Stories from the Sales Frontlines

verdugo · December 2012

*jmonroe "vindictive"? Never! I can't believe the jmonroe we all know and love is a vindictive soul.

Not at all. He's "righteous." And for the record, I very much mean that in a good way. Hyundai screwed him over, and it doesn't sit right with him. He won't say lie, he will only say facts.

cdnpinhead · December 2012

Hey, Verdugo, I need to wish you a Happy New Year.

I've enjoyed your posts.

jmonroe · December 2012

Something may come of this.

I hope youre right. Now Im wondering what cut Edmunds wants from me if they come through on this. I might go for small bump in dues but thats as far as Im willing to go. If they want to gouge me for more, then everything Mike thought about me goes out the window. :mad:

jmonroe

nyccarguy · December 2012

While I know even if we do go over this fiscal cliff, that things won't be as bad as "everyone" says. However, even if taxes go up half as much as "everyone" says, then I'm really going to get hurt. Besides my (and my wife's) income tax increase, we will get much less of a tax credit, plus the income taxes my small business pays will increase astronomically. I've gotten much better about not worrying about things completely out of my control, but I've got a struggling (almost) 113 year old family business, 27 1/2 years left of my 30 year mortgage, mouths to feed, 3 kids to send through college (eventually), killer high energy & commodities prices, a devaluated US dollar, even thinking about retirement seems like a punch line rather than reality, 2 car payments...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

cdnpinhead · December 2012

it's always easier when you're spending other peoples' money. Plus which, working really cuts into your day.

The voters have spoken.

driver100 · December 2012

Someone wanted ideas for Christmas dinners. How to cook a turkey dinner in the engine of your car is a lot of fun, in this Red Green youtube video.Red Green - preparing a complete turkey dinner in your car - on the way to the party
Red Green Cook Turkey Dinner on the way to the party

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=niegc7QcilM

houdini1 · December 2012

They were just talking to a business owner on TV. He said the fiscal cliff was nothing but a red herring and did not amount to much.

He said the real problem was Obamacare, and that the fiscal cliff was just a distraction. He said Obamacare would cost us each a lot more in 2013 than what going over the fiscal cliff would cost us.

He could be right.

nyccarguy · December 2012

Ok, so that shows you what I know about this:)

That's another thing. Healthcare. We have always provided healthcare for everyone of our employees, but it is just INSANE!

abacomike · December 2012

If they want to gouge me for more, then everything Mike thought about me goes out the window.

NEVER!

explorerx4 · December 2012

HR sent us some details on next years numbers. SS is supposed to return to 6.2%. Medicare is staying at I think 1.45%. However there will be an Special Medicare charge of .9%, which means Medicare is going up about 67%.
Will know for sure after getting 1st paycheck next year.

abacomike · December 2012

HR sent us some details on next years numbers. SS is supposed to return to 6.2%. Medicare is staying at I think 1.45%. However there will be an Special Medicare charge of .9%, which means Medicare is going up about...

I received my SS statement for next year and my Medicare payment went from $96 per month to $105 per month, or an increase of 10% while my SS check goes from 1334 to 1350 net. So they have me a 1.7% increase but took back $9.00 of that increase. Certainly not enough to cover the increases in the costs of food, electricity, telephone and clothing. My monthly maintenance here in the condo community went from $391 a month to $428 a month. Not a good situation for seniors, that's for sure.

sterlingdog · December 2012

If Edmunds produces some real results, then charges you a dues increase, I'll pay the increase. It would be worth it to see that car company jacked up.

Richard

sterlingdog · December 2012

I'm more worried about your employee health care costs than those taxes. I fear what the new health plan may mean to small businesses. You are a prime example of what makes this country great---young man fighting to hold on to a successful family business. It sounds crazy but that's why I had rather go over the cliff. We need enough shock to realize that an entirely new plan needs to emerge in order to protect American business and our consumers. This constant spending will only increase taxes which will hurt your business even more.

Don't worry about the kids. They'll be fine. Their parents will rear them to be self-sufficient, honest, caring, and independent. When it's time to go to college, they'll find a way---scholarships, grants, work/study programs, etc. During the interim, hug them and enjoy them. Also, enjoy your two cars and your home. Life's too short; seize the moment.

Richard

sterlingdog · December 2012

We went to see LINCOLN this afternoon. Excellent movie---realistic, factual, and authentic. It just goes to prove that no matter how honest you try to be, politics in Washington is a necessary means to an end. Sad but true.

