Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    I didn't ask for deposits but I would say..." Now, if I can get my Sales Manager to accept this offer, will you drive the car home today?"

    If they wafffled, I knew I didn't have a commitment.


    I have absolutely no problem with that approach.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    You drive away honest, sincere customers who have the means and intention to buy from you, and then you exploit the customers coming in for repairs

    I think too many people take out their problems and miserable lives on poor people who don't have a way to defend themselves. This supposed customer was rude and ignorant, and just wanted to make a point.

    I am curious, did you tell him you were driving while you were talking to him? I think any one with common sense and an IQ of 20 or more would understand that you would be glad to call him back when you get to your office. It is possible that you were trying to be to accomodating by trying to answer his questions when you couldn't do it properly.

    I think, if I ever had any hidden desire to sell cars, I have just lost it today.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    and the mystery car.

    Why so much mystery? :confuse:
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Why so much mystery?"

    When I finally tell you, you will completely understand. I don't mean to be coy about it. Just be patient with me.

    Richard
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,617
    the salesman told them that he had the exact car sitting in the back.

    It was a Subaru Outback.

    So what you are really saying is that the Outback was out back.

    ducking and running

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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Don't mean to be coy? OK, we're open to another adjective.... :P
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Why does Richard want a big car? Oh, maybe we better not go there."

    Why do you say things like that when I try to be nice to you? I think that you just do it to get a rise out of me. If you are inferring that I wish to wear a badge, you have to know that it isn't true. I've explained it until I am blue in the face: (1) I feel safer in a large car. (2) The ride floats better. (3) I can get in and out easier. (4) I've spent my life mainly in that type of car. (5) The design of the cars that I like just happens to come in larger sizes.

    I've said this to you before. At my age, I don't have to impress a single person. Remember what I told my principal and some teachers when I purchased the '89 Town Car? As jmonroe said, don't make me have to tell you this again. In all fairness, I think it has something to do with your memory. When you read all of these posts, you tend to forget what we have told you. Please try to remember this post.

    Richard
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,617
    Why does snake drive a Sonata?

    Gee which one of my cars is the Sonata, The Sebring convertible or the Saturn LX?

    FWIW any ragtop isn't the most financially practical car.

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    LOL!! For an accountant, you do have a great wit.

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    A Monday or Tuesday would be better than a busy weekend.

    But not being a stroke would be even better, right?

    Go for it!

    Gee, retirement has sure turned you into an old softy. :sick:

    jmonroe

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

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    See what I'm saying? Bless his heart. He just can't remember.

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I think he remembered that your Elantra was a Sonata..... :confuse:
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Gee, retirement has sure turned you into an old softy."

    My thoughts exactly. I was fully expecting him to tell me not to do the test drive. He doesn't realize how much clout he has here. If he had told me not to do it, I probably would have listened to him. Then again, I did tell him that I really wanted to test drive one.

    Richard
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,617
    Traded the Elantra in for the Sebring over a year and a half ago.

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    So what you are really saying is that the Outback was out back.

    And all this time I thought it was a steak house. :surprise:

    jmonroe

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Now, what kind of image are you trying to get by driving a Gennie? Maybe, you like luxury but want to show a practical side.

    First off, it’s a Genny not a Gennie. A Gennie is a girl and a Genny is a very nice car. Don’t make me have to tell you that again either. :(

    Now to answer your question; the Genny was Mrs. jmonroe’s idea of showing off. I would have been happy to settle for a BMW. :)

    jmonroe

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,007
    edited September 2010
    It's just Driver being Driver. Maybe a little dimentia? No, just kidding.
    When I bought my Fusion, they had 4 of the identical car sitting on the lot(ok, one had a rear spoiler). I watched them for over 6 months.
    As soon the first one sold, I bought one of the other 3 and got a heck of a deal.
    Within a couple of weeks the other 2 were gone also.
    My perspective, take as long you want to pick something out and keep us in the loop.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Has it been a year and a half already? Time flies! Still I knew what he was thinking - maybe...

    Gennie, Genny... which one is the cream ale?
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    When I was a child, it was the location of the out house. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I would have been happy to settle for a BMW."

    LOL! The wit is flying tonight!

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    Why do you say things like that when I try to be nice to you?

    You are right...I just do it for affect, just so things don't get boring or slow down to a crawl. I believe you don't need a big car to make an impression on any one.

    It is just that some men get extra large cars because they feel inadequate. Not implying anything, just, well, you know.

    And, believe it or not, I do remember quite a bit, but I couldn't reply to 6 different posts from memory.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "It's just Driver being Driver."

