Big Al's Day At The Dealer

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by caddycruiser

Oy...so what is replacing the Maxx?

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

And are you going to get a new Malibu?

No...that big sexy B body will be my daily for now, but I am looking at selling the 72 as well as taking the money I have saved up to buy a new Camaro. If anything, that will be my main and probably only car for now. Its much more then material, its my love for the car. Its a beautiful car, and it should take care of just about everything I would need it too.

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

Midweek Salutations Big Al:

Don't be too hard on the salespeople. When you work in the corporate structure there is always "a lot of talk, followed by very little action." The salesperson must consider what's on the plate (already there) not a vehicle that may come in a year or two, if ever! It wouldn't be the first time GM cancelled a project after pouring time, talent, and tons of money in it. Just in this forum look up: Ultra V8, Cadillac Sixteen, and there are now rumors, that the long awaited DT7, may be cancelled as well.

I understand the zeal you have for the Camaro, and I expect if GM's finances and liquidity survive the car may be built, but I wouldn't be surprised if something happens to push it back, or place it on the shelf indefinitely, for something more mainstream and demanded by the public for today's needs. Check out the recent sales of one of the Cobalt models, it was totally unexpected by GM!

As you pointed out in a recent post, you are still kind of young, and as such have the tendency to get a great deal more excited and passionate about material things (I've been there, done that), however later on when more realities set in: After you get married, have a family, start losing parents, have more everyday expenses, your priorities will change, and you will change the focus of your dreams to something, a bit closer to home (maturity)

Until then you have us to drive crazy...and communicate with. See things aren't all that bad, now go buy that Impala!

While all of that is true, this isnt just a Cobalt or a Aveo. Its the Camaro, and on the food chain, the only thing that would outrank Camaro would be Corvette, and it should be treated as such. Not even the Vette got as much attention as the Camaro did in 2006, and continues to get attention.
Camaro is a HUGE part of Chevy's line up IN SIX MONTHS! Dont you think that they should at least know its coming?
Now, I do not expect them to know every single detail about the car, but I do expect them to know that a car of this magnitude is coming!!

Chevy sales people that are worth thier weight in gold should know about several key products, and Camaro is one of them. Not knowing about the Volt, Camaro, or even the Cruze is embarasing when there is the internet to read up on this in a matter of seconds. Customers will come in armed with info, and you will not be ready.

Now, I am a salesman as well, and belive me I know every single tire, brake pad, shock and strut that I sell. I know about Goodyears new Eagle GT with its asymetrical design, and we arent getting them for another few months.
I know about product before it hits the wall, because thats how my company does things. We have the best training out of any big box auto service center.

[98sonoma]

I had a friend who was interested in a Cobalt XFE after I told him about them(when they first were coming out)
He went to the local Chevrolet dealership and the salesman there had no idea what an XFE model was. I sent him a link to GMI on his phone and he pulled it up to read to the salesman. Two days later they located one at another dealership and called my friend. They also told him that they had a meeting the day after he showed them the article to update the salespeople.

[fp115]

Ming is right on the ball here. If GM was watching dealerships more closely (to which they shouldn't need to) there wouldn't be any of this. Chevy/Cadillac and BPG chains should look at how things work at Saturn/Saab.

Saturn last time I was there, I was just browsing around to see what they had on the lot, a salesman came up to us and asked us if we needed help. We just said "we are looking at what you have here" and anywhere else they would leave you alone, but he stayed around and talked about every car, from Astra to Aura to Sky to Vue. Then he asked if we were interested in anything and we said "not at the moment" so he simply said to follow him and he gave us a tour of all their cars except the Outlook. Before we left he gave us a list of the vehicles we saw, their options and estimated prices.

We were so impressed that we gave him a call a week later and bought a car (on the phone) through him. We never needed a car, but we loved the support and enthusiasm. When my mom used to buy Saab's it was the same service (though different dealership). If we can get any other GM dealership to match their service I can almost guarantee sales would increase greatly.

[Buick61]

Al! You need a new sig that lets everyone completely forget the Malibu during its awkward years.



And, as Ming (I think) started getting at earlier, it could just be that sales people couldn't care less about what GM is going to make for the 2010 MY. And they don't want you to care either. They want you to care about what 2008 model they can shoe horn you into, so that they can get their floorplan finance charges back in check.

