Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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You are sooooooo good!
Richard
Yikes! I'm checking the ages of bridges in the future before I cross them.
Richard
Yes, there is one. It usually comes to life just before dawn, when Tidester Host has his tenth cup of coffee...err, I think that it is coffee. :P
Welcome to our little corner of the world.
Richard
That's not why they leave. Most leave because they are no longer salesmen, or they get bored. And yes, the occasional salesman may leave because they got their feelings hurt.
Some of the ones here that do stay, don't tell stories because they don't like their judgment questioned. It's human nature to question why a sale was handled in one way instead of another. Some who ask these questions can at times be a bit abrasive, throw in a thin skinned salesman... and woahlaah... no more sales stories. So, let's not blame jmonroe, oldfarmer, and tbaxxon for the lack of stories here... o.k? :P
And for what it's worth, most of the "badgering" that is done on salesfolk here has come from their own. Isell almost ran moo off when he first started posting. macabee ran off what's his name. But, overall I think people in here are civil to each other 95.5% of the time. Good job guys!!
edited: To those who remember pch101, check post #377 in the, "You Are What You Drive" discussion. He may be back. :surprise:
Richard
That's pretty much the norm at all dealerships. There may be two or three that stick around for a while.
:shades:
Of course he did. They all do. The car business is the only legalized pyramid scheme in the US.
:shades:
Well, let's see. Every Toyota that I've owned I've had for on average of 13-15 years. And they are still going, except for the 92 Camry that was totalled. If you want to get knit picky go ahead. You know what we are talking about.
Mack
I hope everything is ok and he's not back selling dope. Heh, just kidding..!
:shades:
You talking to me?..Are you, talking to me! :shades:
Mack
:shades:
Chikoo, now you're starting to put words in people's mouths. He never said the Prius batteries were "warranted for life". That's quite different than saying "the batteries will last for the life of the car." Prius battery packs which are part of the whole Hybrid Synergy Drive system is factory warranted for 8 years or 100k miles whichever comes first. This doesn't mean the Synergy system is going to die after 8 years or 100k miles. I don't know when people begin confusing warranties with how long a product is supposed to last before it breaks. In a way I'm glad because it has turned many domestic car buyers into import buyers. They are under the impression (wrong) that once the 3yr/36k warranty is over it's time for stuff to start breaking and time to trade the beast in.
:shades:
's
'
"Usually, the troublemakers come and go quickly but some stick around and take not so subltle jabs at us. Hard to ignore sometimes. "
Can't get a handle can you ? Others, rhymes with tip, the grip, LA has the crips, couldn't either. They said they come and they go.
No jabs here sir, takes one to know one. But a different industry. Train ,Yah or Jah ! The mumbo jumbo is correct my esteemed sir. Driver, also correct as well. No jabs again I state. The honest salesman wears their heart on their sleeves and truly feel's bad when what they thought was a honest customer screws them over. The public may perceive them as not having either heart or soul, they are wrong.
And what is screwing them over ? Besting them on a deal ? Nah, deals come and go. Being deceitful. May sound odd to those who have never sold, but when one gives one's best deal, tweak it, but don't abuse it . Expecting the fall out. "He was just a hired hand
Workin' on the dreams he planned to try
The days go by "
There sure is/are!
A day in the life
Where the streets have no name
Let it be
Stairway to heaven
Beginnings
Closer to home (I'm your captain)
Ballet for a girl in Buchanon
Hey Jude
and more...! :shades:
I just believe in me, yoko & me.
Back to car stories
Mack, you're my captain. Ain't it Grand?
That time, the warranty dictated the life of the product for the consumer. If we said that we warranty the product for x years,it means that based upon empirical data and various engineering data, we could predict the life of the product and therefore provide for a warranty under that or close to the life of the product.
However, when the term "warranted for life" is used, it is pretty much useless without quantifying the life period. " Bless you and your engineering trained heart sir! You do understand, A few engineer jokes one day.
All in good fun. Like he said.
They're double sided and they look like cash. It wokrs for me because $50 is $50 for a customer, especially if they're already planning on buying a mop n glo or warranty package.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Mack
First album to earn RIAA platinum.
nuff said...
And yes I was talking ABOUT you...lmao.
It's Mackabee, and I didn't run anybody off. I just don't have that kind of power around here. His name was eprom I believe. No, it was egolfs! That's it! Probably spent more time golfing than selling cars. I wonder if he still lurks? Eprom, come back. We really are a bunch of nice guys and girls. So we like to rip on each other once in a while but it's just to see how thick your skin is. Otoh, if you're not tough enough yet I suggest you spend a few more years on the lot then come back and tell us your adventures. You might be better armed by then than you were this time.
