Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Viet Nam 67,68,69.

    Your stock just went way up in my book. Thank you for your service.image If we ever meet the beer and grub is on me. image

    US Army Infantry here. SSG E-6

    82ND Airborne 83-87
    8TH ID Pathfinders 87-90
    10TH Mountain 90-92
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Thanks. Ditto. If you lived here you could get a 10th Mtn Div Colorado license plate
  • 8sparkplugs8sparkplugs Member Posts: 111
    Except "Tin Cup", that one is a classic.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Vietnam service definitely qualifies for free beer, sir!

    I'm the right vintage but for multiple reasons physically unfit to serve. What I would have done otherwise will always be a mystery to me.

    Had a friend I met in Boy Scouts when I was 11 and he was 14. He went from high school graduation to boot camp and was killed in Nam not six months later. I still think about him.

    Fortunately, anyone else I knew that went came back in one piece.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    However you try your best to avoid storms and taking refuge in a protected port is preferred over being in the open sea.

    That wasn't the case in the movie "Forrest Gump". Forrest and Lieutenanat Dan rode out a hurricane, on top of the mast pole, and survived in the open sea with no damage. While all the shrimp boats in port got torn to pieces.

    I wouldn't be having a bowl of Bubba Gump shrimp chowder right now if what you were saying were true. Care to retract... if this is remotely on topic? :sick:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    ... if this is remotely on topic?

    I would say that is about as remote as you can get but I'm afraid some would take that as a challenge. So I won't. :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    So you believe everything that comes out of Hollywood?

    And yes this is getting off topic.

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

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    These posts don't sound off topic for me. This is stories from the front lines. If you were on the front lines of a dealership these would be the topics of discussion. If you were in the service or what movie you watched last night. When you are at the dealership it isn't always about strokers and homeruns. There is always a lot of talk about anything. Me personaly I was never in the service but I did go on a Tiger Cruise on the Carl Vinson When I was 10 years old.

    Rough weekend here 6 ups and no deals :confuse: :mad:

    Anyway to the guys that served heres to you!!!!

    GP
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,294
    "...when you start quoting Kevin Costner movies then you are really grasping at straws..."

    Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp: "I'm going to kill all of them".

    I think he was talking about his approach to bargaining for a used car. (or maybe his driving habits) :P

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    To make it sound on topic, there is a big difference between a SHIP and a BOAT. Just as there is a big difference between a YUGO and a YUKON.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Count me in, I was a Navy Airdale.

    I see I didn’t put in the specifics:

    1960-63, AE5 (that’s not a typo about the years, I was a kiddie cruiser). As you can see I just missed the Vietnam Conflict. But the Cuban Crisis in 62’ had us on the edge of seats. Had a few flights into Key West Fl. delivering lots of war stuff…phew, being there was too close for comfort.

    My hats off to you guys that saw real action…you’re the reason why we still speak English.

    Thanks again.

    jmonroe

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

  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    serve myself (they ended the draft 90 days before I was to be called for service, and they wouldn't take me in ROTC because I was one inch too short to be an officer...minimum height for an officer was 5'4"...minimum height to be drafted was 5'0"...when they told me the most I could be was Cannon Fodder I told them to go to Purgatory and they would have to draft me)...I have always been grateful to those who served, so I can speak English instead of Japanese or German...the beer is on me!!!
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I tried to join the Marines my Junior year of college and they wouldn't take me. I had bad knees and a questionable back from a combination of multiple wrestling injuries and a car wreck.

    I never looked into seeing if the Army would take me. I know they have relaxed their standards now and I have done much better with my physical therapy so even though I am older now I bet they would take me.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,556
    My Brother-In-Law has an '01 Discovery Series II SE (Double Sunroof, 6 Disc Changer, rear ladder, factory roof rack...) with 77,000 miles on it. Navy Blue/Beige Leather. He's looking to sell it. He's got a full service history (it isn't pretty, but he's definitely got his money's worth out of the extended warranty) and the car has never been hit. What do you think a fair price would be for him to ask?

    Thanks for your help!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    What kind of car did you order? I would be worried your car may not have been ordered at all.
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Welcome to the club gp. I had a horrible Saturday. Lots of tire kickers but no buyers. I couldn't close a barn door. Did have some good prospects though, a couple of be backs, a repeat, and a few fresh ups. One of the fresh ups came in today and bought, so the weekend was not a total loss. It was hotter than heck yesterday. Heat index of 110. I thought Frank was going to bite the big one! The lot is not the place for a 70 year old diabetic, chain smoker. ;) I must have lost 5 pounds with all the running around for nothing that I did.
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I updated my carspace with a new photo album. Check it out when you get a chance.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Let me do some research I will let you know. Try Terry and Max at RWTIV too.

