The Porsche and the Metro

In this world there are two groups of people. Those who know cars and those who don't. The people that know cars live differently than those that don't. They notice details like, what size rims a vehicle has, or the headlights on the car in front of you are aftermarket. When describing their personal automobile they tell their full name, “a 2007 five series BMW” and sometimes share their features, “oh, it has navigation, climate control, satellite radio,...) Their attention to their vehicle is somewhat like the attention given to a child, or maybe a pet. The people in the world that don't know cars are very different. They notice details like, the car in front of you holds an overweight man picking his nose. When they describe their automobile they can't even remember the name, “uh, it is that green one over there- with the wheels.” Features are of no significance to this group and the attention given to their cars resemble the attention given to an old box of stuff in the corner of the garage. I descend from the latter.

My family never knew much about the cars we were driving. We were just happy if they were big enough to fit all nine of us kids and if they continued running even during the cold Nebraska winters. Sure we knew the names of some of the famous ones, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes- but we never formed much of an attachment to any of our personal vehicles. In fact, I don't think I knew a make or model of any car until I turned sixteen.

My dad has always taught us to be self sufficient, so when I finally got a driver's liscence he made it my responsibility to research, call and test drive the vehicles I was interested in. I would then have to present my top three findings to him for final selection. I am sure he thought this experience would be a wonderful way to teach me important social behaviors like talking to others, negotiating, setting a goal and accomplishing it- things like that.

Armed with a budget and my best friend to drive me around, we hit the five small dealerships in town. At the first dealership, a dark green four door caught my attention. We had walked onto the lot and browsed, but were unable to get anyone to talk to us. Salesmen sat inside a run down brick building, watching us through a window but none of them made an effort to work with us. Finally we walked into the building and asked if we could test drive the vehicle and we were denied. (If women think they have a hard time getting legitimate attention at a car dealership, try being a sixteen year old girl-with wholesome values- it is absolutely impossible.) We visited three other lots but were greeted with the same coldness. My dad's plan wasn't as brilliant as he thought, so I was finally able to talk him into coming with me and the entire experience changed.

We found a new 1995 aqua green GEO METRO at a Chevy dealership. (the only reason I knew it was a metro was because the letters METRO adorned the windshield.) The sales woman was equally kind to me and my father. The sale was easy for her, I thought it was “super cute” and dad thought the gas mileage and sticker price were “super great.” So we settled on it and I fell in love, with a tiny green two door that was affectionately referred to as the go-cart by many of my friends.

It was not until I met Sonny that I realized there was a whole other world out there. Full of brand names, special features, and amazing styles. You see he descends from a car family, with an entirely different car culture than my own. (Sonny's first car was a Porsche 914, it didn't really run ever, but it was pretty.) I have learned a lot from him over the years and after my four year old informed me we should buy a Kia Sedona because the commercial shows they are the greatest van on the planet, it looks as though the car gene will pass on to the next generation. I think we are a good mix though, you know the old saying, “opposites attract”, well in this case, a Porsche and a Metro came together very well.

The question

Every time I introduce myself to someone new, or talk to someone I'm not very close with, the first question they ask is; "Oh, so how are car sales doing in this economy?" It is always asked with a look of sympathy. A small cock of the head, an intense "I really care about you" look accompanied with a hand on my shoulder and a pat of support.

My response? It changes with the month and the person that's asking the question. I was taught that whenever someone asks about your business you should always answer positively. I usually do- something like, "We're doing pretty good." or "This was a great month!" or "Sonny does a really great job.". All of these answers work but as news of the falling car industry increases, it is a little more difficult to navigate an appropriate answer. I know the person asking already perceives our family struggling to make ends meet and I know that they are probably ready to hear a sad story. Lots of times I wish I could answer with something like, "We are doing Awesome! Economy, shonomy- it sure hasn't effected us. In fact, we're thinking of expanding!" (Of course I would use my most enthusiastic voice and possibly throw my arm up in the air to emphasize "Awesome" a little more.) but besides coming off a little cocky, it would not be very true.

My true answer? "It's been tougher. We aren't selling as much as we were last year. We feel lucky though, we are still in business. We can pay all our bills and we are lucky to have lower overhead than lots of other dealerships." I guess that's the truth. This past year has absolutely been stressful. We've made changes in spending like most every other person I know but, that is probably a good thing.

We are glad our dealership is in Lehi, a place Sonny feels especially connected to. We are happy to be a part of that community and hope we'll stay there for a long time.

My wish is that things will turn to the upswing for all of us effected by this financial disaster and soon all of our answers can be "Awesome!" accompanied with our arms exuberantly shot up in the air and maybe a few spirit fingers thrown in.

Salesmen suck no more!

I feel like the last person on earth to join life in the blogging world, but I've finally decided on a reason to do so. Recently, I read the first few chapters of a book called What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis. He writes about the effect of the internet on business and in particular what blogging can do for an industry. Bloggers have power, they can make you win or lose. So, after reading a bit I switched to the computer and searched for blogs about the car sales industry.

Wow! The stigma of lying, fat, smokey, pushy salesmen still totally exists. Apparently it is not just a stigma but supposedly true stories about their repulsive horrible behavior and consequently sickening car buying experiences run rampant in the virtual world. Most of the comments I read were from women, discussing how poorly they were treated at this or that dealership. One woman even claims the experience so horrific she will never buy a car again. Sad. Seeing as women now make up about 60% of the car buyers in this world, I think it's time this stereotype be changed.

Well, if Mr. Jarvis is right, then I plan on using blogging power to help the car salesman win. You see, my life is better because of a car salesman. My husband, Sonny, and I have been married for almost ten years. He's been selling cars for longer than that. He is skinny, he doesn't smoke, he doesn't even swear. He opens doors for people, donates blood, and only yells when his football or basketball teams are losing. I would not be the only one to describe him as charitable to a fault and absolutely honest. I know, you think I'm just bragging- and I am a bit, but I think it might be interesting to share with the rest of you the other side of car salesman's life.

I plan to share our stories. I hope that after doing so, you might find the stereotype of a car salesman changed a bit. Being a part of the industry for so many years, Sonny would be the first to admit the rotten salesman does still exist, but there are others out there. Maybe a few good apples in an idustry littered with bad ones can get their voices heard and change the stigma at least a little.

So welcome to our little world. I hope you enjoy reading and commenting on my life as a car salesman's wife.