Stories from the Sales Frontlines

15225235255275282003

Comments

  • nj2pa2ncnj2pa2nc Member Posts: 811
    I either take the Queen Mother to Stevenson Acura in Wilmington, NC or Lehigh Valley Acura in Emmaus, Pa for service. Hourly rate at Lehigh is $90.00 and Stevenson is $80.00 yet it ends up costing more for the same service at Stevenson. Must be that slow southern thing.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Oh, we're here! But while I'm at it, I would like to ask that you all try to stick a little closer to topic. We're getting complaints from people tuning in for frontlines stories that they are only finding unrelated small talk and banter.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper


    LURKERS

    tHEY COULD CONTRIBUTE!!! :surprise:

    gp
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    LURKERS

    tHEY COULD CONTRIBUTE!!!


    I agree and I think there should be something done about it...like increasing the lurking dues, that might discourage a lot of this. :mad:

    jmonroe

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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    All of this inane and frivolous talk is turning people off.

    Talking about movies that were filmed in 1950, sports etc makes people lose interest.

    I know I have.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    My girlfriend had a teal blue 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 sedan with a black cloth and vinyl interior when she was in high school and college in the 1980s. It was handed down from her father who bought it new.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Talking about movies that were filmed in 1950, sports etc makes people lose interest.

    I’m not going to completely disagree with you about this, (the car gods know what happens to me when I do that) and I’m probably as guilty as most. But you are in the position to post more than most within the lines of this topic so why not throw a tale our way a little more often?

    Don’t use the excuse that posters jump all over you guys in the biz when you do this because I’ve not seen them jump the regular biz guys here but the ones that come here to see if they can inflame the regular non biz guys are not disappointed in getting a response to the under handed “old school” ways of selling a car. However, it is part of the knowledge that we come here to get and it will keep us on our toes.

    FWIW, I've seen the non biz guys here get after buyers who are sleazy and degrading to the sales people.

    Now how could you possibly argue with this post. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • thenebeanthenebean Member Posts: 1,124
    being a sirius radio person myself, i believe i have read and heard that the current radios we have will be able to receive this new "joined" signal once the merger is complete. i hope that's the case! i dont want to have to buy new equipment!

    -thene :)
  • carhag2000carhag2000 Member Posts: 207
    patting myself on the back! I had my customer agree to numbers and is coming in to pick up his 2008 Pilot! That makes 19 units for the month a personal best! I am so darn excited!
    I know it doesnt sound like much but I work at a smaller store and we usually deliver around 70 to 80 cars a month with 8 sales people.
    What are the other salespersons record months and what is their stores' volume?
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    :shades: The receivers will become useless and not work with either one. Giving SirXm the chance to sell you a new and improved one that picks up both Sirius and XM channels and also upsell you on the new programming @ $39.99 a month. Capitalism at its best.
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Congrats carhag! Great job.

    I've always been a 12-15 car a month guy. I go for quality, not quantity. Once in a while I'll hit 19-21 but I end up exhausted the next month since there's always tons of extra stuff that needs to get done. I figure if I spend enough time with a customer to show value in the car, myself, and the dealership I can make the same or more selling 15 that I can do selling 20. I hit 21 one month and we had 12 salespeople on the floor. Back then I was always in the top four. Ahh the good ol' days.~
    :)
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Tidester, a "Day in the life" is right on topic. You have a man who blew his mind out in a car/ Ran a red light and was creamed. (Must have been a British Rover)
    Then we have the man that made the bus in seconds flat. A double decker bus no less. He goes up has a smoke and then goes into a dream. Wonder what he was smoking?

    Wait till I dissect Penny Lane!

    In other news, just had one of our customers stop by and her daughter was hit by a driver with Alzheimer's. :confuse: What is a guy with Alzheimer's doing driving?????!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Mack
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    What is a guy with Alzheimer's doing driving?????!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I agree that's bad. In fact, it's terrible but I worry more about the people that drink and drive than people like this. Family member usually take charge with Alzheimer patients but not with family members that have a drinking problem.

    jmonroe

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

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Some of the people who post here do so in code. These people are extremely smart and you have to look at some of these posts the same way you look at an onion. Layer after layer of hidden meanings.

