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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,166
    Ha! I smell a hair color joke coming.

    LOL I wish that were it. Actually she has dark hair.

    She impresses me sometimes with what she knows and what she does, but electronic gadgets baffle her. Even when I pointed to the words "Searching for Satellites" it made no difference.

    I made the mistake of getting her a digital camera for Christmas too. :(

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,181
    "Most people I know that had the free subscription let it expire."

    I am one of those. Enjoyed free XM for three months when I bought my TL in '05 and let it fade away. XM called every few weeks with discounted offers to renew. I finally asked them not to call until their offer was free, unlimited service. Phone stopped ringing.

    Too each, nothing wrong with paying for the service if you find value. But with AM/FM, 6 cd changer and cassette player (yes, I have many, many cassettes!) I don't need another monthly invoice for something of limited use to me.

    I do, however, enjoy my roof-hole (sunroof)!

    '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...)

  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    "I made the mistake of getting her a digital camera for Christmas too."
    You're killing me .But did you take opportunity to milk it to it's full potential ? I had an old girlfriend that once asked me what euthanasia was ? So I launched into a 10 minute diatribe about how the youth in asia didn't respect their parents, were too impatient, lacked the work ethic and were ingrateful for all that was afforded them. When she found out what it really meant she was pissed.

    On a separate note, here they are advertising the h3 Hummers for $7,000 off and the h2 for$8,000 off, Why anyone would buy a vehicle that is going to lose service support is beyond me.
  • chuck1chuck1 Member Posts: 1,405
    If you cruise the Internet XM radio can be had for $77/yr. If you don't like the programming (but with 170 stations there are plenty of things to listen to) that's one thing.
    However I don't anyone who is paying 15.00/month.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Chuck1,
    Please post a link for $77 per year, $ 6.41 a month sounds not half bad.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    Ya, chuck, please, the link.

    and Duke, shame on for tell that poor girl the"youth in Aisia" thing. You had to know it was going to come back on you. :surprise: :P
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Oh Lordy did it . It took charm, plus mea culpa + compliments, flowers and that which will not be discussed until I was back in her good graces.So weak willed am I for a straight line . It will be my undoing.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    It's not a link. Call XM and tell them you want the ZWINBACK offer for $77 a year. If they refuse, ask for a supervisor. If this still doesn't work, hang up, call back again to get another person and request it.
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    "What kind of plane do you work on?"

    We make propulsion engines for business jets, auxilliary power units for just about everything that flies, as well as the Abrams tank propulsion engine. The company slogan used to be "the world's largest producer of small gas turbine engines." Since we started making afterburning military engines for the Republic of China's (Taiwan) fighter aircraft and a 7000 lb thrust turbofan, it didn't fit so well anymore.

    We ship our engines to the airframers for installation, so I never really worked on the airplane itself, other than on the occasional flight test program for new products.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    I agree with the general sentiment - I had a very difficult time finding my Elantra the way I wanted it, which was in the limited trim (for the leather) in a 5 speed with no sunroof (also because of the headroom issue as oldfarmer pointed out). As it turns out, the sunroof would have been fine, but I would not have used it much anyway, and to get it, I would have also needed the upgraded stereo. The car already has cd/mp3/am/fm/xm ready and an aux input, which is really a super feature. What more was the upgraded stereo going to give me? For the amount of money, I could have bought a much better aftermarket system for this car. The stock stereo is fine.

    The combo of 5 speed, leather, and NO sunroof, though, was difficult to locate. I was told at the time I bought it that there were only something like four in the whole country (that might have been BS, but I did have to wait a while for it - it was worth the wait, because we love this car!) :)
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    As I said, the $15 per month was three years ago. Perhaps the novelty of it all was still in the air.

    Richard
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    Thank you. I plan to buy a new car this year, if it has XM I might get a good deal.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Oh, I nearly forgot. When you call out a person's name in writing, place a comma after the name. Example: "Rich, definition please."

