I'm with you on this one Isell. Any salesman that interrupts our discussions will lose my business. If your phone does ring when you're with a customer, your voice mail can pick it up, and usually in any discussions, a break will come up shortly and you can check the call. If a salesman is with me and asks if I'd mind if he took the call, I'd say Yes.
I've even had them take calls from other dealerships!
I've heard you say this before and if it were me and I didn't think I had a much better than even chance of selling them, I would excuse myself and not return.
Those cell phone geeks are very important people and don't care where they conduct their business. The ones in restaurants are the most obnoxious to me since I'm not in the biz and have them conducting business with my competitor while at the negotiating table.
Not too long ago I started to rap on my water glass with a fork (like they do at weddings when guests want the newlyweds to kiss) when someone in the restaurant was talking too loud (boy, did Mrs. jmonroe get upset when I did this). I accomplished what I wanted but only when about half the people in the restaurant caught on and did the same thing. I guess it's no fun talking when you can't hear, so she hung up in disgust. Then I had to put up with you know who for about 10 minutes.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
It's just rude and it's rude when a customer gets on their cell phone when they are in my office.
When someone else is spending their money (i.e. when I am with a client) I never answer my phone and I don't mind it when they answer theirs. Now if I am the one spending the money (me being the customer) there are certain people that when they call I will answer. People like my wife, and don't take this the wrong way, but no sales person will never be so important to me that I wouldn't answer the wifes call.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Would have loved to have been there for the rapping glass with a fork thing.
There had to be at least six couples that stopped at our table on their way out to say they liked that and would do it themselves if the situation ever presented itself to them. To be perfectly honest, I think this is what saved me.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
just curious, if cell phones are so unsafe what % increase in car accidents are tied to cell phones? I have been looking for the study that shows the sharp increase in accidents with the sharp increase will cell phone use.
If it's my wife, she totally understands when I don't take her call. She knows I'm busy and she knows I'll call her back. I would think most wives would understand.
I don't need a "study" to tell me that cell phone usage has got to be a major contributor to car accidents. I can think of at least six times when I have seen someone so totally absorbed in a conversation that they were paying no attention to their driving.
If it came up for a vote to make cell phone usage illegal while driving I would be all for it and that includes "hands free" usage too. Driving a car requires total attention to what a person is doing.
How many calls are really all that important anyway?
I was having dinner when this post came in...no, not at a restaurant but at the family homestead. It looks like a couple posters chimed in here while I was disposed. Both had very valid points. No, I can't show you any "study" but seriously do you really need one to get the point.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
One study I read said that hand held cell phone use is equal to driving drunk. Here in the People's Republic of New York hand held cell driving is outlawed. Doesn't stop it, but it's illegal. (I was once almost run down by a state trooper in a school zone who was talking on a cell phone).
Just to make this post on topic, Isell, you sound much brighter now that you've sold a few cars.
BTW, I don't even own a cell phone.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Well, thanks but I've actually been pretty busy all month.
There are definatly highs and lows to this business. for me, they are mainly related to the customers I deal with and not the number of cars I sell. The wonderful people I deal with make up for some of the others.
Most all of the dealers here are closed on sundays and some are only open 9 till 1 on saturdays while others are only open 9 till 4 on saturdays, would be nice if they were open on sundays would give customer more time to test drive and shop.
C'mon, you don't really consider that a restaurant do ya?
However, I was at one a couple of months ago to celebrate #2 grandsons birthday. I wasn't expecting real food or a quiet place so I wasn't disappointed.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
just curious, if cell phones are so unsafe what % increase in car accidents are tied to cell phones? I have been looking for the study that shows the sharp increase in accidents with the sharp increase will cell phone use.
"Yeah, we just love people like you on busy weekends...test drive cars...shop....shop...and never buy."
For a long time, I've been attracted to Mazdas and wanted to experience all the sporty models. It doesn't help that there is a Mazda dealer less than 1/2 mile from my neighborhood and I pass by it every day.
Except, after driving two cars there and not buying, it's now like I'm on some kind of "black list." Maybe they recognize me as a "looker" and stay away.
I haven't ever gotten serious with them and talked numbers because they always blow it before then. When I drove the nearly-new MX-5, the salesman told me they don't negotiate prices on used cars? He was serious, and it wasn't a great price.
When I bought my Accord back in Feb, I gave them a shot but I tried the internet department this time, sent emails and they called me to talk on the phone. They wouldn't give me straight answers (price quote or even tell me if they would honor my Ford supplier pricing or not), and the Honda dealership was a much better experience.
