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Comments
We get blamed for everything else, why not this. We get blamed for all your cold weather and snow storms, which come from the midwest quite often then come up this way. We were recently blamed for letting in terrorist who did 9/11, which is untrue. Now Mexico is saying this flu started in Canada.
We'renot going to take it any more
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Some very good news and it should keep Tidester happy for a little while. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mind if I ask what they're selling for? I'm holding out for employee pricing. Also, do you think the new Mustang and Camaro will affect Challenger sales?
Some say when you're a greenpea (speaking of Greenpea, where has he been?) you tend to do more deals because you don't pre judge or blow customers off, you talk to anyone and everyone, and you don't have any bad habits yet.
My first ever day on the job after I got hired was to learn the inventory and the products (Honda in late 2003). I took nearly every model out for spin and it was such a joy as I love driving different cars all the time.
I got frustrated however because I had zero selling expereince, other than a week long course I took that taught me basics of how a dealership runs, and how car selling works, and my manager was busy doing manager stuff and didn't have time to teach me the sales process of the dealership.
So after driving every car I went from dept to dept and introduced my self and got to know all the employees. I was going to quit after 2 days cause I still had no idea what to do, as in how to do a write up, or a proper negotiation, and was getting really frustrated. But my manager finally apologized, showed me some basics (I am still in contact with him), and I started taking ups after a couple of days.
My first full deal was on an older gentleman who bought a demo off the showroom floor. One of my managers took me through the steps to show me how to do an appraisal, and how to do the write up. What shocked me the most on the first few deals was the wholesale value of some beater trade ins. I mean few hundred bucks for this or that trade in, a thousand for this or that, and why we weren't keeping all of them on the lot.
I soon realised that some trade ins were simply unwanted by most buyers, and hence the lousy money they pulled.
The other funny thing was is how quicky I learned to read buyers who said they're gonna be back, or come in at a certain time only for them to never show up. A few months of no shows who I waited for after my work hours, and I started to be firm on setting appointments only when I was scheduled to be there. Spending 10-12 hours a day hoping that some of my ups will show up burnt me out.
I actually now find that the less time I spend at work the more productive I am.
My 4th month at Honda was my best when I sold about 14 cars. The months after that when I couldn't beat that figure were frustrating.
Car sales people are sort of like pro athletes in a sense that one very strong month can carry you through many crappy months, because management sees that you are capable of performing, because you did it before. So during the crappy months they won't want to let6 you go in hopes that you'll have another strong month soon. But if you start off slow, and continue doing poorly, you won't last too long.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I had people telling me they're waiting for the Camaro, or that it'll be cheaper, but those are the type of people I had on my follow up list for a year now who say they're going to buy this or that, but never actually commit or come in. So I don't really count them as serious buyers. Talk is cheap.
The Camaro might take away some sales but not a huge chunk I dont' think.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Had 2 appointments. Both scheduled 4 hours apart. They both show up within 5 minutes of each other. :mad:
So I had to split one, so I end up with 1.5 deals. Better than nothing at least.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Well, I'm not feeling as young as I used to.... the wife made a comment tonight about a few gray hairs popping up here and there. Oh well, what's the saying... "there might be smoke in the chimney but theres still fire in the oven?" (that doesn't sound quite right)
BTW, Richard check your email.
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Straying back to topic a bit, I will be car shopping for the wifes new car towards the end of the summer and thus, for kicks, ordered the car buying guide "Don't Get Taken Every Time" from Amazon. Nothing much there that I didn't already know except for the author's warning/paranoia about leaving computer "cookies." I know as the time nears I will have done countless inventory searches on every dealer site in the southeast looking for the right color, options, etc. on the anointed choice.
Do dealers (and web masters in general) have the ability to know/track/monitor who visits their site? ....to the point that they can identify an individual computer user? I know that they supposedly can tell that I am using Embarq DSL but would they know that I have looked at stock number B4533 twelve times in the past week? "This guy is HOT on this car; let's hold firm on the price!" Great, yet another cyber threat to be paranoid about..... :mad:
(Do I hear a helicopter hovering above the house? Why does that black sedan with government plates keep circling the neighborhood? j/k :shades: )
Richard
FYI - there are 6 2002/2003's of this configuration on Autotrader...