    Thank you for the update.

    It eould be nice to go back to school now that I am ready for it but in car sale you work alot of nights :sick:

    Thanks

    GP
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I'm glad you love your car and I hope you plan to keep it for a long time because with that combination, that would be a VERY hard car to sell as a used car.
  • carhag2000carhag2000 Member Posts: 207
    Is he going to pay $17K for it? That would be dumb. Honda doesn’t negotiate lease residuals

    Just my 2c worth. Have your friend call the Honda dealer that he has his lease through and ask them to look up the MBPO ( thats Market Based Purchase Option and he has to go on Honda VIPS website, if you use these exact terms he will assume you know all of the "insider" details)

    I bet that Honda will have an MBPO of thousands of dollars less than the residual value. Tell your friend to be reasonable and say something like " I will allow you to charge me more than the MBPO so its worth your while as a dealership."
    He might be surprised and save a lot of money. Good luck and let me know if you need any more info. :)
  • 604doc604doc Member Posts: 182
    Thanks cd,
    I'm the Director of Maintenance for a Challenger 604. Always nice to meet other aviation folks. The biz jet world is a small one. You never know, I may meet you in person some day.

    Nelson
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    I had an old girlfriend that once asked me what euthanasia was ? So I launched into a 10 minute diatribe about how the youth in asia didn't respect their parents, were too impatient, lacked the work ethic and were ingrateful for all that was afforded them. When she found out what it really meant she was pissed.

    HAHA. That was really funny. How long did it take her to find out the real meaning?
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Please post a link for $77 per year, $ 6.41 a month sounds not half bad.

    No need for a lnik. Just call up the 800 # and ask. I had a month to month subscription to see if I liked it (dealer forgot to give me 3 month free, and I was too lazy to follow up).

    I called them up to "cancel." I told them I liked it a lot, but I couldn't justify the price. They offered $77 for the year. I said yes.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    I also don't see the point with nav systems. Maybe if I traveled to strange cities often it would come in handy but I have a feeling it would take so long to learn how to use it I wouldn't have time to make the trip. For now I'll use my old-fashion $1 nav system that folds up in the glove box.

    If you are smarter than a third grader, and I am sure you are, they are very simple to use. I use to think the same as you, why spend a couple hundred bucks for something (directions) you could get from the internet. I've read a lot in the past about how complicated they are to learn how to use. But, it really is quite easy. Input state, city... then address.... calculating... boom, you're off. "Turn right in 50 feet onto Snakeweasel Blvd." They tell you where the closest gas stations are if you really gotta go, where restaurants are, and a lot of other cool features you can use. Spend about $150 a get a slightly older model Garmin, I guarantee you won't go back to a wrinkly balled up map, with molded cheese, that you keep in your glove box. :D
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    I'm glad you love your car and I hope you plan to keep it for a long time because with that combination, that would be a VERY hard car to sell as a used car.

    Heck, with today's gas crisis hysteria, I could probably sell this car for what I bought it for over a year and a half ago! But I won't - I will keep it for at least 200K miles or more. That was a point brought to my attention when I purchased the car (many dealers did not want to look for this option combo, so they would offer me something with "more appeal" or "better resale value"). I want what I want, so I insisted that I'm not looking to sell, but to buy (and keep).

    I would agree with you though, isell, that a dealer would not want this car on his/her lot because it would be harder to sell than if it were an automatic with a sunroof.
  • peetertpeetert Member Posts: 124
    Ok, I've seen these on TV ads for insurance, etc, but this weekend I actually had a salesman use this while in negotiations over the price of a car. Has anyone else seen this, or did I get a real winner? It initally threw me for a moment, but I was able to get the true price out of him.

