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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Charging for that just seems low budget and tacky on my end.

    The reason they charge for it is there is a cost (shipping) involved. He who wants the car has to pay both ways for the trade. So you have negotiated the dealer to a mini and then want him to pay for the shipping? It is not tacky at all.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I have now promoted you to my teacher assistant. :D

    Richard
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    How can you appoint someone to a job without posting the position as open so others can apply ? Does it offer tenure?
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    The position was posted on my personal web page for the required two weeks. :P It is an "at will" position so does not have tenure. I could fire him at any time without cause. :D He is currently in the "probation phase" of employment. A firm decision will be made regarding continued employment in 90 days. ;)

    Richard
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Have you considered placing an order for what you want? (That is, if you've reached that point in the buying process.)

    When I set out to buy my BMW 330i, it soon became clear that I wouldn't find a 4-door sedan with stick on any dealer's lot, no matter what the color. (It doesn't help that I live in one of the NYC suburbs. People around here can't imagine driving without a beverage in one hand & a phone in the other.)

    Finally, I placed a factory order & put down a deposit. I was told to expect delivery in 3 to 4 months. I wasn't happy to hear that, but I figured (correctly, as it turned out) that the waiting time would be insignificant in the larger scheme of things, since I keep my cars for a long time.

    As it happened, the car came in less than 3 months after I ordered it. I'm glad that I went this route because I got exactly what I wanted. My only regret is that I didn't do European delivery.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    lr....I understand what you're saying. But, from the customer's point of view, the dealership doesn't have what I want, won't commit to getting what I want, yet wants a commitment from me.

    IMHO....this is the way it should work. Find out what it is I want. Get the car in. THEN we can talk about a deal. This isn't ebay motors. This is a local store trying to gain my business. "Bird in the hand"....you know the rest.

    They want me to commit to something site unseen, and to pay for the privilege. Yeah, it's a mini deal. Turn me down flat if you don't want to do the deal. I have no issues with that. Don't bump me, nickel and dime me, especially after I made my buying parameters clear.

    For the record, I know where these color combos are. I can drive to those dealerships myself and cut a deal. Just thought I'd give one of the local dealerships a shot at my business.

    jimbres....European marks seem to be easier to special order than the Japanese brands. If you're willing to wait, BMW will indeed make the car for you (always wanted to do one of those European delivery trips, so that's the way I'd go). Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, not so much. Even though, the Acura plant is only about a 2.5-3 hour drive from me, they don't seem willing to make allotments for what I want. The color options I want are very available. Just not available right now, locally.

    That's OK. I'm still working with the local Infiniti store, too. Now, there's a case where they said they'd get me exactly what I wanted, and do a dealer trade, any time....no expense to me.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    is that a run-on sentence I detect from the tidester?

    Nah!

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Dealers don't usually get all of the cars they want. they are allocated based on a store's volume. The cars we are ordering now will probably arrive in March.

    So, the Acura deler sits down and looks at the order sheet. He is going to order what sells best. If he has a large allocation, he may select some of the less desirable combinations. For every car he orders, there is another car he can't order.

    We do a lot of dealer trades and I don't try to talk a customer into taking something different than what they want. Usually (not always) there is some flexibility when it comes to color. When they realize that what they want is an oddball or unpopular choice, they will often switch to some color in stock.

    And, some stores dont even do dealer trades. In our district, there are several stores that we won't trade with based on bad experiences in the past.

    We don't charge extra on dealer trades even though we have to pay our drivers to go get the cars.

    In some areas, there is so much hostility between stores dealer trades are unheard of.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I have now promoted you to my teacher assistant.

    I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    We do a significant number of dealer trades. We find the car, negotiate a price (including shipping unless the car is local), take a deposit and do the deal. Then we get the car. Why would we want to go to the expense of getting a car in (that we may not really want) without a commitment. The deposit is non-refundable unless there is a problem with the car. I have never lost a deal or had to refund a deposit yet. On a mini deal, a dealer would have little or no incentive to spend the money without a commitment. Then again, many of our trades are with out of state dealers.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    Right now I'm leaning a bit toward premium rides but I'm not sure I'm going to be wowed enough to justify the cost.

