Stories from the Sales Frontlines

jmonroe

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.

Ah, c'mon already. We all know where the mother ship is docked. :surprise:

jmonroe

verdugo

That was funny snake.

jmonroe

I believe jmonroe meant not buying a car from a country the U.S went to war with from recent history...

Yeah, that's what I meant. Sometimes my writing ain't so clear.

Thanks for the clarification.

jmonroe

cdn_tch

Hold on a minute!

Didn't you define ownership as "Remember, I said owned, like in what country the company claims ownership/residence and to what country the company pays most of its taxes"??? :shades: :P

So they ARE Canadian cars!

sterlingdog

"...why a car's color can be such a determining factor."

You know that I hold you in high regard, but this is the THIRD time that you have told me this. This is my THIRD time trying to explain it. Like I tell my new teachers, you may have to teach the concept more than once by using different examples. The world is filled with beautiful colors. Some make us feel better than others. Perhaps you have a favorite shirt that is blue. In the fall, perhaps you love the trees that turn red. When you paint a room in your home, perhaps you like pale green. We all have color preferences based on our personalities. If I bond with my car (no pun intended), I want to enjoy looking at it each day. The right color will fulfill that need. The color of my car makes a statement about me. It's really very simple: color + style + make + cost + options =s happiness. Please tell me that you understand. If not, I may have to consider holding you back in the same grade next year. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

"It's probably better that countries need to rely on each other for economic growth and prosperity-less chance of them fighting I suppose."

Of course, you are totally correct. For the success of the car industry, and other industries, it is better to forgive and move forward as long as we all learned from the tragic mistakes of war. You are such a good diplomat for this thread. We could use you as Secretary of State.

Still, we have to try to understand the feelings of people like jmonroe. Though he can step on my left nerve at times, he is a good person who also did his part for our country. For many of those of our generation, memories die hard. If we didn't have our own experiences, our parents and grandparents did. Jmonroe's decisions about his car purchases may seem strange to some, but not so strange to others. That is what makes everyone on this thread so unique.

Richard

sterlingdog

Jmonroe an accountant?! If you only knew how funny that idea could be! Being the tightwad that he is, you would never get a refund. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

Your father was a big man, and I don't mean just in height.

Richard

explorerx4

these were stationary cars were hit by another vehicle going over 70 mph.
don't forget they are put in harms way on a regular basis.
as long as richard doesn't try to play state trooper on the interstate and pull other cars over for a grammar check, i think he will be ok.

sterlingdog

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

That is really funny! I believe that my grandmother called it "The War of Aggression". My grandfather fought in the Civil War---yes, grandfather. He was 60 when my mother was born. In perspective, it really wasn't that long ago. My grandfather's first car was black---a Ford T. Need we say why? My father's first car was black---a Chrysler. My sister's first car was black---a Chevy II convertible. Now you see how my heritage led me to this point?

Richard

sterlingdog

Let me know if you see a black Grand Marquis at the Chicago Auto Show. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

"Early Camaros had exactly the right idea in yellow."

So did my MGB.

Richard

tidester

My grandfather's first car was black ... My father's first car was black ... My sister's first car was black ...

Did I miss something? This is not your first car is it?

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

sterlingdog

Only you would think of that.

Richard

imidazol97

>My grandfather's first car was black---a Ford T. Need we say why? My father's first car was black---a Chrysler. My sister's first car was black---a Chevy II convertible. Now you see how my heritage led me to this point?

The logical here tells me this is your first car. Is that true?

tidester

Only you would think of that.

Apparently not. Imidazol thought it too. :P

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

imidazol97

>We all have color preferences based on our personalities. If I bond with my car (no pun intended), I want to enjoy looking at it each day.

When one gets to pick a color for their car they're buying, it should be like the CTS commercials they ran a few months back about how "when you turn your car on it should turn you on."

I've only bought a couple cars in colors I didn't care for that much. But I do enjoy shopping dealer stock at many dealers to see the different interior and exterior color combinations and select what I like and then order the car. It's a nice feeling to walk up to a car in my garage or a parking lot with the feeling that I _like_ that exterior color or interior. It's the same result my wife feels about picking the carpet, couch, chairs, and accessories in a room.

When shopping cars in past many years, some salesmen seem to aknowledge but not understand how important seeing the color on a car with an interior is to some people, to me at least. But others got it.
--Keith

snakeweasel

I will look and snap a picture if I find one, :P

driver100

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.