[tom3]

Not much good at photochopping but here goes:

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Now...this is where my day at the dealer really got funny....
I said "yeah well, you guys should be excited about the new one. Are you guys gunna watch the unveiling on Monday?"

They gave me a blank stair....

"What are you talking about?" they said.
I said "Camaro. GM is going to show in front of the world the production Camaro."
One guy said "yeah well...Im not holding my breath, I dont think they are going to make it."
Another salesman said "Yeah...I dont think that will bring it out, or if they do it will cost a lot of money and probably sell like the Vette."
Another one "Nah...I think Camaro is dead for good. You should check your sources."

Now...as many of you know, Camaro is a touchy subject for me. And for Chevy sales people not to know about one of the biggest launches of the last half decade, this botherd me.

So i said, "My sources? My source is GM. Its on thier web page. You guys should probably check that out since...you know...sell thier cars and such."
They all gave me a dirty look and said "yeah...well we will see, who knows."
I said "I do, I guess you guys need to keep up to date on your product, especially one that is as big as this. If customers know more about products then you do, I guess that doesnt say a lot about this dealer."

I was rather upset that they had this stupid attitude. Who would of thunk that the guy with the Camaro tshirt on, driving the 72 Camaro, would know anything about the car? And wouldnt you want to know about something like this? If that was the case, and people were going to start pouring into your dealer asking "WHEN CAN I GET ONE!!" shouldnt you be in the know?


I know not all dealers are like this, and I know not all salesman are like this.
It makes me want to be a salesman so I can give these dealers a chance.

Anyway, had to rant about that. And to think I almost got another car from them.

I had a big long rant written about how this isn't new, or uncommon.. and then my computer took a dirt nap... Oh well..

Long story short... GM... Get out there... Work with and FIX your dealers...

I can tell stories going back the 1980's where dealer staff had not only no clue what was coming but what they were currently selling too. From the one in 1983 who told me you couldn't get a leather steering wheel in a Z28 to the one a couple of years ago the told me the CD changer in my 2002 STS was aftermarket 'cause GM doesn't make stackers.

The most recent story... My neighbor down the street (with $3000 GM Card Dollars) who also drove an STS (and ONLY bought GM) just bought a new G35x... WTF! Why did he pass on the new CTS... He though the CTS was a nicer car too... Why?
The Nissan salesman was nicer to him and was willing to get him the color he wanted by the end of the next day. The Caddy dealer was reluctant to bring a car in from another dealer and was pushing the cars on his lot. If he wanted a white one it was going to take 2 weeks...

[throwback]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

While all of that is true, this isnt just a Cobalt or a Aveo. Its the Camaro, and on the food chain, the only thing that would outrank Camaro would be Corvette, and it should be treated as such. Not even the Vette got as much attention as the Camaro did in 2006, and continues to get attention.
Camaro is a HUGE part of Chevy's line up IN SIX MONTHS! Dont you think that they should at least know its coming?

Excellent points. The Camaro is going to drive traffic to Chevy dealerships whether people buy one or not. If I were in sales I would want to know that my prospects will be increasing and when.

[redlipp]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Well, last Saturday was the day when I turned my 2004 Malibu Maxx in. I remember bringing her home that first day, driving my first new car. And 60k miles later, I was some what sad to see it go. A lot of great and unforgetable memories were had in that car. Lots of dirty ones too...
But, I gave Chevy back the keys and started to walk around while they got the paperwork together.
I had my girlfriend drive the Maxx to the dealer while I followed behind in my 72 Camaro. When I pulled into the dealer, they all gathered around.
Now...this is where my day at the dealer really got funny....
I said "yeah well, you guys should be excited about the new one. Are you guys gunna watch the unveiling on Monday?"

They gave me a blank stair....

"What are you talking about?" they said.
I said "Camaro. GM is going to show in front of the world the production Camaro."
One guy said "yeah well...Im not holding my breath, I dont think they are going to make it."
Another salesman said "Yeah...I dont think that will bring it out, or if they do it will cost a lot of money and probably sell like the Vette."
Another one "Nah...I think Camaro is dead for good. You should check your sources."

Now...as many of you know, Camaro is a touchy subject for me. And for Chevy sales people not to know about one of the biggest launches of the last half decade, this botherd me.

So i said, "My sources? My source is GM. Its on thier web page. You guys should probably check that out since...you know...sell thier cars and such."
They all gave me a dirty look and said "yeah...well we will see, who knows."
I said "I do, I guess you guys need to keep up to date on your product, especially one that is as big as this. If customers know more about products then you do, I guess that doesnt say a lot about this dealer."

I was rather upset that they had this stupid attitude. Who would of thunk that the guy with the Camaro tshirt on, driving the 72 Camaro, would know anything about the car? And wouldnt you want to know about something like this? If that was the case, and people were going to start pouring into your dealer asking "WHEN CAN I GET ONE!!" shouldnt you be in the know?


I know not all dealers are like this, and I know not all salesman are like this.
It makes me want to be a salesman so I can give these dealers a chance.

Anyway, had to rant about that. And to think I almost got another car from them.

we just had one of those always wanted to be a salesman type like much like yourself Big Al, he lasted less than a week, so most of us salesguys here welcome all comers in to the game, if you do decide to join please promise to last at least last 60 days, then come back on here and spout your jewels of wisedom upon us again, for now just make sure you stay up on the differences between your blackwall and white letter tires and brake pads. but yes if you ask me i am excited about the new camaro,although i am sick of talking about it until closer to the arrival date , so for now, leave your name and number and someone there i am sure will be happy to send you a brochure.

[BigAls87Z28]

Well, guess I wont be buying a car from you, but thank you for proving my point. Sorry for hurting your feelings, but if it did, maybe you will adjust yourself making you a better salesperson.

I know my product in and out, up and down. I know too much in fact, but I try to keep it unless the customer wants more info.

I would LOVE to give selling cars a shot. My biggest problem?
Old timers who will try to throw me under the bus the first week im there. Im sure a lot of young guys that worked at your store dont last with attitude that was displayed at the dealer I was at. I would hate to work there, and a BIG reason I dont want to. Not to mention the high pressure to rip people off. Playing with intrest rates, getting people talking about payments, "dazzle them with bs" as we say, thats not my cup of tea, and I know thats what Im going to see.
If there was a dealer network I would work for, it would be Saturn. Im sure there are still parts of that are still "slimy dealer" feel, but less so then at a Chevy dealer.

I will say that the biggest dread I have about the Camaro is the dealers. While they might know jack about the car, the history, or even what it stands for, they will know its popular and they will know to "adjust" the price accordingly, chasing people right into the arms of thier local Nissan, Ford, Dodge, or Toyota dealer.

As for them trying to get me into something today...obviously that was not going down. I asked specificly about Camaro, and they didnt say "uh...whats a Camero? You want a Cobalt?"
They had zero interest in anything. Actually...they had interest toward my gf, who was sitting in a Tahoe LTZ. I intercepted her before one of the salespeople could make it to her, and I started talking to her about the car, giving her info, etc etc. He turned around, and went back to his desk.

Again, there should be 2 cars on the Most Wanted list at a Chevy dealer. Camaro and Volt. The walls should be coverd in them. If they arent, enjoy the drop in referals and CSat.

As for sending a brochure, Ill just get mine from GM. They seem to be pretty excited about it.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

While all of that is true, this isn't just a Cobalt or a Aveo. Its the Camaro, and on the food chain, the only thing that would outrank Camaro would be Corvette, and it should be treated as such. Not even the Vette got as much attention as the Camaro did in 2006, and continues to get attention.
Camaro is a HUGE part of Chevy's line up IN SIX MONTHS! Dont you think that they should at least know its coming?
Now, I do not expect them to know every single detail about the car, but I do expect them to know that a car of this magnitude is coming!!.

Hi Again Big Al:

I first want to say something I have never said while on this forum: Back in the 1969-1971 I was a salesman for Chevrolet while attending college. And as a young man had my product knowledge down pat. It didn't really make all that much difference, people arrived wanted to see what we had in stock. I was mentored by a salesman "Big Al Galinski" he was then a veteran of 25 years at Oldsmobile and Chevrolet, and a real nice guy to boot. The first thing he taught me was to listen to the male, but watch his wife. She was the final decider on what he would actually purchase, and I found that out to be true, whether it was a Malibu or a Corvette.

