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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

48094 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2009 at 12:43 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#43531 of 48094
Re: This makes me crazy.... [graphicguy] by houdini1
May 27, 2009 (11:44 am)
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Replying to: graphicguy (May 27, 2009 9:09 am)

Yep, those oil guys have no shame at all. We are really being gouged. When oil was $160 a barrel we were paying $4.00 a gal for reg. gas.
 
Based on those percentages, at $50 a barrel we should be paying about $1.25 per gallon, but we are paying about twice that much. If it goes back to $160 that means we will be paying $8.00 a gal.
 
They kept hammering us by saying they were only passing on the cost to us when the price was high, (although they never explained their huge increase in profits) so why isn't the reverse true now?
 
This oil business is what started our current economic downturn. Many people simply went broke paying for gas and the whole thing snowballed.
 
To sum up. Gas prices are double what they were when oil was $160 a barrel, relative to the price of oil.
 
Now we have wasted trillions of dollars trying to fix the big mess...trillions that we and our kids will have to someway pay back...and the oil companies are gouging even more. Someone should go to jail.
 
Rant over !!
#43532 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [madmanmoo] by driver100
May 27, 2009 (11:48 am)
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Replying to: madmanmoo (May 27, 2009 9:05 am)

calling about something you have no intention of buying - don't become abusive because he can't/won't answer your questions.
 
I still think there are 2 ways of looking at this. Car salespeople are in a business that is not exact. You don't go in, buy your aspirin and pay for it. What happens is you browse, and you might just end up buying. So, I think a wise salesman would, if he has the time, try to answer any questions. The person asking might turn into a buyer or might know someone who will buy. If you answer nicely and informatively, you might just get a new customer out of it. If you are too abrupt, and are only going to spend your time on sure things, you could be cutting off a possible new customer.
 
On the other hand, I wouldn't call a salesperson if I didn't intend on buying. However, I get all kinds of people calling me asking how they can get a certain book, or how they can get a book published, and I try to be as helpful as possible - time permitting. I think I learn more every time I answer a question, and I think your total attitude has spin off affects. Being positive, helpful, and kind to people makes people react to you in the same way.
#43533 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [madmanmoo] by houdini1
May 27, 2009 (12:16 pm)
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Replying to: madmanmoo (May 27, 2009 9:05 am)

While I am on a rant roll let me get something else off my chest.
 
I don't know of any business that expects that every time the phone rings they are sure to make a sale. If that was the case, any dummy off the street could handle that job. Sometimes the decision to buy a car is long and tedious and any prospect or suspect will have many questions. Any really good salesperson will welcome those questions and see an opportunity to turn that suspect into a prospect.
 
Your whole premise about not wasting a salesperson's time is counterproductive and ridiculous. Having a polite and helpful attitude today will translate into sales tomorrow. I'll bet Old Farmer knows that you have to plant the seed and tend the crops before you can harvest.
#43534 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [houdini1] by lrguy44
May 27, 2009 (12:22 pm)
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Replying to: houdini1 (May 27, 2009 12:16 pm)

I agree - but there is a big difference between a person calling on a specific car or model with questions and an inane question about doc fees. We get calls all the time about using regular gas at atitude, when diesels will be available, if the Defender will be back next year, do we have a $5000 Range Rover available, etc. But every opportunity to turn a looker into a shopper into a buyer is welcome.
#43535 of 48094
Re: This makes me crazy.... [houdini1] by verdugo
May 27, 2009 (12:39 pm)
Reply

Replying to: houdini1 (May 27, 2009 11:44 am)

This oil business is what started our current economic downturn. Many people simply went broke paying for gas and the whole thing snowballed.
 
That is so not true, but if it makes you feel better to vent against the oil companies more power to you
 
Somebody mentioned that gas is going up, but the economy hasn't recovered yet. If you want a conspiracy theory, the price of gas has to stay high in order for people to switch to smaller, more fuel efficient cars. If gas were $1.5, who would buy a Prius? It'd be SUV's for everybody again!
#43536 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [driver100] by verdugo
May 27, 2009 (12:41 pm)
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Replying to: driver100 (May 27, 2009 11:48 am)

However, I get all kinds of people calling me asking how they can get a certain book,
 
The difference is that the next time the phone rings, it will still be your turn to answer. In a dealership, the salesperson who talked to you, might have to sit out the next 20 calls until his turn comes up again.
#43537 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [lrguy44] by houdini1
May 27, 2009 (12:47 pm)
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Replying to: lrguy44 (May 27, 2009 12:22 pm)

Sales, IMO, is the most important job there is...and the toughest. You will have many frustrations, many rewards, and many surprises along the way. That guy innocently asking about doc fees may turn out to be someone who will buy a couple of cars a year from you....or someone else if you brush him off.
#43538 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [verdugo] by driver100
May 27, 2009 (1:07 pm)
Reply

Replying to: verdugo (May 27, 2009 12:41 pm)

n a dealership, the salesperson who talked to you, might have to sit out the next 20 calls until his turn comes up again.
 
If that is how a dealership operates they aren't being smart about it. I guess a receptionist will answer. If she puts through a call and it is a dumb question it shouldn't count against the salesperson. That doesn't make sense for a dealership to treat their salespeople that way. The salesperson should be able to say, I just answered a silly question and I should be next in line again.......anything else is counterproductive to the dealership and the sales staff.
 
When JM called to ask about doc fees the salesman should have said, some moron called and asked a stupid question, put me back in first place for calls. (just joking about JM Heh heh)
#43539 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [houdini1] by driver100
May 27, 2009 (1:10 pm)
Reply

Replying to: houdini1 (May 27, 2009 12:47 pm)

Sales, IMO, is the most important job there is...and the toughest.
 
You are right, one of the hardest and one of the most important. Without sales companies won't survive. I agree totally that you should be as kind and helpful as possible, you can turn a question into a sale. And when you answer questions and are helpful, you build trust, and trust leads to sales....today or possibly in the future.
#43540 of 48094
Re: Where did everyone go? [houdini1] by lrguy44
May 27, 2009 (1:12 pm)
Reply

Replying to: houdini1 (May 27, 2009 12:47 pm)

I have sold many automobiles to many people over the years who do not look or sound like they can afford a cup of coffee. However, none of those people started by asking an inane question. People who are truly lookers, shoppers or buyers will ask questions about a specific model, reliability, capability, availability, financing, pricing or other related questions. Doc fees, concept car, $5000 car, or other non "serious" question openings have never resulted in a test drive, much less a deal. And believe me, I have tried.

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