Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    ...or "wussies" for plural. :D

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,357
    OK, I give up !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    We don't give him points for insulting Southerners either. Now I understand the necessity for the term "Damn Yankees".

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,357
    I was born and grew up down in SE Arkansas. I remember two of my nephews arguing about the Civil War one day and the one who lived "up north" (they were both about 8 years old) said, "Well, at least we won the war." The other one replied, " What makes you think it's over"? :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    LMAO!!!

    Richard
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Richard, try this explanation. The only thing wrong is because in most cases the sales department may not be paid on holdback it becomes a non-negotiable item.

    http://www.safecarguide.com/gui/neg/holdback.htm
  • canadiantoyotacanadiantoyota Member Posts: 148
    Congratulations on the Avalon. Nice car. Too bad about the Tacoma. I had one for over 200,000 miles, best truck I have ever owned. May you have many happy years of motoring in the Avalon.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks so much for that great article on holdback. It really helped me to understand how it works.

    Richard
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Grosse Point Blank is an awesome movie.

    Hmhh might have to have it sent over netflix.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    " What makes you think it's over"?

    I can't tell you how many times I heard that while living in SC.

    They got the email, they just can't read. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    How dare you correct ME ...

    I thought it was urgent enough that we couldn't wait for Richard to show up. ;)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    There is no military allownace in Canada from Chrysler.

    Anyways I haven't heard back since my last question of where the $2000+ is going to.

    So the $16999 Caravan that jumped to $23k+ is not really $16999. It's more like $21k with freight, plus taxes.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Military allowance was just an example.

    I suspect that you may wait a long time for your answer, that's the sort of question that some dealerships are not happy answering in writing (or even verbally for that matter).
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I know what you're saying. I'm not holding my breath for an answer either.

    I hate dealerships like that who'll mislead with pricing and reel in unsuspecting buyers. Or worse when we're trying to negotiate, and a customer would say that dealer so and so has the same one for $16999 and when you try to convince them that the total will be same or more than our price, they won't believe you. :sick:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Don't go using me as an excuse. You loved doing that and you know it. :D;) :shades:

    Richard
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,051
    i had someone tell me once, we call people from northern luzzianna yankees.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    The only Yankees I dislike play in New York.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,051
    actually, from this distance, she reminds me of my mother.
    drives her somewhat cosmetically challenged malibu to her volunteer job as an usher at the performing arts theater in Hartford.
    whenever she sees an Escalade, she always tells me i really want one of those.
    the first time she brought it up, i went into the logical reasons for her not to have one, but she said it doesn't matter, i just want one.
    then i said if you really mean it, i can work it out for you.
    of course she backed off, but every time she mentions it now, i give her the 'just let me know if you are ready to buy today' line. :surprise:
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,051
    i grew up in Mass as a Yankee fan, so don't expect a lot of empathy.
    my grandmother told me a story about my Dad who was born in NYC.
    after moving to mass, a teacher asked him where he was born.
    He said 'Yankee Stadium'. :P
    Did you know they are 27 time world champs? :shades:
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Did you know they are 27 time world champs?

    Oh, hush up! You guys are everywhere....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Best team money can buy - Oh for a salary cap
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,051
    if it wasn't for teams like the yankees and red sox, other teams like the rockies would be a fond memory for a few fans.
    revenue sharing is keeping a lot of teams alive.
    as an aside, thank god Madoff was a Mets fan.
    one of my sister in laws just called and offered me a 99 taurus from a deceased relative for $1000.
    she doesn't really know cars, but said she thought it was only 2-3 years old until she looked at the title.
    i told her to offer it around to the family, but if nobody would buy it, get back to me.
    we have more cars than drivers already.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,051
    i really like Camden Yards.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    somewhat cosmetically challenged malibu

    That's being very politically correct. Does she use "The Club". Usually the people who use them have the oldest most cosmetically challenged cars around....but, I think their car is so valuable to them they just want to make sure they don't lose it.

    My brother uses one on his 8 year old Civic. But then his 10 year old Honda he had before was stolen 3 times in a row...probably by the same person. It was always found a few blocks from his home.

    But, I have to wonder, what does your mother see in an Escalade? Wouldn't a Chevy truck have about the same affect, like why want an Escalade?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Send it on down! Perfect for my 17 year old daughter!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Camden Yards is very nice. If the Orioles didn't play there it would be near perfect.

    Always love the "Yankees as charitable organization.".....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    Just got here. Took a taxi and it was a Jeep Patriot. These actually make very good cabs. Back seat is high and very comfortable. Loading luggage in the back hatch is easy, and it cuts through traffic nicely with it's trim size. On the down side, it is noisy and engine is kind of rough.....but it seems to make a very sensible taxi.

    Another thing is you can rent a $200,000 luxury sports car for 3 hours, like this Ferrari. I am tempted, but I think it would be boring after 30 minutes.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,051
    if the car comes back around i will check it out and let you know.
    the car is in PA, but i didn't ask where.
    it could be a good car for a new driver.
    bad tranny or heater core are both killers.
    not sure if there is anything else.
    which one of my kids do you think would willingly give up their eddie bauer explorer or escape limited for a 99 taurus? i think we would have the same answer.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My brother had an early Taurus that had the heater core go. Not what you want. I had the tranny with our old Windstall. Ugh.

