Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Apparently, sales management is high pressure work. Why? (We were too hungry to prolong the conversation by asking questions.)

    Damn, you left right at the good part. You could have let those burgers wait, you know. Do you think you could go back for another test drive? Can you imagine all the sales tales you could have brought to this site? You know how much they’re needed. Hell, I might buy just to get on topic here.

    Tell me, do you leave a suspense movie just before the finally? :confuse:

    jmonroe

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

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Nope. Usually, I doze off. Then, because I'm too embarrassed to ask how the movie ended, I wait until Netflix has it on DVD, at which time I rent it.

    Most of what I do, I do for food. Other stuff motivated me when I was younger, but not now.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >On top of that my monitor burnt out last night so I don't know when I'll be able to tell this tale.

    So you are typing this post sight unseen? wow :)
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    So you are typing this post sight unseen? wow

    I'm good, huh? :D

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    the Best Buy Sunday flyer has a 22” LG going for $240 so that’s where I got that number.

    You and Richard might have bought the cheapest monitors last time, and they were timed to break down on 022609. That's why it is sometimes better to get a better model, even if it costs more. The LG is probably well worth an extra $40.

    ....and $40 bucks works out to a little more than 10 cents a day for 1 year, but it will probably last 2 years longer than the no name. No extra warranties either, by the time they break down those monitors will be a dated design and they'll only cost $100 anyway.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    That's why it is sometimes better to get a better model, even if it costs more.

    I don't skimp when I buy stuff. I always go for quality. The monitor I bought in May of 06' was a Samsung. It was supposed to be one of the best (I payed $299 for that just released 19 inch LCD beast) but it died just short of the 3 year warranty period. :mad: So, I'm thinking about returning it, paying shipping both ways, and if they repair it or provide the equivalent model for it today, I'll have a spare. Clever, huh?

    Anyone out there want to buy a re-conditioned Samsung? Richard? :)

    jmonroe

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

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    check Newegg.com's current prices. Shipping is often free (&, in my experience, remarkably speedy), & Newegg generally doesn't charge state sales tax.

    I've bought from them. Shipping is free. They def. charge state sales tax if you're in CA. :cry:
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    so I said, “I got you didn’t I”?

    I used that line once. without batting the eye she who must be obeyed came back with "Yeah thats no big deal, and I got stuck with you".

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,294
    "...On top of that my monitor burnt out..."

    You probably just need a converter box to get that new "digital" internet signal. Get those rabbit ears off the top of your computer and get one of those government discount coupons for the box.

    Just make sure you buy a converter that doesn't have the hidden camera inside. You don't want the government watching you drool over those Hyundai commercials. :P

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Congrats on your wife's pregnancy! Hope everything goes well!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,294
    "...I can't believe that Mrs. Monroe missed her chance to pitch for the furniture..."

    Are you kidding? How long have you two been married, six weeks? It was so obvious.

    Mrs. Monroe said: "You always get what YOU want". The translation from wifespeak is "You never get me what I WANT".

    You can further surmise from what I know of married woman that she was also saying that if jmonroe dares to get that car she will freeze him out in the bedroom and poison his soup at the first opportunity.

    If I were Mr.Monroe I would be buying furniture, not computer monitors or cars.

    Of course, I want to die of old age not some household "accident". :cry:

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Now "read my lips". I, too, buy only quality. That may be why I am tight with money. When I do buy, I buy nice. I bought my HP five years ago. It was top of the line for that moment in history. I suppose it is time for the monitor to go bad. It probably hasn't been cut off over ten times in five years. My Explorer XLT was top of the line for 2003. It has everything but the shower and the kitchen sink. My '06 Touring convertible the same. Still, when I bought each item I got the best sales price. :shades:

    You just want to see me spend money. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Well, of course. When you put the key words in all caps, it really does make sense. The picture becomes very clear. Poor jmonroe. By the time that he gets home with the new car and the new monitor, he may be a DEAD baby seal. Life insurance can buy some really nice furniture.

    Richard
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Apparently, sales management is high pressure work. Why?

