- #36434 of 47862
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Re: Tired of selling cars.... [alejandrom]
by dtezla
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Nov 26, 2008 (8:19 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 25, 2008 10:54 am)
I'm a lurker here who rarely posts. I too felt that way after working in the car business for 8 years. It just got to the point where I didn't have the enthusiasm to treat people like that with any respect. Or when you get people in with the "Consumer Reports" method of purchasing which to me makes no sense whatsoever. I got out of the car business in June of this year & now work a regular 9-5 job. I can honestly say though that I miss the "fun" aspects of being a car salesperson. Not that I'm going back, but I wish I could just work a deal once and a while for the thrill.
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- #36435 of 47862
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Re: Tired of selling cars.... [alejandrom]
by dtezla
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Nov 26, 2008 (8:38 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 25, 2008 1:07 pm)
Ok - I posted as I was catching up on the posts from yesterday & I'm seeing this thread & getting more and more annoyed. Originally I felt sympathetic toward the poster, but now I think you've just chosen the wrong field. If you're letting someone come in & drive 7 different vehicles before "selling" them something, then you're not doing your job. For a while I worked like that & let the customer lead me around until they found the right vehicle but then I realized I was not really "selling" anything. Your job as a salesperson is to talk to the customer (before test driving) & figure out what the wants and needs are. YOU then choose the right vehicle for them & sell how that particular vehicle fits their wants and needs. Once you start actually selling, you'll see how much easier the job can be. Again, I'm out of the business now for 6 months, but over the past eight years, my lowest closing ratio was about 23%... and that was as an Internet Sales consultant where the ratio is usually lower. For the host that said 10-20 people = 1 sale... If were talking about "ups" in the traditional sense, it should equal 10 people should = 2-3 sales. If we're talking about "ups" and service customers (prospecting), referal phone calls (more prospecting) and follow ups, then the 20-1 ratio is close to being correct.
I miss the car business the more I think about it. 
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- #36436 of 47862
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Re: Tired of selling cars.... [dtezla]
by driver100
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Nov 26, 2008 (8:47 am)
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Replying to: dtezla (Nov 26, 2008 8:38 am)
Your job as a salesperson is to talk to the customer (before test driving) & figure out what the wants and needs are. YOU then choose the right vehicle for them & sell how that particular vehicle fits their wants and needs.
Maybe he should work at Volkwagon. They have a computer in the showroom, according to the ad, you plug in what your needs are and it tells you which model you should buy. Wonder if it spits out "Accord".
dt, Seems the car sales biz is a love/hate relationship. There is lots to dislike about the business (ranging from customers, to owners, to product you have to work with) but maybe you do like the thrill of the chase, the one on one sparring, the adrenelin rush from closing the sale.
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- #36437 of 47862
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Going to stores to look
by dtezla
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:00 am)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 26, 2008 5:22 am)
I go to circuit city to waste time, but I don't bother th salespeople. I once test drove the "new" for F-150 (back in 2005 or so when the new frame was introduced) because of an article I'd read that toted the amazing ride quality & quiet interior. I asked the sales manager for the keys & a tag & said I was in the business & just curious of the improvements. He gave me the tag & keys & said "no problem"... didn't waste a salespersons opportunity. I'm currently researching my next motorcycle at the dealership I've already purchased from. My salesperson (who has been there for ages) knows I'm not buying for a few years, but he knows I'm buying from HIM when the time comes.
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- #36438 of 47862
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Re: Going to stores to look [dtezla]
by mikefm58
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:06 am)
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Replying to: dtezla (Nov 26, 2008 9:00 am)
I tend to browse the lots when I have the vehicles in for service. There are several lots within walking distance of where I go for service. Once in awhile one of the sales persons will bother me. Telling him I'm "just looking" does no good. But hey, if he wants to waste his time, then that's his choice.
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- #36439 of 47862
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Re: Going to stores to look [dtezla]
by dtezla
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:18 am)
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Replying to: dtezla (Nov 26, 2008 9:00 am)
Just to clarify, I got out of the car business because I had a son & wanted to spend my nights & weekends at home with my family. I still love the car business - I know it's a tough time for those in it right now, but it will pass. I lurk & read the posts here almost daily (for years) and continue to even out of the business. Every now and then I think car salespeople need a break from some of the customers so they can get enthusiastic about what they do again & why they chose to do it. For me, I do like the "thrill of the hunt" when you negotiate, but more than that was the fact that (the majority) of my customers appreciated my knowledge & negotiation styles. I never did anything underhanded, but I did ask for profit. I'd even sold cars at MSRP to people who got lower pricing from other dealerships. They bought from me because they wanted to & what "I" brought to the experience was worth the extra "$XX". I have referal letters stating that my offer was beat by over $1000 and they still chose to buy from me because of how I treated them. That was what made my experience in the car business rewarding.
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- #36440 of 47862
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Re: Going to stores to look [dtezla]
by driver100
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:45 am)
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Replying to: dtezla (Nov 26, 2008 9:18 am)
They bought from me because they wanted to & what "I" brought to the experience was worth the extra "$XX
If you love what you do it usually shows up, other people can see it too. I like buying my tennis or running shoes, tennis racket, etc. from the local independent guy. I might pay a bit more but he loves what he is doing and his advice is well worth the extra cost. I could buy it at Wallymart and get the kid with the rings in his head who couldn't care less what I bought or why, but it is well worth the extra cost to get pleasant worthwhile information when buying anything.
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- #36441 of 47862
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by alejandrom
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:48 am)
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Edmunds and few other car related websites are the only internet access that we have at work. After two years at my current dealership I finally found something to do on the internet during the day.
But let's put it in perspective here.....
When you guys say that it's the salesman's choice if he wants to waste his time with you while you peruse the lot....well....that's not completely accurate.
The real culprits in generating the "annoying and pushy salesmen" are the sales managers and the GSM. These local hereos set the tone of the dealership.
At my place it's a high pressure, highly annoying sales approach. You are told to wear the customer down, tell them how uneducated they are for NOT buying your product, and are basically told to pester the hell out of anyone walking on the lot.
The SM's eyes are always on you.
And when times get slow...they start to play games.
It's a dealership that still holds onto those "old school" techniques from the 70's and 80's. They don't throw the trade in keys on the roof but they won't let you go until you are thoroughly annoyed and frustrated. And my "favorite" thing is that they still use the antiquated "turn over" system.
If I talk to you as a customer that means I have to bring you inside, get your information, and have a manager talk to you before you leave.
It's so annoying. Even if someone is driving through the lot I'm supposed to drag them out of their car and get them inside. Insane? Yep....totally.
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- #36442 of 47862
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different customers?
by golic
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:52 am)
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I was curious, many of you have mentioned the decline in "ups" with the current economic conditions - are you at least seeing more "serious" buyers walk in? Or are you getting the same %'s of lookers, people who can't afford..etc?
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- #36443 of 47862
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Re: different customers? [golic]
by kyfdx HOST
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Nov 26, 2008 (9:55 am)
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Replying to: golic (Nov 26, 2008 9:52 am)
golic.. Where have you been?! 
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