Stories from the Sales Frontlines

18008018038058062003

Comments

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    We had John and Jean.

    Was Jean a boy or a girl?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    Was Jean a boy or a girl?

    Jean = girl

    Gene = boy

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

  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    Ok mr. smartypants...you go tell Jean Claude Van Damn he is a girl.
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    Jean = boy or girl (girl in America, boy in France or French Canada)

    example = Jean-Claude VanDamme (definitely boy)
    ;)
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I knew the underline button was at the bottom, but I couldn't make it work. Perhaps you could teach a senior citizen how to do it. :)

    Here is what I get when I try to use it:

    I highlighted the title BEFORE I hit the button---no luck.
    I highlighted the title AFTER I hit the button---no luck.
    I hit the button BEFORE I typed the title---no luck.

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    I have a place to go frequently to check. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I owe you.

    Good, and we have lots of witness's. After being in the book business for over 30 years it is nice to use the knowledge in a useful way, especially when it can help.

    Richard, you should keep checking because a copy of the book will probably show up one day. I used to love Dick and Jane, and I bought some of the new ones to distribute.
    They didn't sell very well...the kids today like things the grosser the better. Magala is big now - you read them back to front. I used to like the Bobsey Twins, but that doesn't sell very well either. Todays kids like Fantasy like The Warrior, Inkster, the Twilight series about Vampires, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Little kids like Captain Underpants, Dora and Diego, and Robert Munsch.

    What is the world coming to?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Sorry, but that won't work. "Jean" is the french name for "John", not "Gene" OR "Jean".

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    Ok mr. smartypants...you go tell Jean Claude Van Damn he is a girl.

    Love it! lol

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    Here is what I get when I try to use it:

    I highlighted the title BEFORE I hit the button---no luck.
    I highlighted the title AFTER I hit the button---no luck.
    I hit the button BEFORE I typed the title---no luck.


    You did this with the I button. Try the same but hit the U button.

    Maybe you need a newer Windows (ha ha)

    Happy bunny day everyone.
    Off to the M-I-Ls now (mother-in-law)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I will keep checking. I'm sure that I will find it on one of those sites.

    In 1973, we had a grant from the Feds to teach at-risk high school students to read. These students had simply been "socially promoted" through the grades. As department chair, my principal asked me to teach the class. The fed requirement was to teach using their phonics program. Aiming to please, I gave it my best shot. After three months, there was no progress. I went to the old book room and pulled a set of Dick and Jane books. After two months, the students had progressed two grade levels. At the end of the year, I had them on grade level. I never told the Feds or the principal how I did it. IMHO, the sight words and pictures were so much better than the phonics approach---at least for older students.

    As you say, times have changed. Children want to be entertained while they are being instructed---a difficult task at best.

    Richard
  • lokkilokki Member Posts: 1,200
    ...the kids today like things the grosser the better.

    Hey - it's always been that way! Remember your Grimm's fairy tales... the original ones before the PC people cleaned them up in the 30's.

    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/grimm/index2.html

    Of course, I have to admit that I do like this particular more modern version of
    Little Red Riding Hood... somehow it rings more true to my experience of life for me.....

    http://books.google.com/books?id=areW3sCQf1YC&pg=PA229&dq=thurber+little+red+rid- - - ing+hood+lion
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...more modern version of Little Red Riding Hood..."

    That was a funny version! She would not have met the wolf in today's world. She would have been speeding by in her Corvette on her way to grandma's house. :D

    Richard

    Goodness! Now I've learned to underline everything!!
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,194
    jipster.....In addition to my phone number with the "For Sale" sign, I tape the original MSRP sticker that shows all the equipment/options, as well as the "new" price. I also just printed up a sheet stating the miles, 1 owner, no wrecks, and asking price.

    All the info is in the window.

    I did let a guy test drive it last night. He seemed to like it. But, he also said he was looking for something a little "older". I told him $27K would buy it right now. He didn't balk at my price. He said he wanted to stick in that "under $25K" range. I'm sure he was putting out a feeler to see if I'd bite. If the weather's nice, I'll get more play on it this weekend.

    joel....you kind of reinforced what I'm thinking. Last summer, with gas at over $4/gal, nobody would touch an SUV. Customer panic set in and they took a bath on them as a trade. once that hysteria died down, you guys made some nice gross on those "undervalued" SUV trades.