Last time I was approached by a sales manager who asked me if he could send someone to help, I told him sure, my wife has mentioned she wants a larger car than the 2-door she is driving (this is true, she is looking). No one ever came, LOL... If there was somewhere I could go and pay to drive them I would...
Oh yeah, I haven't ever been there when they were busy.
No, the people working there should get some time off with their families. They already work when most people aren't and there are plenty of times available to BUY cars, not to keep shopping and never buy...
I haven't ever gotten serious with them and talked numbers because they always blow it before then.
I'm not sure what this means? How do you know they won't deal with you unless you make them an offer? When the salesman said they don't negotiate prices, did you respond with something like, "Well this vehicle could fit my needs, but it's just a bit more than I'd like to pay. Would you like to see if we could reach an agreement to make a deal?" Or did you get peeved by his line and leave?
At the end of the day, perhaps you are better of to find another dealer. Sometimes the chemistry is just not there. I must admit, there are some dealers I prefer to others. Sometimes the tone is set by the management of the place.
When we were returning to the dealership and he wanted to know how I liked the car, I tested the waters by asking him if they would include all drive-off costs in the asking price (tax, tags, any additional fees). An expected response would have been "When we get back, let's see what we can do" oe even "I know we don't have much room in this one but we'll see."
Instead, he immediately responded "No, we don't ever negotiate at all on any of our used cars. The price you see is the price." If I wanted one no-haggle, slightly high price I'd just go to CarMax...
There are other Mazda dealers within 30 miles but I really do like to buy cars locally. I didn't even shop the local Honda dealer's bottom price with any of the 3 other Honda dealers within 30 miles, because they had a good price from the beginning, were pleasant to deal with and are less than 5 miles from the house. The only thing I don't like about them is the service departments hours, they are only open like 9-5:30 M-F. I guess with my last car I got used to not having to take time off of work to get a service.
I agree if people want to talk in private just ask for a minute alone and I will give it to them.
My language skills are decent but they are limited to just a few phrases from the romance languages and basic conversational Spanish.
It is fun when people use a language that I know a little bit about though and think I am clueless to what they are saying.
In this case though I really think the father did not speak english very well. The only thing he said in english the whole time was, "thank you we leave now," and even that was heavily accented and took a while for him to get out.
"No, the people working there should get some time off with their families."
That's solved by a staggered work schedule, like all the other retail businesses open on Sunday use. I suppose small dealerships couldn't support this.
"Yeah, we just love people on busy weekends...test drive cars...shop....shop...and never buy."
I agree with honest straight up business, but where were you, Isell when I came on here in March talking about the car I just went to buy 120 miles away after net sales mgr told me $22k would buy it and had discussed trade (my trade was newer than his Mustang) but when I got there his car was now $24,995. What happened to the phone agreement? I arrived with cash, title and a pen expecting to drive home in the Mustang. Then to add insult to injury, one of the sales people on here says "did you get the $22k quote in writing?". Ding Ding unfair. A phone quote should suffice. If not then why should I care about "any" salesperson or their word. This is why customers just don't care. Burned one too many times! Idiot called me 2 days later. It was a Nissan dealer in Greenville, NC. I told him what &^%$%#(^& goodbye.
You would be amazed at what it cost to add a day to the open schedule, just in personnel costs, not to mention utilities, etc. Thank goodness we have a state law preventing motor vehicle sales on Sunday. This includes RVs, trailers, boats, etc.
No offense Mako1a but I agree with what the salesperson said; when you've come to any number you agree on with a salesperson, it's a good idea to get that number in writing if you intend to seriously follow up on it.
Like you, this past January after test driving Honda Odysseys, I did all the actual price negotiations with our local dealer over the phone. When we got to a price we both liked, I said "if you can fax me a buyer's order at that price you've got yourself a sale". Our salesman did just that, and it was a done deal.
Phone quotes have no real evidence of ever happening (well, I guess you could record the phone call, but does anyone ever do that??), and since both buyers and salesmen lie on the phone in order to gain a negotiating advantage, they aren't worth that much. For the real deal you need something on paper.
Thats within $739 of what the dealer offered if you consider the 3% sales tax in VA you would be paying on the $18700. By the time you figure in advertising and your time you would be pretty close to the same.
and since both buyers and salesmen lie on the phone in order to gain a negotiating advantage
When a salesperson burns a serious, title and cash in hand buyer why would they expect anything but drift talking buyers that get numbers, test drive and leave just for fun.
