Stories from the Sales Frontlines

qbrozen · August 2007

wow! $2k for a protege with less than 100k is incredibly cheap. Then again, I would have fixed the timing belt, so i guess that's the difference.

stickguy · August 2007

If it was a 5 speed, I would take it off your hands right now. I have to go to Queens on Sunday anyway!

I do agree with Q though. The timing belt tensioner, and required disclaimer (not to mention it not running right) is killing you. I wold be willing to bet that if you had that fixed, and got it running like new, you would get back more than the repair cost, and sell it quicker.

Sounds like a nice car otherwise.

tayl0rd · August 2007

... I sternly tell her to hit the brakes (trying not to panic or jump from the car and report it stolen). ...

Brilliant! :P

qbrozen · August 2007

If it was a 5 speed, I would take it off your hands right now.

You'd have to race me there! ;b

isellhondas · August 2007

Good story..." Oh, I'll sell my car myself"

People have NO IDEA how much of a hassel this can be. A lot of the people answering your ad are people you won't want to deal with.

I think you should have replaced that timing belt tensioner. People will think you skimped on other needed repairs. People will also assume you are minimizing the problem and will assume it needs more work than you are letting on. If you have to make excuses for an other wise nice car, you will get nothing but low offers.

And, you HAVE to stay firm on your price. If you start dropping your price they will move in for the kill. Just show them you have ZERO fear of loss. " Well, it looks like this isn't the right car for you". Or..." There are probably cars out there that are more in your price range"

The "mechanics" these people will bring will only pick your car apart in an attempt to grind the price down. Do NOT put up with it. Be firm!

Fun, huh?

obyone · August 2007

My friend owns an independent repair shop. I was just commenting on the high price of the MAF. Similar part from GM would be around $300 vs $1500 for Toyota. I would think for that price they could've at least print Lexus on the box....

british_rover · August 2007

Ah you would think that but you wouldn't be entirely correct.

Back a few years ago I made decent money buying used MAF sensors along with other small electronic parts from a couple of local junkyards. They were more concerned with parts that had substantial scrap value so I bought the sensors for $1.99. I bought mainly domestic sensors as they were easier to get off the cars with just a couple of screwdrivers or a 1/4 inch ratchet set. Those same parts new from a GM/Ford/Dodge dealer were 800-1,000 dollars because they wanted you to buy the whole housing when all you really needed was the sensor. Even the aftermarket parts were 300 bucks or more.

I sold my parts on Ebay for 25-50 bucks with a 30 day warranty. I shipped them through UPS, since I worked there in the evenings, and got extra money in my pay check through a volume building program they had set up. Any employee he brought in additional volume to UPS would get extra money on a sliding scale depending on how much volume it was and what kind of shipping was used.

If a part didn't work on a car I would give the people their money back, minus shipping of course if they sent me the part back. I only ever had one person do that though. I just took the bad MAF back to the junk yard and they gave me my $1.99 back.

I stopped doing it because of all the non-paying bidders and it was wearing me out working 70 hours a week at two jobs plus selling stuff on Ebay.

epiney · August 2007

And, you HAVE to stay firm on your price. If you start dropping your price they will move in for the kill. Just show them you have ZERO fear of loss. " Well, it looks like this isn't the right car for you". Or..." There are probably cars out there that are more in your price range"

That's good advice, especially when selling things like a house.

When I sold a 95 Ford Windstar, it was one of the worst vehicles to be selling. First MY, with horrible reliability and one of CRs used cars to avoid. A younger fellow was very interested because it was priced very well, in great shape and well maintained. We agreed on price and I waited a few days for him to get the money

. He brings his father back and he tries to negotiate a few hundred more. I tell them, if you don't want to buy the car at the agreed price then it's no longer for sale. I would have donated it to charity rather than drop the price. They knew I was serious, pulled out the cash and took the car.

Even though I would have netted out less cash, I would have donated the car, done a good deed and let the charity use it or auction it rather than let someone try to "steal" it. I guess at a certain point you guys would rather have a no sale than a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] super duper mini. Can't fault you there.

micosilver · August 2007

That should be a mandatory reading for all those people that bring a 15 year old car as a trade, and once the car gets appraised for about $500 they get offended:
"What?!?!?! But Blue book said $2,500!!! I can sell it on Craigslist for $6,000!!!"
Guess what? It is not that easy to sell any car, but an old car with over 100K miles it gets much worse.
It will cost you time, nerves and frustration.
Some things are better left to professionals.

obyone · August 2007

Ahah..so that's where all those MAF sensors came from. American ingenuity at work.

I agree on those deadbeat bidders they are a drag. Some of the sellers too. I remember winning a polo jeans. It was Polo alright with a Ross sticker on it. :sick:

smithed · August 2007

"God wants you to buy this car. He lead you here and that is why you became interested in this one. You trust Him, don't you? He wouldn't allow you to make a mistake."