    This is why some of the posts appear to be off topic when they are not. Take the recent posts about the movie "The Thing". I don't want to divulge too much but please recall that VW built a vehicle called "The Thing" a few years ago. Off topic? I don't think so!! :shades:

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    We're getting complaints from people tuning in for frontlines stories that they are only finding unrelated small talk and banter.

    Don't they know that the car biz is 75% unrelated small talk and banter? So actually they are getting a real life look. 75% BS time and 25% selling. About the same as the mix here :D

    I actually have to feel sorry for some one who would actually take the time out of their day to complain to some one about a message board being off topic. :confuse:

    But since you brought it up I got a complaint. There are entirely to many people staying on topic on the off topic chatter board. When I go there I expect to find completely random off topic chatter, and what do I find? A bunch of people on topic. I want this stopped immediately. :D
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Wait till I dissect Penny Lane!

    I'd think you would be closer to home with You can drive my car - right off the showroom floor.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Penny Lane will work. Has a motorcar and a fire engine in it.

    My FIL had Alzheimer's. The killer with that and being on the road is that while the person is deteriorating he still has moments that seem lucid but can also get pretty frustrated. When this happened my FIL would grab the keys and take off. This happened a couple of times and then my wife and her sibling said this is nuts and took the car. My MIL hadn't driven in a while so it was crazy to keep the car there when you knew he could do that. On the last trip he got to a spot maybe 50 miles from home and stopped not knowing at all where he was. There were a couple of hours where we didn't know where he was. Pretty scary.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • micosilvermicosilver Member Posts: 212
    I had my 20 and a half signed this morning, which gets me over my personal goal of 20 units for this month. I will shoot for 25 next month. It's a great feeling to have hit all your goals and bonuses before the end of the month, sit back, relax and watch the rat race of 6-car guys... :D
    We do 100 to 120 units per month, last month I had 18, my highest was 22.5 twice.
    My goal is to average over 25 per month this year. Tha mortgage isn't going to pay itself... :confuse:
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Tha mortgage isn't going to pay itself...

    Not unless you got sucked in by those sub prime mortgage companies.

    I am sitting on 14 units myself. My goal was 18.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Let's keep it PG to PG-13 here... not necessary to go any further, considering the Youth of America may be peeking in!

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    The youth of America is too busy on youtube, myspace, facebook, etc,etc,..

    I will be pleasantly surprised when we actually get a youth in here to talk about cars. ;)
    Mackabee

    On another note;
    A kid walks into a barber shop and the barber tells the customer: "This kid is the dumbest kid I've ever met. Watch I'll prove it to you." he tells the customer and then calls the kid. "Hey kid, come over here!" he commands. The kid walks over as the barber extends his arms and on one hand he has two quarters and on the other he has a dollar. "Pick one, kid." the barber tells the kid. The kid picks the two quarters and goes on his merry way. "See! what did I tell you. He is really dumb!"
    The customer leaves the barber shop after his haircut is finished. As he's walking out the door he sees the kid coming out of the ice cream parlor licking an ice cream cone. He approaches the kid and asks him: "Kid, I don't understand. Why did you pick the two quarters instead of the dollar bill? and the kid answers. "Because if I pick the dollar bill, the game is over.!"

    image
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,568
    I am "helping" someone at work look for a new car (OK, small cross over). Helping means bringing in a steady supply of magazines, sending links to Edmunds articles, and chatting with her about cars.

    The early favorite was a CR-V (she has an Accord now, that I want to snag for my son). I also pointed out the Rav 4 (she thought of that on her own), plus the Rogue (my idea).

    Well, saw her today, and she and her hubby had gotten out looking, and found one that they really seemed to like, and may not be at the top of the list.

    The winner? Ford Edge! They were impressed by the interior, and how well it drove. Minor detail about wanting good mileage seemed to have faded.

    ALthough just based on the sticker, it isn't that much different than a CR-V, which doesn't get phenomanal mileage.

    THe Edge is worlds ahead though in performance, and comfort. And no problem with a straining engine with a full load.

    So, now have to see if they want to stretch the budget a bit...