As Mr Bush said "fool me once...er ahh well, we won't get fooled again"
Not really. However I now assume all nissan dealers are price liars and I will never buy a mustang. I used to buy new every 1 to 2 years, but now that I'm retired a new car is no longer necessary. I was going for a Yellow Mustang GT with Shaker 1000 "just for a thrill", but now that is dashed. Choices are becoming limited due to all the lying. Exciting cars don't exist here thus the long drive to be fooled by a nissan internet hustler. I'll try a new Corvette as a last hurrah. If that doesn't work I guess I'll go to Puget Sound and test drive Hondas day in and day out. j/k.
However I now assume all nissan dealers are price liars
That is kinda like saying that since Enron was run by greedy crooks, all businesses are run by greedy crooks. Or, to simplify, since I saw a red sludgemobile, all sludgemobiles are red.
True, there are excellent car salesmen and there are shady car salesmen out there, I think its taking it a bit far to say that all of one brand dealer is a liar.
To respond to Isell I do test drive until i find which car is right for me, i'm sure you have customer that come in just to test drive a Honda and do not purchase.
So does the "bad" experience you had once brand all salespeople and dealers as untrustworthy?
It shouldn’t but when buyers have this happen to them (driving 120 miles to find out you were lied to and then driving 120 miles home without what you went to buy) and have heard this type of thing from others about car dealers it’s not hard to see why the poster is upset.
Of course if after hearing all the things you do about dealers, a buyer should get prices in writing when dealing over the phone (if that even means anything). So, I’m sure the poster kicked himself a time or two on that ride home with nothing to show for it. :sick:
BTW, the last time I bought I did it via the phone and I never asked for the price in writing. Of course it wasn’t 120 miles away either. It was only 20 miles across town and I had been planning to get something only a mile from the dealer anyway so if there were any games to be played it was no big whoop as far as I was concerned.
I even mentioned to Mrs. jmonroe to be ready for anything since I don't have anything in writing and she said, "why should you care if we don't buy the car, it's only for me! You've been planning to buy that tool over there for about a month. You'll be satisfied either way". I hate it when she has me figured out like that.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
For years of buying I test drove 5 minutes in traffic and 10 minutes on highway. If I got 500 or maybe 1k off sticker that was fine. Trade was rarely a problem as I happened to buy popular cars and took good care of them as my job required travel (their treat). I never was much on waiting. Usually the longest part was waiting for the dealer to pull plastic and prep. I insisted they set the clock. If the whole thing took over 2 hours it was them holding up the works.
Being "senior" enough for a Cadillac was always going to be the end game. Then the 6 cyl Caddy stick shift I saw changed that. Caddy was out. Where is the Brougham when you need one? Now mustang is out, then nissan is out. I'm on my second Toyota. Nice cars, but boring. Olds quit, sadly. Aurora was great. Pontiac should hang it up. Buick has potential but Park Avenue discontinued? Why? Ford 500 was a good, but underpowered idea. Now renamed Tarus. Give me a break. Now you made me dislike a good car because of a bad name. Corvette is the last of a legend and may be the last great thrill of my life. Premium gas and wifes dislike of 2 seater (no doggies allowed) may squelch that. Can I get a V8 coffin on wheels so I can drive to that last parking space 6 feet under? And don't forget to set the clock.
Comments
I've heard you say this before and if it were me and I didn't think I had a much better than even chance of selling them, I would excuse myself and not return.
Those cell phone geeks are very important people and don't care where they conduct their business. The ones in restaurants are the most obnoxious to me since I'm not in the biz and have them conducting business with my competitor while at the negotiating table.
Not too long ago I started to rap on my water glass with a fork (like they do at weddings when guests want the newlyweds to kiss) when someone in the restaurant was talking too loud (boy, did Mrs. jmonroe get upset when I did this). I accomplished what I wanted but only when about half the people in the restaurant caught on and did the same thing. I guess it's no fun talking when you can't hear, so she hung up in disgust. Then I had to put up with you know who for about 10 minutes.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
When someone else is spending their money (i.e. when I am with a client) I never answer my phone and I don't mind it when they answer theirs. Now if I am the one spending the money (me being the customer) there are certain people that when they call I will answer. People like my wife, and don't take this the wrong way, but no sales person will never be so important to me that I wouldn't answer the wifes call.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Only 10 minutes? You got off easy dawg.
Would have loved to have been there for the rapping glass with a fork thing. That's some real life drama there.