    Sales Managers are responsible for the following:

    -Hiring of staff
    -Firing of staff
    -Ordering new cars
    -Ordering special order cars
    -Buying used cars
    -Wholesaling beater cars
    -Appraising cars at the right price (so there's enough room for repairs, markup,
    discounts, and gross profit)
    -Coming up with marketing plans
    -Coming up with sales, sale pricing, new daily and weekly ads.
    -Ordering advertising
    -Motivating sales staff
    -Training sales staff
    -Building deals for customers who are ready to buy This in itself is a skill and time consuming because they have to factor in rebates, trades, profit, interest rates, terms, downpayment. Yeah, a computer does it all but you gotta punch in the numbers and there are a hundred different scenarios possible for each deal.
    -Helping close deals
    -Dealing with heat scores
    -Authorizing repairs or work done on used vehicles
    -Coming up with a monthly target they think their sales guys will acheive, and
    being held responsible for it to the owner

    So for customers that wonder why it takes so long to get numbers and a vehicle appraised when they go into a showroom, especially a busy one, now you sorta know why, as the managers, usually one or two per shift, are busy with a ton of stuff, plus other customers' deals. Customers come first over other work, but we sales people gotta wait if there are other sales people in front of us trying to get deals done with their customers.

    And you also know why they are reluctant to just throw "best numbers" at someone who is not remotely interested in buying, or is on the phone, or is just killing time. It just slows everyone down, and usually not achieve anything in terms of sales.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,800
    I used that line once. without batting the eye she who must be obeyed came back with "Yeah thats no big deal, and I got stuck with you".

    Ouch; that's funny. :)

    Wait, why am I getting married this year? :(

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,821
    i have always been one of those that goes for 80% for half the money when it comes to cars.
    you want the best for your kids, but my #2 might get into some schools that cost 3 of those 35k cars every 2 years.
    my wife wants to buy a new car, most of the money is sitting in the bank, but with the job climate, it is hard to pull the trigger.
    i am going to see if i can get her to do some window shopping on sunday.
    we will probably need another car by june.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,821
    gotcha.
    apply all the leverage you can!
    just make sure you are really ok with that color.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Now "read my lips". I, too, buy only quality. That may be why I am tight with money.

    I am glad to hear that you do buy quality. Just remember though, don't buy a cathode monitor to match a GM.

    Much better to buy an LCD monitor, they might cost more but they last twice as long.

    Just joking around, but yeh, it's good to see someone spend some money. I still think half the value of all electronics, all cars, all clothing, all jewellery including watches, all vacations within the country....should be tax deductible.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I promise to buy a nice LCD. ;) I still get shocked over prices. I was in the drug store this afternoon with my wife. She purchased a lipstick for $9.00! When I expressed shock, she laughed and reminded me that it was on sale! :sick:

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    She purchased a lipstick for $9.00!

    I was selling to a department store buyer a few months ago. Did you know all lipstick is worth about 50 cents? The only thing that makes one more expensive than another is the fancy packaging and the name brand. There's also some psychology involved. I am glad you will be going LCD, at least your computer will be right up to date with the latest technology. The GM, well, let's call it a classic. ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,821
    fancy packaging and name brand. kind of sounds like a BoomBox 3 series although it's not quite lipstick on a pig. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    If I were Mr.Monroe I would be buying furniture, not computer monitors or cars.

    Well, I'll have more money for furniture, now that I don't need a monitor.

    Nobody is going to believe this.

    I bought the LG 22 inch monitor took it home and I'm about to install it when I said to myself, 'wait a minute you technical wizard, that indicating light is off, if the monitor were really dead it wouldn't work but the power indicating light would still be working IF it were plugged in'. Now don't start laughing because I made sure it was plugged in last night (at the power strip under the desk) but today I checked the connection at the back of the monitor (hidden by a plastic cover) and that's where it had come lose.

    The only thing I can think of is that the relatively new woman that does the house work around here must have moved the monitor to do some dusting and moved it too far. Ergo the plug was pulled almost to the point of disconnection at that hidden point and eventually gravity took its course (physics thing again).

    So, as you can tell, I can see what I'm doing now so this posting stuff is much easier. I know 'chikoo' was concerned. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I can't wait to hear what you're going to tell the store people when you return the new monitor. :D

    A few months ago I was ranting to my wife that the two computer speakers no longer worked. I then discovered that the housekeeper had turned off the speaker button when she dusted the keyboard. :blush:

    Richard
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Thanks for the correction. They also charge tax on shipments to NJ.
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Thanks for the info.

