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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    You are hereby appointed as the Official Delurking Agent!

    and chairman of the welcoming committee of the delurkers :shades:
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Oh wait, you are not cutting your entire lawn with that trimmer are you?

    that, or he is still figuring out why the string keeps getting short ;)

    image
  • carhag2000carhag2000 Member Posts: 207
    Boomchek,
    Where in Canada are you? I just toured around Lake Superior Last year on my bike and it was easily one of the most beautiful rides I have taken.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I'm on the West Coast in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    It's nice out here too.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    " You guys are a bunch of *&%*% thieves I cant believe you want X for that car!"

    Well....quit being thieves! Put a price on a car. Whether it's being traded in or for sale it is worth the same amount. (give or take a few hundred for mileage, condition, etc).
    Then add in dealer profit if you're selling it and don't add in dealer profit if you're buying it. No other fees ever. Just car value then profit. (all your profit) no junk fees or add ons. Profit should be one number. And don't negotiate. If you have what buyer wants and feels price plus profit is fair he'll buy. If he complains, tell him to hit the bricks.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,451
    Yup, the Turnersville complex, owned by good old Roger.

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

  • hondamattnjhondamattnj Member Posts: 53
    It's not that easy. Your perception of a 'fair price' is different than mine. Everything in life is negotiable, especially big ticket items. Cars, homes, boats, RVs.
  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    Only a few hundred difference between trade in and Retail value? My shop spends about 1200 per car we take in. Also you have to consider that every customer wants a grand of two off. And we have to pay bills and employees. More like a few thousand difference.
  • dhamiltondhamilton Member Posts: 878
    like logging on and seeing another person call you a thief in your chosen profession.

    It's to bad we can't call people dumb @$$&$ for not understanding simple business.
  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    Its ok.. I've been in the biz for 9 years. I do finance now, but thats why I got out of sales. You can only try to help people to get the best deal and have them turn around and call you a liar for so long. I used to try and educate them, but after all they have done 10 car transactions in their life. What would I know after thousands?
    Not everyone, but it was a daily occurance.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Well....quit being thieves! Put a price on a car. Whether it's being traded in or for sale it is worth the same amount. (give or take a few hundred for mileage, condition, etc).

    Guys in the biz will say don't overprice your car if selling privately. No one will be interested. But, at dealerships the mark-up is sky high... up to 50%. Most of us here can handle the difference between the two. But, a large number of people see it as the dealership trying to rip them off.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • no_oneno_one Member Posts: 29
    So I saw this local story from the sales front lines and thought it might be of interest to this forum.... Apparently, a customer got a bit more than frustrated with his salesperson at a dealer in my area:

    part 1

    part 2

    I'm not in the car business, but geeze, the deal couldn't have been that bad!!!
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I guess the guy had mental problems from before and maybe the sale triggered another breakdown.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    You think maybe?

    Not much you can do when dealing with a mentally unstable person other than what they did.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    On average my mark up on new is between 4-8%. Thats lower than most everything you can buy. On used cars, if it books (trade-in) for lets say 10,000. We try to own it for 9,000(cust gets 8500) and will Retail it for a little less than book( Retail), say... 12,495. After all is said and done we will probably sell it for 11,500. Pay some commisions and we've cleared 2000 on the car. I can not recall a used car marked up 50% at any of the dealerships that I have worked.
  • carhag2000carhag2000 Member Posts: 207
    Well....quit being thieves

    Putting a car out for sale and then asking a price for it is thievery? I dont hold a gun to anyones head to buy nor do I have to justify my price to you...If you dont like the price for my goods you are free to leave...and leave your unkind comments to yourself.

    If he complains, tell him to hit the bricks.
    If I ask someone to leave can you imagine the adverse PR I would get? All I can do is sit and smile and say thanks for stopping by in the midst of most tirades.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    You didn't read what I wrote.

    I certainly didn't say 200 to 300 profit. I said 200-300 difference between car A and car B, both being same make/model/year diff being mileage and condition.

    I don't care if your profit is 10k. Just make it one number and add it to the actual value of the car for sale. No more doc fees, license fees, cleaning fees...stop all the nickel dime fees!! PROFIT plus the actual value of the car. Stick that price on the windshield and sell it without any further stupid fees.

    If you bought gas for your vehicle and the attendant said that will be $32.00 (price on pump) plus electric to pump power fee, hose replacement fee, tip for the delivery driver and my commission. That comes to $42.76. That's what all the stupid add on fees feel like to a customer.

    In many cases what you make is fine as long as the person paying is not made to feel stupid by dealers slicing and dicing what they want into a hundred little junk fees that still add up to PROFIT.

    Maybe dealers got away with that with the financing public, but as cash or check writing public begins to prevail they don't like to be "fee-d" to death a dime at a time.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    I hope they give the salesperson a break and not use that loony's survey against him :)
  • vdstrackvdstrack Member Posts: 1
    When talking about putting a price on a car, let's not forget that the government holds dealers accountable for their products. That means your trade must be in perfect shape or for the first 30-90 days the dealer is responsible for any and all repairs. plus they have employees to pay and all that stuff, a dealer should be able to make about 2,000 a car average at the end of the month. The problem is that it is like a game to beat the dealer. The game should be find a car you actually like! Then get yourself as good a deal as you can without trying to put someone out of business.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Unfortunately fees are a reality in today's world for many big ticket items, or services:

    -car: doc, license, registration
    -houses: agent fees, mortgage broker fees, mortgage insurance fees, inspections,
    -plane tickets: gas surcharges, excess luggage, pillows and food (in some cases)
    -wheels and tires: tire levies, mounting, balancing, enviro fees, disposal fees,
    -electronics/computers: enviro disposal fees, set up, etc.
    -suits/tuxes: alterations, etc.....

    Yes, it would be nice if all the prices had everything built in. It would be nice if we'd take it a step further and do it like most European countries and have taxes included in the prices too.

    But then the competitor next door would advertise a bare bones price without any fees, extras, and get more customers. Consumers ALWAYS notice the lowest prices possible without reading the fine print or limitations.

    Take for example our Dodge Ram special. We have decals on it saying $12000 off OR 0% financing. It's parked in front of our showroom. The OR is in normal sized letters not any smaller than the rest of the signage. And people still insist on getting both even though you can't get both. they have to do a double take to check if we're misleading them :confuse:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    Other than the DMV fees. We have a $45 doc fee that every customer pays. Thats it. Unfortunately everyone has to pay tax, DMV fees etc. In NY we handle all the DMV and insurance processing for the cust. Thats what the 45 is for. We earn it.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    I can not recall a used car marked up 50% at any of the dealerships that I have worked.

    I did say marked up to as much as 50%... which I've seen. Your mark-up is around 33%, so not to far off. Your dealerships pricing system is reasonable though, and wouldn't scare someone off.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    But do you see that we have to charge a significant mark up on used just so we can make a couple grand. And we wouldn't have to make a couple grand on used if we could make more on new.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Bah 50% man I want to work in that fantasy store.

    Let see of the six used cars I have sold this month there was on average less then 1,200 dollars of profit on them. Those cars on average retailed for about 25,000 dollars so what is that about 5% markup on each car?
  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    He was talking about the dif between what we own it for and our Retail price. My example was an ideal one. Our average is 1350 right now.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    This is question is for anybody who was selling cars in the 80's and early 90's...

    If any you guys are reading right now,

    What is the difference in the fron end gross margins from back in the 80's - 90's compared to today?

    Do you even see a difference in it?

    I am not including fee's...

    also is there a difference in the back end of deals.

    My perception is that dealers were making a lot more money than they are now.

    GP
  • mlitwin7mlitwin7 Member Posts: 20
    I wasn't there, but I've seen the numbers. Its about half now. Most of that difference is in the F&I dept.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    And we wouldn't have to make a couple grand on used if we could make more on new.

    You wouldn't have to, but I suspect you would still try to - you are in business to make money after all.

    But as a 'new car buyer' I'm happy with the way the system works at the moment.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Citibank, or was it Goldman ? escapes me at the moment downgraded GM today to a sell.It was only at 13 but closed down to a new low at 11 1/2. Poor Ford is trading at 5. Reminds me of the Chrysler days. People thought at the time the government was floating them a loan because we couldn't let the third largest automaker go down the tubes. They managed to push it through congress under the guise of national security, they had a division that made assemblies used in tanks. Good management seems to be sadly lacking these days.

    Bonus trivia to thwart team evil. Level = easy
    In sitting on a dock of the bay by otis, where did the singer state his home was ? No googling por favor.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    Georgia.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    The problem is that it is like a game to beat the dealer.

    I wonder where that started? Where I come from if you start something you better be able to finish it. It took a while for the buyer to get onto a level field and now the buyer is the bad guy? Please note that I didn’t say the buyer should be disrespectful to the salesman because there is no excuse for that but to know how to fight fire with fire is a good thing.

    The game should be find a car you actually like! Then get yourself as good a deal as you can without trying to put someone out of business.

    I agree with buying what you like. As for not trying to put the dealer out of business, I doubt any buyer is capable of this. Most have been around longer than the buyers. When I buy a car I’m going after the best deal I can get. I give no thought of what’s fair for the dealer. He knows how to take care of himself now it’s my turn. If he doesn’t like my offer I’ll go to someone who will and I have. Very simple this car buying thing.

    For the most part when the guy at the desk ok’s a deal he’s not hurting the owner or himself, it’s the salesman, who’s caught in the middle, who takes the hit. I will not take responsibility for that.

    jmonroe

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

  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    jkinzel said : Georgia.

    Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
    Where in Washington j?
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    Gig Harbor. Very close to Tacoma, WA
    I can remember this stuff, but not things my wife tells me to do, :blush:
    We have a rule in our house, if its three or more things to do, make a list
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    But do you see that we have to charge a significant mark up on used just so we can make a couple grand

    Sure. I'm just saying if the mark up is too "significant" it will scare a lot of people off. Selling 3 cars at a total of $6k profit is better than selling 1 car at $4k profit... say over the course of a month.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Very nice town, My wife and I were looking to retire on the Olympic Peninsula in a few years. Love your neck of the woods. Changing subject so as not to offend he whose name must not be spoken.Though I am not in auto sales, doesn't it seem that in the last 10 years a plethora of fee's in which the saleman has no participation at all but which benefit the dealership and/or corporate and effectively raise the price to the consumer have evolved. Translation, same work lower gross and with the annual christmas pay cut lower net ? Just my take.

    Bonus trivia question number two, level = easy still
    All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Let see of the six used cars I have sold this month there was on average less then 1,200 dollars of profit on them.

    We've been through this before, but it would depend on what your definition of profit is. If you are charging $2,000, to the price you paid for a trade in, for a 100 point inspection, oil change and new wiper blades, when the true cost of this to the dealership is closer to $400, then the profit margin goes back up to 30% or more. Throw in an overpriced warranty and it takes another markup jump. So, if a dealership tells me they have $25k in the car they are selling, I would take that with a grain of salt.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Oh ye of little faith and or loyalty. Well you'll have to fight your own battle aginst the forces of evil. I turn the gauntlet over to you .
    "I doubt it.... maybe "jump" ship to another car site. Though I've been a part of the off-topic banter, it really has gotten out of hand. I find myself skipping over a lot of posts, which I usually don't do. I guess I just can't relate to all you old timers (geezers) stories of the olden days and musical instruments. "

    I commend you for your amazing insight into someone you know not at all. Jump ship? Should I figure where else you post?
    Don't really want to, I kind of like the people who post here.No problem if you can't relate to us old geezers. Please relate onto us your fond memories of the "classic" bands like ac/dc and def leopard. No wonder your generation makes remakes. Any way ,thanks for the warm welcome......

    Something about teaching your grandmother and eggs. Please no geezer clue him in. Appreciation to the rest of the forum. Thank you all.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    "as most seem to be in that 50 to 60 + age group. Lots of good stuff comes through here."

    That would be jipster, jmonroe, and Richard. The three amoebas. :blush:
    Me, I'm just a spring chicken. Just turned 32 last December, xmas day. :blush:
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    There was a lot of built up grass. Very thick. The line kept breaking on me so I put a Polycut head on it and voila! I went to town with it. Yes, I did start the motor which is an easy2start patented starting system. No more throwing my back out pulling on the starter core 20 times before the thing starts. On this one you put the 1/0 switch to 1, close the throttle switch, prime the bubble twice, and pull the cord firmly but not jerking it. I told my wife even she could do it. I showed Mackabee III how to start it and he was impressed! (He was probably thinking; "Great, another tool for me to do work with." :cry: )
    Anyway and update on my condition. I had the scan this morning. They were rather busy so I had to wait about 30 minutes before they put me in the padded room and injected me with the radioactive glucose solution. I'm glowing green as I write this. No need for artificial lighting. ;) After 90 minutes they ran me through the CT scan tube and that took about 30 minutes. I got home and I was starved. Luckily my wife took the afternoon off and made me a delicious turkey and egg sandwich on wheat.
    Oh, while I was waiting to go to the padded room I was filling out a questionnaire which I do every time. Under the questionnaire is my chart with all the previous scans. The last one showe NED (no evidence of disease) however, there is a "cyst" on my liver, and several nodules in my lungs. These nodules are less than 6mm in size and my doc doesn't think it's cancer. I'll have the results in a couple of weeks but I'm feeling confident I will be alright.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I thought so too until last couple of weeks when we had an 07 and an 08 traded in. I drove the 08 around the block and it has a very nice interior. I didn't care for the sunshade as it looks flimsy and might fall on you while driving. The outside looks good too. The visibility is something else. I had a hard time looking back through the rear view mirror, it looks like you are looking at a tunnel. Side visibility was ok, but the front of the vehicle is scary. I had to move the seat up vertically to see the road as the front makes it difficult to judge your distance especially while backing up or turning close to other vehicles. It drove really nice and was very quiet. I don't know why the people traded them in. I know the 07 was a navy girl and she bought an 09 Camry SE V6.
    Mack :)
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    My wife used to watch me mow the lawn. About 15 years ago when I was still in shape and would take my shirt off to impress the neighbors. :blush: It used to turn her on. :blush:
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    50%!!! What dealers are you hanging out at jip?
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    It happens. Last year a saleman was shot to death at Gloucester Toyota in Gloucester VA. The motive? the salesman was having an affair with the assailant's wife. He waited in his pick up truck until the salesmen were out of their sales meeting and then confronted the man. The salesman started to run when he saw the gun and was shot in the back.
    :(
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    California dreaming, The Mamas and the Papas.
    Mack.

    trivia question level=medium hard

    "He didn't notice that the lights had changed."

    Mack
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Just turned 32 last December..."

    Sure---you and my grandmother. :shades:

    Richard
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    We normally mark used cars at 2-3k over our cost. Some suckers fell for the 08 Prius with 7600 hundred miles today. They bought it for $26,990.00 when this car retails for $23,909.00 (package two). I wouldn't have the heart to do that to a customer. Someone else did.
    :sick:
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Dang, you're up too Rich? I'm going to bed now. The Mrs. has been complaining that I'm stay up waaay too late. See you around 9am.
    Mack ;)
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Your check-up sounds very promising. I'm happy for you.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Someone has to stay up with Tidester to make sure that he doesn't overdose on coffee. ;) Sleep tight.

    Richard
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    And I will say again we don't do that. On our used Land Rovers we do the 140 point certified inspection which costs a couple of hundred bucks. If any wear items are more then half worn we replace them. A full set of brakes and tires on one of these vehicles is a couple of thousand dollars but there aren't any made up charges.

    All vehicles get new wiper blades oil change and a full detail so if they don't need brakes or tires everything costs some where around $400 charged to the sales department.

    Not sure what it actually cost service maybe $250 or so.

    Still no where near 30% markup.

    I don't even know why I argue you with you anymore you are so negative.
This discussion has been closed.