You mean WHIPPED? :P
Yes, I would have!!!
There are two things that I don't like when I'm eating; cold soup and noise to the extent that I can't hear what's being said from across the table.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yeah I know, she was in a good mood. :surprise:
Would have loved to have been there for the rapping glass with a fork thing.
There had to be at least six couples that stopped at our table on their way out to say they liked that and would do it themselves if the situation ever presented itself to them. To be perfectly honest, I think this is what saved me.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Is there a study that shows any relation?
If it came up for a vote to make cell phone usage illegal while driving I would be all for it and that includes "hands free" usage too. Driving a car requires total attention to what a person is doing.
How many calls are really all that important anyway?
Well, we have the rainy season and we have August.
No humidity to speak of and no bugs. Just lots of rain!
Was that "She Who Must Be Obeyed"?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I was having dinner when this post came in...no, not at a restaurant but at the family homestead. It looks like a couple posters chimed in here while I was disposed. Both had very valid points. No, I can't show you any "study" but seriously do you really need one to get the point.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
One study I read said that hand held cell phone use is equal to driving drunk. Here in the People's Republic of New York hand held cell driving is outlawed. Doesn't stop it, but it's illegal. (I was once almost run down by a state trooper in a school zone who was talking on a cell phone).
Just to make this post on topic, Isell, you sound much brighter now that you've sold a few cars.
BTW, I don't even own a cell phone.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
NO,...that's another posters wife. I have enough problems listening to my own.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
There are definatly highs and lows to this business. for me, they are mainly related to the customers I deal with and not the number of cars I sell. The wonderful people I deal with make up for some of the others.
You already said they were open on Saturday. How many Saturday's do you want them to be open in one week? :surprise:
I think you're suffering from the syndrome that's known in the biz as "too much shopping/test driving".
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Nothing wrong with shopping and test driving
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
So can I but none of them had a cell phone involved.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
IIRC I am the only one who has used that phrase.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Oh, make offers and then reneg on them..I forgot about that one.
C'mon, you don't really consider that a restaurant do ya?
However, I was at one a couple of months ago to celebrate #2 grandsons birthday. I wasn't expecting real food or a quiet place so I wasn't disappointed.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Well they do sell something that is ment for human consumption.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Is there a study that shows any relation?
You might try looking in here:
Should Cell Phone Users Be Singled Out Forum
Don't you know? Sundays are for looking at the dealers inventory without a salesman hanging over your shoulder.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
For a long time, I've been attracted to Mazdas and wanted to experience all the sporty models. It doesn't help that there is a Mazda dealer less than 1/2 mile from my neighborhood and I pass by it every day.
Except, after driving two cars there and not buying, it's now like I'm on some kind of "black list." Maybe they recognize me as a "looker" and stay away.
I haven't ever gotten serious with them and talked numbers because they always blow it before then. When I drove the nearly-new MX-5, the salesman told me they don't negotiate prices on used cars? He was serious, and it wasn't a great price.
When I bought my Accord back in Feb, I gave them a shot but I tried the internet department this time, sent emails and they called me to talk on the phone. They wouldn't give me straight answers (price quote or even tell me if they would honor my Ford supplier pricing or not), and the Honda dealership was a much better experience.
Last time I was approached by a sales manager who asked me if he could send someone to help, I told him sure, my wife has mentioned she wants a larger car than the 2-door she is driving (this is true, she is looking). No one ever came, LOL... If there was somewhere I could go and pay to drive them I would...
Oh yeah, I haven't ever been there when they were busy.
No, the people working there should get some time off with their families. They already work when most people aren't and there are plenty of times available to BUY cars, not to keep shopping and never buy...
I'm not sure what this means? How do you know they won't deal with you unless you make them an offer? When the salesman said they don't negotiate prices, did you respond with something like, "Well this vehicle could fit my needs, but it's just a bit more than I'd like to pay. Would you like to see if we could reach an agreement to make a deal?" Or did you get peeved by his line and leave?
At the end of the day, perhaps you are better of to find another dealer. Sometimes the chemistry is just not there. I must admit, there are some dealers I prefer to others. Sometimes the tone is set by the management of the place.
Instead, he immediately responded "No, we don't ever negotiate at all on any of our used cars. The price you see is the price." If I wanted one no-haggle, slightly high price I'd just go to CarMax...