    How are sales managers compensated?
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,294
    jmonroe: "...the relatively new woman that does the house work around here..."

    richard64: "..I discovered that the housekeeper had..."

    It's just like you rich guys to blame everything on the hired help.

    When I try to blame things on the woman who does the house work around my place she usually rolls her eyes and asks "What was I thinking when I married YOU?" :cry:

    Back on topic: I read the Edmund's test on the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Sounds like a nice ride. Anyone sell 'em or taken a test drive in one? Looking for opinions.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I checked the connection at the back of the monitor (hidden by a plastic cover) and that's where it had come lose.

    It's like $240 found money! I wonder how many new computers and monitors get sold because something got unplugged.

    Good for you..........treat your wife to some new furniture, or an extra option on your new Genesis, ........maybe a nice cloth roof.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Sales Managers are responsible for the following:

    Thanks for the information boom. I didn't realize all the responsibilities involved....and it's kind of like your neck is on the line, because if any of those things aren't done, or get missed, it's going to show up.

    How are managers paid? I assume almost all sales staff are paid by commission. What is a managers pay based on? Also, do managers generally last a long time or a short time?

    I have another question. Once a friend lost his job in book publishing sales and he got into selling cars. He hated management...always called them pigs! I didn't get into it too much with him to know why. He did say he preferred selling used cars. More commissions possible, and i suppose more lattitude. What do you think?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    image

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Now you know that as tight as I am, that it isn't my idea to have a housekeeper. During the 40 years that we worked, we had one and the wife paid for her. When we retired, I mentioned that we could now clean our own house. My wife said that she didn't retire to do housework, and that she was going to pay the housekeeper out of her pension. Well, it's not my money, right?

    Besides, I love for the housekeeper to come. She parks her new Land Rover in the front drive. It looks nice with the house. :D Some weeks she'll even drive her husband's Bimmer. That really makes the house look good. ;)

    Richard
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    In most dealerships all managers (including the GM) are basically on commission. Some GMs may have a base plus bonus program. Service advisors and parts counter people may have a small base, but live off commission. Finance people (except in small dealerships) are straight commission. mechanics are hourly, but based on book hours. The book may say a job pays 1 hour, but it may take 2 hours to accomplish. They are graded on getting thier 40 hours payable. About the only salaried or hourly employees are the admin types. That includes the comptroller, warranty and title clerks, receptionist etc.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Service advisors and parts counter people may have a small base, but live off commission.

    Thanks Irguy. It's tough all around then since almost everything is based on commission or hourly pay. It does concern me from a customer stand point, that service advisors have a small base and mostly commission. That could lead to abuse by the dealership. When I worked for Warner Communications and they had about 10,000 vehicles we could only take cars back to the dealership for warranty repairs only....and they had car experts to arrange leases etc.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    It's just like you rich guys to blame everything on the hired help.

    Up until just a few years ago Mrs. jmonroe never had any help doing ALL of the house work in any of the houses we lived in. Then one day when she went out to lunch with three of her friends, one of the girls said she wanted to get another person to do her house because she wasn’t satisfied anymore. So she asked the others who they used and the other two said they would give her the name/number of their person. When my wife was asked who she used she said no one because she didn’t want anyone touching her house (that’s the girl I used to know). She said they all looked at her as if she had two heads and said, “you really ought to try one, I used to be like that too but now I appreciate the help”.

    That’s how it started, so if you don’t want this to happen to you, I’d suggest chaining your wife to the basement support pole and bring her lunch when you hear her stomach growl. Once you allow them to socialize only bad things can come from that. :cry:

    I read the Edmund's test on the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Sounds like a nice ride.

    It probably is but you’re too cheap to buy one. :P

    jmonroe

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

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    since almost everything is based on commission or hourly pay. It does concern me from a customer stand point

    Even the independent shops work about the same. I am not sure how the Sears, Wally World, etc. chains pay.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,144
    This reminds me of one of my favorite movies....Glen Gary.....

    "First prize is a new Cadillac...
    "2nd prize are these steak knives....
    "3rd prize is 'you're fired!' "
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I didn't realize that the service department was on commission. No wonder I get such great treatment when I go to the Chrysler place. This might also explain why some service departments find other things wrong with your car while you're in for an oil change. It has happened to me twice, but they were actually real problems that needed fixing. Also, the service manager was nice enough to take me out to the service bay to show me the problem. One was a corroded battery cable and the other was brake pads. It's got to be a rough life working toward those commissions.

