Mr. Monroe, let us not be sooo quick to blame the dealer and question his scruples. These are always run by a promo company. My guess is he will hold them responsible then honor the tickets. I really believe that it is the promo company who is hung out to dry.
Sounds to me like an unscrupulous dealer blaming this on their marketing company all under the guise of promoting business.
From what I heard, I think it was a mistake by the agency. I don't think it would be a good promotion in the end. I caught the tail end of the story on the radio saying something about offering $5 Walmart gift cards to the people that came back. I took it as joke...
you would have some amazing things to say about the average consumer
Yes consumers can be very difficult, but alas they make our economy go around. I try to live by the motto of not stooping to the behaviour of the bad ones as it makes me no better than them. Stay above the fray and keep your eyes on your end goals. I will admit I have been a very challenging consumer at times. I remember apologizing to a car sales person when I was in my 20s. They were a bit intrusive at the start with questions and I was overly aggressive in fending them off. Seems like an eternity ago :sick:
The same thing happened here in Florida with one of their lottery games. One of the winning tickets for $250K was a misprint and they refused to acknowledge it, the winners are sueing.
Correct. If many consumers, like me, believe that there is no One Most Glorious True and Perfect Car, then it's not a big deal to come back the next day and find it gone. Just as you won't spend hours wringing your hands over the one lost customer, I'm not going to do likewise over a lost vehicle deal.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Come on, don't apologize. Your candor was refreshing. Any one who sells to the public has had their share of wackos, cheapiees and people who are working out their personal problems on you. To see some of those S.O.B.'s get their's does feel good.
Remember, Retailing would be the perfect job...if it wasn't for the customers. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I would agree with that. I am never so tied to one vehicle that it's the end of the world if I don't get it.
Long ago in a car dealership far away (well, not really - just 20 miles up the road) I had a dealership try every credit card trick in the book. It took the threat to call the police to get my credit card back. All this over a cheap used car.
Now I readily acknowledge that this was quite some time ago (the infant I had along for this is starting college) and at a mega dealership that has a hideous reputation (they are still around but keep changing their name but not their owner always saying they are cleaning up the last guy's act) but the fact is that it makes me very wary with the credit card.
Don't get me wrong - I use a credit card for deposits no problem but that incident is always on my mind.
You sales folks here did not create the problem but I have little doubt that most buyers in here harbor horror stories of their own.
I try as much as I can to enter car transactions much in the same way that I handle other transactions. I am dealing with an individual - not a stereotype. If we connect that's good. If not it is not worth my time to get into an argument over how a transaction should go.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I would HOPE they have insurance for that. If indeed the guys running the promo are at fault I hope they are insured as well.
Were i the dealer and indeed believed it was the promoters fault I'd be paying out the winners and suing the promoter at fault for the money. Having people holding a winning ticket and not getting paid hanging around the place can't be good for business.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
From what I heard, I think it was a mistake by the agency. I don't think it would be a good promotion in the end.
Hey guys, (epiney and lrguy44) my post #14507 was a tongue-in-cheek post!! :confuse: Look at all the Emotorcons I used. Although I wasn't kidding about cleaning up that mess.
We have a well known poster here that is a "bean counter", maybe he has seen this before and has some insight as to how these things are handled. I'm thinking the oft used caveat "Not Responsible for Typographical Errors" may come into play here. But the fallout could be devastating for the dealer. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
We once had our home on the market. Very nice house, well kept and priced to sell. A nasty couple came to look at it. They walked through and basically nitpicked everything. They didn't have one nice thing to say. But, the next day, an offer came through from them. It was a low offer with seval stipulations. We countered back at full price. Before they could respond, we accepted another offer from a happy, wonderful family that was just under what we were asking. I heard the other couple just threw a tantrum!
Nice sales story! It's one that people should learn from, but probably won't It's the old "you can get more with honey than with vinegar". I've also experienced the "nasty" customer and refused to be "bullied" into losing money to boost their ego. I always try to be the one with honey whether I'm on the sale's or on the buyer's side of the table.
... My guess is he will hold them responsible then honor the tickets. ...
He was only able to stop ~20,000 tickets from going out. You actually think the promo company or the dealership is actually going to give away $30,000,000??? :surprise: Dealers don't even want to take a couple grand off ONE car, let alone give away $30M.
Like a previous poster, I bet they will "invite" the people back to get $1K off the purchase of a new (probably outgoing model) car. It has scam written all over it. Granted, it probably started out as a mistake, but dealerships have a way of exploiting any conceivable situation.
