is it bad to get a bmw?

[JasonPC]

Ok, I know the post sounds strange. But I'm thinking of getting a 5 series 98 BMW. I own a two crew landscaping company that specializes in stonework and design. I work my tail off and want to buy it. However, it would be my wife's car and she does all the design work so she'd be meeting clients in it and she'd be at the job sites during installs with it. So basically what I'm saying is that our clients would see as would some prospective clients. Is it too much? Will they think we're too expensive? Or am I just paranoid? I don't want to harm my business with it. But we work so hard that I feel like I've earned it.

Thanks,
Jay

[1st Class Lawns]

Thousands of American manufacturing jobs are being lost to foreign countries. When there are no manufacturing jobs left and we are a service economy there won't very many job sites left to drive anything onto.
Please, buy American made products and encourage your friends and families to do the same.
Be proud to pull onto any job site with any American made vehicle.
James
1st Class Lawn Service

[tiedeman]

that is so funny that this post was brought up because I was just thinking this same thing the other night. My wife and I are currently looking into buying some property and building a house, well I was thinking of moving shop on the property beside the house as well. But what would my employees think of a huge house. Would they feel then that they should be paid more if I can afford a house like that? Very good point though

[mtdman]

Originally posted by 1st Class Lawns
Thousands of American manufacturing jobs are being lost to foreign countries. When there are no manufacturing jobs left and we are a service economy there won't very many job sites left to drive anything onto.
Please, buy American made products and encourage your friends and families to do the same.
Be proud to pull onto any job site with any American made vehicle.
James
1st Class Lawn Service

What he said.

[twins_lawn_care]

Buy a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro instead.
For the price of the BMW, you will get a heck of a lot more attention out of it.
Then, if you find your wife doesn't like driving it, I'll be more than happy to take it off your hands!:D :D :D

PS- Hugger Orange Please, with the Black racing Stripes!:blob3:

(I miss mine :cry: )

[rodfather]

If that is what you want, then go and get it and use it for business. It isn't like you getting a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow or Lamborghini Countach...then you might have a problem...lol

[DLS1]

I would call a repair shop that works on BMW's and get some prices on what it would cost to replace brakes, starter,muffler,etc. and compare it to your current vehicle. I heard they were expense to repair.

I had a Mazda RX7 a few years back and it cost $500 to replace the muffler and that car had 2 mufflers. Was a good fun car but watch out for the repair bills. I sold it after 1 year.

[WeatherMan]

I agree Buy American Made. For Estimate's and design Work I drive My 2003. Jeep Grand.

[John Gamba]

NEVER have a shop by your house, and pull up in a normal American made pick up.
John

[Green in Idaho]

American made regardless of the purpose.

But for a "design person".... now that brings some STYLE into to the equation.... A designer should have a stylish vehicle, not just an ordinary rig...


68 Camaro wins!
Or go grand with '54 Chevy pick-up!





BMWs, I intentionally pull out in front of BMWs and Mercedes when I see them coming down the street. Then I go really slow in front of them and crank up my Chris LeDoux music :D

[Gene $immons]

Buy it if you want it and can really afford it. (who cares where its made)

I wouldn't buy it to try to impress clients though.

A car wont land you many sales.

[SWD]

For the longest time I did design and estimate work while driving my Mercedes 300TD wagon.
The comment I heard most was associated with identity. When customers saw the vehicle, they knew it was me. In the year and a half I used this vehicle, I never had a customer say I should buy amercian. I serviced both low and high end accounts.
This worked well as we followed up with great service and continued support.
The other good thing with the wagon was I had room to bring my Lab with me and customers liked seeing her.
Now, due to business demands, I drive a ford dually crew cab diesel, my trailers are lettered and the crew uniformed.

[Team Gopher]

Hi Jason,

There was an article recently in Pro Magazine that mentioned this. In an interview with Jason Cupp of The Kincaide Co. he tells the story of how he leased a luxury car and used it to meet with clients. When his client was going to be wearing a suit, he would wear a suit as well.

[AztlanLC]

Team gopher is righ, he forgat to mention that he runs a multimillion dollar company, if it makes you feel good about buying one do it, who cares what other people says, is your money and you can spend any way you want.

I woulnd't worry about customers tought, you can always tell'em
You see the f-350 that my guys drive, well that thing is more expensive than my car.

Look inside of your door on your truck, my new f-350 doesn't even says asambly in mexico, it actually says made in mexico.

[Jimmy348]

Get her an F450 power stroke crew cab with a dump!