    I'm kind of looking around. Actually trying to hold out until I've finished paying for her older sister's car (small payment and done come March) but if a bargain falls into my lap that would change.

    I've actually been looking smaller (of course most things are smaller than what she's driving now - our Odyssey) but, as I said, a bargain is something else. We'll see.

    Was poking on some realtor's blog I happened on when I was looking at things on Florida's "forgotten coast" - the area southwest of Tallahassee. Pretty area. Not seriously looking but holy smokes! Most of their sales are foreclosures, bank sales, short sales.... the stories that go along with them are amazing - lots of folks that bought over their heads right as the bubble burst.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    .. the stories that go along with them are amazing - lots of folks that bought over their heads right as the bubble burst.

    Yeh, we have rented a place in Ruskin, near Tampa for the last 2 years, and we had it lined up for this year. The owners emailed us that they had to give their beautiful townhouse back to the credit union. Now we have our airline tickets, but no place to stay. These are hard working nice people who just made the mistake of buying at the wrong time, 4 months before the crash. I am sure we'll be able to find another place, but it is really sad that decent people were stung by circumstances beyond their control :sick:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,753
    >there is a little hole to the left of the key slot, put the key in, turn it to the accessory position, push a paper clip into the hole and pull on the key. Since the key can’t come out of the tumbler with the switch in the accessory position it will pull out the tumbler with no problem”.

    Been there. Done that.

    I still want a key or safety switch that takes power away, period.

    Having worked with computers since 19XX and now with the typical software controlled computer and using a button where you rely on the operating system to realize the On/Off button has been pressed for 5 secoonds and that means to power down--if the computer software wants to do so... scares me when applied for cars. Even the button on a computer isn't hardwired for shutdown. With all the bad experiences many have had with software, we expect car software to be better but that's not what may be happening. So I want a real switch that kills the computer electrical power when it goes crazy.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,753
    This is an example of really fraudulant pricing.
    Price for used car

    They call pricing their e-pricing on internet pages. It's $1500 lower than the real price. They assume a $1000 trade-in. AND they assume a $500 down payment. :sick:

    But if one pays $500 down, isn't that part of the actual price of the car?
    AND if one has a trade-in that's $1000, isn't that amount being paid toward the price of the car? :P

    One their lot the price shown in windshield at bottom is the Actual Price minus $500 and $1000 in numbers and the bottom number is the price after part of the price has been paid. :)

    .

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    This is an example of really fraudulant pricing.

    Disingenuous maybe, but not fraudulent. The 'small print' is large enough and in a contrasting colour. I don't like it, I'd never do it if I owned a dealership, but I don't find it fraudulent. Just my opinion.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    But if one pays $500 down, isn't that part of the actual price of the car?

    I think the $500 down should go towards the price of the car. I thought $12000 for a 2007 Focus was a bit high, but $13,500 is really high.

    I agree, why not just say the Focus is $4,999, with a $6,000 trade-in, and a $1500 down payment...that sounds even more impressive, but, maybe they consider that to be fraudulent.

    I think the Corona ad I saw was actually worse. 2010 Corona for $9,999....but the fine print that you would need a magnifying glass to read said, for a 2 year lease.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,392
    I still want a key or safety switch that takes power away, period.

    I certainly understand your reasoning here, however aren't some of the newer keyed ignitions all electronic anyway? For example on my GF's father's Envoy (and other newer GMs I've driven) the ignition switch doesn't have to be held to start the car. Hard to explain but all you do is rotate it slightly (much like pushing a button) and let it go and the car continues to crank until it starts. On my 99 S10 I have to hold the key until it starts. I would think the system on the Envoy is very similar to the keyless start on my car (Genesis) just activiated the old fashioned way.

    So... if there was a serious malfunction with the computer possibly the Envoy wouldn't be able to be shut off much in the same way as a keyless car. BTW I tested my Genesis if you shift into neutral with the car running a simple tap of the start button kills the engine. The really funny thing is then you can't shift it into park unless you restart the engine :confuse:

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,357
    I always wondered what happened to the Corona. They used to be sold in the U.S. but haven't been sold here for years. Is it the same as our Corolla or is it a different car entirely? It used to be a step up from the Corolla when it was sold in the U.S. and was really a nice little car.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    I always wondered what happened to the Corona.

    Sorry, I meant Corolla. No Corona here anymore...I am showing my age :sick:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • cdn_tchcdn_tch Member Posts: 194
    I always wondered what happened to the Corona.

    The RWD Corona was replaced by the FWD Camry in the 80s(?).
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,553
    "...it would be boring after 30 minutes..."

    If a Ferrari is boring, you're not driving it right. ;)

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,553
    "...we have our airline tickets, but no place to stay..."

    When are you going? Maybe my BIL would rent you his condo in Largo/Clearwater.