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Well you know things are really, really bad for the sales guys when the only ones around here telling sales stories are the guys that are buying cars.

    A friend of mine just bought a new v8 Genesis with nav, etc. He loves it. Oh, and by the way I think the price he paid was $28,500. Just trying to be helpful ! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    jimbres, driver....

    As others say, the Sales Managers are paid on commission.

    Most likely they get a base, and they might get paid on all of the deals a dealership does, maybe bonuses too if the dealership achieves it's target.

    Therefore places that typically sell cars at a loss will have a high staff turnover as there's no livable money to be made. This includes the management team.

    Living off $150 flats for the hours sales people put in is not worth it. There's always more money in used cars, but there's a bit more headaches with issues and so on. Plus some people, including me, don't want to have the "used car salesman" stigma attached". Not to say that there arent' any decent used car lots, but some salespeople just won't go there.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    A friend of mine just bought a new v8 Genesis with nav, etc. He loves it. Oh, and by the way I think the price he paid was $28,500. Just trying to be helpful !

    Helpful? That’s what I call helpful alright and if you want to be VERY helpful, you can ask your friend if he’d like to make $5k, cause that’s what I’d give him if it’s all in one piece and I’ll come and take it out of his driveway. :D

    jmonroe

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

  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    Hey Boom-

    Given the economy and all has it ever crossed your mind to move over to a high end used car place? I would think during the next 2-3 years used cars will see some significant increases in volume.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    has it ever crossed your mind to move over to a high end used car place

    Not really cause we make decent grosses here on new and used. I have all the "freedom" I ever wanted in regards to doing things my way, including coming in and leaving whenever I want to, and exploring new marketing strategies without being on a leash 24/7.

    And used luxury cars is not something I care for really. I think higher end used cars would be more trouble because of typical poor reliability ratings found on those cars.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    LOL, I can just picture you rushing into the dealership with your hair on fire ([non-permissible content removed] catching) with my post clutched in your hand and demanding, at least, the same price!

    Heck, you will have the written word right there in black and white so I think they will honor the price !! Make that s/m sweat and earn his keep ! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I think higher end used cars would be more trouble because of typical poor reliability ratings found on those cars.

    Can you name 3 that we should stay away from (more if you'd like). Then 3 that we should consider (if you can).

    jmonroe

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    From personal experience: Land Rover, Audi, Mercedes, BMW. Of course it's all relative to how they were maintained but typically I feel more confident selling an out of warranty Kia to someone than any out of warranty luxury makes.

    Personally I'd still buy a used BMW or a used Mercedes, but many buyers of used cars think they're getting a used car bargain that will cost them nothing to maintain when the opposite is true.

    3 luxury to consider:
    Lexus
    Acura
    Infiniti
    BMW with warranty
    MB with tons of warranty

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Besides, I love for the housekeeper to come. She parks her new Land Rover in the front drive.

    Your housekeeper has a Land Rover? :surprise: What are you paying her? Maybe you should shop around a little.

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

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Boomchek - in case you did not notice - LR moved from #28 to #7 of 36 brands in the JD Power's survey. And our Certified warranty is 6 years - 75k miles from inserv date. We have had great sucess with our used.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    That's good that the quality has improved.

    I should have pointed out that I was referring to 5 + years old Land Rovers. Seems like the ones I had experience with were trouble.

    I do like the new stuff, but I think any luxury non warrantied cars would scare me.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Give me your honest opinion. Would a 1-2 year old Lincoln Town Car or a Grand Marquis give you the same uneasy feeling?

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Your housekeeper has a Land Rover? What are you paying her?"

    You won't believe what my wife pays her---$15 per hour. She can do the house in four hours. She does two houses a day, four days a week. She doesn't work on Mondays. I figure she makes around $500 a week. When my wife interviewed her two years ago, she said that she loved to clean houses. We think that we have a bargain here. Some housekeepers in this resort area charge between $100 and $250 per day. Our housekeeper's husband owns two nice restaurants here. There are no poor maids in the Pinehurst area! ;)

    Richard
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    No I wouldn't have an uneasy feeling about those two. I'd even be comfortable driving a 6 year old Crown Vic.

    Even though I didn't have any personal experience with these cars, I didn't hear anything bad about them from people in the business.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

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