There are other Mazda dealers within 30 miles but I really do like to buy cars locally. I didn't even shop the local Honda dealer's bottom price with any of the 3 other Honda dealers within 30 miles, because they had a good price from the beginning, were pleasant to deal with and are less than 5 miles from the house. The only thing I don't like about them is the service departments hours, they are only open like 9-5:30 M-F. I guess with my last car I got used to not having to take time off of work to get a service.
My language skills are decent but they are limited to just a few phrases from the romance languages and basic conversational Spanish.
It is fun when people use a language that I know a little bit about though and think I am clueless to what they are saying.
In this case though I really think the father did not speak english very well. The only thing he said in english the whole time was, "thank you we leave now," and even that was heavily accented and took a while for him to get out.
That's solved by a staggered work schedule, like all the other retail businesses open on Sunday use. I suppose small dealerships couldn't support this.
I agree with honest straight up business, but where were you, Isell when I came on here in March talking about the car I just went to buy 120 miles away after net sales mgr told me $22k would buy it and had discussed trade (my trade was newer than his Mustang) but when I got there his car was now $24,995. What happened to the phone agreement? I arrived with cash, title and a pen expecting to drive home in the Mustang. Then to add insult to injury, one of the sales people on here says "did you get the $22k quote in writing?". Ding Ding unfair. A phone quote should suffice. If not then why should I care about "any" salesperson or their word. This is why customers just don't care. Burned one too many times! Idiot called me 2 days later. It was a Nissan dealer in Greenville, NC. I told him what &^%$%#(^& goodbye.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Like you, this past January after test driving Honda Odysseys, I did all the actual price negotiations with our local dealer over the phone. When we got to a price we both liked, I said "if you can fax me a buyer's order at that price you've got yourself a sale". Our salesman did just that, and it was a done deal.
Phone quotes have no real evidence of ever happening (well, I guess you could record the phone call, but does anyone ever do that??), and since both buyers and salesmen lie on the phone in order to gain a negotiating advantage, they aren't worth that much. For the real deal you need something on paper.
When a salesperson burns a serious, title and cash in hand buyer why would they expect anything but drift talking buyers that get numbers, test drive and leave just for fun.
As Mr Bush said "fool me once...er ahh well, we won't get fooled again"
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
You and Horace Rumpole. My wife has a coffee cup with that printed on the side.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
If that doesn't work I guess I'll go to Puget Sound and test drive Hondas day in and day out. j/k.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
That is kinda like saying that since Enron was run by greedy crooks, all businesses are run by greedy crooks. Or, to simplify, since I saw a red sludgemobile, all sludgemobiles are red.
To respond to Isell I do test drive until i find which car is right for me, i'm sure you have customer that come in just to test drive a Honda and do not purchase.
It shouldn’t but when buyers have this happen to them (driving 120 miles to find out you were lied to and then driving 120 miles home without what you went to buy) and have heard this type of thing from others about car dealers it’s not hard to see why the poster is upset.
Of course if after hearing all the things you do about dealers, a buyer should get prices in writing when dealing over the phone (if that even means anything). So, I’m sure the poster kicked himself a time or two on that ride home with nothing to show for it. :sick:
BTW, the last time I bought I did it via the phone and I never asked for the price in writing. Of course it wasn’t 120 miles away either. It was only 20 miles across town and I had been planning to get something only a mile from the dealer anyway so if there were any games to be played it was no big whoop as far as I was concerned.
I even mentioned to Mrs. jmonroe to be ready for anything since I don't have anything in writing and she said, "why should you care if we don't buy the car, it's only for me! You've been planning to buy that tool over there for about a month. You'll be satisfied either way". I hate it when she has me figured out like that.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
OK. you had a bad experience. Let's assume you were completely int he right and you didn't misunderstand anthing. shame on them.
Move on.
I use this it work to annoy people...err I mean to point out logical errors...all the time.
Being "senior" enough for a Cadillac was always going to be the end game. Then the 6 cyl Caddy stick shift I saw changed that. Caddy was out. Where is the Brougham when you need one? Now mustang is out, then nissan is out. I'm on my second Toyota. Nice cars, but boring. Olds quit, sadly. Aurora was great. Pontiac should hang it up. Buick has potential but Park Avenue discontinued? Why? Ford 500 was a good, but underpowered idea. Now renamed Tarus. Give me a break. Now you made me dislike a good car because of a bad name. Corvette is the last of a legend and may be the last great thrill of my life. Premium gas and wifes dislike of 2 seater (no doggies allowed) may squelch that. Can I get a V8 coffin on wheels so I can drive to that last parking space 6 feet under? And don't forget to set the clock.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali