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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    What??!!?? They paid $200 more than they should have!! They're out of their minds. :surprise: ;) :P

    No, I'm really glad for them. They should enjoy their new van. Sounds like the salesman worked them a good deal, you know, one where everybody walks away happy. Did they get the Swivel and Go seating? I'd like to know how they like them.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "For instance, paperwork."

    Imagine if I had been paid fees for all of those papers I graded years ago---in addition to the base salary. :D Talk about raising teacher salaries! ;)

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    He's probably better off trading the wife in than the Caravan.

    But I have a better solution --- platform shoes


    We’re talking about daughter-in-law #1 here. If she showed up with a pair of those kickers on I’d tell my son not to enter the house. :cry:

    Anyway it’s over, see post 30818.

    Your solution is a cheap way to solve an expensive problem and no one related to me would ever think of doing something like that. :mad:

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Now you know that I have to ask: Is Son #1 tight like you? I'm surprised that you didn't go with him as his "F&I Advisor". ;) Hope he enjoys his new wheels.

    Richard
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    If I buy a car, I am the one who has an obligation to the state. The Dealer is under no obligation to complete and file my reg applications and such. If the dealer offers to take care of this for me on my behalf, that is a reasonable convenience for me, and since the dealer does this much more often than me, they are hopefully more likely to not screw up the process. Not that the process is difficult, but I'm pretty sure we have all witnessed someone turned away at the DMV office because they didn't have their paperwork in order. If the dealer wants to charge a reasonable fee for this convenience, I don't have a big problem with that.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Great idea! It's a 2.7 Sebring Touring Convertible---'06 model. Thanks for the tip.

    Richard
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    You may have just solved all our public schools' budget problems. Go quickly now and get June Atkinson on the phone. I'll call Tripp. ;)
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Don't get me wrong from my earlier post. Though I was glad to know that I can negotiate the fee, I am willing to pay something for them to take care of the paperwork. Nothing in life is or is expected to be free---at least for most of us. ;)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    LOL!!! That was wonderful! Actually, I like June---the best one in quite some time. As for Tripp---wellllllllllll.

    Richard
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    I empathize with the dealers. (some might say that's like kissing a rattlesnake :P ) Everyone understands a business must make a profit to survive.
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    The not so well kept little secret is that everything is negotiable, except of course the things that are not, and even those things really are sometimes. :confuse:
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    hehe, 'nuff said (perhaps we'll meet someday and talk more about mutual acquaintances ;) )

    Education professionals do buy cars. :D
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Did they get the Swivel and Go seating?

    No, they didn’t get that and one of the reasons he didn’t like that is (so he told me) is the Swivel and Go buckets don’t store in the floor. You have the wells for storage but you can’t put the buckets into the wells :confuse: Another reason is he didn’t like the idea of having a van that could be converted into a game room.

    This is the part that doesn’t make sense to me (although I think it’s safer if everyone is facing forward but I’m sure they have stats that say otherwise) because this van has, 2 rear DVD players, wireless head phones (You just can’t have the kids being distracted by the sound from the other DVD that’s playing. Something like that just couldn’t be tolerated today ;) ) a CD player where you can down load music to a hard drive, the all important power adjustable pedals, rear view backup camera and I'm sure if he looked closer there is a kitchen sink hiding in there somewhere, etc. etc. It sure sounds like a game room on wheels to me.

    He said that before they went on the test drive it took the salesman over a half hour to demonstrate all the widgets. :surprise:

    jmonroe

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

  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    My wife and I were also unimpressed with the Swivel seating. We looked at the vans at a car show. I understand others may see them as a must have feature, and that's fine. We just thought it was too tight when the seats were reversed, just begging for the "friendly" kicking contest. I also didn't care for the table socket in the floor. Would have liked it more if it was recessed and had a cover.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Chairs, table, DVD players, camera, etc.---that's a lot of widgets for 27k. My first house at 25k didn't have all of that. :P Back then, we wondered how we would ever make that $200 house payment. What a long way we have come in the last 40 or 50 years. :surprise:

    Richard
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I use Aquarian satin texture coated on my Sonor Force 3001's. I got the drums back in 03 and they were a steal also. They are the best kept secret in intermediate to semi-pro kits.
    How do you like the Fyberskin head? Does it sound like calf skin? I've been tempted to put some on my kit. I love the old calf skin sound. I've tried just about any brand of heads on the market, Evans G-2, Remo amb, emperors, coated pin stripes, and Aquarian performance II I'm glad I only bought one of those for my 12 in tom. It's supposed to give you the sound of the 70's but it just choked the drum and it felt like I was hitting a pillow.
    I have a couple of Ludwig snares, both Acrolites, one the classic 1969 model and the other is a midnight sparkle, along with the wood snare that came with the kit.

    It's hard to load them in my Camry (to stay on topic) so they never leave the house. :D
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    I like the fiberskyn for concert applications - it has a great calf skin sound. But for set, I really need to have good brush response, so I like the coated texture of an ambassador batter more. The Jack DeJohnette's are single ply, coated texture - I saw him back in '99 use them for a drum solo that he played using sticks, brushes, and cartwheel timp mallets. It was one of the most musical solos I've heard on any instrument. I use clear emperor's on the bottom of my toms (10,12,14) and Aquarian super kick II for my 22" bass.

    All of this equipment, plus hardware and my Ovation guitar, fit nicely in my Corolla. I even have room in the front seat for my wife to come along when she wants, or I can pick up the bass player if he is using his electric, which I can fit along with his bass and amp (when he uses the upright, he's on his own :P )
  • hondamattnjhondamattnj Member Posts: 53
    Most banks require the dealer arrange for the registration of the vehicle to ensure they [the bank] are listed as a lienholder on the title.
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    Then the bank can pay for the dealer's time and expertise. ;)

    Ultimate responsibility still lies with the car owner, but I understand the bank's interest.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    How on earth do you fit all that stuff in the Corolla? What size is the bass drum? 22? You have the fusion size so that helps. I have the fusion also and added an 8 in tom. Still looking for a 16 tom. I miss the low thud of a 16. Sometimes I wish I would have gotten the standard sizes but I'm happy with what I got.
    Mack
  • nortsr1nortsr1 Member Posts: 1,060
    Seems to me that you are NOT the owner until the bank is paid off.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    these are just facts i have taking from automotive news. i think they would know a little more about the auto side of the business.

    I'm not saying they are wrong but every article is written by a journalist, so the potential for error exists.

    toyota as a whole may have been bigger and richer at the time(i dont thinks so in 90s the camry was the only sales leader in the toyota portfolio) but that includes non automotive holdings.

    Toyota may have had only one sales leader in North America. You have ignored that other market, known as the rest of the world. Toyota does sell a few cars in that market too.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    He's probably better off trading the wife in than the Caravan.

    But I have a better solution --- platform shoes

    We’re talking about daughter-in-law #1 here. If she showed up with a pair of those kickers on I’d tell my son not to enter the house.


    tch...tch... patience, my friend, patience.
    The shoes should be kept in the vehicle only for driving purposes, not for any other purpose. Cheaper and more effective way. I am sure you remember car seats for kids. They stay in the car :)

    Your solution is a cheap way to solve an expensive problem and no one related to me would ever think of doing something like that.

    Calm down my friend. A problem and its solution can only be just as complicated and expensive as you want it to be. Trust me on that.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Ceramic brake pads for a 2.7 Sebring touring

    image

    FRONT BRAKE PADS
    Satisfied Brake Pads: Pro Ceramic
    Part Number: PR869C (Front brakes)
    Our Price: $59.99

    http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=SAT&MfrPartNumber=PR869C&- PartType=219&PTSet=A

    REAR BRAKE PADS:
    Satisfied Brake Pads: Pro Ceramic
    Part Number: PR383C
    Our Price: $49.99

    http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=SAT&MfrPartNumber=PR383C&- PartType=220&PTSet=A
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Chairs, table, DVD players, camera, etc.---that's a lot of widgets for 27k.

    Yeah, but our first house didn’t have wheels. When Mrs. jmonroe heard the price of that van and what it had on it she said, “HUH”? After they picked up the kids and left she said, “who needs all that stuff on a car”? I didn’t have an answer for her other than these designers/marketeers today are damn good at what they do aren’t they?

    My first house at 25k didn't have all of that. Back then, we wondered how we would ever make that $200 house payment.

    For the longest time I said, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to spend more on a car and more on car payments than I did for a house”. Well they sure did show me. :mad: I’ll never forget that our first house mortgage payment was $195 month (up from $135 for the apartment we lived in for two years).

    What a long way we have come in the last 40 or 50 years

    And it’s all been for the better, right? Well, at least the cars are more reliable now. Back then a car with 40K miles on it was at its half life point. :(

    jmonroe

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    The shoes should be kept in the vehicle only for driving purposes, not for any other purpose.

    Easy for you to say. Who has time today for all that shoe changing? Surely there will come a time when she forgets to take them off and when my son pops off to her, bingo, knee surgery. :cry:

    Calm down my friend. A problem and its solution can only be just as complicated and expensive as you want it to be.

    Don’t try to bring logic into this discussion (I hate when people do that). That girl has to reach the pedals, plain and simple. :P

    jmonroe

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

  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    I surrender.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Reach the pedals? Nothing easier. Cut a nice piece of 2x4 and clue that sucker on tight to each pedal.....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • 151ranch151ranch Member Posts: 109
    So how does Saturn do it? Are Saturn dealerships owned by GM?

    Saturn dealers are franchisees, not distributors. A fine distinction to be sure, but one that gives GM a bit more leeway. The dealer agrees to the no haggle pricing when he signs the franchise agreement, or GM doesn't grant the franchise.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] ColoradoPosts: 0
    Threre was an ad on the radio this morning regarding Mercedes Benz Summer Lover something or other sales event, didn't pay too much attention since I'm not Benz driving material, but the blurb at the end caught my attention. It said to visit your local authorized MB dealership...is there such a thing as a non-authorized MB dealership???
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    In Vancouver area there are about 4 dealerships that are Mercedes Benz owned, so they don't even have their own name, rather they're called MB Vancouver, MB Richmond, etc...

    There is one that's not MB owned, and another one about an hour away on the Island that's also not MB owned that have their own name. They still carry new product, but I think they are limited in support and advertising they get from Mercedes.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • hondamattnjhondamattnj Member Posts: 53

    "is there such a thing as a non-authorized MB dealership??? "


    Yes. Middle men (brokers, leasing companies, etc.)
  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    Again, thanks for your offer to help. Glad we didn’t have to bother you.

    It wouldn't have been any inconvenience to me - I wouldn't have made the offer if I didn't want to help. ;) Chrysler limits us to 6 Friends discounts per employee per calendar year and I try to save those slots unless someone cannot get a satisfactory deal without one.

    It sounds like he did pretty well, both on the new car price and the trade. A lot of times the sales people will try to make up the difference on a trade if they give what looks like a big discount on a new car price.

    That happened to me last fall when I bought a new Chrysler. The salesman even told me right up front that he couldn't give as much for my trade as the Saturn dealer down the street because of my employee discount.

    I hope he likes the MyGIG entertainment system as much as I like mine. I sometimes refer to my car as my playground on wheels. Send me a PM if he'd like links to d/l free application and Gracenote updates for it and also options to be able to watch front seat DVD movies in motion (passenger only :D ).
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    To my esteemed friend from India, I thank you. You are a jewel---as valuable as the rare Jewel of India. :shades: For only $110, you have enabled me to halt my weekly cleaning of those tires and hubs. I thought that my friend, the India carpet dealer,
    was great, but you now rank as high in the market place. T-K and my blessings upon you. :blush:

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    In a way, I agree with Mrs.jmonroe. If I had DVD players, nav., etc., I would have an accident for sure. I can just see Mrs. Richard saying, "Honey, look at this scene in the movie." Then, BAM!!! Better than that, I would glance at the nav. and make a right turn into a transfer truck. But then, I'm the person who pulls off of the road to talk on the cell phone. Guess I'll just stick with my CD player---which I load up before I drive off. :D

    Speaking of your $135 apartment, our apartment was $60 per month---furnished and including utilities. It had a LR, BR, eat-in kitchen, and bath. My new Pontiac GTO convertible---navy blue with a white top---was $20 a week. I gave the bank a $20 bill each Friday and it was paid for in 36 months. My wife and I each brought home $300 a month as teachers. She walked to her school, and I drove to mine. Gas was $0.23 per gallon. Food for one month was about $100. We saved $150 each month for our first house. We thought that we were rich---and we were in so many ways.

    Still, you're right. Today is much better. We have better medical care, better appliances, better cars, wonderful technology, etc. The one thing that is not better is the furniture. That's why we love antiques. There is nothing better than solid wood with a beautiful finish on it. Wish my nephew and niece agreed. They'll have it on the junk pile the minute the funeral is over. :P

    Richard
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Just how old are your jm? $195 a month mortgage! I would love it if my mortgage was that a month.!
    :)
    Mack
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    ...our apartment was $60 per month---furnished and including utilities. It had a LR, BR, eat-in kitchen, and bath.

    Our apartment was not furnished. Like yours it had all those rooms and a DINING ROOM. You see, this is where it all started with our dining room set. Since our apartment had a big dining room we felt it should have a dining room set in there and because we had the money we bought one, a GOOD one and I ain’t ready to let it go. :cry:

    My new Pontiac GTO convertible---navy blue with a white top…

    Sooo, this affection for convertibles goes waaay back. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    $195 a month mortgage! I would love it if my mortgage was that a month.!

    Don't get so excited, that was in 1967 and I'm sure that was pretty much average back then for new first time buyers. I think it's a little over three times that now but I'm not allowed to write checks (I am allowed to cover them) so I might be a little off about this.

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Well, I finally agree with you about the dining room set. If you've had it this long, it is an antique. :P

    My love for convertibles goes back even more. Don't forget that my pedal car was a convertible. ;)

    Listen to Mack...trying to pretend that he is so much younger. What a hoot. :shades:

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    You are pretty close to what little I can remember about 1967. I think our first "home" was about the same amount but furnished. The only thing I had to buy was a 19 inch black and white tv, used of course. $50. That thing must have weighed over 100 pounds and it was a table model. I paid for it over a six week period.

    I remember a new apt. house where the rent was $125. I could not believe anyone would pay that much. Times change.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You are right. In 1967, a $200 mortgage was about average. Ours was $203 if I remember correctly. It had 3 BR's, LR, DR---all hard wood floors, an eat-in kitchen and den with Mexican tile floors, and a bath and a half. The exterior was red cedar with white shutters. Mrs.Richard was out of town the day that a friend of mine showed it to me. I made an offer then and there. Fortunately, Mrs. Richard approved. It was on a beautiful street in a lovely S.C. town. Later, a better job offer took us away. I could have kept that house forever.

    To stay on topic: The house didn't have a garage or a carport, but there was room for one.

    Richard
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Green Stamps, Top Value Stamps. Getting a dish set or glassware when you filled up the tank ( minimum 8 gallons). The attendant cleans your windshield, checks your wiper blades , pops the hood and checks your fluids and then checks your tire pressures. Gay meant happy and TV delivered fantasy. Reality was what you lived each day. Actually I'm tail end boomer but I remember all these.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Welcome. It sounds like you are qualified to join our little group. :)

    Richard
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    To my esteemed friend from India, I thank you. You are a jewel---as valuable as the rare Jewel of India. For only $110, you have enabled me to halt my weekly cleaning of those tires and hubs. I thought that my friend, the India carpet dealer,
    was great, but you now rank as high in the market place. T-K and my blessings upon you.

    Richard


    I thank you for your friendship, and and very happy that the suggestion will help you in delivering you from your weekly menial ordeals!!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Gay meant happy

    I feel sorry for the Gaylord Hotels......

    What will the new generation think about them?
    Gay-lord?
    Lord of the Gay?

    :sick:
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Gay meant happy

    Even before that gay ment drunk. Well I guess that could make you happy.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    Sure does seem that way. :sick:
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    " I feel sorry for the Gaylord Hotels...... "
    As do I, the X & Y generation will snicker as in, he said gay... dude that's so gay. They doth love their use of the word dude.
    We said queer but as you grow older and secure in who you are it doesn't mean anything. Mostly I see them copy the great music of the '60's and '70's they know not '50's . Apologies X & Y, these are my opinions and if you take offense, then bring it on. Imho they are not very original, and I respect original. But to get off this generation bashing. Thanks Richard,and you too chikoo. I've been lurking for awhile but thanks also mack, hopes and prayers.
    I am in sales but in a different industry.
    My moniker comes not from any nc school but from the late great Gene Chandler
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    You probably figured by now that I was looking into this advice from your DMV. I did. I do hope you understand that I really do believe that a DMV rep may have given you this advice. I have no reason to believe otherwise. It may be a good practice to charge the same amount to all customers for any number of reasons, but Florida does not have any statutory regulation stating that this is required. At least not as of October 2007. I could understand a DMV rep giving this advice, there just doesn't appear to be any such requirement. Apparently the FL attorney general has gone after some dealers for not following some advertising requirements regarding advertised prices which in the AG's opinion must include these fees..

    Wasn't easy finding much. First of all, the search function of the online FL statutes blows chunks. It does not make it very easy to find much of anything.

    Second, it was difficult to find much of anything because FL statutes simply don't address this very much. What is in the statutes is very ambiguous. Mostly the statutes deal with advertising prices. There is no statute that specifically addresses dealer fees on their own. Just that the fee must be included in advertised prices, and if charged it must appear as a separate item on the buyers order along with a disclosure statement. The best I found was not in the statutes, but rather an examination of the practice of charging these fees done by the FL Senate last year. There is a lot in it, but the pertinent quotes state that "This fee varies among dealerships and, at times, among customers of the same dealership." There is no mention anywhere in the study that this variance violates any regulation. The footnote to this quote states "As with all charges imposed by the dealer, this fee may be negotiable."

    BTW - the senate examination ended with two recommendations if the senate should decide to take up this issue. First to possibly expand disclosure requirements. Not a bad idea. Second to possibly place a cap on these fees. A horrible idea.

    If you're interested, here is the FL senate examination (.pdf file)
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    How on earth do you fit all that stuff in the Corolla?

    I was a Boy Scout, and got very good at packing :P Seriously, I pull the passenger seat forward (and tilt forward), then I put the 22" Bass in the rear passenger seat so that the head faces the window (it's in a case, but I'm describing the orientation). Then I move the front seat back to hold the drum in place, which gives plenty of room for a passenger. The fusion size toms AND hardware AND carpet AND cymbals all fit in the trunk easily. I can put my guitar on the back seat floor with the guitar body behind the driver's seat (did I mention I'm 6'3"). Then, if I need to, I can put a bass amp and electric bass in the back seat (behind the driver). This does work really well, although the Hyundai handles it better.

    So, get out there and play!

    Back to cars, loading this stuff up would be much easier if I had some sort of wagon, but the only one I like right now is the Mazda 3, which is a bit low on the fuel economy scale. Matrix and Versa have lame designs, and Impreza is even worse with mileage. So, for now I'll just keep the Corolla as long as possible - it's very cool for a teal car :shades:

    Mack, if you're still looking for a 16" tom, I would suggest you try link title They have the best prices and service of anyone, anywhere, in any industry. Order today, get it tomorrow!
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