    Both the Hyundai dealership and the Acura dealership are owned by the same principal. Matter of fact, they're both within a 100 yards of each other. While I don't know this as fact, I'd say that their used car SM is probably one and the same. Therefore, that's why the offer at both dealerships came in at the same "$4,000" less than I wanted for it.

    I may give my Chevy dealer a call to see what they say the market is. Don't really want to do that as they'll want to put me in one of their vehicles if they find out I'm shopping the Tahoe.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Hey! There you go on the underline! This is the first time I've popped in before I dropped the underline comment....

    Jean in the readers was a girl.

    I'm still waking up...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    The location service (may have been ABE) seemed to think they accepted Euro when they did the pricing, so I'm not as simple as being implied

    Ahh, fair enough. Never mind then.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I was wondering about the guy who tried out the Tahoe last night. Why not call and ask him if he would like to write you a check for $25,500. It's close to his limit and not far from what you wanted. Still, you may get a better price this weekend with all of the people out and about shopping and enjoying the water sports. I think that you are getting close to a deal here. Good luck.

    Richard
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    Sing along with me, Fezo:

    John and Jean,
    Carl and Claire,
    Baby Tom and Toots are there.

    -ss4
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    "I think they had a Ford."

    You sure they didn't drive a Christler?
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Sing along with me, Fezo:

    John and Jean,
    Carl and Claire,
    Baby Tom and Toots are there.

    -ss4


    Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh! As he runs screaming......

    A Christler! Perfect. Now there's a company that wouldn't go out of business....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,194
    richard....not a bad thought regarding calling the test driver. As of right now, I want some more play on the Tahoe. Plus, I'm "stuck" on my number.

    If a sale, or trade is going to happen at all (not a given), I've got it in my head that it's not going to happen for another couple of weeks (end of month), if then.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    I've got it in my head that it's not going to happen for another couple of weeks (end of month),

    Be careful, you might be more willing to deal at the end of the month so that you can make your quota :P
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    to underline, do the following

    press the U button.

    start typing.

    press the U button when you are done.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    You should have simply told him...

    " There are a lot of these out there in your price range and they are priced that way for a reason"

    " Average ones probably sell for that. Mine isn't average, wouldn't you agree?"
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "You should have simply told him..."

    Spoken like the true artist salesman that you are. ;)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks Nick! Look. It really works!

    Richard
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    Yeah after I posted that I was thinking something along that line, but I figured it was a French name (John) so it didn't count (I would give it to you if he could act).

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    As department chair, my principal asked me to teach the class. The fed requirement was to teach using their phonics program.

    The problem with that is English is a lousy language when it comes to phonics. To many words are spelled alike but sound way tp different.

    Huked on foniks wurked fur me.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    . I went to the old book room and pulled a set of Dick and Jane books. After two months, the students had progressed two grade levels.

    I know what you mean. Early in my career I taught elementary school. I believed in books and I knew school could be boring. So, I tried to make it more interesting for Grade 3 students by giving them a half hour a day to read pretty well whatever they liked. Some read Mad magazine, some comics, some little thin books just to get through them easily. They all graduated up to higher levels of reading. Once they master one level it is human nature to want to read something a little more challenging.

    Today a teacher has to compete with video games, DVD action movies, TV shows, it's very difficult to top that.

    I got my permanent certificate but left teaching after 3 years. Anyone who thinks it is easy teaching or that you have all these days off has no idea. I think it was the hardest job I ever had.

    The day I decided to leave is an interesting story that I'll get to someday. It involved recess and a 12 year old who brought a Playboy magazine to school.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    Just the beginning of the alphabet and I think there are as many male Jeans as females;

