Although I wish I was writing about how I want everyone to start riding their bicycles to work, walking to the store two blocks down, trading in their 2011 Honda Pilot for a 1995 Civic DX, or only running their A/C when the inside temperature in the house is above 90 degrees; this is not the type of Green I am making.
Jobs. I have one. I wish I didn't.
Here is the pole.
1) Is it better to have a job that you enjoy 50% of the time but are happy about what the money you make from the job affords you
2) Is it better to have a job that you enjoy 90% of the time but can't afford all of the things you would like
3) Is it better to have no job and enjoy everything in life because all you have is free and you are more likely to give freely in return because of your poverty
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Butscher's Leather
I've recently began the idea of starting my own business. Though I have worked for many places and been involved in a great array of industries, my dream is to work for myself and not for another. This is my dream to be in control of my own future. To be able to reap from what I sow.
I am working to get a business going, "Butscher's Leather". As for now it is a one man operation that is done between the hours of 10:00pm and 2:00am in my garage after I get home from my day job. I can't say that it is perfect, but I want to someday turn this hobby into self sustaining one if nothing more.
Some of my recent work has included.
This is most of the recent work that I have completed using 100% hand craftsmanship. I wish I had the convenience of having a sewing machine, or other modern leather working tools, but since this is just starting as a hobby I am using only simple hand tools and needles and thread.
I love this. And as long as I still love working leather I will continue this as a hobby. Maybe someday It will be come an up and running business but for now it is just for the joy or being able to create with my own two hands.
I am working to get a business going, "Butscher's Leather". As for now it is a one man operation that is done between the hours of 10:00pm and 2:00am in my garage after I get home from my day job. I can't say that it is perfect, but I want to someday turn this hobby into self sustaining one if nothing more.
Some of my recent work has included.
This is most of the recent work that I have completed using 100% hand craftsmanship. I wish I had the convenience of having a sewing machine, or other modern leather working tools, but since this is just starting as a hobby I am using only simple hand tools and needles and thread.
I love this. And as long as I still love working leather I will continue this as a hobby. Maybe someday It will be come an up and running business but for now it is just for the joy or being able to create with my own two hands.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Cash Tips
Today's lesson is this. The harder you work the more your work will give back to you.
This isn't only true when you are talking about tip wage jobs, though we will cover them first. I run a cafe/bar/grill/service cart food and beverage operation during the day. It is very hard for me to teach people to work hard. But it is easy for people to want to make more money. I have a simple answer.
Work harder, work smarter = Make More Money.
Our industry specializes in personalized sales. People don't come to the Golf Club to eat, the come to play golf and we they to customize our menu to convince them they also want to eat. I work diligently to make the right food for the right person. Even if it isnt on the menu. I want to be able to give them the best item for their needs. This is how I am getting ahead with my customers and building a repeat client base.
On the money making side of the job is this. Find out what people like, and find out how to make them want what you have. I am not a pushy sales person. I offer things, rather than push things. If you glass is empty I ask if you want another. If you are sitting with nothing, I ask if you want something. If you stare at the menu and then walk to sit down, I know you are hungry just dont know what to have. All of the people I can sell things too.
My "girls" have a different job though. They must go to the customer that is never going to come to them and then convince them that they need something. They are required by Job to be pushy, but kind. Sweet and Bossy. They sell by replacing empty cans in your cart and waiting to be paid for them. Or getting your more beers knowing you have a tab open. They convince you that you need a snickers bar to make it through the next nine holes. They use theirs smiles to trick you into saying yes when you never knew you wanted anything.
They are the sweet innocence that plays devil in your head.
This is where the money is made. Driving around on a Beverage Cart. Selling a thousand dollars in beer/soda/candy/water and then going home with 20% or more in tips... oh yeah and sales bonuses. It doesnt take much for a cart girl to be able to make $20/hr just smiling and being a little pushy.
