Stories from the Sales Frontlines

roadburner

So about these Scions Tc's... Are they good cars? he said he liked them.

Everything I've heard about the tC has been very positive. It's not my cup of tea, as it is more show than go- but it would probably be an excellent choice for your purposes.

gogiboy

Richard--

It's as though you wrote that story for me and it scared me more than anything Steven King can concoct. I would have had exactly the same reaction. My wife even saw a Dodge Nitro the other day on the road and asked me what is was. I know that she wouldn't test drive one, though, or at least I believe she wouldn't... We often drive past a Honda/Dodge dealership on the way home.

If my wife had come home and told the same tale the only noteworthy difference in the plot synopsis would be that we've been married for 25 years, not 40. I sent a copy of your story to her to elicit a response. She seems pleased with her Rav4 and very concerned about gas prices so I don't foresee a trade-in in the near future--at least not for a Chrysler SUV or CUV or whatever the Nitro is considered in the alphabet soup lexicon of vehicle types available today.

Wait! I forgot, she loaned me her Rav4 today. Supposedly it was because of the weather, but it's really very, very unusual. :confuse:

Gogiboy

michaellno

As a parent who has shepherded 3 kids through their formative driving years, I've got some questions and advice:

1) Who is paying the insurance? If it is the son, then the Scion tC will work - however, as a 2-door coupe, it will probably cost more. When my oldest turned 15 and got his permit, we asked our insurance agent what was the cheapest car to insure, we were told a Saturn sedan. Oldest son now drives an '01 L200, while our daughter drives an '06 Ion.

2) Cars with a high center of gravity are probably not good for novice drivers. When the oldest turned 16, we found an immaculate Chevy Tracker, one owner (former GM manager). We explained to him that it tips over easily. Five weeks later, he rolls and totals it. We never had a chance to register it in our name.

My own .02, FWIW.

jeepboy08

yeah, but to tell you the truth, i would rather pay a higher insurance than have to have my sons funeral bills for the next 5 years, if you know what i mean.

The wrangler is an exceptionally nice truck, but after hearing all of this, i think that my son will be happy with a tC. He has a vast amount of tastes.

What are some options that i should get in the tC for him?

stickguy

Vic, what is the name and location of the Mexican restaurant you talk about occasionally (your cousin owns it I think)

I was chatting with some people I know in our Chesapeake office that like Mexican food.

What kind of place is it, and should I worry about sending people over?

mackabee

This is where Toyota has everyone beat. The Just in time philosophy is they only put the parts they need at the assembly line. If they are building 20 Camrys tonight only parts for 20 Camrys are in the line. If you ever get a chance look up the video. It's very educations, GM and Ford are now adopting it.
Mack

bolivar

You said "Basically, all I am saying is if I buy a new car I do want any part cannibalized. I want it exactly how is was when it rolled off the assembly line. "

The real fear - About 40 years from now, a lot of Honda lovers are going to decide that 2007 Accords were the greats cars ever built. They become the highest sought after cars in the US auto collectors market, and also the most expensive.

The cannibalized car is in pristine condition - except - the build date on that switched out alternator (found through analysis of the serial number on the internal voltage regulator) does not agree with the build date of the car. It's value is diminished by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its owner is too embarrassed to attend his local Accord Owners Club meetings. The car is not allowed into the Barretts auction. Disparing of the loss of face and potential sale income, the owner commits sucide.

The American Car Collector's Tragedy.

mackabee

I guess we've all had that happen to us in our car selling careers. The barshop I go to is on a naval base which is close to my house. I've been getting my haircut (when I had hair) by the same lady. Her family has bought a couple of cars from me. The lady next to her was looking for a Highlander Limited so my barber told her to come and see me that I would take care of her. I gave her a card, called her with availability but nothing happened. A month later when it was time for another haircut I walk in and I ask her if she has purchased a HL yet.
"Yes, I did about a week ago." she replied. "Where did you buy it from? and she tells me the name of one of our competitors. "You should at least gave me a chance to compete." I told her. "I have a friend who told me her grandson works there so I went there."
Last December I also lost a sale to a "friend that is the GM at a dealership up in MD" what really bothered me is that she was a referral from a regular customer of mine and she even told me she wouldn't deal with anyone else. Then her husband got in the picture and the deal was lost. She wanted a Pearl white highlander with every toy except the dvd res which at that time was being put on every single HL Limited. I did a search for the vehicle without the DVD and found one in MD. Unfortunately when we called to get it they were already sending it to the husband's friend dealership.
It's part of the business and we just have to let it slide and move forward to the next sale.
:shades:

