The story of the 'hobo' going into the dealership to buy....

The story of the 'hobo' going into the dealership to buy....

Author
Discussion

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
9mm said:
Like a few people on this thread, you seem to have this strong belief that people shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, they do, so you either play the game or accept that from time to time people will dismiss you.

but neither of you can complain.
Oh but I can and do complain - to their Manager and watch them squirm.
i get the impression this happens to you a lot. Would it not just be easier to avoid the issue and behave like most others? Or do you enjoy complaining to managers, storming out, wasting time driving around dealerships to find one that doesn't make assumptions based on experience?

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
jamieduff1981 said:
V8RX7 said:
9mm said:
Like a few people on this thread, you seem to have this strong belief that people shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, they do, so you either play the game or accept that from time to time people will dismiss you.

but neither of you can complain.
Oh but I can and do complain - to their Manager and watch them squirm.
Not directed specifically at you, but it's instinct. The most basic of hard-wired human (or any animal) survival mechanisms is to jump to a conclusion based upon cues and patterns.

If you turn in to a dark alley in New York and 4 people appear equally spread in front of you carrying baseball bats and looking a bit "gangsta" but you don't happen to have the last 5 years' violent crime statistics for the area nor anywhere quiet and comfortable to study them and analyse the situation, your brain immediately jumps to a conclusion that there is more potential downside for sticking around here than upside.

People can pretend they're more evolved and can rationally consider everything, but any credible psychologist will tell you that's bks.

All people do judge a book by its cover. It can be to a greater or less extent, but absolutely everyone alive does it, and the sooner everyone makes peace with that fact, the less put-out they'll always be feeling when someone doesn't treat them with the respect they feel they're due.
it doesn't even require a credible psychologist because it's not something that's in debate, it's a base principle of human behaviour. We do generalise based on traits (assimilate i.e. that guy X is like category Y because of traits A,B,C that i've seen to be reliably correlated however many times), it's how we try to make sense of the world. Yes we can accommodate new information (oh wow, he bought a car after all, maybe my model of the world was wrong and needs to be changed), however that guy X has stormed out and not bought a car thus reinforcing the generalisation as correct, so no accommodation of new information required.

Durzel

12,232 posts

167 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
For the same reason it is required to wear a suit to work - giving the right impression is important whether you're willing to accept it or not. I agree with the guy who previously said that there's no real excuse for someone not to make themselves look presentable when engaging in business in domains where there is a heightened expectation of aesthetic standards.

It takes no effort whatsoever to turn up to places like this wearing smart casual clean clothes. It's not like people are suggesting you turn up in a tuxedo, or even a suit for that matter. If nothing else, on a practical level, why would you expect them to let you sit in their cars wearing overalls covered in paint or plaster or whatever?

AW111

9,455 posts

132 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Back when I was in my twenties and we were all broke students driving very second hand cars, I used to dress down in oily overalls and accompany my friends looking at cheap second hand cars.

Some vendors (both private and dealer) are very unimpressed when the young lady buyer brings a friend who can open the bonnet and look the part (sucks teeth, shakes head at colour of oil smile)

SMcP114

2,916 posts

191 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
AW111 said:
Back when I was in my twenties and we were all broke students driving very second hand cars, I used to dress down in oily overalls and accompany my friends looking at cheap second hand cars.

Some vendors (both private and dealer) are very unimpressed when the young lady buyer brings a friend who can open the bonnet and look the part (sucks teeth, shakes head at colour of oil smile)
I've read this three times yet I still have no idea what the point is that you're trying to make?


Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
SMcP114 said:
AW111 said:
Back when I was in my twenties and we were all broke students driving very second hand cars, I used to dress down in oily overalls and accompany my friends looking at cheap second hand cars.

Some vendors (both private and dealer) are very unimpressed when the young lady buyer brings a friend who can open the bonnet and look the part (sucks teeth, shakes head at colour of oil smile)
I've read this three times yet I still have no idea what the point is that you're trying to make?
I think... some people who dress like st are not just pretending to be customers but pretending to be mechanics too.