Thanks, br. I also found it interesting. I noticed this was one of the bad behaviors listed:
Taking up an employee's time with questions about a product while knowing you're going to buy it elsewhere.
This must also be an issue with car sales, especially when there are several dealers within the area. I think this would be one behavior that would drive me batty! :mad:
How can this behavior be screened? Especially in the car sales business, where the customer shows up maybe once every 4 years?
55% of comunication is body language. You can ussually tell if someone is going to buy at the another dealer. Number one reason for buying at another They don't like the sales person. Then I would say price but if they like you they will give up the reason of price. But to get back to the question. You can tell if someone is coming in just to get information because they seem like they are ready to leave the second they get there.
This is not something that happens often, it might happen once a year if that in my experience.
I used to work at store that would "whore" them out and we would tell people drive it next to where you live then come in and buy it here if you like it.
Another reason that would happen is if, lets say I have a aunt who lives 60 miles away. I tell her to drive the car there than if she likes it come buy it from me
I didn't get a chance to read unwanted customers yet. But from your post I think I understand what it was about.
If your company allows it another great way to stay in touch throughout the day is IM. We both have yahoo and since we did that those 15 calls a day I talked about earlier are actually about 5 now.
I've had cars from the factory with over 100+ miles (QC)or dealer trade or just demo drives. Never been a problem. Also, not bad for all the way from England.
Yeah - the only problem is that there are still some people legitimately "kicking" tires with no intention of buying "today" (or even "tomorrow"), but using the experience as a screening tool for real future purchase - and memories like that last quite long.
Many if not most are reasonable and understand value of commissioned personel's time, but we still want some first-hand info about the product and the store. Treating those ups who are just kicking tires now poorly will certainly lose their business when time comes.
I understand sales person lives and dies by "sale today", but there should be some reasonable time alloted for those who are not ready to sign under the dotted line just yet. All within reason of course...
Yeah - the only problem is that there are still some people legitimately "kicking" tires with no intention of buying "today" (or even "tomorrow"), but using the experience as a screening tool for real future purchase - and memories like that last quite long.
I agree 100%... You never know what people are going to do. You have to treat everyone the same weather they are buying today or 6 months. If they are coming to my store today and not buying 6 months chances are they will go to 5 other stores in that time period. All i can do is try to get people all the info they are looking for when they are here.
I have at least 2 - 3 people a month that I worked with in the last three months back that will come in and buy.
I try to make a good impression but sometimes that doesn't necessarily help. People that are 6 months out from buying and go to 5 or 6 different stores don't remember you the next day. In the event they come back to your store in 6 months to buy, someone else usually gets the sale. It's just a fact of this business. Mackabee
"...taking up an employee's time with questions about a product while knowing you're going to buy it elsewhere..."
Those are the worst. How does this compare to the salesmen's experiences. I'm standing in a field of 5000 mums which I'm selling and a car pulls in. A man gets out and asks: "Hey, I just bought about 50 of these from Wal-Mart and I was wondering if you could tell me how to grow them."
What would be the equivalent in the car biz? Someone comes in and asks for advice on how to get the best deal at the store across the street? Some people! :mad:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The car has finally arrived. 273 miles on it coming from North Carolina. After inspecting the car only some minor defects found. Two Pin size dings near trunk and the rear door seal was loose. Manager took notes and wrote up a work order. Financing was a breeze, 36 months and .7% rate. This gave us a $500 rebate for financing thru NMAC and another $500 rebate for purchase. All in all a good experience. The dealership here seems to have some good managers and sales personnel and I asked around the shop and people were happy with their service. The car runs nice and I actually found it more comforable than the Camry. More headroom and leg room up front. Thanks for all the words of advice, humor and stories. I look forward to contined reading.
To greenpea and macabee a special thanks. Obviously both professionals. Having been a cop and a realtor, I know what it's like to put up with all the preconcieved slights on your profession. By the way, movies and TV don't do well by cops either. I have not seen a show lately where the cop is not corrupt or pschotic.
I think I have an idea that will make the "winners", dealership, and promo company happy. Award all responding winners with the ole $1000 online shopping spree and call it a day.
The worst is "I just bought a car from A. private party or b. from a used car dealer and can you show me all about how it works and take me on your off road track?"
