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You received 4 quotes, and one willing to beat all of them. If the "I'll beat any price approach" doesn't suit you, then just go with one of the four that did give you a quote. No big deal.
We as dealerships have no way of telling whether you are a serious buyer looking to buy from a place that gives you the best price, or whether you're just messing around on the internet for fun, or whether your intentions are to take the lowest price you get online to your local dealer 1 mile from your house and get them to match or beat it.
Our closing percentage on emailed price quotes is lower than that of "come in let's talk, or come in and we'll beat your best price" percentage, so guess which line we'll be using in most emails?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Most dealership use e-mail quotes as advertising, a means to bring in some traffic. I don't think this guy is doing anything that 90% of other dealerships don't do.
Guess,car shopping will always remain a little grayish complex effort!! :shades:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
The majority of shoppers only want a number so they can shop themselves to death as they pit dealer against dealer. We don't give written quotes for that reason. People will spend HOURS driving cars and asking questions. I'll go over my fleet pricing with them knowing they will shop me.
Until I got into this business I wouldn't have believed how downright cheap some people can be. I'm not talking about prudent buyers (like myself). I'm talking about people who go WAY too far in their zeal to extract every last drop of profit out of a deal. I have no respect for people who do this.
The ones that bother me the most are the ones I have sold cars to in the past who have ZERO loyality. It's all about dollars for these people. Tough way to go through life.
I don't mind if someone calls me and gives me the chance to match some price they heard about because if the price is legit, I always can.
I agree nowadays it is getting a case of penny wise pound foolish.Not worth all that effort and stress for $200 or so on a 25k purchase.Yes if it was hundreds more,then fine.But just going crazy over 200 is not worth it.
Why??-B`cos with all the tools out there,u pretty much know what the price is.U can easily narrow it to 200-300 of the price a dealer would accept on a 25k car.Well,,if they want to grind over that extra 300,,well it`s their choice. :shades:
And that is just the initial transaction.The more important things are the trade in values and the financing part.If u are not careful in financing,,u can overpay a lot.So,I feel the overall picture has to be kept in mind.How and where to finance,what rate u get--those are more important.So,in an effort to save 200, u lose much more.
And with so much info out there,it is much easier now.And definitely,,the buying experience at new car dealers is much better than before..Yes,there are bad apples ,but that is true in every business.
Well,personally,I prefer buying used late model cars sight unseen on the ebay[unlimited options] and shipping them to my place
I usually blame my wife.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
i know why i am, but my wife is too.
she has tried others, but it just seems like ford is a good fit for us.
she bought an 09 escape and it was in large part due to the salesman.
we ended up buying an escape that had several options we were not looking for (nav and chrome wheels).
we immediately felt comfortable with the salesman and he didn't get flustered when some things didn't go right on our initial test drive with a different vehicle.
he had some pretty good product knowledge.
when we were in the F&I office, my wife says to me, look at his business card.
i looked at it and said 'nice GT 500' on it.
later on she said to me, 'ahh, look at his last name, his father owns the dealership'
You know, I joke a lot about how tough my wife is but the truth is quite different. After decades of scrimping because of my unorthodox career choices I learned that I would be inheriting a modest sum of money. Upon hearing this my wife said: "The money is from your relative so I want you to consider it your money to do whatever you want with".
So when the money comes in I'm going to do exactly what I want with it. I'm giving her $25,000.
I hope she buys a car with it.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
And we buyers wonder why we can't get an internet quote. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I appreciate the time you have taken to address the employee issues, and you have grasped the situation very well. I like your comments and ideas and will use them as a road map to trying to solve the problem. I have let people go who were only at work to put in time to get a pay check. The people we have have potential and I am sure they enjoy what they do.......it is just getting rid of the game playing and lack of respect for co-workers, so I think it is worth a good try. The irony is the people who are fighting (Sales lady and IT guy) really need each other for everything else to work.
I have pasted and copied your plan and I assure you I will use it as the pattern to use when we address these problems.
I will definitely use the carspace setting before we bore everyone and get kicked out, but I will keep you all informed of the results.
Thanks again, and I feel better already with a plan in place.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thanks for ideas explorer. Just to explain, we have 4 management people who we pay about the same amount because they are all equally important, each in a different area.
There are 4 full time people that we try to keep at the same pay level and their work is pretty similar. 1 of the 4 got $1 an hour more as a gas allowance...nothing to do with skill or workload.
There are 4 part-time people who work from 2 to 3 or 4 days a week depending, and there pay varies according to how much they do.
I try to pay as fairly as possible, usually trying for about 5% increase a year as long as sales are good. I don't like to hold a pay increase as a bargaining chip. Either they like coming to work and they will get increases, or they aren't productive and they won't get an increase, and can leave if not satisfied. But, soon the one that got the $1 hr. gas allowance will be at the same level, and will wonder why she isn't $1 an hr ahead any more????
