Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    The Outback is a great cuv , get a 2.5 i limited or a xt .i would stay away from the L.l bean editions. A new subaru should make for a exellent automobile and a great buying experience. Offer invoice no dealer fee minus rebates.

    On Dealer trades or Dealer buys subaru dealers split the holdback so a invoice deal is a home run.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,412
    "...and 2 to my 20 grand over msrp russian exporter..."

    You send my favorite teen age dream car out of the country when I would have offered you invoice for it. You Commie! How could you! :mad: :cry:

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

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    anyone selling new iron?my business is all pre owned right now. i did 127 used to 34 new this past friday ,saturday ,sunday. total of 811 new and used for nov 2007.


    3 Questions...

    1) Are you hiring?

    2) What's the pay plan?

    3) Do I get a demo?

    GP
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    the 2008 challenger is a slushbox only, i will demo a 2009 challenger with a proper clutch activated 6 speed and super trackpak. my first domestic demo
    since subaru brought out the 2.5 turbo.

    I will miss the Mrs.Deskman's 911 S :(

    Maybe i will dust off the acr in winter.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Mrs Deskman is offering pics of her to anyone dipping into holdback.better hurry before she starts to show.

    Is Mrs. Deskman Russian? :P Just kidding...

    How close is your nearest competitor?

    GP
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    mini $250
    pack $3500
    hiring yes
    demo no .i am the only non family member with a demo.the only person to have worked at my store longer than me would be the owner.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Mrs. Deskman is Dutch 28 5'7 36 24 36 135 lbs.

    My store is on auto row. closest competitor is next door a 1000 new cars 600 used toyota store.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    pack $3500

    You have to love Florida... You guys always get all the money :shades:

    What is the pack on new?

    I guess you could say who cares what pack is on new...

    No one is selling new...

    Is it 25% on used anything over pack or is everyone basically just getting mini's?

    GP
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Our pack here on used is $500 plus works check.

    If the car doesn't need anything Service still gets minimum $400 for works check.

    20% after pack on used.

    GP
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    new = mini and get trade to resell
    used = big gross even with a $3500 pack to the house. our screamer ad even gives you a small payable gross.

    25% on all payable and if you hit your goal 5% of back end retro and a cash bonus for units starting at $3000 for 15 up to $ 25000 for a hunded.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Sounds like a pressure cooker!

    image

    How many sales people you got on the floor and what do they average unit wise?
    Mackabee
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    base new pack is $3500 up to $5000 on msrp of 44500 or higher.vipers srt and sti $10000 pack. all used $3500 before the shop gets it.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    we have 50 to 60 product specialist,20 floor mgrs,10 closers , 5 deskmen and 10 f&i .
    only a few greenpeas hit bonus every month.if they hit bonus to often we promote them .
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    That is old car personified - I will take my no pressure, no screamer high end and make my 6 figures comfortably thank you.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I wish i sold @ high end stores .i love the atmosphere ,very relaxed,

    I have spoken to my owner about the coming addition to the family and a new role for me in the store.I may transfer to our beachside German country club store as g.m.
    after 15 years riding the desk i look forward to my new role.

    the german buyers can't be anymore anal than the subaru buyers.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Last week I get what looks to be a promising e-lead. Certified used, all kinds of questions. Several e-mails result in more answers, finding an off lease car available for us to purchase, and a discussion on the 07 retired service loaners. Finally an appointment is set for Saturday. I get an e-mail saying she is ill and cannot make it in. Ok, resked. Then get an e-mail saying thanks for all the info and time, just bought a retired service loaner at another store. Now I don't mind losing (as much anyway) if I have an opportunity to earn the biz. but to be a info provider and no chance for the sale - i was POed. Then I find out we are scheduling a big event and her facility (she is a sales person) is being considered. Well, now they will not have an opportunity. I love sweet revenge.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    BritishRover/LRGuy44.... Found out my LR3 passenger-side brake light was out. I thought the LR3 would let you know but a friend of mine following me told me. So, I get the manual and read the directions on how to take out the bulb. I could not get the huge rear lense to come loose. I unscrewed the two screws and it would not come off.

