Secrets of the Auto Industry

I was recently working for a company that owns around 18 car dealerships.  I learned a thing or two about the gimmicks and decided, hey, I bet you guys would like to know, too.  You're welcome.

1.  Tell us to quit calling.  There is a 28 day process that everyone has to follow, which means we have to attempt to contact you for 28 days.  We will inevitably blow up your phone and email like a middle school girl with a crush.  The only way around this is to answer and tell us to quit calling.  After 28 days you're put on a "Long Term Contact" list, so we will still continue to call from time to time. 

2.  No, you cannot buy a car and get another one for $1.00, this is what is known as a "gimmick" and I honestly feel bad for you all that think it's true. 

3.  Fine print.  Dealerships know fine print better than anyone, so even if you think the deals you see on TV or hear on the radio are gospel, there is fine print that covers the dealers arse in order to not actually follow thru on that unbelievable deal.

4.  "I left my cards in the store, would you come up there with me so I can get you one?"  He didn't leave his cards in the store.  They feel as though once they have you in the store you are mush.  Suggestion?  Ask the salesperson for their name and number to put in YOUR phone.   Do not give out your contact information...this will also help prevent #1 from happening.

5.  "Let me introduce you to my manager."  No offense to the mangers, but it's just a title.  Everyone in the auto industry gains a fairly decent title.  Meeting the manager is no honor and it's just another devious strategy to make you believe they value you.  They want your money, that's it.

6.  Most online prices are not accurate.  They normally include all rebates and discounts, some of which you don't even qualify for.  There is also small print to cover this shameless tactic.

7.  "You're prequalified for $25,000"  You're not special.  We pay for statistics based off of available credit information and then you receive this piece of paper making you think your credit score has gone from 400 to 800.  It hasn't.  We are just trying to get you into the dealership and get you to spend money you and I both know you don't have.  Normally you won't be approved and if you are, it's certainly not for $25,000. 

8.  I often spoke with customers who would start off with, "I have really bad credit, my house went into foreclosure and my car was repossessed.  I'd like to see what I qualify for."  We follow up with this response: "We have multiple finance options that fit most any situation.  Would you like to schedule a time with our finance manager?"  See...always trying to get you into the store.  What I want to say is, "Do you really think you should be trying to purchase a vehicle in your current financial state?" 

9.  While your debating signing the paperwork for a new vehicle, another sales person comes in and says, "Hey, did they buy that car?  There's a guy here that is ready to take it."  YAWN.  This is a tiring maneuver they pull to put the pressure on.  Don't fall for it.  You need to respond with, "Let him have it." 

10.  If you think salesman and dealerships are slimy, so are their corporate offices.  They basically all went on that Nickelodeon show and got slimed together.  They are not only dishonest with their customers, but also with their employees.  So all those negative thoughts you have about dealerships, I'm here to confirm their validity.

With all of this, I hope you'll go into your next vehicle purchase a little wiser and less naïve.  I do have dealerships I would suggest avoiding, but you can direct message me for the names.

Vroom-Vroom,

April

  

Taking the FREE out of Photografree

Most know I work an 8-5 job and then have my photography business on the side and by side I mean photoshoots on weekends and editing during week nights.  I shouldn't even say "side" because it's really just a second full time job.  I have two entrees on my plate.

This works great for me.  I majored in photography and I love it.  It's nice to utilize your degree but not have to rely on it so you still gain some enjoyment.  I'm on the higher end of generosity.  I don't say this to receive any accolades, I'm just saying it to say that generosity can be hard and generosity is easily taken advantage of.

This year more than others I have been gifting individuals with "FREE" photoshoots.  Jon soon let me know that I need to take that 4 letter word out of my vocabulary.  Apparently it doesn't speak highly about the value of my work.  There are scenarios that I absolutely don't mind giving the gift of a photoshoot, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how right he was.  Dang it.  That one time in your whole life when your husband is right. (wink, wink)

I don't have my contractor come to my house and expect him to wire electricity for free.  I don't expect a plumber to take time out of his day to service my toilets for free.  Even when my dad helps me with projects I get him a gift.  And I'm certainly not indebted to anyone enough to owe them my service of photography for free.

I know the world of photography has become so saturated.  Damn you, Pinterest.  The way I see it is, I generally find a recipe on Pinterest that looks easy enough, so I attempt it.  My chef success rate is probably 40%, on a good day.  This is how a lot of you are with photography, painting, design and artistic paths.  You see these pins online of some serious talent and think "I could do that!" Maybe you can, but there's a difference in a hobby and a business.

Starting a creative business with no experience is really a bold move.  Those of us who went to school for four years or have studied this art are wide-eyed at your approach.

With that being said, I could easily see hobbyists offering free photoshoots.  I mean, why not?  Free is a great way to learn.  No one can be upset at your 40% success rate and heck, you may even realize that it's not all it's cracked up to be.  Plus, it's expensive.  Photography. Is. Expensive.  If you do it right.

So, I've decided to take my four year Oklahoma City University degree and make an income out of it. I have simplified my reasoning to this:

I am offering a service.   

I don't regret giving the gift of photography, but free is something I need to escape in order to grow as an artist.  Surely you can agree with me on that.

Of course I have those nearest and dearest to me who I'd never expect a penny from.  But that list is full and I'm not accepting any applicants.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my photography the past seven years.  It really means the world to me that you trust me with this art.  I'm always thrilled for a photoshoot and plan for this to never change.

{TGIF}