    I know. You have to admit that he does keep us going here. I just have to reel him in now and then. :D

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    See what I'm saying? Bless his heart. He just can't remember.

    I remember you have a Sebring and an Explorer, JM has a Gennie, and Explorer has an, let me see, oh yeh, Explorer.
    I remember a few others too.
    I do recall that snake fought pretty hard to defend a Hyubdai at one time, and the Saturn must be fairly new to him, because he had his Sebring convertible at the same time.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    I think he remembered that your Elantra was a Sonata.....

    Thank you fezo, I knew it was something along those lines.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "It's just that some men get extra large cars because they feel inadequate."

    I thought that they took Viagra for that problem. :shades:

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    aded the Elantra in for the Sebring over a year and a half ago.

    Well, they should issue us score cards around here so we can keep track. Do you know how much is in my memory, pin numbers, telephone numbers (business, fax, cell, home, friends etc), passwords, bank codes, alarm codes, etc., how can I remember when you traded in your Elantra?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    Richard,, This is a family forum and only cars to be discussed !! ;) :P
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    We live an hour away from Buffalo and it is made in nearby Rochester NY.We had lots of TV commercials for Genessee Cream Ale (not recently though, maybe out of business?), so I know it is Genny...as in hey Genny.

    So, I thought JMonroe (as in the president) would name his car Gennie, different than the beer.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    You are right...I just do it for affect

    Oh, come on, now! It's effect! Don't be always leaving low hanging fruit for richard!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,617
    I still do defend Hyundai as they are really good cars. The saturn isn't really new just that the kid had it and we switched the accent for the saturn (kid drives the accent now).

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,007
    Maybe that is not available up there in the "Great White North'.
    Could explain a lot of those 'Snowbirds' that infest Florida every winter.
    Can't even buy a new 'GM' north of the border anymore, even though that is where they are built. Just another reason to head 'South of the Border'.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,617
    edited September 2010
    Well just give me your pin numbers, passwords, bank codes and alarm codes and I will remember them for you. ;)

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    This is a family forum and only cars to be discussed !!

    We were discussing cars and why some men have to own a large one.

    I saw a guy driving a monster truck the other day, he had 4 huge tires and the truck was about 3 feet off the ground.

    I knew exactly what his problem was.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,617
    edited September 2010
    I knew exactly what his problem was.

    Too much PBR?

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    "I would have been happy to settle for a BMW."
    LOL! The wit is flying tonight!


    That was the best one of the whole evening.....that Monroe can be hilarious at times!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,007
    edited September 2010
    my view is if anyone continually posts about how great their car is, but chooses to fly anything more than a few hour drive, is pretty much no different than the monster truck driver that doesn't take it off the road. sorry emoticons are not working for me.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,635
    Why do you say things like that when I try to be nice to you?

    It's a joke, son. Calm down. :D

    Probably has to do with genetalia, much like comments I make when punks young whippersnappers do ridiculous things in cars while I'm watching, except meant in a lighthearted manner to one of our regulars.

    I laughed. Sorry you didn't.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,007
    Did Driver send you an email to post that? How about posting details from your prospective vehicle purchase?
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    It's a joke, son. Calm down
    , except meant in a lighthearted manner to one of our regulars.


    Thank goodness someone understands...just a bit of fun guys.

    Maybe, someone who drives a Smart Car is extremely secure about himself and these matters. There's a guy at our tennis club who has a Smart Car, maybe I'll ask him....then again, what exactly can I ask him?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,007
    Well. you could ask him if anyone says he is 'Smart' for buying that car.
    My guess is, 'NO'.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,660
    Well. you could ask him if anyone says he is 'Smart' for buying that car

    He says he likes his car. He is a very environmentally friendly person, and I think he believes the world would be a better place if we all drove Smart Cars.

    I really am not too image contest, but I dont feel right driving a car unless it has a trunk and a fairly long hood. I think it is so much insecurity, it is just that in my mind a car should have some metal around it.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Well, they should issue us score cards around here so we can keep track. Do you know how much is in my memory, pin numbers, telephone numbers (business, fax, cell, home, friends etc), passwords, bank codes, alarm codes, etc., how can I remember when you traded in your Elantra?

    Some of us have opted for the high end dues membership package and we are informed of these important things monthly. Those of us that have this package like to show off what we know about car purchases and who owns what every chance we get even if we can’t afford the dues. You see, some forms of showing off pays for itself because we don’t look like we can’t remember things and we come across as know it alls to the lower echelon members.

