Oh Fridays!

Soooo my friday was great! Nice sunny day, a few customers to talk with! And just over all a great day! Of course, it would have been better to sell a car, but hey, not every day can be perfect!
So let me tell you abot a customer I had. I have been working with this customer all week long. He has a good job, and a mother who is willing to cosign for him to get another car. Now this is where is gets fun. He has a car that he owes about $15000 more than it is now worth. And he of course wants to get a payment under $500 a month. Now I don't know about you, but using the formula of $20 per $1000 financed means I am miles away of getting to a $500 a month payment. But of course I get as creative as possible, figure out if I can go to invoice on the new car he wants, add in the incentives, and hope for a really good interest rate, I just might get him to $800 a month. So, my sleeves are up, my pencil is really sharp, I argue with the manager to get him a few more dollars on his trade in, we call the other dealers for more trade in numbers, we work, and I mean work hard to get him the best rate we could and squeek out a payment of $759 a month. So far so good right....amazingly he said ok! I can do that! BUT he wants to add in another $10,000 in add ons to his car. I gently explain to him that is why he is in the situation he is right now with his trade in. And perhaps doing add-ons over time by paying cash would be a better idea. Of course, that just would not work for him! So, 6 hours of work, phone calls, emails, and at the end of the day, I did not earn his business, or anything else for that matter. You see, in the world of selling cars, if you don't sell, you don't make money! Oh well, try to find the next customer. but wait, this story isn't over yet..... he calls me back to tell me he found a Hummer H2 to buy for about half of what he is spending on a new car. And he is buying that, not trading in his car.... so I have to think, not trading in your car???? Are you kidding me...that means that now, he has a combined car payment of $1100 a month. I asked him if he had thought about that. He got quiet, and said "No" Then he asked me if I thought he should take the car back and get out of the deal. Ummmm heck yes I would try it, but I know most dealerships wont take it back! Not only, did he just increase his monthly payments, but he is young, makes $15.00 a hour, and he is going to make a combined car payment of $1100 month. Killing me!!! I just have to think, what sales person, car dealer even allowed this deal, and to make matters worse....is now he is more than likely stuck with it. Just sad...on both sides, and here is another young person who is going to be struggling to keep his head above water! :(
Till next time......