The GMan

2,508 posts

254 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
SMcP114 said:
AW111 said:
Back when I was in my twenties and we were all broke students driving very second hand cars, I used to dress down in oily overalls and accompany my friends looking at cheap second hand cars.

Some vendors (both private and dealer) are very unimpressed when the young lady buyer brings a friend who can open the bonnet and look the part (sucks teeth, shakes head at colour of oil smile)
I've read this three times yet I still have no idea what the point is that you're trying to make?
I think... some people who dress like st are not just pretending to be customers but pretending to be mechanics too.
I gave up on this thread a while back, I'm only popping back to get some ideas for Halloween outfits.

Hol

8,364 posts

199 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
9mm said:
Dr JonboyG said:
9mm said:
In 2003, Roy Keane was one of the most famous sports stars in the country, if not the world. No prestige car salesman in the north of England would have failed to know he was. With respect to some of the people posting on here, who spend 7 days a week emptying septic tanks, etc, I doubt they are quite as recognisable.
Try rereading WR's post. Maybe diagram the sentences if that helps you.

"I casually remarked to the salesman.."That guy looks a bit out of place here?"

He replied dryly..."Oh, that's Roy Keane...here to pick up his new £100,000 sports car".........(A weeks wages)"

Who's represented by the *I* in that quote? Is it A: WR, who isn't a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England,' or is it B: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England'?

Who's represented by the *he* in that quote? Is it A: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England who evidently knew who Roy Keane was," or B: WR?


Read, comprehend, post, as they used to say in the old days of the internet.
Try reading my post again.

Do you clean septic tanks for a living?

You clearly don't teach comprehension and verbal reasoning (or I bloody hope not).
I can be read either way.

1. That he was a locally recognisable player for Merchandise United, and beyond dress code - the point I believe you were trying to make.

2. That you are suggesting that it was the salesman who didnt know who he was, when he came to pick his car up (salesman obviously being a dumb ass) - the point being that you MAY HAVE missunderstood WR's description/premise that he was there picking up the car.


This thread is full of conflicting/arguing views, so one more was expected.



Hol

8,364 posts

199 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
The GMan said:
I gave up on this thread a while back, I'm only popping back to get some ideas for Halloween outfits.
Jimmy Saville was supposed to have once bought a Roller in his tracksuit.


That'll scare some trick or treaters!!

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Hol said:
The GMan said:
I gave up on this thread a while back, I'm only popping back to get some ideas for Halloween outfits.
Jimmy Saville was supposed to have once bought a Roller in his tracksuit.


That'll scare some trick or treaters!!
actually a customer, but also the most prolific paedophile the world has ever known. I wouldn't chalk that one up to the dress like a scruff lobby!

9mm

3,128 posts

209 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Hol said:
9mm said:
Dr JonboyG said:
9mm said:
In 2003, Roy Keane was one of the most famous sports stars in the country, if not the world. No prestige car salesman in the north of England would have failed to know he was. With respect to some of the people posting on here, who spend 7 days a week emptying septic tanks, etc, I doubt they are quite as recognisable.
Try rereading WR's post. Maybe diagram the sentences if that helps you.

"I casually remarked to the salesman.."That guy looks a bit out of place here?"

He replied dryly..."Oh, that's Roy Keane...here to pick up his new £100,000 sports car".........(A weeks wages)"

Who's represented by the *I* in that quote? Is it A: WR, who isn't a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England,' or is it B: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England'?

Who's represented by the *he* in that quote? Is it A: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England who evidently knew who Roy Keane was," or B: WR?


Read, comprehend, post, as they used to say in the old days of the internet.
Try reading my post again.

Do you clean septic tanks for a living?

You clearly don't teach comprehension and verbal reasoning (or I bloody hope not).
I can be read either way.

1. That he was a locally recognisable player for Merchandise United, and beyond dress code - the point I believe you were trying to make.

2. That you are suggesting that it was the salesman who didnt know who he was, when he came to pick his car up (salesman obviously being a dumb ass) - the point being that you MAY HAVE missunderstood WR's description/premise that he was there picking up the car.


