Comments on: If by warm memories you mean swearing and pipe-smoking

By: emilie

emilie — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:11:26 +0000

As I wipe the tears from my eyes and massage my cheeks back into a relaxed mode, I want so very much to thank you from the bottom of my worried heart and mind, for the joy and laughter your words help me sustain for a much needed moment of brilliance in rough times. You are truly gifted.

By: Ilhana, Bosnia

Ilhana, Bosnia — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:16:05 +0000

Aww Jack, great story once again! Just a thing to brighten up a cold November morning, while working and trying to remain calm and relaxed! You should really have your own show or something!

Greets from Bosnia!

By: Julie San Diego, CA

Julie San Diego, CA — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:06:33 +0000

“don’t even f—ing try it, pal”

I love it. Reminds me of car shopping with my dad. Ed was a former mechanic, meaning he had a license to swear and his progeny (that would be me, my brother, and my sister) knew every swear word by the time we were two.

I didn't know the meaning of some of those words until I got married, but that's another story.

For Ed, buying a car was of an importance on par with negotiating a Middle East peace treaty and he was in his element. By the time we got down to the floor mat negotiations, I was ready to die of embarrassment because at this point, the salesman would do anything to get Ed out of the door. I think some of those guys lost money on those transactions.

Over the years, my husband and I have learned a lot about buying cars. We've gone with the Good Cop/Bad Cop approach. When it comes time to negotiate the little stuff like the floormats, my husband plays the good guy and I let the salesman know that I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm premenstrual. Then I start walking for the door.

Papers are usually signed within 10 minutes.

By: jill

jill — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:42:44 +0000

Jack .... very entertaining!! I always enjoy your posts!! The mere thought of buying a car puts a pit in my stomach .... I'm not big on negotiating!! Next time I have to do it, I'll imagine Bumpy sitting along side me.

Thanks for laughs!!

By: pati mc., camp hill, pa

pati mc., camp hill, pa — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:11:11 +0000

Classic! Just classic. I love it and you brought back many fond memories of my Grabdfather. OMG if I ever start telling those stories you will ban me from the blog. Heh heh.

I think Bumpy is awesome Jack. We have stuff in common. I also argue over floormats – you are spending over $20K and they expect me to pay $80 – $100 for the floormats? No way Herman! I also make them remove any indication of their name from the car. Even the license plate frame. You go Bumpy! Into this brave night!

Thanks Jack, I needed this!

By: Ellen, Las Vegas, NV

Ellen, Las Vegas, NV — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:55:24 +0000

Both my parents and my husband were huge Ford and Chrysler fans, that was till they saw the news segment on how much an autoworker makes in Detroit. Bumpy is alot like my mother when it comes to cars..your story is hilarious! As for the bailout, I was shocked to find out how much autoworkers make ($75 hr) for building unreliable, poor quality, not worth your time or money cars that no one wants to buy. We have 2 newer Dodges that are nightmares and a Ford which is company issued. We will never purchase a Dodge or Ford ever again, they are terrible cars. My son loves his Acura (made by Honda) & I love my BMW. I would rather buy QUALITY vehicles from now on rather than deal with the repair nightmares we have had with Dodge & Ford. $75 hr for poor quality vehicles....Let them go out of business! England went through a similar Auto crisis with the automakers of "Triump" remember those zippy little sportscars? The US should learn from their mistake, a bailout "Loan" would be a huge mistake.

By: Don, WA

Don, WA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:57:56 +0000

I liked this story. I think the funniest yet.
My parents and grandparents immigrated from germany – so my gf's were called "Opa." Car buying was german engineering only with them – and was painfully methodic and well planned – either of them could build a diesel engine from scratch – "I hear a subtle "tink" in the cylender 3 piston rod elbow joint bolt fitting", or something like that they would say to the salesman who's shoulders would then slump – and then perk up again when "opa" would then say, "I can fix that."

By: missy

missy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:55:21 +0000

Jack, has Sammy met Triumph the comic dog?

By: Melissa, Los Angeles

Melissa, Los Angeles — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:13:34 +0000

Wish I had a Bumpy around when I bought my first car (what a learning experience that was). You are very fortunate to have known your grandfather – I never got to know either sets of grandparents.

