Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    Moo: Forgot to add, I lease them all, get a new car every 16 to 18 months, one for me and one for wife on an alternating cycle, I hate any car with over about 18K on it, wife long ago gave up trying to get me to stop, I can't.

    At least, I sell them all myself, take the usual equity I get, pop it down on the new one and go from there. Long since learned, buy a popular model, get a hot color, fully optioned, and keep the miles down to 14 or 15K, and patiently sell it. I'm a retired 31 year cop, so I probably sold over half my cars to the boys in the station, since they knew I took meticulous care of the vehicles, a couple though I had to go public.

    Your answer, since the model had just come out, took 2 weeks to get the tranny from GM, but they put me in nice loaner for the time, I really wasn't mad at the dealer, just myself for presuming the car I test drove would be just like the one I was taking home. The tranny was brand new, not a remanufactered one, I wouldn't have stood for that.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    All 3 deals have already been negotiated, so it's just a matter of them showing up and signing paperwork.

    What? You mean you would actually negotiate BEFORE you had them sign the paperwork? Just kidding. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Not open today! I actually get a week off without having to use my vacation time. Closed today and tomorrow, chemo wed-fri. I'll probably go in friday afternoon, Saturday, then Sunday I'm off to Maryland to watch the Skins play the Cowboys in what should be a meaningless game for the Boys but the Skins are still in the hunt for a spot. I hope they play Romo and the first stringers at least for the first quarter or half. I really don't want to go to see Brad Johnson quarterback the team.
    Merry Christmas to all of you!
    Mackabee
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    We have 5 salespeople and average 7 Porsches per month, much less than your store. We also have Audi, Jag, and Saab. Have you sold a Turbo yet? I have one on a boat and one at the factory. Those can certainly make your month.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I've sold cars to millionaires that looked like your average Joe. Dressed in Levi jeans, Reebok sneakers, and a t-shirt. Contrary to popular belief this guys are just like us poor folk except they have lots more money and they spend it well. One in particular owns his own company and buys Camrys for him and his daughter and Avalon for his wife once a year. He beats us up on the price then drives them for a year and sells them privately. Right now his on the fence waiting for Camry to have 1k rebate which is not going to happen with the 09's being released next month and 08 about gone. I do have an XLS Avalon on order for him. I just wish he'd make up his dang mind so I can deliver two more Cammies this month. We'll see.
    Mackabee
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    Merry Christmas to you Mack. Hope your treatments go well Glad yor store is closed, wish mine was.
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Lease and flip is a great way to stay in a new car constantly. Sounds like you're working the system pretty well. :P

    -moo
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Merry Christmas, Mack! Have fun and keep getting well.

    -moo
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    I got a Turbo Cab sold this month. Another salesman's preorder bailed on his vehicle. One of the first people I met when I started decided to take it. That was a sweet deal. Biggest I've ever done.

    -moo
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I'm sitting at my desk at 8:00 and I'm the only one in the store.

    Service is closed, no receptionist here yet which scares me a bit, just quiet and my computer.

    Christmas Eve is an oddball day here, It's usually dead but sometimes not. We will try to close by 5 or 6.

    Enjoy the holiday everyone, however you celebrate it!
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Shoot, I wonder if I've ever been thought of as a "stroke" or a "flake" until one day out of the blue I actually bought the car? I was interested in a new Cadillac DTS Performance and drove a white one back in July, but didn't then buy. This past "Black Friday" I drove a black one and bought it. Heck, I was dressed very casually the day I bought my car. I was wearing a white sweat shirt, black jacket, black Dickies pants, and sneakers.
  • micosilvermicosilver Member Posts: 212
    We have brokers calling all the time on Cayennes and Audi Q7s. They seem to always want black and are mostly out of New York or New Jersey. Of course we cannot sell them new vehicles but I have sold some preowned that way.>

    All those Q7's and Cayennes go to China. Those brokers make at least $10k on every car, but the manufacturers are tightening the plug on them...
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Driving a car and not buying it doesn't make you a stroke or a flake.

    Big difference. You were really in the market for a new car and you had the financial ability to buy it.
  • otto8otto8 Member Posts: 116
    Lemko...............I can assume you rolled up in your STS at that dealer?
    Most likley since you have had a few Caddies and the salesfolks must
    remember you also !

    How about a pic of that DTS? All the pics of those fugly toyoyos posted
    here lately sure are depressing..................

