Stories from the Sales Frontlines

1…254255257259260…2003

Comments

  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    I guess only the seller's opinion of ACV matters.

    Pretty much. I don't know if he reads it, but I was thinking about if we had actually sold it to the gentleman. The price, OTD, would actually be pretty darn close to $15k as well. So maybe it isn't that big of a deal.

    Dunno, glad to have the metal moved.

    -Moo
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    We let a local University drive a few used cars each year. We swap them out every 4 months. So yesterday we got one back that we had on the books since 02/27/07. It was an auction car so we had it floored.

    Used car manager put a one day spiff on it today. He would pay 80 % commission on it.

    Well I just got done doing the finance on it. The salesperson made a $1200 gross on it, that means his part is $960. Not a bad 3 hours work. The only part that sucks was my part on the financing was .15 cents :cry::cry: I kid you not .15 whole cents. $75 flat on a CPO deal with no upgrades. At that rate I would only need to finance 23,333 cars to cover my draw :D:cry::D
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    Peggy, If it were me, I would pick up the phone and call them. You would probably get a much better response.

    Good luck
  • thenebeanthenebean Member Posts: 1,124
    i agree with epiney. unfortunately, while some dealers have an email address or an "internet dept" they aren't really up to speed on how to really use the internet as a selling tool like some other dealers might be (like isellhonda's place). you might be better off calling to see if you can get some more information. or, if you feel comfortable, going directly to the dealer. as long as you've done your research, know what the car you're looking at is going for, are firm, honest, and polite, you should be ok. just remember, if you ever feel uncomfortable or pressured, use your greatest negotiating tool - your feet.

    -thene :)
  • benderofbowsbenderofbows Member Posts: 542
    ...at the local Cracker Barrel restaurant and in one of the parking spaces was a 2008 Scion XB with temporary tags. Upon closer inspection, this car was dented all over the body sort of like a golf ball. My guess was this person bought the car with hail damage on it and got some sort of discount.

    That car was dented on purpose. Just as the little dents on a golf ball make it more aerodynamic, the car becomes more aerodynamic as well. Previously, however, this has only been seen underneath vehicles on undercarriage covers. With a modern horsepower war and rising gas prices, aerodynamic denting of the entire vehicle is becoming more prevalent. I'm surprised you haven't heard of this ingenious method to improve acceleration, top speed, and fuel economy. You should try it yourself.
  • pmanzapmanza Member Posts: 34
    thanks guys. I have been thinking about calling them, but was not getting warm and fuzzies with not getting an email response. Even if the response was "call us and lets talk". problem is the dealership is two hours away, and I told them I don't mind driving to get a good deal but I don't want to waste my time either. My local dealers are acting like they would be doing me a favor to sell me the TCH at or near MSRP and then kill me on my trade too. One or the other, but not both, please! And for our local area they may be right, because I left my phone number and they did not call, so the cars must be moving here at the price they want. I'm wondering if this other dealership is so out of the way that they are having trouble moving the high-tech cars.

    Peggy
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,247
    Gee bender, I hope you're planning to put this smokin' hot tip in our "guides" section. Please don't forget to include whether aluminum or wooden baseball bats create a more professional finish.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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    Review your vehicle

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    It is probably an older SAAB store that was built back before SAAB was bought by GM.

    Our SAAB store is combined with Volvo of all things but it is one of the oldest SAAB franchises in the country.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Thats Funny :D
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    I had a car like that and it was great except for one thing - it kept turning right and always would up in a sand trap.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    You must have been slicing your shifts....
  • benderofbowsbenderofbows Member Posts: 542
    I hope you're planning to put this smokin' hot tip in our "guides" section.

    No, I shouldn't even have posted this here, because my plan is to sell my services to the local dealers.

    They can then put them on those little window stickers to charge consumers extra money, right below the pinstriping and the protection package.

    But why stop there? When the idea really starts catching on, I'll invent a "do-it-yourself" kit and sell them online.
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    Have you thought about just buying the TCH (what is that anyways) and just taking your car to Carmax or selling it. If you price it at ACV or slightly above (I just learned about ACV today), I would guess that it should sell pretty quickly in a private deal and your transaction is whole.

