Comedy of Errors at Indian Dealerships

DRC · 29th October 2009, 18:43

Started as a funny thread , but looks like turning to be serious.

@dcs, I agree with you for the fact that this is a reality. But, anyone working for a mere bread and butter is NOT entitled to be erroneous in his/her work. A customer walking into the showroom is right in expecting right answers from the guys/girls they meet there.

We, here in this forum know a little bit to judge right / wrong, but there are many who depend on them for information. Imagine some unsuspecting guy buying a 1600 power car just because salesman told. I know the buyer has to think, but shouldn't the sales man? After all it is his job, and better he does it well. I completely agree with samurai san in this regard.

Samurai · 29th October 2009, 18:44

I have seen too many projects do down the toilet due to transmission loss between SMEs and programmers, therefore I don't believe in this separation anymore. My programmers don't code unless they understand the domain. I always train them on domain and the requirement, before they write single line of code.

Similarly dealerships/manufacturers should train the salesmen to be knowledgeable about the product. They should be at least able to explain what's on the brochure.

recshenoy · 29th October 2009, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Classic man!

I can't say I haven't heard a similar variant before.

Would be a fun job no doubt. Team-BHPian's would be sales toppers!

especially FIAT should thank T BHP-ians for Punto / Linea sales

EssYouWe · 29th October 2009, 19:02

Okay guys STOP!

This was supposed to be something I can read after a study session. Its turning super boring.

Lets accept that we are sadists and laugh at n00b salespersons!

greenhorn · 29th October 2009, 19:13

I think fiat would be better off if it was turned into a co operative - jointly by the owners and fiat themselves

ronin · 29th October 2009, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjacob

Two words: domain knowledge. If he is working in the automotive domain, he ought to know the basics of that domain. Otherwise, he would not be a very good developer of automotive embedded software.

How did you find out that she was taken?

Quite frankly, i asked her about her weekend plans.

A350XWB · 29th October 2009, 20:22

[quote=johnjacob;1553630]Two words: domain knowledge. If he is working in the automotive domain, he ought to know the basics of that domain. Otherwise, he would not be a very good developer of automotive embedded software.

I second that!

And ABS = Anti Braking System for most of the fellows at the dealerships.
I've also heard so many SG's telling ABS and Airbags are of no use in India

dcs · 29th October 2009, 21:56

ok, I too agree, that at times the kind of answers that we get at the Dealership are way too funny, they make us laugh our brains out!!

Peace

dcs

~~h · 29th October 2009, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcs

1. Most of the Sales people are NOT from the Automobile Field. We would not get any IITian or a DCE graduate to work for the Agency.

I agree on your points.. but at most car dealerships(at least in Mumbai) there is one grey haired guy (GM or someone) who knows & can answer every single thing. But why don't he sit with these sales guys to educate them ? trust me it'll be worth the time spend.

EssYouWe · 29th October 2009, 22:37

I am from DCE!

Pay me 6-7 lacs and I'll be more than happy selling cars for you day in and day out.

Perhaps, dealers should hire some qualified people to answer difficult ones and train the staff.

@~~h

I have seen a lot of *grey haired* GMs take active interest in the buying process. It is however expecting too much from them to take care that all TDs are conducted satisfactorily.

More funnies please!

Thad E Ginathom · 29th October 2009, 22:56

I find it amazing that anyone thinks it is even slightly ok to have to deal with idiots, or worse, liars, when making such a large purchase.

Imagine spending that much money on surgery, and finding that the docs didn't know the basics of their job --- people would run away!

aqualeo2040 · 29th October 2009, 23:26

Maruti Car Bazaar : Near Ashoka Pillar, jayanagar : one fine sunday morning
All the dealers were there with their lot.
Me and my roomie were interested in old Zens.Found a MPFI model. As the SE about the specs and mileage.
We inadvertantly compared it to the Santro.

SE : "Saar, this has a 12 bit ECU and Santro has a 8 bit".
Us : "So??"
SE : "Saar, this car has 4 bits more!!

"

My roomie is a Manager in Bosch and I have been a car lover by birth.We put on a poker face, came out of the venue,lit up a deathstick and rolled with laughter! Now what can we possibly do with those extra 4 bits!!

Now coming back to the heated topic of domain knowledge..
In Bosch, if you are in the ECU division, the caliberations are based on Torque & Bhp curves.However,along with the design documents(which few read and very few understand) there are also indicated values that should be obtained and changes to be made(in bits n bytes). Hence, a totally disinterested Bangalore techie with money& etc & etc on his mind would never be able to tell zilch about torque eventhough he would definitely remember when he's next scheduled for Stutgart.
I too would not take such a person into my team.

EssYouWe · 29th October 2009, 23:37

He would be programming i/o streams on the port addresses for the purpose.

And as you know a good programmer always comments liberally.

NetfreakBombay · 29th October 2009, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

SE : "Saar, this has a 12 bit ECU and Santro has a 8 bit".
Us : "So??"
SE : "Saar, this car has 4 bits more!!

Extra 4 bits for disaster recovery

If up to 4 bits fall off on a potholed road, ECU would wake up "reserve" bits and put them to work

akhilesh51 · 29th October 2009, 23:45

This happened when I went to take delivery of VW Jetta, During final inspection, I casually mentioned to my brother regarding the lack of USB port for iPod connectivity. upon this, salesman barged in and pointed at Audio-in jack.

Me: Yeah, It can play from iPod but you can neither charge the iPod nor control playlists.

