Why are salesmen so freakin stupid???

[CornDogsCharger]

  I figured some of you would get a kick out of this.  Yesterday was a very beautiful day here in Jackson, Mississippi... so I decided to run a few errands in the '66 Charger.  While I was out riding, I drove past the Dodge dealership and noticed that the had a black SRT8 and two yellow Daytonas along with a handful of other regular Chargers.  So I pull off and drove over to where the Chargers are.  And of course, being noon on a Saturday, every last sales man was there.  I couldn't even park the '66 before five of the sales men were swormed around me.  And would you believe that one fo those stupid idiot salesmen had the nerve to ask me if I was planning on trading in my Camaro for a new Charger!!!!  My "Camaro"?!!!!  Where did this idiot come from?!

  So anyway, I figured it out.  Usually, the ones that jump on you first have got to be the rookies.  So I had a little fun with the next one.  Dude hands me a business card... I look at it.... someone else's name is scribbled out and this dude Mike writes his name in place of it.  Dead giveaway.... ROOKIE.  And plus, he has this lady walking around with him.  I guess she is teaching him how to sale a car.  She did all of the talking for him... and aparently, she must have thought that I was an idiot and did not know anything about cars.  Even though I pull up in a REAL Charger... a classic... apparently I know nothing about cars.  I'm not too fond of the new Chargers, but.... I have studied up on them.  It's pretty bad when the buyer knows more about the car than the sales person does.

  So, like I said... I had fun with these two goofballs.  We were looking at the SRT8.  She was explaining to me that "This is the fast one.  It has the Hemi in it."  Now, knowing that the SRT8 has the 6.1 and not the 5.7 I asked them "Well doesn't the RT and the Daytona have a Hemi in it too?  What's different that makes this one so much faster?"  She replied, with much confidence, "This motor has stuff done to it inside that gives it more power." And trying to distract me from the engine she said "And this SRT8 comes with these nice big wheels".  Knowing that the 6.1 pushes 425 HP I asked them "Well how much horsepower does this car have?"  They replied with "About 300 horsepower".  I said "Really... that much, huh?"  I was trying so hard not to laugh.  So then I asked them "I heard these things have MDS (Multi Displacement System)... what exactly is that?" I know it is available in the 5.7 but not the 6.1. "So they reply with "Yes, that is for the steering.  It makes it easier to steer... like when you're trying to pull into a parking spot... it just turns sharper when you need it to."  I just about fell out on the floor.  I know she thought that I was a dumb young 26 year old that doesn't know anything about cars... and that the big wheels and sound system would sell the car for me.  So I thanked them for their time and hopped back in my REAL car and drove off. 

Anyone got a similar story, I'd love to hear it

Justin
"CornDog"

[golden73]

 

That is hilarious!!!!

[hemihead]

I love GM sales people who know nothing about cars, especially Mopars! 

[dd44068]

Idiots dont even describe them a camero

[Dodge-Charger]

Went to the dealer here with the wife and wanted to look at the Magnum. 2 sales guys came out and started talking the Charger up. ( I was in mine) I said " nope ain't seen no new Chargers, when they bring them back ? "  So the guy tried to talk the wife into one, she snaps back with. " OK so whats that car and pointed to a used Intrp, he told her what it was. She then points to a NEON and said what is that called, once again he told her. She pointed at the 06 and once again " whats that one ? "  Oh he said that is the NEW and improved Dodge Charger, fast, sleek and elegant". Her reply was, " hmmmm so why does it have the exact same frontend as the magnum?, the other cars don't. And you say NEW and improved huh, does that mean you have found away for a four door to double in value after 30 years like my husbands car? You know a real Charger !

Yes I took her straight to Wal-Mart for a shopping spree. 

[CornDogsCharger]

Since when does this......



Look like this.....



You know... if you squint your eyes just right.... you can kinda see it....... IF YOU'RE BLIND!!!

Justin
"CornDog"

[hotrod98]

Along a similar line...whenever I take my 71 340 cuda to a car show I can count on hearing one of two phrases:

       "that thing gotta hemi in it?"      or      "nice camaro" 

I'm getting used to it now. I just wonder what they're going to say when I pull up in my superbird clone next year.

[CornDogsCharger]

Superbird clone.... they'll probably say "What is that.... an older Toyota Supera?"

