Stories from the Sales Frontlines

mackabee

I was in the Navy in never heard of her.
mack :confuse:

hokiedog

The internet is a small place sometimes.

Around 3 years ago when I was doing research for a Mazda6, I was browsing the forums when I somehow noticed Mackabee's name and location. Imagine my surprise to see the name of someone that was in my 6th grade class. (I have a good memory of this time because I had just moved to Virginia Beach not too long ago.) Anyway, could this be the same person? Well, considering that I'm 28 and mackabee ... well... isn't, I guess not. I was pretty sure it had to be Mack Jr, who I recalled being a nice kid, so I figured if I ever needed a Toyota to look up his dad.

Fast forward a few years and my mom needs to upgrade her tiny Neon R/T to a minivan or small SUV. So I email Mack, we marvel at how small the world sometimes is, and my mom and I go see him and end up getting a Sienna. (Of course the story is longer than that, but I'm not aiming to write a novel here.)

The point is, I second the suggestion to look up Mack's info. Both my mom and I were happy. I must admit it was a bit weird though when I would be talking to him, and in the middle of an interesting story he suddenly goes '.. To Be Continued ...', turns around and walks away. :P

ps - dnmann, just in case you haven't been lurking for awhile, that To Be Continued thing was a joke - that didn't actually happen.

mackabee

We have a salesperson in our store that had an assistant. He wasn't making the money here that he was at the Ford store so he fired her. She would do the follow up calls, deliveries, and even took ups sometimes. We would joke that he didn't sell the cars, she did.
:shades:

imidazol97

> have it turn out that they write a check for $55K truck

Long time friends of mine were the talk of the town for years because he decided on a Saturday, long ago, to buy a new car at the local dealer. He paid cash for the 65 Caddy. I mean cash type cash.

The same guy was dissed by a fairly new Mercedes dealer in a nearby larger town 10 years later while driving his delivery truck route in his coveralls. He ended up buying a Caddy instead from the Dayton dealer on his route for another day of the week. I think he wrote a check that time.

He has an OSU degree in agriculture and sold product to businesses throughout the area (meats).

mackabee

Thank you Mike! I appreciate the write up. I got the survey today and I also want to thank you and your mom for it. It was excellent all the way and my boss really appreciated the comments.
Mack :shades:

imidazol97

I've been on the computer too long or I need new glasses. I glanced at the TV and saw that Mackabee had 7% in the Republican Caucus in Nevada!!!

Mackabee for President.

imidazol97

>I was in the Navy in never heard of her.

I learned about her through my computing experience.">link title

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper

Wikipedia

imidazol97

>I was in the Navy in never heard of her.

I learned about her through my computing experience.

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper

Wikipedia

lrguy44

Mac - do I have to write you up? She is a legend (as is Rickover)

oldfarmer50

"...he would turn over a 3 minute egg timer..."

Wow, it must be great to have so much business that you could piss people off like that. I would turn the timer back over and tell him I didn't need 3 minutes to decide that I would never buy from him. :mad:

BTW, someone mentioned how they would react if a customer drove up with an old smoker. I have a 23 year old pick-up that drips oil on the manifold so smoke floats up from the hood. How about if I drove that bad boy into your dealership wearing my old Hush Puppies and my Timex watch? Should I expect to see the sales staff heading for the hills? Would you pull out the egg timer?

joel0622

Well seeing I am not in California and I am not the one with the egg timer I would say you would not have to worry about it.

As far as the old truck goes since I said we work every up to the end you probably would not have to worry about that either.

The only way to find out though for sure is to bring your old truck and your hush puppies in and see what happens

oldfarmer50

"...bring your old truck and your hush puppies in..."

Nah, my Ford still has plenty of life left in it. The Hush Puppies I might be willing to trade...

greanpea68

Here at my store our top salesman has about ten assistants... His name is GSM :P

GP

I couldn't believe nobody said it already

mako1a

They're all at Barrett-Jackson buying cars that (hopefully) don't depreciate as fast as others.

mackabee

I've just read the link to Admiral Hopper. What a great woman! I may be getting old as I don't remember her but I do remember Rickover, Holloway, Kelso, and a few other Admirals some who were CNO's.
Mack :shades:

ronsmith38

I heard Admiral Hopper speak at IBM in Endicott NY in the 60's. A very brilliant lady, who did not pull any punches, even to being critical of her host, IBM.

sterlingdog

You are correct. We do the same thing as customers. Just because the salesman wears a plaid jacket, an orange shirt, and a dotted tie doesn't mean that he can't sell cars and be honest with customers. One of the nicest F&I guys I ever met dressed like the Fonz. He was the only one that I ever met who pointed out that I didn't really need "rust proofing" and "mop and glow". The next time that I got the car itch, I called him. He had left the dealership for parts unknown. I guess I don't have to wonder why.

sterlingdog

Ohhhhh my goshhhhh---A Bugatti Roadster. Now that IS the essence of luxury. Either that or a Cord. Those two would put RR to shame---and that is hard to do.

