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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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LOL
Once upon a time when I taught driving to high school students I had to take a special course. The teacher said, if you are ever in an accident, don't ever say you are sorry. It could be interpreted that you are saying you are sorry you caused the accident. On the other hand, if you do slip up and say you are sorry, clarify it by saying, you are "sorry" that the whole thing happened, not that you caused the accident. I think that is what the president of Toyota is really saying.....I am sorry it happened, because this is causing me one big headache!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Richard
Because it's old news here. He dropped out of the race. He's no longer in public office. He even admitted paternity of the child. If the sex tape had surfaced while he was still in the running, it'd be a completely different story.
Richard
Richard
Richard
Not in the South that I know and love!
Richard
I split a gut on that one!!!
Richard
Who, ME????? :confuse: :shades:
Beautiful town though; snowed like crazy last time I was there (not during WEC, thank goodness). I had a Peugeot minivan to drive with decent snow tires, and got around like a champ.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Richard
Didn't think you were all that complacent. Is that what politics has come down to, nothing surprises you any more? This is an incredible story, that you couldn't make up something more bizaare. A guy running for President who has an extra marital affair, and if that wasn't stupid enough, he doesn't take precautions to prevent a pregnancy, and he leaves a sex tape at his girl friends house....and this is a guy running for President? Not to mention spending millions to try to hush it up. And he says to his aide, my wife's having cancer will help me in my campaigne. It will make an amazing movie, at least in Canada.
To be on topic, I wonder what kind of car John Edwards drives.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I am pretty sure I didn't fall asleep while teaching driving. I can't fall asleep on an airplane because if anything happens, I want to know about it! Even more so while driving, with student drivers.
That poor teacher might have had narcolepsy, a sleep disorder where people fall asleep for short periods quite often.
Not a good thing teaching driving if you have this disorder.
I had a brake on the passenger side, but had to reach across and help with the steering at times.
It was very rewarding work, seeing people learn how to drive, and what I really liked was the students were very motivated. Not too many disiplinary problems.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Edwards didn't win so he's faded into the background. His 15 minutes are up. Unless he picks a cause to trumpet like Gore did he won't amount to more than a footnote in US national political history.
To be on topic, if he drives a Toyota and the acceleration problem happened to him, I think his 15 minutes might get reset.
Richard
Is the connection between intellect and libido, or between what drives a person to power, and libido?
It amazes me that someone so out of control, came fairly close to running the #1 country in the world.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Quick post b/c we're going off topic. I never said that I wasn't interested. I've been following the story with interest. But not, I'm not shocked. Sex tapes are old news. They've lost their shock value. Of course that doesn't mean that I condone it or are not apalled.
fushigi said it well. He's a minor figure, and his 15 minutes are almost up.
Let's move closer to topic now - thanks!
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Richard
So hows that 78 VW you bought new treating you these days???
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
link title
Jay Leno said Toyota is recalling many models because the gas pedal gets stuck. Is that a problem if you drive a Prius, they only go about 48 miles per hour at the best of times.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I read the article and it was very interesting. Especially the reason for and the amount you pay for pop corn at a movie. Not sure if it equates to paying MSRP on cars, unless I missed that part......or was that to tie it in to the post to avoid more trouble?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
In no way am I badgering anyone. Customers are important to me because they help me pay my rent, my own car note, insurance etc. However, I'm a Sales and Leasing Consultant in the northeast and most of the customers are ridiculous.
Do you really think car dealers are screwing you???
This isn't the 80's people. And what other business but retail car sales in American can you see the cost of a product??? Are you kidding me? Can I go to Best Buy and ask them for the invoice to a flat screen tv?? Can I go into a supermarket and see how much they paid for their gallon of milk?? How do you all feel as if you're getting screwed by us salespeople when all these cars have a MSRP on them. The Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. If I even give you $200.00 off the product did I realistically screw you? No, I still gave you a discount. Why do you have to see the invoice on a vehicle? They call it the car business because it is what it is, A BUSINESS!! Business are in business to make money!! And discounts just aren't enough for people. In all fairness if you customers pay off the sticker price and even if you were comfortable paying that in your payments, Was it not in your budget? You agreed to the price, you lay in the grave you dig!