There are two ways of looking at that. Yes, you could say I like my accountant because he is thrifty and doesn't need to overcharge, so he drives a Hyundai, or you could say, my accountant is successful and must really know what he is doing because he just got a new Maybach.

I think there are more of the latter, though some will go for the first scenario.

driver100

I thought the whole reason we fought with you guys was to keep you from becoming part of the U.S.

Really cute!

driver100

From what I understand the Chinese want nothing to do with Japanese made vehicles.
This is very true, but things are changing. As countries rely on each other for economic reasons, some of these problems are overcome, slowly -most car manufacurers have plants in China, including many Japanese companies.

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.

isell might be color blind, 6% of males are. If Richard was color blind he would have a new car right now.

jmonroe

So they ARE Canadian cars!

MAN, there is just no hope for you. I’m talking about the PARENT company, not some spin-off rascal.

I suppose next you’re going to tell me Honda USA/Hyundai USA etc. are American car companies?

Get with it, HUH !!! :mad:

jmonroe

driver100

For many of those of our generation, memories die hard. If we didn't have our own experiences, our parents and grandparents did. Jmonroe's decisions about his car purchases may seem strange to some, but not so strange to others. That is what makes everyone on this thread so unique.

Very nicely said Richard. Yes, we may disagree at times, we may politely joke at times, but as long as there is mutual respect and we are having fun, then let the show continue! (until we are told to get back on topic at least)

isellhondas

Seriously, and this is not a slam.

You have dragged this purchase out so long and you have flip flopped on the color. I get the feeling that you were looking for a reason not to buy the car.

I've seen this many times.

As far as color, no, I really don't understand. To me, it's a CAR. Yes, there are colors I wouldn't buy but for the most part, if we are picking out a car, there are always several different choices that we would be happy with.

But, that's us. We are certainly all different.

I guess I don't think a car makes a "statement" about a person.

jipster

You have dragged this purchase out so long and you have flip flopped on the color. I get the feeling that you were looking for a reason not to buy the car.

I'm sure "color" is a common excuse you get from people who aren't quite ready to buy, it is a convenient excuse and difficult for a salesman to counter. But, I didn't get the feeling richard was looking for a reason not to buy. I got the feeling he was very disappointed he didn't get to buy. He wanted a black 2008 GM, thought he would give the smokeweed(?) color a try... he didn't like it. If I was looking at a low or high end beater, color wouldn't matter much. But if I'm putting 15 grand down on a vehicle, I want to like the color, or at least be neutral about it.

jmonroe

I guess I don't think a car makes a "statement" about a person.

I know you qualified your statement by, “I don’t think…” but being in the car biz you should know more than most that a car DOES make a “statement” for some people. Why else do the luxury brands sell? We all know it isn’t because of the quality/reliability that you get when you buy them.

As for Richard, “looking for a reason not to buy a car”, he was trying to find a reason TO buy a car. So much so that he deviated from his first color choice, only to find out he was right all along.

I think you're going to be held back in car sales 101 and not be allowed to proceed to car sales 102.

jmonroe

driver100

a car DOES make a “statement” for some people. Why else do the luxury brands sell? We all know it isn’t because of the quality/reliability that you get when you buy them.

Luxury brands sell because they are more comfortable, have nicer trim, ride better, perform better, have better warranties, have more safety features, have better engineering, pay designers and engineers more money etc etc. For some people it has nothing to do with "statement".

I will admit some people buy because of the name and to make a "statement."

Personally, the image or "name" mean little to me, the performance and "feel of the road" are what make it. I'd buy a Cobalt if it performed like a Euro car....and save some cash.

graphicguy

Funny.....I was tilting a beer with my best friend last night.....the guy who bought the Cobra. He was bemoaning the fact that he tied up all this money into a car that he's been behind the wheel of a half dozen times in the last few months. He's thinking of buying a "beater" to tool around in, even though he's got other vehicles at his disposal that are more appropriate for bad weather.

He had circled a few of candidates in the local paper....mostly in the $3K-$5K range.

As we were going through the process of elimination, I came across a one owner, 70K mile, 2001 Chevy Prizm. Those of you who used to follow "rroyce" in the "Trade Value" thread, know that this was his unsung hero of a car because it was essentially a rebadged Corolla.

Anyway, my friend dismissed what I thought would be the perfect "beater" because it was red. My friend has this aversion to "red cars" because he feels they draw too much attention from police (and a Cobra wouldn't :confuse: ).

