Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Richard,

    Again, the internet doesn't do the pictures justice .. the color of that '70 Chevy that belongs to my dad is called, I believe, "Puce", which is a more orange color rather than red.

    And, it's unlikely that I'll take ownership when the time comes:

    1) the truck is in California and I live in Colorado. Notwithstanding the 1100 mile drive to get it here, the truck has carburetors, which I suspect would be a bear to tune at 6000 feet (versus the sea level where the truck has always lived)

    2) my folks have put all of their assets into a trust, and when they pass the trust will liquidate all the assets (house, cars, etc.) and divide the proceeds up between me, my sister and the 4 grandchildren

    3) a RWD truck in Colorado isn't necessarily the best combination in the winter

    I spent a good part of my youth driving that truck, however. Lots of fun to stick your foot into it and open up the other two barrels of the carb. My dad also put on a custom exhaust system, so it sounds quite nice, too! You could hear him coming down the street a block away.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Actually, it WAS a big deal when it came to our pilots being shot down. Now we drive their cars. History has its way with all of us I suppose. Then, too, we buy products from Japan and borrow money from China. The real tragedy is that we forgot about Vietnam when our fearless leaders sent our boys to Iraq. WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?

    Richard
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    snakeweasel wrote :
    "That would be Sgt. Schultz that would say, "Very Interesting."
    To which you rebutted. Most correct sir! John Banner would have replied. I know nothing, nothing !
    Credit to jip for first post ( he loves that).
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Tom wrote :
    "That may or may not be so but people in the know certainly don't "

    Oh semantics, subjective be thy name. How dare you omit the French who would pronounce it Be-mher or the Latvians who are still ticked that the Dutch stole their vowels in the 15th century . Bmr. Lol at in the know but kudos. Yeah, I caught it ;)
    Hope you are doing well.

    Old post, but why does the sun shine ? Gordon Sumner explains:
    link title
    At a temperature of millions of degrees.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    My point was that the treaty was already thrown out the window so BMW violating it is pretty meaningless.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    ok here is a bit of trivia, what did Sgt Schultz do before the war? (it was mentioned in one episode)

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

  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    This was one of my favorite shows growing up as a kid. His family owned a toy company.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    . History has its way with all of us I suppose.

    In this world wide economy we buy cars from Germany, Japan, and now Korea and soon Italy. I have heard many people love going on vacation to Viet Nam - it is amazing how much growth there is - one day they'll be sending cars here too. It's probably better that countries need to rely on each other for economic growth and prosperity - less chance of them fighting I suppose. Now if we could get Iraq and Iran to build a decent car............

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    "I have heard many people love going on vacation to Viet Nam - it is amazing how much growth there is - one day they'll be sending cars here too. "

    Viet Nam...never been there since I just missed the draft in the early '70s...got this last year from some Golf mailing list... http://www.hochiminhgolftrail.com/
    My generation remembers the Ho Chi Minh Trail... don't know if it would be a good idea for some of the Viet Nam vets to play this trail...flashbacks could be hell.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Not a sermon, just a series of thoughts.

    Jester welcome to the forum! I have to say I did laugh out loud reading this because it is what I have been basically saying to every prospect that walks through the door. It has been the theme lately.... "Oh the news says you guys are dying for business and now is the best time to buy a car" ..... everyone knows the story. Anyway great post and keep them coming!

    GP
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Can we re-direct back on-topic to at least be automotive? Merci.

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  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Actually, it WAS a big deal when it came to our pilots being shot down.

    Then, too, we buy products from Japan…


    I know we aren’t suppose to get political here but this is very much car related.

    I’m doing my part as best as I can about not buying cars from countries that we’ve gone to war with. I was also in the US Navy and have always believed in America and buying American but I can be pushed over the edge.

    A BIG reason why, when it was time to switch from GM (see post 12522), that I decided to go with Hyundai was because we never went to war with South Korea.