Payments for Month and Money Down
This is where you customers get trained to play hide the information. Which evidentally makes you whole shopping experience less pleasant and more time consuming because you hide what you really can fit into your budget. Then we present the numbers it's going to run you to purchase the vehicle and you take it as a insult. Well guess what when you walk in the dark can you accomplish much? No, So bring a flashlight, shed some light on how we can make the deal easy. All this back and forth, back and forth, not only makes our credibility look worse, Doesn't it make you people aggrivated when we have to go back and forth to our manager to work your deal for pennies on the dollar? Thus killing your excitment of purchasing a vehicle and making it a chore or comparing it to visitng the dentist or your lawyer. Now that's pain. And it doesn't even have to be that way. We don't make it hard! You make it hard on yourself. Spill your beans, help us make our job easier. We work 12 hours a day. We don't want to play games. Our goal is to sell a car make a profit, because we are entitled to it and to make you happy.
Overall, I know I will get some negative feedback from this post, there will be other posts concering our side of it. The Evil salespeople you people hate for the wrong reasons. To the fair customers out there I want to thank you. To the rest of you do your homework the right way. Be Fair, Be Honest with us and you will get the same treatment in return.
Part 2 Continued: I appreciate the criticism toward what I was saying in this column. However, I believe some of the readers misunderstood what I was trying to clarify. I am not a newbie to the car business, far from it actually, I've been in the business for well over ten years. I've worked for two dealerships in that ten year span. I totally understand you people work hard for your money and that you all have a budget, as well as I do. However, When customers walk into a dealership to price price price, and forget about the value of the car, and some do not even want to drive the vehicle before they buy it, isn't this ridiculous? Do you try a pair of shoes on for the most part to make sure you are comfortable in them? Would you buy a house without seeing if it had enough room for you and your family? The pricing game is ridiculous, People isn't your time worth money?? I know mine is. And just because I'm on the other side of the buying circle doesn't mean I don't understand why most consumers do this. However resulting fact is, How much money do you really think you save?? Thousands? or in your payments? Hundreds?? I mean we all pay the same price for the vehicles. And when we present a payment to you and we treated you fair, showed you every feature in the vehicle and gave you a good experience, you still have to shop?? What do you really save in the long run before you purchase the vehicle? What, $25.00, $50.00 maybe $75-100.00, some of you will go miles and miles just to save this much and most of you wont even tell us where you want to be when we ask you. Or you come out with the creative scheme of all objections, "Well this is the first place we shopped and we need to shop around" Lies! It's a very good way not to commit and makes most salespeople give you the dismissal you obey. "Give us your card and we'll give you the last shot" Lies! Again my findings are not this way with all customers so the reasonable customers that are out rthere and don't play these games don't be offended this wasn't meant towards you. Consumers don't like hearing the truth or to be hit between the eyes. The Car Business will soon be in your grasps people, it will soon be a $10/hr job and we will be order takers. A Business is a Business!! You folks have every right to deserve a fair deal, a fair shake. In no way did I say anyone should pay sticker price, my statement stated that if any reason you feel you got screwed because we gave you any less than MSRP, You have the right to say no, but we are not screwing you if we lower the price ethically are we?? Be more upfront, We're not giving palm readings or looking in our crystal ball, no need for games, and going back and forth, Hide the payment, down payment or having us tell you what you're going to pay insults you, because ultimately in the end who's price or offer is higher?? Ours or yours?? Ours always is and I tend to think consumers know this. And I know sometimes the numbers don't always come back perfect the way you want them when you even tell us what you want to pay. Sometimes the consumers numbers aren't realistic. But I've lost deals over $1-$5 dollars a month, Out of your people's hard earned budget is $1.25 a week worth going to the salesman down the street who told to beat our offer, when in fact, we presented and demonstrated the vehicle's features and benefits treated you with respect and even maybe made some common ground with you? For $1.25 a week some consumers will shop you. It's unreal. Why do you want to go to 5-6 dealerships? Get hassled. And When it all comes down to it, you get tired at the last dealership and ultimately lay down as it is. I know not all of you will understand where I'm getting at. All I'm saying is isn't time for your games to come to an end and start enjoying a new car? This doesn't have to be as hard as some consumers make it. :sick:
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
If all dealers charged the same price, if all dealers offered the same price, if the price was put on the windshield just like Best Buy has prices on the merchandise....then car dealers could save a lot of money by just having a cashier.
