Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,425
    "...Oldfarmer got a $3500 reduction..."

    This is a question which has come up before...will the manufacturers just reduce incentives to match the CFC money. Joel says they will not. I'm not sure.

    I got my discount because Chrysler had $1000 customer cash AND $1-2000 in dealer cash. That made the deal fairly easy for the salesman. When I looked up the incentives here on Edmunds just now I noticed that the dealer cash was gone for July. This could mean that Edmunds just hasn't posted this incentive yet or it could mean just what you are saying--manufacturers are cutting marketing support in anticipation of the government money.

    Only time will tell.

    As for you vanishing taxpayers, my poor friends and I are waiting for the government to order you "rich" guys to put us up at your house. You have all those extra rooms that you aren't using and you want to be "fair"....don't you Comrade? :sick:

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    What I wonder is this.......Oldfarmer got a $3500 reduction on a PT Cruiser without the rebate. With the rebate the price will probably be MSRP less $4000, a real savings of just $1000...

    Now you've got me wondering. What kind of math is that? Canadian? :confuse:

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Yes, the taxpayers, soon there won't be any of us left!"

    With the bank and insurance bail outs, the climate bill, the health care bill, the $250 stimulus checks, the cash for clunkers, the REEP bill requiring us to retrofit our homes once put up for sale, the on-going war in Asia, and the auto bail outs, just how much financial burden can the taxpayers shoulder? If you think that the American Revolution was a spectacular event, you have seen nothing yet!

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,639
    What kind of math is that? Canadian?

    Yes, $1 Cdn buys .85 cents U.S. With the exchange, interest, payments to convert, extra doc fees, mop and glo, insurance, dealer rust proof, tire insurance, extended warranty,
    financing charges, etching,......my math is right on!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    To all of the U.S. posters here... Happy 4th of July. Enjoy the weather, your family, and your friends.

    As for police and their radar traps.... there is a small town near me with a Canadian Tire store. One police officer continually set up his trap beside one of the store's mobile sign boards. The store was tired of being accused of helping trap speeders. They changed the side opposite of where the officer parked to read: "slow down, cop on other side of this sign". :)

    I have also noticed that the prices of used cars is climbing here in my area (South Western Ontario, Canada). GM has just run some ads that show up to a $8500 cash credit, but they don't tell you which models. The ad indicates that it's on Buicks and GMC. I still wouldn't buy one (I own Fords, Chryslers and Toyotas).
  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    I have noticed several ads from Ford for the new F150. The model they advertise is the crew cab, 4X4, the usual goodies. What I noticed is that they show a payment amount of $279.00. When you read the really small fine print, this is a biweekly payment. Actual payment is $558.00 per month. Are they doing this in the U.S. also? I congratulate Ford on leading in sales for June, but come on, be honest in your advertising. It's these kind of stunts that gives car sales a bad name.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,730
    That would be $606 per month since there's more than 4 weeks in a month.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Thanks for the correction imidazol. 26 bi weekly periods in a year, divided by 12 months = your monthly payment.

    Any payments that we advertise are also bi weekly, but we put in in normal print.

    They're easier to swallow than monthly payments nowadays since average prices of vehicles are high.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    $1 Cdn buys .85 cents U.S. With the exchange, interest, payments to convert, extra doc fees, mop and glo, insurance, dealer rust proof, tire...

    Has anyone ever told you your second career should be as a lawyer in the car biz? :P

    jmonroe

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,639
    should be as a lawyer in the car biz?

    That was funny!

    Seriously though, Happy Indipendence Day, and be Happy if you can still celebrate.
    Be thankful for all the good things in life, and for living in such a great country.
    Put another hot dog on the grill for me.........

    (For us it was a regular day, Canada Day was July 1st. but I took off work early, I like to celebrate for both countries, and I have lots of American friends and worked for a U.S. company for 16 years).

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    JD Power initial quality ratings

    Since you missed it or you were sleeping at the wheel again....

    The Nissan Altima recieved first place for intial quality this year from JD Power

    GP
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Be thankful for all the good things in life, and for living in such a great country.
    Put another hot dog on the grill for me.........


