: 998
    The heater was improved in 1971 with the advent of the Superbeetle, but that's not saying much.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I bought a 1973 VW bus in 1978 that had 35,000 miles on it. It was blue with a white top and creme vinyl interior. It was fun driving it to college and was amazingly easy to park (big square box).

    My Bus had the rare automatic transmission and felt like it had single digit hp !!! LOL! The heater was weak but did work ok. Seemed like I had to have the valves adjusted really often. Also, it would flood-out after driving long distances so I would let it sit for a while then off I'd go.

    GG, that old VW sounds like a decent buy for $700. It would be nice to have it re-done.. it's a collector! In California, that car wouldn't last 5 seconds if it had a for sale sign on it!

    Mark156 :)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    It may be too good to pass up.

    I'm going to drive it the weekend. If interested, I'll give my impressions.

    My older sister has a '65 Mustang. It's not restored but in real good shape. All original, though...except for tires and battery (as well as belts). I know driving it, I felt like I had to stand on the brakes to get it to stop. Also felt like I had to use a crow bar on the steering wheel to get it to turn.

    We've come a long way in how cars drive, steer and brake from about 30=35 years ago.

    I'm really not in a knuckle busting mood these days. I'd probably have someone else get the thing in good working order (if it isn't already). If I pull the trigger, I'd have to be convinced that the mechanical maladies were only minor and that most of what needs to be done would only be cosmetic.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Rofl!!

    Sad, but I believe this would actually happen. Definitely don't get ahold of an old car dog though. He'll sniff out tire kickers quicker than you can say test drive. I've booted a number of folks sideways who are just screwing around.

    -Moo
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    I'd have to be convinced that the mechanical maladies were only minor and that most of what needs to be done would only be cosmetic.

    I have a feeling that if that were the case the price would be quite a bit higher.
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    I'd have to be convinced that the mechanical maladies were only minor and that most of what needs to be done would only be cosmetic.

    Actually, as parts are readily available and cheap, and it's a relatively easy vehicle to work on, mechanical repairs should be the least of your worries. If you're paying to have stuff fixed I'd worry more about rust and paint issues.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I had a guy tell me one time that he was not going to buy a Ford, that he wouldn't own one because he thought they were a POS but he was waiting for his table at the steak house across the street and thought he would kill some time. I told him that he was welcome to browse all he want and I would let all the sales people know not to bother him.

    He said "no I want to drive one and it was my job to let him" I left as though I was going to get a key, told the rest of the sales people to ignore him and I went home.

    The guy went and complained to my MGR told him he was going to buy a truck but no one would help him so now he was going to buy a Chevrolet.

    The next morning as the SM was waiting to chew me a new one I told him what happened. He then threw the guy's number in the trash. Apperantley the guy told my SM if he fired me he would come back. :D

    People are funny sometimes.
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    People are funny sometimes.

    Very generously put. I would have worded it somewhat differently. :mad:
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    That VW would be worth more than 700.00 even if it weren't a convertable. Parts are easy to come by.

    Make sure the transmission is in good shape. Listen for noises etc. Wind it out in each gear and take your foot off of the gas. If it pops out of gear, this is very bad. Worse than a worn out engine.

    I wouldn't "restore" it. I would just do what it needs to make it a fun weekend driver.
  • gasman1gasman1 Member Posts: 321
    This was a turn-over candidate for the old fleet guy. I bet he would have chased most of his butt off the lot. Then he would've spit the rest of out on his way back inside. ;)
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    This was a turn-over candidate for the old fleet guy.

    Thats Funny. :D:D
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    thanks for thinkin of me. ;)

    $6 would get me to work and back, TWICE, in my accord. ;b

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • pernaperna Member Posts: 521
    If the deal can't cover the difference, I'll gladly wait while you siphon from my trade. Otherwise, just make sure I can get to a gas station.

    Haha, oh mary, that would be the greatest sales story ever.

    "And then after grinding me down to the last penny, he pulled the trade up to the new car, and got a siphoning hose out of the trunk..."
  • pernaperna Member Posts: 521
    And, get this...he wanted ME to do the siphoning!

    " I bring car, I bring hose, you suck hose?"

    " No, YOU suck hose!"

    " No...no...YOU suck hose!!"


    My faith in humanity just dropped a little.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    $6 would get me to work and back, TWICE, in my accord

    Ya but I can get in one trip to Lowes what it would take you 10 trips, so its a wash :D

    Nothing like feeding the beast. Its been awhile since I have had a V-8 and I must say a smile came to my face the first time I got on the gas last night. :D
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    Ya but I can get in one trip to Lowes what it would take you 10 trips, so its a wash

    1 1/4" Hitch does wonders for turning anything into a utility vehicle. The open trailer is <$10 from uHaul or the local place and the Honda will take just about anything from Home Depot.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I thought of you all last night as I was putting $6 worth of gas in the new F150 I leased.