This thread is full of conflicting/arguing views, so one more was expected.
Nice friendly approach from Dr Jonboy seeking clarification wasn't it?

9mm

3,128 posts

209 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
SMcP114 said:
AW111 said:
Back when I was in my twenties and we were all broke students driving very second hand cars, I used to dress down in oily overalls and accompany my friends looking at cheap second hand cars.

Some vendors (both private and dealer) are very unimpressed when the young lady buyer brings a friend who can open the bonnet and look the part (sucks teeth, shakes head at colour of oil smile)
I've read this three times yet I still have no idea what the point is that you're trying to make?
I think... some people who dress like st are not just pretending to be customers but pretending to be mechanics too.
Possibly, but it may have involved a man dressing as a woman as well. No wonder the vendors were unimpressed. The next step could have been pretend money.

Fast Bug

11,597 posts

160 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
9mm said:
Possibly, but it may have involved a man dressing as a woman as well. No wonder the vendors were unimpressed. The next step could have been pretend money.
I once sold a Rover 45 to a man and his, er, girlfriend.

'She' had hairy hands like shovels, was a good 6 foot tall and had a very deep voice. I don't care what they dress like as long as they're buying from me

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
9mm said:
Blown2CV said:
SMcP114 said:
AW111 said:
Back when I was in my twenties and we were all broke students driving very second hand cars, I used to dress down in oily overalls and accompany my friends looking at cheap second hand cars.

Some vendors (both private and dealer) are very unimpressed when the young lady buyer brings a friend who can open the bonnet and look the part (sucks teeth, shakes head at colour of oil smile)
I've read this three times yet I still have no idea what the point is that you're trying to make?
I think... some people who dress like st are not just pretending to be customers but pretending to be mechanics too.
Possibly, but it may have involved a man dressing as a woman as well. No wonder the vendors were unimpressed. The next step could have been pretend money.
pretend money covered in dogst, because look i don't have time to clean the dogst off the notes OK i'm busy and i've come straight from the dogst wholesalers.

andymc

7,334 posts

206 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
9mm said:
Hol said:
9mm said:
Dr JonboyG said:
9mm said:
In 2003, Roy Keane was one of the most famous sports stars in the country, if not the world. No prestige car salesman in the north of England would have failed to know he was. With respect to some of the people posting on here, who spend 7 days a week emptying septic tanks, etc, I doubt they are quite as recognisable.
Try rereading WR's post. Maybe diagram the sentences if that helps you.

"I casually remarked to the salesman.."That guy looks a bit out of place here?"

He replied dryly..."Oh, that's Roy Keane...here to pick up his new £100,000 sports car".........(A weeks wages)"

Who's represented by the *I* in that quote? Is it A: WR, who isn't a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England,' or is it B: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England'?

Who's represented by the *he* in that quote? Is it A: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England who evidently knew who Roy Keane was," or B: WR?


Read, comprehend, post, as they used to say in the old days of the internet.
Try reading my post again.

Do you clean septic tanks for a living?

You clearly don't teach comprehension and verbal reasoning (or I bloody hope not).
I can be read either way.

1. That he was a locally recognisable player for Merchandise United, and beyond dress code - the point I believe you were trying to make.

2. That you are suggesting that it was the salesman who didnt know who he was, when he came to pick his car up (salesman obviously being a dumb ass) - the point being that you MAY HAVE missunderstood WR's description/premise that he was there picking up the car.


This thread is full of conflicting/arguing views, so one more was expected.
Nice friendly approach from Dr Jonboy seeking clarification wasn't it?
I've just finished his latest autobiography and he states his family only ever drive the club cars (Audis at the time)

The GMan

2,508 posts

254 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
andymc said:
9mm said:
Hol said:
9mm said:
Dr JonboyG said:
9mm said:
In 2003, Roy Keane was one of the most famous sports stars in the country, if not the world. No prestige car salesman in the north of England would have failed to know he was. With respect to some of the people posting on here, who spend 7 days a week emptying septic tanks, etc, I doubt they are quite as recognisable.
Try rereading WR's post. Maybe diagram the sentences if that helps you.