    I guess you can say that I carry a grudge for a long time (and I won’t apologize for it) so if I have a choice as to whom I will buy from, if it isn’t from an American owned company, I will make the best choice from those that are left.

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I knew that you were on your way. ;) It appears that times are hard on Edmunds as well. :P

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I've never been back to that dealer since. I've bought 7 cars since then.
    A BIG reason why, when it was time to switch from GM (see post 12522), that I decided to go with Hyundai was because we never went to war with South Korea.


    That is interesting. You are narrowing down your choices of cars you will buy if being at war at one time is an issue. I thought you might consider a Jaguar or Rover but I guess the American Revolution kind of kills that if you hold a grudge for a long time.

    Since you have a gripe with GM (and rightly so) how come you didn't go with a Ford or Chrysler? Just curious.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    That is interesting. You are narrowing down your choices of cars you will buy if being at war at one time is an issue.

    Yep, that’s what I said and it’s still how I feel but there is more to this complicated position. See below.

    I thought you might consider a Jaguar or Rover but I guess the American Revolution kind of kills that if you hold a grudge for a long time.

    Like I have said before, reliability is a must for me so buying a Jaguar or a Rover is out of the question. Even if they were reliable I don’t think anyone should have to pay those prices for reliability given anyone could buy gobs of cars that could give so much more reliability at a much lower price than either of those beasts. Furthermore, I’m not an SUV person so a Rover is not even in my galaxy.

    Since you have a gripe with GM (and rightly so) how come you didn't go with a Ford or Chrysler? Just curious.

    That’s a fair question and the answer is that since I was going to make the jump from GM I didn’t want to jump from the frying pan into the fire. Ford might have been a reasonable choice in some peoples eyes but I wasn’t willing to make that choice back in 05’ and 06’ when I last bought cars.

    Today I might be willing to look at Ford a little harder but only if Joel (and his ilk) didn’t try to club me like a baby seal in the F&I office. :D

    jmonroe

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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    One of the things I will NEVER understand is why a car's color can be such a determining factor.

    Oh well...
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    That’s a fair question and the answer is that since I was going to make the jump from GM I didn’t want to jump from the frying pan into the fire.

    One more question then. Are you an accountant too...is this Hyundai thing mandatory for all accountants? ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    Some people make their choices mainly on looks and then color is paramount. Others take a stance "If I shell out half of my annual pay (or whatever) and have to live with it for next several years, it better be right to the last detail, or at least 95% if details must be right (I'm one of those). Others see it purely as function and could not care less about the color (you probably are one of those). Most are somewhere in between.

    Unfortunately, you are in business of providing people what they want, so if they want that pink leather on green, you better have one or no sale ;)

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    One of the things I will NEVER understand is why a car's color can be such a determining factor.

    That's because you sell them. It's like the show makers kids going without shoes. It's like working at McDonalds and then eating food there. It's like working in a chocolate factory all day, you don't care if you eat chocolate. When you sell cars all day long you can't understand why color matters...especially if you are color blind :D

    When you only buy a new car every 3 or 5 years, you want it to be as nice as possible - to you. If you are at all emotional about your car, you want to like the color. People find color important, whether it is appliances, clothes, shoes, house paint interior and exterior and especially with colors. Except for the salesman with 25 points, who thought you should take whatever car he shows you. It's a big deal, everyone remembers Henry Ford, "You can buy any color as long as it's black."

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • cdn_tchcdn_tch Member Posts: 194
    Better hold off on those Big3 purchases as well since many parts (and some of the cars) are made in Canada. (war of 1812) :blush:
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Almost anyone makes at least one color that I just can't stand though this is less true now than it was years ago. Almost anything looks bad in mustard yellow but it doesn't stop folks from making those things.

    If there's a car that I think looks particularly good in a certain color I'll wait to get it. otherwise as long as it's OK I'll be fine with it. Over the years I've bought a lot of slightly used cars so color choice isn't a big deal.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,273
    "...Then, too we buy products from Japan..."