    I could have sworn you said somewhere you were "cherry pickin" for a used pick-up. It looks like you got hot pants like your customers and changed your mind, huh? :D

    jmonroe

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

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I could have sworn you said somewhere you were "cherry pickin" for a used pick-up. It looks like you got hot pants like your customers and changed your mind, huh?

    Actually you are half right. I did want a truck. I hate not having one and could not find what I wanted, so I toyed with a Lease yesterday and with my plan price and rebates I was able to prepay a 24 month lease on a 07 Supercab for $5900. Just a touch more then I usually spend on the disposable trucks I buy. In the past I spend $5k on one drive it 2-3 years and get another one. Plus it gave me a chance to get a Garmin and residulize it into the lease so I pay like $100 for a $500 Garmin.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    In the past I spend $5k on one drive it 2-3 years and get another one.

    OK...but after you buy it you have something of value, although not much after 2 or 3 years, right? With a lease you're now a payment buyer just like most of your customers.

    Cmon, fess up, you fell for that shiny new piece of sheet metal didn't ya. ;)

    jmonroe

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

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    With a lease you're now a payment buyer just like most of your customers.

    No, How am I payment buyer when I prepaid it. I paid the whole amount up front so I don't have a payment. Also prepaid my maintanence for the 24 months so all I do now is put gas in it and drive it.

    Cmon, fess up, you fell for that shiny new piece of sheet metal didn't ya.

    Hell ya, who don't? :D Nothing nicer then a brand new F150 ;)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Sounds like a good deal. If it seems to run well looks like a little TLC and you could have yourself a nice little toy. Now IIRC those things were air cooled so the heater should seem weak.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • cornmeal64cornmeal64 Member Posts: 14
    I think it is funny that my post got this much attention.

    First of all, it's stupid to worry about stuff like this when dealing for a new or used car from a dealer.

    However, I find it amusing that a dealer will say that the relative fuel level in my trade makes no difference in regard to the trade allowance, but somehow the fuel level of the new car must be at some arbitrary level to keep costs down.

    C'mon! If a salesperson hates being grinded for $100, don't send me off in a vehicle that will require a stop at the gas station before I even get home!

    This isn't a jab at anyone, but thousands of dollars in fuel costs is being paid for by the consumer. Just fill up all of the cars, and price them to include the full tank.

    Just my humble opinion.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    You wrote:
    >This isn't a jab at anyone, but thousands of dollars in >fuel costs is being paid for by the consumer. Just fill up > all of the cars, and price them to include the full tank.

    Ahh, what is the difference? In both cases the customer pays for it.
  • cornmeal64cornmeal64 Member Posts: 14
    Exactly my point. Make a deal, and send me home with a full tank. :)

    Don't tell me that the amount of fuel in my trade-in has no value, but the amount of fuel in your new car does have value...

    If the $30 in gas to fill up my new car matters, then add $30 to the bottom line price of the new one. If the full tank in my trade has no value, neither does the full tank in the new car you are selling me. Works both ways.

    Third edit..

    You: You can have this XYZ Mobile for $xx.xxx after your trade.

    Me: That's a fair price, but I'll have to spend $30 to fill the tank on the way home! I am going to dealer X, because they have the same car at $ 75 dollars less! You jerk! I'm going to laugh at you the whole way because the other dealer is only 975 miles away!!

    What a moron! you lost a sale over a measly $30!! What a moron!!

    An exaggration to be sure, but I enjoy having fun. ;)
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Don't tell me that the amount of fuel in my trade-in has no value, but the amount of fuel in your new car does have value

    So if I appraise your trade on Monday with a full tank but you don't trade till Friday when the tank is on empty it is OK to knock say $60 off your trade value :confuse: :confuse:

    You are right it is nickel and dime stuff from a consumers point but where do you stop.

    All consumers want a full tank of gas so add an average of $60 to all used car sales and fill them up

    They all want Floor mats so lets add another $50 to all used car sales that don't have floor mats.

    All consumers want two sets of keys when they buy a used car so with the PATS keys lets add $150 to all used cars with one key and add it to the price.

    OK now we are at $260. The problem is it is easy for everyone to just say add it to the price the problem is in the real world the consumer does not want to pay for it, they just want it. 80% of the time stuff like this does not come up till the negotiations are done and they are sitting in my office to sign the papers. Or the papers are already signed and they are taking delivery and they start asking for the extra key, the floor mats, and the full tank of gas. Are you going to write a check for $260 to cover it all?

    Its no different then when a major corporation that builds doo hickeys goes out and changes vendors for the screws to build them. The difference is only .02 cents and there are 5 screws per doo hickey. It only changes the price per doo hickey .10, but when you produce 50,000 a month it adds up and if they don't pass the cost along to the consumer it lowers there profits $60,000 a year because of a .02 cent screw.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    They all want floor mats so lets add another $50... with the PATS keys lets add $150.

    Sure joel... and while we're at it, all consumers want a new engine and transmission, so add in another $9,000 to the total.