"I casually remarked to the salesman.."That guy looks a bit out of place here?"

He replied dryly..."Oh, that's Roy Keane...here to pick up his new £100,000 sports car".........(A weeks wages)"

Who's represented by the *I* in that quote? Is it A: WR, who isn't a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England,' or is it B: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England'?

Who's represented by the *he* in that quote? Is it A: a 'prestige car salesman in the north of England who evidently knew who Roy Keane was," or B: WR?


Read, comprehend, post, as they used to say in the old days of the internet.
Try reading my post again.

Do you clean septic tanks for a living?

You clearly don't teach comprehension and verbal reasoning (or I bloody hope not).
I can be read either way.

1. That he was a locally recognisable player for Merchandise United, and beyond dress code - the point I believe you were trying to make.

2. That you are suggesting that it was the salesman who didnt know who he was, when he came to pick his car up (salesman obviously being a dumb ass) - the point being that you MAY HAVE missunderstood WR's description/premise that he was there picking up the car.


This thread is full of conflicting/arguing views, so one more was expected.
Nice friendly approach from Dr Jonboy seeking clarification wasn't it?
I've just finished his latest autobiography and he states his family only ever drive the club cars (Audis at the time)
He probably wasn’t buying anything. He just wanted to see how the salesman would react to his appearance.

Rude-boy

22,227 posts

232 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
9mm said:
The male of the species is a simple thing to mug.
yes

It's why I always let the Mrs do the financial negotiations when buying cars smile

I've not got any tramp worth a mil stories but still feel a bit guilty about when I bought the white 968CS and acted like I didn't know anything about them (I'd bought the Yellow one a year and a half beforehand). Seller was a really nice bloke, I just didn't want to give them any excuses not to negotiate on the price given that I had decided I was buying it regardless of if we could get anything off or not, so long as it checked out which it did fully.

I'd also add that I have got a few friends who 'don't need to work'. Whilst I would never suggest any of them looked trampish you certainly wouldn't think they had anything to write home about in the bank until you spent some time with them and started adding the clues together.

TIGA84

5,204 posts

230 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
jesta1865 said:
as an aside, even if i won the euro lottery tonight, i'd still as for how much were service items and tyres etc, purely as i would have done my homework and if i'm told something else i know i might be lied to about something else. i would also expect a discount for cash and a test drive with no strings, i can take my money elsewhere if need be.
Why?

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
TIGA84 said:
jesta1865 said:
as an aside, even if i won the euro lottery tonight, i'd still as for how much were service items and tyres etc, purely as i would have done my homework and if i'm told something else i know i might be lied to about something else. i would also expect a discount for cash and a test drive with no strings, i can take my money elsewhere if need be.
Why?
a lot of people get this misconception from older male members of their family, nowadays cash is a complete pain in the arse. Dealers get incentivised and targeted by finance companies to sell their products, they want you to buy finance. Not only does a cash buyer make them less money, but also if in true "scruffy bd with a few quid" fashion they actually turn up with physical notes for payment of the entire balance, it's even more of a pain because they have to take it to the bank. Oh woe is me moneybags going to the bank, but think about it. Counts can be wrong, the transporter could get mugged, robbed etc. Most insurance firms now dictate that depending on how much cash is required to be transported to the bank, you need a certain number of people to go with the person transporting it. This might be 2 maybe even 3 additional people for 'protection'. So 4 people out of the business for an hour - hope they've got a lot of admin people sitting around as the sales guys won't, or should not go. How much for cash lad?? fk off back to 1960 Arkwright.

Rude-boy

22,227 posts

232 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
a lot of people get this misconception from older male members of their family, nowadays cash is a complete pain in the arse.

/snip/


How much for cash lad?? fk off back to 1960 Arkwright.
Got it in one. Add in AML regs nightmares and you can have a perfect storm.

We state clearly in our client care papers that your can't pay more than £500 in cash towards any one transaction. The bit we can be a little flexible on is payment of the bill but most do that with the same money transfer from their bank as the purchase deposit, etc.