    You have to be over 55 to stay there though. :sick:

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    If a Ferrari is boring, you're not driving it right.

    The traffic is so heavy here I don't think I could enjoy it. If you did get on a highway I am sure the police would be watching my every move. Then, the thought of everyone staring at me driving the car I would find a bit much. And, I would be so afraid of denting it, or someone hitting it. Just doesn't sound like fun.

    Now, if I could drive it around the block at home and wave to all my neighbors...hey, that I would enjoy. ;) .

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    Maybe my BIL would rent you his condo in Largo/Clearwater.

    That's a wonderful offer. We are over 55, at least one of us will admit that. The one that doesn't would find Clearwater too busy, and it is too far from her sister who is in Ruskin/Sun City area.

    One other big problem, errr little problem, our 10 pound Bijon is coming with. Hard to find a place that will take pets.

    But, if it is an offer we can't turn down, the dates are Jan 23 to Feb 20. Odd dates, but it is Sat to sat, 4 weeks, and it is the only date that could work with air miles.

    Thanks, it is nice that someone would offer from this site.....always amazes me how nice the people are here.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Oh, if you want to bring pets you need to go up to the forgotten coast - up in the panhandle. There are places on Cape San Blas that offer rentals for folks with dogs. Beautiful area but will definitely do nothing to help the close to your wife's sister problem.... Of course if you are going to the panhandle in winter you have to deal with the fact that they actually hold winter there. Not like here but a normal December or January day might be in the mid 50s.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    a normal December or January day might be in the mid 50s.

    We would probably prefer 50s to 80+ temperature. But, there is the sister problem.
    Also, Tampa is central to people we can see when we are there, some North in St petes and some South towards Sarasota. The condos where we stay in Ruskin have everything and they are beautiful. The townhouses were $650,000 new, but can't be sold for $300,000 now. We checked them out and you had to belong to the yaught club, cable was about $150 month....monthly fees were about $600 a month. It's better to rent, unless we stayed there for 5 or 6 months every year - except now we are homeless Jan 23 to Feb 20.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Even the button on a computer isn't hardwired for shutdown

    I hate that. My pc doesn't even have a power off button on the back. Once I had a problem and I just had to unplug the power cable, as the power button wasn't responding. Sometimes I hate technology. :mad:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My folks had a co-op in Clearwater. For all I know my brothers and I may still own it... We've been renting it out to someone for years now. My folks used to spend pretty much all of February there from their late 60s until they couldn't do it anymore.

    Funny place. The best I can say about it is that is was a free place to stay in Florida. It's an over 55 place but they were allowed to let family use it a certain number of weeks. Now I could live there if I wanted to leave my wife and kids back in Jersey.... hey! Wait a minute....

    There are lots of places in that area i could live in - Clearwater not being one of them. Put me down in Anna Maria and we've got something... In reality if I move south it would likely be Tallahassee.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,392
    just had to unplug the power cable, as the power button wasn't responding.

    Next time try holding down the power button for few seconds. Works on my PC.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    Clearwater not being one of them. Put me down in Anna Maria and we've got something...

    Clearwater is very commercial....lots of hotels, motels, and tourists!!!!
    We stayed on Anna Maria 3 years ago. It was nice but a few problems;
    1) You pay a big premium to stay on the ocean...like about 50% extra. All we are looking for is a heated pool, tennis courts, nice clean modern place, and WARMTH, which is a lot less if inland.
    2)Traffic is a big problem. Getting out of the resort onto the main road is not easy. There are two bridges to the mainland and on the weekend they become totally jammed up.
    3)It's a long trip anywhere, because it takes 30 to 40 minutes to get from the island to 75. Even more on the weekend.
    Finding a place that takes pets is difficult...we might have to leave Gigi behind, but she won't like that.
    Thought rates would be less with the economy off...but prices aren't discounted at all. But, Vegas is booming too. Lots of people, and they are spending, and many of the condos going up are spectacular.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,678
    Ford Fusion named Motor Trend car of the year

    DETROIT — The 2010 Ford Fusion was named Motor Trend magazine's car of the year Tuesday, beating out the Toyota Prius, BMW 7-Series, Chevrolet Camaro and others in the closely watched competition.
    "Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of consumers," Motor Trend Editor in Chief Angus MacKenzie said in a statement.

    Motor Trend considered 23 new or significantly refreshed vehicles. The Fusion, introduced in the 2006 model year, was redesigned for 2010 with a new lineup of engines and transmissions, new exterior and interior and new options, including the Sync entertainment system and a blind-spot warning system.

    It's nice to see Ford doing well. I had a few reservations about my conFusion rental last year, but I did think it was a very good value, and basically a very competent vehicle, especially considering the price. It just lacked a "feel of the road" and a sense of fun, but it is a very competent car. If I was in the Camry, Accord, Fusion market I would consider it. I do wonder why the Malibu gets forgotten in that market...it's like everyone has forgotten GM has a car in that price range.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Next time try holding down the power button for few seconds. Works on my PC.

    I think that's pretty much standard on PCs these days.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
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