    Thoughts?
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Actually BMW is advertising the base 3 series here for only $XX/day, I think it's $10-15/day.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,659
    I'm not surprised... Carpet used to be priced by the square yard... now, it's by the square foot.. :surprise:

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  • iontrapiontrap Member Posts: 139
    This past week I saw a commercial for a Honda/Nissan dealer saying that they have "overseas connections" who want to buy your gas guzzler. Has anyone else seen advertisements like this?
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I run ads like that to get buyers in, :blush: except my connections aren't overseas and we do have wholesalers that specialize in SUVs and trucks, and pay us good dough for them.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,200
    "...I saw a commercial for a Honda/nissan dealer saying they have "overseas connections" who want to buy your gas guzzler..."

    There are a couple of possibilities:

    1) They will tell you to push your guzzler into the ocean because it isn't worth anything on this continent.

    2) The king of Nigeria finally got his $25 million and now is buying cars like crazy.

    3) The Russian mob has a lot of bodies on their hands and needs something with a big trunk.

    Just don't give out your credit card # as part of the deal. ;)

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    3) The Russian mob has a lot of bodies on their hands and needs something with a big trunk.

    Don't laugh but US cars go for nearly double the price in Eastern Europe. I found that out after my uncle in Poland bought a 06 Sebring convertible and paid over $60k for it. :surprise:

    I checked their classifieds and realized it to be true. I should start exporting cars there.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    "Rich definition please...."
    Oh, I nearly forgot. When you call out a person's name in writing, place a comma after the name. Example: "Rich, definition please."


    I was wondering on that too.....Rich Definition? I had heard of High Definition :P :sick:

    Name. Short Pause. Continue writing.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    What would you say is the typical age group that buys a Civic Si?

    The reason I ask is because the wife saw one and is interested in getting it to replace my current daily drive. I sort of put a stop to that for a number of reasons one of which it looks likes its aimed for the very young "tuner" crowd and someone my age driving one might be saying "Help I am having a mid life crises and I can't afford a Vette".

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

  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Do you really care what other people think? Presumably you do or you wouldn't be asking the question.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    I know what you mean but times are changing. I, for one, like the looks of the SI and I think it is a great little car. I am only 65 though. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    I am sure he does care what others think as most of us do. Else there would be chaos. Plus we are a vain lot.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,200
    "...Help I am having a mid life crisis and I can't afford a Vette..."

    Welcome to the club. A flashy car will cost you less in the long run than a flashy mistress. ;)

    (But both will give you trouble if you keep them long enough) oops, did I say that out loud?

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Also, you can show off a flashy car. If you show off the flashy mistress, your wife will then own your flashy car. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Try an on-line course. You can work on it any time of the day or night. :)

    Richard
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Actually about three hours. I tried hard to fix the stoneface and delivered my lines with what I thought was flawless ease and conviction. It must have been my eyes, or perhaps that I was guilty of a smilar infraction in the past because I caught her looking it up in the dictionary later and when I looked over her shoulder and she was in the y's , I couldn't hold the laughter in and the scam fell apart.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    you should check the typical resale. edmunds had one for a year, or so.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Nope don't care what others think but I was wondering if my impression of the car is right or not.

    But there are other reasons that I wouldn't consider the Si.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Typical resale for any car I have gotten rid of is whatever the junkyard would give me. I usually drive the wheels off a car, put them back on and then drive some more.

    When I get rid of my current ride it will be the first time in a several decades that I have gotten rid of a car that has life left in it.

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

  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,181
    The very wise philosophers Abbott and Costello once said (and I paraphrase):

    "Never marry a beautiful woman."
    "Why?"
    "Because she is likely leave you for a handsome young man."
    "Well, isn't an ugly woman likely to leave, too?"
    "Sure. But who cares!"

    As long as they don't leave in my Jag...

    '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...)

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,166
    Try an on-line course. You can work on it any time of the day or night.

    An excellent way to further your education. You just have to be dedicated. It isn't easy just because it's on your computer.

    My son, after getting two B.S. degrees from Penn State, is in the process of getting his Masters from Boston U. on-line. He spends a lot of time with it.