    If you had a RAV4 rental, and your everyday car was a bmw, you would know the extra cost is more than justified.

    I was just having fun, before buying a car I imagine all kinds of possibilities. I wanted my bmw Cabriolet but I really thought about a Mustang convertible, and a few others. I would have saved a lot on the Mustang, but I know it just wouldn't be the same. For one thing my wife wouldn't want to drive it...but, that might be a good thing ha ha. Guys like to spend as little as possible to get what they want, but I don't think there is a short cut when it comes to quality in a car.

    don't worry about sounding critical, not a problem -- been married over 40 years
    LOL THX

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    It's quite a distance from Florida.

    It's OK, I can take a hint.

    Actually, I was just joking, but your menu sounded excellent....all my favorite foods.

    I'll tell you one thing...it's supposed to be in the mid 70s for a week, back home near Toronto it is going down to 0 (as in ZERO) to 10 aboveF!! I am glad tobe here, wasn't sure because it started out as a mild winter...mostly around 32.

    The people down here think it is freezing if it is below 70, they wonder why you want to go outside :sick:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    I just read an interesting article in the latest Fortune magazine. It focused on Hyundai. They are really focusing on improving quality and the general perception of their cars and trucks. I know that some of you have purchased from Hyundai (Genesis?). My mother is looking at a Rav, but I told her with all the problems at Toyota, she should either wait or look elsewhere.

    What were your experiences with Hyundai?

    I wouldn't personally deal with our local Hyundai dealer, but may travel out of town to make a deal.

    Thanks.
    Randy
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    I have a customer that is bound and determined to buy a black EXL Accord with the ivory interior. They make these with either black or ivory and, at least in my neck of the woods, the ivory interior ones are very poor sellers.

    Black on black is a really big deal these days...you see almost all black bmws, audis etc done this way. Personally, I don't get it. I'd much rather have a contrasting interior. Sometimes I wonder why someone buys a $50,000 5 Series and gets a black interior and black outside. Makes me think...lack of imagination.

    I would have gone for the ivory interior any time.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    My mother is looking at a Rav,

    I have had a RAV4 for 4 days now.......I would try out something else if it were me.

    All the car makers are closing in for the kill with Toyotas problems. The other car makers are getting great financing plans in place. I hear Ford will offer $1000 bonus to take your Toyota in on a trade. Smart move...should get some converts.

    It could be a good time to buy a car.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I have heard the same thing about the $1000. Just have not seen it from Ford yet.

    I asked in the sales meeting this morning. How do we trade for cars we can't sell. meaning if someone wants to trade one under the recall. As of this morning according to our sources they have no idea how to fix it.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Sea monkey trainer? :P
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Those kids are worse than any enemy of the United States." Later, when I reached the bus, I understood his reasoning. They were throwing objects at passing cars, fighting, and using language that would make a sailor blush.

    And this was a grade 1 class was it? :P

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    "Black on black is a really big deal these days...you see almost all black bmws, audis etc done this way."

    Driver--

    To paraphrase--and update--Henry Ford, "You can have any color as long as it's black on black."

    My wife got a really strange call from our Toyota F & I manager yesterday. You remember that we purchased a Scion xB last Saturday. We wrote two checks of a nearly equal amount, with the understanding and agreement that the second one not to be cashed until we received and deposited our settlement check from the insurance company--hopefully this week or the beginning of next. He even wrote himself a note that he affixed to the second check. Naturally my wife was perplexed that he was calling about the check until it became evident that he had made a mistake. His last comment to her was about how the recall had put the whole finance office (and presumably the dealership) into disarray.

    As for the insurance check, I hope we actually get mail over the next few days. The local temp is hovering around 29, tons of rain is falling and ground temps are dropping. Ice is already accumulating to the south and west of OKC and headed this way. Widespread power outages are expected, nearly everything is closed or is closing and we're hunkering down. Our TV stations have gone over to minute-by-minute weather coverage If I don't write or respond to anyone in the next day or two (hopefully, not longer) you'll know why. :cry:

    Gogiboy
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    How do we trade for cars we can't sell.

