Stories from the Sales Frontlines

british_rover · September 2007

Yeah I have to take the Journey quizzes. I got my gift card last week for last years quizzes. I will take 200 bucks a year for taking a couple of quizzes a year.

I have also heard good things about Tata. People that do business with them speak highly of them.

jmonroe · September 2007

I wouldn't call that a while I think he made 250 bucks of wholesale profit on the VW. All of that was wiped out by several months of floor pan costs.

Yeah, it sounds like somebody bought something they shouldn't have.

Look at the bright side of this, it could have been even worser if they didn't go to Carmax.

jmonroe

british_rover · September 2007

Well it was either buy it back or upset a long standing family of customers who had bought dozens of vehicles from the company.

Oh and this particular customer was a two time, about to be three time because of his upcoming deployment, Iraqi vet.

Those kind of decisions might cost you some money in the short run but you make money in the long run

cccompson · September 2007

Here in Columbus, it's the Ricart Used Car Factory at his Ford store. And it's not just an ad slogan - the words are plastered big on the building IIRC.

snakeweasel · September 2007

There is one guy near me that debadged a Toyota and put on the Benz star on the trunk and along the front some Buick side vents. I call it a Buyota Benz.

mackabee · September 2007

Now that's what I call a Whooptie!
Mackabee

lrguy44 · September 2007

So if someone rebadged a Land Rover with Benz emblems, would it be a Benzover?

cdnpinhead · September 2007

:shades:

Excellent!

roadburner · September 2007

There is one guy near me that debadged a Toyota and put on the Benz star on the trunk and along the front some Buick side vents. I call it a Buyota Benz.

A guy who lives up the street from my BIL has a dead stock 1993 325i which has an M3 emblem on the trunk. I keep hoping I'll run into him so I can tell him,
"Gosh, neat car! Except for the wheels, the front airdam, the side molding, the side skirts, the mirrors, the rear valence, and the exhaust, it looks just like a real M3."
I'd call him a clueless poseur...

british_rover · September 2007

So if someone rebadged a Land Rover with Benz emblems, would it be a Benzover?

That needs a

toomanyfumes · September 2007

I've seen a lot of vehicles lately with the fake portholes. What's up with that? I saw them yesterday on a Ranger 4X4. :confuse:

cdnpinhead · September 2007

"I'd call him a clueless poseur..."

I won't focus on the redundancy (how many dialed-in poseurs have you met?), but will point out that he's in a very large cohort.

"If it don't go, chrome it." That's from the '50's. Some things never change.

grj0034 · September 2007

Hello,
I'm not in sales, but figured you guys would be the best place to get some advice in a desperate situation I'm in. On Monday of this week I signed a deal to purchase a new '08 Ford Taurus. 4-year loan through Ford Credit. I'm located in PA. I'm supposed to take delivery this Saturday.

Today I was laid off from a well-paying job. I'm the sole provider for my family, and want to get out of this deal at all possible right now as I have no idea how long it will take to get a new job. The dealer has a $2,000 down payment I put on a credit card. All the papers are signed, I just haven't taken delivery yet.

How can I get out of this? Getting the 2k back would be ideal but I don't mind losing it just to get out of this. Of course the contract doesn't allow any cancellation unless there was fraud (which there wasn't.)

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

volvomax · September 2007

Well, if you haven't taken delivery,there isn't a whole lot the dealer can do to make you take the car.
Especially if you no longer have the ability to pay for it.
I'd call the dealership and explain what happened,and tell them you want your card credited for the downpayment.

nyccarguy · September 2007

Somebody in my condo complex has (maybe had, I haven't seen it in a while) an E46 330Ci ZHP (automatic no less) with an ///M3 badge on it. I want to run into this guy, just to tell him I like his 330 Coupe. I would love for him to try and tell me: "No, it is an M3."

editor2 · September 2007

I'm just another civilian but I would hope that the dealership would just be honorable and let you out of it. You entered into the bargain in good faith, so they should have reason to treat you as a solid person who has run into an emergency. Hope I'm not dreaming here, but people do have hardships, and I'd like to think that dealerships can see real from fake reasons to change a deal.
If I were you, I'd sure as heck try to get that downpayment refunded. It might seem suspect (like buyer's remorse instead) to imply that you could lose the deposit without it having an impact financially.

snakeweasel · September 2007

Hey I like that one

roadburner · September 2007

I won't focus on the redundancy (how many dialed-in poseurs have you met?),

Good point!

but will point out that he's in a very large cohort.

True enough, sadly.

"If it don't go, chrome it." That's from the '50's. Some things never change.

Right again. I just don't get it. I can understand a fast car that looks fast, and I especially like fast cars that don't look fast -Q ships- but I just don't get why you tart up a car to look like a rocket ship while it struggles to run a 17 second quarter...

chikoo · September 2007

Tata is one very stable company, and is actually on a roll the last few years with it's fundamentals being automobile manufacturing (not design) and Steel industry. If it buys Jag, it would be very interesting.

snakeweasel · September 2007

I can understand a fast car that looks fast, and I especially like fast cars that don't look fast

Ah the sleeper, the car we aspired to when I was in high school.

but I just don't get why you tart up a car to look like a rocket ship while it struggles to run a 17 second quarter...