Going back to your statement about the importance of the Camaro, favoritism aside, what excites a salesman/dealership/and ultimately GM is the markup or profit margin, and the sales volume. Most Chevy dealerships don't count on the Corvette as a major seller, it's a "halo car," for a specific buyer. Corvettes sell to people that won't buy anything else at Chevrolet! The bread and butter at Chevy is the Impala, and now possibly the Malibu, these cars make up the sales volume, and bring in the gross profit. Camaros, and Cobalt SS models will bring in floor traffic, and will allow professional salepeople (politically correct) to switch the majority into other higher profit vehicles. Remember: I am speaking from tradition, I don't know what price point the new Camaro will be targeted at. Initially it is believed that if the economy is better (when the car is released), the Camaro will sell well, as there are others waiting like you, and of my age group in the wings to experience it , one more time. Eventually the brisk sales may taper off to levels similar to Ford's Mustang (perhaps less, as Ford always supported the Mustang, and never dropped it from production since it was introduced). Also because of the other Pony Cars in the market, some already available such as the Mustang, and Dodge Challenger, some of the potential buyers may be reeled in other dealerships. And please don't forget the imports, if the Camaro costs over $30K, it will have to fight the likes of BMW 1 and 3 Series!

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to clarify, that salespeople have a specific job, making commissions, and that is where the "heart is."

[Ming]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

I would LOVE to give selling cars a shot. My biggest problem?
Old timers who will try to throw me under the bus the first week im there. Im sure a lot of young guys that worked at your store dont last with attitude that was displayed at the dealer I was at.

Sounds exactly like the dealership I described above. As a customer, I could see that kind of thing happening with the salesmen (friction between the new and long-time salesmen).

Some of those guys it's like...dude, RETIRE already. You're in your 70's and look like Martin Zindler having a bad day, it's time to let some young enthusiastic salesmen draw in more customers. WHen I'm 70 and I want to keep working, at least I'll try to be NICE to my customers.

I've bought from a great, fun guy in that age range, don't get me wrong, and I'd go back to him if he was still there. But so many of the white-hairs I meet at dealerships are dour, forced smile, "don't waste my time with your questions, punk" (unless I can get you into a full size SUV) types.

The young guys for the most part at least pretend to be interested in what you are asking/saying and don't try to change the subject or scoot you along to that fine quad cab f/s truck in the showroom.

I'm convinced that at least a part of the problem with Imports gaining market share is that, at least for the new ones as they were built, fresh, young dealerships with a young, enthusiastic staff were more appealing than bitter, old jaded salesmen with no enthisiasm for their product.

Again these might sound like generalizations, but I've been treated so poorly by (most of) these guys over the years that now I intentionally seek out the younger salesmen.

I think they can spot a "question spouting enthusiast" a mile away.

[Hitman1970]

I will give them a little break as these guys probably do not look beyond the next paycheck as far as product knowledge goes.

What drove me bananas when I purchased my LaCrosse was the complete ignorance of the salesman about the vehicle that he was trying to sell that day. Engine horsepower? nope. Ever heard of Quiet-Tuning? nope. To his credit the stuff he had down was setting the XM radio and he was very polite.

The worst part of it for the dealership was that he did not even know they sold accessories for my vehicle. I ended up buying about $200 worth of stuff from a different dealership a week later.

I do agree that it is a dealership problem. I wish GM could have a more standardized experience across its franchises. A burger is a burger at nearly any McDonald's. Your GM dealership experience should be 1. Good 2. Consistent no matter where you go.

As someone who moves every few years with the military, I do not get the advantage of developing long-term relationships with these guys.

[Ming]

I know that feeling, Hitman. I've willingly bought more accessories and stuff from dealers/salesmen that impress me as either knowledgeable, enthusiastic, or both.

[69Firebird400]

Very disturbing to hear. It's not like you were asking them to be product experts, but someone who will be selling these things in less than a year should at least have some awareness that the product is on the horizon.

It sounds to me like they don't really give a crap about what they do for a living, and that's too bad.

[Triple-X08]

there is no doubt they will make it, hell they already have a listing under SI for it, under the 2010 vehicles. also they have procedures for the 09 vette ZR1, so if anyone gets bored like i do check it out. some cool stuff on it.


how stupid can a chevy dealer be. hell ours already has pre orders for it.
boggles my mind how someone in the field especially at a chevy dealer can be that far behind in the ongoing events. i mean we have people like that, and i just look at them like they are on crack. its like dont you guys ever check up on stuff.