Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    :confuse: Richard, I missed it. What car did you end up getting? Not the Solara? :confuse:
    \ Mackabee
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Firm believer in "you want a car....go get one on your own".

    I think that's a healthy and educational attitude!

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,504
    "...300 was a remake..."

    Yea, but the original was in Greek. ;)

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

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    The best part about this, is that my wife doesn’t like the necklace because it’s too “bright” (I thought that the jewelry is supposed to be bright, but what do I know, I am just a man).

    I'm sure if it came in a blue box it wouldn't have been too bright. ;)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,504
    "...but they don't have anything with opal..."

    Of course not. GM hasn't sold Opal in the US for years.

    "...started up selling me on diamonds..."

    Now you're talking. Three diamonds in Japanese is "Mitsubishi". What was it? Let me guess. For $950 I bet it was a left over Raider. Gotta love those rebates.

    "...needs to check with her manager..."
    "...pushing lifetime repair warranty..."
    "...she started whining...she would lose her job..."

    Are you sure you were in a jewlery store? :confuse:

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,504
    "...I'm sure if it came in a blue box it wouldn't have been too bright..."

    If my wife asked me to bring home something in a blue box she would be getting a gift of Tampax. :blush:

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

  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    "When I left teaching and became the HR Director, my wife would tell me that the kids parking lot at the high school looked better than the staff parking lot."

    richard--

    Boy, you've got that right. My college department has a building on the edge of campus (approx. 1.5 miles from the center of campus). We have our own small gravel parking lot. The 4 faculty members at one time had a mid-90s Ford F250, a 1990 Ford Panel van, a late 80s Ford F150, a 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager and my 94 Honda Civic. Recently my Civic was replaced by an 07 Mazda3 and the panel truck was replaced by a bare-bones 06 Tundra.

    The students drive mostly 2-5 year old vehicles that include, Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti nameplates as well as an assortment of cars with "tuner upgrades" and at least one Hummer H2. Lately, one of my students has been showing up in a fairly recent Range Rover (it has a 4.6 HSE insignia on the back). Turns out it belongs to the boyfriend of one of my students. IMHO there is no such animal as a "Luxury vehicle" when many, many 19-20 year olds drive everything.

    Obviously mom and dad are seldom denying junior anything. There are a few clunkers and sensible cars (i.e. cheap to insure, easy on gas, relatively safe) in the lot, but they are by far the minority. As a kid I can remember walking with my dad to his lab in the mid-1960s. The bike rack in front of the medical school library entrance was overflowing with English 3-speed bicycles. The bike rack in front of my building has at most one bike most of the time. It's very easy to bike or catch the bus to my building, but less than 5% do because they can drive and park! Times really have changed dramatically.

    Now, if you park next to the business college building or engineering complex the faculty lots start to resemble the student lots.

    Gogiboy
  • exb0exb0 Member Posts: 539
    "...needs to check with her manager..."
    "...pushing lifetime repair warranty..."
    "...she started whining...she would lose her job..."

    Are you sure you were in a jewlery store?


    Yes, this why I posted the story here. Different industry, same tactics.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Good post. The smartest thing I ever did with my youngest son was to let him walk his first semester at college. I have a 99 CRV with 130K+ miles that I told him he could drive, but he said he wouldn't be caught dead driving it, said it was "too boxy". He came home for Christmas break that year and was begging me to let him take it back. My other son drives an 04 Tacoma that he put $4K down on when we bought it, but he rides a bicycle to his college classes.
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Hey guys, I just stumbled upon these forums about a week ago. I have been selling cars for about 7 years now, and like the openness between customers and sales people on here.

    As you can tell from my name I am currently selling Suzuki. I have sold Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, Chrysler and Jeep in the past.

    Just wanted to take a second and introduce myself.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Hi mrsuzuki, welcome and glad to have you on board. Feel free to post your sales stories... as often as you like. :)

    Jip
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Welcome...hope you aren't too thin skinned!
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    I guess I could start off with a recent story of mine.

    About three weeks ago, I get a mother and daughter come into the dealership wanting to look at a 2008 SX4 5Dr.

    I show them the vehicle and the daughter really likes the car. I ask them how soon they are looking to make a purchase, and they reply that it would be within a week, and that they wanted to drive 3 more cars and would let me know.

    So I give them a few days to drive the other vehicles. When I do call and talk to the mother, I ask her how her shopping is going. She said that out of the 6 cars they drove, the SX4 was number 2. I say that is great, and then I ask her if there was anything I could do to make the SX4 her first choice. She said that the car was great, but they liked the Mazda the same, and liked the gas mileage of the Mazda better. I ask her if the Mazda was AWD. She said no, and I point out that the AWD is the difference in MPG. I also ask her if AWD was something she was interested in, and she said that was the reason she looked at the SX4.