I think the quote goes like this: "Though there is no smoke in the chimney, there is still fire in the furnace." You're a long way from having to worry about that issue.
Good grief. I didn't know that dealers could tell if you visit their web pages. Is that what the "cookies" thing means? I just eat them. I didn't know that I was giving them away. :P
What kind of car does your wife want?
Richard
Richard
Richard
Yes, thanks, and I have sent another.
What kind of car does your wife want?
Reading her mind and deciphering the female code is impossible but I think she is leaning towards the Nissan Maxima. (maybe that is where the gray is coming from?
Still a few months away and we haven't test driven anything yet. I personally would love to do it now so that I can focus on one or two models to research, but then I would probably be considered an "inconsiderate" buyer to be wasting someones time so soon.
Thanks for writing that interesting article Boom. I wondered what would happen when you start out at a dealership, and how helpful other sales people would be - probably not very!
Once they had an ad in the newspaper, they were hiring for a few dealerships. I wrote in but didn't get an interview...now I am happy I didn't. I had the impression they were looking for real tigers and my resume wouldn't come across that way. I know there were schools where you go to learn how to sell cars...do you think that works?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Hey, watch it buddy, I resemble that remark
--There might be snow on the roof, but there is plenty of fire in the furnace.
That's the one! Thanks.
Kudo's to you in taking the time to learn the cars. One of the big reasons I like Honda is that it's option choices are limited. Do you want leather or not? Heck, I could spend a whole day trying to figure out how I want to configure a Ford
As a buyer, I don't expect the salesman to know the competition but I do appreciate one knowing their own line. When I was out shopping for the Pilot - I had a simple question and that was other than NAV what did the Touring model have over the EX-L. When I would get answers like "check the website" it irritated me to the point where I just wanted to move on to another salesman/dealership.
And going back to your earlier posts, rather than clear out your binders - hang on to your leads. You will be surprised how one day after umpteenth phone calls the person on the other end may say "let's do it". Its like fishing, it never hurts to turn around a cast a line on the other side of the boat every now and then.
There may be snow on the roof but there's fire in the furnace was the saying I hear most in this area.
>Good grief. I didn't know that dealers could tell if you visit their web pages
I believe they can identify the IP of the computer accessing their site. I do not know for sure they can ID the computer's own name and unique identification number. I do know when I ran the website I used a free service that showed who visited, what pages they accessed, what website they were on before they came to mine and what website they went to on leaving mine. It was interesting.
I remove cookies often using two different programs, cleanup! and Ccleaner, both free. Too many of the cookies are misused storing information that is accessed by other websites. Try clearing your computer temporary files and then start looking at websites for airline tickets. See how long it is before you notice when you access an unrelated page that you start seeing popup ads for airlines or ticket sellers or travel agencies, etc.Then browse for power garden tools like cultivators and string trimmers. Watch for ads that start appearing for the same and related merchandise.
Can one of the salespeople tell us if their dealership mines the information about visits to the websites listing their vehicles?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Also, I think we will see a leaner,innovative Chrysler under Chapter 11.If not,,,some other group will take over and make better decisions.
It is like Southwest airlines -- it forced all other big airlines to be more efficient.
Thanks for the computer information. I'll check into that cleaning idea.
Richard
It had a couple of sizable "dings" on either side But, not something that couldn't be fixed relatively easy. It was a cream color exterior. Paint looked original (and in surprisingly good shape). Some wear on trim pieces, but carpet looked good. For a 40+ year old car, it looked great. No bondo that I could ascertain. Panels were all straight. Obviously, tires, belts, battery, exhaust, radiator, etc had been replaced....carb and trans had been rebuilt at one point. But, the owner said everything else was original.
Again, don't know enough about these cars to know if he was being totally honest or not. But, it sure looked like he was telling the truth.
I have absolutely no idea what it's worth. It sounded like a good deal, but who knows? Not me, that's for certain. Clearly, it intrigued me because it could be had for what I thought was relatively "cheap" based on prices I've seen on old cars in good shape.
