Stories from the Sales Frontlines

Replying to: mikefm58 (Apr 30, 2008 11:33 am)

Sorry to hear about your experience Mike. What I don't understand is why were you looking at an Altima or a Tundra? Two totally different vehicles. I could see an Altima , Accord, and Camry, or Tundra, Silverado, or F-150.
Reminds me of the couple I assisted on Saturday. They wanted to test drive a RAV4, a Prius, and a Hybrid Camry. I obliged with the Rav and we only looked at a Prius that was already sold, we were also out of hybrid Camrys. So they end up loving the RAV4. I went for the close and they tell me they have a 24 hour rule. Think over the purchase for 24 hours then make a decision.
I said "We're open tomorrow so if you decide you want the car give me a call since I'm off." Then I tried to get their address and phone number and guess what? They were winter birds from Florida traveling in their motor home staying at a local campground. Too bad I didn't see the plates on their Cherokee otherwise I would have run the other way Just kidding, I still have hope that they will come back as they told me they were staying here for two weeks. (holding my breath)!
 Mack

Replies to this message:
• richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 5:14 pm)
• mikefm58 (Apr 30, 2008 6:01 pm)
  • mackabee (Apr 30, 2008 7:58 pm)

Replying to: greanpea68 (Apr 30, 2008 12:52 pm)

I don't have any patience for people like that. I will launch them in a minute. Most of the time they are bluffing so I call their bluff. "Oh yeah? have you signed the papers yet? No? well you better hurry before they change their mind." then they go "Well what can you do?" "I already gave you my price."
 Mack

Last night was a special evening. We don't get customers like these often so you learn to appreciate them.
It was right before sundown when a 2000 Toyota Solara pulls into the lot. I standing there with two other sales guys and I see the car had our dealership license plate holders. "Hmm, I think I sold this guy this car." I say to the guys. "Go ahead and take him, you were out here first." says one of my compadres.
A older gentleman (older than me) gets out of the car with a folder full of paper work. (Oh no! probably an engineer!) but NO!
I greet him and he tells me with a big smile: "I'm here to buy a car." to which I reply: "Well that's great you're in the right place as we sell cars here.!" He laughs and I introduce myself and give him a business car. I then go into investigation mode and he tells me he's wants to look at a 4runner and a Highlander. We walk the lot to where these two vehicles are and then I ask him what he's going to be using the vehicle for. "Just for daily commuting and taking the family out." he tells me. "Do you ever go off road? if not then a 2wd will be just fine." I tell him. As we stand there looking at both vehicles I tell him about the Highlander being on a car chassis and the 4runner on a truck chassis so the Highlander will have a nicer ride. He tells me to show him a Limited and we walk back behind the building where we have a lot of Hl's and 4rnrs. As we are walking by the Highlanders a light blue one catches his eye. This one is a base model so we keep looking at the other vehicles. "You like that blue color?" I ask him. "Yeah, it's quite pretty. My wife will like it." he replies. "Ok, let's look for a 2wd in that color." I tell him.
We keep walking the lot and come upon a Sport model in the color he likes and loaded to the gills with navi, leather, heated seats, bluetooth, moonroof etc. I have to go back to the store to get a key since it's just arrived and the keybox is not on it. I go looking for the key and its'
 
........................................TO BE CONTINUED....-

Replies to this message:
• richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 4:49 pm)
  • joel0622 (Apr 30, 2008 4:53 pm)
    • richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 4:59 pm)
• greanpea68 (Apr 30, 2008 5:59 pm)

Replying to: laurasdada (Apr 30, 2008 9:46 am)

While you may hate to write, your expression of the English language is excellent.
 
Since you were kind enough to call me "Young Richard", I'll confess to something. There was no elevator at the Washington Monument in 1957 when I was a teen. Promise that you won't tell jmonroe. I have him convinced that he is older than dirt.
 
To stay on topic: When I went to DC that summer, my father was driving a 1955 Buick Roadmaster. Are you ready for this? It was two tone pink and white with pink leather seats! He had ordered it for my mother whose favorite color was pink. Though it sounds gosh awful, it was actually a pretty car. The pink was a light shade. My parent's friends thought that it was beautiful. Their next car was red and white. My father loved red. In the late '60's, they remodeled their kitchen with red appliances and strawberry wallpaper. My parents were unique---never a dull moment.
 
Richard

Replies to this message:
• imidazol97 (Apr 30, 2008 5:30 pm)
  • jmonroe (Apr 30, 2008 5:52 pm)
  • richard64 (May 01, 2008 7:10 am)
• laurasdada (Apr 30, 2008 7:25 pm)
  • thenebean (May 02, 2008 9:48 am)
    • mackabee (May 02, 2008 10:28 am) and 13 more...
    • isellhondas (May 02, 2008 12:53 pm)
    • jkinzel (May 02, 2008 8:20 pm) and 19 more...
    • tidester (May 03, 2008 12:30 am) and 5 more...

Replying to: mackabee (Apr 30, 2008 4:39 pm)

"...and give him a business car."
 
Gosh, he gets a free car just for coming by? I need to trade with YOU. I couldn't resist. Jmonroe would have done it to you first, if I hadn't seen it in time.
 
Richard

Replies to this message:
• joel0622 (Apr 30, 2008 4:53 pm)
  • richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 4:59 pm)

Replying to: richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 4:49 pm)

How else do you think they got to #1, it is that buy get one free plan

Replies to this message:
• richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 4:59 pm)

Replying to: greanpea68 (Apr 30, 2008 12:52 pm)

"I'll be over it tomorrow. Tomorrow is a great day."
 
See how positive you always are?
Richard

Replying to: joel0622 (Apr 30, 2008 4:53 pm)

Replying to: mackabee (Apr 30, 2008 4:23 pm)

"Too bad I didn't see the plates on their Cherokee..."
 
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!! I know those people! I couldn't believe it when I read your post. I almost missed the post. I had gone back to check something and there it was. It has to be them---same car, snow birds with a motor home, etc.
 
He is a retired banker and ex-Army recruiter. She worked in HR with me for several years. She is a nice person, but he is a hard ball to deal with on any issue. When they first hit the road, they were pulling a Saturn wagon. They then traded for a Cherokee. They send us their travel schedule each Christmas. It is time for them to be in your area. They are heading for Indiana for the summer. They have a home there. Knowing the husband, I would be surprised if they come back to see you. Let me know if he does. BTW, if it is them, I have their telephone number.
 
Richard

Replying to: richard64 (Apr 30, 2008 4:41 pm)

>There was no elevator at the Washington Monument in 1957 when I was a teen.
 
The elevator went public shortly after 1888. That makes your age
 about 131
 
The elevator was the construction elevator which was converted for public use. The stairs were closed in the 70s due to vandalism of plaques on the walls of the stairs. There are 897 steps.
 
The pink dress is in National Archives and won't be released until 2013. (Wiki answers)
 
The limosine is at Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn) (National Archives).
I don't recall seeing it when we were there about 18 years ago.

Replies to this message:
• jmonroe (Apr 30, 2008 5:52 pm)
• richard64 (May 01, 2008 7:10 am)