This isn't only true when you are talking about tip wage jobs, though we will cover them first. I run a cafe/bar/grill/service cart food and beverage operation during the day. It is very hard for me to teach people to work hard. But it is easy for people to want to make more money. I have a simple answer.
Work harder, work smarter = Make More Money.
Our industry specializes in personalized sales. People don't come to the Golf Club to eat, the come to play golf and we they to customize our menu to convince them they also want to eat. I work diligently to make the right food for the right person. Even if it isnt on the menu. I want to be able to give them the best item for their needs. This is how I am getting ahead with my customers and building a repeat client base.
On the money making side of the job is this. Find out what people like, and find out how to make them want what you have. I am not a pushy sales person. I offer things, rather than push things. If you glass is empty I ask if you want another. If you are sitting with nothing, I ask if you want something. If you stare at the menu and then walk to sit down, I know you are hungry just dont know what to have. All of the people I can sell things too.
My "girls" have a different job though. They must go to the customer that is never going to come to them and then convince them that they need something. They are required by Job to be pushy, but kind. Sweet and Bossy. They sell by replacing empty cans in your cart and waiting to be paid for them. Or getting your more beers knowing you have a tab open. They convince you that you need a snickers bar to make it through the next nine holes. They use theirs smiles to trick you into saying yes when you never knew you wanted anything.
They are the sweet innocence that plays devil in your head.
This is where the money is made. Driving around on a Beverage Cart. Selling a thousand dollars in beer/soda/candy/water and then going home with 20% or more in tips... oh yeah and sales bonuses. It doesnt take much for a cart girl to be able to make $20/hr just smiling and being a little pushy.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Professor Perry Curtis - Wants and Needs
The most influential teacher of my adult life was Perry Curtis. You can check out his BIO <here>.
These are the two lessons he shared with me over 2 years ago and I will never forget them.
Lesson #1 Wants VS. Needs.
We are all creatures bread into the microwave society of the 21st century. We want things now and have been convinced by media that these are things we need. We need an iPad, iPhone 4, and a BMW. We also need Diesel Jeans, Sperrys and Shox. We need our hair highlighted, we need the newest of everything and we need to eat at all of the cool places with our friends.
But it turns out these are not needs. These are Wants. Needs are a House; Transportation, not always being a car but could also be a bus pass, a bike or walking; Clothing, simple clothing of quality enough to present ourselves to the needed levels; food; water; and friendship.
It was a hard sell to our class that everything we want is not a need. Shoes are a need. 7 pairs is not filling that need. A car might be a need, but a $50,000 car isn't a need. Coffee might be a need, but Starbucks is not a need. Food is a need, but eating out is not a need. Jeans might be a need if you only have one pair, but $300 Diesel Jeans are not a need.
He illustrated this point to us using his daughter as an example. She wanted icecream that day and was begging to have some. She said, "But Daddy, I need some." He had to then explain to her that she wanted icecream because her life would not be any worse off if she didn't have icecream that day.
Opportunity Cost more closely defined what he was trying to teach us. Everything that we choose to spend our money on takes away something else we might have otherwise been able to buy. If I buy the icecream that I want, I wont have enough money to pay the rent which is something that I need. If I eat out 5 times this week for $10, I wont have enough money to replace the tire on my car that gets me to work.
Lesson #2 Know Where You Spend Your Money.
Professor Curtis challenged us one day in class. He called it a quiz. "Without pulling out you wallet of your purse, how much cash and change do you have on your person, and in your bank accounts? How much to the penny? Question #2. Name every item you have purchase in the last week and how much it cost."
I thankfully can say I was one of the closest out of my class with my answers. I was within $.12 cents on my cash and within $22 on my bank accounts. Today, I find that to be awful.
His lesson was short and clear. How can you be in control of your spending if you don't know what you are buying and what you have and if you can't remember every item you purchased in the last week then your purchases weren't meaningful and definitely were not needs.
Our assignment that week was to write down every penny we spent, from a pack of gum, to a $500 car payment. Every penny we spent we had to write down. It was amazing and disgusting to see where we all spent our money and we didn't even know. I am proud to say I can account for every penny I have spent or earned in the past 24 months. This is how I took control of my finances.