You're so right. Riding in a Rolls Royce is a unique experience. Fifteen years ago I rented one for my niece to take her and the groom from the church to the country club. While I love my niece, the only girl born in our family in the last sixty years, I think that I actually rented it for myself. Her gratitude to me---presenting me with two great nephews.

sterlingdog

I wish that I WAS a fly on your wall paper so that I could see Mrs.J keep you straight. Mrs.J, if you are reading this, take his car keys. He's been a bad boy again.

jmonroe

Mackabee for President.

That's a great idea. Anything to get him out of here. Then we can wait and see how far he'll get with that " To be Continued" crap that he's been dishing out here. On second thought, he'll fit right in. :mad:

Stick around Mack; just finish some of those tales. I know you have some hanging but since it's been so long I can't remember which ones those are.

Anyone else have this problem? :confuse:

jmonroe

snakeweasel

---A Bugatti Roadster. Now that IS the essence of luxury. Either that or a Cord.

IIRC back in the 30's a Cord went $20K a Bugatti went for $40K. Not sure what current Cord values are but I seem to recall Bugattis currently going for several million at auctions.

mark156

Richard, I have a Rolls Royce and the experience gets old when you realize it still needs oil changes/filter changes and is more finicky than your average car..... and no, mine is not the new Phantom, it's a 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III.... (off-white with parchment leather)..... a nice head turner! I get the "Thumbs Up" all the time when I'm driving it around.

And, you too could drive an antique Rolls for the price of a new Accord! I've had my baby for 10 years this year and have put about 5,500 miles on it during that time. She has a 6.25 liter V-8 and probably gets somewhere around 7-8 mpg. (my donation to the oil Gods).

Sometime I want to sell her but then fall back in love! :sick:

Mark

rockylee

I guess I'm going to have to get me as a new guy a egg timer. Could of used one yesterday as we were so flooded I even had to get involved. :surprise:

-Rocky

snakeweasel

When I was in sales making sales calls I used a kitchen timer. I would tell the client that I would only take up 'X' amount of their time. First thing I did was set the kitchen timer for 'X' amount of time. When the timer went off I ended my presentation, FWIW if I didn't make the sales in that amount of time I knew that my chances of a sale was slim to next to none. The clients seemed to love the fact that valued their time enough not to waste it.

Of course thats putting a limit on me but not on the customer.

sterlingdog

Snake, I did a little research. A 2007 Bugatti will cost you $1,300,000. A 1937 Cord convertible, my favorite model for a Cord, sold new for around $2,450. Today, one in good condition will cost you $125,000. This is "average retail" and can go as high as $194,000 or as low as $79,000. The value of the Cord surprised me. I would have thought it to be much more.

sterlingdog

Though it is finicky and gets terrible gas mileage, I can understand why you don't sell her. They are such beautiful automobiles. After a little research, I see your point. You really can buy a pre-owned one for the price of some new cars.

sterlingdog

If Mackabee becomes president, I want to be Secretary of Grammar. Perhaps we can help Washington to communicate with the American citizens. Mack's campaign slogan can be "Progress---To Be Continued".

As for his "To Be Continued" stories, he promised me that he would do better in 2008. I guess that I am too old, but when he does that, I never remember if I saw the rest of the story or not. :confuse: If I do see it, I can't remember how the story started out. :sick:

mackabee

If I do become president I promise all my stories will end in one post. However, ending my stories in one post leaves the reader hanging. Too many questions left unanswered. I want readers to keep coming back. There's nothing like the anticipation of the next chapter. I'm still thinking about writing a book. I already have the title for it....you guessed it! TO BE CONTINUED..

Now let's get ready for some football!!!! :shades:

gogiboy

"A 1937 Cord convertible, my favorite model for a Cord, sold new for around $2,450. Today, one in good condition will cost you $125,000."

I wish I could tell you more about my folk's neighbor and his three Bugattis. He built one for each of his two sons and one for himself. I have no idea where he got the original bodies or other parts, but would venture to say that most all the work was custom. I seem to recall that each of them was appraised north of $75K in the early 70s.

A few weeks ago the topic of supercars and teens came up. Unfortunately, Mr. N.'s two sons were poster boys for the problems of teens and fast cars. Son # 1 had his fair share of car woes before he was shot killed by his girlfriend's father--who was just trying to scare him. I think he was about 20 at the time. Son #2, who was a year older than me, was given a brand new 72 Chevy Nova upon receiving his license. He promptly totaled it. A year later he and another guy from my high school were in a bad accident that killed the other kid. Later, son #2 was in another horrible wreck that left him legally blind and, perhaps somewhat mentally diminished. He passed away a few years ago just a year or two after his father. I remember that he had to take cabs to go any place. On some level I liked son #2, but at an early age I realized he was reckless, arrogant and untrustworthy. It's possible some of the accidents also involved alcohol, but I suspect inexperience and excessive speed were the real factors

I don't know what Mr. N. did with each of the son's Bugattis, but he retained his until his death about 10 years ago. At one point he confided to one of my brothers that he had tried to "give" everything to his boys and look what happened. Perhaps every "thing" was too much.

