My fiance and I recently purchased a nice Chevy Malibu, which is a nice car. However, I have always been partial to General Motors products the same as any consumer if you have good luck sticking with the product. Well, my gripe you could say is not against GM per say, but rather against the representatives of retail sales who sometimes are miss quoted or miss understood or cannot remember if they sold you the item or not. Unfortunately, this only happens when a problem arises. For this not to happen, you need to do research online. There are several reviews on social media that I should have looked up. I’m planning to write it myself now and then share it with the audience. I’m going to get some boost in engagements so that as many people can view my post as possible to avoid making the same mistake I did.
Case in point. The automobile we purchased was used; it had 32000 miles on it, one owner local trade-in. During the paperwork stage of financing, we asked if there were two keys to the car. The salesman grinned from sideburn to ear and told us we could get one made at the local retail franchise that monopolises the retail world. He did not say (who was monopolizing the retail world) that’s my opinion for a later article. Anyway, we finished up with the dealership left proudly as everyone does once; they went into debt. The next day, we drove to the retail store to get a key made and were told that the key was coded and might only be a dealer. Hmmm. So, we tried a couple of other outlets and auto part stores and were told the same thing. So, I had some minor service scheduled for our car, and I thought I would see if the dealer would help us out.
My day started with the service manager, who was pretty nice with the exception of making me sound stupid over some items I was wanting them to check. You know little things like. You guys told me this car went through a 40-point inspection and service, so why does my console display say 22% oil life left, and I cannot find any record of it being changed. So, then I inquired about getting a second key for the vehicle that we had purchased a week prior. The response was that I would have to talk to the salesman that sold us the car. So, while my car was being given the once over to satisfy my imaginary sounds, I walked up to the showroom to speak with the salesman.
I was greeted in the normal manner, like a goldfish swimming in a shark pool. One salesman offered to help and left me sitting for 25 minutes while he was sidetracked in showing another vehicle. As I was ready to go back to the service garage, I was met by the original salesman. He did not recognize me, so I gently reminded him that he had already sold me a car. His interest in me dropped almost immediately. Then I asked. Hey, any way I could get a second key to the vehicle I bought here last week? I could tell he was praying for a telephone call at that very moment. He kindly explained that the vehicle was traded in with only one key.
Just as I was starting to understand and think I was being greedy for even asking. He opens his mouth, and a statement comes out as if he intended to put his foot in his mouth this very day. (Sir, the dealership will not let me give you a key free because we made nothing off the sale). Why do retail establishments feel they have to let you know that they are never making money off of a sale. I asked him if everyone was back to work from the layoff that had to follow to make up the difference in the loss they suffered because I am the king of talking dealers down to poverty on their prices.
Any time I have dealt with a salesman, I have always been reminded at the close of the deal that they made nothing, zero, natta, and they hope I enjoy my purchase. OK, here it is, my retail sellers. If you get up and go to work five days a week, someone has made money. If your company is not in bankruptcy, you have made money. If your utilities are on at your house and you have running water, you have made money. The next time I go to purchase something from a salesperson and the deal is complete, I will have a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a gallon of water to give him or her for the loss of their income in the sale we completed and hope they sell nothing the next day so they will not go into debt.
I just had to get that off my chest. Retail sales is a cruel world of accomplishments and failures in rejection, and I envy the people that can do it. Just remember, folks, you choose it, not me, and I should not have to walk away feeling like I got over you when I can see your statistics online or published in the local paper that you have made increases in every quarter for sales you have a huge new building, and you’re wearing a Rolex. I’m not really feeling sorry for you at this point.
