Stories from the Sales Frontlines

epiney

You may remember the Sienna deal that I worked on Tuesday that my GM called me about yesterday (my day off) and the customer didn't show.

That's too bad it happened. That was a funny story...staking out the competitors place and calling them from the parking lot...all that work for a possible mini (and a big back end that you will never see)

epiney

I'm not in the business and am very sympathetic to the situation, but if he was of sound mind and body when he signed and understood the numbers, then I think you take your lumps and try to work with dealer on a discount. Otherwise, break the lease and pay the penalty in the agreement as a lesson leraned.

jipster

Is that a variant of the tbaxxon method?

Ya miss him don't you? It's okay... I'm sure most of us here are sad over his departure. Maybe some day we'll get lucky and tbaxxon will return. I'd prefer socala4 or his brother pch101 though. But to answer your question, I'd say the tbaxxon method was a variant of the Jipst Method.

qbrozen

I'm interested in the answer to this.

As far as my opinion. There is obviously what he SHOULD do and what he COULD do as 2 very different options.

I would think that if they need him to sign something and he refuses to, well then it needs to be undone. But I just don't know in this particular case.

Now, let me say that being 60 years old is nowhere near an excuse. 60 is NOT old. My parents and in-laws are well over 60 and every one of them knows enough not to be roped into a deal they aren't happy with. Now, if you said he's 60-ish and mentally challenged ... but as the story sits now, he should certainly know better at this point in his life.

inukeu2

q- Thanks for you thoughts. I didn't mean to offend or be an ageist. I guess that's just how I think of the guy. He's fully coherent and competent. He's just a simple man of simple means. He trusts people to a fault. He's my friend's dad and I consider him an "old" man.

epiney

Ya miss him don't you? It's okay... I'm sure most of us here are sad over his departure. Maybe some day we'll get lucky and tbaxxon will return. I'd prefer socala4 or his brother pch101 though. But to answer your question, I'd say the tbaxxon method was a variant of the Jipst Method.

Well, I will say that I miss the "activity" that he brought. Isn't the Jipst method overkill for a Hyundai? Seems to me the dealers layover for anyone wanting to buy from a quick browse of the prices paid forums. :P (J/K)

kiawah

Just a brief thank you to the professional sales folks here, who have over the course of the last couple years have educated me to what makes a car salesman tick, what you can do, and what you can't do. I've just bought a new vehicle, and it was by far the best car buying experience I've ever had. What I used to view as a dreaded chore, was now 'fun'!

Used basically a slightly modified Bobst method (hung around a little bit to permit bumping attempts), but all in good natured fun. Homework was done in detail up front, knew what vehicle and features I wanted, knew what it cost and should be a reasonable deal, knew what my trade was worth, and had an idea where the dealership would be coming from.

First dealership wasn't even close on price, but in defense they were in a glitzier facility and would have significantly higher fixed costs, would have had to do a dealer trade to get the vehicle (I knew that up front by doing inventory searches the night before), and probably would have had to get rid of my trade as they wouldn't want it on the lot for the area of town they were in. We quickly got to the walk conclusion.

Second dealership was a little better in price, had a little attitude and weren't real interested in looking around to do a dealer trade, so quickly got to the walk conclusion.

Third dealership was a charm. Great rapport, ready and willing to deal, agreed (after a couple of failed bump attempts) to exactly what I wanted on the whole deal. Great place to do business with.

I think part and parcel to this whole episode is that I really didn't HAVE to do this deal now, and was pretty indifferent whether I upgraded to a new vehicle or not. If I didn't do it now, could do it anytime in the future. Ended up being a reasonable deal for both of us.

What in prior years would have frustrated me to no end are the first two dealerships, where although my offer I knew to be 'reasonable', they wouldnn't do. This time I just sit there and think, okay...no problem, I'll go elsewhere. Someone will agree it's a reasonable deal. I realize although a reasonable deal, it's just not reasonable to them with their inventory, with their cost structure, at "this" point in time.

Thanks again for all of your war stories, helps consumers a lot to walk a mile in your shoes.

im_brentwood

Ouch.

Want the bad news?

He signed the contracts. He is an owner.

Period.

If the dealer isn't willing to unwind the deal (Why on god';s name would they?) then he's stuck with it.

Hate to say it but expensive lesson learned.

jipster

Isn't the Jipst method overkill for a Hyundai?

You may be right about that. Those "throwaways" are probably more suited to the bobst method. (J/K?)

pat

Congrats kiawah! What did you buy?

