I was traveling with a new sale rep at the company. We were driving his 2001 Suburban back from a sales call. He tells me, "If I had a BMW or Mercedes, I'd never drive that car to a customer visit." He went on to say that it doesn't give a good impression to show up with a fancy luxury car.

I'm in the software/services business and wondering after that comment if I should be driving my Lexus to customer visits. This guy also tells me that some companies have policies that specify what type of car the car allowance should go to. Probably an Impala or Ford 500 or something crappy.

Anyone else have the same issue? I considering selling my LS and getting something more toned down in order to keep from offending my prospects or clients. Is this silly?

 

It's a valid question, but it can work both ways. Middle-of-the-road, me-too car can say middle-of-the-road, me-too product/service from the driver. I usually like to see that someone I'm trusting my business to is successful enough not to have to drive a Geo or a $4500 Taurus. On the other hand, I don't want to think that they are ripping me off to pay for their luxuries. So, it depends upon more than just what kind of car you're driving. If your product/service offers real value to your customer/client, then I think the Lexus could be a benefit. If you're selling a commodity, then the Lexus might *possibly* be a liability. Generally speaking, I'd say in most cases it would not be a liability, particularly if your product/service is price-competitive against the competition.

 

yeah i also heard it's policies for some policies, basically at times you wanna stay low key

 

DD - My #1 reason for bailing on my 2003 MB E500 was the reliability. But there was more than one time I caught some grief from customers when they saw my car or it came up in conversation. Mr. Turbo's comments are right on - I used to reply to a customer comment in a similar way. I think the LS is fine - pull up in an S500 or a 745Li and you may get a different reaction.

I always tell them I have a wife that loves me very much and has a good job. Most of them know I'm kind of a car nut so they expect me to have a nice car. Keep driving!!

Bruce

 

I'm in the land development business. If I'm buying, I drive my Excursion, and if I'm selling I drive the LS430.

I want the seller to feel I can do the deal, but don't have money to burn, and I prefer that a buyer feels it isn't gong to bother me to pass on his lowball offer.

Works for me.

Frank

 

This sounds tough for you brother. I don't want to tell you what to do but do want to offer you some support. You should do what you feel in your heart is best for your business. Possibly buying a $5,000 car from an auction just to do business in could be fine. It's a double edge sword when you talk about human reaction to percieved wealth or riches. Some people want to do business with others who have a nice car showing visually without seeing there bank statements that there doing well or good with money. Though this can be smoke and mirrors most belive nice car, then nice money. Then there are those of us who belive a deal is in the content of the deal, not the car the deal maker pulls up in. Your car could be a Ford500(I think there nice) or a Benz, it wouldn't matter only the business at hand. The true question for me is what do you think will make you and your potential clients more comfortable. Again like I said when I started this post your in a tuff situation. At the end of the day you can't please everybody anyway so just do your best and GOD will make a way regardless of those who are jealous of your car. Make no mistake part of the negativity we all probably get is out of jealousy, not business conversation. Me myself I deal with all types of people in the music industry and a car is not even a topic for haters to use to get under your skin. Just do you and whats best for your business. If that means a new lower priced car, do it. Just don't expect a 100% approval from people, were so flawed. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

 

I never realized how refreshing it is to read a thread without someone discussing a ricer modification or what type of wheels they have.

I guess this forum still has hope !!!

 

Well said!!!!!!!

 

I'm flattered. I'm also a 32 y.o. software manager focused on my professinal career and family.

My car is great, but I'm not about to turn it into a NOPI car anytime this lifetime.

I'll admit some modded cars are tastefully done, but that's not what keeps me on this board. Its the thought that other people on the forum are genuinely trying to help answer questions and make candid comments. That's what is really cool about it here. So, when I've got a technical issue or even a personal (somewhat personal) I can post and see what other think. It helps get other sides of the story.

Cheers, and stick around, and contribute when you deem appropriate.

-Damon

 

Own a LS4, RX3, and 01' Corolla...drive the Corolla when "need be" and feel no way b/c it's a "universal" car. In the end one thing Toyota and Lexus have in common is quality and reliability and gives you the option to work in well in "another day, another dollar society.

 

To me, I view it based on how certain clients preceive the type of business. If client "A" is typically picked up in a stretch or similar chauffeur driven car, a BMW, Benze or Lexus is not out of place. If you are picking up a machine shop parts supplier, an Explorer or Expedition may be suitable. A car is a business tool that can be matched to the task at hand as well as mis-matched.

One buddy does POS for smaller retail shops and his company provides a Taurus or probably now a Ford 500. Wife's friend negotiates $250K+ contracts so they use a BMW 7, Benze S or Lexus LS for those meetings. A peanut grower we know drives a well equipped Dodge 4X. All these are quite successful in their own area and they could all be driving Benze S if they wanted but it wouldn't quite have the same image.

YMMV

 

.....let me chime in with my 0.02!! ....I just turned 32 years old as well, and am a Mortgage Broker. I usually travel to my clients homes (A significant portion of my business tends to come from Middle class / lower middle class or somewhat low income people)....so I use a 2-pronged strategy. When I visit my clients for the first time, I usually take my LS, but on a couple of the subsequent visits I take my Geo Metro!!!....This way the client knows I'm successful enough to handle their business, but at the same time they can also feel comfortable that I'm a "down-to-earth" person that they can relate to, and who will not rip them off. Always seems to work!! .....However, it's not all just A SHOW!! Even in actual practice, I hold myself to the highest levels of ethics, honesty and integrity, which has helped generate a ton of REPEAT business as well as a ton of REFERRALS through loyal past customers. TRUST is a very important factor in business, which goes a REEEAAALLY long way. I've learned this through experience.

.....and BTW, that dog in your side view mirror is sooooo cute!!!

 

I think we're adding a lot of confusion to a simple issue.

Facts:
1. Outward things make impressions of inward things. In other words, people WILL judge you, either intentionally or not, on how you dress, what you drive and how you present yourself, among other factors. Everyone does it whether they know it or not and few people will tell you the truth about it.
2. You know who you are better than anyone, so you and you alone are the best judge of how to present yourself to the world.
3. People come with expectations and you'd better meet them if you want to be successful.

All the above members have spoken the truth and provided very valuable insight, yet the water has become more (not less) cloudy for you, I would think, since no clear answers have been given. So you tell me if this helps any...

Ask yourself three questions and it will determine what car you should drive to meet your customers.
1. What car fits me and presents the truest image of me, who I am and what I'm about?
You see, people will have a problem with you if something seems out of place. They'll ask "why is this guy driving a _______ when he belongs in a _________?"
2. What do my customers drive?
If they're driving 8 year old Camrys and you show up in an ultra luxury car, will they feel like the poor cousin or will they admire your success? It's a risk and maybe not worth taking. If they seem to drive nicer cars, then you probably want to be in the same ballpark. All this would be a bigger question if you were driving a car that people buy for status, like a Mercedes or a BMW. But in your Lexus, you might be relatively safe.
3. What would my customers expect ME to be driving?
Like the one guy was saying, it all depends on what people expect out of you! I wouldn't go to a doctor that drove a Toyota Corolla, but I surely wouldn't buy a Corolla from a guy driving a Mercedes!

I've been in sales and the public eye for 20 years now and I can give you a simple answer, if that's all you want. I, personally, wouldn't show up in my LS430 to meet with my client or customer on the first visit, unless I expected them to be driving a similar vehicle. A GS, an IS or an ES... absolutely! A middle line car is surely your safest bet in most cases. But when in doubt, the above three questions should make your decision sure and will never steer you wrong.