Stories from the Sales Frontlines

wlbrown9

You apparently don't even need an air compressor. 12 volt impact wrench or even cordless will give 250 - 350 lbs of torque.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98701

Mr_Shiftright

venture

I emailed a dealer 50 miles away to see what they could do on a Mazda 6s Grand Touring, and trading my BMW.

They beat my former friends deal by almost $3,600. I'll be picking it up Monday or Tuesday.

Did I give my local dealer a chance to match it? Nope. They had their chance. :lemon:

Will I drive 50 miles to save over $3,500? You bet...and I'll get it serviced at whoever wants to do it. I had to drive an hour for the BMW so no biggie.

I guess it pays to look around. :shades:

jipster

They beat my former friends deal by almost $3,600. I'll be picking it up Monday or Tuesday.

You sure you wouldn't be happier by unwinding that deal and paying the higher price? That's a comment I often hear from our sales friends... those that pay the most are usually happier.

Congrats on your Mazda 6..ZOOM ZOOOM ZOOOOOOMMMMMM!

driver100

Has anyone had any experience with those "Direct Buy" showrooms? Worth it? Not?

A neighbour did his whole house over (his wife made him do it) and he did the direct buy thing. $4,000 up front and he figures he saved about $10,000.

I don't think so. First, he saved on MSRP which no one ever pays these days. And, he probably got products he wouldn't necessarily have bought. Comparing it to a Time-Share plan is pretty good. You are locked in and will want to try to get good use out of your up front money. IMHO it is better to pay as you go along, keep your choices open, don't get cornered by one supplier. An interesting concept though....now if a car dealership could get a buy direct plan...$4,000 up front and 10% off any car you buy in the future, hmmmm......

driver100

They beat my former friends deal by almost $3,600. I'll be picking it up Monday or Tuesday.

Will you drive it to your old dealers to show them?

I hope you don't feel guilty at all, you gave them a fair chance to sell you a car, and they weren't fair to you. I saw an ad for Jeeps from a dealer that always advertises low prices. I took it to my dealer...who was excellent...and said can you sell me a new Jeep for this price? He said we can do quite a bit better. Since I was happy with the advertised price, I just went ahead and signed all the papers. Whole transaction took about 30 minutes and I never questioned it. I was a happy camper (not really, never have gone camping even in the Jeep, but you know what I mean).

dino001

Wow. So your friendship was ummmm...... You thought you'd get a discount (as a friend) and he thought you should pay up, also as a friend. :lemon:

fezo

Nice deal.

I can't figure out what the idea with a Mazda 6 at MSRP is. Yeah, they're all new but Mazda has always had trouble selling in this segment.

Our local Mazda dealer is a shark. Jumps on you trying to push for the privilege of paying list for one. They've put themselves out of the running - and out of Mazda - a couple of times. Too bad. They are nice cars.

murphydog

while I doubt this is the case given how slow things are, but I suppose your friend may have had another customer willing to pay the $3,500 difference. If so, it would have been in his best interest not to sell to you.

Again I doubt that was the case this time, but remember a "sale" requires both parties to agree. :shades:

driver100

NBCNews said this one GM dealership...sales were down 25% from previous month, 75% from one year ago. They are just holding on with 3 cars a day being sold.

Hard to get one's mind around getting new wheels when your life savings are worth about half of what they were, you don't know if you will have a job, or you are living on interest for your retirement. I feel like crawling into bed and coming out when things return to normal...probably in about 5 years.

venture

... those that pay the most are usually happier.

LOL. I'll take my chances.

venture

Will you drive it to your old dealers to show them?

Nope. They will know soon enough. I just hope they ask why so I can tell them.

Besides...it's "just business", right?

venture

All the other cars I bought there I got at invoice. Maybe I was costing them too much money...LOL.

I used to buy all my vehicles there, even though they didn't handle some of the cars I liked as much. They always took good care of us as far as service and loaner cars when necessary.

When I bought the BMW 3 1/2 years ago, I was looking at a Mazda 6 then too. As much as I tried, I just couldn't get them to sell me a car. They did a dealer locate for me and I even volunteered to drive to the next state to pick up the car. They didn't call at the appointed time. After going to the dealership, they called the other dealer. The car wasn't even there. It was one being delivered in a few weeks.

