Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ray sciarappa on November 5, 2010 at 8:03am

You're right; many of all of us do and say those things - a good friend of mine is a shrink and he says that MOST people who give those statements often are doing so rather that handle confrontation and just give simple answers - others simply forget because it is not important enough to them and yet others are just giving answers they "think" you want to hear....not everybody does it to break their promise - MOST never hear what they are saying and the receiver takes it more seriously then the speaker....

Permalink Reply by Craig Lockerd on November 5, 2010 at 8:51am

AutoMax people always ask the hard questions....lol...Along the lines of what Ray said I think people at times just pull out their "Canned word tracks"...walk into a store and a person is asked "May I help you", we all have a word track reply..."No, I'm just looking"...Person asks "How are you doing?" We answer " I'm good, how you doing?" etc
In really thinking about this interesting question I can only think of maybe a couple people, happened to be salespeople, that I felt intentionally would say something,make a promise to someone with zero intention of following through on the promise.
Can following through be taught in sales past just telling a salesperson how important it truly is to "Under promise and over deliver?"

Permalink Reply by Bob Gaber on November 5, 2010 at 10:02am

Life get's in the way. People are not organized. They have good intentions, but do not keep track. I, after many years, now carry a pad with me and write things down, put them into my organizer and check it to make sure it gets done. When you deal with thousands of people each day, all considering themselves to be most important, opportunities get lost. Prioritize,Organize, and Empathize. Now, what was the question, again? :-)

Permalink Reply by Ernie Kasprowicz on November 5, 2010 at 10:36am

Reza I share your sentiment and also get quite tweaked by lack of commitment to word and deed. I think the "shrink" summed it up the best for most people and Craig got it for the remaining. I was taught from an early age to be a man of my word. To that extent I believe it is a personal choice that clearly not enough people value. I think as a people we are expected to let it slide, as if it were the norm, when others don't follow through. Rarely is their a meaningful consequence. I believe people of all ages seek to become better. So, yes, I believe the value of commitment can be taught beyond mere words. Effecting lives in a positive manner...

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on November 5, 2010 at 11:25am

Hey Bob,
I was coming here to post "Folks have good intentions" but you beat me to it... I also was going to advise everyone to carry a little pocket size spiral notebook with them...and you beat me to it... When I hear of an event, a birthday to come, a death, I jot it down there as well, so that I can sent a card or a wish, etc...

Now as far as business goes in the dealership, there are folks that make an "empty" promise just to pacify the immediate need with no intentions of delivering...and that needs to stop! For example, I do not know how many owner's manuals I have ordered over the years which were "promised" at delivery and the sales consultant never followed up to get it ordered...same with the extra key! This is poor business and for the small amount of money attached, these practices gravely impact the repuation and perception of the "American Car Salesperson".

If you are reading this, and this is a "norm" at your dealership, please reconsider and choose to deliver!!!


Bob Gaber said:

Life get's in the way. People are not organized. They have good intentions, but do not keep track. I, after many years, now carry a pad with me and write things down, put them into my organizer and check it to make sure it gets done. When you deal with thousands of people each day, all considering themselves to be most important, opportunities get lost. Prioritize,Organize, and Empathize. Now, what was the question, again? :-)

Permalink Reply by Richard Emmons on November 5, 2010 at 9:03pm

Reza I really understand! If people say it they should mean it, if they mean it do it, if they can't do it admit it. I also aim to please with good intentions with people and many times do not follow up on time, however I try.
Promises are meant to be kept. I guess admitting that is 90% of my new recovery. Great post, all I can think of now is who I owe a call back to or a e-mail or something I may not sleep tonight because of this.