Richard

sterlingdog · December 2012

Same here. They gave us a small increase and then jacked up the Medicare. I figure that our increase will buy us one dinner out a month---at McDonald's. :sick:

Richard

nyccarguy · December 2012

3 cars Richard. I've still got the Prelude! Thanks for your reassuring words as always.

abacomike · December 2012

That's another thing. Healthcare. We have always provided healthcare for everyone of our employees, but it is just INSANE!

When the Healthcare Bill (Obamacare) passed, it will end up as the single most costly bill ever passed by congress in our country's history. There is absolutely no way to pay for it except to raise taxes and reduce Medicare benefits and raise what seniors pay ($1300 a year for what I already paid for) and my Social Security is taxed by the IRS, another thing I paid for after my taxes were paid.

It costs me $500 a month for a supplemental health and drug policy, $105 monthly for Medicare and I have to pay $55 a month for dental insurance, none of which is tax deductible thanks to the 7.5% deductible on health costs. Thus, I am paying over $8200 a year for health care and am supposed to be covered by Medicare.

I'm not upset about this, but people who are on Obamacare will get thousands and thousands of dollars in healthcare money from the government at my expense and your expense.

There is no doubt that Medicare is causing outrageous deficits, but Obamacare will cost 10x that in terms of a repressive tax on small business and individuals. We are on the verge of bankruptcy yet the government keeps spending more and more.

These progressives (socialists) won't stop until we are bankrupt and they have soaked the last penny out of everyone making over $70,000 a year. Then, there will be no more rich people, just a population where everyone is paid the same and there is no incentive for people to try to get ahead financially in this country so everyone sits back and waits for their government checks. Isn't that how communism started and then failed?

driver100 · December 2012

We went to see LINCOLN this afternoon. Excellent movie---realistic, factual, and authentic.

Glad you enjoyed it, and all the things you said are true about it. Another thing I thought about how it seems most countries go through big wars or battles to become a country. As with most things in life, nothing comes easy.

cdnpinhead · December 2012

"The trouble with socialism is that eventually they run out of other peoples' money."

Just as true today as when she said it, but the problem is that now we're having to watch it play out in our own country with our own money.

nyccarguy · December 2012

"If it keeps on rainin, the leavee's gonna break" - Led Zepplin

sterlingdog · December 2012

Have you seen HITCHCOCK? That's the next one that I want to see.

Richard

Sandman6472 · December 2012

Be happy that we all have health insurance...and for a moment put yourselves in the position where y'all had to live on a minimum wage job and your employer might not give you health insurance at all. Then add a few kids to the mix...and maybe one who was born with a health problem. Be happy all of us in here CAN afford to live our lives...from what I can see, even though many of us are far from rich, we don't have to worry about too much $ wise. It's always easier to look down and make all these comments but what if we were all looking up with more bills than the paycheck can handle, driving a 10 year beater and not much, if any, investments to help. I personally, have no problem paying a bit more so that everyone in America has access to good healthcare!

Just got home with my kid's Hyundai Accent from the mechanic and they could find nothing wrong...I wanted to swap out the air filter but he showed my how clean it was and said wait till the summer at least. Topped off all the fluids and I was back on the road. I must say, I'm more impressed with this car every time I drive it. The problem it had was fixed under the warranty with no hassle...the dealer has been great so far. At least for us...Hyundai has been a winner!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

driver100 · December 2012

Have you seen HITCHCOCK? That's the next one that I want to see.

Hitchcock sounds like the type of movie I would enjoy. I think of them as movies for adults.....no final shoot out, no car chase, no explosions, no timer counting down that the hero has to get to before it goes off - digital these days. Occassionaly, I like to see a no-brainer action flick so today the weather is a little rainy and cool we will go to see Jack Reacher. Lincoln was pretty intense, needed concentration, so I will leave Les Miserables until I am in the mood for it....it sounds great, but, I don't have the emotional energy for that just yet.

If Hitch is playing in your area you better see it very soon. It won't play for long because it only will appeal to the older crowd, which is a small percentage of the movie going public.

I always like to read reviews on rottentomatoes.com before I go. I like their reviews because they tell you what the critics say and what the public says. That can mean a lot....sometimes the critics give bad reviews but the public likes it....as is the case with Jack Reacher.

A lot of people like the Life of Pi and the reviews have been excellent. I don't like fantasy so I think I will wait until it is on pay-per-view so I can turn it off if I can't get my mind around a guy in a boat travelling with a tiger who represents God. I know people love fantasy, but for me it is a waste of my time......that's just personal and that's why some people like
Avatar and some don't.

But, if I don't catch Hitch at the theatre I will mark it for my Movies-On-Demand list.