    Celebrities with the baby name JEAN:
    JEAN BéLIVEAU, Hockey Hall of Famer
    JEAN CHRéTIEN, former Prime Minister of Canada
    JEAN DAUSSET, Nobel Prize Winner, Medicine 1980
    JEAN HENRI DUNANT, Nobel Prize Winner, Peace 1901
    JEAN BAPTISTE PERRIN, Nobel Prize Winner, Physics 1926
    JEAN STAPLETON, actress
    JEAN , professional soccer player
    JEAN RENAUD ADDE, 2008 Olympic athlete - France - Equestrian
    JEAN AHERN, 1975 MISS ILLINOIS
    JEAN ANOUILH, Playwright
    JEAN ARASANAYAGAM, 20th century writer
    JEAN ARP, Sculptor
    JEAN ARTHUR, actress
    JEAN AUEL, 20th century writer
    JEAN BARTEL, 1943 Miss America
    JEAN BARTHOLOMEW, Professional Golfer (LPGA)
    JEAN BASSON, 2008 Olympic athlete - South Africa - Swimming
    JEAN BAUDRILLARD, Philosopher
    JEAN BAYS, published author
    JEAN BECKER, Film Director
    JEAN BEDFORD, writer
    JEAN BENNETT, writer
    JEAN BAPTISTE BERNAZ, 2008 Olympic athlete - France - Sailing
    JEAN MAXENCE BERROU, 2008 Olympic athlete - France - Modern Pentathlon
    JEAN BLACKIE, published author
    JEAN BLEWETT, published author
    JEAN BODIN, Economist
    JEAN BOLLHOEFER, 1975 MISS IOWA
    JEAN BOOKER, writer

    Then I saw this:
    Based on popular usage, it is 2.216 times more common for Jean to be a boy's name.

    Lots of good info about manes at" http://www.gpeters.com/names/baby-names.php?name=jean&button=Go">name finder

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Dick and Jane, underlining 101, " Jean" names??

    " Stories from the Sales Frontlines"

    Where have the storytellers gone?
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Lots of good info about manes

    Wish I had a nice thick one but mine is getting thin !! ;)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,402
    A woman at work was trying to sell her dad's 2003 Grand Marquis with 50K for an asking price of 10K. Edmunds says the car is worth about 8K.

    A good friend of hers offers her 6K and tells her that while she thinks about his offer he will keep it for a few days and have his mechanic check it out. Well, the offer is real light but she lets the guy take it while she considers his offer.

    She finally decides that she will take his offer and goes over to the guy's house to find the car out on his lawn with a "For Sale" sign on it and a price of $8500. It seems this slug was hoping to make a quick $2500 selling a car he didn't own and then screwing his "good friend" out of the profit. It seems he figured once he found a buyer he would pay her the 6K and keep the rest.

    When it comes to money you can't trust anybody...especially your friends. :(

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "underlining 101"

    But as my friend, aren't you happy that I learned how? ;)

    I know that you want a sales story. Here is a sad one. My Chrysler dealership is having a rough time. Sales staff is down from 6 to 3. Service department is down from 5 to 2. The GM is helping out in the service department.. Today, they let the F&I lady go. The SM will do the paper work on new cars. My salesman will do the paper work on leased cars. The coffee machine and free cookies are gone. The water cooler is gone. I met the 80 year old real dealership owner today---a prince of a guy. He's had this dealership since the late '40's. He never imagined having to lay people off. He has cut every where that he can, but is trying to provide quality service to his customers. I went in for a small adjustment on the striker for the convertible top. He insisted on giving me a free wash while we talked. I really hate what this economic situation has done to hard working people, and people who have owned their own businesses for many years. Isell, you would love this guy. He is determined to remain optimistic. He wants to rehire the layed off personnel as soon as he can mamage it. He gave each of them an extra month's salary based on an average of the last two years of work. He said that it was the best that he could do right now.

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    Where have the storytellers gone?

    It's Easter weekend. Take a break. Not too many sales stories these days anyway.
    Why don't you have one, if anyone should, it should be you.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    Wish I had a nice thick one but mine is getting thin !!

    It was a dylexic moment. I've been getting those lately.

    Besides, we went to see the "one who must be obeyed's Mother today"!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    A woman at work was trying to sell her dad's 2003 Grand Marquis with 50K for an asking price of 10K.

    What a great story and on topic. Reminds me of a friend who took his power mower in to be fixed. They said it was hopeless, they couldn't get it to work. But, they had a special, buy a new one for $150s and they give you a trade in value of 20 bucks. So, he did it, 2 weeks later he goes back to the store to get a part and there's his old mover for sale for $50.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    I came across a ad in the paper this morning that stuck with me. One of those little old ladies I like to talk about is selling her 2004 Grand Marquis LS, "18,000 miles, loaded, like new, garage kept. Asking $12,850" Priced too high, and miles are too low. Better to buy a car with slightly less than average miles, than extremely low mileage.