I had to chuckle. First, because I didn't think it mattered what color a beater is. 2nd, because a Prizm isn't capable of going fast enough to draw the attention of a turtle, let alone a cop.

And, lastly because I couldn't imagine a more generic car to drive if I was "on the lam" for any reason from law enforcement.

A new car? Yeah.....color matters. I have an aversion to white. gold and silver cars. Every other color is in play, however.

As a side note, I saw a 6-7 year old Acura the other day in a really garish, birght gold color. Of all the companies out there, I wouldn't have thought Acura as one who would produce a vehicle in such a hideous color.

exb0

To me, it's a CAR.

To a car salesman a car is like a woman to a gynecologist. What’s a big deal, I’ve seen all and it is just a way to make a living. However, most people have some emotion associated with the purchase of either one, and it has to look right.

dino001

For some people when they get up and get into their vehicle every morning, it matters how the thing looks like, how it drives, what are conveniences inside, etc. Some people want the sunroof - some would not touch car with a sunroof with a ten foot pole. Some people want bling wheels, others can't stand idea od paying extra few hundred bucks for "nothing". I would not touch an automatic transmission car even for five grand discount, as long as I have an option of getting manual.

Seriously, Craig - for somebody in business of service you seem to disconnected with basic psychology of choice. The point of having choice is ability to excercise it - and nobody, especially a salesman will tell me "it doesn't matter". It might not matter to you when you spend your own money - what do I care. If you take my money, it has to matter to you, or else .

I have no problem with "No, sir, we don't have Accords in your favorite blank, it's a rare combination. We have sixty units in ten other colors available here. If you are willing to look at them, I could get you a nice deal. I could also look on the internet if they have one in your color in the state or if there are any allotments in next quarter". But if you start with "whatever man, it's a car, why does it matter to you?" or even if your eyes say that, you are likely lose that sale before I have a chance to "process" the basic information that there is nothing in "my" color.

sterlingdog

I know that your post was not a slam, and I understand why you think that I'm not ready. I've never drug around this long, but I didn't always get what I wanted either, or at the best price. Also, I have mentioned that I didn't have to have a new car. Still, I've had it in my mind for over a year now that I really like the GM's and I really like black in a car. Two things have kept this dragging: (1) I didn't know that the black color was harder to come by. (2) I didn't know that dealers would want more because it was black.

There is only one other color that I would consider in the limited list of colors for a GM. I could be satisfied with a white one. My plan is to see what the dealer comes up with next week. I didn't even mention white to him as a possibility. If I had done that, he wouldn't have put in the effort to find me a black one.

My other consideration is the money. I'm pretty tight when it comes to the dollar. I know what I want to spend. I don't want to spend down my savings too much for a car.

This whole situation would have been over by now if I had bought the black one that this dealer had in the beginning. Oh hell no. I held out for camel interior and that one had gray interior. That was really dumb on my part. The gray would have been fine with the wood trim and all. Even the price was right and it only had 3,500 miles. I know. There's no need to cry over spilled milk. At least Traindriver found this nice dealership for me. He went to a lot of trouble trying to find me a black GM. I do appreciate it.

I appreciate everyone's patience. Even I'm getting tired of hearing it. :P

Richard

jmonroe

Luxury brands sell because they are more comfortable, have nicer trim, ride better, perform better, have better warranties, have more safety features, have better engineering, pay designers and engineers more money etc etc.

My 05’ Hyundai XG 350 has nicer trim, rides better, performs better, has a better warranty, has more safety features, has equal engineering,” than several high end cars that I've been in. As for paying their “designers and engineers more money etc. etc.”, I wouldn’t know about that.

Just the other day when we went out for lunch, one of the guys who had never been in my beauty said, “What kind of car did you say this was? It rides better than my Acura”. I've been in his Acura a couple of times and he was right.

I told this tale before:

My cousin almost laughed himself silly when he heard I switched from GM to Hyundai. He said, “you must be the last hold out, I didn’t think you’d ever get away from GM” (I’ve told that tale too). When he went for a ride in my car he said, “I would never have believed it if I hadn’t gone for this ride”. He said he would consider trying one himself when he bought next. This guy should be a member of the ‘car of the month club’. I don’t think he’s ever had a car longer than 3 years. Well, a couple of months later he bought an Avalon. When Son #1 said, "What happened to your consideration of the Hyundai Azera”. He responded, “My wife just couldn’t bring herself to say we bought a Hyundai”. Way to go chump, blame it on your wife. :confuse:

For some people it has nothing to do with "statement".

