Ford Fusion... Are You Kidding?

[Anonymous]

Dude, I have been driving for 32 years without one accident or ticket. . . .

Well it's all over now. One of those Srs. will hit you in the parking lot and according to policy, it is your fault because you are always able to avoid the accident!!

 

[Anonymous]

Ummm... you might want to enroll in and complete a voluntary "defensive driving" course. Sure you'll be in there with a bunch of people who accrued too many tickets or killed someone while driving drunk... but it will show you're being proactive about your personal safety and being a good steward of the company assets; i.e. the car, computer, samples.

Look into it, seriously. Might help build your case and it could give you a break on your insurance rates.

I play dodge em in the parking lots every day! Those oldsters with their Lincoln's and caddys have no mercy.

 

[Anonymous]

Those are the obvious reasons. Don't forget those over 50 and with tenure has accumulated a very good pension too.

Depends on what your definition of "a very good pension" is. At 50, it is nothing to write home about. At 60, OMG another 10 years, it's nice to have, but won't make up for more than 30% of the salary.

 

[Anonymous]

Please show me the stats on this stupid statement. Compare for me how this works out. Are the Swedes driving 3000 to 5000 per month, 200 miles a day in slush and ice, in subzero weather with no station or SAFE pull off in sight or cell signal? Here let me help you:

What type of car is most popular in Sweden: ANSWER: A VOLVO - NO PLEASE COMPARE A VOLVO TO A POS FUSION!!!!

"In addition, the association believes that light truck sales will also increase by 10 percent to 30,000 vehicles.

The two top-selling cars in Sweden in 2009 were both Volvos, with the number one V70 recording 20,532 new registrations, compared with 22,070 sold in 2008, and Volvo V50 selling 10,974 new cars, compared with 11,334 sold last year.

The number three most popular new car in Sweden in 2009 was the Volkswagen Passat, which sold 8,588 new cars in 2009, up from 6,184 vehicles sold in 2008."

WEATHER IN SWEDEN COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD: OH, LOOK VARYING CLIMATE, DRY DESPITE THE ALTITUDE, SOMETIMES THE SUN NEVER SETS - WELL THAT WOULD CERTAINLY MELT THE ICE. UNLIKE THE CRAP HERE WHERE THE SUN GOES DOWN AT 4:30 PM.
"Most of Sweden has a temperate climate, despite its northern latitude, with four distinct seasons and mild temperatures throughout the year. The country can be divided into three types of climate; the southernmost part has an oceanic climate, the central part has a humid continental climate and the northernmost part has a subarctic climate.[65] However, Sweden is much warmer and drier than other places at a similar latitude, and even somewhat further south, mainly because of the Gulf Stream.[66][67] For example, central and southern Sweden has much warmer winters than many parts of Russia, Canada, and the northern United States.[68] Because of its high latitude, the length of daylight varies greatly. North of the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets for part of each summer, and it never rises for part of each winter. In the capital, Stockholm, daylight lasts for more than 18 hours in late June but only around 6 hours in late December. Sweden receives between 1,100 to 1,900 hours of sunshine annually.[69][70]

Temperatures vary greatly from north to south. Southern and central parts of the country have warm summers and cold winters, with average high temperatures of 20 to 25 °C (68 to 77 °F)[71] and lows of 12 to 15 °C (54 to 59 °F)[72] in the summer, and average temperatures of -4 to 2 °C (25 to 36 °F) in the winter,[73] while the northern part of the country has shorter, cooler summers and longer, colder and snowier winters, with temperatures that often drop below freezing from September through May.[74][75] Occasional heatwaves can occur a few times each year, and temperatures above 25 °C (77 °F) occur on many days during the summer, sometimes even in the north. The highest temperature ever recorded in Sweden was 38 °C (100 °F) in Målilla in 1947, while the coldest temperature ever recorded was −52.6 °C (−62.7 °F) in Vuoggatjålme in 1966.[76][77]

On average, most of Sweden receives between 500 and 800 mm (20 and 31 in) of precipitation each year, making it considerably drier than the global average. . . "

I CAN TELL YOU IT IS NOT DRY NOR MODERATE WHERE I LIVE BUT BRUTALLY COLD, LOTS OF BLACK ICE AND OFTEN TWO FEET OF SNOW OR MORE DUMPED IN LESS THAN A DAY.

You are a completely ignorant fool to copy and paste all that sh*t. Just shows how ignorant & arrogant you are. The Volvos (as well as the Passat) mentioned in your little cut-&-paste tirade are front wheel drive vehicles - guess what? - just like the Fusion - FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!!! And they get along fine with it - if they didn't those cars wouldn't be top selling there will they?