She pulls up in that thing and any man, woman or child would be impressed...... O and um if she doesn't like it you can always pass it on to me :D

[Rustic Goat]

Originally posted by tiedeman
But what would my employees think of a huge house.
Sounds like a very smart move to me. Why are you letting what employees think bother you?

Tell them;
You inherited the money for it.

Your wife is loaded/has a really good job.

It's none of their business.

[Black Water]

BMW is one of the largest mfg. in South Carolina.
The 3-series, Z-3, Z-4, and their SUV are made seven miles from my house, right here in DIXIE!!! :D

[tiedeman]

Rustic,
I just mean by seeing the huge house my employees would try to get more pay or push for better benefits. Basically, almost like an upraising with the employees.

[mtdman]

tiedeman, I've always been a big believer in keeping the work stuff away from the home stuff. I don't think I want the employees knowing where I live, I never knew that about my bosses. It's none of their business about your finances, but it might not be good for them to see how well you are doing. I certainly had no love for the grocery store owner that drove a different sports car to work every day but couldn't give his employees a raise of more than 10 cents a year.

Things to think aboot.

:D

[tiedeman]

thanks mtd

[Dr. Mow]

great plan , i am considering a Mercedes suv for the same puppose, plus i want one , and if i use it for business i can get some tax deductions from it as well.

[LawnLad]

I don't think I'd let what I think my employees would think dictate my standard of living. If you can afford it then go ahead and build it or buy it. More than likely if you build a house your employees at the very least will do some work at your house. Why wouldn't they? Are you going to hide from them? Heck, invite them over for a BBQ twice a year. Don't be afraid or ashamed of it.

If you treat your employees well, and they're compensated accordingly, then you shouldn't have a concern. The new summer kid who tries to use this as leverage on you is just laying his cards for you on the table for you to see. I wouldn't let it bother you other than the fact that you know you've got an employee who is fairly short sided in his thinking.

Not all business owners can afford to build that house. The ones that have been succesful in leveraging their risk/debt etc. into equity have been able to achieve success. If it was easy - everyone would do it. Don't feel guilty about your success. You're in business to be successful, not a pauper. Heck, if I were an employee, I'd feel better about working for someone who lived in a nice house, at least I'd know my paycheck would be there on payday.

[Woody82986]

Buy whatever kind of transportation you want and can afford. If you want to drive a bus, buy one. I think BMW's are nifty looking cars and they run great too. I personally drive a 99 F-150 ext cab but I am looking into a 2004 Dodge 3/4 ton Hemi. %^&* everyone else. You earn it, you reap it.

[gramps]

It doesn't matter what you drive as long as it uses GASOLINE:blob3:

[bmwboy1802]

Hey bud I have 2 BMW's and they are such an amazing car. First thing you need to know is that because it is a German car doesn't mean it is made there they are assembled in the US. Second you wont look too expensive you will look like you have great taste high standards and that style will reflect the way you run your business. Just don't be a snob and let it get to your head like most, its very easy. Get the new 5ser or 3ser BMW if I can tell you anything Service ON TIME and You should never have to repair it. OH and the oil change interval is 15,000 miles instead of 3,000 and Your warranty pays for your annual service.

[Boycea]

Jay,
Thats what I drive and love it. I get questioned about it many times when I pull up to give an estimate, but I think it shows that you must be doing something right. DLS1 did bring up a good point, the repair bills are substantially more than most other cars. Also, depending on your age and driving record, they cost more to insure. Good luck and let us know what your final purchase is.

[BSDeality]

i agree with a few others here. don't be afraid to show your success, just don't flaunt. buy the BMW, they're really nice cars, half the rednecks on here have probably never driven anything but their rusted out pickups.

[summergrove]

I just spent 3500.00 because a timing belt broke on my bmw.

[gramps]

Originally posted by BSDeality
i agree with a few others here. don't be afraid to show your success, just don't flaunt. buy the BMW, they're really nice cars, half the rednecks on here have probably never driven anything but their rusted out pickups.

Sure it's rusted but paid for in 1983. And full of GASOLINE

[Rustic Goat]

Originally posted by gramps
It doesn't matter what you drive as long as it uses GASOLINE
gramps, just being curious, what's your point about gasoline vs Diesel or LP, or is there some other point?

[MGMII]

I agree with everyone to "buy American and support our country", but what i don't understand is how some landscapers say "keep our jobs here, buy American, etc..." But then they turn around and hire foreign workers to save a few pennies! They give jobs to people from other countries instead of locals...hmmm.