    Ask british rover about the ACV, he's pretty good at it
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Ok, this is a beauty. I'm standing at the front door and a gentleman pulls up in an Infiniti G35. I wait till he is out of his car and walking into the front door until I greet him.
    "Hello, sir! How can I help today?"
    "Woah, too many vultures hovering around."
    I look around and say, "Sir, it's just me. Did you need help?"
    He tells me he just wants to look around, but he'll need my help in a little bit. Ok, here's my card and I'll check on you in a bit.

    He heads out to the Altimas. Keep in mind, we just had our lot reblacktopped and it must be pushing over 100 degrees on our lot. I let him simmer for about 10 minutes and then go check on him. He's hot and decides that he'll just have the salesman find a car for him. Wise choice, sir.

    We come inside and sit down at my desk. We chat a little bit and I think that he's loosening up a little bit, but he's still got a bit of strange edge. He tells me that he has purchased 6 cars from us since '86, but the last car he bought from us, a Sentra, he paid way too much for. I offered that since it's such a low price vehicle, it's kind of tough to pay too much. He disagreed.

    He comments on how our dealership is way too proud of our vehicles. I respond that we are, but I'll be happy to work out a deal for him.

    He wants lease numbers, but doesn't want to pick a specific car. Ok, I'll pick one for you.

    I get the numbers together, hit him at list with money down and try to gauge his temperature. He tells me that we're too high. Ok. Were you looking to purchase today? No, but before the weekend. Ok, great. Where do we need to be?

    At this point, it seems that he starts to work himself into a frenzy. His face starts to get slightly red and he spits out that we are way too proud of our product. I let him know that I would be happy to work out a deal for him. Where do we need to be? At this point, he's babbling something about money down. He pops out of the chair and still muttering starts to go out the front door.

    I'm a little dumbfounded, and I would still like to sell a car. The first thing that comes to my mind is, "Sir, where did this all go wrong?" He blinks at me. And leaves.

    10 seconds pass and then the whole showroom is laughing. Boss not happy, but apparently 8 months ago another salesman worked with him. He never made it into the office to discuss numbers. That time, he blew himself out on the lot.

    You gotta love these folks. :P

    -Moo
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Actually, ACV is what the dealer is actually valuing the car at, and may vary from dealer to dealer. It may also be more or less than the dealer shows you for the trade. He may try to get it for less, or he may use some of his profit on the new car to show you more for yours.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Guys like that were meant for internet deals, seems like they clam up when talking face to face. Different strokes for different folks.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    You must have been slicing your shifts....

    Actually, it was a flexible shaft problem. And I think the lip on the rotors was a little to big.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    "Our SAAB store is combined with Volvo of all things..."

    I guess that make it a one-stop Scandinavian shop? :blush:
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I know crap about golf but our other salesman came very close to going pro in his 20s.

    He wants to try out for the senior tour in couple of years. Several years ago he shot one under par at Augusta and birdied all the Par 5 holes. Apparently that is unheard of for an amateur.

    Side note:

    This is one of the reasons I prefer the Jag over the German and Japanese cars...

    image

    The only car with any distinct looks is the Jag. With the badges blacked out and from a distance all the other cars like the same.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    "With the badges blacked out and from a distance all the other cars like the same."

    Nah. The silver car stands out to me. All the other cars look black. :P
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    "Several years ago he shot one under par at Augusta and birdied all the Par 5 holes. He wants to try out for the senior tour in couple of years."

    Please ask him if he will need a caddy!
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Yeah but what cars are they?

    The BMW and Audi are a little easier to spot but the merc and lexus are harder.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    Hey, I like these types of quizzes!

    The Merc is the silver car.
    Lexus is the 2nd car from right.
    BMW is far right.
    Audi is in the far back.

    Honestly, I was being a smart-[non-permissible content removed] with my previous reply. Hopefully that was understood due to the emotorcon. I agree the Jag is the most distinctive exterior.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I actually had to go back and check the original picture to make sure you were right about the lexus and Merc.

    :surprise:

    I thought it was reversed when I first looked at it with the silver car being the lexus.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Please ask him if he will need a caddy!

    Actually, he had a caddy but traded it in on a LR
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    (Hmmm... I was expecting that response!)

    Can his caddy recommend the right club for his approach shots??
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Good god,

    The guy just called me on my cell phone and apologized for his behavior. Said he'll be back on Saturday to do a deal.

    Mentioned something about having a rough day. No kidding!?

    :D All's well that ends well.