    I try to do that everyday and believe me, I have much to be thankful for. As for that wiener, I'll be at my brothers tomorrow and I'll do that for you. I'll also eat it but I'll be thinking of you while I do. ;)

    Happy Independence Day to everyone.

    jmonroe

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

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Altima? Do they still make that thing? :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • exb0exb0 Member Posts: 539
    Just shows you that those ratings are meaningless. :P

    Well, unless it's Honda that's number one. :) Where is Isell anyway?
  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    Hi GP,
    This is a bit off topic but since you sell Nissans I have a question for you.And since the 2004 Quest edmunds forums is very inactive..
    I have an 04 Nissan Quest [ with all its well documented problems]. It has a steering wheel shimmy / shake present at all speeds- a constant left to right, to and fro shake/shimmy.This is a problem with most late model Nissan SUV`s and trucks,not sedans.The dealer replaced both the front pads and rotors but the shimmy is still present.
    Do you know of any solution to this?If it is not the rotors then - is it the wheel balance problem or any other known problem? Have you seen any such issues at your dealership?Is there anything specific that has to be done like changing to a different set of non OEM tires or anything else like the popular Hunter970 road force balancing?
    Would really appreciate your help.Thanks.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,638
    It has me motivated to go buy a car. My Clunker, a 1990 BMW 325iA (18 mpg city/highway combined, driveable, and registered/insured for 1 year +) will be headed for the scrap heap in exchange for a $3500 credit toward a 2010 Audi A4 2.0T Avant (I just have to hammer out a few details like have my wife drive the car & see if she likes it because it will be HER car...Hey I let her pick out the exterior color). We currently lease an '07 BMW X3 3.0si until July of 2010, so I'll have 2 car payments for a year and then the more fuel efficient Audi will replace the X3.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Some of you may wish to participate in the Cash for Clunkers - Does it Work for You? discussion.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,199
    canadiantoyota....why thank you for the July 4th well wishes. I work with quite a few folks who live in different countries. Most don't understand the significance of today. I don't expect them to. When I explain that it marks the day of our "revolution" and declaration of independence, they seem shocked that there is or was any "revolutions" that ever happened in the U.S.

    I always explain that our country was born out of a revolution.

    Funny....yesterday I was listening to NPR while driving. Apparently, someone in the U.K. found an early edition of the Declaration of Independence in their archives. The host or interviewer was polite in asking the person responsible for these archives some fairly tame questions, until the end of the interview. At that point the interviewer said, "sorry that the July 4th holiday didn't turn our to well for those of you in the U.K."

    The interview abruptly ended on that note!

    I got a chuckle out of that.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    For all my American friends here on Edmunds!

    May you have a safe and fun weekend with your friends and families!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Thanks. This will be a special 4th of July for me -- first one as a citizen. :shades:
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    This will be a special 4th of July for me -- first one as a citizen.

    This is a great place, isn't it? Everything will mean a lot more now. I know; that's what my grandparents told me.

    Congratulations,

    jmonroe

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

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    I have an 04 Nissan Quest [ with all its well documented problems]. It has a steering wheel shimmy / shake present at all speeds- a constant left to right, to and fro shake/shimmy.This is a problem with most late model Nissan SUV`s and trucks,not sedans.The dealer replaced both the front pads and rotors but the shimmy is still present.

    Del,

    My condolences to you.....

    You remind me of a time I had forgotten. Back in 2004 The first Quest I ever sold came back in 3 weeks with a steering problem. It could have been lemon lawed but the customer was cool about it. Anyway they had to replace the whole steering system.... I myself quiver when ever someone mentions the Quest because of the 2004 year model..... I guess you have to give them a break... It was a new manudacfturing plant with new workers and anything that could go wrong went wrong. I even still quiver when someone wants to look at a quest.

    I wish I had better answers... the only thing I can suggest is trade it in when there are some incentives to do so. Buy a Altima!!!

    GP
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    At that point the interviewer said, "sorry that the July 4th holiday didn't turn ou[t] to[o] well for those of you in the U.K."

    I have a British gal in my Summer class and she informs me that "If it weren't for us, you wouldn't have a fourth of July!" Of course, I thanked her for such a wonderful gift. :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Just tell her that if it wasn't for us....she would be speaking German !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    This is a great place, isn't it? Everything will mean a lot more now. I know; that's what my grandparents told me.

    Congratulations,


    Thanks. It sure is. I'm even looking forward to jury duty at the end of july. And I already voted for the first time.
  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    I have a British gal in my Summer class and she informs me that "If it weren't for us, you wouldn't have a fourth of July!"

    So, our calendars would have gone right from the 3rd to the 5th? :confuse:
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    So, our calendars would have gone right from the 3rd to the 5th?

    I didn't have the heart to tell her that we actually got July from the Roman Julius Caesar for whom the month is named. :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,425
    "...first one as a citizen..."