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    Thanks mack, that made me laugh. Might be some truth the that.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    I'm not a big fan of "no value added" dealers making big profits off poor customers, but in this case I wish you well in selling new and enforcing a lifetime oil/maint package to these morons. The once a year whether it needs it or not springtime oil changers.

    These people should be required to pre-pay for oil changes every 3k miles for the next 20 years whether they use them or not. You've seen them out there. Smoke billowing for blocks. Uphill...don't get near them. Move over 2 or 3 blocks to avoid choking.

    How can this not be a ticketable offense?
    These morons get to drive their Dodge K cars, Chrysler minivans, etc because they get inspected first, then go get their annual springtime oil change. So its 12 months or 12,000 miles or when the POS car blows up. GRRRR.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "75% BS time and 25% selling"

    You are a jewel! That post pays up your dues here for the next ten years.

    Richard
  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    very long time lurker, seldom post guy here. This one touches my button.
    It is indeed illegal for these morons to spue noxious oil fumes from their tail pipes, I have written many citations for this offense with absolutely no remorse.

    It may be interesting to some of you to hear that of all the categories of traffic offenses an officer is likely to cite a driver for, the most obnoxious attitude and temper display comes from someone who is ticketed for this.

    In my opinion this exactly supports the type of person who would blissfully drive around spewing vast amounts of blue smoke directly out at everyone.

    Sorry for the vehemence, this is obviously my weak point, back to lurking.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Good one Mack

    GP
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    75% BS time and 25% selling. About the same as the mix here

    Ain't that he truth :D

    GP
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    However, the ratio here is closer to 99% BS and 1% stories. Do the math.

    ROTFLMFAO!! :shades:
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    ROTFLMFAO!!

    With that many letters I had to laugh also :D

    GP
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Well we just contributed the the 99 hopefully Mack can make up that needed 1%.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    ROTFLMFAO!!

    I did the math or should I say reading. I found a typo...there is an extra "F" in there. :surprise: :D

    jmonroe

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

  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    LOL!! Very observant. I'd figure the only people who would notice the extra "F" in there would be individuals who actually use it themselves. True? :P
  • m6vxm6vx Member Posts: 142
    nope

    Rolling On The Floor Laughing My F'n [non-permissible content removed] Off
  • thenebeanthenebean Member Posts: 1,124
    you could also use words such as:
    flippin
    friggin
    fat
    freakin'
    if you prefer to use a cleaner more family friendly word... ;-)

    -thene :-P
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    I've had a 2003 Ford Ranger listed on Craig's list and cars.com for the past 50 days. On Easter Sunday as I was prepared to leave the house to go to a family picnic I get a phone call from what sounded like an elderly guy who is interested in seeing the truck. Normally I wouldn't have bothered on Easter Sunday to show the truck but since its been on the market for 50 days something told me to wait the 15 minutes the guy said it would take to get to the truck.

    He had brought his daughter in an older Nissan Sentra. When I say older I mean one from the early 90's. He and his daughter take it for a ride leaving his Sentra and me behind. There was something in his handshake that told me he was an honest man to be trusted with the truck. :surprise:

    He returns and says he will take the truck but didn't have the $10K I was asking and only had $9.5K. I told him being Easter Sunday I have no problems selling it for $9.5K. He insists on taking the truck now saying that he doesn't want me changing my mind. I tell him it's Easter Sunday and as far as I know there are no banks open. He says as long as I can sign the ownership over to him we will have no problems completing the transaction as he pulls this wad out of his pocket.

    Needless to say it was a great Easter. Only problem was by now the wife was out there telling me to count the money. I told her that knowing this guy he probably counted it three times before giving it to me as he too insisted that I count it. Biggest mistake. Never let the wife count the money if you ever have any hope of seeing it again.

    Truck specs:

    2003 Ford Ranger Edge with Tremor package
    40K miles
    Blue; exterior immaculate with no dings; detailed interior and exterior
    New shocks, tires, plugs, wires and brakes
    Rhino lining in bed
    Wet okole seat covers
  • cashiskingcashisking Member Posts: 4
    I wish some customers could spend 3 months in the car business and only rely
    on commission for thair income and then let them see how this business really is.
    Customers all think they know the car business.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    if you prefer to use a cleaner more family friendly word

    To bring us back on topic he could used "Ford" also

    GP
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Agreed. Especially some of the "lurkers" who post only when a "good" story is told.