To drive it, you definitely have to "rethink" how you negotiate turns, give yourself plenty of time to bring it to a stop, and keep it pointed straight.
imid....If for nothing else, you could have dropped in to just while away an hour or two to enjoy the gorgeous weather. I lucked out on parking. A guy was pulling out about a 1/4 mile from where the main show was, and I snuck in to park for free (plenty of places that were charging for parking). A friend of mine who works for the Ford plant about a mile or two away said I could have parked their. They had a little shuttle set up that the UAW had sponsored (seems as if the UAW is being "kinder and gentler" these days).
The show in Lebanon is even bigger. If you go, you can't miss it. The town itself isn't that big and takes up the whole main drag. I think it's in July, maybe August.
"Is it vain or uppity to spend the same money on a used premium brand when you could have bought something new that is down the ladder a notch or two?"
You brought up an interesting point. Being twice your age, allow me to give you my slant on it. When I was your age, I told my wife that I didn't want us to wait until we were old to have and do things in life. We borrowed money for our first trip to Europe and paid it back in monthly payments. We bought an MGB, a Lincoln, a Caddy, etc. when the payments were higher than we would have liked. We spent money on antiques when newer furniture would have been cheaper. I think that you get my drift. Do I regret any of it? Absolutely not! Now that we're older, everyone's dropped dead and left us money and property. While it is a secure feeling to have it, it doesn't mean the same thing that it did when we were younger. I'm very glad that we enjoyed our earlier years within reason. I was careful with the money but could have saved more. I don't know if saving more would have made us happier now. We are comfortable with good insurance and retirement benefits. Also, you can't count on what others may leave you. We've been surprised to tell you the truth. Still, we don't need it to live.
The bottom line is this: If a one or two year old luxury car is what you want, then you should buy it. It has nothing to do with being "vain or uppity". It's the enjoyment that you derive from it. I once bought a cheap Buick Skylark to be economical. I hated the car. After three years, I traded it for a Ford Bronco with everything on it. I was so much happier. Have what you want within reason. You won't be back this way again.
Richard
Richard
Cookies are not nearly as productive as the spy cam. A company cruises parking lots taking pictures of license plates. The dealer then can find out what you own, your payments and payoff, your credit score and income, children's names and activities, your mortgage, how old you were when you bought your first car, what tv shows you watch and your favorite foods. This guarantees you will be clubbed like a baby seal.
In truth, no, dealers do not get any info from cookies. Advertisers do and your surfing habits generate spam and pop-ups for different products. Not a local dealer thing.
I think the "within reason" part is the key. Most people just hear the first part of that sentence. That's a big reason why we got into this current mess.
I don't know what a Wonderbar is, but when I read the post the first time I read wonderBRA. That's also a neat thing, but don't visualize it pls. This is a family forum.
No need to cut and paste everything you said but I totally agree with your philosophy. You said it much better than I could. Thanks for sharing that with me. Now I will not feel guilty no matter what I choose. I am selective with what I splurge on and will not allow it to compromise my savings or get me too far in the hole. Within reason is key. Too many folks just don't understand how money "works."
I totally agree on the antiques as well. We've picked up a few nice things along the way. I especially treasure the family pieces; I have the bed that my great grandfather was born in circa 1890-something.
check your email.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I agree with what you said too Richard, couldn't have said it better myself, of course you are the language expert so you should be able to say it better (heh heh).
But, what I did want to add is even if the Bronco cost $5000 more, and it probably didn't, that is maybe only $1000 a year over the 5 years an average buyer would keep the car (and it will be worth at least $1500 to $2000 more at trade in time)....so the real cost of owning the car you really like and prefer is not that much more.
