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Oft Quoted Lines
Seems a variant was made popular by the late James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause using "beautiful" instead of good-looking.
LOL!!
I just double checked on imdb and it shows John Derek. I guess the author of that article was thinking of tractors.
The doors "fell off" ? I don't believe it.
Why is that so hard to believe? A fairly respectable car column (these guys might even know more about cars than us car guys here) found merit in printing it so I think there might just be a generic problem here. Click and Clack don’t have the reputation of jumping on one of a kind problems just to fill print space, at least not to my knowledge.
The first year production of cars have been known to have problems that are then corrected on subsequent years and the cars go on for quite a few years and have good reliability ratings.
Keep in mind that if you prove to me Click and Clack are not reputable, I’ll have to stop reading their Sunday column and will be forced to read all those screamer adds.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
They simply responded to that woman's question.
It's her I don't believe. Those doors should have given a great deal of warning before they "fell off". I don't doubt they gave her trouble but not to the point of actually falling off!
But I could be wrong...where's Mackabee?
She does not really use those doors. Her kids do. So chances are that she really never came close to the sliding doors for a closer look to see that they were sliding incorrectly. and one day...bang!
You also have to remember that Click and Clack use a lot of humor in their shows and writings so this could be taken out of context.
Mackabee
GP
The kids may have been having fun blocking the track with something, etc. Kids can tear up anything. I don't think the problem is the actual hinges because she said they were hanging by the hinges and that was the only thing holding them on. That statement makes me think they just came off the track for some reason.
This probably happens more than we know but most people don't make a big deal out of it and just put them back on the track.
Of course I could be wrong!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The way you do snow removal is pretty much the smae way but every one always thinks there is a better way.
1) You clean the cars off with a snow broom. Hood, roof, and trunk.
2) Than you start the cars and get the heat going. Sometimes you do this before you clean them it ussualy works better. It depends on how much ice there is.
3) Than you move two lines of cars, plow and than put them back and start the next row until you are finished
The problem is always with getting the keys.
What we ussualy do go down a line of cars ( about 30 cars in a line ) Write down the stock numbers in order as they go down the line. Than come in and take a wore or coat hanger works and put the keys on the coat hanger in the order of the way they are parked.
That way you take a key off put it in the car and someone comes behind you and starts the cars.
Well today I go out and write down my stock numbers in order. I go to the key machine and about 6 salesguys are there and they say we are all set we have the keys put on coat hangers. One new guy goes here are the keys for the Altima line.
I go out take the first one off and start the car. The next key on the coat hanger doesn't match the next car or the third car.
So I say to the new guy Jimmy " Jimmy I thought you said these were already to go" He says "oh yeah GP they are. You have all the Altima keys. It's easy just take the key off and hit the button to sound the horn."
Well for the record that idea doesn't work. I have had other people try this before too.
What happens is you end up having 8 people out there hitting the lock/unlock button making horns beep all over the parking lot. All the horns sound the same so you don't know which way to go. It must sound like rush hour traffic in times square.
Needless to say after few select words from the GM. We were able to get everyone together and on the same page :sick:
Actually yes you could. But I believe we are better off sticking to a system. I know your suggetion is a system but nowt all keys are I-keys. I will throw that suggetion into the box though.
GP
When you do this you tend to keep the keys in the cars on the inside of the circle of cars. You take the out of the cars on the perimeter that way the ones inside of that circle are protected from being stolen.
Well two years ago when we did that someone who did the Murano line ( not me) left the I-Keys on top of the Muranos on the roof.
First we looked for them everywhere. Now keep in mind we had about 15 inches dropped on us that night. Someone remembered that they put it on top of the roof, and some were on the hood where the wipers are. That was pretty crazy. Good thing was we found all the keys after diging through snow and none of the keys were damaged from the weather.
GP
Aren't you in Tennessee? :confuse:
OK, what is that thing? I have throw aways, nothing intelligent about them. Not even the holder of the keys. :surprise: But then I only have one set of keys to take care of unless I’m jockeying cars in my driveway when it snows. Then it gets interesting. A real intelligent owner would keep both cars in the garage especially in the winter when the weather boys/girls say it might snow. :confuse:
Is that thing really smart enough to figure out what car to put the key in so I don’t waste my time playing with the keys for two cars?
That’s an option I might consider.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I am SO glad I never had to do that. Selling has to be tough in that situation.
Cool story though.
-moo
Mack
I don't know how much it will cost to get the system but it's well worth it. The remotes automatically disconnect after a preset time so the store doesn't have to worry about a rogue salesperson coming in after midnight and taking cars for joy rides.
