Stories from the Sales Frontlines

oldfarmer50

"...there's an extra "F" in there..."

That's a bad word that your virgin ears wouldn't know.

mackabee

You're young compared to the rest of the posters here. We are oldgeezers compared to you. But I'm glad you finally piped up. I like to read what the younger generation is saying and thinking. My youngest son is your age but he rarely talks. He was totally different when he was little. We couldn't get him to shut up! Which was ok because he was a bright little boy and was always asking questions. He wanted to know why this worked and how and things like that.
Welcome, and I do hope you stick around and let us know how things are done at the Lexus store. Which department are you in?
Mack
:shades:

tlcruz

When I was younger, I wasn't much of a talker but I am now. Sometimes it gets me in trouble :surprise:

I actually work at the detail center on the property for the dealership. There's nothing special that I do except drool at the cars I've always been a fanatic of cars and Lucky for me, My boyfriend loves cars so we have alot in common.

Everyday I see a wide range of vehicles go out for delivery, ranging from a 09 Corolla (which I really like) to an Alpina B7. I've learned alot just from working here and I hoping it does me some good when I decide to buy my first "new" car :shades:

snakeweasel

We've already been reminded that this is a PG/PG-13 site so what else could it mean?

Furry?

explorerx4

you haven't done your research to find out what the real discount on those are. :P

snakeweasel

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

Hey anything 40 and under is considered a youth, so you have 18 years to go. And by that time what is considered a youth is anyone under 60 so you still will have a long way to go. Face it to some of us you will always be young.

fezo

So, Mack, you selling Oldsmobiles now?

obyone

Ok I did a quick check on a LTD with blizzard pearl fully loaded @$47.7K INV @ $42.2K TMV@$44.9K so assuming Mack gave him $1.2K off it would be $46.5K +TTL for a 6 banger earning $4.3K to be split between the dealership and himself.

Given the opportunity I hate leaving money on the table and wouldv'e gone for the full pop @ $47.7K. Hmm good thing I don't sell cars anymore.

jipster

Given the opportunity I hate leaving money on the table and wouldv'e gone for the full pop $47.7K. Hmm good thing I don't sell cars anymore.

You guys need to get off mac's back. He's a "seasoned" pro with a heart trying to break the sterotypical image. Besides, he made a quick no hassle deal, saved the customer a llittle bit of money... and made quite a bit in the process for himself. Then you have the customer referrals. Sounds like a good way to do business to me.

obyone

He's a "seasoned" pro with a heart trying to break the sterotypical image. Besides, he made a quick no hassle deal, saved the customer a llittle bit of money... and made quite a bit in the process for himself.

ROTFLMFAO!!

Sheesh lighten up no one is jumping on mack. Not me anyway. Like Isell says life is short........

snakeweasel

Loved the very end of that article.

laurasdada

Herb, back in '02 before he moved to "The Plantation." Were I now go a couple of times/month for our lifetime of free washes and breakfast pastries! Not to mention, pretty young ladies behind the counters...

(Oh, no. Dirty Old Man alert! But harmless D.O.M)

jipster

Like Isell says life is short........

Isell said that? I always thought it was the South American tsetse fly... with a life expectancy of only 2 hours and 38 minutes. :sick:

The sales guys always said they didn't like their sales stories picked over. That's why isell never posts any. But, any salesman that doesn't get MSRP, plus adm, plus all the mop n glows, extended warranty etc is leaving money on the table... are they not? An inside the park homer counts the same as one that goes over the fence. Which reminds me..."GO REDS! Don't suck this year...Take the World Series! " :shades:

laurasdada

Tsk, tsk. Another jipster typo. Let me correct:

"GO RED SOX! Don't suck this year...Take the World Series! " Again. :shades:

snakeweasel

No it should read "GO CUBS"

obyone

F= frak

"So say we all"

mackabee

You got it Jip! That's my way of doing business. I give a little and the customer gives a little and we agree to disagree without getting upset. I do have my loyal following because of what I do. I don't try to rip off anybody as it is against my principles. I give everyone a fair deal to both us and we end up friends. The referrals usually follow.
Once in a while I will sell one at full pop based on the demand for the vehicle.
I just got back from a Tower of Power concert at one of our local school of higher learning. The Average White Band opened for them but I didn't leave the dealership until around concert time so by the time I got there they were getting back on stage for an encore. Didn't bother me, as I was there for the main event. A couple of things happened before and after the concert. Before the concert I went up to the stage and met one of my favorite drummers of all time! Mr. David Garibaldi The Funky Drummer himself. It's funny though because he was about to walk off the stage to get ready for the show and I called him Dave and he came back. I was speechless and didn't know what to say. Finally I blurted something like "I used to play your songs in high school but I still can get the beats down. You are the man!" He smiled and shook my hand. I didn't take a picture. :sick: At the end of the concert some of the band members came out to mingle with the fans. They always do this. My man Dave was not out there. His bass player Rocco Prestia was and I chatted with him for a bit and also took a cell phone picture. Very personable guys not like the typical arrogant rock stars. I also got my tickets autographed by Rocco and the singer Larry Brags, I'll just add them to my collection which now consists of three autographed tickets! Yey! The first one is Bernie..heck I can't remember his name now. Played for the Browns and also the Cowboys. Nice guy too!
Anyway, time for beddy bye. It's been a long day!

Mack

mikefm58

The first one is Bernie..heck I can't remember his name now. Played for the Browns and also the Cowboys.

That would be Bernie Kosar.

tjc78

Loved the very end of that article.

Yeah, tell me about it! :mad:

snakeweasel

What you didn't catch on until the end?

tjc78

It was late and just kept thinking what in the heck am I reading here. Quite funny, I must say.

jmonroe

Like Isell says life is short........

Isell said that?

Yes he did but that’s not why I’m posting. See below.

I always thought it was the South American tsetse fly... with a life expectancy of only 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Which reminds me..."GO REDS! Don't suck this year...Take the World Series! "

I think there is an inconsistency here, that is, if you agree with what you said about the fly. Shouldn’t that read don’t “Take the World Serious”? :confuse: (Don’t worry you’ll get it in about a week.)

FWIW, here in the Burgh we’re not serious about the “Series” and haven’t been for a loooong time. The ‘not-even-as-good-as-a-double-A-club’ we have here won’t even break 500, AGAIN, for probably the 6th year in a row (I've lost count. I'm sure someone could correct me but who would care?).

Staying on topic. People here would rather deal with a car salesman, semi-annually, than go to one of their games. I know I would.

jmonroe

obyone

Now I understand why we get no stories no mo. It's cause the car salespeople get no respect.

Sigh. Life can be a b at times.

A tsetse fly eh?

I would bet joel has a good story a day working in F$I but will he post? Noooooooooooooo and that wasn't a typo on the $.

jmonroe

I would bet joel has a good story a day working in F$I but will he post? Noooooooooooooo and that wasn't a typo on the $.

Oh, I know that. He doesn't have time for us anymo. Too busy countin the $ and/or diapering his grandson.

jmonroe

joel0622

Thanks for the props. The Edge is one of those cars that the more people we get to look at it and drive it the more they will be impressed.

jipster

Now I understand why we get no stories no mo. It's cause the car salespeople get no respect.

Sheesh, I just told you why. Don't pick the stories apart. Saying stuff like, "I wouldn't leave money on the table like that" is why we don't get "no mo" stories.

Of course moo can get away with it cause he is in the almighy highline sales.

A tsetse fly eh?

You liked that one huh? Explain it to jmonroe... I think it confused him. :P

toyolla2

This quarter page advert in my local paper.
"Local GM dealer Passes on Volume Savings to Customers"

--- ---- Pontiac Buick GMC announces a special purchase of ten - 2007 & 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT 4 X 4s . Original MRSPs of up to $45,950.
Special volume allows the dealership to offer the 2007s for $22,888 and the 2008s for $23,888 ! They are described as being in excellent condition with low mileage.