My new weapon next time I buy a car will be my mathmatician friend – he'll let me know exactly how much I'll be paying when it's all said and done. No more fancy math puzzles to figure out regarding how much the true payment is.

By: Tammy, Berwick. LA

Tammy, Berwick. LA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:38:10 +0000

My Dad's grandkids call him "Grumpy", and man does it fit when it comes to any salesman or real estate agent. Oddly, I've never negotiated for a car or piece of real estate in my life. Dad's always handled it. Curse of being a spoiled Southern girl.

And the "Big Three" need to just take their lumps like everyone else, regroup, and figure out how to create the amazing cars they used to make so long ago the physical proof is considered a classic.

By: Joy, Fort Gordon, Georgia

Joy, Fort Gordon, Georgia — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:09:05 +0000

Funny story, in my household I'm the bumby only I am female and only thirty and weigh barely over a hundred pounds and stand at 5 foot 1, but every car my husband and I have purchased I have been the ridiculous hard a** the sales people have to get through in order for them to make a sale. It is funny because every sales person talks to my husband directly and they only look at me when referring to the "features" and the color as if they is all that matters, but when it gets down to it my husband looks at them and says you got to talk to her because she is the one who will make the ultimate decision believe me I have no say in this buddy. Thus begins the wealing and dealing in which I end up tearing the guys in finance apart.

By: gail

gail — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:02:33 +0000

Makes me think of Papaw in East TN back in the 70's. He drove a 1960-something Corvair. No pipe though. Man, could he drive a hard bargain. He was a mechanic so he knew how much it cost to fix a "not so new" car and could read a saleman chapter & verse.

Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.

(RIP Papaw, Granny, Momma & Daddy)

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:02:28 +0000

Happy afternoon Jack,
So far away from me, so far, Jack, old is gold. I love classic Bumpy, he is really class, he did the hard job, then he let his wife to choose the color, what I really like more is that he want you to learn the technique, Jack do you use the same technique nowadays, check out e-bay. Yes let admit there is gender difference in buying car, we women care more of the design and color of the car and men really knows ins and outs of the car and they know what horse and engine mean. If women get the chance to change their car, they might do it annually. However, some men regard their car as a wife and think million of times before they sale it.
Have a lovely night.

By: Blanca, Toronto, Canada

Blanca, Toronto, Canada — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:20:16 +0000

Great work, keep it coming. Truly hilarious.

By: Theresa, Nickerson Ks

Theresa, Nickerson Ks — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:13:07 +0000

Brought back great memories of my Papa, rest his soul.

I'm with whomever stated earlier to let the big 3 fall and reorganize so we can continue to build memories of buying quality, American made products.

By: Pamina

Pamina — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:41:04 +0000

Wow! So you went shopping with a "Bumpy" too!

By: Alex (Aliso Viejo, Ca)

Alex (Aliso Viejo, Ca) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:58:43 +0000

Love it!

By: Jennifer - Michigan

Jennifer - Michigan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:35:02 +0000

Hi Jack, I have to agree with Joanne and Annie Kate – It was a bear trying to negotiate a competitive price with those salesmen being a girl! I walked out on so many deals – very seldom was I able to successfully haggle – maybe once out of 10 tries. So, from now on, I call on a male to do the haggling for me – works much better, believe it or not! I know, it’s crazy, in this day and age.
Anyhow, great blog, funny story about your Grandpa (Bumpy) – very cute. I never knew the love of a Grandparent – consider yourself lucky to have him. Hope you have a great day, I look forward to your next post.....till next time.

By: Missy

Missy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:22:37 +0000

Jack, if I can see a picture of you to see if you look like your grandfather that would be great. (Uh-hummmm, no webcast here equals not knowing what you look like still, thank you).

I used to cringe at the way my father used to bargain with salespeople.

By: Mary V., Salt Lake City, UT

Mary V., Salt Lake City, UT — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:15:22 +0000

Indeed, I see a lot of my husband in this man! My husband will do all the research, check out every price, every last detail. We, however, own foreign vehicles: an Audi wagon and a Toyota truck. We are loyal customers of Honda & Toyota. They retain their value, they are quality. I hope one day to be able to say the same about our American vehicles.