Your right for some it doesn’t, but for more than a few, it has everything to do with it.

jmonroe

traindriver

The right colors, miles are a little steep, but the price is right....
But, it is too far away....on the Georgia/Alabama line west of Atlanta.

Hope the links work...

08 black/camel

a different view

verdugo

Luxury brands sell because they ... pay designers and engineers more money etc

I really doubt that anybody buys a car based on what the car company pays their designers and engineers.

houdini1

Richard, I would be extremely disappointed in you if you were bullied into buying something that you did not want. Stick to your guns. I agree that the GM also looks very nice in white.

houdini1

I have often thought that Hyundai is the perfect stealth luxury car for the "millionaire next door" so I am sure that it is a good fit for you.

traindriver

Richard,
When you find the right GM, you absolutely must add the "lowrider/Mexican jumping bean" package. You will be the hit of the neighborhood. Scroll down and play the Youtube videos to see what a GM is really capable of, lol.....

Richard's new ride

oldfarmer50

"...I don't think a car makes a "statement"..."

You mean when I drive my car down the street young girls won't be throwing themselves on my hood? Thanks for waiting to tell me. :sick:

jipster

With 18 photos they definitely aren't trying to hide anything. Looks like a good buy. The 18k miles wouldn't bother me. Looks to be a rental. As for the car having a "Pitch Black" exterior... looks to be more of a charcoal grey(Smokeweed) to me.

traindriver

Yes, most likely an ex-rental. Smokeweed smokestone looks to be a mix of silver and light gold in pictures. The name is a bit misleading to me. I would think of a darker, smoky silver-gray when I hear "smokestone." Something like driveway gravel.

Richard,
White seems to be plentiful. You shouldn't have much trouble finding that.

golic

Just curious. And I apologize in advance for my ignorance. If he was going to get a new '08 for $15,250. This is a used car with 18,000 for $13,995, that price appears high.

traindriver

No problem. He was looking at a used one for $15k. IIRC, with about 10,000 miles.
If they are asking 13,995...they will accept less I'm sure.

I don't know what the discounts are but a new one with a MSRP of +/- 30K will be considerably higher.

golic

Ok... for some reason I always thought it was an unsold '08 that he was looking for. That makes sense.

laurasdada

Try and take some pix of the "Product Specialists," too! I met a particularly lovely young lady working for Infiniti at the New England Show... Discussed, and her identity revealed, ad nauseum on the "Luxury Lounge" board...

lrguy44

Frankfort is the largest, Paris #2 and Chicago #3. That is based on square footage of display area. Frankfort is the traditional show to debut new product..

boomchek

birght gold color. Of all the companies out there, I wouldn't have thought Acura as one who would produce a vehicle in such a hideous color.

When I sold Hondas, we enede up with a traded in gold Acura like that on our lot. Nobody would touch it and it sat there for months.

isellhondas

That Acura color was a one year color and for good reason. They named it perfectly, Trumpet Gold. It was hideous and they had an almost yellow interior.

I guess I've gotten to the point where, for me, a car is more like an appliance than something to get excited about. I think the car business has done this to me.

We are indeed, all different, with different likes and dislikes. This is why restaurants have menus.

Still, and this is just me, when it comes to a car's color there will always be a couple that would be unacceptable to my wife and I but we have never zeroed in on ONE color.

I still think Richard should just go to Ebay and buy an old Crown Vic. Police car. He could paint the doors black to match the rest of the car and save thousands!

He could even leave the spotlights and push bar on the front and terrorize people on the freeway!

verdugo

Welcome back. Long time no see.

lrguy44

Thanks, been busy - and lurking. Seems like nothing has changed much

boomchek

I guess I've gotten to the point where, for me, a car is more like an appliance than something to get excited about. I think the car business has done this to me.

That's funny cause I'm the same way. I got desensitized to cars since I began selling them 5 years ago. I still am a car buff, but not as big as I used to be.

The new car smell doesn't excite me anymore either. Actually I don't even smell it. A day in a luxury car wouldn't excite me anymore as I've driven/test driven/demoed for a day/owned pretty much most current cars under the $100K CDN ($75K US) price range. The really high end exotics or classics are about the only cars that would get me really excited as I haven't driven or owned them.

However because of the nature of my job I do need to show excitement with the customer when they're picking out a car. And once in a while I do envy them when they're rolling out in a nice car that I'd like to have parked in my driveway,