Stories from the Sales Frontlines

mikefm58

The media is telling everybody that credit is impossible or nearly impossible to obtain and that is just bad information!

On CNN news today they were taking phone calls from people affected by the crdit crunch. This one guy calls in complaining that he can't get approved so he can buy his step daughter a vehicle. Then he goes on to say he lost his job and has gone through bankruptcy. LMAO.

snakeweasel

The media is telling everybody that credit is impossible or nearly impossible to obtain and that is just bad information!

I think the media is talking about business loans and loans between banks. While it is true joe sixpack can get his loan to buy his $25K Pickup GM may not be able to get the loan for the millions to retool their factories to make that $25K pickup.

jmonroe

I can't speak for everybody but Honda financing is alive and well and so are leases.

I need some help in understanding this comment. If the above is correct, why did you say:

Hopefully lessons have been learned and we can get back on track quickly.

jmonroe

duke23

Gp wrote :
"
GP: No, I know your last name I meant your first name

Customer: Oh, John "
Another classic, but at least it wasn't John Thomas. Additional thought. How hard is it checking into a motel when your name really is John Smith . Wink wink, nudge nudge.

I've been victim to the can't remember your name as well, now I try to use a mnemonic.

" A mnemonic device (pronounced /nəˈmɒnɪk/) is a memory aid. Commonly met mnemonics are often verbal, something such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something, particularly lists, but may be visual, kinesthetic or auditory. Mnemonics rely on associations between easy-to-remember constructs which can be related back to the data that is to be remembered. This is based on the principle that the human mind much more easily remembers spatial, personal, surprising, sexual or humorous or otherwise meaningful information than arbitrary sequences.
Gentleman's name is Penath , ok too easy moving on.
Btw , clear out your mailbox on carspace

So real car salesmen, how are the sales going ?

jmonroe

On CNN news today they were taking phone calls from people affected by the crdit crunch. This one guy calls in complaining that he can't get approved so he can buy his step daughter a vehicle. Then he goes on to say he lost his job and has gone through bankruptcy.

It will never cease to amaze me what people will say when a microphone (ok, just a phone in this case) is put in front of them. The part that scares me the most is that people like this are in the voting booth next to mine.

jmonroe

isellhondas

OK, people with decent credit can still get financing.

Some lenders made some dumb decisions and approved people they shouldn't have.

Those are the "lessons" I hoped they have learned.

tallman1

where I come from, callin' a man's car Aztek ugly is fightin' words

lol... of course, I said "approaches" Aztek ugly.

tallman1

Have any of you sales guys or your dealerships been bashed on Craigslist?

Heck, you can read bashing right here on Edmunds by clicking on the "Local Services" tab. Got a chuckle about how isell's store lost a woman's drivers license... and her followup "never mind".

jmonroe

Some lenders made some dumb decisions and approved people they shouldn't have.

From everything that I’ve read, ALL lenders were in on the “dumb decisions” and this is why we are where we are now. It doesn’t affect me because I’m not ready for a new car right now but as luck would have it that’s my fault because I know I could get a GREAT deal now because I’ve even gotten calls from the last two places where I bought.

Like I said before, I’m almost tempted to take some of the money I saved by not being in the market to buy that new toy. One more phone call and I’ll cave.

jmonroe

traindriver

One more phone call and I’ll cave

Time to upgrade to the Genesis I'd say. That dining room set is probably marked down too. You can single-handedly stimulate the Pittsburgh economy!

"Spend, baby, spend!"

jmonroe

Time to upgrade to the Genesis I'd say.

Yeah, that's the one that almost got me. The guy I bought from in 06' was offering 2K off the 35K MSRP, 6 CYL. models he has. My choice of colors.

That dining room set is probably marked down too.

Yeah, and that's the one that stopped me.

jmonroe

houdini1

A funny story about mnemonics and visual associations. I also use them and have since the time I saw a demonstration on the Art Linkletter show about 50 years ago. This was more of a visual association type.

The expert taught a woman how to remember her shopping list. I still remember that damn list after 50 years but probably couldn't tell you what I had for breakfast today

A mans shirt, head of lettuce, carrots, and toothpaste. He told her to visualize a head of lettuce with carrots sticking out of it and with toothpaste smeared all over it all wrapped up in a man's shirt.

Sorry, but you guys will remember that list forever...

cdnpinhead

". . .Honda financing is alive and well and so are leases."

Good to hear.