mackabee

Me too, if she was good looking!
Just kidding, just kidding,
Mack :shades:

mackabee

"Let's pretend we grew up together...that we've been good buddies for a long time. Let's say that we weren't afraid to tell each other anything. If I asked you a question, would you tell me the truth?"

I love it! I'm going to start using that with customers.

"Good...do you have any intention to buy anything from us in the foreseeable future?"
This one is great too! Thanks graphicguy. :shades:

mackabee

16 year olds are 16 year olds. You may think he's an exceptional driver but he is not fully matured to think like an adult. A better vehicle would be something with abs, side curtain airbags and any safety feature you can get.
What would you do if you got him the Jeep and he had a fatal accident? You would never forgive yourself.
Get him a Scion xB or Toyota Corolla, something compact but safe.

Mack

cdnpinhead

Interesting story. The truth will out, regardless of which side it's on.

I love it when liars are outed, though I think that may be a minority opinion.

mackabee

I'll chime in on the tC, Mack jr. has an 05 tC that has been trouble free since he purchased it in Jun of 2004. He has made some mods to it but nothing crazy, new wheels, lowering springs and shocks, tuner tail lights, a different grill, short shifter, and a few other things I forget. The tC was ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the top ten cars for young drivers. The 08 comes standard with side curtain and side impact airbags for the passenger and driver in additon to ABS. I would not hesitate to put my kid in one of those. Here's a pic:



Don't forget the other Scion, the xB. Styling is quirky, you either love it or hate it but it's also a very safe car, all airbags, plus VSC/Trac.
Mack

madmanmoo

In all reality, GG may have hit the nail on the head. As I recall, he kept bringing up invoice on the vehicle. Repeatedly. I would look past it and continue talking to him, but finally I had to let him know. We're not selling distressed merchandise and he's going to be taking one of the 2 build slots for 911's next month. We make money on these vehicles. No secret volume money, no extra bonuses. Just what we make. That's what keeps this facility running.

That was 2 visits ago though. So it's not like that held him back from coming in again.

Regardless, I'll let it go. Just as I have with countless other inconsiderate people. :shades:

-moo

cdnpinhead

"Please bare in mind . . ."

This is a test, right? It's a homonym thing. Something about glass houses comes to mind.

mackabee

There are few options available, they all come one way. Very well equipped, a/c, cruise control, power windows, locks, power mirrors, keyless remote entry, side curtain and side impact airbags, ABS, 2.4L engine 158 hp 162 lb-ft of torque. The Scions are made by Toyota and they are geared towards the younger generation. They have crossed all age groups as everyone is buying them. They have "accessories" available such as, DVD based nav system, rear spoiler, door sill enhancements, "upgrade wheels" though the factory 17 in wheels are pretty nice imho/ things like that. Most Scion buyers like to "accessories" their cars. One thing you should know right off the bat is they are sold at MSRP no matter which Scion dealer you go to. So getting one will come down to who gives you the best service and after sale treatment. They are very reasonably priced. Check this site out for more info: link title

jeepboy08

i really do like this car, and i think know, that my son would love this car.

What are some things that i should look for when purchasing this vehicle?

mackabee

The one owned by my cousin Jose Angel is called "Plaza Azteca" and it's located across from Pembroke Mall next to the K-MART shopping center. The food is excellent and the prices very reasonable. They have daily lunch specials from 11-3pm.
The Fajitas are the best I've ever tasted. You shouldn't worry about sending anyone there. The people are very friendly. Just tell Jose I sent you.