    Talk about a real firm feeling of what goes on around here; it’s worth every penny we spend for the high end dues package. :P

    jmonroe

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

  • delthekingdeltheking Member Posts: 1,152
    The Prius is a much better option if the world will be a better place when we drive environmentally friendly cars .. Much much better and much more tolerable !! :shades:
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...maybe I'll ask him..."

    Good heavens, don't. You'll screw up the question with good intent, and he'll knock your lights out. ;)

    Richard
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    I'm out of the manufacturer's warranty period, but I want to take care of the car. What would my forum friends recommend? Should I have the service done locally or take it to the dealer and refuse any service not listed on the Mazda schedule. I don't want to cheap out since I plan on keeping the car for another 10 years, but why pay for fluff?

    Since you have such low mileage, I would probably keep going to the dealership at least a couple more years. There is always the chance you'd be able to get some "goodwill" warranty repair work done if maintained solely at dealership. Oil changes are probably just as cheap at dealership, or cheaper than anywhere else. Coolant change probably doesn't matter where you get that done.

    I believe the fuel induction service is cleaning the throttle body and fuel injectors with some type of cleaner. You could probably get just as good results by pouring in a bottle of Sea Foam every year for $20. I had this service done on my van, as the the Mazda vans have a history of collecting heavier than normal deposits in throttle body effecting idle.

    To get service maintenance, recommended by dealership, not listed in the Mazda owners manual, is a big question. Ask 10 people you're likely to get 10 different answers. Some people say get fluids changed every 30k miles despite what owners manual says... dealerships love these people. Others say every 60 k miles, and then many say if it's not in the owners manual don't worry about it. My owners manual on my MPV doesn't have a recommended service interval for transmission, brake, power steering fluids or fuel system. They say to inspect it, if dirty or performing poorly then change it. This is probably the best advice. I've changed out my trans. fluid every 30 k miles because it got a bit brownish pink at around 30k miles.

    The important thing is to know your car. If it has a history of trans. problems, then would be a good idea to go ahead and change. Brake flushes, fuel induction and power steering flushes seem to be a lot of "fluff" to me. Some people say flush the brakes to rid the system of water, nothing in the owners manual about this. I would think the engineers that built the van would have heard of this phenonemon of water transference.

    Also remember when a service tech recommends service not listed in Mazdas schedule it is just that... a recommendation. They are making a lot of money by pouring $10 worth of coolant in your radiator and charging $140 for it. Ask why they are recommending the service. Sometimes if may very well be needed, but for the most part it's their opinion. i.e the filter is dirty, the brakes need replaced. Well, there may still be a lot of useful life in that filter, brakes or fluid. I usually tell the dealership I'll think it over when they recommend questionable repairs.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I know. See posts 58102 and 58105. I do have to shame him once in a while. If I don't, he'll "drive" us all to drink. Gin and tonic anyone? ;)

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...I don't feel right driving a car unless it has a trunk and a fairly long hood."

    "It is just that in my mind a car should have some metal around it."

    Watch out. I think that you are going to make a fine candidate for a Town Car.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Believe me. If it would help him, I would pay his high end dues. :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Yes, we were considering the Pilot and the Acadia at one point. They are also off the list now. The Pilot was a little too small, and the interior of the Acadia wasn't to our liking. As I mentioned earlier, we're down to the Explorer, the Flex, the Tahoe, and the mystery car. We'll have to make a decision by November. We're going to drive to New York for Thanksgiving, and to the Florida Keys for Christmas. We want to make those trips in the new vehicle. The new Explorers will be on the lots by October first. I'm anxious to see the new design in person. The pictures of it really look great. Do you like the new design?

    Richard
  • murphydogmurphydog Member Posts: 735
    Richard -

    Your choices are for the most part on my list as well...if we were in need of a replacement. I like the Acadia and Tahoe, but not acceptable from the wife's POV. I did test drive a GLK about a year ago - I really liked it, but it is just a bit on the small side as is the Q5 - though both are great IMHO.

    Wife was the one getting a "new car", we found a great deal on an 08 RX 350, black on black. The rest is history.

    If we were buying the SUV for me...I would be all over the map! I like the size/looks of a Tahoe, I drove a new 4Runner and was pleased with the size and ride. I like the sporty good looks of both the GLK, ML350 and the Q5. And I like Acadia as well, plus I rented a wrangler in Sedona last week and had loads of fun!! Plus I would like to get a good look at both the new explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Good thing we are not in the market...I would not be able to make up my mind.

    I am patiently waiting to see what you ultimately purchase...
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