    Welcome to the great melting pot. When My great grandfather came here in the 1800s he saw signs that said "Help Wanted--No dogs or Irish need apply". Still this country offered him enough opportunity so that his family prospered to the point where I was able to enjoy today with my Polish-German-Ukaranian in-laws.

    The USA isn't perfect but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You will certainly be a special citizen because you chose to become one. While many Americans take their rights and freedoms for granted, it is not likely that you will ever do so. New citizens such as yourself will help make our country an even better place to live. Though we may complain at times, it is part of the beauty of being an American. We are so blessed that we have the choice and the freedom to be heard.

    My wife and I were in a July 4th parade this morning. As we waved our flags and greeted people along the parade route, I couldn't help but have a full heart and a feeling of great pride. There are many wonderful places to live throughout the world, and many wonderful people who live in other countries. They, like us, are truly blessed if they can live and work in a free nation.

    Congratulations to you.

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    …so that his family prospered to the point where I was able to enjoy today with my Polish-German-Ukaranian in-laws.

    Damn, nobody should have to endure that. And all this time I thought I had it bad with half of that stuff. :surprise:

    jmonroe

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

  • cadillacmikecadillacmike Member Posts: 543
    Never had that problem, usually the wife and i are so picky over what we want, that we end up getting the only one with that color and equipment combination there is, so it would be impossible to deliverately or accidently switch, Besides, i check the miles while test driving and at delivery. Never had this problem.
  • cadillacmikecadillacmike Member Posts: 543
    As for memorizing serial numbers:
    P0190019 - My 1970 Fleetwood Brougham
    F8314065 - My 1968 DeVille Convertible
    I havent even seen the Fleetwood for 20 years (it's long gone).
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Damn, nobody should have to endure that. And all this time I thought I had it bad with half of that stuff.


    LOL. Thanks all.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,199
    Yes, verdugo.....welcome!

    Funny, this is post July 4th OT banter, but I was watching one of my favorite movies last night....GHANDI.

    While I was watching, it struck me that for the last 250 years, the British Empire hasn't had much luck with keeping the "empire" together.....no matter how hard they tried.

    First, the colonies, then India, then Hong Kong. They've been throwing up a bunch of goose eggs in relatively recent history.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,425
    I seem to remember boomchek teasing us with a promise of 3 good ones last week. Well, have things cooled off yet?

    Or are you replacing "To Be Continued..." with "Yet To Be Told..."? :(

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Ok, here's one of the three, acutally four now.

    Had a repeat customer call me cause he wanted to switch out of his compact car and into a small SUV cause he "needs the space". He said he wanted it so that he can go camping. He's a single older guy so to me it didn't really seem like he needed an SUV but, that's not for me to decide. He wanted an SUV I will be there to assist him.

    The car he was trading in was bought used a year ago from me and financed at a high interest rate because of his past credit issues. The payments were very small and the car very reliable, so once again he didn't really need to change it. Before he came in I tried to tell him to pay down his loan a bit more or have money down, but he had nor wanted to do any of those.

    Anyways we get a good pre approval at half the rate he was paying, so he comes in, we look at some vehicles and he picks one.

    We do the numbers and there's about $5k of negative equity that needs to pe put onto the new loan. I come back and serve payments which were about $80/month more than what he wanted to spend, and about $230 more than waht he was currently paying on his car.

    He looks at them, does some calculations in his head, thinks about it some more. He says to me:

    "It's little bit more than what I wanted to spend, but I like the car. I think I'll go for it"

    He then says to me with a sigh:

    "Ok, I'll get it, but the car payment will have to be a priority over food. I should be ok in the summer months when I have the second part time job, but for 6 months in winter time I'll be a bit poor" :surprise:

    I thought he was joking at first so I laughed, but he wasn't. I told him that if he was going to be "poor" then he'll need to wait for a used version of his SUV to come in, or he's going to have to stick with his current car for now.

    He said not to worry about it as he has a lot of overtime coming to him. He does make good money at his very secure job.

    When I told my sales manager that, he said he doesn't want to sell him a car then. I came back and told the customer again, that he's gotta make sure that he can afford the payments or we'll find him another car. I told him to take as much time as he needs. He said he just wanted this car, and he'd like to take delivery of it right away.

    Finally the deal was done and he did take delivery that day.

    But I was just shocked how some people will put things like a new car ahead of necessities like money in the bank or in this case food on the table. Or even ahead of having some financial freedom and not living paycheck to paycheck. Maybe to some a new car means more freedom than cash in the bank, but then his previous car wasn't all that bad or old anyways.