LoL! All I can say is that if it were other than coffee I'd have fallen asleep MUCH earler than that.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
No, no, no. The posters that criticize the salesfolk still post here. They simply don't get it. I'm not referring to thin skinned sales people either. I know Joel got pissed at one poster for telling a simple story which he had to explain to defend himself. It's not asking questions it's plain, belligerent, and insulting.
Those that post here on a regular basis should understand this. If you want sales stories (which is what the topic is) bite your fingers and don't post if all you have to add is a point which insults the salespersons integrity.
Oldfarmer500 and jmonroe never seriously questioned the integrity of the salesperson. Keyword is seriously. tbaxxon was an idiot. That was proven when he bought that dog of a Mitsubishi (no insult intended to oldfarmer).
There are others who lurk here waiting for a salesperson to post a story and jump on the salesperson even though they understand what the industry is all about. These are the people I wish would stop posting their opinion of the saleperson and the industry.
I bet that Moo has some good stories selling Porches and being here long enough to know not to post it here. In fact the only guy that doesn't care about others opinion is Mack who continues to post stories and once in a while will get called to the mat cause of it.
What's funny is the bashers probably don't even know who they are. And no you're not one of them as you only comment on Isell's posts. :surprise:
You ARE the man! For that wonderful, brilliant, and imaginative post you deserve a story. Now this is a really good one and it may take more than a fornight to tell. There might be some legalitites involved so please keep it in the forum.
I'll call this one: "A case of mistaken identity"
This story actually began over two years ago. I met a sweet lady who just happens to be a nurse and we became really good friends. She drove up in an old Saturn SL1 four door with a tow hitch. That's what made it peculiar at the time as it looked rather odd but it gave me a chance to ask a few questions without being too intrusive.
I'll call the lady Ruth. That's a good name for a nurse. I walked up to her car and she put her hand out and introduced herself.
'Hi, my name is Ruth and I think I'm ready for a new car. This one here has been wonderful but it's getting old and the miles are starting to pile up on her." she said.
"Nice to meet you Ruth. I'm Mackabee. I see you have a tow hitch. What are you towing?" I asked. "I have a small trailer that I hook up to it. I go up to Pennsylvania to visit my mom once a month and sometimes I take stuff and bring stuff back that doesn't fit in the car." she replied. "I see. How much weight are you towing?" I asked. "I think it's around 1000 to 1500 lbs." she replied. "That much? That's pretty good for such a small car." I reply.
"I want to look at something similar, maybe a little bigger as this one seems to get tired while towing. What do you have.?" she asked. "I have two small cars that might fit the bill for you. One is the new Yaris, and the other is our number one selling car the Corolla." I tell her. "Let me look at the Yaris."
We walk over to where the Yaris are parked and I open a four door sedan to show her.I go over the features which on this particular model are not many. I tell her she can get it very spartanly equipped or she can opt for the power windows, locks, and power outside mirrors. She likes it and asks if she can drive it. 'Sure. Let me get my dealer tag and I also need a copy of your driver's license." I tell her. "We have to go back to my car. I left my purse in there and my driver's license is in it."
I drive the Yaris to the front of the showroom and park next to her Saturn. While she gets her purse I head inside to get my d-tag and copy her license. I let the receptionist know I'm going on a test drive and to hold my calls and take a message.
I head back out to the car and give Ruth her license. We get in the Yaris and she asks me where should she go. "I have a pre-set route but if you want to go somewhere else that's fine too." I tell her. "I'm familiar with the area so if you don't mind I would like to jump on the expressway and see how it does for pick-up." she says. "Sounds good. Let's go."
She heads the car to the boulevard and gives it a good bit of gas. "It's got pretty good pick up from what I can tell." then she makes a right at the first light and likes the handling. "That felt good too." she continues driving onto the expressway and then we exit back on to the city streets. "This could be a possibility. What colors does it come in?" she asks. I give her a rundown on the colors and she says she would probably like a light blue. "Maybe you can point them out to me when we get back to the lot." she says. "Sure will."