Go in, pick out your car, just like you pick out jeans at Sears, take it to the cash register, and pay.
You are paid more because you are a professional salesperson. Like Joel said, 90% of your customers will be fine, you just have to accept that 10% are not going to be pleasant. But all retail is like that, in fact most businesses. Ever try cold calling....now that would be something to complain about.
You just want all customers to come in, accept your price is a good one (even though most of the salespeople here state they start off at MSRP), and sign up.
Life doesn't work like that, but I give you credit for posting your thoughts here!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Surprisingly, I just found out yesterday that my local Honda dealer here in Orlando, Holler Honda, went to the one price style of selling, don't know how good or bad the prices are though. But when I'm in the market for a Honda again, they will be my first stop.
Go in, pick out your car, just like you pick out jeans at Sears, take it to the cash register, and pay.
I agree with your statement. This is where the car business is heading. It will soon be a hourly job. Invoices are posted everywhere. The internet is killing the business faction of it. This is for the 10% not the 90%. In my honest direct opinion. Consumers shouldn't know the cost of the product. It is not right. In a perfect world then everything should have invoices people can see and there should never be any car salesman. I would be out of a job and the 10 percenters would just have to wing it and figure out how to use their vehicles.
You are paid more because you are a professional salesperson
This is incorrect, with the 10 percenters it doesn't matter how you treat them. You can greet them make a great first impression, build rapport and common ground with them, present and demonstrate the vehicle, give them a tour of the dealership so they feel comfortable, and they will still shop you for $25.00. I'm not saying anyone should be able to sell everyone, I'm just saying why do all the work of grinding and come in with a chip on your shoulder, when we all are so close in the negotiating process. It is proven that even if you like the dealer, the salesman, the vehicle the equipment and the vehicle fits your budget, 10 percenters will shop you for pennies on the dollar!!
You just want all customers to come in, accept your price is a good one (even though most of the salespeople here state they start off at MSRP), and sign up.
We have to start off MSRP, if you sell anything in this world, Would you start as cost and work your way up? You never work backwards. My whole point was even if I give you a dollar of a vehicle, Technically did we screw you? The answer is NO! It's still a discount of list price. Some people don't get this!
Thanks for your comments. I don't want to come off as a unreasonable naive sales consultant blowing off steam. I'm simply sharing my findings with the people of this website. If it wasn't for customers I wouldn't have a sucessful career I'm in now. You all need us and we need you.
Last year alone, I helped at least two people buy new cars. I (we) did the homework. Knew the incentives. We made it clear that this would be a painless, quick, easy deal, albeit a "mini". One offer.....no more. What did they do? Attempted to grind, grind again, and grind some more. A simple rejection would have been better....something along the lines of, "sorry, we can't do that deal, but thanks for stopping in."
So, if the offer is agreeable, accept it. If it isn't, tell us and let us move on. Trying to squeeze the last nickel out of us isn't going to win us over.
Buyers are liars.
Dealers are stealers.
:P
Just giving you a hard-time welcome since you kinda came riding in here wearing a plaid sportjacket, asking how you could get me in this vehicle today. This is a great place to vent, though - you'll find lots of folks who you'd like to have as a customer or a salesperson around here.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
1. You are "whistling in the dark " here.
2. I think you really need to find another line of work!
Anyhow, dammnn that was a long post! Welcome. Please save us from the,"What I put on my grits", and how to pronounce "Lou-a-vull" threads, by presenting an actual sales story from your 10 years of sales experience. :shades:
2. I think you really need to find another line of work!
Why's that? Dealbreaker hasn't written anything you or some of the other salespeople haven't already written about. He likes his job, he likes 90% of his customers, he doesn't like the lieing or game playing from customers... just like you. If we treat him nicely he may actually have a sales story or two.
I have plenty of stories lol..good and bad.