Justin
"CornDog"

[Headrope]

Similar scenario but at an autoparts store:
They keep the $100+ parts are out on the shelves  but for some reason keep sparkplugs behind the counter. So you go up to the counter and ask for them, ultimately to be confronted with a barrage of questions about everything that has nothing to do with a sparkplug:
"Carburated; How many barrels?" "Is it manual or automatic transmission?'
I've actually has salespeople try to talk me out of buying spark plugs because their computer does not go back far enough for them to suggest what I "needed" for my '66.

[Nacho-RT74]

...... And would you believe that one fo those stupid idiot salesmen had the nerve to ask me if I was planning on trading in my Camaro for a new Charger!!!! My "Camaro"?!!!! Where did this idiot come from?!

X-files

So, like I said... I had fun with these two goofballs. We were looking at the SRT8. She was explaining to me that "This is the fast one. It has the Hemi in it." Now, knowing that the SRT8 has the 6.1 and not the 5.7 I asked them "Well doesn't the RT and the Daytona have a Hemi in it too? What's different that makes this one so much faster?" She replied, with much confidence, "This motor has stuff done to it inside that gives it more power." And trying to distract me from the engine she said "And this SRT8 comes with these nice big wheels". Knowing that the 6.1 pushes 425 HP I asked them "Well how much horsepower does this car have?" They replied with "About 300 horsepower". I said "Really... that much, huh?" I was trying so hard not to laugh. So then I asked them "I heard these things have MDS (Multi Displacement System)... what exactly is that?" I know it is available in the 5.7 but not the 6.1. "So they reply with "Yes, that is for the steering. It makes it easier to steer... like when you're trying to pull into a parking spot... it just turns sharper when you need it to." I just about fell out on the floor.

Twilight zone

[Nacho-RT74]

Nice Cuda !!!

Am I blind ?

[Ghoste]

I thought it was a Mustang???

[Johnny SixPack]

So that's not a Challenger then?

[Paladin]

    I can understand the aggravation, been there myself.  For some reason, people keep thinking my '71 R/T is an old Mustang.  I guess they are thinking of the '71-'73 Mach Ones.  I usually try to take the time to explain it to them, if they are interested. 

    A quick story comes to mind on the new Chargers, though.  My rookie partner wanted to stop by the local Dodge house and look at the "new"  Chargers.  I let him out and stayed in the car, not being that terribly interested.  He gets cornered by a young salesman and we get a minor call.  I get out and walk over, telling him we have a call and need to go.  Then I said something like "C'mon, if you really want to drive a real  Charger  (accent on real), I'll let you dirve mine sometime." 
    The young salesman looks a little miffed and asks something about just what is a real Charger. 
    "An FE5 red 1971 Charger R/T with a warmed over 440, beefed supsension and brakes, and all the bells and whistles,"  I replied.
    Evidently this young fellow did know something about Chargers because he swallowed hard and then said; "Yep, that's a real Charger".
    Next time I was in town I drove the Charger by and let him look at it.  He got a big kick out of it and appreciated me taking the time to bring it by.  Nice guy.

May God Bless America,
Paladin

[BigBlackDodge]

Camaro for a new Charger!!!!  My "Camaro"?!!!!  Where did this idiot come from?!

No doubt he saw the 'Charger' script on the c pilar and never got past the 'C'..............must be a Camaro right?

BBD

[bull]

What do you need to know? The wheels go round and round and you step on the gas to make it go.

[253862656971]

Similar scenario but at an autoparts store:
They keep the $100+ parts are out on the shelves  but for some reason keep sparkplugs behind the counter. So you go up to the counter and ask for them, ultimately to be confronted with a barrage of questions about everything that has nothing to do with a sparkplug:
"Carburated; How many barrels?" "Is it manual or automatic transmission?'
I've actually has salespeople try to talk me out of buying spark plugs because their computer does not go back far enough for them to suggest what I "needed" for my '66.

I know what you mean.  Sometimes I go into a parts store looking for something say for a tractor.  I know what I need and tell them all they need to know to go get me the part.  They start asking what is it off of and what year.  I tell them it doesn't matter just go get what I asked for.  They say no we have to look it up.  I say "Ok, it's off of a 1925 Catepillar 60.  Is that in your book?  Noooo.  Now get my part!"   

[Charger1973]

Yeah parts stores drive me nuts.  Sometimes it seems like the people will do whatever it takes to make sure you DONT get the parts you need.  They think if it isnt in the computer, it wont fit the car.  Most old cars dont even have the factory motor.  They tried to tell me once that my truck wasnt a 4x4 because their computer said Dodge didnt make 4x4 Dakotas in 2000.  They said it wasnt possible, and that it must be a 2001.   