I told this story to my friend (the owner) and he said that wasn't the first time that happened.

It isn't him, it seems to be his people.

bolivar

Ok, I learned this when a local alignment shop removed a set of locking nuts for me, after buying a used car with no 'key'.

He had a 'socket' which actually was smooth inside, with a tapered cone shape inside. A sharp tap of a hammer on this socket on the locking nut, and then a breaker bar. The locking nut came off easily. The taper puts enough friction on the edges of the nut that it doesn't spin and turns the nut off. No need to carry around an air compressor. This kind of socket and a breaker bar does it.

Every semi-pro wheel thief has one of these sockets. After seeing this, I wouldn't pay a dime extra for locking nuts.

This would not help you on the side of the road. But if you still have locks on 3 wheels, I recommend you find an alignment shop or tire store that has one of these and remove them, replacing with regular lug nuts.

graphicguy

driver.....thanks for the "heads up" on the Direct Buy place. qbrozen shared his experience with me, too. Doesn't sound like such a great deal. High "up-front" membership costs for a discount I could probably get close to on my own with a little shopping at traditional stores.

Back to car sales....just perusing this a.m.'s newspaper ads.....

-demo '08 911 Carerra, all loaded up, $13,000 off MSRP
-'08 Mercedes C 350 Series incentive of $5K....up to $15K off for whatever they call their crossover SUV.
-'08 CTS demo, all loaded up, ~$9K off, with an additional $2K off if you're a GMAC lessee. In the fine print, it did state that it was for purchase, not to lease
-Infiniti is still offering leases. But, they're also pushing low finance rates
-Toyota screaming about 0% financing

Conspicuously absent were Honda ads, however.

driver100

As much as I tried, I just couldn't get them to sell me a car. They did a dealer locate for me and I even volunteered to drive to the next state to pick up the car. They didn't call at the appointed time

Sounds like a very exclusive dealership....do they have an unlisted phone number?

I remember going into a dealership (a long time ago and they don't sell Hornets anymore) and the receptionist said all the salesmen were in a meeting, they would be out in half an hour. So, I used my time to go to another dealer and ended up with a Maverick. The salesman was very good, and he said, I can't see comparing a Hornet to a Maverick - the Maverick is much better, if you really want to compare it to something that you might prefer try a Duster. I knew I didn't want a Duster because a friend had one and the brakes needed a lot of pressure to stop it....not too many people had power brakes in those days. I think the salesman was good because he gave some good solid honest advice. I guess salesmen have meetings during sales hours didn't help American Motors. Geez, I could have bought a Classic

isellhondas

The Ford salespeople were probably in a meeting too.

A meeting that let out during the time it took for you to drive to that store.

We have early morning meetings once a week too but if a customer comes in that early the receptionist will call the meeting room and someone will go down.

Of the cars you talked about, the Duster would have been, by far, the better choice.

jmonroe

A total waste of money, $100+ each...

Duh...now you know why 'bobst' made keys part of the deal.

jmonroe

jipster

Every semi-pro wheel thief has one of these sockets. After seeing this, I wouldn't pay a dime extra for locking nuts.

Now that's a good tidbit of information to know. Like someone noted earlier, it may keep out the "ignert" low level wheel thiefs, but the possiblity of the locking nuts keeping the owner from removing the wheel is greater.

traindriver

Duh...now you know why 'bobst' made keys part of the deal.

Yep, despite being long gone from the forums, old bob's lessons still have merit.

greanpea68

I am off with good behavior... I will be happy to reply to any post I have a opinion on and will be happy to respect all members and rules

By the way... I bet you "Bobst" had a nickel everytime his name was ever refrenced in any forum of Edmunds... I would bet he would be able to finance the 700 billion bail out with all of his nickels! :P

GP

driver100

Of the cars you talked about, the Duster would have been, by far, the better choice

I agree...I did drive a Hornet eventually and it was pretty crude. But my Maverick had a 302 V8 and it was a great car until it fell apart at about 90,000 miles.