There is also another one owned by my cousin Gabriel. This one is located on Princess anne road right off Witchduck rd. Say if you're by my store you head east towards the beach and make a right on Witchduck, then a right on Princess anne, then look to your left about a half a mile down the road and you'll see "El Gran Rodeo" I think they share the fajita recipe as they are also delicious! They just opened this one recently since the one on Providence road was closed. Ask for a taste of the different sauces to go with the chips. Very tasty, caution, some a very hot!

I have sold Jose many trucks and suv's and also to some of his employees.
Gabriel just bought an Infiniti QX56 from me back in November. Check both of them out, you won't be disappointed.
Vic :shades:

mackabee

There's really nothing to it. The way it works best is to go to the Scion website and "Build your Scion" You would input your zip code then it takes you to the screen with the three different models, xA, xB, tC. then you pick the model and manual or auto transmission, color, and any accessories you want added. You can e-mail the completed vehicle to your favorite Scion dealer or print it out and bring it with you to the dealership.
With Scion, there are no games. Everything is "pure price" what you see is what you get. If your son went in there to buy the car he would pay the same price you would. The only things I would suggest you watch out for is the "aftermarket" items they will try to get you to buy, such as fabric./-paint protection, undercoating, vin etch, etc, etc, Not all dealers do this so you might do a little homework before going in.
If you are financing, Scion also posts the current finances rates based on your FICO score. It's the way to buy a car, Toyota hopes that in a few years Toyotas will be sold that way also. Any other questions you're welcome to e-mail me, my e-mail address is on my user name.
Mack
"

jeepboy08

well, the main thing that i want to know, is what are the pros and cons of the tC?

tidester

Please take your questions about the Wrangler to a suitable location such as Jeep Wrangler. It's off topic here.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

stickguy

Now I am hungry! I'll try to send some people your way. And your cousins.

That way, if they buy a car, I will be able to validate the story!

oldfarmer50

"...Because of Edmunds, my life here will never be the same..."

Imagine that, the wife going car shopping without you. Now if she starts killing her own spiders, you're finished!

chikoo

uh-oh

teacher.....you cannot do this.

"Please bare in mind"

"bear" not bare, teach :shades:

oldfarmer50

"...I'd probably get back at him by having sex with his wife..."

The poor woman did nothing to you. Why would you punish her because you were mad at her husband? :P

snakeweasel

I was a Corpsman and most of our docs were CMDR and Capt's and I delt with them directly with regards to paitent care.

I do remember one time an Admiral once made the blunder of assembling a group of junior officers in a room for a quick talking to that our Master Chief had a standing reservation for for our training. When the Master Chief heard about it he let the Admiral know his displeasure infront of the jr officers in no uncertain terms.

jipster

"...I'd probably get back at him by having sex with his wife..."

The poor woman did nothing to you. Why would you punish her because you were mad at her husband?

Well, I'm not attracked to her husband.... Jip don't swing that way. So, if I have to "punish" someone I would prefer that it be the wife. :surprise:

kiawah

Mack,

I know everyone says they sell these at MSRP, but Fitzmall has them running 800-1000 under MSRP....so at least one dealership is discounting them.

Tc

mackabee

There is no law that says the dealers must sell at MSRP. The Scion covenant states that if you discount a car for a customer you must do the same for all other customers and it must be the same amount. So if I went in to buy a tC for myself and received a 500 dollar discount and you came in right behind me and bought the same identical car then you should have gotten the same discount. Scion/Toyota motor sales review Scion sales to ensure they are following the guidelines. Dealers that don't follow the guidelines can lose the franchise but first they get a warning, then less allocation of product.
Mack

mackabee

You are correct. I just checked their website and it's uniform throughout the pricing. Looks like $100 over invoice. It's ridiculous since the markup is not very high to begin with and there is no holdback or financial reserve on them. I believe Carmax does the same thing as they own a Toyota and Scion franchise.
Mack

lrguy44

Please do not confuse doctors with Navy Line Officers. I know when i was in Aviation Officer Candidate school in Pensacola, our marine DIs would march us past a group of new doctors drilling at NAMI just so we could have a good laugh.

bolivar

Yea, I always wanted my doctor to march good.

oldfarmer50

"...Jip don't swing that way..."

LOL. My wife came over to see what I was laughing at. She shook her head and said "All this time I thought you were reading about cars!" She walked away muttering something about "sickos".