Rotten Tomatoes-Movie Hitchcock

bwia · December 2012

Fiscal cliffis much ado about nothing. This is an issue manufactured by the press in an attempt to fill their 24/7 news cycle. If no action is taken social security withholding taxes on individuals will go up from 4.2% to 6.2%, which was the normal rate for decades.

Car of the Yearthe Tesla Model S is a good choice. With a 265-mile range on one full charge range anxiety is not a major problem. The price/production conundrum is a real concern though. Limited production translates into in higher prices. So unless Tesla can find a way to increase production to more the 5,000 units per year the Model S will remain a fringe automobile a-la Chevy Volt.

Obamacarea necessary evil. Either way we look at it we are screwed. As long as we agree the poor should be treated with dignity then we have to pay their medical bills either through Medicaid or Obamacare. Unpleasant choices yes, but thats the price we pay to live in a civil society regardless of our politics.

Back to Carsthe American automobile industry had a great year. Sales increases at Chrysler were spectacular thanks in part to the Leadership of Marchionne. By the way, USA Today is reporting that sales of pick-up trucks have slowed and good deals can be had before the year ends.

Speaking of pick-up trucks, if one were to color a US map, sales of the Ford F-150 mirrors the voting pattern of the last few elections. The F-150 dominates in Red States and the Camry, CRV and other small sedans in the Blue States. To wit: The more things change the more they remain the same.

Happy New Year and Happy Motoring Everyone.

abacomike · December 2012

About a month ago, I got an email from my wireless carrier informing me that I am almost out of prepaid data (300 mb per month) and that if I go over the 300 mb's, they will automatically charge me another $20.00 for another 300 mg's of data. I was flabbergasted - I never use more than 30 or 40 mb a month for data as I don't download anything (including email which I pull manually when I am in the house with my WiFi) unless I am home. So I began my investigation into this by first contacting my cable/WiFi carrier, which is Comcast. They tested the connections and speeds and noticed that I was getting only 3.4 mps download speed and upload speed was under 1 mps. They found that I was not connected properly from "their back end" which means I was never coded properly for the high speed I was paying for. About 3 hours later, speed was up to 15 mps downloads which is what I was paying for all the time. They said they would credit my account for the mixup. Mix-up was for 12 months, believe it or not. Now, I downloaded a speed checker to make sure I am getting what I paid for.

But I still had problems. I contacted Apple to find out why my WiFi signal was dropping when I was in the front bedroom - inconsistently goes from 1 bar to 2 bars and then back to 4G. That is why I was using up so much data. They reset my phone and when that didn't work, they sent me to the Apple Genius Store and replaced my 4S iphone. I still had problems with the phone dropping the WiFi signal even though the bedrooms are only 18 feet from each other.

One of my neighbors told me that he had the same problem in his condo so he bought a "repeater" and placed it between the router and the front bedroom. So I went out to Comp USA (Tiger Direct starting tomorrow) and bought a repeater for $80.00. I brought it home this morning and set it up and, "...low and behold..." I had full bars and full WiFi Signals anywhere in the house. My condo has steel studs in the walls, not wooden studs, which interferes with the WiFi signals. Not only that, but the signal has to go through 3 walls (2 of them with mirrors on each side) to get to the front bedroom from the back bedroom. That was reducing the signal from the main router.

So I put the repeater in the living room, halfway between my bedroom and the back bedroom, and only 1 wall now has to be penetrated. It works pefectly.

And it only took me 45 days to get this problem solved. Does that tell you something about my technical skills and "Sherlock Holmes" approach to solving problems. The average geek would have had the problem solved in 18 hours with the purchase of a repeater immediately instead of the massive amounts of time I wasted. Oh, to be younger and more literate when it comes to technology.

abacomike · December 2012

bwia Obamacarea necessary evil. Either way we look at it we are screwed

My entire take on Obamacare is elementary - if we can afford it and/or budget for it, then we should do it for the reasons you outlined (dignity, taking care of the poor, etc.). But if we can't afford it, either we increase taxes or cut spending somewhere else so we can pay for it. Since no one seems to want to cut spending anywhere, then raise taxes 25% for all of us, including Romney and all the other millionaires so we can afford Obamacare. I would rather pay 25% more in taxes along with everyone else than go bankrupt.

All I am trying to say is that when we start a program like Obamacare, we should have the money to pay for it - but we don't. Obamacare is going to cost the government almost 1 trillion dollars more than it was supposed to cost and 1 trillion more than what it was budgeted for. Is anyone surprised by this? We shouldn't be - it's goes on all the time in Washington.