SE: Oh...you can surely do tht when you connect it to this jack.

Me: I am very sure you can't charge an iPod through audio port.

SE: I have done it and you'll have no problem. This is a very advanced car.

Now, VW dealers pay a lot to sales executive and would have least expected a decent knowledge of the car. I would also add to the discussion that Sales executives are not paid peanuts as some people have suggested. Agreed, the basic salary is low but taking incentives into account, An average salesman's salary would rival a BPO employee or Software Engineer !!!

29th October 2009, 18:43	#91
DRC BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cockpit Posts: 911 Thanked: 64 Times View My Garage	Started as a funny thread , but looks like turning to be serious. @dcs, I agree with you for the fact that this is a reality. But, anyone working for a mere bread and butter is NOT entitled to be erroneous in his/her work. A customer walking into the showroom is right in expecting right answers from the guys/girls they meet there. We, here in this forum know a little bit to judge right / wrong, but there are many who depend on them for information. Imagine some unsuspecting guy buying a 1600 power car just because salesman told. I know the buyer has to think, but shouldn't the sales man? After all it is his job, and better he does it well. I completely agree with samurai san in this regard.
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 18:44	#92
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,828 Thanked: 45,555 Times View My Garage	I have seen too many projects do down the toilet due to transmission loss between SMEs and programmers, therefore I don't believe in this separation anymore. My programmers don't code unless they understand the domain. I always train them on domain and the requirement, before they write single line of code. Similarly dealerships/manufacturers should train the salesmen to be knowledgeable about the product. They should be at least able to explain what's on the brochure.
	(1) Thanks

29th October 2009, 19:02	#94
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	Okay guys STOP! This was supposed to be something I can read after a study session. Its turning super boring. Lets accept that we are sadists and laugh at n00b salespersons!
	(1) Thanks

29th October 2009, 19:13	#95
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,401 Times View My Garage	I think fiat would be better off if it was turned into a co operative - jointly by the owners and fiat themselves
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 20:22	#97
A350XWB BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: KA51/KL03 Posts: 923 Thanked: 861 Times	[quote=johnjacob;1553630]Two words: domain knowledge. If he is working in the automotive domain, he ought to know the basics of that domain. Otherwise, he would not be a very good developer of automotive embedded software. I second that! And ABS = Anti Braking System for most of the fellows at the dealerships. I've also heard so many SG's telling ABS and Airbags are of no use in India
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 21:56	#98
dcs BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 60 Thanked: 17 Times	ok, I too agree, that at times the kind of answers that we get at the Dealership are way too funny, they make us laugh our brains out!! Peace dcs
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 22:37	#100
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	I am from DCE! Pay me 6-7 lacs and I'll be more than happy selling cars for you day in and day out. Perhaps, dealers should hire some qualified people to answer difficult ones and train the staff. @~~h I have seen a lot of grey haired GMs take active interest in the buying process. It is however expecting too much from them to take care that all TDs are conducted satisfactorily. More funnies please!
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 22:56	#101
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,443 Times	I find it amazing that anyone thinks it is even slightly ok to have to deal with idiots, or worse, liars, when making such a large purchase. Imagine spending that much money on surgery, and finding that the docs didn't know the basics of their job --- people would run away!
	(1) Thanks

29th October 2009, 23:26	#102
aqualeo2040 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Back 2 Bangy Posts: 458 Thanked: 465 Times View My Garage	Maruti Car Bazaar : Near Ashoka Pillar, jayanagar : one fine sunday morning All the dealers were there with their lot. Me and my roomie were interested in old Zens.Found a MPFI model. As the SE about the specs and mileage. We inadvertantly compared it to the Santro. SE : "Saar, this has a 12 bit ECU and Santro has a 8 bit". Us : "So??" SE : "Saar, this car has 4 bits more!!" My roomie is a Manager in Bosch and I have been a car lover by birth.We put on a poker face, came out of the venue,lit up a deathstick and rolled with laughter! Now what can we possibly do with those extra 4 bits!! Now coming back to the heated topic of domain knowledge.. In Bosch, if you are in the ECU division, the caliberations are based on Torque & Bhp curves.However,along with the design documents(which few read and very few understand) there are also indicated values that should be obtained and changes to be made(in bits n bytes). Hence, a totally disinterested Bangalore techie with money& etc & etc on his mind would never be able to tell zilch about torque eventhough he would definitely remember when he's next scheduled for Stutgart. I too would not take such a person into my team.
	(1) Thanks

29th October 2009, 23:37	#103
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	He would be programming i/o streams on the port addresses for the purpose. And as you know a good programmer always comments liberally.
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 23:45	#105
akhilesh51 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jaipur, RAJ Posts: 631 Thanked: 339 Times	This happened when I went to take delivery of VW Jetta, During final inspection, I casually mentioned to my brother regarding the lack of USB port for iPod connectivity. upon this, salesman barged in and pointed at Audio-in jack. Me: Yeah, It can play from iPod but you can neither charge the iPod nor control playlists. SE: Oh...you can surely do tht when you connect it to this jack. Me: I am very sure you can't charge an iPod through audio port. SE: I have done it and you'll have no problem. This is a very advanced car. Now, VW dealers pay a lot to sales executive and would have least expected a decent knowledge of the car. I would also add to the discussion that Sales executives are not paid peanuts as some people have suggested. Agreed, the basic salary is low but taking incentives into account, An average salesman's salary would rival a BPO employee or Software Engineer !!!
	() Thanks