What are you wearing???

[Todd King]

Actually brings up another good question. I recently switched from a company where I mett almost all my clients in the office, so the car I drove never came up. Now that I'll be driving to all appts, do any of you seasoned FE peeps have an opinion on if my current ride will be detrimental, or actually helpful.

I'm not one that feels the need to drive the latest luxury car. when considering a car purchase for my Wife almost two years ago, my neighbor's Grandma died, so he pulled up one day in a mint 1998 Mercury Marquis, Landau top, fully loaded, all leather, with only 80,000 original miles. The thing's in excellent condition, except the landau vinyl is a little faded. No dents or rust. I love driving this car, and my opinion is the type of folks I'd meet selling FE would probably love the car, or at least not look down on the fact I'm driving a 20 year old car. Am I wrong? Should I swap this out for something more up to date?

If you like driving it then that is a plus. Go with it. You'll still have a "nice" ride.

 

[shonceman]

Yes, I just turned fifty. Sage advice. Thanks!

p.s.- I lived in Tampa many years ago and we had to wear at least a dress shirt and tie. So hot and humid in the summer that many guys would pack an extra shirt for the afternoon.

I was in training with MetLife in July 1990. Their training center for our region was in Tampa. I had just moved from Phoenix. I thought Phoenix had the worst summers. I was wrong.

I had moved to Virginia Beach, VA, which also has oppressive humidity in the summer. I worked a rural debit, but one day a week I was very near the boardwalk area. So I kept swimming trunks in the car and mid-afternoon I drove to the beach and spent 30 minutes in the surf. Then I was ready to go back to work.

I always kept deodorant in the car for frequent use. An extra shirt would have been a good idea. It was during those days my wife commented that a tie in the hot summer was kind of dumb, and I agreed. And even though I'm wearing a tie most days now, I'll be back in dockers & polo shirt once the Texas heat kicks in!

 

[rousemark]

Actually brings up another good question. I recently switched from a company where I mett almost all my clients in the office, so the car I drove never came up. Now that I'll be driving to all appts, do any of you seasoned FE peeps have an opinion on if my current ride will be detrimental, or actually helpful.

I'm not one that feels the need to drive the latest luxury car. when considering a car purchase for my Wife almost two years ago, my neighbor's Grandma died, so he pulled up one day in a mint 1998 Mercury Marquis, Landau top, fully loaded, all leather, with only 80,000 original miles. The thing's in excellent condition, except the landau vinyl is a little faded. No dents or rust. I love driving this car, and my opinion is the type of folks I'd meet selling FE would probably love the car, or at least not look down on the fact I'm driving a 20 year old car. Am I wrong? Should I swap this out for something more up to date?

I drive a ten year old Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup with a bed cover.. Others on here have said they drive everything from a classic car to a luxury car. Don't think it makes any difference. One of the biggest hitters drives a Kia Soul..

 

[shonceman]

I drive a ten year old Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup with a bed cover.. Others on here have said they drive everything from a classic car to a luxury car. Don't think it makes any difference. One of the biggest hitters drives a Kia Soul..

The only time my car has made a difference is when it was a beater. When I started over after leaving Reliable, I was driving a nice Alero. But it got wrecked, so I got back into my old car, a 1991 Camry with severely oxidized paint. But it still ran like a champ so I drove it for a couple more years. I don't know if it made that much difference in sales, but I was self conscious about it if I was in a slightly nicer neighborhood. I drive a 9 year old MKZ now. Like I've said before, my inner city customers do like seeing the Shonceman in his shiny black Lincoln!

 

[j41nyc59]

I have a beautiful 2017 Black MKZ ( Black Label). Drives like a dream. I believe when you are successful and have a nice car clients notice that. They feel they made the right choice dealing with you. They feel you are a respected figurehead and a successful business woman/man.

Just my thought

 

[Todd King]

I have a beautiful 2017 Black MKZ ( Black Label). Drives like a dream. I believe when you are successful and have a nice car clients notice that. They feel they made the right choice dealing with you. They feel you are a respected figurehead and a successful business woman/man.

Just my thought

I'll agree with the psychology of being successful and showing it, but there is such a thing as wrong place, wrong time. When doing FE, it might be best to NOT look as successful as the MKZ might make you look. They might actually take offense to it. Weird, but true!

 

[shonceman]

I'll agree with the psychology of being successful and showing it, but there is such a thing as wrong place, wrong time. When doing FE, it might be best to NOT look as successful as the MKZ might make you look. They might actually take offense to it. Weird, but true!

So don't wash it.

Seriously, though. I've always driven used cars for work because of the miles I rack up. But I've developed some back trouble, so comfort is important, too. My previous work car was a '99 Toyota Avalon. Not that impressive looking, but not a distraction either, like the beater was. However, it was absolutely the most comfortable car I've ever driven, and I drove it over 300k.

While I was shopping for another used Avalon, I came across this MKZ. The price for an Avalon of about the same age and mileage was about double what I paid for the MKZ. Toyotas have high resale value. Lincolns not so much. But it's a nice ride and I like it a lot!

My particular clientele isn't offended by it. But I can imagine some FE type clients in other areas might hold their wallets a little tighter if somebody pulled up in a shiny new Lincoln, BMW, etc.

 

[WinoBlues]

I thought as long as it was an American car.

 

[shonceman]

I thought as long as it was an American car.

Ha! My Lincoln is basically a Mazda wearing spiffy clothes! It's technically American, but I'm pretty sure it's more Japanese.

 

[rousemark]

I'll agree with the psychology of being successful and showing it, but there is such a thing as wrong place, wrong time. When doing FE, it might be best to NOT look as successful as the MKZ might make you look. They might actually take offense to it. Weird, but true!

Maybe things have changed but I really don't think so. Fellow by Sam Fezell was running a debit with Home Beneficial around 1960. He drove a big black Lincoln. It i said that many bought burial insurance from him just so people could see that car parked in their driveway every week. I do know Sam was very successful. He went on to found one of the largest multi-line agencies in the southeast.