Re: What are your thoughts about this.......
 

I'm in sales too. Have been for 36 years, 11 of that cars. Now I work for myself.

I don't make every deal with every customer, not even repeat customers.

I am my own boss, so I am completely accountable for any of my actions.

There have been many times I have wanted to send a similar emai. Just don't hit send.

I understand the salesman's frustration ( he was up all night), but he proly should have just let it roll.

Times are tough and maybe he was having a really bad day.

So, I would just forget him and the dealership until next time your ships may pass.

2nd. I wouldn't even bother replying to the guy.

Send this to his manager. Seriously. I run several psychology support groups, and have assisted law enforcement in identifying "at risk" behavior. This is the exact behavior we're trained to look for.

It's a warning sign. The economy is very difficult right now and sales figures for everyone in every sector are down heavily. This creates a tremendous amount of stress, especially if one was counting on a sale.

I'd be very careful in this situation, given the oddity of his message. It's completely abnormal. Not being able to sleep after losing a sale, is highly unusual. Losing a specific sale is very common whenever one is selling a product. Contacting a potential buyer/client and not being able to sleep over the loss of $1 or 2k (I'm estimating that what he lost in commission), is obscene.

I'm being way over cautious with my advice to you, but it's wise in this day in age to be overcautious. Given that you'll be seeing this individual in the future, I would strongly recommend you take some action to alert one of his superiors.

His frustration obviously has little to do with a simple lost sale. It's far more likely that he's projecting some type of anger toward you due to a culmination of issues.

It's not likely this would get him fired, if his General manager has any brains at all. But, it may open up some dialogue and diffuse whatever is going on in this guy's head. Sometimes when people are confronted, by a boss, or a friend, etc., they'll break down and vent, which is probably what this guy needs

Anyway, again, I'd strongly error on the side of caution here given the highly unusual nature of his e-mail.

Good luck.

Thanks ABMW for the advice. I think he didn’t have any sleep because his second child was born about a week ago. Maybe the stress of the addition to the family and him losing my sale is the reason for this behavior. I am going to let it be and will see what happens. I don’t want to make any enemies or cause anymore drama. I just want my X5! =)

Thanks all for your thoughts and comments.

-DaRip

Personally I agree with Penguin - I'd cut the guy a break on this one. One. If he's always like this, he'll get his.

+1, :iagree:

Agreed with P.

OP: Good response.

At so many points in our lives, we can learn a great deal when we put ourselves in the other persons' shoes: in confrontations or negotiations. Here this salesman has been getting beat up by the market- he was excited that you were a 'live one'...emotionally he had moved you into the 'sold' column... and was devastated when you showed you were not sold.

This is very unprofessional, and poorly written. I'd just let it slide. (Unless he escalates this further, as you mention).

What is interesting it that this shows the indoctrination that BMW and Sales Management is laying on these noob SAs... they are trying to create significant tangible value out of just plain old salesmanship and good manners. $1000 off msrp leaves 2500-3000 profit- for what? a chit chat, test drive and web-browse? I think not. But these SAs are being fed a load of 'relationship-based sales' drivel ...and they are trying to make every sale turn into such a sale.

Their ideal customer is someone:

1. That trusts the SA to give them 'good deals', to the point they will not shop
2. That has a 'friendship' with the SA that causes them to feel discomfort at the prospect of turning down a deal, questioning, or negotiating
3. That views the SAs as socio-economic equals (harder to express a desire for lower prices). They cultivate the social skills of SAs to make customers feel like the SA is an equal.

I am not looking for a relationship...just like when I walk into costco I will buy from any cashier. Give me one in silver with X, Y and Z on it.....

A

Daripper, If you are willing to work with Weatherford BMW (Berkeley), talk to Jen and get a great deal. Stick with a price of $500 over invoice. You weren't getting a great deal with that guy anyway.

Send the email and your reply to the OWNER. He has the most to lose.

You want a X5 right... This guy made a bad mistake (he needs this sale desperately). Call him and tell him you want $500 over invoice on the car you want or you take further actions....like taking that crazy letter to his GM.

Holy smokes that unbelievable...