    I called the dealer (Land Rover of Rancho Mirage) and ask them if light bulbs were covered under warranty, he said yes. I told the guy about my predicament and he said come on down and we'll do it for you (great service!).

    While waiting, I strolled over to the new car showroom and they had a new Range Rover, Black, Limited, with tu-tone seats (black and burnt umber color)..... they had a $10,000 market adjustment to bring it up to $115,000!!!!!! :sick:

    I just don't get it, the RR didn't look THAT special. I sat in a 2008 LR2 (MSRP $41,000) and it was very nice... I like the size and the look of the interior. Looked almost like my LR3. I bet those will sell well.

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    It is a special edition (Westminster) that is based on a S/C Range Rover with all the options, special cladding and interior appointments. I am having a senior moment but I think North America gets 250 of them. I know we are getting 3. MSRP about $105k. We will sell ours for MSRP, but in Cali they will get more.

    The LR2 is a neat car and selling well here.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    bonus for units starting at $3000 for 15 up to $ 25000 for a hunded.

    Correct me if I am wrong...

    15 units = $3000 in bonus

    100 units = $25,000 in bonus

    Asumming you exellent CSI

    Can you set up housing for transients?

    I am ready to start looking at palm trees

    GP
  • ddeliseddelise Member Posts: 353
    So I see a used Infiniti Q45 on the internet. Send an email this afternoon, and set up an appointment to check out the car this evening. Takes me 40 minutes to take a 10 mile drive due to traffic. I get to the dealer (Lexus dealer no less), and the salesperson is of course with another customer. After 20 minutes of waiting, I am told that she is bringing the car around front to look at and to take a drive. 20 more minutes later, it turns out the car is not at the dealership! It was just brought home by one of the managers.

    Apparently, the car has been on the lot for a long time, and the uc or business manager took the car home for the evening, as tomorrow it was going to be sent to be auctioned. However, now they are going to bring it to my business tomorrow so I can look at it and drive it.

    So, the question is, knowing they were just about to send it to auction, what do I offer (if interested)? They are asking $22.9k for a 2004 Q45 w/ 60k miles - which is a pretty decent price I think. But, there must be some room here, no?
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Looks like it may have been marked down to the bare bones already. Offer them the asking price less the auction fees. I'm sure they rather sell it to you than have to take it to the auction and maybe lose money on it.
    Mack
  • ddeliseddelise Member Posts: 353
    What do auction fees average on a $20k car - $700 or so???
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    a small one bedroom apartment oceanview rental runs about $3000 turn key or a 3 bedroom rental on the mainland is $1500 +++

    and you must speak spanish.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Yikes 3,500 pack???

    Most of our used cars don't even have 3,500 of gross in them.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I've always liked the Lexus ES300 of two generations ago. 97-01 in the Diamond white pearl with the beige or silver two tone scheme, prefer the ivory leather but would settle for the gray. I asked our wholesale guys to look out for one at the auction and they laughed at me. image
    They tell me those are a hot item at the auctions. Well lo and behold I go to one of those websites that advertise cars for sale from various sources and do a search. I find a 97 in my color with about 130842 miles on the ticker and they supposedly reduced it from $7995.00 to $5995.00 image

    image

    I e-mail them and hear nothing for a week. I even look for the car and can't find it so I figure it must be sold. Today I open my mail browser and I see an e-mail from N.Va so I assume it's the store that I contacted a week ago. "Sure took them a long time to get back to me." I say to myself. :shades: Here's the text from the e-mail. I left the name of the sales person off to protect the innocent.