Have you ever lived in Sweden? I guess not. I don't think you've even been to that part of Europe at all! Do you know what snow chains are? How about studded winter tires? or maybe having two dedicated sets of tires - like one for the summer & fall, and another set for the winter and early spring???

But I bet you don't know anything about those things. Poor you...all angry. Your kids probably hate you. Pity, pity, pity...tsk....

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on what your definition of "a very good pension" is. At 50, it is nothing to write home about. At 60, OMG another 10 years, it's nice to have, but won't make up for more than 30% of the salary.

Agree, you really need 15 years or more to get anything worth discussing. For people here with those 15 or more its sweet. For others it can be flat or nothing. Sad, but you can be 60 and strike out with zero if you dont make it in the amount of time it takes.

 

[Anonymous]

I am glad I have a job but THIS CAR WILL NOT, WILL NOT, WILL NOT GET ME TO MY HOSPITALS IN THE WINTER!!!! HOW CAN I MAKE THIS ANY CLEARER. IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT IT IS FREE, IT WILL BE STUCK AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY ON A DAILY BASIS FOR AT LEAST TWO DAYS A WEEK FOR A LONG COLD WINTER THAT LASTS ABOUT FIVE MONTHS!!!!!

After fifteen years in specialty and hospital, I have never in my entire employment history been provided such a POS, unsafe vehicle for this type of driving condition or tenure. I would be fine with it if I lived anywhere with even light snow or a sunshine state. That is not the case. This car could actually end my life. It is that bad out here in the winter.

It is all a matter of perspective. 28 years here. Started out with a Chrysler Reliant K. Joined Merck during the Carter recession years. Was happy to have a job then. Could have complained about this and that. The important thing is to put food on the table for my family. Have driven all kind of cars in territories with 250-300 inches of snow a year. I just drove and slide all over. When it was really bad, I camped out at a local motel. Drove through blinding snow storms many times too. The point is I wish we get a better car. But it is really a tool. May be the Fusion is a crappy tool but still something to get you from Point A to Point B. I will retire when they switch to a Smart Car.

 

[Anonymous]

For those who are complaining. Have you seen the new Fusions? They are much larger than the old models and are almost as big as the Impala. I have no issue with them and look forward to getting one IF I am lucky enough to have a job by the time Im due.

 

[Anonymous]

You are a completely ignorant fool to copy and paste all that sh*t. Just shows how ignorant & arrogant you are. The Volvos (as well as the Passat) mentioned in your little cut-&-paste tirade are front wheel drive vehicles - guess what? - just like the Fusion - FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!!! And they get along fine with it - if they didn't those cars wouldn't be top selling there will they?

Have you ever lived in Sweden? I guess not. I don't think you've even been to that part of Europe at all! Do you know what snow chains are? How about studded winter tires? or maybe having two dedicated sets of tires - like one for the summer & fall, and another set for the winter and early spring???

But I bet you don't know anything about those things. Poor you...all angry. Your kids probably hate you. Pity, pity, pity...tsk....

Oh, why don't you sit in the front seat of a Fusion and crash test it against ME in a Volvo -you are such a twit. (Nah, nah "I bet your kids hate you" - OMG, you are such a little POS, I'd love to beat your lame ass!) The Fusion is NOT tall enough to make it over the plowed-in areas. Period. . . parking garages, crossways, side streets, my driveway, my street. I have a front wheel drive SUV right now with SNOW TIRES DIPSHIT. It works just fine BECAUSE IT IS TALL!!!!!

I guess you HAVE lived in Sweden and have LOtS of experience driving in the heaviest snowfall states!

The fact is that the Fusion is a short little lightweight crap car that will fold up in a crash and slides off the road or gets stuck in two feet of snow. . . (Do I need to go quote the crash test ratings on these cars for you too?)

This with a lot of other crap at Merck has me knowing for a fact we are nothing but useless garbage to this company. Try and get tution out of them or a even a PIR for a doctor! They have no intention of investing a thing in their sales force. I say let's move on. There are companies out there that do appreciate their reps and actually give us pensions, nice SUVs, a great bonus and something doctors actually want to use with NEW data!!!! Wake up dream boy the gravy train came to an end here about two years ago.

 

[Anonymous]

if you ever wondered why no one wants to hire pharma reps for other industries, just read this post. who would want to bring someone with this attitude into their company.