    I sold one on Saturday which put me into the second level bonus round for new cars.

    I should have an ok month if I can knock out two more this week I will have a great month.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,556
    Thanks again! It is the furthest thing from urgent, so please take your time!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Gee, I could have made officer by an inch.

    They wasted a perfectly good draft lottery number on me. I was 101 in my year. They went to 95. I almost wanted to get the call. They'd have put up the eye chart and called it a day. I've only got one eye that works right. That's a disqualifier. Add anemia and you get real fun. They would even want me as a typist.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    In Vietnam you might have been in.

    As the war progressed, and they went from drafting single only, married with no kids, married with 1 kid, they then went to drafting 'special' people. People with physical or mental limitations that the Army said they could correct were being drafted.

    On the first general intelligence test I think I scored about 98. The pass mark was 15. For the 'special' people later, this was lowered to 8.

    We had one of the 'mental' cases where I was. He was motor pool. Because of other things about him (too long to tell here), we asked another guy from the motor pool what he did there. The answer was 'Nothing'. Queried more about this - couldn't he wash cars, fuel cars up, the answer was 'We don't let him near a car, much less drive one. He sits in a corner in a chair all day.'

    Further inquiry of the personnel clerk, lead to his serial number starting with 3 or 4 8's which tagged him as one of the mental special inductees.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Yes you should change it annually. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture.. it's the moisture that ruins calipers, master cylinders, slave cylinders, wheel cylinders and newfangled huge $$ things like ABS pumps.

    There's plenty of places online that sell pressure bleeders for under a hundred bucks, with some jack stands you can do it yourself in an hour.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I was right at the height of Vietnam.

    My stuff was nothing they could correct. I still have it and as it turns out a whole host of other things that I didn't know about that they would have found. Things serious enough that they certainly wouldn't have wanted me anywhere near combat.

    It's actually interesting to me that if you were unfit for combat, which I surely was, they didn't want you at all. I could have been clerical or whatever stateside and been useful.

    I readily admit that my inclination was to not go so I wasn't actively trying to get in.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Yes you should change it annually

    Hmmmm, wonder why my CRV owner's manual says 3 years to replace the brake fluid. And the owner's manual in all 3 of my Yotas doesn't even mention it. I agree it should be changed, like maybe when the pads are changed? But anually? This is the first I've hard of that.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    there is a big difference between a SHIP and a BOAT.

    To quote Hyundais new advertising slogan..."DUH".

    All of you ex-military might want to start a new discussion in "Off-Topic Chatter". I'll get Tidester to start on it right away... as you guys are boring me to tears. :cry:

    But, I do appreciate all past and present military who have served honorably. ;)
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Mike,

    I recently upgraded (rear calipers) and rebuilt (Master cyl and ft calipers) the brakes on my nearly 21 year old "88" M5.. with a build date of 11/86..

    It's had documented VERY regular brake fluid changes since day 1.

    There wasn't a speck of pitting, rust, etc anywhere in any of the calipers or brake master, and they were all original. I also, as a precaution swapped out the clutch hydrauilcs.. same deal there... no rust, no pitting, no problems.

    I would assume the $1,000 ABS Pump is also good.. I hope!

    That's why you change your brake fluid frequently.. once contaminated with water brake fluid can lose up to 40% of its' boiling point resistance.

    A can of the best freaking fluid money can buy is no more than $15 or so......
  • toyota2lexustoyota2lexus Member Posts: 13
    I was in high school when my birthdate was picked as number 8 in the draft lottery. My dad was an old WW II paratrooper, survived six combat jumps, had me join a Naval ROTC AVROC program when I got to college, said military service was much better as an officer than enlisted.

    In 1973 as the Vietnam War was winding down I received a discharge from the ROTC program, the Navy had decided to close down the program.

    My oldest son recently completed six years of Naval service, was in communications aboard the Harry S Truman, now is working with Homeland Security.

    I was in sales and management with Toyota for 23 years, 18 with the same dealer. The Baltimore / DC Metro area is awash with dealerships, you can't go ten miles in any direction without passing three or four Toyota dealers, the dealers would rip each other's hearts out to steal a deal, just about every car that was sold was sold below dealer invoice.

    I left the Toyota dealer a year ago to join an established Lexus store, took a pay cut and years of satisfied customers that won't follow but am much happier.