    We talk for a few more mins, and I answer some more of her questions. I set an appointment for her to come in that following Saturday to work up some figures.

    Now this is the part that gets interesting. She shows up right on time with her husband. I talk to them for a few mins, and then ask if they wanted to take it for another drive just to be sure they liked it. They agreed and took it for a spin. When they get back from the drive, I ask them if they would like to see some figures on the vehicle. They said yes, but you only get one shot at giving the best deal I can. I said no problem. Now Suzuki's have very little mark up them, and to be honest, we sell most of them at invoice cause Suzuki pays the dealerships, and salespeople on volume, I could care less what we sell them at. So I tell my manager just to price it out at $100 under invoice, cause I think that is what it will take to put the deal together. He agrees, and I work the numbers down. I show the customer the numbers, they get mean, and say that is not good enough. I said what do you mean its not good enough, its $100 under invoice, and I show them the invoice. They still don't believe me. She then pulls out a print off from and unknown website showing the invoice of a 2007 SX4. However the price she has is a 2007 SX4 at invoice minus holdback national and local advertising, and destination charge. She wouldn't even give me a few seconds to try and show her the error in her research. She stormed out of the dealership.

    I called her house about 30 mins later, and her daughter answers. I asked her what was up. She said that her parents were going to buy a Mazda instead.

    This is what I dont understand. She paid $4000.00 more for a Mazda with less warranty and less equipment, but got mad at me because of my price.

    Thoughts???? /discuss
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Nah man, I can take it. I was in the Army.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Sounds like the lady might be bipolar to me... you just caught her in an ugly mood. :sick:

    I can see trying to (snake) weasel out of paying holdback and advertising, but trying to get out of paying destination charge just shows the woman was an uninformed or ignorant buyer.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    As you can tell from my name I am currently selling Suzuki. I have sold Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, Chrysler and Jeep in the past.


    Since you are selling Suzukis one questionfor you? Most of the Suzuki dealers in my area are mainly used car stores. The dealers took on Suzuki for Bank and financing options. Do you know if that was the same case with your store?

    GP
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    The Internets know all and the mean sales people lie? Just a guess but I have met people like that.

    But the internet said...

    Sure it did ma'am Garbage in Garbage out all that jazz.
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    We are a stand alone Suzuki store. We sell new and used cars. I never thought I would be selling Suzuki's until I drove some of the new product. I was impressed, and now I'm here.
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    I just hate to be called a lair and all that jazz, when I'm telling the truth, and giving a heck of a deal. :(
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    ridiculous. I love nature as much as the next Land Rover sales man but I have just been stung by a wasp while typing an email at my desk.

    Now my left forearm is swelling up, my left hand is all tingly and my fingers are shaking.

    This sucks.
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Worker's Comp?? jk
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I can see trying to (snake) weasel out of paying holdback and advertising, but trying to get out of paying destination charge…

    Remember, that name was given to him by a relative before he could look a grasshopper in the eye. It wasn’t his choosing.

    Boy, I can’t wait until he gets home from work (countin beans)…this otta be good. :surprise:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    My boss told me I should sue. :P

    My WPM must be down by at least 50% because my left hand is all tingly/numb. I have a headache now too.
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Did you kill it?
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I flicked it off my arm while it was still stuck in me. I hit it so hard it just about exploded when it hit my office window.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    The Army? Me too. OK. I know you're tough!
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Not to mention she was comparing 2007 invoice on a 2008 :surprise:
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    This sucks.

    Oh...so you've already cut an X on the spot and started this first aid procedure.

    Carefull, too much of this will give you a headache...darn you've already found this out. Well I could have helped if I typed faster. :(

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Congrats on Honda dethroning Toyota as #1 in quality.
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    must have been an English wasp. Did it have a tiny union jack on it? :P
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Bah thats for snake bites not bee stings. I actually have a snake venom remover kit in my first aid box.

    It is a little rubber bellows looking thing about twice the size of your thumb, a sterilized razor blade, twine, antiseptic wipes and a big compression bandage.

    If I remember the procedure correctly it goes something like...

    Wrap the twine around the side of the wound closest to the heart to keep the poison from getting to it. Clean the wound with the wipes, cut the X over the bite, suck the poison out with the rubber thing and then wipe the wound again.

