So, apparently looks are everything. I would think in the midst of our current "recession" people would take their jobs a little more seriously. I am currently in the market for a new (well another) vehicle. My best friend has been helping me with the process of looking. He scooped me yesterday, so that we could go out and look at some cars. When he was trying to decide what to change into, he jokingly said "Maybe I should put on a 3-piece suit." To which I replied, "Why would you do that? It's 1,000 degrees outside." He opted for a nice tee, jeans, sneakers and a baseball cap. Before I go too far, let me create a visual: Him-brown-skin, 5'10, dread locks a little past his shoulders, dressed in the aforementioned attire. Myself-brown-skin, 5'6, short short black hair that's hot pink on top, a basic v neck sundress and flip flops. In my defense, we hadn't planned to go look at cars when I left my house, so I didn't change.
We arrived at the first dealership, misled by a Ford Fusion that said "$4, 667" in big bright letters. Only to discover that in tiny letters next to it there were the letters "off". We were walking to the car to double check the price when we were chased down by a salesman. He steered me to a 2002 Ford Taurus, 41,000 miles, they wanted $5,900. Best friend talked me into the test-driving it. I could live with it, but I didn't particularly LOVE it, so we took the man's information and went on to another lot.
We looked first for the used car lot, parked, and waited to see who would come out first. As we exited the car, a salesman on the way back into the building shot me a quick "Wassup?" with a head nod up like he was my homeboy. To which I replied "Hi." I'm grown, are you not at work? We start to randomly walk through the lot, checking out the price range and variety of the cars. Here comes Lil Darryl...At first glance, I thought he was being funny and pimp walking out to us, until I realized that he was apparently disabled and had a legitimate limp. Although, I am willing to bet that he has learned to play it off.
"Whatchall looking for? Sump en bout ten fif-teen thousand?" Bestie replies, "Nah, lower, y'all have anything about $5k?" Salesman "Nah, partner we got that Taurus out there (yes, another Taurus) for bout $6k, that's the closest you gone get." Now, I'm staring at him trying to figure out why he's so comfortable talking to us like that. My friend thanks him to which dude replies "Aight den folk" and walks away. Of course observant me noticed that he has a big burn hole in the back of his pants. I'm trying to figure out how he got the job! And, how was he at work all day with a hole in his pants, talking to customers. Sigh...
To the next dealership...We find the used car lot and get out. Here comes Carl. He looks a bronzy peach color like he'd been in Florida in the sun on the beach for the past 30 days non-stop. He introduces himself, he's extra excited to see us and promises to send out the used car rep. Out comes Paul. He sashays his way over to us. I'm watching him confused because he had on a baseball cap and silver tinted aviator shades (although it's overcast), and he never took them off while speaking to us. We tell him what we're looking for, he says "You should try a Mom and Pop dealership, because all of our stuff is at least $10k." All of his words were slurred, but I was convinced that it was not a speech impediment, but that Paul may have been a little tipsy. Apparently their dealership had just opened in that location yesterday, which explained every one's overly cheerful disposition. But I am afraid that Paul may have had one too many.
To the next dealership. This one was my favorite. The Nissan dealership. Everyone knows I LOVE Nissans! I've never driven anything but Nissan Cars. Out walks Anthony. Anthony is QUITE the character. At first, he's talking to my bestie. I say nothing. I know salesmen pitch differently to women. First he tries to sell him a Z. *rolls eyes* I suppose we were looking Fancy to him...They talk as a glance over a Murano again...LOVE that car. We circle the lot getting a feel for what they have and the prices. Anthony doesn't miss a beat...I feel like I can't even talk because one, he won't shut up and two, he interjects like he HAS to be part of our dialogue. Best friend points out that one of the cars needs some work. Anthony flips the script on us! All of a sudden he has thick New York accent, I am giving him the side eye staring in disbelief..."Yeah, you know what I'm saying they be slacking down there in detailing. I be having to get on them sometimes. You know you tell me what you want, I handle alldat for you. You know what I'm saying? I be like 'Yo! My mans said he want it like this! Handle dat, B!'" Now I'm laughing out loud, because Anthony doesn't know me or my friend from a can of paint! I am sooooo glad and he should be glad, that neither of us were the person who signs his paychecks! Is this what customer service has been relegated to? Bestie is on the phone talking to someone about a car, and so Anthony goes in for the kill. "So miss, what you looking for? I saw you eyeing that Murano. You look like a convertible type girl." I'm giving him the look as I construct my reply in my head. After a few seconds I reply "He's the decision maker, I'll get whatever he buys." To which he replies "Yeah, I know" (how could he know, because that was such a lie) he goes on "but you seem like you might be able to persuade him in a certain direction if you see something you like." I probably made a face, in my head I know I did, before replying, "No, he's pretty stubborn to negotiate with, but thanks." Poor little me...Bestie ends his phone call and eyes to me "You ready?" I nod yes and Anthony is still talking although we are not, "So,what's the best number to reach you, just in case I find something real fly for y'all I can give you a call?" Bestie offers his information and we're allowed to leave. Wow...lol
When I started my first job, we were told that people who worked for the company would come in plain clothes and buy things from us, just to check out our customer service. You could be fired instantly, if you didn't handle something properly. So, I learned early the value of the customer experience. I find more often in a variety of establishments, that unfortunately, customer service is lacking. Why is that? People are still spending their money! I'm one of those funny people that won't buy anything from your store if you don't speak to me first. You NEVER know who you're talking to. That dressed down person may or may not be the person who signs your paychecks. When did people stop being professional? I know Anthony doesn't interact with Caucasian customers that same way he interacted with us. I was very offended. We are both highly intelligent people. What is the world coming to?