I was so naive when I joined some of these boards that I didn't realize that upside-down financing was even possible. I learned that it was. Perhaps not so much in the future?

Every time I bring up direct-from-the-manufacturer on-line car purchasing, I'm reminded by the professionals that "it'll never work" because:

1) there's a trade-in

2) most people acquiring cars don't really know what they want

and, drum roll please. . .

3) they're upside-down on their current vehicle.

This year I replaced my '00 vehicle with an '08. My wife is driving a '04 (replaced a '94) that we probably won't replace for another 2-3 years. Responsible people don't have a problem. People who can't really afford the cars they wish to drive may not be able to. Imagine! A portion of the house of cards may be falling down.

It's going to be an interesting ride.

traindriver

Yeah, that's the one that almost got me. The guy I bought from in 06' was offering 2K off the 35K MSRP, 6 CYL. models he has. My choice of colors.

I really like the Genesis myself, but I can't convince the wife to even consider a Hyundai. To me it looks very similar to the BMW 5-series that she really likes plus I think it has a nicer, richer looking cockpit/dashboard as compared to the starkness of the 5's interior. (BMW fans just fell in the floor in horror/laughter. ) I guess its all about marketing and brand appeal. Odd, because she's typically a tightwad and not materialistic at all. Naturally, it is my fault. :surprise: She says that my never ending preoccupation with cars has turned her into a "car snob." :confuse: Good grief...

Yeah, and that's the one that stopped me.

Rarely do I actually "LOL" at something on these boards but that did it!

venture

I picked up the Mazda 6s Grand Touring tonight. $100 over invoice, KBB Good condition trade-in on my BMW (my local guy always throws "auction value" at me). No tricks, no funny business.

Never visited the F&I office - all papers were at the saleslady's desk when I showed up. I was only there for less than a half hour. She did ask me if I wanted an extended warranty. I replied that I would let her know either 35 months or 35,000 miles from now. She just laughed - no pressure.

This was all done by email and a few phone calls. If you remember, it was almost $3,600 less than my local dealer and I only had to drive 49 miles.

And jip...I really don't think I could be any more happy even if I would have paid thousands more.

I see no reason not to give all 10's, 5's, or completely satisfied when the survey comes. I already told her I would. :P

jipster

And jip...I really don't think I could be any more happy even if I would have paid thousands more

Shooo (wiping forehead), that's good to know. I was thinking about paying MSRP on my next car, because who doesn't like to be happy right? Now, I'll just stick to my old ways... and grind grind away.

But seriously, sounds almost like the perfect sales transaction. Good car, good price, good service, no hassles... bet the dealership coffee was nasty though. Congrats. :shades:

peetert

I beg to differ here. My brother-in-law is on his second PT Cruiser. He's a drummer and the PT, with seats folded down, accomodates his drumset nicely. It can actually carry 2 Timpani. He's previously had minivans ( Dodge Colt (remember those) and SUV's (blazer) and likes the PT because it is small yet roomy inside. Also, compared to his other rides, it's good on gas. From what I've heard, he hasn't had any service issues with them. Lucky I guess.

As an aside, I got one once as a service rental. We used it to pick up a dishwasher. Fit in the back easily.

Peeter

Mr_Shiftright

Well a vehicle's *function* never becomes obsolete; it's when the competition is eating it for breakfast on every other level that's the problem.

au1994

Had an 01 PT for a while and it had no issues in 70k miles. Incredibly functional interior. I hauled a hotwater heater in mine as well as several bales of straw. I thought it was vastly underpowered though. Mileage was just ok as well.

driver100

I beg to differ here. My brother-in-law is on his second PT Cruiser.

We have a lady at work who has had one major repair after another on her PT Cruiser which is 5 or 6 years old. The last repair was when the dealership said her wheels needed replacing (don't ask me how that was) $800 each or $3200 - more than the car is worth. We talked them into doing regular wheels which they did for $80 each. But they were uglier than an Aztec....big black wheels on a maroon car. She was in tears. She bought some wheel discs for $30 and it looks a bit better now. That car has needed numerous brake jobs and other things. She does like it though and she drives it all over the place.
My rule is 3 big repairs over $1000 in a year and I'd be out looking for a replacement.....

dr65

I threw my back out last weekend and could barely move so my wife went to the local BMW dealer to check out a "never registered" x3 fully loaded with 13,000 miles on it. Of course she really liked the color and condition etc and wanted the car. I told her to test drive the x3 (a 2008). She came back to the dealership and called me at home to start the negotiating. After the back and forth for an hour we came to an agreed price. To make a long story short my wife signs the papers and drives the car home and guess what? The odometer reads 14,700 miles! I was told several times over the phone it had 13,000 miles on it. When I read the contract it said 14,700 miles on the odometer. My wife either didn't see that or it was not pointed out to her during signing. Now...what would you do? Of course I'm partly to blame letting my wife sign the contract(she was soo excited). Help! :confuse:

isellhondas

I would complain to the store. Maybe they will offer you "something" to compensate for the error.