    "Your in luck, the 1997 Lexus ES300 is still available. There is alot of interest in this vehicle, so I would act fast. Please give me a call at (xxx) xxx-4241 to schedule an appointment, or for further information. Hope to hear from you soon." image

    Now mind you, this place is about 200 miles from my home so I asked quite a few questions about the car that were not answered in the response. Questions such as ; how long has the car been in the lot, any paintwork? body damage? you know the usual questions. But nothing. The three pictures on the site were taken at night so it's hard to tell. I'm still debating whether to pursue it further or look for something closer.
    image
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I am having a senior moment but I think North America gets 250 of them.

    hehehe

    image

    The bulletin said 500 for the US market and I think the exact MSRP was 105,600 USD and we will not be marking them up either.

    image

    image
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    my take....

    typically the lexus guys auction off cars which has too many things needed to fix in order to bring it up to saleable condition.
    Make sure you are not getting one such vehicle.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    go for it.

    I have the 2000 ES300 in the same color with 108K on it and it is the epitome of a "luxury" ride. no bumps, no jerks...ahhh

    Did I miss saying that the paint job is still as glossy as day 1?
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,827
    late to the party, but from the customer perspective, it is wonderful to have those boxes on the window.

    I first saw it at a honda dealer that was part of a complex. THey have cars stashed in various central lots, in addition to by the building. So, you might have to drive a bit to get to the storage lot.

    As a customer, few things bugged me more than having to wait by a car while the salesguy wandered off to find keys (and have a smoke, of course!) and hope that he came back. Then if you saw another unit, back he goes.

    Well, with the on car box, you can see anyone that you happened to be by, and save a lot of time.'

    Besides, as a salesperson, isn't it preferable to not leave the customer by themself for too long? They might disappear!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Might have my son go take a look at it since he's closer than I am.
    Mack
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Just ran into this while looking at some ads:

    link title

    Mackabee
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    British_rover.............. yes, that is the same interior of the RR that I saw. The "market adjustment" is the very reason why I don't buy my cars in California. I always get them cheaper in Tennessee without any additional stickers.

    When I was looking for my '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, 4x4, etc... They had "market adjustments" on every Jeep in California. I got $3,000 off on a $37,000 MSRP in TN. When I had my Jeep in for service in CA and wandered over to the new Jeep's I told the salesman my dealer in TN does not put "market adjustment" stickers on the window stickers. He said they do it for customers who are very upside down with their trades. I also told him about my discount and he said that there was NO way that I got that discount.

    I did trade my '96 JGC, Ltd, for the '99 and it seemed that I got a reasonable amt. for it. Maybe the numbers just looked good because of my trade. Anyway, I still didn't have to deal with those darn "addendum" stickers!

    It might be just me, but I just can't see paying $115,000 for a RR, Limited,......I don't care for the tu-tone seats...... For $115,000, you could get a Maserati Quattroporte. (I know it's not an SUV but is a RR really an SUV?)....who ever takes them off road! LOL! :P (including me).

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • ddeliseddelise Member Posts: 353
    I bet it's at least one decimal point off! ;)
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Oops, edit myself here. I meant all month in the month of November
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    25% on all payable and if you hit your goal 5% of back end retro and a cash bonus for units starting at $3000 for 15 up to $ 25000 for a hunded.

    You have a single salesmen sell 100 in a month? Wow

    If a guy sells a hundred an averages just $1200 front end a copy that is $30K in commissions. If he averages just $600 a copy back end that is another $3K, plus is his $25K for selling 100.

    That is a $58K Bonus Check for 1 month, not counting miscellaneous spiffs and spins. Damn, I work in the wrong store. You can make more in 1 1/2 months then I do all year. :D
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I was thinking the exact same thing.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    is a RR really an SUV

    The answer is yes and some customers will regularly off road them. We also have many mountain customers that have long hilly gravel and mud rutted driveways and access roads who use the car's capabilities in rain and snow.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    lrguy44, I was just kidding. The whole purpose of me buying the last 4 suv's was that I drive across country quite often and will run into snow/ice, etc. The 'sure-footed-ness' of the Land Rover, et al, is perfect for me.

    I still can't see $115,000 for a RR limited but there are people who want that special, different, vehicle and that's why they make them.

