gomper

I'll come at this from the opposite direction. Years ago, I was really up against it. My work company went bankrupt and I needed a job fast. The market was awful and the wolf was on his way up the driveway. So, I took a job selling cars. Worst job I've ever had. The job I had at 15 washing dishes in a 100 degree kitchen was paradise compared to it. I worked at two places. I won't name the dealerships because I don't if it will anger the mods, so I'll play it semi-safe. The first one was a huge one just north of the city. Total pressure cooker with an owner that would run over his own grandmother for a nickel. Super shady bait and switch approach. Not questionable ethics, but no ethics. I felt like I needed a shower every time I got home. After a few months I went to one on Transit because the hours were better and it was closer to home. It was no better. The finance guy was a blatant racist who would "pack the payments" meaning he would add on XM (this is 2005) and other extras without the customer knowing, which is totally illegal, and if discovered, could have shut the place down. This is just one examples of the shady S they'd pull. The last straw was the "Florida car." It was a 02 Trailblazer, and the selling point was it had never seen a winter and was priced about 800 less than the other comparable models. Seemed like a great deal right? Wrong. The transmission had about 300 miles left in it. Sales manager stated whomever sold it would get a 250 bonus. It was a lemon and they were prepared to make any deal just to get rid of it. So, one day, I was up to take the next customer in the lot, and here strolls in a family of 3. 4 year old in tow. I was thinking to myself, please don't look at the TB. Well, you guessed it, that's what they were checking out. My sales manager was glowing and called over the GM to watch. I approached the couple and learned that their car just died and needed a new one ASAP. These people were my age and the little girl was my son's age. I couldn't do it. I pulled the Dad aside and told him this car would be nothing but a black hole that would suck in every $ he had. Meanwhile, my SM and GM were beside themselves with glee that someone was on the car. The Dad thanked me. I told him that I was basically in the same boat life-wise. I told him to wait in the lot while I went inside to make a call. The SM wanted an update and I said I needed to make a call on their behalf. Which was true. I called a guy that was cool from the previous dealership. I explained the situation and the price range the couple was looking for. Due to the great stock at that dealership, he found exactly what they were looking for and said to send them over. I walked back out, contact info in hand, and told him about car. He thanked profusely and shook my hand. I could see my GM through the window and smiling giving the thumbs up. That look turned to shock when the family pilled in their rental, and drove out. As I walked back in they were on me in seconds, asking wtf happened. I shrugged and said "they don't like the state of Florida I guess." The SM flew into a stuttering rage, screaming at me like a 3 year old having a temper tantrum. I just started laughing and went to my desk, grabbed my keys, and walked out. I told them that they were despicable human beings and my last check better be accurate. I hated that profession with every fiber of my being. As you know, no matter the pitch, they are out to squeeze every last $ out of you. Do your research before you buy, if you can go at the end of the month (they'll bend to reach monthly bonus territory), and never hesitate to walk out the second you don't like how it's going.

This society...I swear.

I'm as left of center as the come. Bernie and AOC don't go far enough, and even I think this is ridiculous. No wonder why we keep losing elections focusing on the wrong thing. Not to be too political, but here's a thought for the morons who run the DNC, economic populism. Focus on something people actually care about.

Uh-oh

Totally agree. SOMETHING has to be done. You can't have another season of hiding Damar. The CB2 situation is not good either. With all the concern about the Dline, and rightfully so, the secondary worries me more. The organization obviously knows this. Beane has to earn his $ here and make it happen.

Pam. By far.

Yes it is. Nobody cares if their overmatched, sloppy football is unexceptable. Especially since they've been in camp for weeks.

We know, but the pathetic execution is painful.

Even for a preseason game, this brutal. McDermott is going go nuclear on the lack of execution and pathetic tackling. Some careers are ending tonight.

More than you'd get in a year on GR.

Exactly. What a fantastic job by the creator. I discovered it last night right before bed so I'm only through 1974. People: this is an all-time classic creation. Carve out some time for this. It's totally worth it.

Long live the train horn. I think it's fun and hilarious.

Myself and every Sabres fan cringed when he said that. Then I started laughing.

I, for one, feel bad for the kid. Imagine all the work he put in, he finally gets to the NFL, and his body lets him down. Hopefully he has a degree to fall back on. Good luck Braylon.

I know. That Thanksgiving I was only playing all-time QB. I took maybe 3 or 4 tumbles rolling out and one stretching for the goal line. I was hurting for days. There is an old phrase, and I don’t know the origin, but it states that "youth is wasted on the young." So true. You try to tell the kids that, they don't listen. I didn't either at that age. Older folks would tell me: "You'll learn, you'll see." I laughed it off. God they were right.