    Sure would be nice to see a REAL American car! :shades:
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Once in a blue moon, I'll get a customer who insists on driving the actual car they are going to buy and I always think it's waste of time. Still, I'm happy (kinda) to oblige.

    That is me. I do that so that if the vehicle has any noticeable concerns, I can leave it at the dealership to be fixed or pick another one.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    I bought a SHO. They had about 40 on the lot. Didn't drive the one I bought.

    On the way home, the alignment was so bad I almost had to hang on one side of the steering wheel to keep in on the road.

    But I guess that didn't teach me. I didn't drive the 2007 Corvette I bought. One year and 8,000 miles, it's not seen a service bay.
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,629
    Happy Christmas, Mr. Isell.

    While I'd prefer to be driving a BMW in a year, I'm also seriously considering an Acura Tsx. The Tsx comes with a dipstick, real tires, XM & lower price. Time will tell.

    Either way, have a pleasant holiday season, & thanks for your contributions here.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    All new cars have to go through a Pre Delivery Inspection, at least with Honda.

    They have a checklist that they go through.

    I guess some places don't do this?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Thank you for your kind words!

    BMW's don't have dipsticks???

    I'm about to sneak out of here now.

    Merry Christmas to all!

    Craig
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    I'm sitting at my desk at 8:00 and I'm the only one in the store.

    Are your doors locked? Doesn't sound safe to me. Most, if not all, retail places require no less than two people in the premises at all times.

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

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    There ain't no such thing as a "real American car" anymore.
    This is more American than most "American" cars:

    image

    Live with it!
    image
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I am probably too late and all of you are at home with your families by now. I just wanted to wish all of my "students" a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season, and a wonderful New Year.

    The Grammar Captain---Richard
  • benzserviceguybenzserviceguy Member Posts: 96
    GP:

    So Cal residents might be the Xception to the "Z" not being a yr round car.

    I happen to have an 07 6 speed manual w/o the "rev up" motor (no xcessive oil consumption here)

    Before the 07 came out, my wife & I were considering getting rid of my 99 BMW rag top and the "z" gave us the biggest bang for the buck (The new e92 BMW was not out yet)
    We went to test drive and the sales guy not only let me take it out by myself but never even asked for a credit app OR a DL.
    We decided that the timing was not righ and passed on buying. Well 6 months later my BIMMER bit it and it was time to buy/lease.
    Now, the BMW was released but I could not get one the way I wanted it.
    So we choose the "Z" - best value for the money!!
    Now, when my lease expires in May 2010, I might just head to a GT-R (but only if they make a "TRUE" manual (one with 3 pedals on the floor)

    To me, my "z" is a yr round, daily driver - either with the top up or top down.
    Then again, I am in Southern California. So I guess here , it's different (MUCH different than those New England winters - I know cause I'm originally from a little island about 3 hrs SOUTH of you. And NO, it's not LONG Island - think West bound)
  • tvaidtvaid Member Posts: 1
    Its hilarious to hear about US dealers baulking at selling Jaguars after they are TATA owned.
    Many large enterprises in the US are owned or co-lateralled by a host of foreign companies.
    Uncle Sam never balked when a brown,black white hand dishes or receives money.
    Uncle Sam (Thank God !)is color blind . "Quality Issues" are the last refuge for the uninitiated in global finance.
    World Class products are being refined, tested & honed everyday by Asian & South East Asian countries.
    Hotmail has the same quality AFTER being financed and partly owned by an Indian.
    Sometimes ignorance is bliss....
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Merry Christmas to all our friends and neighbors here at the greatest social club in the world! Edmunds.com
    Mackabee image

    image
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    [It's] hilarious to hear about US dealers baulking [sic] at selling Jaguars after they are TATA owned.

    I don't see that anyone is balking at any such thing. However, I am balking at making skin color an issue so I suggest we move on and stick to the designated topic without further incendiary distractions.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Thanks, Mack! And here's wishing you and all our members a joyous and prosperous new year with tidings of comfort and joy! :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • luvmybuicksluvmybuicks Member Posts: 26
    Does your dealer or other dealers that you know of listen to private conversations between a husband and wife or a couple while the salesperson is spending 20 minutes speaking to his sales manager about your latest offer?

    Just curious....to see if it is done.

