I'm venting here...am I the only one?
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 16
From: Southeast Michigan
If I were your customer and say you pulling into the parking lot with a loud and rowdy S197 GT, I'd know that this Mustang driver/sales person was going to be a cut above the rest. If you had a blower and purged some NOS for effect, that would be icing on the cake.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 16, 2007
Posts: 621
Likes: 12
From: Hagerstown, MD
your car is YOUR car not his. one thing i hate is when they try and control you when its your personal stuff they are trying to control. of course sales requires your "appearance" and is based off of that, (which the world is based off of now adays) and i believe its wrong. if you were selling something to me and i saw that you respected what you drive and have pride in what you own because YOU bought it, and you were good at your job, i would tend to trust you more than someone coming in driving the "status" car and throwing me a bunch of BS so they could aford their expensive fake life. doesnt work with me! honesty pays with me, ive found you cant judge a book by its cover. nice ride!!! keep it that way.
I lust for a M24
Joined: November 6, 2004
Posts: 7,042
Likes: 4
From: Football HOF, Canton OH
For what it's worth, no, you are not alone. I didn't take a sales job because during the hiring process I was told I would need a more 'professional' vehicle than my new (at the time) Jeep Wrangler.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
salesguy gets out and you just hand him the credit card lol
Cobra Member
Joined: May 11, 2004
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
I see both sides of the argument, since image is important element to sales. It really is an unfortunate situation, since he's not a car enthusiast and is either jealous, overly conservative, or both, and wants to convey a conservative image to the public. The next time he brings the subject up I'd just emphasize with him and say the Mustang is your only ride, a respite and a hobby that you enjoy, and that you can not afford to purchase another car to make sales calls and leave it at that. Hopefully he'll get over it and recognize your sales ability instead of ragging on your nice car.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 1
I would say that your Mustang might help you make sales! Anything that can put you and your Company above the rest will help sales. I know that mine has increaed my status among my co-workers. Everybody is like "nice car!" 
Present it to your boss in that light, and the next thing you know, you'll have him paying for mods!
Present it to your boss in that light, and the next thing you know, you'll have him paying for mods!
Just thought I would post to vent a bit. Twice now, my boss has given me a hard time about my ride. I do "outside sales" for the End User Market of my company (Low voltage system integration, such as Surveillance equipment, Fire Alarm, Intrusion, Pro Audio System, etc...) My customer base is all commercial, and covers a 100 mile radius of my town. He has stated that my car may be a detriment while working. It is required that I drive my personal car for work, and I am reimbursed mileage. First, let me state that I exceeded sales quota last year while driving it. He brought this new idea forward duing my review that it looked "like a show car" and that I should not add anything additional to the exterior. Yesterday, he said that it was too loud and that I needed to "watch it" when pulling out because it was too loud and would give negative aspect to customers...
I was never told that there would be "stipulations" to my personal vehicle other than it must have insurance and I would be responsibile for all maintanence issues. I suggested that if he felt that my personal vehicle would be "inapproprate" for work, that the Company provide me with a vehicle (not that I think this would happen, but seemed a solution).
I'm sure you all are with me on the aspect that my car is an important part of my life, and I enjoy every day I get behind with wheel. I do keep it clean and looking good but it is my hobby now and I dislike the idea that I do not have the option to add or do whatever I wish to my ride...
Ok...end vent. Thanks for listening...
I was never told that there would be "stipulations" to my personal vehicle other than it must have insurance and I would be responsibile for all maintanence issues. I suggested that if he felt that my personal vehicle would be "inapproprate" for work, that the Company provide me with a vehicle (not that I think this would happen, but seemed a solution).
I'm sure you all are with me on the aspect that my car is an important part of my life, and I enjoy every day I get behind with wheel. I do keep it clean and looking good but it is my hobby now and I dislike the idea that I do not have the option to add or do whatever I wish to my ride...
Ok...end vent. Thanks for listening...
And how can he complaing about your car affecting your job if you exceed your sales quota?
Mach 1 Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 1
From: Chandler, AZ
Yay Capitalism. This is just a fact of life, it's sales, something you have to deal with. Look at it from a customers perspective, if you drove up in a Bently GT, you might have a hard time talking your customer out of asking for discounts. Kind of the same thing here, if your car is flashy, you give off the impression that you have money growing on trees and that you bought this useless, non-professional vehicle just because you make so much money off of your customers that you have a ton to blow on parts, go fast goodies, etc.
While I think it could have been portrayed to you differently, I don't think your boss was telling you this because he's an ***, he's jealous, etc. It's a fact of life in sales, you have to be sensible and professional without being flashy. If the car salesman was wearing a Rolex and a $1,200 Armani suit, you'd probably feel a little jaded that you couldn't get a better than MSRP deal, after all, the guy is clearly doing well for himself. It's the same principle. It sucks, it's not fair, perception is reality and your customers have the money. If you want some (which you do) then you have to play the game. If you're making your numbers, that's great. But if you have other customers who come into your building and may see you leaving in a cloud of tire smoke, then you might be negatively affecting your co-workers.