    Put the compression bandage on as tight as you can then remove the twine. Seek medical attention immediately.
  • carhag2000carhag2000 Member Posts: 207
    Hi Mrsuzuki welcome aboard!
    As I get told all of the time dont let it get you down. People have pre-conceived notions of our (dis) honesty all of the time. I had a sales manager who had a zero tolerance policy for being called a liar. As soon as that word came out of the customers mouth they had a very short shelf life as a customer at our dealership.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Seek medical attention immediately.

    OK, I've called 911.

    Meet them at the door, in a horizontal position. I'm not sure what that means, probably something to do with heart rate. :surprise:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    We are neighbors. My sister went to Med School at OU.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Deep down their preference was the Mazda, even though it was more. They had an idea of a price for the Suz, even though it might have been based on some flawed logic. They were willing to consider the Suz at the lower price....sensing it might be a better 'value' for their dollar. They come to the store to find out your number is higher than what they thought........so figured at that price they might as well get what they really wanted in the first place which was the Mazda.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Now my left forearm is swelling up, my left hand is all tingly and my fingers are shaking.

    This sucks.

    Now picture that on both hands AND feet all the time. 24/7/365 Welcome to my world. :sick:
    Mackabee
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    I knew they wanted the Mazda more, but why get crappy with me? I am just trying to help them. Its not like I said, enjoy your Ford.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    If I remember the procedure correctly it goes something like...

    Wrap the twine around the side of the wound closest to the heart to keep the poison from getting to it. Clean the wound with the wipes, cut the X over the bite, suck the poison out with the rubber thing and then wipe the wound again.

    Put the compression bandage on as tight as you can then remove the twine. Seek medical attention immediately.


    Do all that if you must, but the important part is all in the last sentence.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Dethroning?! Last I read the article said we still have 44 percent of all models in the "Recommended" category. Besides, the cars they surveyed were the initial production of 07 Camry V6 and 5.7L Tundra with a bad cam which was provided by one of our competitors which in the name of peace I will not publish the name here lest we start a big mess.
    :)
    Mackabee

    Well, here you be the judge: link title
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    It wasn't his choosing...Boy, I can’t wait until he gets home from work (countin beans)…this otta be good

    If I was in the mob I'd love having an accountant that handles by the name snakeweasel. You'd know you were getting one of the best. Though a more effective combination would be having a "snake" and a "jip" do your taxes. So, in a way we are like blood brothers. :shades:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Seems like everytime Toyota has a hiccup or sneezes the rest of the automotive world goes in a frenzy! It is so nice to be number #1, everybody wants to compare themselves to you.
    :shades:

    image

    link title
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    I personally dont see how the publication who said this can still hold much credit considering they let Toyota have a free pass for many years, and when they do finally test a Toyota, they dont recommend the cars they test.

    One wonders if they would have fallen more if ALL models were tested, and not just the new models.

    Any manufacturer who recalls more cars than it makes three years in a row is going to have problems.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Well obviously yes it is. The kit is really designed for when you are out in the middle of no where and seeking medical attention quickly is not really possible. It is just to keep you going till you can get to a hospital or some other medical facility.

    It is from my old backpacking first aid kit.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Wrap the twine around the side of the wound closest to the heart to keep the poison from getting to it. Clean the wound with the wipes, cut the X over the bite, suck the poison out with the rubber thing and then wipe the wound again.

    While I can appreciate having a snake(weasel) poison removal kit, I don't believe cutting an X over the bite is a recommended procedure anymore. I believe they stopped teaching that method when Davy Crockett was in jr. high school. ;)
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I actually think you are right and it is not the recommended way anymore but man does that little pouch with the rattlesnake embossed in the rubber look cool in your first aid kit. :shades:
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    So, in a way we are like blood brothers. :shades:

    Ooooo, he ain't gonna like that either. :mad:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Mack, all that article tells me is that Toyota is scared. :shades: :D
  • mrsuzukimrsuzuki Member Posts: 58
    Lets not turn this into lets bash one car or another. I was just giving props to Honda.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    A large number of the sales people on this board and just in general used to be in the military.

    Joel, Craig and the New Mr. Suzuki were all in the army. Cliff was in the navy and so was my center manager.

    I wanted to join the Marines but they wouldn't take me cause of my lame knees. I probably could have gotten into one of the wussier services like the Army or Navy... :P ;)
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    It's cool... those dudes just like to needle each other a bit. ;)

    edited: Though I do like jmonroes answer better(i.e "You stay out of this"). It has gotten a bit more interesting in here... the jipster does need his daily dose of drama. :P
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
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