Slightly OT: I hate car salesmen!
10-13-2008 | 04:55 PM
#17
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,817
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From: Alberta, Canada
10-13-2008 | 05:23 PM
#20
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,733
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From: South Bay, Los Angeles
It's a variation on my favorite lawyer joke (present company excepted!)
Nothing against them personally, it's just that there's so much information out there, it's almost impossible for any sales guy to keep up vs. an ethusiast armed with 1 hour and a DSL connection.
Nothing against them personally, it's just that there's so much information out there, it's almost impossible for any sales guy to keep up vs. an ethusiast armed with 1 hour and a DSL connection.
10-13-2008 | 05:26 PM
#21
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10-13-2008 | 05:49 PM
#23
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,733
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From: South Bay, Los Angeles
If you think we're bad, the Honda Gold Wing enthusiasts are totally hard core, despite all the teddy bears 
I was working at Honda on the launch of the first 1800 product (which is a superb motorcycle, BTW). After spending time with owners in focus groups, etc., we learned that not only that most of these guys are very technically competent, know tons of Honda history, and also know more about the future than we did. We only knew what we were told through "official" briefings from Product Planning about stuff that was 12 months from market or less. The Wingers lived in forums (gasp!) combed the Japan sites, rumor blogs, etc, etc. They were totally on it.
I was working at Honda on the launch of the first 1800 product (which is a superb motorcycle, BTW). After spending time with owners in focus groups, etc., we learned that not only that most of these guys are very technically competent, know tons of Honda history, and also know more about the future than we did. We only knew what we were told through "official" briefings from Product Planning about stuff that was 12 months from market or less. The Wingers lived in forums (gasp!) combed the Japan sites, rumor blogs, etc, etc. They were totally on it.
10-14-2008 | 04:04 AM
#24
RL Technical Advisor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 11,871
Likes: 66
From: Portland Oregon
Thank God for telephones,....
10-14-2008 | 09:54 AM
#25
Addict
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From: Raleigh, NC & North Myrtle Beach, SC
Man we wil never have another BMW. My wife's 3 series with only 57K miles has stranded her three times. Replace the alternator 2 weeks ago, cam sensor at 52K. Neither under warranty and BMW does give a rats ***. Be forwarned about BMW. I have had 2 others long ago and loved them but these days they are crap IMHO!
10-14-2008 | 11:30 AM
#26
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,033
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From: Sandy, UT/Fish Haven, ID
Im in the process of buying another vehicle. It will be my 4th vehicle without every meeting the owner or test driving it. I did go look at this one on Sunday but they were closed, which was fine for the walk around.
Its currently at a 3rd party having a PPI done this morning--which was dropped off yesterday afternoon about 1 mile away to another shop (dealership) for the inspection. I had the dealership drop it off at another dealership.
If it passes the test, I'll barter some on the price and most likely buy it.
Ive done my homework, know what I want, and I buy it. Thats how I operate in the world of buying things.
No problems with salespeople in my case because I havent even been working with them. All my work is done in my underware, except for the walk around on Sunday.
Its currently at a 3rd party having a PPI done this morning--which was dropped off yesterday afternoon about 1 mile away to another shop (dealership) for the inspection. I had the dealership drop it off at another dealership.
If it passes the test, I'll barter some on the price and most likely buy it.
Ive done my homework, know what I want, and I buy it. Thats how I operate in the world of buying things.
No problems with salespeople in my case because I havent even been working with them. All my work is done in my underware, except for the walk around on Sunday.
10-14-2008 | 11:45 AM
#27
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
Man we wil never have another BMW. My wife's 3 series with only 57K miles has stranded her three times. Replace the alternator 2 weeks ago, cam sensor at 52K. Neither under warranty and BMW does give a rats ***. Be forwarned about BMW. I have had 2 others long ago and loved them but these days they are crap IMHO!
10-14-2008 | 12:36 PM
#28
Race Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,916
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From: San Jose Kalifornia Demokratische Republik
How much do you think is fair for a 993 cabriolet with 28K miles on it?
Two bad car salesman experiences today:
1) My wife is looking at a new BMW 135i. So were at a Bay Area BMW dealership today and I spy a used M3 convertible on the lot. Since I haven't been able to track down a 993 that I want yet, I decided I'd take the M for a test drive. I drive the car (which to be honest didn't excite me that much), and upon returning to the dealership the sales guy says 'I don't wan't to offend you, but perhaps you should consider a regular 3-series since you don't drive aggressively enough for an M'. Huh? I'm driving someone else's car with the sales guy breathing down my neck from the back seat, and he doesn't think I'm worthy because I'm not bouncing off the rev limiter on every shift? Pi$$ed me off.
2) On our way back from the BMW dealership, we drive past a Porsche dealership and I spot a 993 for sale on the lot. I stopped in to check it out and it's not exactly the cleanest example I've seen around. It's a '96 cab, completely stock and they want $44K for it?? Oh, they've just dropped the price to a more reasonable $40K. OK, it's only got 28K miles on it, but it's pretty dirty inside, and smells like gasoline in the cabin! The sales guy knows next to nothing about the car except to say 'it's a classic, very hard to come by' and asks me about 10 times if I'm interested in buying it. I took his card and said I'd let him know. Yeah, right.
I hate car salesmen.
1) My wife is looking at a new BMW 135i. So were at a Bay Area BMW dealership today and I spy a used M3 convertible on the lot. Since I haven't been able to track down a 993 that I want yet, I decided I'd take the M for a test drive. I drive the car (which to be honest didn't excite me that much), and upon returning to the dealership the sales guy says 'I don't wan't to offend you, but perhaps you should consider a regular 3-series since you don't drive aggressively enough for an M'. Huh? I'm driving someone else's car with the sales guy breathing down my neck from the back seat, and he doesn't think I'm worthy because I'm not bouncing off the rev limiter on every shift? Pi$$ed me off.
2) On our way back from the BMW dealership, we drive past a Porsche dealership and I spot a 993 for sale on the lot. I stopped in to check it out and it's not exactly the cleanest example I've seen around. It's a '96 cab, completely stock and they want $44K for it?? Oh, they've just dropped the price to a more reasonable $40K. OK, it's only got 28K miles on it, but it's pretty dirty inside, and smells like gasoline in the cabin! The sales guy knows next to nothing about the car except to say 'it's a classic, very hard to come by' and asks me about 10 times if I'm interested in buying it. I took his card and said I'd let him know. Yeah, right.
I hate car salesmen.
10-14-2008 | 12:43 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,261
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
If the car was in excellent condition, then I would say that the price asked wasn't too far out of line - especially given the low mileage. IMHO, I just didn't think that the condition of the car warranted top dollar.
