Stories from the Sales Frontlines

18138148168188192003

Comments

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,195
    imid.....I used to go through all the steps (as you put forth). I'd do that every good weekend, especially with the "sports cars" I used to have in the stable. Heck, if any of my cars even got dust on them while sitting in the garage, I'd HAVE TO do a "quick detail" on it.

    I kind of fall on the side of isell these days. I'm not nearly as obsessive anymore. I've got better things to do with my time than to spend 3-4 hours every nice weekend detailing my car(s).

    There's all sorts of things I'd rather be doing.

    Still, when you go through as much trouble as you do (believe me, I know), there's a certain pride in knowing you've got the best looking ride on the street.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Rather than using Dawn, I would think that something with a little more grit to it would be better. He might try Comet, Bon Ami, etc. Another thought might be a soapy Brillo pad. Naturally, the best choice is to let the detail guy correct his mistake.

    Richard
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,404
    "...we don't want his car to lean too much to the right either..."

    I'm not sure what that even means any more. They were saying on the news the other day that all you folks who went to those tea parties were right wing racist nut jobs. Yet, you seem pretty fair and balanced to me.

    If you're an example of the right wing I guess it can't be all that bad.

    Still, good balance is probably desirable in both tires and people. :)

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    I've got better things to do with my time than to spend 3-4 hours every nice weekend detailing my car(s).

    I am glad you said that...I have been sitting back feeling like a lazy slob, but at least I am not the only one. Our cars are a year and a half old, and they have never been waxed or polished. I do get an easy to use polish which I try to use once or twice a year. I'll try to remember to do that when we get home. For the windows I will probably use Windex, but I usually end up with streaks. I think vinegar and newspapers work just as well, but it leaves streaks too. Maybe if Richard gets good at this he could open a little detailing shop.

    Basically, I am with you GG, I have books to read, tennis games to be played, walks to go on with the dog, work, movies and DVDs, and a once a year game of golf to play....so washing and waxing cars is a low priority item. Besides, if I keep shining it up how will I know when to trade it in?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    Rather than using Dawn, I would think that something with a little more grit to it would be better. He might try Comet, Bon Ami, etc. Another thought might be a soapy Brillo pad.

    Richard, you are talking about what to use on slippery floor mats right? Don't want someone thinking this is supposed to be used for washing their car. ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,249
    If you go to my carspace page, there's a link to a guide I wrote with a few tips on how to eliminate odors.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • smithedsmithed Member Posts: 444
    South Carolina is a terrible place. Everyone should stay away from there. Please. ;)
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    I have had immense success with removing musty odors coming from the AC in cars, using Arm & Hammer in the way I prescribed. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. Give it a try and let us know if it worked or not.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    That won't help if a rat has crewled into the heater ductwork and died.

    Our guys love it when that happens and they have the disgusting job of tearing the dash apart to get rid of it!

    Happens more often than you would think.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    How could someone know that?

    I've been to Spain a bunch of times (another brother lives there) and I lived in Germany for a year. Oh, and I'm a bit of a car geek. :)
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Craig, it can work....here is how

    the rotting rodent will only rot for so many days, not forever. Till that time, use the Arm & Hammer Baking soda to cleanse the odor from the air in the car.

    radical, eh?

    maybe disgusting too :sick:

    but better than tearing the ductwork apart.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Yeah but would you really want to put up with the stench of a decaying rat for however many days or weeks it would take for the smell to minimize.

    Not a happy odor! :(
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    Depending on conditions you can have several months of odor coming from a decaying rat. But that wouldn't be my main concern, what diseases are festering in that decaying body?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    Not me. My muscle power makes me tired with labor intensive waxes.

    I did the clay bar after reading that discussion. Bret Frazier (bretfraz) apparently is a guru in car care. I considered the synthetic sealer waxes, etc., and decided Mother's is just fine.

    But first I had bought the 3 part Mother's process. There's a cleaner that smooths the finish by, well, cleaning. Then a glaze. Then the carnauba wax layer. Three trips over the freshly washed car!!! And two required rubbing on and rubbing off.

    Then I just did the clay bar which was relatively effortless in terms of muscle power compared to the cleaner bottle from Mother's. Then I do the liquid carnauba wax which is very easy after the surface has been smoothed by the clay bar. The putting wax on required little effort because there was no rubbing to smooth the surface, and the wax came off easily.