With that said, my boss told me the same type of thing (I'm not in sales however) and I still drive mine.
While I think it could have been portrayed to you differently, I don't think your boss was telling you this because he's an ***, he's jealous, etc. It's a fact of life in sales, you have to be sensible and professional without being flashy. If the car salesman was wearing a Rolex and a $1,200 Armani suit, you'd probably feel a little jaded that you couldn't get a better than MSRP deal, after all, the guy is clearly doing well for himself. It's the same principle. It sucks, it's not fair, perception is reality and your customers have the money. If you want some (which you do) then you have to play the game. If you're making your numbers, that's great. But if you have other customers who come into your building and may see you leaving in a cloud of tire smoke, then you might be negatively affecting your co-workers.
With that said, my boss told me the same type of thing (I'm not in sales however) and I still drive mine.
Super Boss Lawman Member
Joined: January 17, 2006
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 3
From: Temecula,CA
He is most likely jealous and paranoid. I see both sides to this though. I could see if you had to drive customers around but its nothing like that so I don't see a problem with you using your mustang...
Team Mustang Source
Joined: September 16, 2005
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 2
From: Yatta-Abba, AL
Did you ever tell him your sales are up at the top because of the presence you make at the sales call. Car included. And, maybe he should get a fleet deal on more Mustangs for the rest of the staff, too.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 24, 2005
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Well, I've also been asked by my employer to be more quiet because we have a call center in part of our building and driving past with my O/R H plus Magna Packs was pretty loud. That part is a reasonable request. However, I the style of your vehicle is not reasonable.
I would start parking further away from the building and just keep quiet about any future mods you make to the car.
I would start parking further away from the building and just keep quiet about any future mods you make to the car.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: June 19, 2004
Posts: 6,840
Likes: 2
From: Phoenixville, PA
Hey bud, he's just a jealous, control freak a-hole, and I wouldn't let it bother you. What you could do, to really help your case, is ask the customers you are on a friendly basis with, and ask them casually, "do you have a problem with my car"? If they say why, tell them the honest truth, that your boss says your car isn't professional enough. I bet they would be on your side. I know I would rather buy a product from someone who is an enthusiast like myself vs some pencil pusher.
While I'm in a sales job too, and I know for a 100% fact that owning a new Mustang GT has helped me sell more Mustangs than alot of other dealers around my area. Its gotten me known around the area, and people know who to ask for, as they usually see my car at the local cruise nights/car shows.
I wouldn't sweat it. If he would fire you (heaven forbit), you have a great case for wrongful termination, with your sales numbers as high as they are. Keep your head up and the car rolling!!
While I'm in a sales job too, and I know for a 100% fact that owning a new Mustang GT has helped me sell more Mustangs than alot of other dealers around my area. Its gotten me known around the area, and people know who to ask for, as they usually see my car at the local cruise nights/car shows.
I wouldn't sweat it. If he would fire you (heaven forbit), you have a great case for wrongful termination, with your sales numbers as high as they are. Keep your head up and the car rolling!!
Thread Starter
Mach 1 Member
Joined: November 30, 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, Missouri
Thanks guys...I feel better now... 
Actually he is a decent guy, and I think means well. He just does not understand my kinship with my ride. He does not have a ride...he has transportation...
As to asking Customers their opinions, one of my biggest repeat clients did the custom paint on the hood, rear wing, and louvers...
plus he is rebuilding a legend lime with gold stripe '68
The thing is I'm in a note with 3.5 years left to pay. I have no inclination to sell it, so he best get used to it or be able to prove that it is a detriment to my station.
Whatever else it may do ...IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD WHILE IN IT, and that is a big part of Sales...if you are in a good state of mind, Sales is easy... and I think my Mustang helps
Actually he is a decent guy, and I think means well. He just does not understand my kinship with my ride. He does not have a ride...he has transportation...
As to asking Customers their opinions, one of my biggest repeat clients did the custom paint on the hood, rear wing, and louvers...
plus he is rebuilding a legend lime with gold stripe '68
The thing is I'm in a note with 3.5 years left to pay. I have no inclination to sell it, so he best get used to it or be able to prove that it is a detriment to my station.
Whatever else it may do ...IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD WHILE IN IT, and that is a big part of Sales...if you are in a good state of mind, Sales is easy... and I think my Mustang helps
Last edited by Mach; Mar 14, 2008 at 03:56 PM.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 18, 2004
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 143
From: Virginia
He's your boss, so even when you think he is being weird, he deserves your respect. That is always a tough one to swallow. Just continue to be respectful to him. You already understand the basic issue: he has transportation. Just not a car guy. My best friend is the same way.
You do unquestionably have the right within the law to mod your car as your please. Go easy on the hole shots at work
If you pulled up at my work, I'd be thinking, "Now this is someone I can talk with!" Of course, I admit to a slight bias in that regard. . .
You do unquestionably have the right within the law to mod your car as your please. Go easy on the hole shots at work
If you pulled up at my work, I'd be thinking, "Now this is someone I can talk with!" Of course, I admit to a slight bias in that regard. . .