Really, so if I document in writing the amount of snowfall, take pictures and also notes on what type of conditions the Fusion can handle, that is too hard of a concept for Merck lawyers? Maybe even a nice picture of the Fusion next to a ten foot drift or stuck at the end of my driveway after being plowed in, or in a ditch after sliding off the road and then write a series of copied complaints to Merck Vehical Management regarding the safety of my vehicle and my concerns. Then I call several other companies in the area that provide their reps with SUVs and document that, you still think this is that tough? I cite the number of miles I drive, I cite the amount snowfall and ice in the area and for the correct number of months, I cite the appropriate and safest vehicles for these conditions, you still think being a lawyer requires some magic bean? You are an idiot. Employers are responsible to provide a SAFE working environment. My work environment for 3 to 5 hours a day is MY CAR! I think this is a slam dunk. This is NOT a lawsuit; this is a request for Merck to provide the appropriate vehicle for the conditions. Now if I'm injured after all this has been provided, that is a lawsuit and Merck would have a heck of a time firing me as it would look like retaliation and be . . . another slam dunk in MY FAVOR.

PS. My attorney is my husband. . . Take a hike dickweed.

 

[Anonymous]

if you ever wondered why no one wants to hire pharma reps for other industries, just read this post. who would want to bring someone with this attitude into their company.

Hey, Poolboy - the reason no one wants to hire us is dipshiits like you with that stupid blanketed and thoughtless statement. You do not know one damn thing about me, not one. No one wants a push over "yes" boy either!

No one hires us because the perception of the industry is horrible. Patients see us as wasting doctors' time. Our data is old, we are no longer allowed to really provide value by discussing patient issues and news in featured journals - it's all label talk or walk. I have no idea why any physician would bother to meet with any of us except to get samples or listen to another NEW warning the FDA has slapped on the package.

Other industries know this is NOT a sales nor even a business job. I know of no other position that is more of a waste of time with little value to its customers. Merck may WANT this to change but it is getting worse with so much red tape that I'm drowning in it.

OMG - we actually have a conference about SELLING FROM AN OLD CLINICAL!!!! (HAHAHAHAHAHA- THIS IS TOO FUNNY!) I will surely be able to have a great take-away for my teaching institution doctors when I pull out a 10 year old study! Can't f-ing wait to show that one off on the next ride-a-along!

You might say: "leave"! I would love to and go where? At fifty. I am working a different path and my own business because I can promise you the death of this entire sales gig is just around the corner, probably less than five years left on the clock! You can see how little Merck headquarters is investing when they provide crap cars, no tuition, their PIRs suck, we have no new data for 10 years and they promise the world. Oh, and the 2000 dollar retention bonus for SP folk is laughable! I can bet our total bonus is going to suck too. After a year of busting my ass and working ten hours a day, I bet my take home will be less than 10K or less. I made more five years ago than I do now. No promotions and no sense that there is anyone at the top who looks at this area of business as anything but expendable.

Personally, I need a little more from life than a sense that I'm just an expendable number in a POS car that puts my life at risk on a cold winter day. I think they might be counting on this - then I get no bonus if it is my third accident. Certainly, getting harder to stay.

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on what your definition of "a very good pension" is. At 50, it is nothing to write home about. At 60, OMG another 10 years, it's nice to have, but won't make up for more than 30% of the salary.

There are still about 10-12 of us left from the training class close to three decades ago scattered all over Merck. We talk to each other once in awhile. The comforting fact is that we all have over $500K of pension should we decide to take a lump sum distribution. It keeps going up a tiny bit each year. If you have been putting any money into the 401K at all, it should be a decent amount with the company matching. Retiree insurance premium is reasonable. It does make you work harder knowing most retirement financial worries are taken care of. I will drive any company car.

 

[Anonymous]

There are still about 10-12 of us left from the training class close to three decades ago scattered all over Merck. We talk to each other once in awhile. The comforting fact is that we all have over $500K of pension should we decide to take a lump sum distribution. It keeps going up a tiny bit each year. If you have been putting any money into the 401K at all, it should be a decent amount with the company matching. Retiree insurance premium is reasonable. It does make you work harder knowing most retirement financial worries are taken care of. I will drive any company car.

Let me remind you, the fine print states that Merck benefit programs are not guaranteed and subject to change. I hope most of our financial worries are taken care of, but you've probably observed Merck doing some things over the past 10 years that you thought you'd never see. We aren't the same company that hired us nearly 30 years ago. I continue to fund a plan b option should Merck terminate or revise their retiree programs. I don't want to rely on Merck for anything once I'm out the door. I'll be taking the lump sum and run. I can buy my own annuity with guarantees if I so choose.