    This time I had actually checked with the car prep guy at the family dealership where I had bought the car. He used a Malco wax product and I had tried that on the previous car. Malco is a wholesale product dealing with dealers--not the public.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,950
    from sales kid. i say this because my wife said our 17 year old daughter looked older than he did.
    anyways, i sent him an email sunday night summing up our thoughts on our test drives and prices offered.
    today, 3 days later, we get an email asking if we are still interested, and sorry it took so long to reply.
    my response was that i counter offered in my original email and he is welcome to respond to that, and in the mean time, i am working on some other options.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I do admire you for taking all of those steps to maintain a beautiful automobile. Still, the process sounds pretty labor intensive. Being a novice myself, it may be best to purchase the products that you mentioned and hire out the labor. I do appreciate all of the great advice. It is certainly a more involved process than I ever imagined.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Oh yes, I'm definitely referring to the floor mats. Though I may have used Spick and Span to wash my car back in the '70's, even I would have second thoughts about using a Brillo pad. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...were right wing racist nut jobs."

    They also called us terrorists. As for the Tea Party that I attended, I saw only concerned neighbors and friends who want Washington to be more responsible with our tax dollars. We also wanted to point out that, as taxpayers, we simply cannot afford to take care of the corporate upper class and the non-working lower class. It was a simple message. I think that most of the Tea Parties had that same flavor.

    "Yet, you seem pretty fair and balanced to me."

    I appreciate that remark. I have always tried to be, and I encouraged my students to be the same. As for the racist tag from the media, they don't know me. My first three years of teaching was done in a totally minority school. I just happened to be the only Caucasian working there. When I was asked how I felt about that, I replied that children are children. They all deserve to be loved and taught.

    "Still, good balance is probably desirable in both tires and people."

    You are a wise man. No truer words were ever spoken. I am neither left nor right. I just want the RIGHT things done for our country. :)

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    If he was that wise he wouldn't be in here with the rest of us... ;)

    Nah. This is a great bunch.

    Been in the hospital all day. This is a regular all day affair every two weeks until they fix what's wrong. I only mention it because every other Wednesday I disappear for a day.

    Loved the baby delivery in class. And people say teacehers have it easy....

    I was convinced when my oldest was born that I'd be a disaster in the delivery room. Figured I'd either pass out ir throw up. Funny thing is that when we got to the hospital they are watching a video at the nurses' station. The subject is obviously a child being born. You see all these folks surrounding the action and suddenly the picture kind of spins and you are looking at feet moving around. Dad with the camera had fainted. One of the nurses says "and he ws a State Trooper!" Broke the ice perfectly. I was a champ - but not as much as my wife was! Said baby is now 20 and has three younger sisters.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    the rotting rodent will only rot for so many days, not forever. Till that time, use the Arm & Hammer Baking soda to cleanse the odor from the air in the car.

    radical, eh?


    nahh.. radical would be putting a small colony of army ants into the ductwork to eat the dead rat. Then turn the fan on high... problem solved. :)
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    even I would have second thoughts about using a Brillo pad.

    ... and don't forget to dry off after that Brillo pad wash with 60 grit sandpaper. :surprise:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You and your wife were great planners. You have a son to wash the car, one daughter to cook, one daughter to clean, and one daughter to do laundry. :P Seriously, that's a nice family.

    Hope your every other Wednesday turns out successfully.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...with 60 grit sandpaper."

    You know, you are a real card! :D

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    No. Must have implied a son. They're all daughters and so far no car washers or tomboys. A couple of serious daddy's girls though. I make the doctor look at the little ones' pictures a lot. I have reason to need to continue living another good 20 years. After that it's gravy. I am aiming for 100. Be one of those obnoxious gys taht's always sick and lives forever.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    I've been to Spain a bunch of times

    That's cool. Been to Spain around just west of Malaga - Costa del Sol. It was beautiful....sun rising above the Mediterannean in the morning. Fantastic caverns, the nicest I have ever seen. Really good beer too - San Miguel.(not that I drink that much) :D

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,727
    >How do I remove the musty mushy odor from the cabin and A/C?

    That brand of vehicle seems to garner more than average complaints about AC smells probably from residual water in humid climates.

    A. Turn off the AC a mile from home. Turn fan on high. Leave windows down slightly while parked; if in your garage leave them all the way down.
    B. On a clear, high pressure day, open windows while car is parked outside in hot sun.

    > Will the dealers be able to help me?

    Some vehicles have ability for the blower fan to run for a short time after the car is off to help dry the interior of the heater box to reduce mold. See your dealer.
    There also was discussion in that brand vehicle's threads on Edmunds about a coating used that came off the coils.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Reminds me of an older friend of mine. He says people say they want to go quick and not linger. Not me he says, I want to linger, linger and linger....then get well !! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Richard, kudos to you for caring enough to attend the "Tea party".

