Saturn Salespeople on this forum

[railguy7]

Its been a few days since GM announced their future plans (or lack of) for Saturn. I'm interested in how its affecting your showroom? Have sales completely tanked ? We all tend to sit here and pontificate but let's hear from the people closest to this mess ... the ones who are feeling the uncertainty everyday for real.

[ginweed1]

sales where i am have been slow for a couple months, so this new news isnt affecting us as far as i can tell, but it's not helping either......hopefully it gets better or we may be in trouble

[marx404]

Originally Posted by railguy7

Its been a few days since GM announced their future plans (or lack of) for Saturn. I'm interested in how its affecting your showroom? Have sales completely tanked ? We all tend to sit here and pontificate but let's hear from the people closest to this mess ... the ones who are feeling the uncertainty everyday for real.

I cannot speak for others but I can honestly say speculative words like above have not helped anyone. Yes, there is alot of "pontification" here, LOL. Yes, we are "closer to this mess" but we hear the news just like everyone else as well, and then some.

Sales have not tanked. They could be much better, but then again so could the economy in general. After the latest news we are definitely not "feeling the uncertainty everyday " any more and are quite enthusiastic after Saturn and Jill's announcement.

I won't speculate here or anywhere else about future happenings, but I will say just wait and see....

[railguy7]

Marx404 ...a couple of facts:

My original question was based on thousands of television, radio and newspaper stories last week which announced to the world that GM was done with SATURN by 2011/12. That's what the public saw...thats what the public read....and thats what the public heard. The follow-up story from the dealers does NOTHING to change the headline in the consumer's mind that SATURN will be toast in a very short time. Yes...I too would love for Saturn to survive, although I really believe its a longshot at best. I was merely asking the salespeople who read this forum if they have seen any change in sales.

[marx404]

Originally Posted by railguy7

Marx404 ...a couple of facts:

My original question was based on thousands of television, radio and newspaper stories last week which announced to the world that GM was done with SATURN by 2011/12. That's what the public saw...thats what the public read....and thats what the public heard. The follow-up story from the dealers does NOTHING to change the headline in the consumer's mind that SATURN will be toast in a very short time. Yes...I too would love for Saturn to survive, although I really believe its a longshot at best. I was merely asking the salespeople who read this forum if they have seen any change in sales.

...and I answered your questions verbatim of the way you asked them.

Saturn Owners have already been snail-mail and emailed letters from Saturn explaining that Saturn is NOT CLOSING, so I do not understand what your rant is about.

Maybe you are one of the few who did not get the memo? I would be happy to fwd it to you. As my family are all Saturn Owners, we already got ours a few days ago as did almost every other Saturn Owner here in the USA.

Again, if you are genuinely concerned about the future of Saturn and not just posting another "trying to look innocent while indirectly bashing Saturn" posts I am offering my help to fwd you a copy of the memo that went out to all the other Saturn Owners.

As far as the media is concerned, we all know that "Bad News Makes for Good Reading" and the media has also been picking up on the facts that Saturn is reorganizing and not closing.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by marx404

...and I answered your questions verbatim of the way you asked them.

Saturn Owners have already been snail-mail and emailed letters from Saturn explaining that Saturn is NOT CLOSING, so I do not understand what your rant is about.

Yes, the OWNERS got that, the people that ALREADY own Saturns.

What about shoppers/consumers that don't already own Saturns? I think THAT'S what his "rant" was about.

[railguy7]

Thank you cdp326....at least someone can understand the english language. I guess Marx has become the self appointed SATURN POLICE.

I simply asked a question that I'm sure SATURN DSM's are asking...how are sales? And for that I get a lecture from some nitwit who assumes I hate Saturn. Well I can tell you that 4 Saturns in 7 years should clear up yet another of Marx's bozo statements.

[marx404]

Originally Posted by railguy7

Its been a few days since GM announced their future plans (or lack of) for Saturn. I'm interested in how its affecting your showroom? Have sales completely tanked ? We all tend to sit here and pontificate but let's hear from the people closest to this mess ... the ones who are feeling the uncertainty everyday for real.

That is what I read. That is what I answered. And by the way, it's actually 12 Saturns for me and my family (is this conversation really reduced to such nitpicking now?)