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Laurasda wrote :
    The very wise philosophers Abbott and Costello once said (and I paraphrase):

    "Never marry a beautiful woman."
    "Why?"
    "Because she is likely leave you for a handsome young man."
    "Well, isn't an ugly woman likely to leave, too?"
    "Sure. But who cares!"

    As long as they don't leave in my Jag...

    The logic is impeccable.
    As is the logic of the great Bob Hope who stated that the reason most young southern collegiate women pledge tri-delt, is that , that way they only have to remember one greek letter. I miss Bob.

    I tend to mutter to myself bad habit.
    Ooo, have another hit of sweet California sunshine, ooo, have another hit.
    Take me home, take me home, take me home with you,
    Take me home, I wanna go home with you, little girl.
    Please ignore my ramblings.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I used to recruit seniors at Penn State. It is one of the best universities in the nation. You must be very proud of him. Yes, the on-line courses require self discipline.

    Richard
  • manamalmanamal Member Posts: 426
    I did not buy the car...I want to get a sportier car...something fun...something about turning 45. I would really like a convertible. One that looked interesting was the VW Eos. I took my family to look at it to make sure it is not too small for the family of three. I just wanted to see it for size.

    Well my 6 yo daughter thought it was cool. She liked it. Salesman showed it to us....only my wife was sitting on a bench with her arms crossed looking at me sternly.
    The salesman, with no pressure at all, says, "I guess you are not buying this...her (my wife's) body language said it all."

    From my perspective, I think it would be a lot cheaper than a girlfriend: that would be about 40k per year. However, I was watching all of the parts move around for opening and closing the top....while it is well engineered and cool, anything that complicated has to be fragile.

    Anyway, I made the mistake of asking permission for the Eos. I will probably end up with either a stripped 3-series (haven't driven it yet) or a Civic Si. Only problem with the Si is all of the Honda dealers around here are the high pressure type.

    Anyway, kudos for the VW salesman from the VW/Subaru dealer in Northern VA.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Try an on-line course. You can work on it any time of the day or night.

    Richard


    Yeah I have heard people are doing these recently.... I can't believe you don't have to drive a car to class anymore :)

    GP
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Both my wife and my daughter are attending Colorado State University. Daughter is a traditional, live on campus student. Wife is taking classes through their on-line program for working adults.

    (on-topic comment - daughter uses her '06 ION to get back and forth from home to school; about 90 miles one way)
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    (on-topic comment - daughter uses her '06 ION to get back and forth from home to school; about 90 miles one way)

    Yeah, but who sold it to her and how did it go? :P
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    GP....I'm with you. My son is getting ready to graduate from college next year. His freshman year, he was going to class all the time. Sophomore year, a little less going to class and a little more "on-line" class. Still had to go in for mid-terms and finals, though.

    This year (Junior), it was split 50-50 between on-line and on campus. He informed me next year (Senior) it will be 75% on line and 25% on campus.

    So, that's what I'm spending $25K/year for....... :confuse:

    Need some opinion here. I've got a 330i that will be coming out of warranty next year. I really don't want to keep it past the warranty period (mainly because the vaunted BMW "free" maintenance only required me to change the oil upwards of 10K miles). While a 335i is mighty tempting, I probably won't go that route. The 1 series is also tempting (135i) since I'll shortly be an "empty nester". But, even those are fairly close in price to a 335i.

    All you experts out there, will the 330i be worth more if there's a little factory warranty left? Does the warranty matter all that much come resale/trade time? Moreover, with vehicle sales down, I see deals galore, all over the place. Right time to buy something new (thinking Honda Accord, Audi A3, Infiniti G, maybe even the Hyundai Genesis). No hybrids need apply.

    Generally, I'm just looking for some honest input from salespeople about the general state of car sales affairs.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    The warranty makes a big difference when trading. If there is an issue the dealer knows it is covered. Repairs on luxury makes are not inexpensive.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Civic Si's appeal mostly to people in their late 20's.
This discussion has been closed.