I don't get it either, its all about image and nothing about what it can actually do. But what really gets me is the number of those that think they really have something. Its funny to watch a slow 4 banger challenging a V8 powerhouse.

roadburner · September 2007

Tata is one very stable company, and is actually on a roll the last few years with it's fundamentals being automobile manufacturing (not design) and Steel industry. If it buys Jag, it would be very interesting.

I wonder how long it will be until Jaguar starts offering Tandoori Editions? Maybe a Vindaloo Shooting Brake?

roadburner · September 2007

I don't get it either, its all about image and nothing about what it can actually do. But what really gets me is the number of those that think they really have something. Its funny to watch a slow 4 banger challenging a V8 powerhouse.

A while back some numbskull in a Stratus R/T pulled up beside my 1999 Wrangler at a traffic light. It had all of the tacky mods that are so popular these days: grotesque ground effects, basket handle deck spoiler, chrome wheels, "tuner" stickers, and-of course-the obligatory Folger's can muffler/exhaust tip. I guess he thought he could impress his girlfriend by blowing off my Jeep. However, when the light changed I beat him by two cars- before I backed off. My son waved bye-bye to them.
It's a good thing my kid couldn't read lips, because I don't think Dodge boy was congratulating us as he roared past in a loser fly-by... :P

grj0034 · September 2007

Thanks for the two replies. Now that I have some time on my hands I'm going to go down there tomorrow and tell them what's happened. I talked to my credit card company (Capital One), and they said that if I haven't taken delivery, and the dealer won't give me the deposit, just call them and they'll reverse the charge. Hopefully that actually works.

chikoo · September 2007

or maybe a Jaguar Tikka?

I will wait for the Maharaja's Limited Edition :shades:

snakeweasel · September 2007

What a Wrangler beating out a Stratus R/T? thats sad, I can hold my own against a Wrangler in my Elantra.

You should see the morons in stuff like riced up Civics wanting to race my Caddy. Even though I have more than three times the HP I usually let them win. Whats fun is letting the blow me off at every stoplight expect the one where the road narrows to one lane right afterwards. :shades:

snakeweasel · September 2007

Hopefully that actually works.

My experience with Capital One is that they are very good with stuff like that.

stickguy · September 2007

is you haven't taken possession, there really isn't much you can do. Just get the credit card carge reversed and there really isn't anything!

Besides, the deal has to be dead anyway, since I doubt the financing would go through, since you now have no income if you got laid off.

Sorry for your situation, but think how much worse off you would have been if you went car shopping a week earlier. Not likely they would have taken it back!

In this situation, any reputable dealer should be happy to refund the deposit and squish the deal. They aren't out anything.

jimmy2x · September 2007

I can understand a fast car that looks fast, and I especially like fast cars that don't look fast

Ah the sleeper, the car we aspired to when I was in high school.

The "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" - brings back memories from the good ole' days.

roadburner · September 2007

You should see the morons in stuff like riced up Civics wanting to race my Caddy.

Well, the CTS-V is somewhat of a Q-ship. For some reason practically no one in the Louisville area knows what my MS3 is. I've surprised more than a few Charger R/Ts and Mustang GTs- never mind the flatulent bumblebee "Tuner" crowd.

stealthrt · September 2007

Why is it the more expensive and exotic the car the more trouble it is with regard to reliability. I would think it would be the opposite. What is the allure of these trouble prone vehicles.

Whether Jag or LAnd Rover or Ferarri they all don't have the long term reliability of a plain jane Honda. Land Rover is near the bottom in reliability according to JD Powers. Not good for a vehicle that is sold to take one a long way off the beaten path. Masaratis another car loaded with early issues.

mackabee · September 2007

Looks like some of the guys already answered your questions. Sorry about your job loss. What type of work do you do?

Mackabee

mackabee · September 2007

Sorry, he wants to sell me some land in North Carolina.

Mack

im_brentwood · September 2007

Here's an old shot of my M5...

jmonroe · September 2007

Here's an old shot of my M5...

Is there a reason why we only see a view of the rear? Looks like you were hanging around with some bad dudes. That black one in the rear will take some real work and that white one next to it looks like the left rear wheel in leaning quite a bit. I didn't know there was a problem with potholes in FL.

jmonroe

snakeweasel · September 2007

Why is it the more expensive and exotic the car the more trouble it is with regard to reliability.

The more complicated you make the car the more gizmos you put in it the more chances you have for something to go bad. Conversely if you keep things basic then fewer things have a chance to go bad.

What is the allure of these trouble prone vehicles.

Snob appeal.

Land Rover is near the bottom in reliability according to JD Powers.