Sandman:

I am not saying we shouldn't pay for health care for the poor or for those who really can't afford it - but my comments above should tell you where I stand on this. Either have the money to afford a new program or raise taxes to pay for it. Don't go further and further into deficity spending and "lie" to the American people about how it is already paid for. IT ISN'T PAID FOR, NOR WILL IT EVER BE PAID FOR unless we increase taxes on everyone, and I mean everyone - not just the rich, but the middle class as well. I am a believer that everyone who lives in this country and is over the age of 18 should pay some taxes to Washington, no matter if it is even $100.

In order to afford Obamacare, $600 billion was taken directly from Medicare to help pay for the program. So what about what happens to Medicare now? It is supposed to run out of money in 6 years. What then?

tjc78 · December 2012

Wow only 300mb or your cell? I used well over 4gig last month. I'm still on unlimited 4G data with Verizon. My wife usually uses a gig or so.

I'm surprised you needed a repeater in your home. I have my modem/router in my basement and have a good signal even at the extreme edge of my property. My house is pretty old though, no metal studs.

oldfarmer50 · December 2012

"...more literate..."

Don't feel bad, I didn't understand a thing you said. :sick:

oldfarmer50 · December 2012

"...Obamacare..."

I have mixed feelings about Obamacare having gone 20 years prior to 2006 with no health insurance and nearly losing my wife to a stroke because we couldn't afford medication. The existing system stinks when someone with a little property (farm) is denied any help no matter how low their income while someone who is an illegal or a layabout is given free care at the former person's expense merely because they don't own any assets.

When my wife got sick we were slapped with a $50,000 bill plus a 5% tax to pay for care of people without insurance. When I told them I had no insurance they said "you don't qualify, sell your house".

That, is a broken system.

On the other hand, Obamacare from what I have researched is so screwed up that I fear I could still lose my house because of all the tax increases associated with it.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

abacomike · December 2012

Don't feel bad, I didn't understand a thing you said

Now I feel better! The repeater has to first be set to the main router so it has access to the WiFi signal. Then, when it picks up the signal in the living room, I have to access the repeaters signal using another access code. Then, I pick it up in my bedroom showing strong signal.

So if someone comes into the condo, and they have a smartphone, it will show 2 WiFi access signals- the main router signal and the repeater signal. You can access my WiFi with either, so long as you have the passwords.

It sounds confusing, but once you understand the concept and how it works, it gets easier to understand.

abacomike · December 2012

Wow only 300mb or your cell? I used well over 4gig last month. I'm still on unlimited 4G data with Verizon. My wife usually uses a gig or so.

I don't use much 4G data. I am at home most of the day except for the mornings. I use 20-30 gigs of data a month, but 99% of it it WiFi data, not 4G data. I use about 40-50 mb's a month outside the home. The least you can buy on AT&T's plan is 300 Meg's a month for 20 bucks.

So I use a lot of data, but most of it comes through the WiFi.

sterlingdog · December 2012

Mike is so much more tech capable than the two of us. Like you, I didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about. All I know is that if something doesn't work, holler for help. I've learned too many times not to touch it myself.

Richard

abacomike · December 2012

Mike is so much more tech capable than the two of us. Like you, I didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about. All I know is that if something doesn't work, holler for help. I've learned too many times not to touch it myself

Richard, I bought this repeater, brought it home, opened it, looked at the directions, then YELLED FOR HELP! I picked up the phone, called their tech support, waited 30 minutes for them to finally answer my queue, and this nice young man walked me through the entire process in about 20 minutes. If they did not have a tech support phone number, I would have had to pay a technician to come into the house to set it up for me. But at least I am willing to open the box and read the first sentence or two of the directions before I panic! It doesn't take much for me to panic, though!

explorerx4 · December 2012

I was finally able to post an image using directions driver provided a few moths ago.
How do I size the image to fit the available space? TIA

stickguy · December 2012

If the picture is too big, I just look for a smaller one instead!

fezo · December 2012

I remember my first experience with tech support. I'd bought my first computer - a Gateway PC - in 1997. When I got it it didn't have the extra memory I paid for. I call them up and they say we'll send you the part and call us back when it comes and we'll set you up. Well, at the time my eyes were acting up and I don't think anything of it until the part arrives and I call them and they say "get a phillips head screwdriver. I'd never done anything remotely like this ever. It had a happy ending - they talked me right through it.

imidazol97 · December 2012

>How do I size the image to fit the available space?

One way is just to post the link to the image rather than the image itself. Then the reader can click on the link and the size is moot.

Or...
The forum only likes graphics that are less than 650 pixels in width.

So if your image is 1500 X 1200 pixels (click on the image and right click for the flyout box, then check properties for the width and height),
divide 650 by 1500. Then take that quotient and multiply by the 1200 for the height to determine the new height for the shrunken graphic to keep the proportions right. Use XXX to represent that value in my example, but you'll use the actual calculated number.