    Kevin

    P.S. I will still like you guys even if it is a little sneaky. Lets have a big party in the Bahamas on the "deskman" to meet and greet.
  • otto8otto8 Member Posts: 116
    image

    Not a wannabe import transplant !
  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,179
    All new cars have to go through a Pre Delivery Inspection, at least with Honda.

    They have a checklist that they go through.

    I guess some places don't do this?


    I was at my local Chevy, Cadillac, Mazda, Hyundai dealer a while ago, talking to a salesman friend, and I asked if the CTS on the lot had been PDIed yet?

    He said, "What's PDI"? :surprise:

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,179
    BMW's don't have dipsticks???

    The newer ones don't have dipsticks - they use a sensor that displays any oil problem.

    They also have Run Flat Tires.

    This combination is a possible deal-breaker for many returning buyers - me included possibly. :mad:

    Interestingly enough, the M cars still use Go Flat Tires. The M engineers have not found a RFT that suits them.

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • manamalmanamal Member Posts: 426
    Been gone from here for a while....

    I have a couple of comments: First, I am starting to look for a 'toy'...I am thinking of a VW EOS. I go into the dealer to look. This dealer also sells Subaru's, and I previously bought a Forester there.

    I go in to look....all I wanted to do was to make sure that 1) I fit in the front seat (am 6' 2"), and 2) my 5yo daughter would fit in the back (in her booster).

    I would love to drive the car to make sure I really want one, but I did not want to waste an hour of time. (I am mostly concerned with my time; when I by a car, it is business -- I am not looking for a friend). So, I looked at the car, and liked it.

    I know I am not buying for several months, at the earliest....I will not have much use for a convertible until spring. If I went for a drive, would I have been a flake? I have the means to buy the car...but I was not buying one that day. I probably will test drive on a day when it is warm enough to put the top down.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    No, I didn't lock the doors yesterday but I have in the past when I'm there alone mainly because I don't want some customer wandering in.

    Usually on the first of the month, I'll get there about 7:00, let myself in and go into my office to get my monthly reports started. No people there to bug me.

    Last New Years, the store was closed for the day, so there I was at 8:00 in the morning, hard at work when our owner let himself in and came up behind me and scared the crap out of me.

    Good idea, even though we are in an upscale area, I really should lock the doors behind myself when I'm alone.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    The newer ones don't have dipsticks

    There is a joke there you know.

    - they use a sensor that displays any oil problem.

    I thought most cars have that, its called an idiot light. Forgive my technophobia but I prefer being able to get under the engine and look myself.

    And before I forget:

    image

    and

    image

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

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    In the 70s the laws changed , since then we have not been able to listen / bug a booth with wire.

    In My Showroom the closing booths are made of glass.

    Cover your mouth when speaking or my lipreader will relay the details of your
    conversation to the desk( bumpable/playing a game/cash down or shopping dealer/rate/term/car).

    Deskman :shades:
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Any funny stories about how you have stolen a sale from another dealer or gotten revenge against a competing dealer?

    Before the Toyota dealer put up a fence i would walk over and catch ups and bring them to my store.

    That yota dealer was so weak he filed bk.Now it is owned by a heatmerchant with a wholesome couple doing the softsell on the tube.

    At my store we provide a service to our customer .We return demos from other Dealers while picking up our trade from Dealers holding area free of charge.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    It is not possible to have a BMW without a dipstick around somewhere!! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Does your dealer or other dealers that you know of listen to private conversations between a husband and wife or a couple while the salesperson is spending 20 minutes speaking to his sales manager about your latest offer?

    I’m not a dealer, just a lil ole customer but I’m convinced this happened to me once.

    In 95’ when things bogged down, the salesman went to a higher authority. I am a suspicious sort so when Mrs. jmonroe blurted out, “what are you going to do if they don’t accept your offer it does seem kinda low”? I put my finger to my lips and said, “lets give them a chance, while they might not like my offer, it is doable”. She tried to continue the conversation and again I put my finger to my lips and pointed to the phone. She had a very confused look on her face but she didn’t say anything more about the car. We made some small talk about various things and after about 15 minutes I got up and said, “lets go, I’ve had enough of this, we’ll go over to ABC Motors tomorrow and talk to Ralph again”.