I think we beat the cell phone debate to death so here's another episode of the continuing sage: "The Double Whammy!" I'm taking a breather while the Shue's are in the box. I get a call and it's my boy. They are about a block away and soon I see his silver Scion tC pull up. I direct him to an empty space and help him get my grandson out of the car seat. "Wow! Those salesmen look like vultures." exclaims my daughter in-law. "Yep, I told you it was a mad house, let me get my D-tag and we'll take a Camry for a ride." I open an SE for them and get the a/c going and tell them to wait in the car for me. Mack Jr. is placing the car seat in the back as I go to get my tag. We head out to the boulevard and Mack Jr. asks if he can take it on the express way. "Hey Dad, can I take it on the express way?" he asks. "Go right ahead." I reply. We get on the express way and he floors it. Then we take a road that has some twisty roads and he checks the handling. "It handles nice Dad." he tells me. I'm busy trying to make my grandson laugh so I just nod my head to acknowledge him. We get back to the dealership and put the car back in its space. I get out of the car and I see a used RAV4 with two women in it and they stop. I see Patrice in the passenger seat and she yells out at me "Hi Mack! I came back to get my car." She's with another salesperson from the outside sales team so I ask her if she asked for me. "Did you ask for me?" "I was so confused with all the activity going on that I forgot." she says. "Ok, go ahead and work with her." I tell her. The other sales lady asks me if I want her back. "No go ahead. I have mi kids here looking at a car." I walk back to where my family is and my son notices that I'm not smiling. "What's wrong Dad?" he asks. "Nothing Champ." I reply. "You know that lady?" he asks. "Yeah, I sold her a Camry a few years back." I reply. He asks me why I didn't help her and I tell him that I'm with them and they come first. "That's alright Dad, we understand." Mackabee Jr. tells me. I shrug my shoulders and we start walking over to the 4runners. We find one they like and get in it. As we make a turn around the dealership Patrice sees me in the vehicle and flags us down. She walks up to my window and says "Mack, I told you I would come back. I got $15,000.00 to put down," then continues; "that should be enough right?" .................................................. TO BE CONTINUED........
Will Patrice buy a RAV4 and put 15k down? :confuse: Will Mack Jr. buy a Camry or a 4runner? And what happened to the Shues? Are they still in the box? :confuse: Confused? Don't be, these and other important questions will be answered in our next episode: "This Shue stinks"
The worst is "I just bought a car from A. private party or b. from a used car dealer and can you show me all about how it works
You win, that is the worst. We had a guy just the other night pull up with his shiny carmax front plate in a 06 EB Explorer. he said that Carmax told him to come over because we might have a manual he could have and we would show him how to program his keyless entry pad.
I happen to be monitoring the lot and I told him that he needed to go back to Carmax and let them service what they sell. He left mad :confuse:
We have a well known poster here that is a "bean counter", maybe he has seen this before and has some insight as to how these things are handled.
Sorry I have no ideal what can happen here, this is a job for a lawyer. I will e-mail my Professor/Medical Doctor/MBA/Lawyer sister (yes she is all of those I kid you not) and ask her.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The worst is "I just bought a car from A. private party or b. from a used car dealer and can you show me all about how it works
You win, that is the worst
I will give you the worst: A guy shopped 5 dealerships in the Bay Area(CA)for a specific Audi A4 with Titanium package, test-drove at each one, talked numbers at each one. Finally he buys a car in Seattle, WA, the car gets shipped to his house. A week later he shows up with his new car at our dealership, cp,plains about scratches,asks to test-drive a similar A4 and wants my opinion on what's wrong with this car - he feels that it performs different from the cars he test-drove. I was so stunned that didn't even kick him out, I actually drove his new car around the block to see what's wrong with it. Obviously the car was fine, and I didn't let him drive another new car.
he said that Carmax told him to come over because we might have a manual he could have and we would show him how to program his keyless entry pad.
You should be able to get the manual from the manufacturer and there are a few specialty book stores (I know of one in Oregon but can't remember the name) that will carry old ones.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Comments
From what I heard, I think it was a mistake by the agency. I don't think it would be a good promotion in the end. I caught the tail end of the story on the radio saying something about offering $5 Walmart gift cards to the people that came back. I took it as joke...
Yes consumers can be very difficult, but alas they make our economy go around. I try to live by the motto of not stooping to the behaviour of the bad ones as it makes me no better than them. Stay above the fray and keep your eyes on your end goals. I will admit I have been a very challenging consumer at times. I remember apologizing to a car sales person when I was in my 20s. They were a bit intrusive at the start with questions and I was overly aggressive in fending them off. Seems like an eternity ago :sick:
When a customer tells me they want to think about it I always tell them the same thing. Maybe you guys have heard this one before.