[Nacho-RT74]

Definitelly is not a Charger... it has 2 doors missed

[hemihead]

You have to realize with dealers and parts stores ( Parts Chain Stores that is) you have few car people that work there.Today they hire kids that know how to run a computer but know nothing about cars or how they are put together.I get in arguements all the time with a kids trying to tell me what I want for my Charger when I have been working on Mopars 30 years.I know what interchanges and what doesn't.And dealers just get people in to push their iron out the door.Today cars, tomorrow they sell T.V.'s.Auto salesmen don't stay in the same dealership like they used to.

[andy74]

as a life long car sales man, i would agree that there are alot of stupid ones around!

if any of you guys are looking for a car/truck and i cant help you,go to the local place and ask for the senior salesman,if he has been around a while, they usually are honest and more helpful than the green peas-ive been here for going on 6 years,and see it all the time-people come to me because the recognize my face,and realize i have the knowledge to help them,and know where to get the answer if i dont know it!

having a real big block charger parked in my space doesnt hurt either!!

[inhrmswy]

Yeah parts stores drive me nuts.  Sometimes it seems like the people will do whatever it takes to make sure you DONT get the parts you need.  They think if it isnt in the computer, it wont fit the car.  Most old cars dont even have the factory motor.  They tried to tell me once that my truck wasnt a 4x4 because their computer said Dodge didnt make 4x4 Dakotas in 2000.  They said it wasnt possible, and that it must be a 2001.   

  I knew something was wrong with my 2000 dakota...it wasnt supposed to have 4wd I should have demanded a recall...

[resq302]

Funniest thing for me with a local chain auto parts store (cant remember if it was Pep Boys or Strauss Discount Auto) but I asked for spark plugs for my 69 Charger and the kid said that the computer said that my car had no spark plugs.   My reply to him was, I know it has spark plugs, they are in the car now.  It is what makes the engine run.      The sad thing was the kid was insistant that the computer was right. 

Computers....... only as smart as the user and the programmer.  And to think that they are now controlling our cars.

[Orange_Crush]

The problem with salesmen is that there is so much turnover in the business that the salesmen don't bother taking the time to learn about the cars they're selling.

A lot of these guys are looking for the instant payoff so if they work at a dealershiop for a month and don't sell enough cars, they move on to another dealership.  They don't want to take the time to forge a long-term relationship with the customers. (which is where sales really come from).

Back when I bought my Mustang in 1992, I bought it from an old black lady (Ruth) who had been working at the same dealership for 15 years.  She had her own office (which was locked) and three of the walls were covered with sales award plaques.  She had a bulletin board with about 50 pictures of people standing with the cars they had just bought from her and I asked her "are those all the people you've ever sold cars to?"  She replied "Oh no honey...those are just the folks I've sold cars to this year."

She then pulled a couple of HUGE photo albums out of a cabinet with all the pics of all her customers.

I went back with my brother when he bought HIS mustang and the keys to the car he wanted were locked in the shop and only the service manager had the key and it was Sunday.  She went in and ripped the sales manager a new one and MADE him call the service manager in to unlock the door.  He was not happy, but when a person sell like she did...you keep her happy.

I went back to her in 1998 when I bought my crown Victoria.  She knew her stuff and she knew the cars she was selling....99.999997% of salespeople are NOT like that.

[Nacho-RT74]

Similar story here about parts dealers and similars...
Once I was to asking about water pump rebuilt sevice: tehy asked me WHAT ENGINE, I answered 400 Chrysler, they told me NO WAY THERE IS NO 400 CHRYSLER, 400 IS FORD and I tol them, if you want to check my car for engine and numbers I can prove to you THERE IS 400 CRYSLER. Didn't check it, just keeping saying THERE IS NO 400 CHRYSLERS, 400 IS FORD. I ended asking them... ok how much for 440 water pump rebuilt... got price and told them, OK NOW YOU NOW 383 AND 440 use the same pump that 400 CHRYSLER, if somebody ask in the future. 

Similar story also asking for valve covers gasket for 350 Chrysler.. HEY THAT IS NOT A CHRYSLER ENGINE, THAT IS CHEVROLET.. so I told her ( was a woman by the phone ) ok, then search for the old 66 383 or earliers valve cover gasket... seraching on his archives and old catalogs she told me... ooops sorry you are right, there is a 350 Chrysler.