Mackabee
It would be a tough sell since they paid like $40,000 for a key track machine.
I could be off on that number but I don't think I am. It does the same thing you are talking about except at computer instead of the car. Believe me evrything has been thought of.
I used to work at a dealer that would hall the snow out in 30 yard dumpsters.
The best way to do it is the way I explained it in 3 step process.
Let me tell you preparation is the best method.
Snow removal is kind of fun because you are out in the snow acting like a little kid. Taking a customer can be frustrating ( if a customer comes in) because nothing is where it should be or everything is blocked in. After 8 hours of snow removal I am ready for a nap
GP
And some hot chocolate!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'll take that with Bailey's Irish Cream thank you :surprise:
GP
GP
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That was the time it snowed and was melted away by noon?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Confirm this for me if you will.
I've talked to several salesman over the years and everyone without exception told me when there is snow covering the cars or even when there is a good bit of it on the ground, they have almost no one in the showrooms but the buyers that are there are serous. It makes sense to me.
I know I would never buy a car under those conditions,. I'd wait for the snow to melt.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Exactly....
No body really comes out but if they there in a snow storm or even during a clean up they are ussualy there to buy a car. We have to come in even if the storm is going on that day. You don't get to many strokers in the winter.
Here is another fact for you, at least at my store which has been open for 3 winters.
At least one of the times we have a big snow fall. ( today wasn't big at all 4.5 inches) we will get someone in wanting to buy a 350z. Which is a true sports car, rear wheel drive. It never fails. One of these storms someone will come in and buy a 350Z.
But like you said your self you wouldn't waste your time coming to a dealer in the snow. It's cold, the roads are bad, and everything is a mess.
GP
Just think of it. The customers move the cars out of you lot and into their own driveway thus moving and storing your inventory free of charge! You can then run the plows back and forth and any which-way without worrying about scraping any fenders.
I would like to step up and offer my services for the next time it snows.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Oldfarmer that's a great suggestion but I think you know we wouldn't want any accidents happening with our new cars. Besides we don't let people take them overnight. Maybe for a couple of hours to show there better half or decision maker. But that's about it.
I have to believe a smart guy like your self was throwing that out in good humor
GP
What forum have you been on? I've never heard him referred to as smart. Maybe a smart xxx but not regular smart. :shades:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
No, I'm serious. I'll take that nice little 350Z home and park it in my driveway and wouldn't even drive it (much).
Of course, on the way back I'd have to run it up to about 150mph to make sure the battery is good and charged.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
If THAT part of me is smart, imagine how smart my brain is!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
See you Wednesday night before 7 :shades:
Mackabee
I don't know about the rest of the none biz guys here but I never knew dealers had such a problem keeping track of keys. :surprise:
Almost makes me glad I came here. Knowledge is power.
Edit: Gee, look at all the deuces I got with this post.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Mackabee
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
When I purchased my Corolla, I put down the deposit and the salesman was to have the car ready when I got out of work.
However, he could not find the key package with the rest of the keys. So we had to test drive an identical model (with fewer miles) and change all of the paperwork. Personally, I am surprised that it doesn't happen more.
Then our final piece of modern technology is our used car inventory control system. We put the info on a pre typed 5X7 car with all the info and staple it to the handwritten appraisal card and then they are sorted by year and kept in a metal box that is screwed to the counter.
Screwing it to the counter was a performance upgrade we did a few years ago to keep the UCM from taking the box out of the sales office.
So if you total up what we have invested in our write up/ delivery log, our key inventory system, and our used car inventory control system it equals about $225.
We are creatures of habit, it has worked for the last 24 years so we see no reason to
fixchange it.The keys become a PITA at time but $40K can overcome allot frustration.
:P
Nice one.
-moo
The new cars are organized by model so Range Rovers are on the top row and LR3/LR2s are on the bottom.
There is a digital inventory list on our sales software that we can look up colors, MSRP and status. There is a folder with index cards showing the details of each new and used car and that is it.
Before the key track machine arrived, the locksmith was on our lot every day it seemed.
Then you have the "superstars", these guys think they own the dealership and have keys laying around their desk all the time and when you ask for the key they say they don't have it even though it's staring you in the face.
Mack-+
Some people care and others only care about themselves.
Mackabee
2 draws... I could be off on the money but thats what I've heard them say...
You are so right about the key being in key track. The thing is a real pain in the but.
Something tells me you know what you are talking about.
GP
we had one of those a week ago, and yeah, its really quick. fun car to drive too.