    When I was buying my Mitsubishi that ironic fact crossed my mind as Mitsu made many of the planes that tried to crash into my father's ship off Okinawa.. Still it must be worth something that this same company made my car here in the USA at a UAW shop.

    BTW, my father, an engineer with General Electric never held a grudge against his former foes and made many trips to Japan on business. One of my favorite photos is of him standing (all 6'4" of him) among his much shorter Japanese business associates, all of whom were standing on crates and boxes so as not to look smaller than him in the photo.

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,273
    "...I will NEVER understand is why a car's color can be such a determining factor..."

    If we have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand. :blush:

    I supose if you saw me walking with my lovely wife you would say "What the heck did she see in HIM??" I have asked that question myself a few times.

    Some things just get to us on an emotional level. You of all people should understand that. If it wasn't for some strange emotional lapse of judgment who would sink 30K into a hunk of steel that loses 20% before the ink is dry on the contract?

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

  • bkswardbksward Member Posts: 93
    Better hold off on those Big3 purchases as well since many parts (and some of the cars) are made in Canada. (war of 1812)

    And do you live in the South? That would really cut your options...

    Saturn? But they are headquartered in the North.
    MB, BMW... nope German heritage...

    I guess you're down to Hyundai/Kia... Too bad they don't make the Yugo anymore...

    If you ignore the recent Northern ownership, I guess Saab/Volvo would be an option...
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,273
    "...(war of 1812)..."

    LOL Oh that is TOO funny. It reminded me of the time I went to Ottawa on business for the medical firm I worked for. I was blown away by how friendly everyone was, with one exception.

    This fellow was so decidedly anti-american that he couldn't help but bring up the war of 1812 in our conversations. He seemed consumed with the fear of an American invasion by our company into the Canadian health care market.

    Here in the states the schools treat the invasion of Canada as something of a sidebar to a larger conflict with England. You guys don't still hold a grudge, do you?

    If it's any consolation, my Chrysler Concorde was built in Canada. :blush:

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,273
    "...Almost anything looks bad in mustard yellow..."

    My school bus looks pretty good in that color. ;)

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    One more question then. Are you an accountant too...is this Hyundai thing mandatory for all accountants?

    Nope, I'm not an accountant. I'm a semi-retired engineer.

    Practicality is what I want. I believe in the "kiss" principal. Everything else confuses me. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    And do you live in the South? That would really cut your options...

    No worries there. He lives in Pittsburgh! :)
  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    One of the things I will NEVER understand is why a car's color can be such a determining factor.

    It is the same reason why God gave us blonds, brunettes, and red heads.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Ok, The Chicago Auto show (Largest in N. America and maybe the largest annual one in the world) starts this Friday, I plan to attend on Monday and check out possible new daily drives. I will take some pics.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Are you an accountant too...is this Hyundai thing mandatory for all accountants?

    Nope Buicks are manditory for accountants, they teach that in Acc 101. I just buck the trend.

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

  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    This accountant drives a Pilot.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Better hold off on those Big3 purchases as well since many parts (and some of the cars) are made in Canada. (war of 1812)

    "Made" there, not owned there. :P

    jmonroe

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    You guys don't still hold a grudge, do you?

    Secretly we do. The reason we chat and hang out with you is because you have cooler/better/cheaper stuff than we do. ;) j/k

    Sales Frontlines: I hate catching up on work after holidays.....so hard to get going..... :sick: I wish I'd be home watching movies.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I drove a Pilot once. His girlfriend borrowed his car and he needed a lift to the airport.

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Nope Buicks are manditory for accountants, they teach that in Acc 101. I just buck the trend.

    You always were a trend setter....

    My school bus looks pretty good in that color.

    OK. There's always ONE exception to the rule...