You do have to live within your means, but cutting corners to save some money might not be the best solution in all cases. If you hadn't bought the Buick, and got the Bronco in the first place you would have saved more money, however, you might not have learned a valuable lesson.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
As for keeping old prosepcts. I do keep many of them but still have to chuck out some dead leads. When you have 10 binders with about 500 SOLDS, and 500 UNSOLDS, you have to at least clean out some unsolds because it takes time to manage those leads too and to shuffle through them once in a while.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Now I gotta reassure my customers that they shouldn't worry too much about Chrysler restructuring. :sick:
Well, there's always used cars to sell. Maybe we'll get more floor traffic because people might be under the wrong impression that we're going out of business and blowing everything out. :surprise:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Depends on the dealerships. Some stores full of "sharks" will trample all over you if they sense you're new in the biz and not know much. But in most stores you will find some helpful people that will show you this and that and help you out a bit.
I tend to be the helpful type, in that if we get someone new I'll show them around a bit, and answer any questions.
One thing that slaespeople hate the most is when they get skated by a newbie. If you guys haven't heard the term before, when I skate someone it means I stole their customer. It's hard to shake off that reputation, and you'll be hated by the whole sales team if you do it, and have a hard time in general working at that dealership.
As for your schools question, most chools have a week long courses. All that they teach you is the hierarchy of a dealership, how to fill out a worksheet, how leasing works, and basics of negotiating and closing, and not much else. You learn way more at a dealership because many places want to teach you how to do things their way.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Believe it or not I have run into shoppers who I met 3-4 years ago, at my Honda dealership who were at that time shopping, and who still haven't bought anything yet, who came in to my Chrysler store. Seriously, 3-4 years, can you believe that? I just accpeted in my mind that these people's chance of buying from me within a month are slim to none.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
golic, the cup will probably stay in the good old USA this year, but probably in Boston, not Chicago.
More knocks at our poor country!!!! :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It is my experience that if you have that attitude you actually benefit...you learn more and become a better salesperson. If you are insecure, you will not learn as much.
How many people do you talk to...give them your card, only to find when they come back they talk to the first salesperson they see. Haveing been in sales for so long, I really try to deal with the salesperson I started with, but I don't know if most people would realize that is only fair.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The one thing that concerned me was that I read today that Chrysler will idle manufacturing during the BK. If the BK gets protracted, not making cars for 60-90 days is really going to put a strain on dealers getting inventory and probably take some down, no?
It's funny you asked. I lived in Italy for 2 years when I was 9. I used tospeak it fluently. SO selling alfas and Fiats will be like second nature to me :P
Buon giorno Seniore golic, come stai?
Strain on innventory? We have a lot of stuff on the ground, and will probably have to do more dealer trades than ever. This where it's important to have good relations with your competing same make dealer. Cause if you're a jerk, nobody will trade any cars with you.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Oh yeah, and what are you going to do about it? Throw hockey pucks at our front teeth so we all look like you guys and then we wouldn’t know who to pick on? :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I agree 100%. Back in 1992 I sold my 1987 535is to a friend and bought a 1988 M6. We were refinancing our house at the time so I cashed out enough to pay for the car. I drove it for three years, spent a couple thousand on repairs and upgrades and then sold it for only $500 less than I paid for it. My only regret about the whole affair is that I didn't keep it. Oh well...
In any event, you may have heard it said that nobody lies on their deathbed thinking "I wish I'd spent more time at the office." I think that there's a corollary for car nuts. In any event, I KNOW that I won't be lying on my deathbed thinking "I wish I'd bought a nice Camry instead of that M6."
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
It took me 2 years between first contact and purchase. Would I be considered a flake or a hot prospect? :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
No, we don't do that here, especially when we are ounumbered 10 to 1, we might get upset (at cold weather always coming down from Canada, when it really comes from the North Pole) but we are not totally crazy. We might recall actors like William Shatner, Eugene Levy, Martin Short (both went to my high school), Jim Carrey, Celine Dione (I know - yay!), Avril Lavigne (probably too young for you to know about), Pamela Anderson (I was going to insert one of my famous photos here - but I don't think it would go over too well with the hosts), Shania Twayne, Alanis Morissette, Neil Young, Brian Adams, Nelly Furtado, Shannon Tweed, Keanu Reeves.........
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's a good way tp put it. You might be lying there saying I am sure glad I had a few years to spend with my M6 though.....
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
What a flake.