We get back and then we head to the Corollas. I pull an LE out of the bunch and right away she sees the difference. "This looks bigger and more substantial." I open the doors and she looks in and also remarks about the nicer quality fabrics and interior materials. "What am I getting in this car that I don't get in the Yaris.?" she asks. "To start, it has a bigger engine. Still a four cylinder but more powerful, yet still very efficient. MPG is about 30-38 city/hwy all on regular unleaded." I tell her. "You also get the power package that includes the power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, keyless remote entry.." then I start showing her the interior. "I like this a lot better. What's the price.?" she asks. "It's a couple of thousand more than the Yaris, it has a value package discount, and we also have a $500.00 rebate on it. So you are looking at around $16,800.00 after rebate plus taxes and fees." I tell her. "You think I can get it for $16k plus taxes and fees?" she asks. "Maybe, why don't you drive it first and make sure you like it before we start talking numbers. Fair enough?" (rhetorical question eprom!) "Ok. Let's go!"
TO BE CONTINUED........
These numbers are something I read a month or so ago in the newspaper.
So, apparently, just like the Internet, I can't trust everything I read in the newspaper.
The Prius warranty appears to be 8 years and 100,000 miles, except for California (other states?) it's 150,000 miles. And since mackabee sells them and checked with his service people, the replacement cost is $3,200.
I still think nuclear power is where the world is heading. And I've not heard of any little green men in a long time, but read in the newspaper about the little silver ones all the time. But there I go again, reading the newspaper.
Jipster....wasn't tbaxxon (or was it pch?) the guy who came in here and allegedly knew everything about negotiating for a car?
I think there was a little prodding by moo to get him to give some details on one of his "deals". He gave it up that he bought an old ragged out Dodge Stealth :sick: for something like $2K-$3K over what it was worth. And, he still had to put more money into it.
While I'm ashamed to admit, I piled on, he took a real beating in these threads over that one. His credibility was "shot" after that.
I really don't see the kind of posts that you are referring to all that often. You'll get the occasional rogue poster in here, who will be overly critical and insulting, questioning the "integrity" of a salesman. But, they are fairly rare. All of the regulars here are nice guys, respectful posters... as far as I'm concerned.
But, I do agree that questioning the honesty of someone is a definite no no here. And whathisname probably did come on a little strong with macabee a few weeks ago, over the stability control test drive demonstration. So, I can certainly see why some of you may be hesitant to post.
Oldfarmer500 and jmonroe never seriously questioned the integrity of the salesperson
Yeah, I was only joking about those guys. Oldfarmer5000 and jmonroe are really two of my favorite posters. Along with richard, they are the heart and soul of "Team Jipster"... a bit behind on their monthly dues though.
tbaxxon? Don't really understand why everyone got so upset with him, seemed like a nice respectful poster... knowledgeable on most things.
And no you're not one of them as you only comment on Isell's posts.
LOL.
When I asked the original question, I was thinking of gifts for customers which were purchased at places other than the dealerships. Examples: theater tickets, bottles of wine, dinner gift certificates, etc.
Richard
However, there is some comfort - lifecycle is much more complicated than just safety. Sometimes it is based on bridge becoming obsolete (e.g. not enough capacity for the corridor) rather than unsafe, sometimes it means it becoming to expensive to maintain, i.e. new structure becomes less expensive option than constant upgrades and retrofit of existing one. It is not "50/75 years and next day it falls down" thingy...
2018 430i Gran Coupe
You left us hanging Mack.....I can hardly wait for chapter 2 (I am serious).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well,I believe it was both of them... in the "Purchasing Strategies" discussion. First came pch101, then a similar poster that I called his "brother"... socal4. Then came tbaxxon whose writing style was a bit different.
I have to say I thought pch101, and socal4, had good ideas on car negotiating. I really enjoyed reading their posts. They were all strongly "opinionated", which is why I guess they didn't stay around for long.
The local Chrysler place takes care of my convertible and my Explorer, so I am over there pretty often. The service department is very skilled and the employees are super nice. Each time that I go, I run into a salesman whose desk is at the end of the show room just before you enter the service department. He remembers my name from the first time that we met. He always takes a couple of minutes to speak and to ask how I am doing. He has nothing to gain because I have one new car and will be keeping my Explorer until the cows come home. He knows this. I'll call him Jim.
Last week, the CD changer on the convertible wasn't working properly. I rode over to the service department without an appointment. They were really super busy. I was waiting to see my regular service guy when Jim walked up to greet me. He asked if I was having trouble with my convertible. I explained about the CD changer. He offered to take a look at it. In five minutes, he had it fixed. I apologized for taking him away from his customers. He said that he was just waiting on an appointment, and didn't mind a bit.
