Slasher:Jon Landis

Wow. After the years I've been in the business, going from sales person to closer, to desk manager to gsm to owner of my own dealership, I still have the turns in my stomach. If you're in the business you know what I mean. I watched this movie and felt them, the stress of not knowing if "enough cars will be sold" and the drive this man has, his face and heart strained with time and self torture. I encourage EVERY car sales professional to watch this movie. Also, read the Ziegler books "Cars and People: Pissing at 60 miles an hour" and "Cars and People: How To Put the Two Together."

Of course, not all of the clients at my agency are this wacked out. And actually, this is the first time I've seen an $88 car...we usually run $88 down, $88 a month for our clients or they have cars as low as $995 on the lot. What I love about Slasher is that it shows that it takes all kinds. I had a hard time not laughing at some of the customers that showed up on the lot. Folks, I write these ads for a living. I can tell you that if someone's advertising cars for as low as $88, that means that there is just one on the lot and I can tell you that 99% of us would not be caught dead in that car.

Ah, but the 1% that would...! Anyone will get a kick out of these customers coming in for that $88 car. I'm sure all our clients would split their sides laughing at this, and perhaps crying too. I know it's hard to move these units. I'm responsible for developing new creative to help guys like you sell more of them. Sales like this will surely bring them in with the Slasher. We run advertorials quite frequently for clients who have used the Slasher before and others with imitations which we must call a different name in order for our clients not to run into legal problems with it.

I don't think that only automotive industry people should see this. I happened to stumble upon it while reading about other documentaries. This one was recommended to me and I laughed. I had to find it. One of my assistants saw it was coming on IFC and taped it for our team to see if we could gain new perspective. For me, I gained the perspective that not all my clients are crooks, and that these guys are working really hard to be able to feed their families too. I could feel their pain. It's hard work being in sales.

I think anyone in the market for a vehicle, new or used, should check this out. People can only take advantage of you if you let them, and not all car salesman or dealerships are bad. I say shame on the car buyers for not doing their homework beforehand. And if your credit is bad, don't expect to get a low payment on your new car. Either prepare to pay a large down payment or make large monthly payments. Or consider a used vehicle for crying out loud! Half the customers that showed up for the sale in this documentary looked like they couldn't even afford a new pair of shoelaces! Research the cars you're interested in...the internet makes this astonishinly easy. Figure out what you can afford. Determine your credit standing. And live within your means.

And a special note to the Slasher himself, if you ever read this, boy do you have a tough job. But not once did we see you say anything rude to any of those customers and I applaud you for that. I would've lost my mind dealing with people like that. You had such a high energy level the entire time, all the while you were probably thinking of your family to survive those 3 sale days. It's also nice to put a face with a name. I just imagined some poor shmoe from the sales department being forced to walk around in some sort of mascot suit in the hot, hot sun. I guess it doesn't help being in a tux though does it?

In conclusion, this being by far the longest review I've written, I really do think that most people would be able to take something very valuable away by watching this documentary. To the salespeople on the lots: watch this now! Get it and have your entire dealership watch it together. It will give you a new perspective on your business which is never a bad thing. To the car buyers everywhere: you only get taken advantage of because you don't research what you're buying. This isn't a $10 t-shirt at the mall. This is a large purchase. You wouldn't just buy a new TV without checking if it has the S video input and all that other junk (reminds me...I need a new TV). You compare the brands and see who has the best quality with the features you want at a price that is most reasonable to you. That's what you should be doing when you buy a car. If you go into a dealership knowing as much as you can about the vehicle you wish to purchase particularly regarding prices and vehicle features, you will be better able to negotiate a deal that makes you and the dealership happy without, pardon the expression, taking it up the a**. I highly, highly, highly recommend this documentary.

If you have been, are in, think of being part of, ever wondered about the automotive business then you must watch this dvd. John Landis is an icon. His work on the documentary is evident in the way the "slasher" runs his mouth between takes. The stress he is under is obvious and the daily grind has taken its toll. Buy it now and see it before your month ends. Also, buy "Cars and People; Pissing at 60 Miles an Hour" by Ziegler and "Suckers" the DVD.

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