[TheForge] Salesmen and Bad Reps

[Steve Smith]

Ries Niemi wrote:

> Sorry Chris- nothing personal- I have just been looking at new cars 
> lately, so I am sort of overly sensitive on the subject.
> ries

There certainly are excellent salesfolks out there. When I find one, 
they are a gem and get much of my business as a result. Unfortunately 
they are rare.

Car salesfolks can be pretty annoying. My dad was a purchasing agent 
(before retiring), it took me years to figure out why I can't get as 
good a deal as he (he's a professional). Anyway, my dad, my mom and I 
(teenager) were out looking at a new car. The sales guy totals it up 
with a big flourish and gives the slip to my dad. He looks at it, 
adjusting his glasses. My mom says (in a kind of trembly voice) "Smitty, 
how much is it?". He hands her the slip and she says "Smitty, that's too 
much!", throws down the slip, gets up and walks rapidly out of the 
dealership, my dad running along behind her. The salesman just falls to 
pieces, pleading "Please, please let me refigure that, I must have made 
a mistake". Really amusing. To this day, my mother denies that she did 
it on purpose...I have my doubts.

Steve