    The Marquis is one of those cars I was trying to get my wife interested in before we bought our 2004 Mazda MPV. She said "no" before I could get all the words out of my mouth.

    I never really understood why someone would sell to a friend at a loss. It's like giving them money out of your pocket when you sell your car for less than what you could have gotten from a stranger. I could see selling it for your rock bottom price, but your lady friend at work was willing to go 4 grand under her asking price.
    You also run the risk of selling a car to your friend/family member, then a major break-down occurs and they start eye-balling you all suspicious like. :surprise:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    My Chrysler dealership is having a rough time.

    That is a really sad story. Reminds me the guys who are getting the bailouts are the ones who created the problem. The people who are just trying to run their business, or the people who played by the rules and tried to save some money for their future, are the ones paying the price.

    That is a real check on reality.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,630
    little old ladies I like to talk about is selling her 2004 Grand Marquis LS, "18,000 miles, loaded, like new, garage kept.

    I might have a buyer for you, is it black?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    People do this every day...its called capitalism.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Awesome.....I am glad I could come up with instructions that were understandable :)
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >Today a teacher has to compete with video games, DVD action movies, TV shows, it's very difficult to top that.

    I grounded my KG son for some reason. No TV for 1 week. Today the week was over. In the evening he tells me he is bored. I tell him to watch TV. He responded in the negative. Told me it is boring watching TV. He'd rather go out. We went to the pond and played with the RC Boat and his fishing rod. Then came back and washed my car. Ate dinner, and he is now sleeping like a cute little puppy.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    People do this every day...its called capitalism.

    Actually selling a car that is not yours to sell isn't capitalism - it's fraud.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • golicgolic Member Posts: 714
    Actually selling a car that is not yours to sell isn't capitalism - it's fraud.

    -I totally agree. But, to go one step further..buying a car from a stranger who doesn't have a title...well, "here's your sign".
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,402
    "...Better to buy a car with slightly less than average miles, than extremely low miles..."

    Could you expand on your reasons for that? For a long time I would buy my elderly parents' cars from them when they purchased new. These cars would be about 7 years old with 20 K or so miles on them. Never had any particular problems with them. My son is still driving his grandfather's last car, a 1998 Buick. It has only 62K on it after him driving it for 3 years. :)

    "...I never really understood why someone would sell to a friend at a loss..."

    I'm guessing that in this case, the "good friend" told her it was only worth 5K and he was doing her a favor. :(

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,402
    "...People do this every day...it's called capitalism..."

    Sure, but even the sleaziest dealer will pay you for your car before he tries to sell it to someone else. Just imagine if I told that same story about a salesperson doing that to a customer. We would all be jumping on him/her for lack of ethics.

    When you deal with friends you don't expect to be screwed over so you tend to let your guard down. It's the betrayal of trust that makes it so bad. :(

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

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Could you expand on your reasons for that?

    I was thinking more along the lines of paying a premium on a car with such low miles... not reliability. Without looking at any numbers I would be guessing that a 2004 GM with only 18,000 miles would cost about $850 more than a car with slightly less than average miles, say around 50,000. That's quite a bit more $$$ on a car worth around $7k or $8k.

    I suppose if someone drove a lot of miles it may be better to buy the lower mileage car. But, for someone who drives average to below average number of miles, there
    would be less cost in the long run to buy the GM with a bit more mileage.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    Dick and Jane

    I highlighted the text, clicked the U underline button once and here we are.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I'm always impressed with your communication skills in this difficult language that we call English. It was your simple instructions that finally made me realize something. I was expecting to see the underlining as I typed the post. The underlining doesn't actually appear as such until you post the message. You only see the symbols in the draft. Once I understood that, it was easy. Thanks again.

    Richard
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    >fair enough

    Thank you. The pricing was given in Euros for the store, but the email or something make it really clear they only accepted Pounds. I had to pay a company to print a money order in Pounds from my Mastercard which I mailed to England. I feared I'd never see the book or the money order again but within 2-3 weeks the book arrived.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

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