Your wife should have checked the odometer but you already know that.

1700 miles isn't going to affect that cars life or value so really, it's not the end of the world in the realm of things.

Mr_Shiftright

I'd forget about it personally. But if you're in the mood for a fight, figure that those 1,700 miles are worth about .22 cents each, so maybe $375. (figuring about what a lease mileage over-run would cost you per mile). If the 13,000 miles is from a published ad, then you might have a case. If it's just what you "heard", well that's really you and the wife's responsibility I think.

laurasdada

"She says that my never ending preoccupation with cars has turned her into a "car snob." Good grief... "

Ditto. My Evil Wife, pre-me, thought that her Camaro that leaked like a sieve in the rain, followed by a Monte Carlo that had an improperly fitiing driver's side window (although I think it was a faithful servant) were how cars were supposed to be. I introduced her to the original Nissan Sentra SE-R, then a Saab 900. Now, she wants to replace her Lexus with a Porsche. She wouldn't know a Porsche if it, well, if it were in the garage replacing the Lexus!, but she wants one. When I asked her, "Boxster, Cayman or 911?" she replied, "No! I want a Porsche!"

Luckily, all the fine Wall Street folks who could barely survive on their seven (or eight, nine) figure compensation along with the good folks who never believed the axiom that, "if it sounds too good to be true, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT!" have somewhat tempered her desires. For now...

mikefm58

Legally, you're out of luck, but like others have said, you can try to negotiate something, maybe a couple hundred bucks credit for future service.

Almost the same thing happenned to me on a "new" 01 Accord, but the odometer statement that was signed was off by a few hundred miles of the vehicle, so I had them by the you know what. They were so non-chalant when I pointed this out to them the next day, saying oh we'll just fill out a new one. I said no, I either want the deal unwound and a new vehicle (with just a few miles) on it, or a credit for future service of $500. They gave me the credit.

boomchek

Thanks for that image. I think I'll remeber that every time I go shopping.

dr65

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to call the manager of the BMW dealer and see if he'll do anything. I know it's not the end of the world but I was surprised and quickly lost that warm fuzzy feeling about the car. Dr65

boomchek

On CNN news today they were taking phone calls from people affected by the crdit crunch. This one guy calls in complaining that he can't get approved so he can buy his step daughter a vehicle. Then he goes on to say he lost his job and has gone through bankruptcy.

I had a guy come in who's got a low credit rating, is upside down on his current sub prime loan by about $10k (2 year old sedan with warranty, not like he needs to change it) and wants a new Challenger. He has $14 bucks to his name until payday (in about 2 weeks) so he can't even put a deposit on the car, has no credit cards (cause he can't get any), and is ok with paying $100- $200 more a month than the $550 payment he's making now. :surprise:

I wanted to tell him he should go home and not do ANY car shopping till he has some savings, a credit card, and equity in his loan, but then I remembered I'm not a financial planner or advisor. :confuse:

madmanmoo

Wow.... Well, if you don't sell him a car, someone else will. If he can even buy. That's insane.

isellhondas

Life is too short to get excited over such a petty thing so I do hope you get your warm fuzzy feeling back.

Ask yourself..." Would I have still bought the car had I known it had another 1700 miles on it?"

I'm guessing you would have and you would have left happy.

tidester

I was told several times over the phone it had 13,000 miles on it.

What I'd like to know is who was telling you this over the phone - your wife or the dealer?

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

dr65

Thanks again for the help. The car dealer told me it had 13,000 miles. Several times. Dr65 :

jipster

I'd make sure I was never down on my back again... ended up costing you an arm and a leg. :sick:

Not much difference between 13,000 and 14,700 miles... wouldn't worry too much about it. Maybe, try to get a couple free oil changes as compensation.

driver100

Thanks again for the help. The car dealer told me it had 13,000 miles. Several times. Dr65

Maybe a sales person took it home for the weekend...and went on a trip. I think the other people have the right attitude, 1700 miles is nothing and shouldn't ruin your enjoyment of a spectacular car. You'll wonder why anyone would buy anything else.