I know business's have meetings, but it always seems weird when meetings are called at times when potential customers should come first. I don't think the Ford place had a meeting, I do think the AMC people just didn't think an actual potential customer would come in at 9:15 am and they figured if they did they would wait awhile anyway. Not too many business's will survive with that attitude, and obviously they did not.

I have no problem if someone is in a meeting and they do their best to come out and see me as soon as possible. Meetings are necessary, but customers should be looked after as soon as possible, I don't think that is unreasonable. What really bothers me is when you are talking to a salesperson and then a phone call comes in......and the phone call gets all the attention, that is when I politely leave "Maybe I'll come back when you aren't as busy".lol

isellhondas

I won't answer my cell phone if I'm with a customer but when a customer's cell phone rings, it seems they ALWAYS answer it and sometimes they will launch into a long conversation with someone.

I have even had them call other car dealerships from my desk trying to beat the deal we just shook hands on.

oldfarmer50

"...I have even had them call other car dealerships from my desk..."

Yikes! Stabbing you in the back from the front. That's just plain tacky. :mad:

madmanmoo

Hooray!!!!! How was purgatory?

verdugo

Welcome back greenpea. Looking fwd to your stories.

snakeweasel

When I did retail sales we always had our meeting before we opened the doors. If customers were walking in then we had sales people on the floor. There is no excuse for leaving potential customers waiting for someone to come out of a meeting.

There is nothing wrong with coming in early to make sure the meeting is over before the customers show up.

snakeweasel

I said it before, I will say it again. There is no car salesman that is more important than my family. If I am buying a car and someone from my family calls the salesman loses every time.

greanpea68

!!!!! How was purgatory?

I was nice... I got to read everyones posts but couldn't respond to anything. ther was one thing that was killing me a while back that everyone was discussing and I couldn't say anything :mad: The thing about though was that it really was about nothing... at least that was the jist of what I remember :sick:

gP

greanpea68

Welcome back greenpea. Looking fwd to your stories.


Thanks VD..... I laughed to myself when I first typed this, than deleted it, than typed it again. Anyway thanks Verdugo

GP

greanpea68

Today they made a announcement in the meeting that we have a GT-R available. The poor guy who gave a deposit back in Febuary ran into a few financial problems. His Company (can't remember what it was) went under due to the economic conditions. So if anyone is interested in a GT-R please email me :shades:

Premium PKg... Super silver... MSRP $76k plus ADM

GP

isellhondas

Sorry, but I think it's rude unless it's a ten second call so you will know it's not an emergency.

jescue

I agree completely. Cell phones bring out bad manners more than any other invention I know of.

verdugo

Thanks VD.....

You're going to get banned again

nyccarguy

welcome back! Have you seen the spy shots of the '10 370Z here on inside line? Very sweet looking. Let us kmnow if you can pass along any info.

driver100

I have even had them call other car dealerships from my desk trying to beat the deal we just shook hands on.

Just when you think you have heard it all That's amazing.

Although, I shouldn't be too surprised. Waited in a line of about 8 people at the bank the other day. The lady in front was in an intense cell phone conversation while waiting. When her turn came up to go to the teller she did her transaction while still maintaining her cell phone conversation. I give her credit for multi-tasking but give me a break.

And, I think it is almost as bad for the customer to be on a phone while with a salesperson.......both ways shows little respect for the person you are supposed to be dealing with.

A friend told me he was looking for an applicant for a position he had with his company. One guy came in with very casual clothes, kept checking his cell when it went off silently to see who was calling, and then answered when his girl friend called. He didn't get the job.

greanpea68

Let us kmnow if you can pass along any info.

Will do! I get most of info here on this site though. But when things come out i'll be sure to pass it along!

GP

greanpea68

I have even had them call other car dealerships from my desk trying to beat the deal we just shook hands on.

Just when you think you have heard it all That's amazing.

Happens all the time. You will just come to a agreement. You get up to get the paperwork started and come back to... "Well dealer ABC will do it for $500 less" I say sure because they know you are in our showroom right now. Good luck when you get there. I always tell them to ask for "Randy"... (some made up name) unless I know someone at the dealer than I will tell them to ask for that person.

