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Re: New meat
Osman Parvez wrote:
Bruce,
> You just typified the average jerk who comes into my dealership
> and wastes my time. I could turn this into a full ten page essay on the
> various ways people insult me at work every day, but I'll pass. Just think
> next time you treat the salesperson anything less than professionally. He
> may be doing just what he says he is doing.
I empathize, pal, because I too take my job very seriously but work in a
profession that is held in low regard. Might I suggest, however, that
beyond venting you put some of your energy into helping clean up the
business. It stinks. Fact of the matter is, many of us find buying a
new car to be a thoroughly unpleasant experience and expect the
salesperson to try to rip us off even if he isn't wearing a loud plaid
double-knit leisure suit. This remains especially true of woman
buyers. I myself am in the market for a new Avant, but don't have the
stomach to go through what I did last time I was buying: Running the
gauntlet of poor-excuse-for-salespeople at the several Audi franchises
in my area. So I'll probably go back to the guy who sold me my present
car even if he can't offer the best deal. He still works at this
particular dealership (turnover is a problem, too), took a genuine
interest in me, invariably comes over to chat when I'm at the service or
parts counter, and . . . treats me like a human being, as I am sure you
treat your customers. Seems like the keys to building some credibility
into the profession are (1.) dealership owners who should be scared
spitless about that big wave just now breaking on the shore: the
no-haggle, mega-dealerships, and (2.) the manufacturers themselves.
Audi hasn't had much clout on the sales floor until fairly recently, and
that may explain the proliferation of nitwits out there selling their
cars. But it's a poor excuse. Audi is making a terrific product; what
that it could put some energy into helping improve the sales
experience.
Shaun Mullen
West Grove, PA