If you meant to ask something else you should have written exactly what you meant to say.

Seems like you did and I have read and answered you properly with due respect to the demeanor it was posted in. Lately your posts are not too cheerful, not picking on you railguy just an observance. The news of past has been depressing for all of us, yes, but sales have not tanked as you exactly put it.

The latest news has been hopeful as you will see on the SF home page. If I can help in any way to point you towards those links, please let me know. I'm sure we would all like to see the cheerful railguy we all know again.

[onefunkar]

i just tell people that saturn used to be an independant company, although owned by gm. gm took over a few years ago and we are now breaking away once again.

[Citation84]

Originally Posted by onefunkar

i just tell people that saturn used to be an independant company, although owned by gm. gm took over a few years ago and we are now breaking away once again.

Thank you for simply answering his question. I am concerned for my sales guys and techs where I bought my ION and bring both Saturns in for service. But they also sell [one of them does] Ford, Honda, Mazda and the Ford dealership is the largest one in the country. It must come up in conversation with service customers and potential customers. But we dare not discuss it here.

Railguy7:Sales have tanked at all brands and it is a legitimate question as to how the Saturn employees are coping given the extra burden of what is being reported in the MSM as Saturn's demise. That can't be helpful for generating sales volume in bad economic times. Things are bad enough.

And considering that many of Saturn's current customers have developed a friendship of sorts with their techs and salesmen, to be concerned about how they are dealing with things isn't trying to be some stealth Saturn hater, but simply wanting to know how the troops in the trenches are dealing with it.

You didn't deserve the juvenile and snotty answer that you got.

[unit731]

I think the gist of the question is what does the 'general public' think of what is going on through the viewpoint of Saturn salespeople.

People who have not purchased a new Saturn and are not on any email list.

I have purchased two Saturns. Used.
A 1998 SL2 used.
A 2004 Saturn ION used.

I am not on any Saturn email list so I don't get updates from Saturn. I read here and I do read newspapers and watch the tele. Many people don't even do that. They go by heresay.

I think the Saturns are good cars.

[railguy7]

For the Record: There is nobody on this forum who loves the whole SATURN thing more than me. As I was telling ssglenn one day, I drop by my dealer usually once every week/two weeks just to say hi and chat. The salesmanager always jokes that if I ever want a job, its mine, because they know of no other customer in their area who loves the brand more. Over the years I've written a number of complimentary letters to Saturn's head office and our local group owner re: our dealer and salespeople. I could go on and on. So nobody lecture me about not liking Saturn.

That being said....am I pissed off...you bet I am.

I'm mad because like most of you I've watched as GM pissed away a great brand. Marx404...I not only read the famous "Jill letter" the day it came out... I watched her dealer video hookup as well and I think the odds of it working are slim. That doesn't mean I don't want it to...it means I'm not very confident. BTW...I also think Jill's quote about it being "an exciting time" is an insult to anyone's intelligence.

On a personal note: The real irony here is I've been prepared to drop up to $30,000.00 cash on a 5th Saturn (this time an Aura) for a couple of months and now...like many....I weigh the obvious pros and cons. Thank you Rick Wagoner.

[melmar1999]

Railguy7,

If all saturn customers had your loyalty, Saturn would not be in the state that it is right now. Customers would of stayed by the dealer in thick and thin. I understand your concern, where I am going to purchase my first saturn soon. You sound like the ideal customer for a salesperson, if every salesperson had 50 of you, they would never have to pickup the phone for business. Referrals and good positive mojo, is what you exemplify. Thanks for your honesty, and I have the feeling you are probably the most loyal. Don't pay attention to any negativity from others.

[marx404]

Originally Posted by cdp326

Yes, the OWNERS got that, the people that ALREADY own Saturns.

What about shoppers/consumers that don't already own Saturns? I think THAT'S what his "rant" was about.

If that was what he meant, that was NOT what he explicitly wrote. I am not a mind reader. I will only reply to the exact verbiage that someone wrote and I found his wording to be suspiciously negative.

Its been a few days since GM announced their future plans (or lack of)
for Saturn.