We also did a Case Study later that week about how much little purchases can add up to. I will cover this in a later post. It will be entitled Starbucks for Bankruptcy.
Remember to fill your needs first and choose your wants wisely. I challenge you to account for every penny you spend for one week. It will change how you spend money for the rest of your life.
These are the two lessons he shared with me over 2 years ago and I will never forget them.
Lesson #1 Wants VS. Needs.
We are all creatures bread into the microwave society of the 21st century. We want things now and have been convinced by media that these are things we need. We need an iPad, iPhone 4, and a BMW. We also need Diesel Jeans, Sperrys and Shox. We need our hair highlighted, we need the newest of everything and we need to eat at all of the cool places with our friends.
But it turns out these are not needs. These are Wants. Needs are a House; Transportation, not always being a car but could also be a bus pass, a bike or walking; Clothing, simple clothing of quality enough to present ourselves to the needed levels; food; water; and friendship.
It was a hard sell to our class that everything we want is not a need. Shoes are a need. 7 pairs is not filling that need. A car might be a need, but a $50,000 car isn't a need. Coffee might be a need, but Starbucks is not a need. Food is a need, but eating out is not a need. Jeans might be a need if you only have one pair, but $300 Diesel Jeans are not a need.
He illustrated this point to us using his daughter as an example. She wanted icecream that day and was begging to have some. She said, "But Daddy, I need some." He had to then explain to her that she wanted icecream because her life would not be any worse off if she didn't have icecream that day.
Opportunity Cost more closely defined what he was trying to teach us. Everything that we choose to spend our money on takes away something else we might have otherwise been able to buy. If I buy the icecream that I want, I wont have enough money to pay the rent which is something that I need. If I eat out 5 times this week for $10, I wont have enough money to replace the tire on my car that gets me to work.
Lesson #2 Know Where You Spend Your Money.
Professor Curtis challenged us one day in class. He called it a quiz. "Without pulling out you wallet of your purse, how much cash and change do you have on your person, and in your bank accounts? How much to the penny? Question #2. Name every item you have purchase in the last week and how much it cost."
I thankfully can say I was one of the closest out of my class with my answers. I was within $.12 cents on my cash and within $22 on my bank accounts. Today, I find that to be awful.
His lesson was short and clear. How can you be in control of your spending if you don't know what you are buying and what you have and if you can't remember every item you purchased in the last week then your purchases weren't meaningful and definitely were not needs.
Our assignment that week was to write down every penny we spent, from a pack of gum, to a $500 car payment. Every penny we spent we had to write down. It was amazing and disgusting to see where we all spent our money and we didn't even know. I am proud to say I can account for every penny I have spent or earned in the past 24 months. This is how I took control of my finances.
We also did a Case Study later that week about how much little purchases can add up to. I will cover this in a later post. It will be entitled Starbucks for Bankruptcy.
Remember to fill your needs first and choose your wants wisely. I challenge you to account for every penny you spend for one week. It will change how you spend money for the rest of your life.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Bargain Golf
Golf. A great game of man versus nature. The ultimate challenge of a man's absolute control over his body. A game that can never be mastered nor beaten. Golf is what I do for a living.
I don't play golf for a living, I wish I did, but I don't have the mental or financial means to play golf competitively. Golf is what I do for a living because I run a golf course. This is my trade.
You don't run a golf course. You don't understand what it takes to run a golf course and you don't have a clue what costs are involved in keeping 185 acres or grass mowed to less than an inch 365 days a year. This is our difference. You pay me to play golf, and I get paid for creating the environment for you to play.
Bargain Golf.
As of this year everyone has started to think that golf is this free thing that we get money for and that everyone working at a golf course is rich. It is far from the truth. Most employees of any golf course across the nation make between $12,000-$40,000 a year. We are poor on the scale of qualified managers.