    I see it all the time though. People with negative equity trading into something bigger, newer and more expensive. When I serve them payments, right away they will talk themselves into being able to afford that vehicle without me having to convince them. Then you see folks driving around in new cars, not being able to afford to put gas in the tank :sick:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Well, not that I don't believe you but that is.....unbelievable !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,425
    "...When I told my sales manager, he said he doesn't want to sell him a car..."

    Man, you people in Canada are NICE! Some of the car lots I've been to down here I had the feeling that if I dropped dead in the parking lot they would go through my pockets for loose change and steal my shoes. :cry:

    Of course, you know that if you didn't sell that guy his car he would have gone down the street and got it there.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,639
    I see it all the time though. People with negative equity trading into something bigger, newer and more expensive.

    What a sad pathetic story, but interesting. It is interesting to see how some people manage their life. I still cannot get over how people are more concerned with the monthly payment, than the actual cost of the car, and then they wonder why they have negative equity.

    I wonder how many cars you would sell if the big print says just $100 a month, and the small print says over 240 months.

    Thanks for the insight!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Then you see folks driving around in new cars, not being able to afford to put gas in the tank

    It seems that this kind of thinking isn't just limited to the USA. It's gotta be a continent thing. :confuse:

    I can't even begin to think like that but that's just me I guess.

    jmonroe

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

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Well, not that I don't believe you but that is.....unbelievable !!

    Add me to those who can't believe it.

    boomcheck, you're a good guy. Looking forward to the next 3.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I wonder how many cars you would sell if the big print says just $100 a month, and the small print says over 240 months.

    Probably a ton more!!! It seems like some people don't even care how long they'll be paying for the car. They just want instant gratification every 6 months.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    It seems that this kind of thinking isn't just limited to the USA. It's gotta be a continent thing

    Yeah it must be common wherever there's a lot of freely accessible credit.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Yeah it must be common wherever there's a lot of freely accessible credit.

    And, until recently, that has been more or less universal.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I will admit that when I bought my Genesis in March I’d probably be asked a question or two about the cost of it.

    I mentioned a few posts back, I went to my brothers for July 4 th. I found out just before I got there that a retired cousin of ours from Florida just happened to be in town and was invited over also. No sooner did we say hello, he says, “I hear you bought a Genesis” (Son #1 told him about this back in March). He’s the cousin who liked my 05’ XG 350 and was going to look at the 07’ Azera but said his wife didn’t like the idea of telling people they bought a Hyundai so they bought an Avalon instead. My agitator Son said, when he mentioned that he wanted to test drive it, “don’t do it. You won’t like the drive back to Florida in your Avalon if you do”. He insisted, so I let him drive it. I didn’t go but his wife did and so did my Son. My Son was sure to point out all the high points and there are a few. Well, he hands the key back to me (really a proximity thingy) and says, “I’ll definitely look into one of these in a year” and his wife says, “yeah, we should”. My son says, “we heard that before” and he says, “this time I mean it”. My Son says, “you mean it makes a big enough statement even though it’s a Hyundai”. Couz says, “I really like the ride and everybody knows they aren’t cheap”. Now I think he’s serious.

    Since things come in bunches, just today a few guys were walking the parking lot (it was a great day for a lunch time stroll) and one stops to look at my car and says to the others, “this looks like a pretty nice car”. One of the other guys tells him it’s mine. As soon as they get back from their walk he comes over to me and says, “they must be paying you consultants a ton”. I said why, “you weren’t worried when I was driving my other Hyundais, nothings changed. I’m the same ole jmonroe you’ve known for years”. Believe me this guy is paid pretty well and he’s damn good at what he does but has always judged others.

    Like I said, I figured this was going to happen sooner or later but I can’t stop doing what I want because some people will now judge me differently.

    It’s pretty sad when people can’t be happy with what they have and are always looking at others.

    jmonroe

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

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Trendsetter! I'm looking forward to an article about you on the alumni magazine. :P
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    lately?

    I kind of drifted away for a while and I am way to busy at work to read this forum so this is the first time I have dropped in.

    Who has bought what? Who moved to what store?

    I see Jmonroe bought a Genesis not really a surprise to me.

    Who else bought interesting new cars?
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Who else bought interesting new cars?

    Good to hear from you again. If you tell us what you've been selling maybe a buyer or two will give you the answers you're after.

    You oughta know there ain't no such thing as a "free lunch". You probably know more than you should already. ;)

    Stick around,

    jmonroe

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

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,630
    Hey, welcome back! Let us know what you've been up to.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
This discussion has been closed.

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