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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
48044 messages, Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 7:19 AM
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Back in 2004, my Dad was looking to replace his '99 Buick LeSabre (he wrecked), I took him to look at new LeSabre's. As we drove up to the dealership, the salesman was smoking outside and just as we parked and started to walk up to the showroom, he tossed his cig out towards us at the parking lot. WHAT A TURN-OFF!! We went in and he tried to sell us but I just wasn't interested from the start. He smelled so strongly of cigarettes that it made me sick. My parents have owned a ton of GM products but I just couldn't let my Dad do it this time. I scoped out the Mercury Grand Marquis and found it to be $6,500 dollars cheaper than the same equivalent Buick. The Grand Marquis had a few more options so I talked my Dad into it and it has been a wonderful car (2004). Why a salesman would be so obnoxious as to smoke in front of his customers is beyond me. If I had a dealership, there would be NO SMOKING!!! on the property! That's just my opinion...others may disagree. Mark 
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Replying to: mark156 (Sep 23, 2006 9:48 pm)
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Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 24, 2006 8:58 am)
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Replying to: mikefm58 (Sep 24, 2006 10:24 am) IMHO, car showrooms should smell of cars, preferably that nice new car smell. You certainly shouldn't be able to smell people, smoke or food. |
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Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 24, 2006 8:58 am) 
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Replying to: mark156 (Sep 23, 2006 9:48 pm) I agree but its not so easy....A business in our area (not a dealer) tried it and ended up with a host of lawsuits from current employees...claiming violation of the americans with disabilities act,discrimination, blah blah. The company finally gave in when the legal bills started to add up. Some states are more agreeable than others on this issues. In my state the majority doesn't rule the one whiner/complainer is always the winner. |
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For some reason, auto sales seems to attract a higher percentage of smokers than many other jobs, if my experiences when I was car-shopping was anything like typical. I suspect part of it is that when much of your day is standing around outside and waiting for anybody to walk by, and you can't read, you can't listen to an ipod, you can't do much of anything else, smoking can help mask that - even making it look like you're just outside on a break, instead of inside, doing something important.
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| I went thru Carmax store about a month ago. I noticed that the customers are channeled thru a showroom like greeting area. Once there, a salesman instantly greets you and starts to extract information from you. IMO, it's kind of a better mouse trap. In order to see the inventory, you must see a person. The buyer comes to them instead of being chased down on the lot by a salesperson. I'll give Carmax credit on that particular strategy. | |
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Replying to: tsgeisel (Sep 25, 2006 7:35 am) Personally, I like a good cigar every once in a while. I'm probably not nearly as sensitive to the issue. But, under no circumstances do I want anyone smoking in my car...especially during a sales presentation of a vehicle. I won't smoke a cigar in a dealership, nor will I smoke one if people protest. It's a vice (as is sitting in my favorite chair with a Woodford Reserve, watching college football on a cool Saturday). I think professional decorum should rule whenever in doubt, however.
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I partake in the disgusting habit of smoking, although a light smoker (1/4 pack a day) there is no excuse. I smoke on the side of the building in our designated smoking area out of plain sight of customers. I load up on gum and brush my teeth almost obsessively. It a destresser and a time killer. I have sold cars to customers that we have negotiated outside smoking a cigarette. Sometimes It has worked to my advantage.  As for enthusiasm and salespeople doing all the steps of the sale. Trust me, if you have a salesperson who takes shortcuts, you will be at the dealership for longer than you anticipated. I am not wrong about this. As for waiting for us to get the dealer tags and the such. It is what it is. I am not getting a ticket for the sake of enthusiasm, and I am not going to leave with out checking with my manager because I do not know if my customer I am going to drive is a serial killer. But those 2 tasks should only take about 45 seconds tops anyway....... As for sunglasses, I ask the client before the drive if they mind if I wear them. A. I wear contacts and I am photosensitive, B. I want to minimized the crows feet. Sexy on men, Haggish on women....... |
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