Was that guy a Baptist minister on Sunday?

That's one of the funniest lines I've ever heard. That guy says he knows what God is thinking. LMAO :P

nj2pa2nc · August 2007

we own a 05 hyundai elantra gt with 65,000+ miles-no problems. my mom has a honda accord ex-v6 always has something breaking down and needing repair. her car has 70,000 miles.we owned a 1988 hyundai excel gls, bought new. It had over 200,000 miles when it was totaled by a red-light runner-ran excellant until it's sudden death.

madmanmoo · August 2007

What's so weird about that? My parents have been telling me that for years. I think they Instant Message or something, or maybe they are on the same network for cell phones. I dunno, I haven't been able to touch base with him in awhile.

-Moo

mackabee · August 2007

I'm getting with the salesperson today. He's an honest guy and we have split deals before. He always comes up to me whenever he has worked with any of my previous customers. I just looked over the notes and he may have missed it. He's off today so I will get with him later. I'm not mad at the salesperson but more upset with the customer. It's not like I'm not accessible anytime.

But life goes on.

Mack

mackabee · August 2007

:shades: We get lots of customers that "want to pray on it". Our standard response is "He sent you to me didn't he?"

Hardly works with these types. Or we will all hold hands together and pray.

Don't work either.
I would split deals with God anyday!
Mack

roadburner · August 2007

When I was selling my E24 M6 I put an ad in my local BMW Club chapter newsletter. Some Chinese guy called about the car and his accent and grammar were so bad that I was dead certain that it was another club member playing a practical joke. I did manage to learn from him that his MT skills were almost non-existent... :surprise: With much trepidation I set up an appointment about three days out. Thankfully, another club member called the next day, looked at it, and left a 20% deposit to hold it until he could pick it up 24 hours later. Whew!!!

benderofbows · August 2007

LOL, funny thing was I hadn't done any of that. He just came out of the blue with that line. In fact come to think of it, it must have been a Holy Message... now I wish I would have bought that car

mackabee · August 2007

Well, she is related to the owners. She's the daughter of the owner's son brother. I guess they don't care who "assists" them. I spoke with the salesperson and we handled it. :sick:
Mackabee

mackabee · August 2007

That's right! stick to your guns. $3200.00 NO LESS :shades: If you do get a serious buyer and you want to drop the price do it in small increments, say $100 or $200 you'll see if they are really interested. If you just put $3200.00 out there hoping to get $2000.00 then that's not very good negotiating. The least you should take is $2500.00 IMHO even with the belt tensioner thing. Check your local Mazda dealer. How much do they charge for timing belt replacement? We always have specials so a timing belt change for a Toyota or Honda is around $260 plus water pump if needed which in most cases they go ahead and replace it since it right there. I've never understood that logic. When I had my colon resection I asked the doctor why he didn't replace my liver since it was "right there"

I remember the last time I sold a car privately was in 1984. It was a 1981 Celica St. Vinyl upholstery, am/fm radio, no cassette, no a/c but it did have this nice Riken alloy wheels and tires that I put on it.

I was asking $5200.00 for it and a Toyota dealer in San Diego told me if I could sell it for no less than $4500.00 I could work for them partime. :shades: I regret not having taken the offer. I did sell the car for $4700.00. I originally put it in Auto trader but got nothing but joy riders. I then put it in the classified ads in the San Diego Tribune. The ad came out on friday morning and I sold the car on Saturday morning. A girl called up and asked where she could see the car. Came in with her boyfriend the next day and bought it. She was so nice she let me use her old Datsun B210 until my new 1985 Toyota Van Le came in a week later.

Mackabee
Mackabee

mako1a · August 2007

I don't see what is so hard for salesmen to understand about there being NO loyalty. When I go to Lowes for a lawnmower I see whoever is nearby and ask how to get it in the truck. People generally do the same at a dealership. Whoever is nearby. I know when I walk on the lot if I'm going home with a new car or if I'm just looking. When it is going to be a sure sale I seek out the guy or gal my age 57 that "seems" to fit the bill of helpful to me. I shake off the big cross wearers and the earring folks cause I know we're not going to get along. I see the big sign that says Toyota or Chevrolet and to me (joe buyer) everyone there wants to sell me that make and ensure my happiness. If that is not the case then take down the brand sign and say we sell CARS. We don't care about brand, we don't care about anything except what goes into our pocket from You joe buyer. No brand loyalty is rewarded by no salesman loyalty.

chikoo · August 2007

And what does she do?

You expect her to go away and come back another day just 'cause u were not there? mind you the customer does not care who takes his/her order as long as he/she gets the deal he/she is looking for that day. For all I know she must not be aware that you live off of commissions.

madmanmoo · August 2007

There's loyalty, not with everyone, but there's loyalty. I return to the same lady to get my hair cut every month. Why? Because I know she'll get the deal done the way I want to get it.