    I got an on topic question for some good stories. On the average how many "laydowns" do y'all get per month?

    ROTFLMFAO!!

    Err seriously, really how many do y'all average?
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    flippin
    friggin
    fat
    freakin'


    What's everyone getting so excited about? Of course those are the words with the extra "F" I was talking about. Readers choice. :)

    We've already been reminded that this is a PG/PG-13 site so what else could it mean? Oh wait a minute, don't tell me... :blush:

    jmonroe

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

  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,217
    As a customer, I don't have to know the "car business." All I have to know is what car do I want, what "extras" and how much will I pay. Either I will get the car using my criteria, I will be flexible given the reality of our capitilistic system or I will not buy the car.

    I've found that as I show that I am an (semi)informed buyer, I've found the negotiations simpler (really enjoyed the F & I guy at the Lexus dealer when we bought the Evil Wife's RX. He showed me the "dealer options," e.g mop/glo, rust/dust, warranty and said simply, "I know you're not interested in any of these, so let's just do the financing paperwork on the car/note...").

    Have I bought every car at the lowest price/lowest profit to the dealer. Nope. Have I ever been upset about the deal I've gotten. Maybe, but only afer hearing stroies about my sister in law's best friend's husband's brother buying the exact same car for so much less than I paid... ;) but after a while that fades as I enjoy my car!

    (Some) buyers are liars. (Some) dealerships and salesfolks are liars. Heck, no offense, but I'm guessing some Edmunds posters are liars! Unlike all of our elected officials, of course. :sick:

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I'd say maybe one or two. They are a rare breed now with all the invoice info on the net. I did get one last month that actually asked me after the deal was done, "Do you get many people that don't haggle with you?" I said "not many." I didn't club him like a baby seal, I sold him a Hybrid Highlander and gave him a 1200 discount without him even asking for it. I left money on the table/ Probably could have sold it at sticker and he wouldn't have said anything. Really nice guy too. Owns his own company and has money to blow. I guess he figured I was a nice guy and wouldn't grind me.
    :)
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Mack.....

    What the heck are you doing? $1,200 discounts without a customer even asking? You're just dropping dollar bills all over the place. Why would you lower the amount of money you can make on purpose?
    -moo
  • cashiskingcashisking Member Posts: 4
    As I said..some customers....And rember as long as your happy with the deal you got..That is the best deal...
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I know, I know. I shot myself on the foot with that one. Normally if they don't ask, they don't get. I was known around the dealership as "killer" :blush:
    Mack
    image
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,217
    Agreed. It would be lovely if every customer/salesperson left the table everytime feeling like a winner...

    And I think 0%financingisking!

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • tlcruztlcruz Member Posts: 54
    The youth of America is too busy on youtube, myspace, facebook, etc,etc,..

    I will be pleasantly surprised when we actually get a youth in here to talk about cars.


    I've been a long time lurker :( It's bad, I know!! I'm only 22, would that be considered youth?

    I read the posts everyday while at work ;) Which happens to be a high volume dealership that sell BMW/Lexus/Toyota & Scion

    I can contribute more, if need be. :shades:
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Whew!! $1200 discount to a guy who didn't need nor ask for it? You are one of a kind. Don't think even Isell wouldv'e done that. ;)

    I know I wouldn't.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,298
    "...get to drive their Dodge K cars, Chrysler minivans..."

    Shouldn't you be posting this on the "Inconsiderate Drivers" or the "I hate Chrysler" boards? Unless one of the sales guys here sold you a blue smoking beater and nicked you for the mop & glo. ;)

    BTW, my son drives a 20 year old K car with 140,000 miles and it doesn't smoke at all. I see some old Hondas that put out quite a cloud though.

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

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    I know!! I'm only 22, would that be considered youth?

    Yes.

    GP
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    I've found that as I show that I am an (semi)informed buyer, I've found the negotiations simpler (really enjoyed the F & I guy at the Lexus dealer when we bought the Evil Wife's RX.

    Which Lexus dealer? Herb Chamber's? Watertown? Ira?
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