    Certainly you are no radical even though the media would have us believe that anyone who happens to disagree with the current administration is a domestic terrorist.

    Where were they during all the protests during the Bush administration? Oh, now I remember...they were leading the protests ! :):)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks good buddy.

    Richard
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,249
    Jip, that's about the nastiest suggestion I've seen posted in all of my time in the Forums. That's just sick....

    (and others: Let's drop the political talk. It's most certainly not on-topic here, and there are better places to take it.)

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Let's drop the political talk. It's most certainly not on-topic here,

    You are right and I agree...now see if you can convince our politicians that politics has no place in the car sales biz... :confuse:

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    now see if you can convince our politicians that politics has no place in the car sales biz

    We would do that only if they posted in this Forum. And, given that you are posting here, it's reasonable for us to coax you back on to topic. :P

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,404
    "...I was a champ (in the delivery room)..."

    You're a better man than me. The only person who wanted out of the delivery room more than me was my wife. I think every teenager should be required to witness a birth as part of sex education. If that didn't make them choose abstinence, nothing would! :surprise:

    Back to topic: When I went to pick my wife and new-born up at the hospital in my new Chevy the A/C compressor seized up and the belt melted right at the front door to the hospital. I had to convince the nurses that my car was not on fire before they would let us take the kid home. :cry:

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

  • lokkilokki Member Posts: 1,200
    Anything new and hot showing up in the showrooms? More important, are they drawing any traffic?
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I wish we'd get more Challengers actually, the base ones as they seemed to sell very well.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    You might get a different answer from my wife....

    For #2 she had back labor and all sorts of pain inducing things. Just about broke my hand. My best moment was keeping my mouth shut when she said, "I can't do this.' In my head was, "OK, I'll pack you up and we'll go home." I didn't think she'd find that amusing at that moment.

    They didn't teach us anything in high school on that stuff. I was at the end of the "you'll figure out yourself some day." That day was sooner for some of us thatn others. A month after graduation we had a mom and dad in the class.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    hmmm....how can something that big get in there?
    I was wondering it was a small thing that can slip through the duct openings.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    how can something that big get in there?

    Rats and mice are rather flexible and can squeeze through relatively small openings. A common house mouse can squeeze through a 1/8 inch opening.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    It's official, GM must clear its backlog of vehicles. Will they bypass dealers since dealers have all they can sell or not sell? How will GM get rid of all the excess? Will this include Corvette and Camaro? Will the Volt come out closer to $30k than $40k? Or do they mean they just want to get rid of the Pontiacs and Aveos and other non salable junk? If buyers are absent how will GM clear the backlog? Dealers...any answers?

    Can Isell get some Impalas at half price and retail them out at big profit? Would he even want to? Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion of---Too many cars and NO Buyers.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    Time for GM to file for bankruptcy!!! :shades:
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,404
    "...How will GM get rid of all the excess?..."

    According to the news today, they plan on laying everybody off and going fishing for two months. :(

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Well, you have to hand Jip one thing. At least the suggestion was on topic. :D

    "...there are better places to take it."

    There are also some good places that the politicians could go as well. ;)

    I hope that the person that stole your corn flakes this morning will return them tonight. :shades:

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...that politics has no place in the car sales biz..."

    Amen! I don't know about you, but I've been thrown out of better places than this. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Time for GM to file for bankruptcy!!!"

    According to the afternoon news, we'll have that answer by July.

    Richard
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,630
    . . .anyone who happens to disagree with the current administration is a domestic terrorist.

    The current administration only recognizes the word terrorist in a domestic context. Those from outside the U.S. never have the term applied to them.

    Go figure.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,950
    i helped deliver my first born. the doc showed up just in time to take credit.
    as they say, 'ignorance is bliss'. ;)
    anyways, i think the dealers around here are taking a bit of a hard line on good risks like us.
    they are depending on the old 'gotta have it' factor.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    LOL. Amen brother !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,636
    hmmm....how can something that big get in there?
    I was wondering it was a small thing that can slip through the duct openings


    Is this conversation about rats in the heater or about birth canals? :confuse:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...or about birth canals?"

    LOL! That was good!

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Your son is not only creative, but has excellent taste in cars. Tell Mom that those letters are the dreams of every Language Arts teacher. He would have an "A" from me. I would make it an "A+" but I haven't checked the grammar. :P

    Richard
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