    That's a good question. The experts seem divided. Some say Toyota might not recover from this for a long time, some say others have come back from worse disasters....even Ford! One thing is people might not expect too much for a trade in allowance, so Toyota's might become cheap...and you might be able to sell a cheap Toyota to people who don't scare too easily, especially when the car is basically as reliable as can be - once the problem is resolved.

    More good news from Ford...in case you are too busy selling cars:
    Ford Motor Co. (F-N11.52-0.03-0.26%) made $2.7-billion in 2009, its first annual profit in four years.

    The auto maker on Thursday also forecast a full-year profit in 2010. Earlier it had only promised to be “solidly profitable” in 2011.

    Ford benefited from cost-cutting, a $696-million profit in its credit arm and popular cars and trucks like the Ford Fusion mid-size sedan and Ford Escape small sport utility vehicle.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    Henry Ford, "You can have any color as long as it's black

    That was almost 100 years ago, haven't we progressed from that? How about a coral and charcoal 55 Chevy. Those were colors! Now we are back to where we started.

    Did they cash the 2 checks? Will you be covered? I was told in a business class that a post dated check is actually illegal. Someone can cash it right away, but most people will wait because they understand the situation.

    Your weather situation doesn't sound very good. Saw that big stretch o wet weather coming from the West, cold from the North, and ice across most of the country. Good luck, and hope you don't have to venture out in the new Scion.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Holly Crud its busting open now.

    The auction here just posted that they do not want any of the Toyotas brought to the auction, if you bring them they will not sign them in. Enterprise rental here just cxl'ed all 2011 Toyota orders and want every one they have on the road off right now. And our wholesaler says the rumor is that there value fell 50% today when Mannhiem said they can't run them.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Oh :surprise:

    Man I didn't expect it to be that bad. I was actually about to write a post about how we handled some of the recalled LR3s or Range Rovers that were traded in during shortages/back orders of critical parts. Nothing ever like that happened.

    We just had to figure in four, six or eight weeks of book drop in for the car when we took it in trade then account for it accordingly.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,785
    "I void warranties" :P

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    To clarify that is units effected by the recall you cant run at the auction. Also I have now seen the trade assist program. Here is what it says.

    Ford Division is announcing Trade-In Assistance cash. This is a National Program. Program #33208
    Customers That currentley own or lease a 1995 or newer Toyota/Honda/Lexus/Scion/Acura Car, Truck, or SUV who trade in will recieve $1000 toward the purchase or lease of an eligible 2009/2010 Ford Car, SUV, or Truck
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Good for Ford. Hope they take market share away from Honda/Toyota.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    That's how it usualy works in 99.9% of dealerships. Nobody is going to trade a possible hot color/trim combo away for an oddball unless the're an order in place from a qualified buyer with a deposit.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    They are really focusing on improving quality and the general perception of their cars and trucks

    The quality is there... the perception isn't. But perceptions change. Honda's and Toyotas were once considered junk. Unfortunately with Toyota, they've come full circle with the brake recall (j/k).

    What were your experiences with Hyundai?

    Pretty good. I helped my niece with buying a Tucson, same size as a Rav I believe. Very quiet and smooth ride. Seemed like a quality vehicle. A bit underpowered with the 4 cyl, but she wanted the extra mpg.

    What happened with your local Hyundai dealer?
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    And our wholesaler says the rumor is that there value fell 50% today when Mannhiem said they can't run them.

    If you're a smart buyer you can then pick up a very cheap late model Toyota that I'm sure will be perfectly fine after the accelerator issue gets fixed.

    Sometimes people over react like they did when gas prices shot up and everyone and their mother were trading in full size trucks SUVs for 3 cylinder Geo Metros and paying a premium to do so. Now that prices have somewhat levelled off, people want out of their tinboxes and back into full size trucks (we're having hard time keeping new Rams in stock).