Golf is free.... for people who steal it. Our employees aren't even allowed to play golf for free. Our management team must pay $5 to play golf as well as our hourly staff.
This week I have been asked by customers to let them play free golf. Discount the golf 50% since we aren't busy, or just let them play for a small cash fee. I scratch my head in confusion at these questions. Here is the best hypothetical conversation I can produce to explain why golf is not free.
Mr. L :Welcome. How may I help you?
John: Can you get a single out?
Mr. L: Sure. What is your last name?
John: Doe.
Mr. L: First Name?
John: John.
Mr. L: I can get you out at 10:37. will that be okay
John: Sure... Any chance you can let me go out for free since it isn't busy today?
Mr. L: The best I can do is $27.07
John: What about charging me for only the front 9? That would be half price, right?
Mr. L: Sorry, we don't have a 9 hole rate. It will be $27.07
John: Can I just to walk a few holes since no one is on them and not pay?
Mr. L: No Sir. The rate is the rate.
John: Is there anything we can work out here?
Mr. L: John, What do you do for a living?
John: I sell airline tickets.
Mr. L: Can I get some free tickets to Hawaii?
John: Of course not.
Mr. L: Why not? The plane has 4 empty seats still. No one is sitting in them. Can't I just sit in one of them for free?
John: No. You can't just fly to Hawaii because there is one open seat on the plane. You have to pay for a ticket.
Mr. L: Just like you have to pay to play golf. We wouldn't come to your work and ask you for a bargain on your product so please don't ask us for a bargain on ours. ... It's going to be $27.07 today for your round of golf.
John: Ok. Can I have a bag of tees for free then?
And this is how 1 out of every 10 customers goes. Everyone thinks that golf should be free or should have a friend/family/NFL/neighborhood resident/fireman/waitress/brother-in-laws-uncle discount and that just isn't the case. Golf courses costs millions of dollars a year to maintain, so golf isn't cheap unless you sink a coffee can in the lot next door.
I don't play golf for a living, I wish I did, but I don't have the mental or financial means to play golf competitively. Golf is what I do for a living because I run a golf course. This is my trade.
You don't run a golf course. You don't understand what it takes to run a golf course and you don't have a clue what costs are involved in keeping 185 acres or grass mowed to less than an inch 365 days a year. This is our difference. You pay me to play golf, and I get paid for creating the environment for you to play.
Bargain Golf.
As of this year everyone has started to think that golf is this free thing that we get money for and that everyone working at a golf course is rich. It is far from the truth. Most employees of any golf course across the nation make between $12,000-$40,000 a year. We are poor on the scale of qualified managers.
Golf is free.... for people who steal it. Our employees aren't even allowed to play golf for free. Our management team must pay $5 to play golf as well as our hourly staff.
This week I have been asked by customers to let them play free golf. Discount the golf 50% since we aren't busy, or just let them play for a small cash fee. I scratch my head in confusion at these questions. Here is the best hypothetical conversation I can produce to explain why golf is not free.
Mr. L :Welcome. How may I help you?
John: Can you get a single out?
Mr. L: Sure. What is your last name?
John: Doe.
Mr. L: First Name?
John: John.
Mr. L: I can get you out at 10:37. will that be okay
John: Sure... Any chance you can let me go out for free since it isn't busy today?
Mr. L: The best I can do is $27.07
John: What about charging me for only the front 9? That would be half price, right?
Mr. L: Sorry, we don't have a 9 hole rate. It will be $27.07
John: Can I just to walk a few holes since no one is on them and not pay?
Mr. L: No Sir. The rate is the rate.
John: Is there anything we can work out here?
Mr. L: John, What do you do for a living?
John: I sell airline tickets.
Mr. L: Can I get some free tickets to Hawaii?
John: Of course not.
Mr. L: Why not? The plane has 4 empty seats still. No one is sitting in them. Can't I just sit in one of them for free?
John: No. You can't just fly to Hawaii because there is one open seat on the plane. You have to pay for a ticket.
