Stories from the Sales Frontlines

Kirstie_H

What I'm thinking is that the car will pay for itself, once the insurance savings kick in

oldfarmer50

kirstie h: "...my SO came across what he deems to be his "must have" car..."
driver100" "...Guess your're a pretentious S.O.B. too..."

My guess is that her SO would become a SOB pretty quickly if he bought that car without her permission.

Kirstie_H

Ha ha... no... not married so he needs no permission. But given that purchasing this car would render him homeless & hungry, he *might* find himself in that category anyway.

imidazol97

>insurance savings kick in

Insurance savings? What's he driving now?

I always ask the sales people for cars like this, "How does it handle in snow"?

Kirstie_H

A 2006 Crossfire and (liability only) Chevy 1500.
I was kidding. Insurance on the R8 is bound to be astronomical.

michaellno

Richard, you wrote:

When I answer the telephone, I claim to be my own brother. In a sad tone I explain that I died suddenly last week. I ask if they will kindly remove my telephone number from their call list.

A sad, but true, story related to this. One Saturday morning, the phone rang. 15 year old son answers and tells the person that the person they were trying to reach was dead (referring to his mom). We all got a chuckle out of it.

The following week we left home for a week's vacation in Las Vegas. On our first stop for dinner about 4 hours from home, we found that the credit card we were planning on using was inactive.

Yep, was the same company who had gotten word that the cardholder was deceased!

Wife, after yelling and threatening said son to within an inch of his life, calmed down. We used a different card for the trip and, on our way home, called the credit card company and got everything straightened out.

Probably not a good idea to use this trick on companies where you are an existing customre.

jmonroe

Well, there goes any hope of eating out in the near future... or eating in for that matter. Or perhaps owning a house & furniture to eat in.

Man...and I thought I had problems with just the furniture.

In a way it makes me happy knowing that there are those that have it worse. I'll at least be able to eat, just not as well.

jmonroe

kyfdx

I wish my SO would buy an R8!!

verdugo

I was just talking about how you refer to the Fusion as conFusion.

That's pretty condescending.

snakeweasel

Saw it at the auto show, took pictures of it. I am slowly putting pics of the auto show on my Carspace (finally using that feature).

I actually liked this car (guess its my inner Batman coming out)

oldfarmer50

"...I thought I had problems with just furniture..."

Hey, there's your out. Just buy that Audi and then you can explain to you wife that there is no money left to EVER buy her furniture. She'll understand, women are like that, very understanding.

Just let us know what funeral home to send the flowers to.

driver100

I was just talking about how you refer to the Fusion as conFusion.
That's pretty condescending.

It's just a clever play on words.

You know what i was thinking today? I will agree that many people who drive Euro-luxury cars might be snobs. But many people who drive regular cars are just envious.

I was passed by a few Mercedes CLKs (I think they are), the great looking 2 seaters that probably cost 100 grand. Big deal, I don't know if they are snobs or not, they might be fantastic people. They might be your doctor, who knows. If I was jealous I would be in really bad shape, because people like that will never be satisfied. If they had an R8 they wouldn't be happy because they would see something better.

My more recent cars include a 84 Chev Celebrity 86 Cierra, 89 Corsica, 92 Cavalier, 95 Jeep Cherokee Lts, 2000 Jeep Cherokee, and an 04 and 07 Euro car. I loved those cars at the time and I am in no position to be condescending. I was quite happy driving those cars at the time, I knew I couldn't afford anything better at the time.

If I hurt your feelings I am sorry. I was just having a bit of fun with the name. I have said many times the Fusion is a good value and it has many good points about it...today I discovered there is a little arrow on the gas pump image which tells you what side the filler tank is on. I have said the brakes are a bit weak and the steering is wishy washy, honest assessments, but i have never complained about the actual car....in fact it goes 70 mph fine and it will get you where you are going in reasonable comfort. I said I prefer it to an Impala.

Just to keep from being too boring, I like the play on words, but didn't mean to offend any one. I will not use conFusion in the future.

jmonroe

She'll understand, women are like that, very understanding.

I believe I was born at night...but not last night. :surprise:

Just let us know what funeral home to send the flowers to.