Lack of? GM clearly stated that they will continue the Saturn brand until 2011 and that if Saturn doesnt spin-off they will close it. After this announcement, which I may point out your post was on 02/20, two days after Charlie posted that Saturn WILL be attempting a spin off.

I'm interested in how its affecting your showroom? Have sales completely tanked ?

I have answered this in even more detail below.

We all tend to sit here and pontificate but let's hear from the people closest to this mess ... the ones who are feeling the uncertainty everyday for real.

This is where you truly lost me. Are you speculating that we are "feeling the uncertainty everyday"? Again, my reply about this is below.


railguy, it is very obvious that as we are from different countries there many be a slight language difference, albeit we both are fluent in english language. That is - unless your words above somehow were not typed by you. I clearly know how to read.

In my last reply, I actually quoted and highlighted your words, not mine, yours. I am not by any means some kind of Saturn COP, LOL. But if you meant something other than what your exact words you wrote in the OP I apologize for having my amazing mind-reading capabilities not working properly.

I apologise also for coming on so strong. If you truly have been associating with Saturn consultants you would also be pissed at having to read all the negative BS too as I am.
YOU would be concerned every time you read such words and wonder"now what?", "is this guy for real, or is he just another hater in sheep's clothing"?

YOU would wonder "what does the average person think when they read these words? Is Saturn dead because that's all this guy keeps bringing up". And if you truly have befriended any Saturn employees, you would be thinking "gee, every time someone is car shopping and reads all the garbage and speculation on SaturnFans, thats one less potential customer", then you would already have your answer.

Your last post was heartfelt and your support IS appreciated. As anyone can do by simply clicking on someones post name and track their most recent posts; if you take a look, your most recent posts have not been in the same mannerism as your last reply. You or anyone else are most welcome to browse my past posts all you wish, I have been both pro-and anti-corporate, I am candid but have never ever misled anyone nor used verbiage that would lead others away or against Saturn.

If by "tanked" you meant slowed down, yes, sales everywhere, every brand have slowed down. I suggest visiting other dealerships and seeing how they are doing to compare, it is not pretty out there, but we are hopeful and getting by.

Again, if there is some kind of language barrier, I do apologize.

[marx404]

Let me also add this...

There is a Difference...

Between asking:

How's your Grandma feeling?

and

Is your Grandma dead yet?

(no matter how much you say you love Grandma, there is just no couth way to say the latter)

[railguy7]

Marx404... I realize you've really worked hard to understand my simple question. Its okay ...don't worry about it... I've received numerous private messages from salespeople who are answering my post.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by marx404

If that was what he meant, that was NOT what he explicitly wrote. I am not a mind reader. I will only reply to the exact verbiage that someone wrote and I found his wording to be suspiciously negative.

I don't want to argue or anything, I just want to say that I really don't see him as trying to trick you with vague words or anything. He said consumer's mind, not owner's mind. Consumer/shopper/buyer, and so on. I think it's just a matter of not catching it, but I really don't see him as putting anything down negatively, and what he's asking/asked is a perfectly good question too.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by cdp326

I don't want to argue or anything, I just want to say that I really don't see him as trying to trick you with vague words or anything. He said consumer's mind, not owner's mind. Consumer/shopper/buyer, and so on. I think it's just a matter of not catching it, but I really don't see him as putting anything down negatively, and what he's asking/asked is a perfectly good question too.

Marx404 will call anything posted as being negative if it doesn't contain his "Saturn will be around forever because I say so" theme.

[mdcrabbie]

marx404 really needs to chill. Maybe he should consider a carreer change....to attonery as he seems to like to argue.

[marx404]

Originally Posted by cdp326

I don't want to argue or anything, I just want to say that I really don't see him as trying to trick you with vague words or anything. He said consumer's mind, not owner's mind. Consumer/shopper/buyer, and so on. I think it's just a matter of not catching it, but I really don't see him as putting anything down negatively, and what he's asking/asked is a perfectly good question too.

And I'm not arguing either, just stating my point of how I saw it written, if noone can understand what I am saying then sorry.

As I said, my bad if I misunderstood what he really meant to write.. I did not know that the "operative word" of the whole OP was "consumer's mind" I was too busy reading the other words like:

lack of, tanked and uncertainty. Nevermind then. *yawn*

Is your Grandma dead yet? :-)