Mr. L: Just like you have to pay to play golf. We wouldn't come to your work and ask you for a bargain on your product so please don't ask us for a bargain on ours. ... It's going to be $27.07 today for your round of golf.
John: Ok. Can I have a bag of tees for free then?
And this is how 1 out of every 10 customers goes. Everyone thinks that golf should be free or should have a friend/family/NFL/neighborhood resident/fireman/waitress/brother-in-laws-uncle discount and that just isn't the case. Golf courses costs millions of dollars a year to maintain, so golf isn't cheap unless you sink a coffee can in the lot next door.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Winter Craigslist
I have recently decided that I would love to be unemployed. My life would consist of this: Craigslist.
I have been a supporter of craigslist for the past 4 years or so. I remember when it was so small that I could read every post for cars each day and it would only take me 30 minutes. This task now would be impossible unless you were continually refreshing the page 24/7.
Craigslist can be a great source of holiday cash. Last year I was able to corner this market with a little thinking ahead. In July I had the great idea of buying things out of season. Specifically I was buying Snowboarding and Skiing Gear. Boards, Boots, Bindings, Ski's, and Poles. It was one of the best ideas I have ever had as an investor.
I spend around $300 that summer buying used gear for quarters on the dollar. I sacrificed one of my walls to become a display case for the boards over the summer. When December came I was ready. Around the 14th I took all of the gear I had accumulated and photographed it. I also compiled pictures of the gear from the factory websites and the original specs on the items. Then I listed everything.
I listed the gear as individual items and as bulk buys. I listed things by size, by type, by key words, by color. I tried to think of all the ways that I would search for snowboarding gear and made sure that those words and more were in my descriptions. I didnt "keyword:" list. I wrote the words and phases into all of my post.
On the 16th everything took of like a fire. School had ended on the 15th and vacations would be stating every day from then till mid January. I had hit the "Jack"pot. The $300 I had initially invested turned into over $1000 in sales. I made a 230% return on my investment in 6 months.
The ideas I used were stolen straight from intro to economics. Buy when things are in low demand making the price fall. Sell when things are in high demand making the price skyrocket. I also spent about an hour a day on craigslist searching for the best buys. You make your money on the purchase, not on the sale. Buy low. Sell high.
I have been a supporter of craigslist for the past 4 years or so. I remember when it was so small that I could read every post for cars each day and it would only take me 30 minutes. This task now would be impossible unless you were continually refreshing the page 24/7.
Craigslist can be a great source of holiday cash. Last year I was able to corner this market with a little thinking ahead. In July I had the great idea of buying things out of season. Specifically I was buying Snowboarding and Skiing Gear. Boards, Boots, Bindings, Ski's, and Poles. It was one of the best ideas I have ever had as an investor.
I spend around $300 that summer buying used gear for quarters on the dollar. I sacrificed one of my walls to become a display case for the boards over the summer. When December came I was ready. Around the 14th I took all of the gear I had accumulated and photographed it. I also compiled pictures of the gear from the factory websites and the original specs on the items. Then I listed everything.
I listed the gear as individual items and as bulk buys. I listed things by size, by type, by key words, by color. I tried to think of all the ways that I would search for snowboarding gear and made sure that those words and more were in my descriptions. I didnt "keyword:" list. I wrote the words and phases into all of my post.
On the 16th everything took of like a fire. School had ended on the 15th and vacations would be stating every day from then till mid January. I had hit the "Jack"pot. The $300 I had initially invested turned into over $1000 in sales. I made a 230% return on my investment in 6 months.
The ideas I used were stolen straight from intro to economics. Buy when things are in low demand making the price fall. Sell when things are in high demand making the price skyrocket. I also spent about an hour a day on craigslist searching for the best buys. You make your money on the purchase, not on the sale. Buy low. Sell high.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Used Car Buying Manual. Part II Car Stealerships
I bought a used car. I love my new used car. I dislike the man who sold me my new used car.