I should add that the official Chevrolet Cadillac dealer is just a few blocks down the road. Their recent buyers will probably not be too thrilled to read this. It does outline how desperate automakers must be to ship the 'large iron' even to the risk of upsetting their customer base.
T2

mackabee

That's it! Thanks Mike. His name just escaped me for some reason. Nice guy too! Wish I could say the same for Thurman Thomas, he was a complete jerk with the kids. More later...
:shades:

mackabee

Until they drive a Highlander! Doh!
:shades:

mackabee

Doing my Rodney Dangerfield impersonation: "I tell you, I get no respect. My momma took me to a dog show and I won!"

mackabee

I think their local customer base doesn't care. I doubt they look at cars ads long after the purchase is done.
Mack

oldfarmer50

Bad news in the local paper today. GM and Chrysler off 19%. Ford sales fell 14%.Toyota off 10%. Even Honda is off by 3%.

Is it really that bad? I can always use someone to mow my lawn for $8 an hour if you need some quick cash.

qbrozen

What are those numbers compared to? Same month last year?

greanpea68

Bad news in the local paper today. GM and Chrysler off 19%. Ford sales fell 14%.Toyota off 10%. Even Honda is off by 3%.

I noticed Nissan wasn't on your list ! :shades:

GP

jmonroe

I can always use someone to mow my lawn for $8 an hour if you need some quick cash.

In my neighborhood if someone tried to drive up the price like that they'd be thrown under the bus mower.

jmonroe

jmonroe

I noticed Nissan wasn't on your list !

Not worth mentioning. :shades:

jmonroe

toyolla2

I would say the opposite. When you've committed to the sale you will probably be even more interested in how it's being promoted locally and nationally so that you can affirm to yourself you made the right decision. The theory goes that the advertising has more effect after the sale than before. In effect it can enhance brand loyalty by serving to extend the warm and fuzzy feelings the customer has towards the brand at that time.
Although my negotiations for two successive purchases from my local Toyota dealership sure stripped that away during the buying process ! Now that I think about it.

Mack, firesale pricing aside, has a car advert in print ever pushed you to consider a particular car ?

Is it one of those psychological paradigms in the same way as someone watching late night television. Are they watching what they want to watch ? Well yes, of course. But get on their case and the more truthful answer might be forthcoming - that they are indeed watching the least annoying channel they could find on at that time.

Anyway, in the event, the aforementioned advert was fairly prominently displayed, at the bottom of page three.
T2

obyone

A tsetse fly eh?

You liked that one huh? Explain it to jmonroe... I think it confused him.



It's a bloodsucker and spreads parasites.

madmanmoo

No, seriously, I'm confused at Mack's approach. I doubt he cares if we talk about it either.

People who pay profit are normally the happiest customers you can get. If you give them an awesome demonstration, find the perfect vehicle for them, carry yourself like a professional and treat your customer professionally...... why shouldn't you ask for ALL the profit that you reasonably can? Don't you deserve it? If they want to pay you full profit, then isn't that a sign that they were happy with you and the vehicle as well?

I just don't understand giving profit away. If they ask, then we can go down that road. Mack just took roughly $300 out of his pocket that he could spend on gasoline.

Whaddya think, Jip? Would you purposefully reduce your pay?

-moo

jmonroe

When you've committed to the sale you will probably be even more interested in how it's being promoted locally and nationally so that you can affirm to yourself you made the right decision.

I agree and this touches on what I saw when I was just browsing.

The Friday after Thanksgiving I was in the neighborhood of an old, established and very respected Buick dealership so I decided to stop in and take a look. The best car I ever owned was an 80’ Park Ave. and I heard quite a bit about the new Buicks. I figured the place would be crawling with people and I’d go unnoticed and wouldn’t be approached by a salesman. Wrong. As I approached the door I could see the place was empty and thought about leaving because I didn’t want to waste a salesman’s time because I was DEFINITELY not buying (my car will be 3 years old at the end of this month and I keep a car longer than that. A lot longer). But since I wouldn’t be any closer to taking a look I decided to go inside, what the heck.