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
what i was suggesting is to provide some extra on the sales side (their strength), but offset it by making that individual more professionally accountable to their co workers.
My response (and most of the bosses I have had) would have been this.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
explorer - that's a maybe on the coffee. What I'm probably doing is heading as far as Waterbury Friday night and letting the girls have a go at a pool which they love. The one absolutely adores staying in a hotel. So first thing I'd be in your neighborhood. I like the idea. I'll warn you - after the famous Windstall I've never owned a Ford....
You are welcome.
When I was a manager I did have someone come to me with the "give me a raise or I'll quite", I don't remember her reason. So I picked up the phone and in front of him called HR and told them that so and so had just announced to me that he was leaving the company and that we needed to start looking for his replacement.
The look on his face was priceless.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Well, I shall say that the dining room thing is probably dead now because she has received too many complements from friends/relatives about its style and how well she has maintained it for over 42 years. It seems she was only looking for a new one to pass the time with a friend who is also a “professional looker”.
The counter top and accessories will probably happen and I’ve expected this. Plus, with the purchase of the Genny she knows there ain’t a whole lot left and I’m accounting for the coffee cans buried in the back yard.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I think we can incorporate that. Since sales are so vital and since she has increased sales so much, and gets a thrill from doing it, she does get a bonus that she is not supposed to talk about - and she hasn't. I think there could be a way, to tie her extra bonus, which is substantial, in with her attitude toward others. That sounds like a good motivator, and I hadn't thought of that, but i like it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That was hilarious, when you go from your statement to the video. In retrospect, that would have been the best solution. At the time, we moved to a larger warehouse, orders were coming in beyond what we expected, and we didn't want to lose her. If only I could do it over again.........
But, I will say, this person is very clever (perhaps too clever) and can organize and do excellent work, but there is this real nasty "real piece of work"side to her as well. I think it is worth trying Richard's plan first, and then see what happens.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This was a very interesting "sales story". When you first wrote I agreed with what you said, and I probably would have done the same.
When the salespeople responded they explained why this reply was reasonable from their perspective, mainly that from an email request it is almost the only way to get you to actually show up. So, now I understand there situation, and I have to agree with them. If someone is going to shop around for the lowest price via the internet - then the normal rational rules do not apply, and you have to do whatever works to get the customer in and buy a car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
One more comment Richard. I copied your plan and pasted it into an email for my wife to read (just the plan itself). She is a family therapist by trade, but enjoys the book business more, but she knows how people think and she is very good at dealing with people problems. She thought your plan was brilliant and said you must be an excellent consultant in your field. She really knows people and she doesn't give praise unless it is well deserved. She has reinforced what I already thought, that your ideas and plan will be extremely useful in helping us and you are very knowledgeable in your profession.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
In my case my wife got the remodeling job first, which led to my MS3 and 2002 purchases. I also used the remodel as an excuse to convert the home theater from 6.1 to 7.1(i.e. adding a second rear speaker and a new AV receiver). Here are a couple of before and after shots so that jmonroe will know what to expect:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Richard
Richard
Richard
Richard
Man, you are tight. You'd do anything for a free trip.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
My father built the house in 1973 so it was due for a bit of renovation. My wife was the primary designer, and as you can see, she has good taste. We also had some great assistance from some color consultants.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That is an extremely nice offer and if you do come to Canada we'd be glad to see you, we are about an hour from Niagara Falls and about 30 miles west of Toronto.
When I worked for the U.S. publishing company there was a guy who would just drop in on people and stay with them. He would come with his own trailer and hook it up to the house and everything. Come with his whole family unannounced. I know that you don't do that, but I always smile when I think of that guy.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I really like those pictures and what a great improvement.
I sometimes wonder what us guys would be living like without our wives. Probably an old original shack with a new car and newest big screen tv!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Listen to the "Master of Tightness" talking!
Richard
When we travel to see relatives or friends, we always stay in a hotel near by. We have found that it is more convenient for both parties. I snore badly and am likely to get up at all hours of the night to eat, watch tv, etc. Our parents' homes were the only exception to that rule.
Richard
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That’s a very nice kitchen redo but what ‘you know who’ wants done is not near as extensive as what you guys did. I know this will be hard for everyone to believe but if she wanted to redo the kitchen I wouldn’t be totally against it because I’m tired of looking at the same cabinets for the last 17 years.
When we built our house when we moved to South Carolina in 1992 she had her choice of any cabinet style/color she wanted. Nothing out of the ordinary when you have a house built. However, we stayed there only 5 years so when we moved back to the Burgh we both knew she wouldn’t be happy with an existing kitchen. When we finally found a house, she picked out the same style/color as the cabinets we had in S.C. because as she said back then, “I don’t see anything I like any better”. She’s still satisfied with that look today so I guess I shouldn’t complain because a total redo is a lot more than counter tops, back splash, sink, faucet etc. So, if she’s happy I’m happy. After all, I got the car I wanted so she’s entitled to a couple measly counter tops and accessories.
