Did You Bring Protection?

Usually, when you make a pricey purchased you are asked a few questions by your salesperson.  One of these questions are, "Would you like to buy our extended protection plan?" The answer should be a firm, "No." The word "Extended" means that the product you are buying already has a manufacturer warranty.  Typically once that warranty from the manufacturer has expired the product has paid for itself, and you are likely not to have problems with it for the life of the item. 

In the world of Car Rental coverage can get tricky. Do you really need to buy coverage from your rental company. First, this goes back to research, don't get taken for a ride at the rental counter because you didn't make a simple phone call.  Call your insurance provider! Tell them you are going to rent a car and ask them if it would be covered. Ask them what kind of car would be covered, and finally ask them if they would pay for Loss Of Use and Down Time. These are crucial questions to ask your insurance agent. Renting a car can be much like playing Russian Roulette. 

STAY INFORMED! If there is any doubt about being covered while renting, purchase the rental company's coverage! If you are following the rules of the road and follow the rules of the rental company, the coverage will work strongly in your favor. Also, it can keep your premiums and deductibles from going up with your own insurance if something does happen to your rental vehicle. Overall, it comes down to a simple yet hard to answer question. Do I need the coverage? When purchasing products in a store, it is a huge waste of money. At the rental counter it could save you tons! So call your insurance provider before getting ripped off at a rental counter. Or you can help my bonus check out if you are feeling charitable.  

RESEARCH!

First and foremost, do not step foot into a retail store (or anywhere that has commissioned sales people) without first knowing what you are after.  Major purchases are a big deal for most. I really like when a customer walks in without a reservation.

This person is not going to leave the rental lot without paying double what the actual vehicle costs.  Usually i will also get this person to buy the coverage on the rental.  That means I stand to make at least $200 off this person for a three to four day rental.  This money-making opportunity is based off a lack of customer knowledge.  They don't know what the car actually costs, and we are allowed to make our own prices.  Again, this process of making money and putting the customer at a loss is because I NEED to make money or it's my job.  When a customer says that they looked up the prices online and, "That seems higher than it should be."  I tell them, "well, that is our online pricing and based on the availability this is the lowest I can offer the vehicle."  Now, sometimes this works and the person will take my price and make me a little money.  The smart customer however will leave, book the car online and come back with a smile on their face because they didn't get boned.

Browsing is a good idea, but do not ever just stroll into a store and not expect to get rolled by a salesperson.  We love the casual customer.  We watch what you drive and how you dress and can immediately tell if we are going to make a fat commission check off you.

You may be thinking to yourself... no shit, but I myself have fallen victim to this problem.  The problem of buying something without fully knowing all the product details.  Every salesperson is going to tell you that all of the products he/she sells are a good buy.  Browse the store and pick out a few models that you like, look up consumer reports on the product.  You could be surprised.  The point of this is do your research! it can stop most of us salespeople from trying to rip you off.  However we will do our best to find a way.    

Introduction!

This is my first ever post on a blog of any kind.  The premise of this blog is to help average consumers (as most of us are) avoid the pitfalls of salespeople and their tactics alike.

I am an employee of a certain multi-national car rental company.  My job is to get people to spend astounding amounts of money on things and intangible items that they do not need.  I am also good at getting people to open their wallets and pour out the contents for a rental car and its "necessary" ancillary products.  Keep in mind that my customers do not even get to own any products that they purchase.  All the products I sell are either one-time use or under temporary ownership for the time of that rental.  I pull in thousands of dollars in revenue each month for this company, and the only reason I care is for the bonus check at the end of the month.

When it comes to sales it's you or me.  If I don't keep my sales up, I get canned.  This makes me, and many other commissioned salespeople, not the least bit compassionate for the people or problems that come through the door.

As a salesperson, we are pumped full of ways to get you to say yes.  It is ingrained in us from day one.  A magician never shows you how it's done, and a salesman will never tell you how he screwed you.  It is our job to make you feel good about buying crap you don't need.  I want to help you avoid the trouble and have the upper-hand in a high pressure situation.