I bought my car from what I thought was a respectable car dealership. My father had worked there in years past, and I believe highly in the integrity of his work. Time has passed; things have changed. The used car salesman that I dealt with is named Charles Washington.
A little back ground on Charles Washington. Originally from Shreveport, LA, he attended college at Cameron, and was drafted to the NFL in 1989 in the 7th round by the Indianapolis Colts as a defensive back. That season he road the bench for 16 games. Traded to the KC Chiefs in 1990. Only was on the roster of 6 games where he sat the bench. In 1991 he was on the roster for all 16 games and had 1 start. In that game he put up an interception for 34 yards. In 1992 he was traded to the Falcons where he was on the roster for 36 more games with no starts and retired from the NFL in 1994. Now Charles Washington is an internet used car salesman in Plano, Tx.
With that in perspective I can outline how this process of buying a new used car worked.
I originally looked at the 2009 Honda Accord that is now my car on the 17th of November. I scheduled an appointment to see and test drive the car that night with Charles Washington. He later called me to back to let me know that he would be unavailable to show me the car that night and another sales person would be there in his place. Willie, the friendlier of the two salesmen worked tirelessly to close the deal that night but was unable to because there was a small dent on the hood of the car which was the stumbling block for both my wife and myself. Willie, in all honesty, should get the commission for the sale of this car because he did all the work to convince us that we would be taken care of.
On the 19th I stopped by the dealership a second time to look over the car with my father and mother, both of which are quite knowledgeable cars, to get second opinions. After that short meeting and look over I went home to sleep on the idea of this car one more time.
On the 20th at 8:30am I was back at the dealership to be the first in line to make a car deal that day. Charles Washington was on hand, and hurriedly move us along to make a deal on the car while promising verbally and in writing that he would have the dent in the hood removed from the car. So we bought the car paying full sticker price and financed in house since they beat the rate i was quoted from my bank.
Then the fun began.
After about 5 days of time had passes I tried calling Charles to get our car back into the shop to have the repairs done, but never got a returned call. I email the General Sales Manager next to make sure that I got my point across. The next day, my phone was ringing and we were scheduling a time for the car to be dropped of, a demo car provided and the said repairs made. Monday morning my wife went to drop of the car and we greeted with an uninformed used car sales team. No one was aware that I had been contacted on Saturday to have the car dropped off Monday morning between a 9:00 and 9:30 AM, nor did they have a demo car ready for my wife to drive. I was told everything would be ready for her when she arrived but after over a hour she was placed in a 2009 (red) Ford Escape.
The next day at 6:21 PM I received a phone call from Max, the used car manager, asking if it would be at all possible for me to bring in the Escape because it had been sold. My wife kindly dropped of the car to them and was again met with an unprepared sales team.
Finally, friday morning I get word from Charles Washington that our Honda is out of the body shop and ready for pick up. I let him know I wouldn't be able to make it till that evening but would call when I was on my way. I had tried to contact Charles by phone when I left work to let him know that we were coming to allow him time to inspect the car before we arrived, but I never could get an answer on his line. When we arrived we were greeted with familiar faces in the used car building. Charles was on a call on his cell phone and then excused himself to go get our car in mid conversation.
I finally got to see my car and this is what I found
My car was covered in Snow, dust and flakes of dried rubbing compound that had been thrown all over my car as the paint was buffed after the repair was made. So I tried to have my car cleaned that night, but no one was there to help with the situation. Angered, upset and irritated I went home to fight this battle another day. Monday morning I head back to the dealership with my car, covered in snow, missing pieces from under the hood and the clips that hold the grill in place. They have my car for another two days, and then I eventually get my car back.
I now have my new used car; the dent is fixed. I love my new car. I hate this dealership. No. I hate Charles Washington. Each and every time I have called the dealership since I purchased the car he has been nothing but useless. He makes me feel like I am inconveniencing him, and I am not a priority to him since he has already received his commission for the sale.
This reckless waste of my time is why I have now deemed this location as a Car Stealership.