    @ more than selling a used car with the fuel gaguge needle in the vicinity of "E".

    So, put 5 gallons in the tank, add the cost to your bottom line, and forget about how major corporations conduct their business. It's like apples to coconuts.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    So, put 5 gallons in the tank, add the cost to your bottom line, and forget about how major corporations conduct their business. It's like apples to coconuts.

    Hmm, my mistake I thought Ford was a major corporation with there product sold by franchises all over the world, and for there coporation to survive so must there franchises.

    I don't have a problem with the whole gas issue. I agree it is bad business. My point of contention here is all of the people saying to just add it to the price and the consumer won't care. These are the same people who will waste $100 worth of gas to save $50 on a car deal.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Oh, Ford is a major corporation last time I checked. But, the auto sales industry was what I was referring to.
    Besides home sales, it is about the only industry where haggling for a better price is a common practice.

    I believe the vast majority of people would say, "add it to the price", they don't care... and won't be the kind who will waste $100 worth of gas to save $50 on a car deal. As of now we're only talking about $17 of gas... don't even think that would be worth it to the grinders.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    mac...isell....that's exactly what I'm thinking. Don't do a full on restoration of the VW. Just get it looking decent and making sure it's mechanically OK. And, then use it to tool around in during nice weather.

    That said, I drove it this a.m. It fired right up on the first twist of the key. It runs good. Slow compared to today's vehicles, but no evidence of any engine toubles. I'd still like to do a compression check. Tranny and clutch seem to be OK. Brakes stop the car, but I'm not used to drum brakes after all of these years of driving cars with disks. Just got to leave a little more distance to stop.

    Exhaust system looks like it was replaced at some point.

    Will these things run on unleaded gas?

    Top definitely needs replacement. It looks terrible when you put it up...stains, rips, etc. Radio is there but it doesn't work.

    Some rust through around the wheel wells on one of the rear panels. I'll assume it's easier to replace the sheet metal than it would be to sand and bondo it.

    Tires are good. The little hub caps all are dented and need to be replaced.

    To sum up, it needs paint, maybe some electrical work. 1 panel in the rear.....a top...some cosmetic parts. I figure a couple grand should cover it.

    Told the couple I'll let them know tomorrow if I want it. I need to sleep on it.

    Thanks for the advice.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    As of now we're only talking about $17 of gas

    OK well if you buy the Service Contract and the GAP I will throw in the $17 worth of gas :D:D
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    OK well you buy the Service Contract and GAP I will throw in the $17 worth of gas.

    LOL... there you go! ;)

    May not work with someone named the jipster, but I'm sure there are many out there that would see the word "free" and ignore what follows. I always get a chuckle when dealerships/banks etc would advertise a "Free" 20" television with side toaster oven, with the purchase of any new vehicle/loan. "Well, I may have spent 38k on that new Lincoln I didn't need, but I got a $200 t.v for FREE" :surprise:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I wouldn't bother with a compression test. If it starts right up and has plenty of pep, the ocmpression is probaly fine. Even if it isn't, that engine is an easy overhaul.

    I would be more concerned about rust. did you lift up the rear seat and look under where the battery sits? Here on the west coast, we dont' know what rust is but I know that is a problem area for those.

    That convertable top is going to be very expensive is you do it right. Know that.

    Also. there are a lot of inferior reproduction parts out there so be careful.

    Still, for 700.00, don't lose this car!
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Ya there is a guy here that wears a Jacket from a Casino in Tunica Mississippi. he went one weekend and lost like $3500, but he got the jacket for "free".
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I had a guy that was really grinding one of our other salesguides on a LR3. He wantes this free and that free and he wanted us to throw in this and that and he was only going to pay such and such.

    Oh and he wanted the Special Tent that bolts to the back of the LR3 for free.

    I pull him to the side and tell him, "Just agree to all of what he just asked and tell him you can have the car for free but the tent is forty Grand. You have to totaly deadpan it and look completly serious though or it won't work."

    He goes back in, or maybe he had to call him back up I can't remember, the guy laughs and says ok fine you have a deal.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I pull him to the side and tell him, "Just agree to all of what he just asked and tell him you can have the car for free but the tent is forty Grand. You have to totaly deadpan it and look completly serious though or it won't work."

    If the guy said "OK, but I don't need the tent" would you have given him the car for free?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    If the guy said "OK, but I don't need the tent" would you have given him the car for free?

    Dang and we were that close to being back on topic telling sales stories :cry:
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Would you have really expected less from snake?
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    ...I was able to prepay a 24 month lease on a 07 Supercab for $5900.

    I want to prepay a lease the next time I change cars, but everybody I have discussed it with in the past (including "leasing consultants" at the dealership) says it is a bad idea. When I press them for reasons it all gets a bit vague. I think it is a good idea (for me) and you obviously do too or you wouldn't have done it and you're in the finance office. So, does that mean it is a good idea, and if not why not?
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Isn't your money lost if you total the vehicle?
This discussion has been closed.