Verwendete Autoverkäufer

I've been toying with the idea of buying a used BMW 540i recently, and I've actually spent a lot of time doing research. Well, today I was at a "big tent" sale in the parking lot of the local Kmart. I really did not expect to find what I was looking for. The impetus was really to see if the serialized flyer I received in the mail was my ticket to a "fabulous prize".

I was greeted in the tent by a salesman named Rod. Rod immediately asked me if I was ready to buy a car. I told him I wanted to know what fabulous prize I won first. Rod told me that I was supposed to win a $1,000 shopping spree, but they gave all of those away. He proceeded to explain that I didn't really want the $1,000 shopping spree because it was online, and I would have to pay shipping for any items purchased. He assured me I would prefer the alternate prize. The alternate prize was a vacation package for 3 days and 2 nights to one of several resorts. After reading the fine print, it was clear that taxes and surcharges would end up costing me too much to have this vacation really qualify as a prize. That really was no surprise.

Rod asked what I was looking for. I said I wanted a BMW 540i, preferably a model from 2001 to 2003. He said he had no BMWs, but he did have an Audi A4 that was "loaded" with "low miles". I was sure his next description would include the words "cream puff", but he followed up with "it runs like a dream". I explained that there is a world of difference between a BMW 540i and an Audi A4. Rod refutted my claim by stating that the Audi A4 was the result of solid German engineering. He then stated that "the Audis pretty much come off the same assembly line as the BMWs."

I wanted to explain to Rod that Audi and BMW were not affiliated with each other. In fact, Audi and BMW are rivals. But how could I explain this without hurting Rod's feelings? After all, I do not make my living in the car business, and Rod is supposed to be an expert. I had to choose my words carefully. I had to have the right combination of tact and sensitivity. I looked at Rod, bit my lower lip in Bill Clinton fashion, and said, "You are a jackass." And I walked away.