    We aren’t 10 steps out of the office when the salesman comes hurrying out of his secret hiding place (I had looked for him, from the office we were in, during the wait but he was nowhere in site). He smiles, extends his hand and says, “congratulations, you just bought yourself a car”. So, I said, “why couldn’t you have said yes 10 minutes ago, my offer didn’t change”! He replied, “this is the last chance we’ll have to sell this car today so my boss said lets get it out of here”. This was possibly true because it was past 6 PM and they were closing for the day (they had already closed the doors and turned out some of the lights) but it sure was suspicious because it took some action on my part, at precisely that moment, for him to realize what time it was.

    Up until this happened, everything had gone just right. They even let me take the car for an extended test drive by myself (no, I didn’t have to leave Mrs. jmonroe there as collateral she went with me). If you’re wondering if I would have left, the answer is, YES.

    Whenever I reflect back on this purchase, I can’t help thinking that someone was trying to tell me something because this was the 95’ Bonneville beast that started to shed paint when it was 5 years old. :mad: I should have gone to the Buick store next door like I said when I was about to leave. I really should have. :(

    jmonroe

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,388
    "...When Mrs. jmonroe blurted out..."

    Don't you hate that when you are doing "manly" things like car negotiations and the wife does her best to cut the legs out from under you?

    Years ago I was looking at trucks with my wife. I of course was trying to put my best "I know what I'm doing" face on so the salesman wouldn't try to mess with me.
    We found a truck I liked but it came with a standard transmission. I told the salesman I could test drive it and if the truck was to my liking he could then order one with auto transmission.

    Well, my dear wife says loudly: "But you don't know how to drive one of those"!
    I turned to her and with the salesman chuckling in the background, reminded her that I drove a 66 passenger school bus with standard tranny every day.

    Her response was that she didn't think that was the same thing! :cry:

    I wonder if the sales guys have a standard price bump they use after a guy's wife lets the wind out of his sails in front of them.

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

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    So Cal residents might be the Xception to the "Z" not being a yr round car.

    Yeah So. Cal would be a acception.

    Here the Z is a secondary car.

    Congratulations and enjoy it is a fun car.

    I think the GTR is only going to be manual :D

    GP
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Does your dealer or other dealers that you know of listen to private conversations between a husband and wife or a couple while the salesperson is spending 20 minutes speaking to his sales manager about your latest offer?

    I don'y have a mocrophone on the desk or anything but I am listening to their "body Language" ;)

    Body language can tell you everything you need to know.

    GP
  • smithedsmithed Member Posts: 444
    As a customer, my wife and I agree to have a fight in the dealer office ahead of time. It is a real heated argument with swearing and name calling. It's scripted. We make it real nasty and call each other names that can't be printed here and accuse one another of all sorts of things that never really happened. We always get the deal we want and get ushered out of the showroom with the deal we came in for.
    This has worked every time. :)
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    GP,

    I'm pretty sure that GT-R has a paddle shifter as well. I think it's a dual clutch system. Just FYI.

    Hope everyone's holiday is going well. It's back to the grind here.

    -moo
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Smithed,

    Sounds fun!

    -moo
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Don't you hate that when you are doing "manly" things like car negotiations and the wife does her best to cut the legs out from under you?

    Yeah, I don’t like that either. I don’t tell her what kind of couch, lamps, tables, kitchen stuff etc. she should buy so she should know not to mess with my car buying. This ain’t for the ones that wear dresses when there is a man around. She knows I’ve picked up countless tips on these forums. I now, pretty much, have her convinced of my car buying prowess so I don’t think she will get in the way anymore. Therefore, I’m now in total control of this stuff.

    I hear something. Gotta go. Talk to you later. Hopefully without a lisp. :cry:

    jmonroe

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

  • smithedsmithed Member Posts: 444
    Moo,

    worked for a sofa and matching chair, too. :)
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    I'm pretty sure that GT-R has a paddle shifter as well. I think it's a dual clutch system. Just FYI.

    Your probably right I am extremely hung over and my brain isn't working just yet. :sick:

    GP
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,472
    I'm pretty sure that GT-R has a paddle shifter as well. I think it's a dual clutch system. Just FYI.

    That's correct. A manual isn't even available as an option. I'm guessing Nissan wants to ensure that wealthy poseurs won't be left out...:P

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    worked for a sofa and matching chair, too. :)

    Thanks for the tip. I've gotta try it.

    Just about due for another pair of these. The last ones are about 3 years old. :confuse:

    jmonroe

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

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Or a high pitched voice! LOL
    :shades:
This discussion has been closed.

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