So things change.....
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Well now..... first day on the new job. Met the new Service Manager- first met him in 1976 when I first cut my teeth in the biz at a different Chevy Store. Small world- also proves it never pays to make someone angry. You never know when you'll be working with them again. Never ending stream of well-wishers through the office today- some faces I haven't seen in years. Dang, I'm actually starting to feel my age a bit.
Only fly in the ointment- new Dell fried the motherboard on the first boot. Part being over-nighted, so should be rolling tomorrow.
Only fly in the ointment- new Dell fried the motherboard on the first boot. Part being over-nighted, so should be rolling tomorrow.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,651
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From: Maine
So, I've always wondered- what does a Fleet Manager do? Only sell to guys who walk in the door and want to buy 5 trucks? Bid on gov't contracts and stuff?
Seems like I've sometimes seen it suggested that a regular guy can get a better deal by talking to the fleet manager. Why?
Seems like I've sometimes seen it suggested that a regular guy can get a better deal by talking to the fleet manager. Why?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
A Fleet manager is basically a Salesman that doesn't need management approval to do a deal. Rarely does the Fleet guy talk to walk-ins- most business is done by phone, fax, or email. In theory, the bulk of the business is commercial clients- businesses, country, state, ect. Pricing is done generally by bid- no games. It's generally a pretty busy job- meaning there's no time to screw around with a 2 hour negotiation. The downside: generally no time for a 2 hour show-and-tell either. Most importantly, the Fleet guy gets paid differently than the retail people- to the point where his "break-even" is a different number than on the retail side.
On the other hand- many folks are concerned with a trade-in, monthly payments, or are concerned with getting financed at a reasonable rate because of past credit issues. These are all issues the Fleet Manager rarely deals with- that's what the retail side is for.
On the other hand- many folks are concerned with a trade-in, monthly payments, or are concerned with getting financed at a reasonable rate because of past credit issues. These are all issues the Fleet Manager rarely deals with- that's what the retail side is for.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
You've been a great help, Ernie! Thanks for your participation on FTE and on a personal level, your help in '05 when our Ford order went wack-o, and even more importantly helping us get the Ford SuperDuty of our dreams (and taking that &%^$# Chevy off our hands)!
Good luck in the new job and maybe a Rubicon replacement of our TJ may be in order...
Wishing you all the best,
Scott and Sally
Good luck in the new job and maybe a Rubicon replacement of our TJ may be in order...
Wishing you all the best,
Scott and Sally
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,436
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From: Sunny SOCAL!
Well congrats on the new job PB. Speaking as a person that just changed jobs, although probably not at mine as long as you were at yours, recently I know it was/is not an easy decision.
Still a little weird not seeing the "FTE SPONSOR" next to your name but I guess we will all get used to that.
Fleet Manager is cool. My dad was a fleet manager for a local Cadillac dealerhip for a bunch of years and loved it. I personally always buy from a friend that is a Fleet manager at a local dealership. I appreciate the no nonsense bottom line approach a fleet manager is afforded.
Just make sure you tell those Chevy guys that not even work had better interfere with your FTE time. Some things are just sacred.
Still a little weird not seeing the "FTE SPONSOR" next to your name but I guess we will all get used to that.
Fleet Manager is cool. My dad was a fleet manager for a local Cadillac dealerhip for a bunch of years and loved it. I personally always buy from a friend that is a Fleet manager at a local dealership. I appreciate the no nonsense bottom line approach a fleet manager is afforded.
Just make sure you tell those Chevy guys that not even work had better interfere with your FTE time. Some things are just sacred.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Scott, Sally: thanks for the kind words. love the Avatar, BTW.
Aaron: I guess I didn't explain this clearly enough. I worked for these people for 15 years before. The General manager pulled a Rumsfeld (did he jump or was he pushed?), and the ensuing management shuffle left a hole which I filled. Unfortunately, this may cut a bit into my FTE time since I'm actually running a couple of Departments.
At any rate, I survived the first week without any major drama- so far so good.
Aaron: I guess I didn't explain this clearly enough. I worked for these people for 15 years before. The General manager pulled a Rumsfeld (did he jump or was he pushed?), and the ensuing management shuffle left a hole which I filled. Unfortunately, this may cut a bit into my FTE time since I'm actually running a couple of Departments.
At any rate, I survived the first week without any major drama- so far so good.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,264
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Hey Ernie. I just saw this and thought I would wish you well. And thanks for all the help you offered and the time you gave to help anyone who asked 
Good luck to you sir!
Oh yeah, I am sure Trunk Monkey will miss you too
Good luck to you sir!Oh yeah, I am sure Trunk Monkey will miss you too
Last edited by keith w; Nov 11, 2006 at 12:00 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
Can you still offer discounted GM extended warantee? The woman bought her trailblazer last year, just came on to talk to you about the extended and heard the news of your change. Good luck with the new work. I would have pm'd you, but you have it blocked right now, along with email.
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12
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Polar,
I don't mean to hijack the thread here, but I haven't been on FTE in a while and I see now that much has changed! I hope you are still checking the boards. The short end of my question is: can you still forward my quote request to the 'new' saleswoman? You or she can contact me on FTE or by email at heacocis@hotmail.com, or of course here on FTE. Thanks! Isaac
I don't mean to hijack the thread here, but I haven't been on FTE in a while and I see now that much has changed! I hope you are still checking the boards. The short end of my question is: can you still forward my quote request to the 'new' saleswoman? You or she can contact me on FTE or by email at heacocis@hotmail.com, or of course here on FTE. Thanks! Isaac