Thanks for getting me in trouble. :sick:

theatasigma

I think the most important thing your missing with "Just in Time", is if they hit a set number of defects the line stops right away. That way you don't build 200 cars with a problem and have to go back to fix them. You only get 5-10 or so and when the problem is fixed the line starts up again. I used to work as an inspector/repair tech for a company that followed this philosophy about 15 years ago, and it saved me lots of work because when I found that 5th board I hit a button that killed the line. Then worked to get the problem resolved.

This is why Toyota and Honda are killing the domestic markets. (However I love my Mustang and Land Rover)

TS

mako1a

So, mack, you say all of Toyota is going with the one price like Scion deal? Great!
And if you discount one you have to discount all of them? That is exactly how it should be. Finally.

I have about 6 months warranty left on my :shades: Solara and was going to keep driving past the end of warranty since it has zero problems and with the economy all messed up like it is, but hey, I'm liking Toyota more all the time.

If Honda goes that way, I swear I'll go to Seattle and walk up on isell and say "I'll have the same thing that guy is having" LOL :shades:

sterlingdog

Typo, typo, typo! :P It's not the first time that I have had a rock thrown through my glass house I can "burr" the brunt of it.

sterlingdog

See post 25099. You two get "A's" this semester! :shades:

sterlingdog

Gee, who took the sugar from your coffee? You usually say this in a more diplomatic manner. Maybe you've been staying up too late at night waiting for me to post.

sterlingdog

I guess that I am finished. She has been killing the bugs and snakes for years---while I stood on a chair.

tidester

Sorry about that! Coincidentally, I ran out of coffee filters yesterday afternoon - hmm! You could be onto something there.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

jescue

Coffee is off topic here. :P

sterlingdog

Thanks for the input. I think you are right on the money. She had a CRV at one point and really enjoyed it. We never had a problem with it. While I don't care for the new design of the CRV, they are excellent cars. I saw the Nitro yesterday. It was sitting next to a Jeep Liberty. I wondered then if they weren't kin to one another.

joel0622

Jeff, my Dad tells a story about working in a Buick plant some 50+ years ago.

His job was to set the oil pan on the engine so the next guy could bolt it on. Obviously the engine came by him upside down and he could see down into as it passed by. The line moved at a pretty quick pace and he did not have long to set one before the next one came by.

One day an engine came by and there was a Budweiser beer can some one had thrown in the engine. My Dad reached up and pulled the cord wich stopped the line.

A supervisor walked up and asked him why in the hell did he stop the line?

My Dad thinking he would be praised for attention to detail proudly stated that their was a beer can in the engine.

The supervisor looked, saw the can, and then asked my dad again why he stopped the line. he then went on to chew him out for doing so and then yelled to start the line up.

My dad reached to get the beer can and the supervisor chewed him out again telling him that the beer can was not his concern.

My dad said that for two years he worried about some poor guy who bought that car with a beer can in it.

tidester

Coffee is off topic here.

LoL! I get the distinct feeling I was set up.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

jescue

Maybe it was Ok since it was a Budweiser can. If it had been an import beer that would have been different.

sterlingdog

I can certainly relate to your story! We bought a new Buick in 1978. We kept hearing this noise for weeks, but couldn't quite tell where it was exactly. After several trips back to the dealer, they found it. A beer can was rolling around inside the driver's door panel. Your dad should have been given a bonus for finding that can. The noise drove us crazy until they found the source of the problem.

sterlingdog

So, you've been married for 25 years? Wait until you've been married for 40 years.. She'll go on a test drive without you! :sick: Since she traded cars with you this morning, she may be at the dealership now.

jipster

We bought a new Buick in 1978...A beer can was rolling around inside the driver's door panel

No wonder GM and domestics quality had gone down so much. Just about everybody on the line was getting stinking drunk. :sick:

joel, I would think though that one of those old metal beer cans (non aluminum back in early 50's) would tear up an engine while being driven to the dealership for sale, or during a test drive??? So, the engine was probably repaired before anyone ever bought it.

sterlingdog

What would we do without you and jipster on this site? If you two ever get together, I want to be there for the laughs.

imidazol97

Did you get my email about that post?