    I have friends who have bought a Rolls Royce Phantom and are having it made into a 4 door convertible. The transition alone was about $250K plus the $330K to buy the car. It should be done within the next 3 or 4 months. All it takes is money :sick:

    M156 :D
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    I know what you are saying - and I have customers that own 10-40 cars. I guess it gets in the blood. I am not a fan of "special editions" but maybe a Barrett-Jackson auction 50 years from now will prove me wrong.
  • otto8otto8 Member Posts: 116
    Theres NO problem with the siennas doors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You know toyota likes to HIDE known problems.................

    Well anyhoo heres a 600,000 vehicle sienna door recall:
    http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=678203

    Heres a "few" links to something thats not a problem.......Till now!
    http://www.siennaclub.org/forum/inde...showtopic=7482
    http://www.toyotasiennadefects.info/
    http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0eb3fd/0
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9XlOA4mhd8
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    The Westminster special editions never really did anything for me. If I was going to get a Limited edition Range Rover it would have to be either a Linely, and that is never going to happen since they only made five of them I think, or a Holland & Holland.
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    Is the H&H the one with the gun safe in the floor?
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    On some models yes. I think there ended up being some kind of issue with getting the locking gun drawer into the US so it was offered as an accessory. Most of the UK models had it but I have never seen one in person just pictures.

    The rear cargo area had a sliding, lockable case for a set of Holland & Holland Shot guns.

    I can't remember how many H&H Range Rovers came into the US but I think it was 100.

    Edit:

    it was 125 for the US market and the gun case was not brought over to North America

    Wow you can find everything the web Original press release from Land Rover on the H&H Model Range Rover.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Quote from article: "The problem is with the front doors on the driver's and passenger's sides, rather than the van's sliding doors. When the door is open, it's supposed to be held in place by the door check mounting panel. When the part fails, the door swings freely."

    We were talking about the Sienna sliding doors IIRC. Put down the whiskey and step away from the blonde!
    :P
  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    "I am not a fan of "special editions" but maybe a Barrett-Jackson auction 50 years from now will prove me wrong."

    IR and others---

    Speaking of special editions, did any of you see the lengthy article on special edition automobiles in USA Today's "Money" section yesterday? According to the article Ford has no fewer than 7 versions (including the Bullitt) of the Mustang--maybe Joel can verify that figure. The author mentions the success Ford, Honda and others have had with special editions over the years--the Ford Eddie Bauer and Harley Davidson specials come to mind.

    Anyway, the most impressive special edition--to me at least--because it trumps all the other "Chick" cars that were recently bandied about, is the 1955 Dodge La Femme, an SE version of the Dodge Custom Royal Lancer--it only lasted two years. Far surpassing accessories like the flower vase in the VW New Beetle, the La Femme came with a "rose-hued shoulder bag and umbrella to match the seats". Talk about your heavy dose of estrogen! Of course, no self-respecting, button-down male of the 50s would be caught dead in it and since they were buying pretty much all the automobiles in that era the Le Femme died a quick death.

    So I hope all of you are bowing to the King...er Queen of the Chick cars: The Dodge La Femme. 21st Century Dodge has placed itself squarely within the comfortable masculine confines of Ram, Challenger, Caliber, etc. Good thing they dumped the Neon. :)

    Gogiboy
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    The La Femme actually had rosebud pattern seats. Doubt if many husbands wanted to borrow the wifes La Femme.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Rosebud ehh???

    image
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    Yes, but the car did not come with a matching sled. :P
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Mac, one of my favs also. I did not realize they were so hot but I do know they are hard to find. I test drove one a few years ago and would have bought it but my wife hated it. Go figure. I could care less about the 2002 and newer.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    "anyone selling new iron?my business is all pre owned right now"

    i work at a lot that is all used, so thats all im sellin right now. although i did get half of a new camry deal last sat, which ended up being a nice commission for a new car. in the year and a half of selling hyundai, i never made more than a mini on every new car deal.
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