Re: New Meat

[Sargent Schutt <sargent@novagate.com>]

Matt offers the following summation:

>IMO the members of this list (including me) are all freaks when it
comes to
>our attachment to and exaggeration about quattros.  We possess detailed

>knowledge of cars that are on average 7-10 years-old.  To ridicule
others
>(even young salespeople) for not having the same knowledge seems silly
>(unless the salesperson is really being an ass).  My bottom line is
that all
>our chosen professions are open to ridicule in one way or another. Auto

>sales certainly has a bad rep.  In fact, the only profession with a
worse
>reputation is attorney.  Right Bruce!

>Matt Pfeffer - 89 200TQW - stage II

Honestly, this whole thing is rather humorous - An attorney screwing a
car saleman. There's a real good joke in there somewhere...

But seriously, I can't stand anyone who knows nothing of the subject of
their profession, yet professes to know all, above the suggestions of
their *customers* no less. In my mind, it's one thing to enter into a
casual conversation and make a few ignorant factual missteps. Hopefully
the absent knowledge is acquired as a result.

To be ignorant of your own *product* in the sales profession is usually
the kiss of death. "Car Salesman" is not one of the harder-to-find or
more estimable sales jobs; witness the turnover rate and resultant
knowledge-level of 'new hires'. Unfortunately, like the legal
profession, the bad apples ruin it for the commendable remainder
(however small in either case ;-)). I sincerely doubt anyone here
suspects Osman is one of the bad apples. My conversations with him (via
e-mail) and his participation on this list do not reflect that at all.
>From my understanding, he is relatively new to the car-sales
profession,
which makes the realities of the field all the more fresh and
frustrating.

My experience is this: there are three types of salespeople in carland:
Ethical ones who make a profession of it (a minority), spineless vermin
who make a profession of it (the majority), and others who, for various
reasons, fall into the job while making life changes (moving, between
jobs, college summer job, etc. etc.) (a larger minority). In any case,
stereotypes are usually hard-earned; I've yet to run across a
randomly-assigned stereotype (disagree with me off-list on this one, if
you must). Just the same, I've never had trouble finding exceptions to
any sterotype. Make generalisations and jokes as you must; BTSD'gT. But
be prepared to ammend your comments when you've 'crossed' an exception;
you truly owe it to that person.

Bottom line as I see it, there is nothing more pitiful than the
flagrantly ignorant, careless practice of your profession -  for lawyers

(and doctor$, etc) this is called "malpractice", and carries some
serious consequences. In car sales, it might mean more sales, some hot
spiffs, and a real good month - so 'caveat emptor' applies.  Car sales
is full of 'malpractice', much to the detriment of good folks like our
own Osman, and other friends of mine in that field (particularly used
cars, where the real money is stolen, err, *made*. If I run across a
pushy, ignorant dipscheisse of a saleman... well, "play ball". Game on.
You're sold out of A4 1.8tq's for the time being? Well, then find me one

of them thar '92-94 S4 Avants - I'll gladly pay top dollar, good buddy.

Diatribe mode off. FWIW, I started in on this off-list, but couldn't
keep track of all the participants.

Regards,

Sarge

91 200q
86 5ktq

Sorry for the WOB to the dissinterested. At least it's not about
minivans or home appliances....