Stories from the Sales Frontlines

jmonroe

Of course, peek into their cars and it looks like a tornado swept through a McDonalds.. ugh!

Yeah, haven’t we all seen this!!

In any event, my son learned at a very early age that causing damage to one of Dad's cars was a sure way to lose all PC/TV/video game privileges- and possibly a limb or two as well...

They can turn into Rhode Scholars pretty quick given the proper motivation.

jmonroe

mackabee

You're closer to Isellhondas than to Joel (he sells Fords). I'm sure Craig can cut you a deal on an Accord. Way better vehicle than anything Ford or GM makes IMHO.
:shades:

sterlingdog

I wish you and jmonroe had been fathers to all of my students over the years. I cleaned out my students' desks each Friday afternoon before heading home. You wouldn't believe some of my findings. Besides gum and candy wrappers, there would be sanitary napkins and condoms---unused of course! :sick: While many of my students shared their personal experiences with me, I could find out much more by cleaning out the desks.

Richard

sterlingdog

But I like coined words. "Sloppish" sounds great to me---better than "sloppy".

I thought of you yesterday. The wife purchased the sideboard to match our dining room table and chairs. We won't talk about the check that I had to write. :sick:

Richard

mackabee

Just got back from the hospital a few hours ago. Catching up on the posts after I banged my drums for about an hour. Mackabee the Third's friend commented on how good they sounded. I was shocked! I was playing along to some Eagles w/Joe Walsh, Santana, Tower of Power, Led Zeppelin and Chicago. I decided that one of my 10 items on my Bucket list is to learn to play guitar. I stopped at my local music shop last night to check on lessons and they happened to have a clinic by Taylor guitars. I caught the tail end of it AND if I ever get as good as Carlos Santana I might buy one. They are beautiful, made in El Cajon Ca by a true luthier and musician Bob Taylor. I'll just stick to my Fender Stratocaster that I inherited from little Mack. He got himself a really nice Schechter guitar. I hope I inherit that one when he moves up to a PRS. Santana makes me cry when he plays Samba pa ti live!
Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I will know the results next Tuesday when I see my oncologist. I do get to read the results of the previous scans so I was checking out the last one from Dec 07. I'm getting good at deciphering medical terminology. I got to look of "foci" I have no clue what that means yet. Nephrosis has to do with the kidneys and it looks like I have a lot of stones in the right one. The "nodules" in my lungs have remained stable, the tumors on my liver are gone but there appears to be a cyst on the lower lobe. The lymph nodes have also shrunk. So apparently I'm cancer free right now.

The side effects of the chemo are kicking my @ss bigtime. The fatigue is unbelievable, the nausea is unbearable some days even with the anti-nausea meds, my taste buds are practically gone, and I have mouth sores which make it difficult to eat, and walking and typing is difficult due to the neuropathy.

My hair looks like it's starting to grow back. My mustache is barely noticeable as are my eyebrows and eyelashes. If you saw me today I look nothing like my picture on CarSpace. Other than that I'm doing great!

jkinzel

The “No News is Good News” theory. Most post are about Honda and Toyota.

jmonroe

Did you shorten your last name and added roe?

Nah. You ain’t allowed to do that here. You know, truth in posting regulation. :shades:

jmonroe

tayl0rd

Sounds like an invasion of privacy to me. What are you looking for?

mikefm58

Actually yes I did and that's what another thing that I thought it might be. I drove the 18 miles to work after picking it up, no check engine light, filled up with gas, drove home and the check engine light came on. I messed with the gas cap making sure it was on correctly, check engine light goes out but then comes back on again later. So now I take it back to the dealer.

mackabee

Actually it's quite legal since it's school property. They have the right to search desks and lockers. Same as a job. Your employer has the right to search your desk or workstation anytime they feel like it.
Mack

mackabee

Usually that's what happens. We see it all the time on Corollas. If the o2 sensor is good then the light usually goes away after a couple of days or you can reset it by pulling a fuse and putting it back. I would be concerned with the shop that did the work.
Mack
:shades:

mikefm58

I would be concerned with the shop that did the work.

My thoughts exactly, constant upselling all the time. They did give me the old O2 sensor but what would I then do with it.

cotmc

Mack,

I have been reading the posts here on a rather infrequent basis, and so I'm sure I missed many of your previous status messages. But, considering all you've been up against, this seems like very good news! Keep up the good fight, and keep up the faith!

