Is my face RED
It's a shame that many of us(professionals) don't know the product we sell. I've been selling hondas for the majority of the time since 1993. I am known for my product knowledge at my dealership, second only to a friend of mine that I share information with. But I don't know everything. (and I get ribbed when I don't) So I continue my education (one reason I'm here). Unfortunately many of my counterparts don't want to admit they don't know everything, so they make it up.
instead of finding out the answer.
As far as the Traction Control
It is on all the time, It detects if there is wheel slippage and applies the brake through your antilock brake system to slow the rotation down enough to get traction. The tcs button is to turn off the system. The <font color=orange><font size=-5>TCS </font color=pink></font size=-5>light will remain on to warn you, it, has been turned off. This is not in the source books, but in the owners manual. If your salesperson only read their sourcebook, they probably don't know how it works.
Second, as far as vans not coming in when promised at msrp. I see this happen with many customers each day. A dealership agrees to sell an odyssey for msrp. The customer puts a LARGE deposit on it but it never comes in. This "tactic" is called taking you out of the market. It is devious and unethical. While waiting endlessly for your van to come in, the salesperson will approach you with: "We have an Odyssey for immediate delivery but has 2-5 thousand dollars worth of accessories installed, but you can get it now. Truth is, they are trying to get you to pay more. You've already "bought" their dealership(you agreed to purchase the van there). They just want more for the van. Now, the customer is mad and even if they go to a new dealership and the new salesperson/dealer does everything as promised, the customer still has that bad taste in their mouth and it hurts honda's name.
I've had many customers from around the northwest to come to me to purchase an odyssey because they were duped by another dealership. Truth is: Yes there has been times when an Odyssey has gone for either msrp or even below. Reality is, Very few times. (just check this forum, probably less than 1 out of every hundred) There is more of a demand for the vehicle than a supply. We price our Odysseys here at Beaverton Honda for $1495 over msrp, this includes the northwest protection package, which includes paint protection, interior protection and undercoating. Yes, the 1495 is additional profit. Our owner wanted to at least give the customer something for their money, which is a lot more than I can say for many dealers out there. Usually somewhere between The $1495 over and MSRP we will reach an agreement. The price is not set in stone and the manager makes a decision at the time depending on color, availability, allocation and todays market.
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Another reason I'm here is to better understand how my customers feel. <font color=blue><font size=-5>I would love to hear from anybody about what made your "purchasing experience" or "NON-purchasing experience", "good" or "bad".</font color=blue></font size=-5> I'm looking to improve my relationship with my customers so I have more repeat customers. I'm trying to achieve a WIN/WIN situation.
If you have any questions, I'll try my best to find the answers. If you would like to contact me please feel free to do so.
<font color=blue><font size=-5>Thank you
Ken Nix (503)643-5577
Bob Lanphere's Beaverton Honda
ps. If my writing looks a little strange it is because I have a strong texas accent that flows over to my brain.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Maugham:
Dealers and car salespeople are known for coming up with some "very
creative" advice. What are some of the more interesting things they told you?
I'll start:<ul>[*]"If the roads are slick, just press the Traction Control Button. You can be going any speed, it will help. It's as good as four-wheel drive."[*]"You don't need to do anything special during the break-in period, only keep it under 85 mph."[*]"Yes, I know that you were next in line for a new Mesa Beige LX, but that one that just came in has $3,000 in extras from the factory." None of the extras were in fact installed at the factory, they were all dealer-added options.[/list]
Regards,
Maugham<font color=pink><font size=-5><center>
[This message has been edited by Maugham (edited 12-01-2001).]</font>
[This message has been edited by Ken Nix (edited 01-23-2002).]