Paste the link to the graphic into your post. Select the whole link by dragging on it with the left mouse button, and click on the IMG button below the posting box.

Now your link has some extra parts added. Click in front of the > sign at the end and put in
width="650" height="XXX" where the xxx is determined from your above calculated proportional height.

You should be good to go with that.

explorerx4 · December 2012

Driver here is a picture of an earlier version of that SLS you like so much:

Imid,
Thanks a million. It took me a couple of tries to get the syntax right, but now I've got it.

houdini1 · December 2012

....and that friends, is why I don't post pictures or links. About the only thing I know about links is that they go good with eggs in the morning.

driver100 · December 2012

Driver here is a picture of an earlier version of that SLS you like so much:

Just got in....went to see the Jack Reacher movie today. It had a car chase and a gun fight ending but was quite good for that type of movie. When I decided to go I forgot about the sniper scene at the beginning. Some movies need violence to make the plot work, and this movie did just that. If you like a good action thriller, with clever plot and some excellent lines then this movie is good.....I was pleasantly surprised.

You did great explorer....I have tried to resize and it doesn't work for me....posting the picture is relatively easy. That SLS in the picture must be a 60s model.......and it still looks great.

This is probably my favorite kind of Mercedes, but I don't think they had a gull wing version:

mako1a · December 2012

There it is, the MB I like, the second one in white.

I think it's a SEL 450 maybe 72-76 or something close to that.

What I like is the dip top. That lower in the center than the edges

that makes it stand out from the rest. Nice

abacomike · December 2012

Here's something I got off the Mercedes Benz Club of America's site regarding styling and future models in the E Class:

Mercedes plans big changes for '14 E class
Dec 03, 2012

LOS ANGELES -- With the rapid pace of technology, Mercedes-Benz says it no longer can rely on relatively minor midcycle changes for key models. So the E-class freshening planned for next year will be more extensive than usual, with major sheet metal and interior changes, said Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

The 2014 E-class family, including a sedan, station wagon, coupe and convertible, will go on sale next summer.

Cannon said the luxury market is changing because buyer "expectations are being driven by consumer electronics, and its rapid pace of new product introductions.

"The ability to just keep the product going for seven years with just minor tweaks is a strategy we have gone away from," he said.

So, there may be significant changes - making it possible for yet another sales story next year - you can never tell!

mako1a · December 2012

future models in the E Class:

Is the E class the one they refer to as the "Baby Benz"?

ps Everything I know about MB came from watching Frazier on TV

The one where their plumber had a nicer Benz than Niles.

driver100 · December 2012

it's a SEL 450 maybe 72-76 or something close to that.

Close, actually it is a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SL C107(not sure what C 107 is)

Seems it is for sale for $27000!
Link 76 Mercedes 450SL

I like that roof line too, and the squared off lines. The red one doesn't look as good.

driver100 · December 2012

I found this car which is supposed to be a 2014 E Class, but the site kind of froze my computer. I think it was speedlux.com - I got out of it but I wouldn't suggest going on it. If this is a 2014, which they claim it is, it doesn't look that radically different to me.

abacomike · December 2012

Is the E class the one they refer to as the "Baby Benz"?

No, mako, it isn't. Back in 1987 or thereabouts, they came out with a 190E which everyone called a "baby Benz" which is exactly what it was at the time. My wife dove that and I had an 300E.

Now, the C Class is considered the baby Benz, but they are supposed to come out with an A Class which would then be the baby.

abacomike · December 2012

I found this car which is supposed to be a 2014 E Class, but the site kind of froze my computer.

Yes, that's it. Notice the headlights and the rear quarter panel. Big changes inside, as well. I thought they were doing away with the stay hood ornament though.

sterlingdog · December 2012

Amen to that. I never know what imid's posts are saying, but I love reading them. It makes me feel as if I'm doing something important and worth while. I have actually printed off some of his posts to show to repairmen. If I can't talk intelligently, I at least want them to know that I have very bright friends.

Richard

nyccarguy · December 2012

Mike - my parents had the same car. A 1990 300E was my Mom's daily driver. For my 16th birthday, my parents gave me my very own set of (genuine MB) keys.

houdini1 · December 2012

I got my wife a brand new 1990 300 E back in 1990. It was a 6 cylinder. Small car that drove like a much bigger car. She kept it for 5 years. Still a record. It was a very good car, but my favorite MB was a 1978 240 D that I bought used in 1980. Loved that car. We had some really cold winters for a couple of years back then and I had to use my wife's hair dryer to thaw out the fuel lines a couple of times.

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