" The car you are thinking about tonight, someone was thinking about yesterday and will be in today to buy it"
Just like the original post says they will take their chances.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Come on, don't apologize. Your candor was refreshing. Any one who sells to the public has had their share of wackos, cheapiees and people who are working out their personal problems on you. To see some of those S.O.B.'s get their's does feel good.
Remember, Retailing would be the perfect job...if it wasn't for the customers. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Long ago in a car dealership far away (well, not really - just 20 miles up the road) I had a dealership try every credit card trick in the book. It took the threat to call the police to get my credit card back. All this over a cheap used car.
Now I readily acknowledge that this was quite some time ago (the infant I had along for this is starting college) and at a mega dealership that has a hideous reputation (they are still around but keep changing their name but not their owner always saying they are cleaning up the last guy's act) but the fact is that it makes me very wary with the credit card.
Don't get me wrong - I use a credit card for deposits no problem but that incident is always on my mind.
You sales folks here did not create the problem but I have little doubt that most buyers in here harbor horror stories of their own.
I try as much as I can to enter car transactions much in the same way that I handle other transactions. I am dealing with an individual - not a stereotype. If we connect that's good. If not it is not worth my time to get into an argument over how a transaction should go.
Were i the dealer and indeed believed it was the promoters fault I'd be paying out the winners and suing the promoter at fault for the money. Having people holding a winning ticket and not getting paid hanging around the place can't be good for business.
Hey guys, (epiney and lrguy44) my post #14507 was a tongue-in-cheek post!! :confuse: Look at all the Emotorcons I used. Although I wasn't kidding about cleaning up that mess.
We have a well known poster here that is a "bean counter", maybe he has seen this before and has some insight as to how these things are handled. I'm thinking the oft used caveat "Not Responsible for Typographical Errors" may come into play here. But the fallout could be devastating for the dealer. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
A nasty couple came to look at it. They walked through and basically nitpicked everything. They didn't have one nice thing to say. But, the next day, an offer came through from them. It was a low offer with seval stipulations.
We countered back at full price.
Before they could respond, we accepted another offer from a happy, wonderful family that was just under what we were asking. I heard the other couple just threw a tantrum!
Nice sales story! It's one that people should learn from, but probably won't It's the old "you can get more with honey than with vinegar". I've also experienced the "nasty" customer and refused to be "bullied" into losing money to boost their ego. I always try to be the one with honey whether I'm on the sale's or on the buyer's side of the table.
He was only able to stop ~20,000 tickets from going out. You actually think the promo company or the dealership is actually going to give away $30,000,000??? :surprise: Dealers don't even want to take a couple grand off ONE car, let alone give away $30M.
Like a previous poster, I bet they will "invite" the people back to get $1K off the purchase of a new (probably outgoing model) car. It has scam written all over it. Granted, it probably started out as a mistake, but dealerships have a way of exploiting any conceivable situation.
Nothing like good public relations....
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Unwanted Customers
Taking up an employee's time with questions about a product while knowing you're going to buy it elsewhere.
This must also be an issue with car sales, especially when there are several dealers within the area. I think this would be one behavior that would drive me batty! :mad:
How can this behavior be screened? Especially in the car sales business, where the customer shows up maybe once every 4 years?
55% of comunication is body language. You can ussually tell if someone is going to buy at the another dealer. Number one reason for buying at another They don't like the sales person. Then I would say price but if they like you they will give up the reason of price. But to get back to the question. You can tell if someone is coming in just to get information because they seem like they are ready to leave the second they get there.
This is not something that happens often, it might happen once a year if that in my experience.
I used to work at store that would "whore" them out and we would tell people drive it next to where you live then come in and buy it here if you like it.
Another reason that would happen is if, lets say I have a aunt who lives 60 miles away. I tell her to drive the car there than if she likes it come buy it from me
I didn't get a chance to read unwanted customers yet. But from your post I think I understand what it was about.
My rule is as follows:
1. Call and if I do not pick up, leave me a message. I will call back
2. Call me again right away if it is an emergency. I will pick up even if I am with the CEO.
250K miles? where did they drive it from? :P
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
LOL, that was my initial response, that and it must not have navigation :P
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Many if not most are reasonable and understand value of commissioned personel's time, but we still want some first-hand info about the product and the store. Treating those ups who are just kicking tires now poorly will certainly lose their business when time comes.