Nice thought but do you really think I'd care?

jmonroe

jmonroe

I will not use conFusion in the future.

It didn't bother me. Just don't start picking on that "throw-away" stuff. :mad:

jmonroe

duke23

golic wrote in response to snakeweasel :
"This was one of my favorite shows growing up as a kid. His family owned a toy company. "
You go golic ! I wouldn't have got it snakeweasel, though a trivia buff I am. Obscure and cool at the same time. k ; Merci beaucoup, if only there were sales. But point is taken .There are of course but they are petit. Try the veal. Note : duke humor is acquired, often an apertif and/ or seltzer is required.

snakeweasel

The one we saw was red. You can see the engine in the back through the rear window. Pretty darn cool looking.

Here you go



Side view

verdugo

hehe

Nah, no feelings were hurt. I drive a VW Passat 3.6L 4Motion and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Love them both.

percussionist

I thought conFusion was funny. I actually like this car, although I have not driven one yet. We should all try to incorporate more of these.

I seem to recall jip referring to his "Mazdaspeed MPV" when I got my speed 3 last month. And who can forget the classics, like this great one from high school:

Kid 1: "What kind of car do you drive?"
Kid 2: "A 'vette."
Kid 1: "Wow - a corvette! Can I see it?"
Kid 2: "Sure thing - it's right over there" (as he points to his shiny CHEvette)

sterlingdog

Snake, thanks so much for taking that picture of the Grand Marquis at the auto show. To tell you the truth, I was surprised that they had one on display. There must be some people who still consider the car to be a worthy vehicle. Unfortunately, those people do not exist in my small extended family.

At my birthday dinner last Saturday night, I got slammed, bammed, and hit over the head when I mentioned that I was considering a Grand Marquis. As I was discussing the possibility with my brother-in-law, I didn't realize that the rest of the guests had put their forks down to listen in disbelief. My nephew began by asking why I wanted a car that should be parked at the police station or the courthouse. His wife requested that if I bought one, would I please park it a block down the street when I came to visit them. My sister asked if funeral homes didn't use those cars. My teenage great nephew said that only real old people drive those "things". After about ten minutes of this bashing, along with suggestions of what cars to buy, my wife came to the rescue by changing the subject.

When the troop arrived later at our house for cake and ice cream, my nephew asked my wife to please try to talk me out of buying a Grand Marquis. His wife commented that the car didn't resemble my style at all, and wanted to know what had "happened" to me. My wife responded by telling them that it was my money and my choice, and that they would have to just get over it. Actually, my brother-in-law was the only one who liked the GM. Then again, he is nearing 80.

Thanks again.

Richard

sterlingdog

For an '06, wasn't that a really clean car for $11k? The gray at the bottom doesn't look bad. It's not as pretty as the bronze, but still not bad.

BTW, I thought "conFusion" was funny. Besides, if they can call the GM a "Mercury Medicare", then you're on safe ground.

Richard

sterlingdog

Thanks for that vote of confidence. I'm glad that you also like it.

Richard

tjc78

To tell you the truth, I was surprised that they had one on display

At the Philly auto show they had one too.... however it was all the way in the back hidden behind a large column, It was burgundy, and looked good. No doubt the car has a stigma, however, its a great car, Very comfortable, reliable and safe.

snakeweasel

To tell you the truth, I was surprised that they had one on display.

Well it is the Chicago Auto show and it is awfully large. We spend something like 4 hours there and we didn't see everything (skipped trucks and suv's) it's unusual for there not to be a car there.

At my birthday dinner last Saturday night, I got slammed, bammed, and hit over the head when I mentioned that I was considering a Grand Marquis.

I sat in the car and all i can say is that it was very comfortable. Haven't driven it so I can't say anything about the ride.

My wife responded by telling them that it was my money and my choice, and that they would have to just get over it.

No truer words were ever said.

oldfarmer50

"...I got slammed, bammed, and hit over the head when I mentioned that I was considering a Grand Marquis..."

What a bunch. How dare they impose their opinions on you. I suspect ulterior motives. Allow me to translate what they were REALLY saying.

