
"If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask someone else first, I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive, I've seen it all, I was here first." -- Nirvana,
Very Ape There comes a time in every man's life in which he must put aside the needs of others and focus on himself for a change. I am a generous person for certain but I can't always be fixated on satisfying the primitive desires of others. I have realized that I am too much of a "people pleaser" and I must take care of myself first and foremost if I am to continue my trend of reaching out and charming the masses.
It being the holiday season where the joy of giving and sharing permeates the Philadelphia atmosphere, where good will towards men becomes the norm rather than the exception, I have decided to give myself the greatest gift of all, because like I said, I truly must appease my own needs before I can help others. Gentleman, I have decided to purchase a car, but not just any car will suffice. Only the best, most tasteful car will do for a man of my stature and presence. Unfortunately, the American motor companies are garbage in this respect. Their shameful government bailout is shameful, and they will be earning no business of mine with their shoddy quality and overpriced nonsense automobiles. No Sir. The countries of Germany and Japan have warmed my heart with their superior engineering and quality for superior individuals. Imagine how much respect I will be garnering as I travel in luxury with a finely tuned, reliable Japanese automobile, or the driving passion that will be evoked as I ride in style across the crime ridden and often broken motorways of America, the greatest and most free of all countries.
I put on my finest attire, or "dressed to impress" as they say so I could make my commanding presence known the second I arrived at the dealership. This means I wore my black wool peacoat, double XL, and my driving mocassins so that I may obtain maximum traction and feel on the pedals and execute flawless heel-toe downshifts, which will most likely impress the overwhelmed salesman that is test-driving with me. I would only be visiting Acura today, for my car shopping would surely become tiresome and I am confident I would grow weary and look absolutely haggard without food for a few hours.
The walk from the subway station to the Acura dealership was an almost insurmountable 5 block journey. Two blocks into the promenade I had to change my itinerary to acquire a peach flavored Snapple to rewet my palate in the dry, almost unbearable 45 degree frigid, bitter Philadelphia winter. Alas, there was no shops to purchase my much needed Snapple, so I had to make due without it. Approaching the fifth and final leg of the trip, I had to stop for a break to regulate my breathing, but I quickly realized that I cannot wait long or hypothermia might begin to set in, the joints in my legs might begin to stiffen and freeze up and I will be destined to a fate worse than I could ever imagine.
I was approached and greeted by a somewhat scrawny but confident young fellow with a smile of gold and an air of sophistication despite his age. I wasted no time in informing him of my desire to test drive his finest vehicles available. He suggested we take a seat so that I may once again catch my breath and regain my sense of balance. In addition, he offered to purchase me a soda from one of the machines which I accepted but assured him that his kindness would in no way guarantee that I would purchase a car from him today or ever. He laughed and shrugged, seemed very cool and low key for someone with such a high pressure job, where so much is at stake. I let out a bellow and asked him about his closing skills. He laughed again, gave it a shrug, and we headed out to the inventory so I could test an RL. It was unbearably cold, so I suggested he keep his sales talks and tactics to a minimum so that we don't freeze to death. I found most of his explanations of the benefits of the car to be fluffy and borderline scandalous. He told me all about the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, about the traction and stability control, even the ABS and the 4 piston calipers on the brakes with great gusto.
The seat was wide and supportive enough for a man of my great stature and I felt very at home in the cockpit of this beast. The sheer grunt in a car of this size was quite impressive as well as the balance between the suspension, the comfort and the road feel. I am certain he was impressed with my driving skills and the confidence in which I exhibited my skills in knowing braking points on roads I have never driven before. The main drawback on the car was its resemblance to a japanese anime superhero.
After driving for almost a full half hour through all sorts of terrain and conditions that are suitable to my desires, we headed back to the dealership where I felt confident and ready to make a purchase. We sat down at a desk and I was offered another soda which I sipped. It was wonderful and bubbly and sweet. I love soda.
"So, you liked the car, right?" the young salesman said to me.
"Indeed I do. It is a fine piece of auto machinery and definitely the car I envision a man of my stature to be in ownership of." I gulped my delicious soda. It stung my throat a bit and a let out a belch. I felt comfortable and ready to make a deal.
"OK excellent. What were your goals for today and how can I help you at this point?"
"My goals were to establish if a car of the Acura label is befitting to me. I want to see what kind of deal you're going to offer me. I will be putting money down and financing in house so I suspect that provides you with some incentive to help me the lowest possible price."
"Of course. So I understand that you're going to buy my car now if I give you the lowest possible price. You do understand however that this is a brand new 2009 model that is quite in demand...perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself." The salesman looked at me straight in the face. He hit me directly in the eyes asking for a solid commitment and I am a strong individual and was certainly not backing down.