Of course a salesman comes over to me and I tell him the story and he says that’s fine but since no one else is here let me show you the differences between the La Cross and the Lucerne. He was an experienced guy (said he sold Buicks at that store for about 30 years) and he wasn’t pushy at all. He said, “As you can see by all the hanging stuff we’re having a “Red Tag” sale right now (I think it would have provided a $1500 savings) and if somehow you decided you wanted to buy by the end of December, GM/Buick is offering a Conquest Rebate that is an additional savings of $500” (again I think that was what he said).

Just making conversation I said, “It’s nice to know that Buick is trying to get new customers and I can understand why”. I mentioned that when I bought my 06’ Sonata, since it would be my 2nd Hyundai, I received a $500 Loyalty Rebate. So I said matter of factly, “I guess Buick is doing that too”. He said, “no, they aren’t offering anything to existing Buick customers”. So, I said, “with everything being equal, what you’re saying is I can buy a Buick cheaper than a long time Buick customer” :confuse: and he said, “that’s right and we’ve had that discussion with the owner and when the Buick rep first showed up after the announcement of this Conquest Rebate”. He went on to say that the rep heard of this disapproval from other dealers. It was discussed with other reps and with Buick marketing and that was the way it was going to be.

Maybe GM/Buick hasn’t really figured out how to get back into the market. :sick:

jmonroe

jmonroe

If they want to pay you full profit, then isn't that a sign that they were happy with you and the vehicle as well?

No. It's a sign of them not being informed. I need people like this so I can get the deal I want.

It's their money so they get to spend it like they want. Exactly like me.

jmonroe

madmanmoo

It's a sign of them not being informed.

Not necessarily. That could be a factor. OR, it could be that they feel the salesperson/dealership deserve the money they are asking for the vehicle. No blanket statement will apply here.

-moo-

chikoo

my car is in service and got a loaner CX-7.
First impressions: this SUV has got the balls .....what a pickup.....step on it and the turbo comes on so seamlessly i had to open up the hood to make sure that it was not a V6.

obyone

That reminds me of when I purchased one of the first 1997.5 Regal GS. I asked the salesman do we have to grind out a deal? He replies no and that he will give me his best price. Trusting him I finally looked at his figures in F&I. The price? Full MSRP.

I thought that was so funny that the F&I guy thought I had lost it.

jipster

I've heard quite a few stories in here where customers come back saying the were ripped off. They can't really do that if they were given a discount without having even asked. But, mac isn't in the poorhouse, so I guess he must be doing something right. I suppose someone just starting out wouldn't be able to do this. But, again, you do your customer a favor they do you a favor with referrals.

Whaddya think, Jip? Would you purposefully reduce your pay?

I've sold about 6 cars in my life. Took $100 less than a buyer agreed to on one occasion. So, I guess the answer would be yes. Does that make me a mad man... mandman? :surprise:

madmanmoo

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. A salesperson with his best price. It sure is subjective isn't it?

Nice recollection, obyone.

-moo

jmonroe

Trusting him I finally looked at his figures in F&I. The price? Full MSRP.

I thought that was so funny that the F&I guy thought I had lost it.

But it was in your garage that night...right?

jmonroe

madmanmoo

Actually, you're right. You are breaking the mold. You have done some very unusual things.

It's obviously a difference in technique. Personally, I always ask for all my profit. If someone doesn't want to pay it, they can certainly chime in. Otherwards, I take their signature as an indication that they are happy with the vehicle and me. Then I go merrily to the bank.

-moo

joel0622

Until they drive a Highlander! Doh!

Who makes that?

qbrozen

Ahhh... the ole media spin ....

Your local paper says Honda is off by 3%. Another source says it is UP 4% ... if you look at it from a "per day" perspective:

On one of the Honda boards here on Edmunds