Wasn't that a nice gesture on his part? Don't you know that when and if I do trade cars, I'll give him the first opportunity to sell me one? If he is building for the future, he certainly knows how to do it. He came here two years ago after selling cars in Florida for twenty years. He is rebuilding his life after a nasty divorce and a rehab experience from using drugs. His only son is speaking to him again. He is so excited about that, and had to show me pictures.
Though I correct your spelling and grammar at times, I have much respect for the guys here. Though it was unethical car salesmen that brought me here a year ago, I have come to realize that the bad ones are in a minority. It has been a good lesson to learn.
Richard
Richard
He said he could drive a Cadillac if he wanted to, but he likes his Hyundai Sonata...said he doesn't need a fancy car to feel good about himself.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
What's also probably true is that his kids want MSRP for any Caddy since Daddy SOLD them the dealership rather than GAVE it to them.
Consumers are welcome to read and ask questions, but no "bashing," please! If you disagree with the salesperson's perspective, that's the breaks" POST NUMBER ONE
I just lurk and laugh at people who bash salespeople. I have had the urge on more then one occasion to reply to a post to defend salesperson X, but it often falls on deaf ears. As the great Poet Laureate, Jay-Z said which was repaeted by me last week; Never argue with a fool because from a distance, people cant tell who is who.
Go ahead, tell me. With my finances I'll probably never step in there again any way.
Now if you're referring to the double secret handshake bonus money, the 10K profit on each car or the use of every new car in the salesmen's Demo Derby, we already know about that.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When someone buys a business they usually have a fair bit of debt to pay off. That might raise prices. A fancy new showroom could do the same. Wonder if you do save money by going to the small shack out of town or to the guy who has been established for years and actually has had his business paid off for years?
Another thing is I have bought a number of new cars over the year and I have almost always been impressed by the salespeople on staff. You tend to remember the exceptions more...like the guy who was always late for appointments (didn't buy from him - mostly because we decided on another make, he was actually a very nice guy), or the lady selling GMs - very pretty but she was dressed in a real party dress and seemed to be trying a little to hard to be Miss Congeniality (unfortunately my wife was with me
I am not impressed with the pre-sales person who tries to keep you occupied until they can find a real salesperson. Personally, I would rather snoop around and sit in some cars than be pestered for coffee or if there is something they can do for me while watching me like a hawk as if I am going to make off with one of their cars.
Maybe there's more room for play with North American cars because MSRP and real price vary more. But, even then I believe I was usually treated quite fairly.
I can remember two bad experiences which I will try to condense. My 84 Camaro, I got a great price on a 3 year lease - it seemed too good at the time. When the lease was just about up the dealer asked me to come in for a meeting. They said they were new owners and the secretary at the time used the wrong percentage to calculate the lease. They said I wasn't being forced to pay but would I mind paying $600 due to this mistake? I said I was sorry about it and if I discovered I was out $600 would they have sent me a cheque?
The other was the car before that one....an 81 Cutlass which was leased from a Ford dealership. I traded it in for the 84 Camaro that was so cheap (because of the miscalculation). The salesman called me in to see what I was doing with the Cutlass. I explained that it was time to trade it in and I had just bought the Camaro down the street. He was smoking his big fat cigar and he laid into me how the guys at the other dealership knew him and they would be laughing their heads off that he had lost a customer! I got out of there very quickly in case he had a shotgun.
But, I think salespeople have changed in the last 10 to 20 years for most goods. The approach is more to help solve the problem (find the car you want and need)and come up with the best or at least fairest price possible. I suppose there are dealers who take advantage of people, especially when it comes to payment plans, but, I think if you are fairly educated on money matters most salesman treat you with dignity and respect, and I certainly return it.
Though I do think of the car salesman on 20/20 laughing his head off that the guy bought the used car after the dealer glued the sideview mirror and door handle back on :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
"...Oldfarmer5000..."
I feel so old for some reason. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Well, let's see. Every Toyota that I've owned I've had for on average of 13-15 years. And they are still going, except for the 92 Camry that was totalled. If you want to get knit picky go ahead. You know what we are talking about.
Mack
Well, dino (and me partially, by soul searching) provided the answers to that question.
However, my question was "define", not state the life of the car. The question in it's real essence was to what factors determine the life of a car?
:sick:
read my earlier reply.....
All in good fun. Like he said.
Hmmm...
:confuse: Is that a jab? did I get knocked out and I did not even realize it? :confuse:
I can see a bulldozer headed your way Ob-Wan-Kenobi