"Like I said, a man of my greatness demands a great car. I would like to know what price you're going to offer me in this economic downturn." My stomach began to growl and I sensed it wouldn't be more than another 30 min before I needed to eat. My mind started to wander towards delicious rotisserie chicken while the salesman pulled out a binder and started flipping through it.
"Well the RL you drove, the one you told me you want, with the Technology package and the PAX tyres has an MSRP of $53,700. I am going to be upfront with you because I like you and feel confident that we understand eachother. I need to go ask my manager how much he will let the car go for." He got up and walked upstairs to where I could see a man sitting behind a large desk. The manager had a gold bracelet on and a very nice tie. A theif I suspected, taking poor customers money, but not mine. I am informed and intelligent. A few minutes passed and I occupied my thoughts with chicken, bread and gravy.
The salesman came downstairs and presented me with a piece of paper that was truly a travesty and insult to my good sense.
"What is this NONSENSE!?" I demanded an explanation to the piece of paper with marker and numbers scrawled on it.
"I told you I'm going to be upfront with you. Now let me explain. The manager didn't even want to do this, but I convinced him you're a great customer and you're financing in house. Look at this great deal buddy, it's all right here, nothing hidden. My cost on the car is $48,212, add $670 for freight, $100 processing fee and give me $1000 profit, drive home today. I just took $4k off the MSRP and you didn't say a word." He kept his hand pinned on the paper like he didn't want me to lift it off the table.
"This, my friend is no deal to speak of. I have truly been insulted and harassed for nothing in this establishment! I WANT to buy this car and you will simply not allow me! Perhaps I should just buy the whole building! Did you run my credit while you were upstairs fiddling around with your managers and his silly markers, scrawling across this paper like it's a battlefield, a warzone of numbers and prices? This, I will simply not stand for." I felt heated and the slimy salesman looked at me with what I am sure is a practiced and seasoned look of geniune disbelief at what he was hearing.
"Hold on now, I'm not trying to insult you. You don't understand and I'm somewhat confused. I threw away nearly all my commission in one shot in order to try and make a deal with you quick and easy. Look, I asked for $1000 over invoice, which is nothing, barely pays to keep the lights on, but I might be able to do something else. Split it with me, buddy, come on, I'm working for you. You drove the car for a half hour, this is what you want!"
At this point he took a marker out and wrote on the paper "Customer offers to buy car now for invoice plus $500 plus fees. X............ :)."
"Come on, let's make a deal. Sign here and I'll get you up into financing as quickly as I can" the salesman said as he handed me the marker. My hand began to shake and I nervously began to sweat. How I needed a pot pie, or even just a chicken leg to satisfy my hunger and calm my nerves. I picked up my soda can knowing it was empty and drank the last drop. The salesman was just staring at me, waiting. I knew that if I talked first, I lost, but I didn't know what to do. Oh how I just needed a bag of Chee-Tohs and another Pepsi.
The salesman told me to take a deep breath and relax. He assured me I was getting a great deal, but how can anyone trust these people with their hair gel and clean shaven faces, their gold chains and expensive ties?
"Buddy, listen. This is a premium car and you're getting it nearly on cost. This doesn't happen. Try walking into Lexus and telling them you want to buy a car on invoice. No offense, but they would laugh at you. Either that or not smile at all and tell you that's simply not feasible. The only thing missing from this deal is a gun and a mask because this is a steal." He smiled, seemed somewhat amused with himself and leaned back nervously. I was not amused, although this began to feel like some elaborate circus of a slimy dealership.
"I'm sorry, that was a bad car sales joke. Disregard that. But seriously, let's make this happen. What would YOU like to happen. Just tell me what I need to do to get you to drive home with this car now. You don't want to take the subway home again, right?"
I felt a pricking sensation in my left arm and the desire to just sign on the dotted line with my right. I tried to convince myself that I wanted nothing more than to enter a legal binding contact for a lavish vehicle that I could show off to all the ladies of this great Philadelphia, riding around Rittenhouse Square and past Town Hall in style, but perhaps I have too much pride to play games with these clowns. Car salesman, ha! What a low profession. It ranks down there between janitors and people that pick up shit off the streets for money.
I stood up from my cushy seat and buttoned my jacket. The salesman's eyes grew wide and his brow became furrowed. He knew that his great efforts would not be rewarded today or ever with someone as highly logical and intelligent as myself.
"Surely you aren't going to leave a deal like this on the table, are you?" he asked.
"I'm sorry, kind sir, but this fantastic show you have put on for me is now over. Ended. If you will please excuse me, I do believe I need a cheeseburger."