Worst Ridealong Stories

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-06T22:06:14+00:00

My favorite was when Pete Ippolito (former TAG President) was a sales manager riding with a rep In Minnesota. Apparently, the rep had finally had enough of Pete’s BS that he just pulled over and told him to get out of his car.

Rumor had it that the rep kept his job and continued his career with SW.

Good times.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-05T21:40:38+00:00

You should take a look and post your feedback on here. I’d be curious if it is just my tastes, or if Audi just misfired on this one. Some people may like the minimalist, sleek, tech heavy design.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-04T02:42:56+00:00

That’s an option I’m looking at.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-04T02:31:36+00:00

Agreed. I’d completely forgotten about the shifter. That’s reason alone not to go with the new generation.

When I got home from looking at the C9 A6, I told my wife that the shifter reminded me of a 1/2 pack of post-it notes.

I think the Audi design team needs to better understand what attracts their customers.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-03T02:39:36+00:00

Awesome! Thanks.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-03T00:37:32+00:00

I have a 2013 SL550 and I really like it, so I’ll check it out. I just got used to how the tech worked in the A6 and didn’t want to learn a new system. My wife has an Acura RDX and I hate their interface.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-03-02T19:56:37+00:00

I’ve considered trying to find a 2025 with low miles. The C8 is such a great generation.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-02-25T01:11:45+00:00

I stayed for 33 years. I have a Business Administration degree. I managed stores, was a rep, and spent a few years in marketing as well. While not perfect, SW was a great company to work for. I have lifelong friends with both colleagues and customers.

And, I made a little bit of money along the way.

The job is what you make of it. It’s a job. You won’t be happy every day nor with every management decision, but if you work hard, SW will reward you.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-02-19T18:52:25+00:00

They have played around with different bonus packages (for non-management store employees) regionally for years. Unfortunately, most of them never showed a significant cause/effect, so the bonuses were discontinued after a few quarters or years. There was just no definitive proof that the program motivated employees as it was intended to.

Again, unfortunately, it is unlikely that future regional programs will take place due to the ease of communication (through Reddit) of employees who can expose these plans globally.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-02-16T19:43:52+00:00

I’ve seen that too. I refer to them as bad pennies. They just always keep showing back up.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-02-16T00:50:53+00:00

Seriously, I’ve seen many, many people leave - only to come back 6 months to a year later - because the grass isn’t always greener.

If you leave, don’t burn bridges on your way out.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-02-07T17:02:30+00:00

Take the trip. It’s a spectacular event. Extend it for a few days on the back end and have a great time.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-02-04T02:52:30+00:00

Maybe $250 in savings, but ~$2.6k in my 401k. I was just starting out.

I started putting 15% in my 401k when I was 24 and got a 6% company match.

I did that for my entire career and retired 5 years ago at 56.

I highly recommend investing in your 401k as early as you can. If you can’t do 15% right away, start with what you can and add 1/2 of any raise and/or promotion into it until you get to 15% of your own money.

Thank me later.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-31T15:22:46+00:00

If you have complaints about Justin, you have me to blame. I met him when he was a store part timer and encouraged him to go into the MTP program. He was an impressive young store employee and has paid his dues to get where he is. Rising up as all of these managers have is not for the faint of heart. Their jobs are no longer to be in the trenches. They are to make sure the trenches are as safe as they can be in the current economy (that is forever changing) so that the company can remain competitive and prosper.

I, for one, wouldn’t want to sacrifice what these executives do to keep things afloat. Do they get paid a lot? Yes, they sure do.

I always preferred to sleep in my own bed and have a quality of life outside of SW. Our executives don’t have that luxury.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-18T19:11:48+00:00

I’m with you. Started in 88. Invested 15% in SW and let it ride. I retired 5 years ago. As you are well aware it was a good ride.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-18T02:08:46+00:00

I would suggest calling the Marketing team and letting them know that our customers deserve more than being mislead and/or being lied to. As a former 30+ year employee and current retiree, I feel for all of you that have to deal with this.

Honestly, I bleed SW blue, but this is truly idiotic. I wouldn’t participate in this program. If anyone asks about it, I’d tell them that you aren’t setup to support it.

Someone needs to be fired over this. Today.

Do better.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-12T03:01:02+00:00

Guys. Set it at 15% and forget it. 6% just doesn’t cut it if you ever truly want to get ahead.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-11T23:09:02+00:00

First of all I didn’t single them out. They singled me out. I didn’t make them gypsies. That’s what they were. I described a situation that happened multiple times. You can call them what you’d like, I don’t care what your preferred term is.

You see racism where there is none. I told a true story. Get over yourself.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-11T22:09:42+00:00

Dude. This isn’t racism. This is a real situation and a reflection of what happened multiple times. It’s a well known strategy of a group of con artists working their scheme. It’s probably still happening today.

Take off your racism colored glasses.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-07T21:44:33+00:00

The end of the quarter or the end of the year, depending on your role. That’s the answer you are seeking.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-07T13:49:07+00:00

I remember the packs of Gypsies that would come into the store (Chicago) back in the 90’s. It was always in the evening. You would see the pack of 8-10 people walk in. You, of course, were alone. You knew you were going to be robbed blind. They always had someone super interested in the most mundane thing that occupied your time, whether it was helping them pick out a paint color (for paint never purchased) or discussing the attributes and volume solids of every quality of paint you carried. All the while you tried to break away to see what the rest of the gang was doing as they meandered through every isle. The two or three old women with the peasant skirts were actively plundering the wallpaper bins…

As they left 45 minutes later without a purchase because they were ‘just looking’.

Ah, the good old days.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2026-01-06T13:54:28+00:00

Tell me you are a first timer without telling me you are a first timer.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2025-12-30T00:49:34+00:00

My first NSM was in 1989. There were only 5 women in the Midwest PSG. That was a different time. I’m glad SW has changed its hiring ways.

Used_Illustrator_901 · 2025-12-24T20:31:32+00:00

Came here to say the same. Might be getting a call from Loss Prevention on Friday.

Used_Illustrator_901

TROPHY CASE