And Yes I love being a sales consultant for Honda. I love interacting with people, getting to know them, make friends with them and have a ongoing relationship professionally with them throughout the years. I get greeting cards, christmas, birthday gifts from most of my customers. I like to seperate myself from the scum salesman, I've just been noticing a change in the customers. And consumers wouldn't act out this way if they hadn't been screwed in the first place by joe blow in the past. I am a very fair person. I have a great master list of customers who are very good to me and I am good to them. I live off referral business and I make sure I'm sharp everyday to give my customers the experience they deserve, buying a vehicle is the 2nd biggest investment to buying a home or sending your kids to college. But also in peoples minds buying a car is like getting a root canal, I don't want my consumers to feel that way. Not at all. I do care about my customers whether its their first time stepping into the dealership and meeting me, or if they are repeat buyers or refferals, everyone is just as important. Even if I have personal problems before the day starts, I leave em at the curb. I've invested alot of blood sweat and tears in my profession to become the best I can possibly be.
Fair enough. I will say this though, every sales job has that negative element, especially in retail. Since 90% of your customers are reasonable, don't let the 10% get to you, it will drive you crazy.
There are a lot of good sales people on this sight, and they have similar stories, but they don't let it get to them.
I have a pretty good idea of what price a car should be when I go in. I don't mind the salesman writing down MSRP on the order sheet. Then we add on options and subtract the trade in and whatever discount is being offered on that vehicle. If I get the feeling I am connecting with the salesman, and he is being reasonable the deal will get done. But, if I saw the car advertised for less somewhere else, or I see it on line for a lot less, I will lose my trust and move on.
That 90% rule is true for salespeople too. 90% are professional, helpful, and I think honest. 10% are not that great....they talk down to the customer (especially when sales were really hot), or they try to push high prices, and the big one they don't understand what you are looking for...or they don't really listen.
If you have been in the business for 10 years that is remarkable, you've gotten through the hardest part, but don't let the 10% get to you. Like my Dad used to say, if it was all so easy, they wouldn't have to pay you for working.
I think you are right about the internet though. That could change the business dramatically over the next few years. But the internet and computers etc are changing everything...newspapers struggle, camera shops gone, music business radically changed, people shopping by computer, video rental business suffering, even my field books will all be downloaded onto kindles etc. We all just have to carry on and perhaps look for other opportunities in the future...and try to be positive.
One question I have for you though...and the other salespeople if they read this far. For every customer who leaves and says they want to look around....don't you get almost the same number who come in after getting 2 or 3 prices, that you can scoop? Doesn't it balance out?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The thing I have noticed is the fact the 10% number has grown considerbly in the past three or four years. Not a fun thing.
Hit the bullseye on that one! :P
I have plenty of stories lol..good and bad.
Great. Perhaps one of the hosts can work with you on filling out a schedule?
Why do you think almost all of the sales people have left?
I do get theri private emails sometimes when they give up.
Ah! Now we're getting somewhere!
Welcome aboard. 90 percent of the posters here are cool.
The actual percentage of people that come back to the dealership after you give them a price is about 4%. Have you ever went to a dealership where they won't even give you a price? Ever wonder why they won't? Because a be-back or a returning customer in the dealership is a rarity nowadays. Us Stone Cold Salespeople jk lol don't wanna drop our drawers for you because chances are and they're pretty high chances you won't come back, unless they practice the trade of low balling, which can also confuse most customers and make them think an unattainable number that every other dealer cannot do is attainable at your dealership. Thus, causing more pain and deceitful feelings. And the sad part is, your curiousity because of the lowball will almost definitely make you ask the inevitable question "If you can't do it for that price, then what you can do it for?" Then if the salesman bumps ya a little bit, customers lay down. I know a sleezy sleezy guy in the car business that has done this for years and when hes approached with that question he truthfully tells the customer "I was lying! But now since you're ready to do business how much more can you afford in your budget to purchase our vehicle" Believe it or not and as stupid as it sounds in the heat of negotiation people fall for it, Why! Well hey I guess it's cause he told them the truth the second time. He built the business with a lie, lured them in and then told them the truth and they buy. They BUY!. Me personally I could never do that to anyone. I want to treat my customers as I would want to be treated walking into a dealership or anywhere for that matter to buy something. I don't need the tricks of the trade to sell a car. I'm a meat and potatoes kinda guy. I'm a very up front blunt person. Sometimes people don't like what I have to say but hey the truth is better than lying isn't it??
Nothing in the car business ever balances out. To fully answer that question.
This is why we pressure you to make an impulse decision because 96% percent of you will never return.
I'm right in NJ. I could find out for you!.....