    My BIL drives a school bus (he's a retired cop and his wife - my wife's sister - is a teacher so it keeps them on the same calendar) but his is orange. Very orange.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • cdn_tchcdn_tch Member Posts: 194
    Oh, we own some Big3 stocks too. :D

    (Now what?)
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Here in the states the schools treat the invasion of Canada as something of a sidebar to a larger conflict with England. You guys don't still hold a grudge, do you?

    Why would we have a grudge, technically we won that battle>

    Treaty of Ghent signed on 24 December 1814 maintained the status quo). The British colonies, however, remained independent of the United States and their inhabitants would continue to forge what would become some fifty years later the new Canadian nation.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    "...Almost anything looks bad in mustard yellow..."

    My wife wanted a bright yellow Audi but it was only available on the $80,000 RS model.

    She asked how much to have one painted at the factory. They would make a regular model and paint it at the factory for $4000. Some cars do look good in yellow...Mustangs, Cobalts, to name a few.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Nope Buicks are manditory for accountants, they teach that in Acc 101. I just buck the trend.

    Come on, just once I'd like to see an accountant in a Corvette. Or at least a Mustang, maybe a Miata, something a little fun.

    In that ACC 101 class do they tell you what colors are allowed (Black, navy blue, gray)?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    This accountant drives a Pilot.

    You must have missed acc 101, car buying class. ;)

    Although, Pilots aren't exactly the most exotic road machines either.

    Same old boring, dependable, good value, conservative.
    You guys have to come out of your shell.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Come on, just once I'd like to see an accountant in a Corvette. Or at least a Mustang, maybe a Miata,

    Used to own a Mustang. :shades:

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I guess you're down to Hyundai/Kia...

    Doesn't he live in the North? Won't these be made in Georgia? Does the Civil war count? ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Used to own a Mustang.

    Thank goodness! At least I can sleep knowing there are accountants that have been turned on by their car....and I don't mean by a Cadillac. :)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    It has to be the exact right shade of yellow. The Cobalt pulls it off. I dunno on teh Mustang.

    Early Camaros had exactly the right idea in yellow.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Oh, we own some Big3 stocks too.

    Heck, I’ve owned stock in companies too (not any now though, all fixed income) but that didn’t make me the owner of the company. Remember, I said owned, like in what country the company claims ownership/residence and to what country the company pays most of its taxes (Yikes, I hope I’m not getting into accounting stuff with that comment. I never was any good with keeping numbers in nice neat columns so they could be added. I had enough trouble with scribblings scattered all over my calculation/work sheets). :confuse:

    (Now what?)

    I just answered that. :P

    jmonroe

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

  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    Yes, except that when we splurge on the luxury car..then every client sooner or later makes the comment...boy, I must be paying you too much to drive a car like that.
  • cdn_tchcdn_tch Member Posts: 194
    Hmmmm. !!!

    It is Ford Canada/GM Canada etc that make the cars here, and export them to the US. Therefore they are Canadian companies, duly incorporated here and pay taxes here. :D
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I thought the whole reason we fought with you guys was to keep you from becoming part of the U.S. :P

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    I thought you might consider a Jaguar or Rover but I guess the American Revolution kind of kills that if you hold a grudge for a long time.

    He's not that old. I believe jmonroe meant not buying a car from a country the U.S went to war with from recent history, so that would exclude him from buying a car from a Revolutionary War country, but not from later wars, say the War of 1812. :P

    I can certainly understand his rationale though, especially when loss of comrades are involved. From what I understand the Chinese want nothing to do with Japanese made vehicles. And who can blame them after what Japan did to their country during WW2. But, in time, who knows.

    In reguards to isell not understanding why people place such a high priority on the
    the choice of color in an automobile. I don't understand why you keep asking that question, we've answered it at least a half dozen times. Bookmark this one will ya? Must be a sales thing, softening us up for his brothers in arms for when the time comes. :surprise: ;)
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
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