"My nephew began by asking why I wanted a car that should be parked in front of the police station." Translation--When good old uncle Richie kicks the bucket I want a sports car that I can get from his widow at half price.

"His wife requested...I park it a block down the street when I came to visit them." Translation--I'm a big eco-winie and I don't want that nice V-8 embarrassing me in front of my other eco-winie friends,

"My sister asked if funeral homes didn't use those." Translation---I want to attend your funeral in something more Euro.

"My teenage great nephew said that only real old people drive those "things"." Translation---No translation needed. He thinks you are old and foolish. He thinks that about all people over 25.

"My wife responded that it was my money and my choice." Translation---Tough one here as I have never understood what MY wife really means. She is either saying that if I let him spend some of "his" money on what he wants he better spend a whole lot of "our" money on something I want OR she is truly a one in a million wife and you should give her a big kiss.

I hope my efforts here have made you realize that you can buy the car YOU want. The others get no say unless they come up with some cabbage.

oldfarmer50

I see the state of MA is hoping to jack their gas tax up to the highest in the nation. Way to help car sales not to mention funneling money from the car drivers in rural western MA to the public transit system in Boston.

If Greenpea is lurking I wonder how he feels about this. His dealership better start stocking up on Sentras and bicycles if this thing passes.

driver100

Nah, no feelings were hurt. I drive a VW Passat 3.6L 4Motion and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Love them both.

Glad you weren't too serious. I thought after you might own a "Fusion" and maybe it wasn't nice to call it a ......... (you know).

My brother tried every small car he could and he ended up with a Jetta. He knows the reliability isn't the best, and he has had some dealership indifference problems, but he is willing to put up with that, in order to get that Euro "feel of the road".

driver100

Kid 2: "A 'vette."
Kid 1: "Wow - a corvette! Can I see it?"
Kid 2: "Sure thing - it's right over there" (as he points to his shiny CHEvette)

That's really funny!
When I was selling one of my buyers bought a new Ford Probe. I would go into his office and say in a loud voice, "Hey Jack, how is your Probe?"

I used to read Mad magazine when I was a teenager. They had advertisements they did for the Ford Falcon, and called them Furd Foulcars.

Glad no one was offended.

jipster

I thought conFusion was funny. I actually like this car

Yeah, conFusion is funny, ... don't really see it as insulting. It's not like calling a Ford Freestar a "Ford Freeturd" or anything like that.

The Louisville New Car Show is this weekend. Unfortunately they have it packaged with the Carl Casper Custom Auto Show. That means $15 a ticket instead of the $5 in previous years when the new car show was the feature attraction. I don't really care to see "Rico" from Hannah Montana or Sting from WWE, so I might have to pull out a few extra cobwebs from the wallet, splurge a bit to check out the new sheet metal... maybe the Cincinatti Ben-gals cheerleaders too if my wife ain't looking. :P

sterlingdog

Let me know if you see a...you know. Have fun.

Richard

sterlingdog

Tom, thanks for checking that out.

Richard

sterlingdog

You have terrific insight! You only missed one point. My nephew wouldn't want my sports car at half price. He would want it free and clear! Since he knows that he gets half of what little we have, I warned him Saturday night that he was treading on dangerous ground. I called my niece in Arizona Sunday to tell her what had been said. What a diplomat. She wants me to get the GM. We may have to change the wills---75% for her and 25% for the nephew. :P

Richard

fezo

Well, if he gets 50% of what you have he'll get a four cylinder GM when the time comes. He'll be thrilled!

graphicguy

Cincinnati has their car show this weekend, too. Somehow I don't get the feeling we're going to see anything exotic that the Chicago show is displaying.

I'm just hoping to get a glimpse of the new Camaro....which is the only thing I'd consider to be the successor to the much beloved Tahoe.

Everything else? Well, can't say that I'm too excited!!!!!

driver100

If you have a few moments, this sight is pretty scary. Also, the writer thinks the price of cars will really fall, and GM just made one big mistake after another.

unsold cars

boomchek

I've seen that article before, but I think some photos are just of factory cars ready for delivery, or awaiting at port, nothing unusual.