GP

chikoo

"Direct Buy"......the way to buy without test driving it.
Honestly, I cannot buy a piece of furniture without looking st it in person.
Also, what is the return policy? Warranty?

explorerx4

GP, i have always enjoyed your posts, they are honest.
what is the ADM? inquiring minds want to know.

jmonroe

You're going to get banned again

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder what the sentence is for a two time loser? :surprise:

Note, that I waited for someone else to post those letters. I know I ain't immune to the banishment thingy.

jmonroe

stickguy

If I was with a salesguy and my phone buzzed, I would check who it was. If my wife or kids, I would anser to make sure it wasn't an emergency, then get off quick.

Now something like a job interview, i would be in my briefcase. But frankly, most of the time when I am sitting at the salesmans desk, I am killing time anyway waiting for someone to do something, so a phone call will help pass the time!

traindriver

I have even had them call other car dealerships from my desk trying to beat the deal we just shook hands on.

I am all for shopping around and seeing what various dealers will sell for, but that shows a total lack of class.

Welcome back greenpea. Looking fwd to your stories.

Ditto.

driver100

most of the time when I am sitting at the salesmans desk, I am killing time anyway waiting for someone to do something, so a phone call will help pass the time!

Actually, it might be better to be on the phone if you aren't busy. Rule of sales is make it look like you are busy and people are more willing to buy.

So, when you aren't busy, fake like you are on the phone. When a potential customer walks buy, say into the phone. "We'll have your new car and your wife's new car in tomorrow...and they are great cars with every option known to man".

snakeweasel

So, when you aren't busy, fake like you are on the phone. When a potential customer walks buy, say into the phone. "We'll have your new car and your wife's new car in tomorrow...and they are great cars with every option known to man"

Come on now at least make it sound believable. If I heard something like that I would seriously reconsider that dealership.

jmonroe

A guy tells these two experts that he had his right front wheel fall off after having some front end work done about 3000 miles ago. These guys theorized (and I agree with them) that the lug nuts were put on too tight (thereby stretching the studs beyond there elastic limit) rather than too lose, because if they were too lose the wheel would have fallen off way before 3000 miles (like what happened to my father-in-law back in the early 70’s). His wheel fell off just a few blocks down the street after some service work.

It seems the studs broke off one by one until the wheel fell off. Fortunately, this guy had heard something when he started out in the morning and slowed down and was pulling over when the wheel finally came off.

It’s stories like this that makes me check ALL my lug nuts before I leave the parking lot after every state inspection. I live in PA and they do this every year. It could be worse; they used to do it twice a year when I was younger. I also check them after every tire purchase. People over the years have told me I’m paranoid but I’ve been called a lot worse so I can take it.

I can’t help but think…years ago when they had hubcaps if you had a lug nut that came off you would hear it rattle around in there. If not one, surely 2 or 3 would wake you up. :surprise: This is just another thing the designers have taken away from us for the want of fancy expensive wheels that we can’t buy a car without.

I point this out just in case some of you car guys want to become paranoid like me.

BTW ‘jip’, I know you are a few weeks behind with the Click and Clack articles in your paper so I think this heads up will benefit you too.

jmonroe

greanpea68

what is the ADM? inquiring minds want to know.


Thank you by the way

ADM stands for .... A additional, D dealer, M mark up

Dealers will put these on vehicles that are "hot" .... they are thousands over MSRP

For example... the last one to come to mind is the Honda Civic SI.... it was a limited car and many dealers would put a ADM sticker on the side of the window sticker with a new price a couple of thousand over.

GP

greanpea68

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder what the sentence is for a two time loser?


JM are you calling me names

GP

Mr_Shiftright

I *think* it's death, but let me go check.

snakeweasel

ADM stands for .... A additional, D dealer, M mark up

Dealers will put these on vehicles that are "hot" .... they are thousands over MSRP

When Suzuki first came out with the SX4 I was discussing it with someone on this forum so I went to the local Suzuki dealer and would you believe that they had a $4K ADM sticker on it? :confuse:

Just to satisfy my curiosity I went back a couple of months later and that car was still on the floor but with a $2K ADM sticker.