More of topic stuff:
I don’t know how he did it (other than taking lessons from the master) but Son #1 is taking his Altima for another set of spins around the track on Mothers Day. :surprise: He’s prepping the car today for that event. Like I said before, he’s hooked.
Gotta go polish up the Genny before it rains. In a month or so I’ll get to watch ‘you know who’ polish counter tops. Then I'll be the one with my arms folded across my chest with a puzzled look on my face.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I want to hear you use that word "measly" when it's all said and done. :P You are very fortunate that Mrs. JM likes her cabinets. Cabinets are a big chunk of dough. I was fortunate when we bought this house two years ago. Mrs. Richard loved the cabinets and the existing tile floor. Still, the rest of the job was around $15k.
To stay on topic: While we were on a short trip out of town yesterday, our new convertible was caught in a blinding rain storm which lasted for over an hour. I had wondered how it would do in terms of leaks in a rain storm. Thankfully, we experienced none.
Richard
Good news on the water tight convertible, richard. I haven't had a serious leak in a convertible yet. I had a tiny leak around the rear window on the Celica and knew I'd have to replace the rear curtain eventually. One day I see my youngest daughter exploring the top of the rear window with her finger. Suddenly the hole was a lot bigger and I figured the time for being jmonroe was over and it was time to replace the rear curtain. $700. Hey, they're only young once. I was once but that was a LONG time ago....
The two youngest did their first communion today. Nice day but no car stories...
When I was flirting with an Acura, there are actually two dealerships in my 'burg. One posts all the TLs they have on their web site. Be nice if they had actual pictures of them. But, at least they're better than the other Acura dealership, who's WEB site says they have "no" new cars in stock. Been that way for a long time.
Of course they do have new Acuras in stock and ready to sell. But, from my point of view, why even bother heading to their store if they're too lazy to even list their stock on the WEB site (let alone having pictures). Why make a treck to their showroom without knowing if they have something in stock that I might want?
No doubt!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Anyhoo, one idea the stores have come up with is offering male customers booze.
It seems they figure that if they can get the guys drinking they will hang around longer, make impulse buys and generally spend more money.
I seem to remember GG telling about a shrimp and booze event he attended a while back at an upscale dealer so this concept is not unheard of in the auto industry.
I can just see me waking up with a hangover and a new car in the garage with no idea how it got there. I bet all the F&I stuff would be easier to sell if the customer is falling out of the chair and singing `Melancholy Baby'. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Yeah but she still married you.
Ducking and running
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I have seen woman orientated stores have a "Husband" rooms that had guy stuff, TV with sports on it and free beer.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
And may I ask,what service was offered in this store??
There are many competant people working in many fields across the country. Sadly, there are also many incompetants. But that's not the end of it. A fast-talking politicain type often (not quite always) trumps the person who is actually good at the job.
Takes a good manager to know the difference. There aren't too many of them either. Watching one of these creatures work from a management position is a truly enlightening experience.
Sadly, the politician thing works most times it's tried.
The competence thing. . .not so much.
How many times have I seen that happen? I used to do all of these projects for the various school superintendents who were my bosses. Then at a dinner or luncheon meeting, my boss would tell the audience, "I came up with this idea last month that I think that you will like. Mr. Richard will explain how I implemented the project." Brother!! Worse than that is to have a colleague run to the boss with one of your ideas and take credit for it. I shall never forget when I devised a pay plan for bus drivers and custodians. The plan was to be mailed out to the school board members from my office. My secretary took the letter upstairs for the superintendent's approval. He drew a line through my name and signature, and added his. My secretary was furious. I explained to her that it just came with the territory.
Richard
That was hilarious!!!
Richard
Or she could of got a new Kia Forte for about that price...they look pretty nice...
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
He then gave me this "huh Edmunds, what's Edmunds" kinda response and it seem half-hearted. Maybe he never has heard of Edmunds, or maybe he pretends no to, just as a sales tactic?
I was curious as to how you guys handle when a buyer goes "I read on Edmunds that ..." Is it a sales tactic not to recognize this site?
Now, I am not suggesting that boom/isell, etc puts their arms around the buyer and says heck yeah I have 1,100 posts on the forum....
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Nobody's perfect...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Rarely, if ever, does common stock owned prior to a BK ever have any value if the company emerges from the BK protection.
Here is an elementary article which explains why it makes very little sense to purchase common stock of a company either head into or in a BK reorganization. So all of you GM speculators - this should be a good read for you.
http://r-i-i.org/RII-%20Alert%20-%20Never%20Buy%20Stocks%20in%20Bankrupty.pdf