Also, start those guitar lessons!! When you do, I'll refer to you as "Terry Kath II".

sterlingdog

Perhaps she is looking for something other than a new car. :shades:

Richard

tayl0rd

If I'm not mistaken, there has to be probable cause for such searches.

sterlingdog

You may have misunderstood my post. I cleaned out the desks each Friday afternoon because any left food items would bring in the roaches. I never looked in their book bags or personal belongings. It was just a routine thing that most teachers did. Still, the children were rather careless in terms of leaving love notes, etc. Just part of the job.

Richard

sterlingdog

I'm afraid that in the 1960's and 1970's we didn't have "probable cause", "politically correct", or many other student rights that we have today. I'm not saying that it was good or bad---just the era in which we lived. This may surprise you, but we could even search their clothes---while on the body, their CARS, their lockers, etc. Any suspicion allowed a search. As far as the desks were concerned, it was just a matter of having a clean and tidy room.

Richard

sterlingdog

If it is owner neglect, I certainly agree with you.

What should she buy---a Kia?

Well, I walked up to a car in a shopping mall parking lot not long ago to see what make it was. This attractive sedan caught my attention. It turned out to be a Kia. I have seen other makes less appealing to the eye.

Richard

obyone

What grade were you teaching that would leave condoms and sanitary napkins available for everyone to see? Or was this a sociology course where everyone shared?

sterlingdog

"...and I bursted out laughing."

Is "bursted" the same as "busted"? :P I just pick on you because you have such a good sense of humor. :shades:

jipster

Is "bursted" the same as "busted"? I just pick on you because you have such a good sense of humor.

Members of "Team Jipster" do not pick on each other.... five demerits! :mad:

sterlingdog

At first it was grades 7-8, then later 9-12. When I taught at the college level, I didn't have to clean out the desks. The custodians did it. As a matter of fact, I did teach Sociology at one point. Since the sexual mores were part of the curriculum, we did do quite a bit of sharing---fully dressed of course. BTW, my wife used to find condoms in her second grade desks. Children do imitate their elders.

Richard

jmonroe

I thought of you yesterday. The wife purchased the sideboard to match our dining room table and chairs. We won't talk about the check that I had to write.

So far I’m doing great in dodging that bullet but I know it’s just a matter of time till I zig when I should have zagged. But like I’ve said before it’s not going to be the 12/13K one she has me set up for.

When I think of all the tools I could buy for what she’s going to drop on that dining room set…it just breaks my heart not to mention what it’s going to do to my wallet.

jmonroe

sterlingdog

I wondered why you put me on the team. Now I know. I want to see the bylaws. I'll just subtract the demerits from the bonus points that I have in savings.

Richard

jmonroe

Members of "Team Jipster" do not pick on each other.... five demerits!

How many guys are on this “team” anyway?

Is there a traveling squad that roams the country for slimy dealerships or just a stay at home team that continuously beats up on the local bad guys?

I think you need to do some marketing. :confuse:

jmonroe

greanpea68

what condition would you say her house is in?

I vision cockaroaches :P

GP

greanpea68

Members of "Team Jipster" do not pick on each other.... five demerits

Wow I made it to "Team Jipster" Now I am really :confuse:

Am I a prisoner of war

Even if you are the last kid to be picked for kick ball at least you made the team

GP

cotmc

Can I pick on you "Team Jipster" members if I claim to be on "Team Tidester"??

604doc

My cousin works for Ira Hyundai. Small world.

greanpea68

My cousin works for Ira Hyundai

Which state? I don't think it is the same company...

gP

sterlingdog

I'm the prisoner. I can't pick on you, jipster, jmonroe, etc. We could have a coup and over throw the leader. Is he or his CAR bigger than the rest of us?

Richard

604doc

I'm originally from Mass. I used to be a service advisor at Peabody Chrysler back in the 80's. Now I fix airplanes in seattle. Is Ira Hyundai part of the same "Ira" that you work for? If I remember right, they're on 110, or is it 114?

greanpea68

Is Ira Hyundai part of the same "Ira" that you work for? If I remember right, they're on 110, or is it 114?


My bad you were right... It was located on RT 114...

Ira Hyundai doesn't exist anymore. Not sure when they got rid of it but it would be the same company. You had all the pieces of the puzzle... Peabody/Danvers rt. 114... And 1980's...