If a customer is extremely loyal to a brand, odds are they will be loyal to the salesman if he did a good job.

I don't understand why you customers can't understand that there IS loyalty. Big ticket items? If your salesman, realtor took care of you the way you wanted to be taken care of, why would you not return to them? Trust is a wonderful thing to have.

I do my best to return and reward every good interaction with a salesman that I ever have. Be that haircuts, landscaping, plumbing, HVAC, cars, homes or w/e you want.

-Moo

chikoo · August 2007

She's the daughter of the owner's son brother.

eh? what sort of a relationship is that?

greanpea68 · August 2007

As long as things can be settled on the floor than thats cool.

lrguy44 · August 2007

Well said - If there is no loyalty then why is half my business repeat and referral? It is always those who are not in our business that claim to know our business!

mako1a · August 2007

Ya got me there with the haircut thing, Moo I use the same every time cause she leaves me with a Comfortable Feeling when I am ready to walk back out the door. If I felt that way after buying a car the same person would be sought out, but by the time a customer drives off the lot he has seen enough people to make his head spin. There really is no 1 salesman to me. There is a bunch of people putting a transaction together. Has anybody ever come back to see how your F&I guy is doing? I didn't think so. To the buyer you're a group of salespeople and we don't really care how you all split the profits. Just make the customer Feel Good and he will be back.

lrguy44 · August 2007

To the buyer you're a group of salespeople and we don't really care how you all split the profits

Wrong again. I was ill last year and off work for 4 months. I even had customers (thank God) who delayed their purchase until I was back and able to take care of them.

greanpea68 · August 2007

Mako, If the sales person at the dealership had kept in touched with you through the years and you went back to that dealrship again are you saying you wouldn't seek that person out?

Follow up would be the main reason someone would come back and be loyal to someone. A lot of the people in this business don't do it and half of them aren't there when you go back. So if no one from a dealer ever followed up with you i could understand why you wouldn't be loyal to a car guy. I'm going on my 3rd year in the same store and I am already getting 3 - 4 deals a month from repeat and referal business. All from follow up, my fis=rst two and a half years at my previous store we didn't do follow up. I can only imagine where I would be if did follow up for 5 years in the same store. I would never have to take a up. Or at least that is the way the story goes.

epiney · August 2007

I don't see what is so hard for salesmen to understand about there being NO loyalty. When I go to Lowes for a lawnmower I see whoever is nearby and ask how to get it in the truck.

At a place where everyone is on salary, that's fine. When commissions are a major part of earnings, then that's another story. Heck, I even ask when I'm helped and not ready to buy at all kinds of stores if they are on commission and make it a point to ask for them or make sure they are noted on the sale. Appliances, furniture, electronics have a lot of commissioned sales.

I am not typical as I probably stick with a guy I don't like too long, but if these guys have been good to you, then I think it's just fair to reciprocate. What goes around comes around. The only thing I want in car sales is no BS, no bumping and a quick sale. If I have already conditioned a sales person that it's going be a mini, but a quick and easy one with top CSIs, then why wouldn't I go back?

british_rover · August 2007

And he forgets that some of us work our own deals without the assistance of a Manager.

I closed two deals today and the buyers only ever met and talked to me. I excused myself once with each person to evaluate their trade with our UC/F&I Manager then returned to close the deals.

I will go over all the paperwork for one of those deals because I doing the delivery at their house. Our F&I Manager will handle the paperwork for the other deal.

isellhondas · August 2007

For some customers, loyality means nothing. I could have jumped through hoops for them and we may have gotten along great but five years later, they will simply grab the first salespeople they see. They simply don't care and you know, that really doesn't bother me.

After 12 plus years, probably a third of my business is from repeat and referals. These people care about other people and good service and friendship means something to them.

mako1a · August 2007

I'm retired DOD and it was always a teamwork mentality. I have never worked for commission or tips. Just a salary. Excuse me if I don't "get it", but I'm spending to make ME happy, not to feed anyones family.

I wish buying a car was more like buying a lawn tractor. I see color, brand, size, HP and convenience to me. I can decide in 2 minutes which one I want and don't care who rings it up or loads it up. And the best part...I know that if my neighbor has the same size/model he paid exactly what I did. Now we can talk over the fence about how we like the machine without any concern of who paid what or how we liked the sales force.

greanpea68 · August 2007

wish buying a car was more like buying a lawn tractor. I see color, brand, size, HP and convenience to me. I can decide in 2 minutes which one I want and don't care who rings it up or loads it up. And the best part...I know that if my neighbor has the same size/model he paid exactly what I did. Now we can talk over the fence about how we like the machine without any concern of who paid what or how we liked the sales force.