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    Our local dealer is owned by our member of parliament (he's a representative of the Canadian government). I had dealings with him and his family 20 years ago.... you shake hands with them and you had better count your fingers. So, if I decide to look at Hyundai for my mother, I will deal in another city.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    If I really wanted a new toyota on the no sell list I would :
    My answer would be to get down there today with a deposit check on the model I want. Couldn't be a better time to buy imo. But I don't want one now -- too bad -so sad. :cry:
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    No, it isn't a run on sentence. A run on sentence is two independent sentences (clauses) run together without the necessary punctuation. Also, it is not a sentence fragment. A sentence fragment is missing the subject and verb or part of the verb phrase. He has his subject and verb.

    Though Tidester is an expert in physics and math, he also knows how to express his thoughts. ;) A long sentence doesn't necessarily make it incorrect. :)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Your storm is on its way to us. We've been warned about lots of ice and some snow. We'll probably lose power here in the South. Fortunately, I've got gas logs. My wife has stocked up on foods that don't need to be cooked. After tomorrow, you may not hear from me until Tuesday. To all of those in harm's way, stay warm and safe.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Actually, it was middle grades---the never, never land of hormonal changes. :sick:

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "It's OK, I can take a hint."

    You know that I would be delighted for you to stop by at any time...dinner included.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "They left, and I changed the tag raising it over 2000.00."

    You teach your customers the way that I had to teach school---tough love lessons. ;)

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Also, it is not a sentence fragment a sentence fragment is missing the subject and verb or part of the verb phrase he has his subject and verb.

    There. Now THAT'S a run on sentence.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    >on a Galaxy"500

    The "500" referred to fast cars and racing as in Indianapolis 500. Firestone used it some of their tires. The 500 was used on a fancier equipped car as in Fairlane and Fairlane 500 in the full-sized Ford line in late 50s.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    >Perhaps but typing in all lower case makes reading it much less efficient so stick with standard sentence case if you want your readers to have a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

    That is a complete sentence with a conjunction and another sentence
    . I would have put a comma after the "Perhaps."


    Subject typing
    verb makes
    and a hellishly complicated
    connecting word so
    subject you (implied)
    verb stick

    I would have to do some reading in MacCrimmons college English book on my shelf to figure out how to diagram that sucker.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,198
    "...the rumor is that there value fell 50% today..."

    Holy Moley! I gotta go buy me some of them! Or am I missing something?

    The problem is in the throttle assembly built by one part supplier, right? I read today that the supplier is already making the new assemblies so they have a fix in the works, right? I assume Toyota will pay for the repairs no matter who owns the car, right?

    So at 50% off why not buy a whole bunch of them and just sit on them until Toyota does the fix? How long could it take? :confuse:

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

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Be the first in your net-borhood to friend Kirstie Carspace on Facebook.

    Done.

    I didn't see anyone in my neighborhood who is your friend so I may be the first. :)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,198
    "...it was the middle grades..."

    Richard, you'll love this as a teacher.

    Earlier this week I was doing my middle school (grades 6-8) run and as usual I was having trouble getting them to sit down in their seats. After asking nicely several times I finally yelled: "Unless they're playing the national anthem back there, there is no reason for you people to be standing up!".

    As they sat down they were quiet for a moment but then began to sing 'The star Spangled Banner' in unison. Sang the whole thing right through without missing a word. Sometimes they surprise you. :)

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Nope. I'm there but it's one of the few places I'm under my actual name instead of fezo.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Nope. I'm there

    I didn't mean CarSpace folks... I meant my actual neighborhood. ;)
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,325
    Is it the dealer that had "your" M5?

    No, it's a dealer in Cincy.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    A sticky accelerator pedal is not the only problem.
    Still outstanding and and unsolved, is the software problem related to the drive by wire system.I am sure they are finally burning the midnight oil trying to figure it out.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Ahh, that's sweet. :blush:
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Maybe but a Ford with a "500" behind it's model name didn't mean it had a hot engine. A lot of them had sixes and not even the 260 or 289 V-8's.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,590
    You know that I would be delighted for you to stop by at any time...dinner included.

    I know, and I would be honored to be invited for dinner - and if we are ever in your area I will try my best to make that happen. Likewise, if you are ever in the Niagara Falls/Toronto area you would be very welcome to join us for dinner as well.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    No one knows if there is any problem with the software that is purely speculation.

    If there were problems with the DBW then the problem would be even more widespread and more prevelant.
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