I do think a polite question to the dealer might get results. Really though, in the big picture, 1700 miles means nothing. Just enjoy the car......and your wife was just trying to help, so don't let it create a problem. One good thing about these bad experiences....one day you will look back at it and laugh your head off!!!!!!

greanpea68

When I asked her, "Boxster, Cayman or 911?" she replied, "No! I want a Porsche!"

Now that is funny :P

GP

greanpea68

Life is too short to get excited over such a petty thing so I do hope you get your warm fuzzy feeling back.

Ask yourself..." Would I have still bought the car had I known it had another 1700 miles on it?"

I'm guessing you would have and you would have left happy

Good Point!

I bet he or she would have, in fact they did

GP

greanpea68

The car dealer told me it had 13,000 miles. Several times. Dr65 :

It sounds like he was reading those numbers out of the computer :sick:

That is why I always check cars for the milage.... especially used when I am demonstrating it.

GP

obyone

I'd take that to email if I were you.

chikoo

on TV, they say a guy with 800 beacon could not get a car loan........

wonder why???

They never give enough details......just enough to scare everybody else :sick:

houdini1

He is probably aware of the fact that before this election is over either Obama or McCain will promise to forgive his loan, let him keep the car, give him a free house, and a monthly stipend until he gets back on his feet. :sick:

oldfarmer50

"...I had a guy come in Who's got a low credit rating, is upside down on his current sub prime loan by about $10K....and wants a Challenger...has $14 bucks to his name..."

Don't count on that $14. He in such a fantasy land that he'll probably spend it on a girlie magazine and go through it to pick out his next girl friend (he'd have a better chance with that than getting a Challenger). :confuse:

Saw a dealer trying to sell a new Challenger SRT-8 on Craigslist today for about 46K. Good deal or bad?

jmonroe

Well, if you don't sell him a car, someone else will.

We've all heard that this will happen but with the info 'boom' was giving us about this guy is that actually possible, especially today?

It sounds like a guy in that position today isn't worth the time you'd put into it.

jmonroe

mikefm58

The car dealer told me it had 13,000 miles. Several times. Dr65 :

One other point I'd like to make is it is EXTREMELY unlikely a vehicle sold would have EXACTLY 13000 miles. It might have 12978 or 13054, but not exactly 13000 miles. If I was asked to sign an odometer statement like that, I would make the guy go check the odometer for an exact reading.

venture

... bet the dealership coffee was nasty though.

LOL. I declined the offer of coffee so she pulled a bottle of water out of a mini-fridge in her office.

driver100

LOL. I declined the offer of coffee so she pulled a bottle of water out of a mini-fridge in her office.

My dealer has 50 inch TV, coffee, latte, hot chocolate maker, muffins, apples, bananas, cookies. I gain 4 pounds whenever I go there.

Mr_Shiftright

yes but dealership coffee does make an excellent transmission additive. It's most effective when it sits on the warmer for 4-5 hours and has a nice burnt smell to it.

laurasdada

"Now that is funny..."

Until I have to pay for it... :sick:

gogiboy

"One other point I'd like to make is it is EXTREMELY unlikely a vehicle sold would have EXACTLY 13000 miles. It might have 12978 or 13054, but not exactly 13000 miles."

Mike's comments--and those of others--got me thinking about thresholds. Most of us seem to agree that approx. 1500 miles isn't a "federal case", but it might merit some form of dealer compensation. But where does the total mileage difference become excessive? 2000 miles, 2500, 3000? I really do think that customers and salespeople have different perceptions of what is excessive. I'm sure that those perceptions are also different for new vs. pre-owned. What about a sports car vs. a sedan? It may also have to do with how often you buy/trade.

I can say that dealers/salespeople shouldn't place too much blame on buyers because we've been conditioned by Edmunds, NADA and KBB to focus--perhaps unrealistically--a great deal of attention on mileage, however ill-placed.

Gogiboy (Over 50, but I like to think I have low miles)

lemmer

Over 50? - Aren't you ready to be gogiman?

greanpea68

yes but dealership coffee does make an excellent transmission additive. It's most effective when it sits on the warmer for 4-5 hours and has a nice burnt smell to it.

We use nice frsh little greenmountain K cups here.... I probably save about $8-$12 a day by not going to Dunkins

GP