We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
513
December 13, 2013

129 Cars

We spend a month at a Jeep dealership on Long Island as they try to make their monthly sales goal: 129 cars. If they make it, they'll get a huge bonus from the manufacturer, possibly as high as $85,000 — enough to put them in the black for the month. If they don't make it, it'll be the second month in a row. So they pull out all the stops.

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript

Jeff Minton

Photo Gallery

At the Car Lot

The sales team at Town and Country Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Levittown, NY, is hustling to sell their quota: 129 new cars by the end of the month. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEFF MINTON

Note: The internet version of this episode contains un-beeped curse words. BEEPED VERSION.

Prologue

It’s mid-October, 2013. Freddie Hoyt tries to rally his sales staff to sell 129 cars and trucks by the end of the month. Freddie’s the General Manager at Town and Country Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Levittown, NY, on Long Island. Problem is, the customers are not cooperating. (7 1/2 minutes)

Act One

Act One

How we found this car dealer. (2 minutes)

Act Two

Act Two

A quick primer of who’s who, and how the place works. (6 minutes)

Act Three

Act Three

Salesman Bob Tantillo has the fewest sales of anyone at Town and Country this month. Robyn Semien spoke to him. (4 minutes)

By

Robyn Semien
Act Four

Act Four

Salesman Jason Mascia has the most sales of anyone this month, as usual. Sean Cole spent a week with him watching how he does it. (8 minutes)

By

Sean Cole
Act Five

Act Five

The next-to-last day of the month. Deals fall apart, but not all of them. (10 minutes)

Act Six

Act Six

The last day of the month begins. They have to sell nine cars by the end of the day. "God help us," Freddie says. (2 minutes)

Act Seven

Act Seven

Joe Monti’s real name is Joe Montalbano. But when he started in the car business, he didn't want to lose a sale because a customer couldn’t keep his name straight so he simplified it for the job. He's one of the managers of the used cars department at Town and Country. Sarah Koenig reports on what it'll mean if he doesn’t make this month’s goal. (7 minutes)

By

Sarah Koenig
Act Eight

Act Eight

The last day of the month continues and the truism is accurate: some people get great deals because it’s the end of the month and they have to hit their goal. When you look at the numbers, the average car they sell in the last two days actually loses money. (4 minutes)

Act Nine

Act Nine

Salesman Manny Rosales keeps to himself in the showroom, with his own sales philosophy. He explained it to Brian Reed. (7 minutes)

By

Brian Reed
Act Ten

Act Ten

The last day of the month ends. (8 minutes)

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
743: Don't You Be My Neighbor
July 30, 2021

Act One: Home, Home Near the Range

A stranger moves to Pawlet, Vermont.
88: Numbers
Jan. 2, 1998

Act Two: Paint By Numbers

Alex Melamid and Vitaly Komar hired a polling firm to investigate what people want to see in paintings.
22: Adult Children
May 3, 1996

Act Three: My Father's Chinese Wives

Sandra's father decides, at age 70, to take a Chinese wife.

Staff Recommendations

View all
640
Mar. 2, 2018

Five Women

A different kind of #MeToo story, about several women who worked for the same man.

218
Aug. 9, 2002

Act V

A group of inmates at a high-security prison stage a production of the last act of Hamlet.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email