    -Moo
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    "I've got a customer today looking to get 15k on his 2002 Jaguar Vladen Plas??! Not sure if that's the correct model, but anyhow. It has 96k on it, not supercharged and no navi. The trade wasn't with him today, but I'm scared as to what the actual value is.

    Any takers to give me an estimate? I'm interested to see what numbers will pop up.    "

    I would guess $6000 ACV
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    It ain't over yet - you best check and see if it is a full moon Saturday
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    I get the numbers together, hit him at list with money down and try to gauge his temperature.

    So none of you guys would get upset at me if I hit you with invoice less .8 of holdback to gauge your temperature would you? ;) :P
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Probably not upset but you would get sent packing without a new car.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Might get a good laugh, but not upset. We can say no just as quick as a customer can.
  • thenebeanthenebean Member Posts: 1,124
    br,

    our saabaru (9-2x) is actually at that oldest Saab franchise getting a transmission overhaul - reverse gear kept slipping. while its there its having a bug deflector put on (since we got a couple of dings on the hood from flying rocks and such). we beat the crap out of our saab, but its because we throw kayaks and snowboards and all kinds of stuff we buy from ikea on its roofrack. we love it!

    just had to share...

    -thene :)
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Yesterday I greet a young couple who get out of a 1995 ford F150 flare side 70k on it 4x4. Now the truck is nice but it is a 1995 ford f150... So I greet them and ask them what brings them to our dealership and he says I saw your 2006 chevy king cab with 5000 miles on it... Now KBB says our truck retails for 27500. We have on the internet for $21800. We go for a test drive everything is great he loves the truck. I ask him how long have you been shopping. He replies 6 months. I figure this has got to be a deal. So we get down to numbers. the truck is ob the net for $21800 and we offer him $1000 for his truck. He hits the ceiling and says we can't work numbers out thanks for your time. I sit him back down and ask how am I off. He says KBB says my truck is worth $5000. I say OK give me a minute to check something out here. Go on the computer and KBB comes up with 1500-4000 trade in allowance. I then pull mine on KBB and it states that it is $27500. I say OK we'll do it your way 27500 minus 4000 = 23500... I'm at 21800 minus 1000=20800 which would you like to do... Well he states that I've already got gotten 5000 for my trade. I say ok what was the asking price... He replies 26500 for the same truck with more miles... Mean while we are at a payment of 400 per month. He says I need my payments to be under 300... I said listen I am well below a fair price for my truck but I'm always willing to strech for a deal I said the best I can do is $2000 ACV ( actual cash value) for your truck either way we are still not at your payment...
    The guy thanks me for the test drive and the my time.

    The 2006 Chevy went to auction today... So I just think it is funny cause the states he is not going to buy a truck unless he gets 4-5k for his 1995 ford... I asked have you run into this before he, says Yes. When do you think it will stop he says I don't know... Keep in mind that he has been shopping for 6 months. I say OK here's my card if anything changes on your end.
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    Good then I can laugh at list and you won't be offended. At least we have established bookends. BTW, in case you hadn't figured it out, I was joking. Actually I find that most sales folks can have a good civil conversation about market benchmarks... but then again I have been in mostly "high end" shops recently.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Then u know that with some high end cars list=selling price.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    You take every 1995 70K mile 4x4 F150 that you can get your hands on for $4K and ship them to me. I will take them all. $1000 was a joke, you blew that guy out before you ever got started.
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    Yes, but even with those there is usually some room for a "courtesy gesture" whether it be a token amount or a freebie accessory, just as a "feel good" thank you. It's a little extra step that goes along way in those transactions.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Just curious you think you can ACV a 1995 ford f150 for $4000? If you can thats pretty good. I went up $2000 for ACV but the problem I had was I had Was that we owned our truck for 21000. Also Now don't frak out on me yet, My boss says we can't get anything bout older than a model year 2000. I don't get to make all the calls here. I'd be pretty upset if I could ACV that ford for that. But I guess the big problem is up here in the North east everyone is getting out of their trucks, SUV's because of gas prices. You really think that truck would do $4000 at the mill were you work? :confuse:
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    It's a little extra step that goes along way in those transactions.

    You got that right! It's the little things that people remember.

    Ir, I know this one might get dicey on Saturday, but I thought it was a really nice thing of him to do to call back and apologize. I'm going to roll out the red carpet for him and see if he'll be my crazy customer for life. The little things go a very long way with customers like this.