Hope you'll drop by the Dealer Ratings & Reviews page to share your experiences with those dealerships.

qbrozen

What about that credit app issue, though? Is that not an essential piece of the puzzle? Can they make it stick if he refuses to sign one?

dino001

What in prior years would have frustrated me to no end are the first two dealerships, where although my offer I knew to be reasonable', they wouldn't do. This time I just sit there and think, okay...no problem,

I think you touched the most important aspect. The fact the dealer wants more for a car (or offers less for a trade) does not make him/her a crook - conversely, if the customer offers less for the car (or wants more for the trade, it does not make them an idiot. It's a matter of opinion, personal and business goal and some objective measures. If there is no deal, there is no deal - no reason to get angry, personal, or offended. We can get frustrated at times (nobody likes rejection and nobody likes their time being wasted), but if we all take it as a nature of business, the frustration does not need to convert to anger.

Unfortunately, too many people on both sides still have a problem understanding that.

gogiboy

"Bored? BORED doesn't begin to describe it. My vocabulary is limited maybe others can describe it better..."

Ennui?

Gogiboy

pmanza

I know this is off topic but some of you responded to my inquiry about which vehicles might make a child less carsick. Just wanted to update and let you all know I ended up purchasing an 07 Prius. So far I love it, although it is way different than my old Lexus RX300!

Really appreciate all the comments from this group and the chance to learn what things are like on your side of the fence. Got a fair deal on my purchase, so-so deal on trade in, and worked on training a "greanpea" salesman. He told us he had been there 6 months (I don't think so, F&I guy said 6 days maybe, he didn't even have cards with his name on them yet) but clearly didn't know the ropes, had an experienced guy sitting with him helping him with paperwork etc. But he tried and the price was a special "all Prius at invoice - $500" so he didn't have to try to haggle price with us. He tried hard so we are going to write a letter to the GM saying how good he did, even though he really didn't do anything to sell the car to us.

I have learned alot about how professional salesmen approach their customers from you guys, and will in future look to dealerships who can provide that level of professionalism. Actually almost bought a Hyundai just because the salesman was so professional and helpful, but my hubby, bless his heart, said "you won't be happy with it, you like the upgrades in your car. Get one that you will really like".

Anyway take care all, and happy selling!
Peggy

pmanza

I am so sorry to hear about your dicey scan. My prayers will be with you. It may be hard but try to think positive, I really believe positive thoughts help bring out more positive outcomes.
Take care and good luck with your future treatment.
Peggy

roadburner

Hang tough, Mack. And stop by some of your old haunts if you get the chance.

Kirstie_H

LOL... a "referral fee" due to a customer who's never bought from you? That'd be a new one.

mackabee

Thank you Peggy. Enjoy your new Prius. You'll have lots of fun with it!

Mackabee

mackabee

Looks like he's in northern VA. It's more cut throat over there than here. I hope he finds what he's looking for. But I appreciate you thinking of me.

Mackabee

mackabee

Anybody heard from John? Didn't see any recent posts from him.
Mackabee
:shades:

toyoda1

I would let the dealership unwind the vehicle. The bank wont pay on the dealership without a signed contract so the dealership is on the hook. Yeah his credit will get hosed but at 60 one should not need a credit rating at all.

jescue

I just realized my customer paid more for his car than I did for my house. He put $80,000 down and his payments are $1500 per month. :surprise:

british_rover

What did he get a GT2 or GT3?

I can't even see a 911 Turbo up in that range.

chikoo

"those leases are nothing but trouble, you just gotta keep things simple"

Buy here.......Pay here

jescue

911 Turbo cab with tiptronic. $148,080. Not an overly optioned car either.

nthe

you still live in stillwater? i went to OSU, graduated in 2003.

sry for the off topic posts hosts.

delta737h

Hey Mack,

Be strong my good friend. My prayers will always be with you and yours. You're going to be around for a very long time. Just take it one day at a time. I'd buy or lease a car from you in a heartbeat! And, I wouldn't even send you a proposal. You're a man of high integrity and morals... even a blind person can see that.

Best,

John

delta737h

Are you asking for me, Mack? If so, see above post.

John
Medina, Ohio

british_rover

Ahh it pains my soul to see a 911 with an automatic. :sick: :confuse: :mad:

I forgot about how much the Turbo Cabs were I was just thinking regular Turbo.

jescue

I would rather have a stick too-his wife cant drive a stick so automatic it is. The tip Turbo is actually faster than the 6 speed. Not as much fun to me, but I would be glad to drive it.

british_rover

Faster cause of the overboost feature but how do you time that up with a stop light?