Believe me we as sales people wish it was that easy also

lrguy44 · August 2007

I retired after 25 years as a Naval Officer and I see teamwork all the time in a good dealership. My customers want a win-win situation and for me to take care of any problems before, during and after the sale. That is what breeds brand and salesman loyalty. They also want me to know my product as it relates to what is important for them. Try finding a pro - it may be beneficial for you.

snakeweasel · August 2007

For some customers, loyality means nothing. I could have jumped through hoops for them and we may have gotten along great but five years later, they will simply grab the first salespeople they see.

Seriously many people would remember their salesmans name or face after 5 years.

isellhondas · August 2007

Your neighbor could have paid more or less than you did.

Would you really care? I know I sure wouldn't.

It sounds like you aren't a "people person" and loyality meand nothing to you. That's fine with me. We are all different. This certainly doesn't nake you a bad person, just totally different than me.

isellhondas · August 2007

Actually, quite a few. More than you might think.

Some people care and remember when they were treated in a fair and professional manner.

Others could care less.

8sparkplugs · August 2007

I work in the food service industry. I have been taught that the customer is only loyal to their own best interest. It is MY job to make sure that the customers consider my products and services to be in their best interest. If I don't take care of the customer, someone else will. Thats been my experience.

volvomax · August 2007

Yup, he sounds like the typical soulless drone gov't worker.
Had to deal w/ lots of those people selling cars in the DC area

I just wish they overpaid for cars like they overpaid for hammers and toliet seats

When it is THEIR money,all of the sudden they care :P

8sparkplugs · August 2007

Selling anything can be a hassle. I am always amazed at how people are so quick to drop the price to "get it over with", dealers love people like that. I can put up with a considerable amount hassle to get another $1000-$2000 for something.

oldfarmer50 · August 2007

"...If there is no loyalty..."

There are two types of "loyal" customers. The first comes back to you because you treated them right and gave them a decent deal. The second comes back because they figure they can steal the product from you because you're such a dope.

The first customer is a joy to work with, the second will abandon you like a [non-permissible content removed] child the second they can't get the steal.

british_rover · August 2007

My sales manager has people that he sold Mercedes to over 10 years ago that still come back to him and he doesn't even sell Mercedes anymore.

The guy I have who might be trading in the DB9 is one of his former Mercedes customers. The reason they bought their first Range Rover was because my SM talked the car up so much. They were strictly Mercedes people before that and now they buy a Range Rover every 3-4 years. They offered him the keys to their condo in St. Thomas or something whenever he wants it too. Gotta be some of the best people I have ever dealt with.

epiney · August 2007

I'm retired DOD and it was always a teamwork mentality. I have never worked for commission or tips. Just a salary. Excuse me if I don't "get it", but I'm spending to make ME happy, not to feed anyones family.

I sorry, I don't really "get this" response. I spend money to make me happy as well, but if someone has helped me, I just think it's common courtesy to try to make sure they get taken care of, especially since it requires little to no effort on my part. If someone spends an hour explaining the differences and features to you, don't you think he deserves the commission when you come back to buy? In fact, if I will call to make an appointment as it's been my experience that I get the best service that way. And don't think I'm a "laydown" either. I usually know almost as much and in some cases more than the sales person and in almost all cases the sales numbers and real selling prices for competing models and all incentives.

I hope you know that all Sears appliance sales are on commission and you give the sale to the one that helped you, even though they are generally fixed prices.

8sparkplugs · August 2007

I hope thats not true. I think you wished everyone would just pay the price on the window. I'm not sure if you know how much the guy at the "just ring it up store" makes, but its not much. I'm not sure if you would call that being a Salesman. It seems to me the dealerships are the ones that try to make customers think they will get a better deal here.

madmanmoo · August 2007

Snake, just FYI. The hosts were kind enough to start our own board. Go search for "Best Movies....Ever!". Hopefully, we can continue our discussion on movies if you're still interested. :P

-Moo

chikoo · August 2007

The first comes back to you because you treated them right

That is correct to the last penny.

I own a retail store and even though my salespeople are not on commission, there are repeat and referral customers who will call out for the salesperson they dealt with earlier, simply because he/she treated them right, gave them all the options, and were essentially happy working with them and never gave off a bad vibe.

obyone · August 2007

She's the daughter of the owner's son brother.

eh? what sort of a relationship is that?

It's the owners grandaughter.

snakeweasel · August 2007

Wasn't that on another forum?

And yes I saw that still deciding if I want to jump in there, I am on way to many newsgroups/forums already.

8sparkplugs · August 2007

Just curious how many people here make it a point to get the same waiter/waitress? Isn't that the same?

snakeweasel · August 2007

Good point, however I go out to eat at least once a week but buy a car every 4 or 5 years. Makes a difference.

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