The 5th photo down shows previous generation Accords and Acura TSXs. That would date the photo to be almost 2 years old. :confuse:

houdini1

Good translation. I would only add that Sir Richard would never have to worry about any of these naysayers asking to borrow his ride.

On the off chance that one ever did ask to borrow it, I would politely decline and tell them that I would not want to be responsible for lowering their status in the community.

houdini1

IMO this is the best forum that Edmund's has. Some very smart and wise people post here and if I was limited to one forum, this would be it.

That said, I know that some of our sales brothers are suffering big time during this economic turmoil that we are all going thru, yet I haven't heard even one whining or complaining. They are still upbeat and trying their best.

I admire and respect you guys for that.

boomchek

Economy shmeconomy....

Things might have slowed down but it's not catastrophic, or post-apocalyptic like some would lead you to believe. Now that's when nobody would be buying anything.

The negative sales people will find any excuse to justify their poor performance. Us positve ones that you find on these boards will find new ways of doing business and getting clients, and new opportunities in these "different" and challenging times.

verdugo

It makes no sense to buy a car now, no matter how good the deal looks. The deals will get progressively better as the year rolls on.

I disagree. If you need to buy a car now, and you have the cash, it's a great time to buy a car. Maybe they'll get a bit better, but the article also said how plants are being idled left and right. At some point production will match the new level of demand, and things will go back to "normal" (whatever that means).

I wish I was in the market for a car right now, but our cars are new (07 and 08) so we won't be ready to buy any time soon.

sterlingdog

"I wish I was in the market..."

If you WERE in the market now, what car would you buy for $35k or less?

Richard

sterlingdog

"...he'll get a four cylinder GM..."

You mean that V-8 will water down to a four cylinder as it ages? :P

Richard

sterlingdog

Don't forget to look...

Richard

sterlingdog

"IMO this is the best forum that Edmunds has."

I totally agree. I've looked at the other forums and there is a difference. People ask questions, get answers, and make comments; but not in the "family" way that this one does. Even our Hosts are special. They let us get to the edge of "off topic" before they reel us in to topic. Also, this forum has such nice people like you and the others. :shades:

Richard

fezo

You mean that V-8 will water down to a four cylinder as it ages?

Nah. Whoever else inherits 50% will get the other four cylinders. Gonna be a beat to drive though....

Nice buttering up the hosts. That should keep us for another day.

golic

So anyone have a good/bad story from a customer or salesman? We have not had a good story in awhile.

Also, was curious on how many are losing deals in F&I? Or do you guys get that process going early on to ensure you don't lose 3 hours on a Saturday??

verdugo

If you WERE in the market now, what car would you buy for $35k or less?

Not a GM :P

We go skiing and off roading, so maybe a Grand Cherokee Overland with Quadra Drive II. It's def. doable for under $35k right now. I really would like to get a VW Touareg (sp?) or a LR3, but no way am I paying $50k+ for a car.

If we were buying a daily driver, a VW GTI. :shades:

verdugo

I'm sure it's not the kind of story golic wanted to read, but here it goes.

A friend of mine and his wife were looking at replacing his old pick up truck. They did their research and had narrowed it down to a Subaru Impreza. They were days away from getting it when his wife got laid off from her job of 8 years. He's decided to hold off on the purchase.

oregonboy

how many are losing deals in F&I?

Maybe it should become like in real estate... you need to get pre-approved for a loan before you start shopping. :P

oldfarmer50

...the sales guys are probably being pressured by management to call all those useless internet leads and grinders who they tossed out of the dealership months ago. 1 in a hundred shot of making a sale and being forced to make nice to the guy who called you a crook because you wouldn't come down ANOTHER 10K off of sticker.

I would not want to be in car sales in this economy. These poor people are getting it from all sides.

lrguy44

We are doing OK - not getting rich but not going broke. Although it seems a little better now, financing was/is inconsistant. It used to be you looked at the deal structure and the bureau and you knew if you had a deal and where it would be bought. That is no longer true. We even had a 795 scored turned down. With leasing not what it used to be and some banks (Compass for one) getting out of the indirect lending biz, the choices for banks is getting narrow. Here, Credit Unions are keeping us going.