    I'll keep ya'll posted.

    -Moo
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I was just coming back to reply to my own post but now I can reply to yours.

    I don't know squat about the Market in MA. I only know what it is here in the south. That truck would do $4K here. Any truck that the engine will start on when you turn the key will do $1500. I could sell the truck your talking about 3 times a day for $5500-$6500.

    We have quite few people living in our area who are not able to finance cars due to there immigration status but always have cash to pay for one, so that makes the truck you are talking about very strong in our market
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Ypu are absolutely right - Some of my best customers are almost as crazy as I am. And little things do go a long long way.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    I appreciate the insight. I even doeble checked with my managers and they were like we would lucky to get $1500 at the mill. But i thought I was fair offering him $2000 for it... I must say i was impressed with the truck myself. No accidents. Did I mention it was a flareside? I feel pretty confident in my used car manager they ussually break even at the auction or are with within $1500 - $2000 profit from the reports I see. But other times you lose money there too.
    It was funny when I was posting this i knew I would get a response from you. I didn't expect that one though. The next time I see one those I'll definately let you know. :shades:
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,508
    "...The 2006 Chevy went to auction today..."

    Just curious, did you get more at auction than the deal this guy was asking for?

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

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    "We have quite few people living in our area who are not able to finance cars due to there immigration status but always have cash"

    Are you selling vehicles to illegals? ;)
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    You can't get the money unless you ask for it. My motto is "if they don't ask, they don't get."
    :blush:
    Mackabee
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    You got that right! It's the little things that people remember.

    Moo, you are so right.

    Here is a customer’s view for you. Several years ago I was in the market for a couple high demand vehicles that were going for full list and ADMs.

    Dealer Number 1
    I’m interested in seeing your “golden goose” model. Well those sell at list and all come with an extra value package. You can’t test-drive it, but we are taking deposits and will put your name on the list and we will contact you in about two months.

    Dealer Number 2
    I’m interested in seeing your “golden goose” model. We’re sorry, but since that vehicle is in such high demand, they are pre-sold before we get them and we don’t have any to show you. Since demand is high, the generally sell for list price, but we would certainly see if there is anything we could do for you. We don’t have one to test drive, but we do have a used one on the lot and although not new, it would give you an idea of what it’s like. Would you like to drive it?

    I don’t have to tell you which dealer I won’t go back to. Same net financial transaction, but one dealer left a bitter taste and the other was a good experience. The trouble is, this is a cyclical business and when one side has the market advantage, they tend to abuse it, whether it be buyer or seller. Both parties know who has the market advantage; it takes maturity on both sides to work out a deal respectfully. But then again, my world is all B to B. Wouldn’t want your guy’s jobs having to deal with the public.
  • jlawrence01jlawrence01 Member Posts: 1,757
    Depends a LOT on how well the truck is equipped ...

    A stripper (and they ARE out there) may be worth $2. Fully loaded (or at least reasonably equipped) would be an easy $4k IF the truck looked clean (and wasn't equipped with a snow plow).
  • pmanzapmanza Member Posts: 34
    epiney suggested that I ask you if you can guesstimate at an ACV for my car, a 2002 Lexus RX300 with 91,800 miles. leather, climate control, cd changer, power everything, VSC, roofrack, 2WD, no nav, hid's or seat heaters. Would like to find out if a private party sale is doable, or if I should just keep it longer.

    Pro's- I love the car.

    Con's - gas mileage and now that my son is driving our (paid for) 95 explorer, my gas bills are upwards of $500/mo. I need to save money somewhere, and since I have a car payment, I figure I might as well be paying the same monthly payment on a car that takes half as much gas and save $125/mo just on gas. Also it is due for the 90k service and Lexus wants $2300 and my local (trusted) garage wants $1400 for the same service, so I figure I can sell the car for the amount I owe less what I would have to fork out for the service very soon if I keep it. Just want to see how close those two numbers come to matching.

    And Epiney the TCH is Toyota Camry Hybrid. Most of what I am used to in my Lexi but about 35 mpg instead of 18 (but not an suv bummer).

    Thanks in advance
    Peggy
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Are you selling vehicles to illegals?

    Not to my knowledge, they are always able to produce a TN Drivers License, and if they were here illegally there is no way the state would give them a License..... Right?
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