Do you know if your cousin still works for the group? There some veterans here who have been here 20 plus years. In the group I mean not necesarily the store I work in.

GP

traindriver

With shop labor over 100.00/hr, it adds up fast!

Wow, and I thought $68 per hour at the Ford dealer in South Carolina was high!! :sick:

jipster

How many guys are on this “team” anyway?

You haven't been paying attention.... six demerits! :mad:
Scroll back and you will see the team members.

Yes, we are a stay at home team that hands out truth and common sense advice to those who are lacking. We are the "Dear Abby" of Edmunds.

I think you need to do some marketing.

Such insolence will not be tolerated. Seven demerits. Report to the principals office(Richard) for reprogramming. :sick:

jipster

Sorry, greenpea... I lost that e-mail you sent me, if that was you. If it was a paypal payment for membership into "Team Jipster"... please hit your resend button. :P

jipster

Can I pick on you "Team Jipster" members if I claim to be on "Team Tidester"??

Tidester will always be Mr. Spock to my Captain Kirk. :P

He does have some nice t-shirts though, left over from his now defunct fan club.

Sure... you "Team Tidester" guys give us your best shot! :shades:

mackabee

Thank you. I'll do my best to honor his memory.
:shades:

mackabee

I think so too. I've haven't spoken to her since Monday. She might be getting the message by now. \
Mack

mackabee

It's 68 bucks at my shop. 100 buckaroos seem awful high for labor rate.
Mack
:shades:

tidester

from his now defunct fan club.

Let's refrain from spreading vicious rumors! We expect only top quality rumors. :P

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

jmonroe

Report to the principals office(Richard) for reprogramming.

OK, just as long as this can be done via conversation or software. If there is a paddle involved I ain’t goin. You know how much he'd like to lay that thing on me.

jmonroe

jipster

We could have a coup and over throw the leader. Is he or his CAR bigger than the rest of us?

You don't want to try that.... 6 foot, 240 pounds with 9% body fat. :shades:

On another note, I've been baiting a trap the past 9 months or so. Started telling my wife I needed a new car. Giving her the same spiel she use to give me... i.e needs a safe reliable car for the kids/traveling... I work hard, I deserve a new car... so and so just got a new car and we make more than they do. So, the other day ( a beautiful spring day in which I almost stopped in a Ford dealership to look at a Fusion) I again mentioned to my wife that I needed a new car. BINGO! Trap sprung. She asked what kind of car I liked. I pulled out a Consumer Report Review book. Of course I tried to set the price high by looking at more expensive cars loaded down. She tried to low ball me by getting me to look at smaller/less expensive cars. i.e the Mazda 3... a Saturn something or another. So, the game is on! If I can get over my natural inclination to be a cheapskate, I may have a new car this summer.

jmonroe

Of course I tried to set the price high by looking at more expensive cars loaded down. She tried to low ball me by getting me to look at smaller/less expensive cars. i.e the Mazda 3... a Saturn something or another. So, the game is on!

That’s not so bad. At least you’re not going to have an ADM (via a dining room set) tacked onto your purchase.

jmonroe

british_rover

Sounds about right for a four wire heated O2 sensor. Hmhh it might have even been a wide band O2 sensor but that is unlikely for a 2004 Tacoma.

It was the front sensor and not the rear one correct?

mackabee

I just looked online at link title and the prices of o2 sensors is around $230-299 for an 04 Tacoma. This place has excellent prices on replacement parts. I use them whenever I need something for my Camrys which is not too often TG!.
Mack

obyone

Local Chevy dealer has posted labor rate of $125 per hour with all techs being factory trained. :shades:

isellhondas

I hear that in the San Francisco area that labor can exceed 150.00/hr with the specialty shops even higher than that!

cdnpinhead

Yet another reason to find a good independent shop (and there are many) to do those things you don't do yourself.

Dealers appear to make much of their money in the service department.

I don't particularly want to be serviced. Think livestock.

wlbrown9

My check engine light has been off and on just about all winter. '00 Trooper, 130K miles. I guess I have worn something out besides brakes, tires and shocks...the gas cap. When it gets real cold, the CEL comes on. I'll reseat the gas cap and it will go off after a couple of starting cycles...then come back on, then go off again. Performance is still good, gas mileage hanging around 17.5 MPG which is about normal. When I get time I'll stop by the dealer and see about getting a new one.