Gogiboy

oldfarmer50

Are all you guys open on MLK Day? Is this good for sales or is it no different than any other Monday?

jipster

Damn, how long did the doctor say you had to wear those shoes?"

LOL.

shirley1539

Sounds like you left money on the table. Your customer strongly believed that he was upside down and then you went and told him that he had a positive 4k on his car. You should have told him he had 2k positive. I bet you he still would have been a very happy customer an you would have been a happier sales person with 2k more front end gross profit. Not sure what percentage you get paid on front in gross. Store I work at gives you 25%. Thats an extra $500.00 in your pocket.

mackabee

Yep, we're open. Just another monday.

greanpea68

There's nothing like the anticipation of the next chapter. I'm still thinking about writing a book. I already have the title for it....you guessed it! TO BE CONTINUED..

Theres nothing like keeping someone in suspence.... isn't that salses 101... always keep them guessing???? :P

That makes sense to me :surprise:

GP

greanpea68

Are all you guys open on MLK Day? Is this good for sales or is it no different than any other Monday?


Of course we are open... There is no other bigger sales day than the Martin Luther King sales day event :shades: ... We ussualy do the sell a million carmarch on that day!!!

GP

greanpea68

20-20....

I am really hpoing the Packer's win .... I would love this to stretch to to the Super Bowl... Let's go "defense" :shades:

GP

snakeweasel

OK I stand corrected, I did a little looking around and the Cord went for up to $5K in the 30'd. I seem to remember reading somewhere $20K but I guess I was misremembering. Anyways it was about the price of a Lincoln (maybe a little less) at the time.

Can't find much on the prices of the Bugatti unless its the modern day version of it. But realistically WWII killed it off.

stickguy

Big Blue wins baby. Super bowl time, and revenge on the Pats.

If I could actually walk without keeling over (my back, I'm not drunk!) I would get up and dance.

That's it, I am buying a new car this week. Something with great seats. Wonder how good the Infiniti G35 is? An S80 would be OK too!

greanpea68

Just for the record I just lost $50 to a guy I work with :sick: ...

For the bet you nly have to post Nissans are superor till next Monday...

For some reason I vision posts that end with...... Nissan.... "To be contibued"

I have to be honest i am a little worried about the Giants.... Oh now that I think about it it will be " PASSING WEATHER "

So that being said I think it is safe to say the Pats will go 18-0 ...

Any posters want to say anywise I would be interested in hearing...

GP

greanpea68

I guess I'm going to have to get me as a new guy a egg timer. Could of used one yesterday as we were so flooded I even had to get involved

If you were that busy keep taking ups!!! Believe me I thought I knew everything untill after a year in the car business. The more ups you take the better the education!!!

as Mack says " To be continued"

GP

stickguy

no bets, but the Giants are winning outright, so don't wager anything you don't want to lose!

moparbad

Is an egg timer the small hour glass with sand that only goes for three minutes i/o an hour?

tidester

he had a positive 4k on his car. You should have told him he had 2k positive.

Shirley, you jest. :surprise:

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

jmonroe

Replying to: british_rover (Feb 13, 2006 6:33 pm)

Sounds like you left money on the table

Thats an extra $500.00 in your pocket.

Took a long nap huh? I couldn't help but notice the Feb. 2006 date that you were responding to 'rover' about.

Didn't you hear, that because 'rover' was an up front guy he got this customer as a repeat buyer in mid July 2007 not to mention all the referrals.

Your post will be the charter post in "Late Responses to the Sales From the Frontlines ".

jmonroe

joel0622

The only days we close are Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, and Easter Sunday.

oldfarmer50

"...he got this customer as a repeat buyer..."

Exactly, I'm always surprised when salespeople (not just in the car business) go for the quick buck and lose out on life long loyal customers. No man is an island but if you burn all your bridges, you may find yourself stuck on one.

I bet rover will make a lot more than $500 on that customer over the next few years.

sterlingdog

"Sounds like you left money on the table."

Perhaps you would like to learn a new word. Go to the dictionary and look up i-n-t-e-g-r-i-t-y.

sterlingdog

That is a very sad story. Sometimes, we give too much.

lrguy44

Repeat is the heart of the business - about half of my sales are repeat or referral.

madmanmoo

Respectfully, this has nothing to do with integrity. It does sound like he left money on the table.

Our job is to make profit and I'm surprised that he gave that much money back to the customer. A deal is a deal when the customer agrees with us. It sounds like the customer would have agreed at a price that included more profit for the dealer.

Nice salesman to do what he did, but I don't think he would have shown any less integrity if he had held on the trade.

-moo