I understand sales person lives and dies by "sale today", but there should be some reasonable time alloted for those who are not ready to sign under the dotted line just yet. All within reason of course...
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I agree 100%... You never know what people are going to do. You have to treat everyone the same weather they are buying today or 6 months. If they are coming to my store today and not buying 6 months chances are they will go to 5 other stores in that time period. All i can do is try to get people all the info they are looking for when they are here.
I have at least 2 - 3 people a month that I worked with in the last three months back that will come in and buy.
Mackabee
Those are the worst. How does this compare to the salesmen's experiences. I'm standing in a field of 5000 mums which I'm selling and a car pulls in. A man gets out and asks: "Hey, I just bought about 50 of these from Wal-Mart and I was wondering if you could tell me how to grow them."
What would be the equivalent in the car biz? Someone comes in and asks for advice on how to get the best deal at the store across the street? Some people! :mad:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Having been a cop and a realtor, I know what it's like to put up with all the preconcieved slights on your profession. By the way, movies and TV don't do well by cops either. I have not seen a show lately where the cop is not corrupt or pschotic.
I'm taking a breather while the Shue's are in the box.
"Wow! Those salesmen look like vultures." exclaims my daughter in-law. "Yep, I told you it was a mad house, let me get my D-tag and we'll take a Camry for a ride." I open an SE for them and get the a/c going and tell them to wait in the car for me. Mack Jr. is placing the car seat in the back as I go to get my tag.
We head out to the boulevard and Mack Jr. asks if he can take it on the express way. "Hey Dad, can I take it on the express way?" he asks. "Go right ahead." I reply. We get on the express way and he floors it. Then we take a road that has some twisty roads and he checks the handling. "It handles nice Dad." he tells me. I'm busy trying to make my grandson laugh so I just nod my head to acknowledge him.
We get back to the dealership and put the car back in its space. I get out of the car and I see a used RAV4 with two women in it and they stop. I see Patrice in the passenger seat and she yells out at me "Hi Mack! I came back to get my car." She's with another salesperson from the outside sales team so I ask her if she asked for me. "Did you ask for me?" "I was so confused with all the activity going on that I forgot." she says. "Ok, go ahead and work with her." I tell her. The other sales lady asks me if I want her back. "No go ahead. I have mi kids here looking at a car."
I walk back to where my family is and my son notices that I'm not smiling. "What's wrong Dad?" he asks. "Nothing Champ." I reply. "You know that lady?" he asks. "Yeah, I sold her a Camry a few years back." I reply. He asks me why I didn't help her and I tell him that I'm with them and they come first. "That's alright Dad, we understand." Mackabee Jr. tells me. I shrug my shoulders and we start walking over to the 4runners.
We find one they like and get in it. As we make a turn around the dealership Patrice sees me in the vehicle and flags us down. She walks up to my window and says "Mack, I told you I would come back. I got $15,000.00 to put down," then continues; "that should be enough right?" ..................................................
TO BE CONTINUED........
Will Patrice buy a RAV4 and put 15k down? :confuse: Will Mack Jr. buy a Camry or a 4runner?
"This Shue stinks"
Mackabee
You win, that is the worst. We had a guy just the other night pull up with his shiny carmax front plate in a 06 EB Explorer. he said that Carmax told him to come over because we might have a manual he could have and we would show him how to program his keyless entry pad.
I happen to be monitoring the lot and I told him that he needed to go back to Carmax and let them service what they sell. He left mad :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Wouldn't it be something like $30 million? (30,000 cards each saying they won $1,000).
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Sorry I have no ideal what can happen here, this is a job for a lawyer. I will e-mail my Professor/Medical Doctor/MBA/Lawyer sister (yes she is all of those I kid you not) and ask her.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
You win, that is the worst
I will give you the worst:
A guy shopped 5 dealerships in the Bay Area(CA)for a specific Audi A4 with Titanium package, test-drove at each one, talked numbers at each one.
Finally he buys a car in Seattle, WA, the car gets shipped to his house.
A week later he shows up with his new car at our dealership, cp,plains about scratches,asks to test-drive a similar A4 and wants my opinion on what's wrong with this car - he feels that it performs different from the cars he test-drove.
I was so stunned that didn't even kick him out, I actually drove his new car around the block to see what's wrong with it. Obviously the car was fine, and I didn't let him drive another new car.
You should be able to get the manual from the manufacturer and there are a few specialty book stores (I know of one in Oregon but can't remember the name) that will carry old ones.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D