    The store has 14 sales reps, weekend was busy, we're open the last Sunday of every month, store sold 28 cars on Saturday and Sunday.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Saturday was unusually slow. 3 test drives, 3 Volvo trades. 3 Bids on each trade, 3 customers who wanted retail for their trade, not trade in value. 3 walked.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    How have you been doing on LR3s?

    We are selling about three ex-service loaners for every one fresh LR3 we sell. Which has been fine up to now but we are almost out of 2007 service loaners.

    We only have two left but we have eleven fresh 2007 LR3s left.

    It seems that the only way we can move LR3s is to have the huge discount the service loaners provide. Makes me wonder if an extra 2,500 dollars off a fresh LR3 would get people to buy the car with no miles over the car with 5,500 miles.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Basically the same, but we have only 1 new left. Unfortunately, it is kitted up. We have about 4 retired loaners, but a bunch just put in to service in June. On the other hand, we have cornered the market on Silver 2007 Sports - have 3 left plus 1 S/C.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    start a new discussion in "Off-Topic Chatter"

    Here's the place to go: OTC - Discussion Suggestions

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    All of you ex-military might want to start a new discussion in "Off-Topic Chatter". I'll get Tidester to start on it right away...

    No need, we’re doing fine right here.

    ... as you guys are boring me to tears.

    Ahhhhh, is that a fact?

    But, I do appreciate all past and present military who have served honorably.

    Thanks, and while you’re buying me a beer or two or three or… you don’t have to salute or call me “sir”…I was an enlisted man. :):D

    jmonroe

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

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    And it is better than discussing when to change oil
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    or brake fluid.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    or vacuums
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    Just had a guy leave in a 2006 F-150 STX. Payoff is $23,000. What do you think Joel? 6 cyl, 2 wheel,regular cab. It is an automatic and has 24,000 miles.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I think if he comes back he better bring his check book with him. :D

    I am no Officianado on ACV's but it sounds like a $13-$14K truck to me. Maybe less, I don't know if there is a deduct for a 6 cylinder in an STX package.
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    $850 deduct. We got a bid of $10K :surprise: I think we can stretch them to 11, but still. To top things off he wants a preowned S-type and a payment no more than $500 per month. :confuse: I think I will be in my truck for a while.
    As will he.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    $10k's the money.. it might do $11k plus maybe a hundred or two at the sale.. but that's ALL the money.

    What did he break a lease on a 760Li 2 out of 3 years early and roll it into the thing?
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    Not sure-the truck only had an MSRP of $24. I tried to discourage him from coming in but in he came. The way he described it over the phone I thought it was a supercab and told him $14. Of course he wants a no money down kind of deal. Some people do not understand simple math.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Some people do not understand simple math.

    I've heard you guys in the biz say this repeatedly. Sooooo why don't you start a simple math class for these types of customers, on a slow day like Wednesday afternoon...from 1PM to 2:30 PM or whatever time is best for your store.

    Maybe 'tidester' can provide some professional classroom material/handouts. ;)

    jmonroe

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

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    We might have to hire Snake! :shades:
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    You make it sound like one of those DIY classes at Home Depot. ;)

    You would think that they would've picked up on the math somewhere in high school. Not like its brain surgery or even Accounting 101.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    We might have to hire Snake!

    You know, just after I made my post I thought of that (honest) but I didn't want to edit it...figured someone might bring that up. Great mines think alike, maybe the Navy taught us that. :)

    Oh what I'd give if they would only conference me in on that session, might even pay for the hook-up. :):D

    jmonroe

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    You would think that they would've picked up on the math somewhere in high school.

    You wouldn't have had to progress that far for the math needed to buy most items even cars. :surprise:

    Not like its brain surgery or even Accounting 101.

    No it ain't but if you don't pay attention while in school you'll probably need outside help at some point. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    You would think that they would've picked up on the math somewhere in high school.

    Try this, go to your local store or fast food place and the price comes to say $6.73 give them $10 and after they punch in your $10 stop them and give them 3 cents and see the blank look on their faces.

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I know just the look you are talking about. I've seen it.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Maybe 'tidester' can provide some professional classroom material/handouts.

    There is a branch of mathematics called "game theory" and I think negotiating the price of a car is an excellent example! :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Great mines think alike, maybe the Navy taught us that.

    As a faithful lurker on this thread, you guys crack me up. Navy... mines... must have served on a mine sweeper, eh? :D

    Uh, you did mean to say that, right? Right??? :shades:
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Make mine a torpedo! Full steam ahead matey. Haste makes waste. Gang way! regular Navy coming through. (Somebody stop me!) :blush:
    Mack
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