I bought my car from what I thought was a respectable car dealership. My father had worked there in years past, and I believe highly in the integrity of his work. Time has passed; things have changed. The used car salesman that I dealt with is named Charles Washington.
A little back ground on Charles Washington. Originally from Shreveport, LA, he attended college at Cameron, and was drafted to the NFL in 1989 in the 7th round by the Indianapolis Colts as a defensive back. That season he road the bench for 16 games. Traded to the KC Chiefs in 1990. Only was on the roster of 6 games where he sat the bench. In 1991 he was on the roster for all 16 games and had 1 start. In that game he put up an interception for 34 yards. In 1992 he was traded to the Falcons where he was on the roster for 36 more games with no starts and retired from the NFL in 1994. Now Charles Washington is an internet used car salesman in Plano, Tx.
With that in perspective I can outline how this process of buying a new used car worked.
I originally looked at the 2009 Honda Accord that is now my car on the 17th of November. I scheduled an appointment to see and test drive the car that night with Charles Washington. He later called me to back to let me know that he would be unavailable to show me the car that night and another sales person would be there in his place. Willie, the friendlier of the two salesmen worked tirelessly to close the deal that night but was unable to because there was a small dent on the hood of the car which was the stumbling block for both my wife and myself. Willie, in all honesty, should get the commission for the sale of this car because he did all the work to convince us that we would be taken care of.
On the 19th I stopped by the dealership a second time to look over the car with my father and mother, both of which are quite knowledgeable cars, to get second opinions. After that short meeting and look over I went home to sleep on the idea of this car one more time.
On the 20th at 8:30am I was back at the dealership to be the first in line to make a car deal that day. Charles Washington was on hand, and hurriedly move us along to make a deal on the car while promising verbally and in writing that he would have the dent in the hood removed from the car. So we bought the car paying full sticker price and financed in house since they beat the rate i was quoted from my bank.
Then the fun began.
After about 5 days of time had passes I tried calling Charles to get our car back into the shop to have the repairs done, but never got a returned call. I email the General Sales Manager next to make sure that I got my point across. The next day, my phone was ringing and we were scheduling a time for the car to be dropped of, a demo car provided and the said repairs made. Monday morning my wife went to drop of the car and we greeted with an uninformed used car sales team. No one was aware that I had been contacted on Saturday to have the car dropped off Monday morning between a 9:00 and 9:30 AM, nor did they have a demo car ready for my wife to drive. I was told everything would be ready for her when she arrived but after over a hour she was placed in a 2009 (red) Ford Escape.
The next day at 6:21 PM I received a phone call from Max, the used car manager, asking if it would be at all possible for me to bring in the Escape because it had been sold. My wife kindly dropped of the car to them and was again met with an unprepared sales team.
Finally, friday morning I get word from Charles Washington that our Honda is out of the body shop and ready for pick up. I let him know I wouldn't be able to make it till that evening but would call when I was on my way. I had tried to contact Charles by phone when I left work to let him know that we were coming to allow him time to inspect the car before we arrived, but I never could get an answer on his line. When we arrived we were greeted with familiar faces in the used car building. Charles was on a call on his cell phone and then excused himself to go get our car in mid conversation.
I finally got to see my car and this is what I found
My car was covered in Snow, dust and flakes of dried rubbing compound that had been thrown all over my car as the paint was buffed after the repair was made. So I tried to have my car cleaned that night, but no one was there to help with the situation. Angered, upset and irritated I went home to fight this battle another day. Monday morning I head back to the dealership with my car, covered in snow, missing pieces from under the hood and the clips that hold the grill in place. They have my car for another two days, and then I eventually get my car back.
I now have my new used car; the dent is fixed. I love my new car. I hate this dealership. No. I hate Charles Washington. Each and every time I have called the dealership since I purchased the car he has been nothing but useless. He makes me feel like I am inconveniencing him, and I am not a priority to him since he has already received his commission for the sale.
This reckless waste of my time is why I have now deemed this location as a Car Stealership.
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