 

[Anonymous]

Let me remind you, the fine print states that Merck benefit programs are not guaranteed and subject to change. I hope most of our financial worries are taken care of, but you've probably observed Merck doing some things over the past 10 years that you thought you'd never see. We aren't the same company that hired us nearly 30 years ago. I continue to fund a plan b option should Merck terminate or revise their retiree programs. I don't want to rely on Merck for anything once I'm out the door. I'll be taking the lump sum and run. I can buy my own annuity with guarantees if I so choose.

All who have already retired from my old training class took a lump sum distribution. Those who are still working plan to do the same. Of course Merck as of today is 100% different from when we joined it. Merck is really a 2nd tiered company these days and we'll never regain the title as the most admired company. We have already burned the bridge, make it burn all bridges.

 

[Anonymous]

true dat. merck peaked as a company in about 2000. it's a long downward slide now. what the end looks like? do not know. do not care. it's all PV (post vioxx) now. long rants about your company car are irrelevant-fix it or move on (improvise,adapt,overcome). Can take my pension next year - will take it in a lump sum and ride into the sunset - try to remember the good about merck and try to forget the bad - about the last 5 years. some of you need to take off your "'merck tinted glasses" see things for what they are and quit trying to make wishes that will never come true. the genie's lamp is vacant.

 

[Anonymous]

This is all well and good unless you are confronted for six months with two feet of snow. . . I have to say that with a Fusion, half the time it WILL not get me out of driveway. So what then? I hope Merck will like to talk to my attorney for putting my life at risk in such harsh conditions. How about if I am caught in the middle of a storm and die because this POS car? I smell a real problem here with this cheap-ass attitude. Fifteen year veteran reps in specialty or hospital that drive 3000 to 5000 miles per month should NOT have to make a case for needing a better vehicle in the winter. Period.

I got one of the first fusions last year. I love the car but it SUCKS in the snow.

 

[Anonymous]

true dat. merck peaked as a company in about 2000. it's a long downward slide now. what the end looks like? do not know. do not care. it's all PV (post vioxx) now. long rants about your company car are irrelevant-fix it or move on (improvise,adapt,overcome). Can take my pension next year - will take it in a lump sum and ride into the sunset - try to remember the good about merck and try to forget the bad - about the last 5 years. some of you need to take off your "'merck tinted glasses" see things for what they are and quit trying to make wishes that will never come true. the genie's lamp is vacant.

Some excellent advice that I try to follow as I look forward soon to pension eligibility. (IMO we had peaked at our 7 year MAC reign. We certainly were on the downhill once Lipitor started kicking our asses.)

 

[Anonymous]

I am glad I have a job but THIS CAR WILL NOT, WILL NOT, WILL NOT GET ME TO MY HOSPITALS IN THE WINTER!!!! HOW CAN I MAKE THIS ANY CLEARER. IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT IT IS FREE, IT WILL BE STUCK AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY ON A DAILY BASIS FOR AT LEAST TWO DAYS A WEEK FOR A LONG COLD WINTER THAT LASTS ABOUT FIVE MONTHS!!!!!

After fifteen years in specialty and hospital, I have never in my entire employment history been provided such a POS, unsafe vehicle for this type of driving condition or tenure. I would be fine with it if I lived anywhere with even light snow or a sunshine state. That is not the case. This car could actually end my life. It is that bad out here in the winter.

Perhaps you should get a donkey! Four wheel drive and a nice leather saddle!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Look, this job SUCKS most days, we are treated like crap by the offices, have to submit to the indignity of being the local caterer, we are ridiculed by everyone, including our own management, on thing that helped me "suck it up" was at least I had a relatively beautiful car to drive and PAY for! Why don't they take away the mandatory fee when they force us to drive 45K miles per year in a death trap???

I agree with the deteriorating role of a rep these days. If you are that unhappy and the choice of a fleet car is driving you crazy, you may want to consider a job change. Merck is not likely to listen nor change. You will go nuts if you allow this to consume you. What's next? Choice of a cell phone carrier? Lack of high-speed internet in rural area when they send you massive files? Higher probability in slipping on ice in a snowy territory? I have been a hospital rep and worked in snowy territories. I would prefer to go back to hospital sales from primary care to do missionary work that is difficult to quantified anytime.

 

[Anonymous]

when you do contact hr or wheels with your strong opinions be careful not to sound to much like you do on this site. as you know posting here about any company issues or policies is against policy. you may find yourself without a fusion and a job. if asked if you have posted on websites such as this...how would you answer?

 

[Anonymous]

I can't believe that your complaining about what car your driving. You should be thanking your lucky stars that you have a job in this economy. Your lucky that you are drving a car that you don't have to pay car insurance on and that your expenses are taken care of by Merck. If you don't like it, quit.