One thing you have remember is that something that a buyer of a $20K car might not care about or even notice is something than a buyer of a $100K car will complain about.

lrguy44 · September 2007

Snob appeal

That sounds like jealousy - try driving experience. Also, in our case, how unique the vehicle is.

jmonroe · September 2007

That sounds like jealousy - try driving experience. Also, in our case, how unique the vehicle is.

Sounds good but how long are you going to be driving it if it spends quite a bit of its time on the rack?

When the cars mentioned as being trouble prone start appearing toward the top of any reliability survey, your argument will have some weight!!

jmonroe

sterlingdog · September 2007

Sorry about that. Just wanted the guys to know the final chapter of my experience with the dealership.

lrguy44 · September 2007

First of all, you make it sound like we have parking lots full of cars to be serviced - not the case. In fact, most of my customers have very little if not no problems with the cars. Secondly, about half of the "faults" identified on JD Powers are designed in. For instance, customers complained that doors are hard to close. Well, they a re tripled sealed for wading thru water so the last door to shut with the windows up is hard to close. And the doors are heavier than normal cars. Also, the term driving experience is not understood by people who have never spent time behind the wheel of a European vehicle.

jmonroe · September 2007

Also, in our case, how unique the vehicle is.

Is that the Range Rover way of saying "snob appeal"? (I should have mentioned this in post 18137 but I forgot and I didn't want to edit).

jmonroe

lrguy44 · September 2007

No, it is the total capability of the car, the way the car drives on and off road, performs in snow, comfort and quietness driving, and many other factors, Take one (or a BMW 5 or 7 series or MB) for a good test drive, then drive a Camry, Hyundai, etc. There is a world of difference.

british_rover · September 2007

Also you have the common misconception that many other people have about jags. Jags are not unreliable anymore. They are coming up near the top of many surveys and are even beating some of the plain jane Japanese brands.

You can't even discuss Ferrari as they are hand built exotics.

Most of Land Rovers problems are either stupid faults that might be annoying but don't leave you stranded. Or they are only faults of perception that people don't understanding like the hard to close doors Cliff mentioned. Not understand the symbols used for some of the controls in the car is another common complaint.

None of those problems are going to leave you stranded but the reliability surveys don't make a distinction between VOR(Vehicle Off Road) faults and minor faults that leave the vehicle still drivable.

joel0622 · September 2007

LOL... that's a good one joel. But, what was the reaction of the GP and customer? Seems if the customer was a homophobe the GP could have lost a customer.

We do allot of repeat business and I have been here so long everyone knows me and how I am on the sales floor, I just make sure I recognize the customer before I spout off. They would probably be disappointed if I didn't say anything.

I got a few customers that call me up when they have good joke to tell me.

jmonroe · September 2007

First of all, you make it sound like we have parking lots full of cars to be serviced - not the case.

No, I never said parking lots, I said racks full.

In fact, most of my customers have very little if not no problems with the cars.

The ones being sold at your store must be the exception. (the surveys dont support this statement) but if what you say is correct, once the word is out your sales will skyrocket.

Secondly, about half of the "faults" identified on JD Powers are designed in.

Thats a new one on me. I always thought you were supposed to design faults out of a car.

For instance, customers complained that doors are hard to close. Well, they a re tripled sealed for wading thru water so the last door to shut with the windows up is hard to close.

Cmon, youre selling a car not a submarine. Dont get cute with a design and you wont have designed in faults!

Also, the term driving experience is not understood by people who have never spent time behind the wheel of a European vehicle.

Ive already commented in a previous post about the driving experience.

jmonroe

qbrozen · September 2007

LOL!

I didn't even know they MADE a 518!

mackabee · September 2007

"Take one (or a BMW 5 or 7 series or MB) for a good test drive, then drive a Camry, Hyundai, etc. There is a world of difference."

Yeah, the Camry drives better and it's more reliable! :P
Mack

british_rover · September 2007

You speak blasphemy. No currently produced Toyota drives as good as a BMW. I have a hard time thinking of any Toyota from the past that drives as good.

A properly maintained 530i is probably as reliable if not more so then a Camry and a vastly better drive.

lrguy44 · September 2007

Mac, I love ya guy, but when I shut the door on my Tacoma and shut the door on a LR, there is a world of difference. People on test drives always comment on how stable our cars feel compared to the Toyotas, Fords, etc. of the world.

lrguy44 · September 2007

Cmon, youre selling a car not a submarine. Dont get cute with a design and you wont have designed in faults

Our cars are created for more than one purpose. Just watch the Discovery channel - don't forget, we are sold in over 147 countries where road condition are not the same as here. We are truly a world car. North America is about 25% of our production. What's wrong with being designed stronger?

jmonroe · September 2007

Take one (or a BMW 5 or 7 series or MB) for a good test drive, then drive a Camry, Hyundai, etc. There is a world of difference

My point was NOT how well they drive/ride because those are subjective observations. My point was how long will the trouble prone cars be on the road before they return to the rack!!

jmonroe

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