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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
47811 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 8:49 PM
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Replying to: nyccarguy (Nov 27, 2008 8:06 pm) "I don't think he's a troll either. I've actually been captivated by his stories from the sales frontlines the last few days. He's one of the only ones staying on topic:) " Nah I don't think he is a troll either but perhaps burnt out and clueless to the current outlook. Far beyond guns and butter, consumers are evaluating every purchase with a wary eye. Too much so but that is the danger of deflation , the real devil. Consumers delay buying because the expect prices to be cheaper in the future. Manufacturers delay producing because of the same . Acknowledge the fear and sell on. They aren't there to jerk you around, give them direction. They are scared. Posted as one who knows as opposed to they who don't. The lilies of the field. |
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Replying to: boomchek (Nov 27, 2008 4:52 pm) Don't you love it. That type of clown is easy to spot. It's almost as if they are trying to convince themselves of how important they are. But by the same token they don't consider you important at all. I've told the story before of how a guy drove onto my farm and came out to the field where I was tending thousands of containers of a particular nursery stock item. Without the least bit of shame he said "I just bought 50 of these at Wal-Mart and I was hoping you could tell me how to grow them". It was only because of my well-developed sense of self-control that this fellow isn't buried out there. 
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 27, 2008 8:50 am) Jip's right, I would have offered her my services to calm her nerves. That's just what I do.  I'm headed to China for about 2 weeks starting at the beginning of December so I will be away for a bit. I hope everyone stays out of trouble.
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Replying to: madmanmoo (Nov 28, 2008 6:21 am) Nice to hear from you mooman. Check out all the great cars in China, especially in Beijing. Remember 1500 new cars a day in Beijing! Try to see the terra cotta warriors - will probably be the 8th wonder of the world. Be careful what you eat and don't drink the water unless it is bottled.
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Replying to: madmanmoo (Nov 28, 2008 6:21 am)  Have a great trip, and don't be a stranger around here. Richard |
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 28, 2008 6:43 am) If you thought Chinese drivers were bad in the States, then you should take a look at them on their roads. It's insanity. The difference there is that they don't go anywhere near as fast as we do. If they get into an accident, the damage won't be too severe. It's a pretty amazing place. Can you imagine being a used car manager in China and checking for paintwork?  Lol, 9/10 vehicles have probably been painted.
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Replying to: rogeliov (Nov 27, 2008 10:14 am) I wasn't speaking of Scion in particular but cars in general, but lets run the numbers. A TC with an automatic transmission runs about $18,470 with destination charges. Add on a Doc fee of say $65 and you are at $18,535, sales tax at 6.75% comes to $1,251.11 and license, lets say $78.00, and we are talking $19,864.11. Now lets say someone comes in with little money and bad (but not horrible) credit. Say they qualify for 10% interest rate, they put a grand down and finance the rest for 72 months (I did say "over up to 6 years") to keep they payments low, which means their payment is $349.47/month. 349.47 times 72 is $25,162.09 and add the grand down payment and you have $26,162.09. In the above example an interest rate of 15.37% would bring that total cost of payments to be $30K.
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Replying to: jmonroe (Nov 27, 2008 10:00 am) So, after the last few months, I've come out with a scar on my lower stomach (minus one un-needed internal organ) . I've got a rebuilt home. And, I've had to find a new way to make a living. So what? I'm no worse for the wear. Just filled up the Tahoe for $40 yesterday (about 1/3 of what it took in July). That's a small blessing. I've got a warm bed to sleep in. I've got a fridge full of leftovers. All my extremities work the way they're supposed to work. I've got good friends and family who surround me. I'm not living outside in a box. Things ain't so bad. We all have good days/weeks/months/years. Sometimes they aren't so good. Just remember, the only constant is change. Stick around and eventually things will get better. It all starts with today, though. |
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 28, 2008 6:55 am) If someone's nervous about buying, so be it. IMHO, telling them not to be nervous probably isn't going to change that. End up on the wrong lot? Point them in the right direction to buy a new one, and go about your business. Easy-peazy! I've noticed this in my past careers. Some sales people are afraid to "close the deal". You learn closing real quickly when you're depending on your ability to do so, when you're self-employed. While I could be off base when it comes to closing a car deal, dealing with the nervous customer, as it was laid out, should go something like this.... Customer....."I'm nervous". Sales...."sit in the driver's seat (let'em take in the new car smell...play with the dials). Do you like it? Customer...."I'm not sure, I'm still nervous". Sales....."If you like the car, I'm going to help you buy it. I'll be there every step of the way, start to finish. And, in a short while, you're going to be driving it home, happy that YOU made the right choice". If that doesn't do it, cut'em loose. Don't feed their insecurities. This is Scion. There's no shopping around on them for price. I would imagine that, as a Scion sales person, you don't have time to mess with someone else's insecurities. Let some other dealership do that, if they want. |
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Only those of you who have been married a few years can appreciate this little story. While making the three hour trip home from my sister's last night, the wife brings up the topic of new cars---very unusual for her. She says, "I forgot to tell you that while I was out shopping the other day, I stopped by the Honda dealer to look at the new CRV's." You have to keep in mind that this is a lady who knows zero about cars or what they cost or how to approach the buying process, etc. I nearly ran off the road as she spoke. I asked her if she talked with a salesman. She says," I wasn't going to but one of them walked along the side of my car as I was slowly going down the CRV rows. He motioned for me to roll down my window and then asked me to stop and look." I then asked her if she got out of the car. She says, "Oh, yes. I wanted to get a better look." I replied by asking her to tell me what was said. She said that the salesman was very knowledgeable. He told her that all of the CRV's were 4 cyl. and got around 28mpg. He told her the price range was from $24k-$28k. He told her that the alloy wheels stayed cleaner than any other car on the market and how much the customers liked that feature. Now, that is a new marketing twist if ever I heard one. Naturally, she liked the one with the moonroof, leather, etc. With fear in my heart, I asked her if she took a test drive. She said that he suggested it, but she declined the offer. Then she said the famous one liner to him: "I'm really just looking." I asked her if he looked a little disappointed, but she said no. She went on to say how nice he was to answer all of her questions. I asked her how long she was there. She said, "Oh, about 30 minutes." I think that I had better go by there and thank the young man for his patience. My next remark turned to the Grand Marquis---you know, the car that she said to go ahead and buy. I said, "Honey, I thought that we were leaning toward the Grand Marquis." She says, "No, you're the one who wants that big car. I told you that I wanted another CRV." I guess that I am back to stage one. You see, that is what makes marriage interesting. The wife may finally give in to your wishes, but she doesn't really have her heart in the process. I guess that is why I have hesitated on the GM. I was a bit afraid that if I purchased it, I might spend years hearing her say, "Why did you ever buy this big old car." I then suggested to her that she drive both cars and see what she thought. I also suggested that she look at the rebates, employee pricing, mpg of both, etc. I'm using psychology on her because I know that price wise, the GM is the better deal. Also, if she drives the GM she will like the comfort. This is a lady who likes the comfort factor. We'll see how things work out. I'm not buying any car unless we both enjoy it. That way, neither person complains or blames the other. It's too big a purchase for one person not to be happy and, after all, the money belongs to both of us. Hope all of you enjoyed Turkey Day. I have a few more pounds around the belt, but what a wonderful way to gain it. Richard |
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