My wife can sort of drive a stick and I swear by next summer I will teach her how to do it.

We are planning a cross country trip and will buy a new car for it. I am NOT going to buy an automatic she will have to learn how to drive a manual.

jescue

I bet you will phrase that differently to her. :P

british_rover

I don't put my foot down on much cause you know it is the whole, "she who must be obeyed" but when it comes to vehicles I do put my foot down.

I got her to drive my MINI cooper S with the six speed alright but she never remembered to push the clutch in when she came to a stop.

jescue

well good luck with it. I tried to teach my mother, then my sister, and the results were the same. From then on my mother swore I bought 5 speeds so she wouldnt be able to drive them.

jmonroe

Ennui?

That will work, but I have to admit I had to look it up. Like I said I have a limited vocabulary and my grammar ain't all that good either.

jmonroe

cdnpinhead

". . .is that I really didn't HAVE to do this deal now, and was pretty indifferent whether I upgraded. . ."

BINGO!!!

He (or she) who cares least ALWAYS wins the negotiation, and it can be done in a very civilized manner.

What's not to like?

Getting invested in this stuff is not a good plan. Take it or leave it. Thank you. Good afternoon.

snakeweasel

another Hyundai... Sonota?

Only if I decide not to buy it then it will be a Sonota.

However the Sonata is on the short list, and the salesman who sold us the Elantra is still there.

Also, I expect you'll be using the "Jipst Method" of car buying when you decide to pull the trigger?

Nope I am going to use a modified Bobst(tm) method.

snakeweasel

If the old man does not sign it will the bank pull the financing?

You have to remember that the financing and the sales contract are two different things. If this guy does not sign the financing there is no deal with the bank. However he still has a deal with the dealership and the dealership can demand that he honor his end of the contract.

The only real way out is break the lease and pay any penalty (per the lease contract) or prove somehow that this guy did not have the legal capacity to enter into a contract (which may be hard to do).

Short answer is he is stuck with this.

snakeweasel

a "referral fee" due to a customer who's never bought from you? That'd be a new one.

Why? can only those who bought from you refer someone?

snakeweasel

I wish I could get a house worth living in around here for $80K.

jescue

Well no I meant the total price not the downpayment. $80K here and you need a good gun and a guard dog.

im_brentwood

I wish I could get a house worth living in around here for triple or even quadruple that...

fezo

You might manage down this end of the state but even then it ain't easy...

jmonroe

I don't put my foot down on much cause you know it is the whole, "she who must be obeyed" but when it comes to vehicles I do put my foot down.

I’ll never understand you guys that can’t determine who is in charge.

Mrs. jmonroe and I have always had a 50/50 relationship, at her insistence. It’s really quite simple, I make it and she spends it.

I keep telling you guys “you gotta keep it simple”.

jmonroe

im_brentwood

Ahh, so you got the job at Thoroughbred I assume?

How is it going so far? I remember meeting the GM or owner from there once.. Marty or Martin I think.. nice guy.

im_brentwood

I used to do that with Mrs Bill until Mr Bill called the divorce attorney.

I made the money, she spent all of it.

chikoo

behind every man's success, there is a woman.

The woman spends so much that the man has to work harder.........and Voila! :shades: you have a man who is "viewed" very successful professionally.

Only he knows how much of that money he has in the bank! :sick:

toyoda1

How can he be stuck. Voluntary repo the car. Chances are the dealer won't want any negative publicity of harassing a senior. Everyday people usually don't side with Car dealers and always assume the worse. He can get out of this deal if he really wants to and is a little publicity savy.

The dealer should unwind the deal and put him in a more reasonable car. Win Win. But they won't.

snakeweasel

How can he be stuck.

He signed a legally binding contract.

Chances are the dealer won't want any negative publicity of harassing a senior. Everyday people usually don't side with Car dealers and always assume the worse.

Face it most people have the memory of a goldfish about these types of things. 90% of the people will forget about it in 24 hours unless they have a horse in the race or its about someone famous.

terrypm1

That sounds like the proper thing to do. Both parties will then be happy and the dealership will have a customer for life. Then the customer will tell his friends and then more and more people will be shopping/buying from the dealership.
It would be a win/win situation for everyone involved.

What kind of ethics did the dealer have originally pulling the stunt in the first place? Every business is allowed to make a fair profit but to take ,I assume, a sucker, to the cleaners is highly unethical. It gives every car dealer a black eye.