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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

48057 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 1:12 PM

You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester

What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#36450 of 48057
by alejandrom
Nov 26, 2008 (10:36 am)
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The thing is...this dealership is really successful.
 
I think that location and product have A LOT to do with it but it still doesn't take away the fact that we are a very successful dealer. We are located in a pretty affluent neighborhood and these people have the chop to buy Toyotas and they also stay loyal to the brand. We are on pace for 350 cars this month.
 
Still pretty good.
 
Like I said before.... a guy like me can make 65 stacks doing a job I can't stand. But when the money dries up and the gross is down this job takes on a very different tone.
 
Last year there were salesmen making over 120K. That is absolutely crazy money in this profession. Of course...there were only two guys making that money while the rest of the staff was around 40-50K. I was a little above average because I was in the used car department.
 
Anyhoo....I have the day off today and Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Maybe Friday I can go back and put together a deal or two and make some money for Christmas.
 
Gooble. Gooble.
#36451 of 48057
Re: different customers? [kyfdx] by golic
Nov 26, 2008 (10:39 am)
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Replying to: kyfdx (Nov 26, 2008 10:15 am)

Out of the car market and with trying to focus on career and juggling kids in sports, there is only so much time in the day to surf the internet. I really enjoyed reading this forum,but for awhile just felt I had little to contribute.
 
Now that my '05 Pilot lease is up in February, I am back doing my research and getting a feel for the current market - I don't want to be the "guy" you guys rant about. I understand your woes and just doing my research so when I pull the trigger it makes for a fast, everyone is happy transaction.
 
I enjoy this thread to give me tips, such as I promise you guys, I won't give the sales guy "I have to check with the wife" spiel when I am shopping. And I swear I won't leave in a huff If i can't get 0% financing!!!
 
It's good to be back...
#36452 of 48057
by alejandrom
Nov 26, 2008 (10:41 am)
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.I miss the car business the more I think about it
 
No...you don't.
 
I was in the Marine Corps for 4 years and sometimes I wax poetic about the god ole days back in the Corps. Then I snap back and realize that 18 mile humps carrying a base plate for the mortar was not fun.
 
Just imagine working a "bust out" (12 hour shift) and talking to two credit criminals and a guy who is going to wait to buy until after the auto show and you will snap back to reality real quick.
 
By the way....I was thinking about writing down some of my ideas for a 30 minute sitcom based around a large dealership and sending them to Hollywood.
 
Good idea for a show or what?
#36453 of 48057
Re: [alejandrom] by exb0
Nov 26, 2008 (10:42 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 26, 2008 9:48 am)

My local Toyota store is like that. I would never buy from them, but when I want to “stroke”, that’s where I go.
 
I have noticed that the salespeople are getting very smart there. They “up” you in the parking lot and take you straight to their car lot. They would walk with you through the inventory and have you pick a car out for a test drive. Then they leave you by the car freezing and walk back to the store to get the keys. After the test drive, they feel you out to see if you are a real buyer, if not; they leave you in the parking lot and walk back to the store through the service area. The SM doesn’t even realize that they had a “customer”.
#36454 of 48057
Re: [alejandrom] by mikefm58
Nov 26, 2008 (10:46 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 26, 2008 9:48 am)

Thx for the clarification, that explains things much better. If I were in the business, I wouldn't last one week in a place like that. Guys like that think they're successful after they lied through their teeth to "club the customer like a baby seal". I'm not saying don't do your best to sell for the highest price, but old school lies cross the line. I bet your place runs the typical screamer ads too.
 
My advice to you, find another dealership or line of work.
#36455 of 48057
Re: Tired of selling cars.... [alejandrom] by greanpea68
Nov 26, 2008 (10:58 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 25, 2008 10:54 am)

And if I run into one more single male who is looking for a car without his wife I think I might lose it. I've never met a bigger bunch of strokes then the single males looking for a car. They never have the intestinal fortitude to pull the trigger on a car purchase without"cehcking" in with their wife.
 
LOL....
 
Buddy I hear your pain. I also think I am at the end of my rope but I keep telling myself that when the economy turns around it will be worth the wait. I won't know untill it happens. But I have to agree that I used to like this business better in years past but tell my self I can't dwell on that because this is what I know and do. Customers have been changing the way the purchase vehicles but in the end it still comes down to how I treat and service my customers. I believe if we continue to give good service it will pay off when things (the economy) turns around.
 
If you have been doing this over 5 years I would suggest to stay in and wait it out.
 
Also where else are you going to go? That was question I asked myself and couldn't answer.....
 
I wish you the best of luck and suggest to hang in the game especially at the type of store you are at. When I get that stressed out with the business I try to take a week off. But I know that isn't a easy approval to get from management
 
Good Luck!
 
GP
#36456 of 48057
Re: Tired of selling cars.... [snakeweasel] by gogiboy
Nov 26, 2008 (10:59 am)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 25, 2008 4:44 pm)

"Statistically there is little if any difference these days between most major brands."
 
Snake--
 
Spoken like a true accountant. I always enjoy your cut-to-the-chase assessments.
 
Maybe you've read the following (paraphrased) quote: The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.--J. Stalin
 
It's probably not a line you should use at your next audit--unless it's after examining the books of one of the Big 3 automakers.
 
Gogiboy
#36457 of 48057
Re: Tired of selling cars.... [rogeliov] by greanpea68
Nov 26, 2008 (11:04 am)
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Replying to: rogeliov (Nov 25, 2008 11:09 am)

And you're complaining about 3-4? with the average closing ratio being 20 to 25% I think you skills are lacking my friend. Maybe it is time for you to find another line of work. Only in America.
 
Yes closing skills come into question here but "customers" have changed.... He works in Chicago and I am sure there are plenty of Toyota dealerships there.
 
When I say customers have changed.... I mean they are more willing to shop 3-5 dealerships either by phone, email, or adds.... Than the customer only wants the best price. Obviously..... If dealerships give "the customers best price" they would never make any money..... So untill you walk in the shoes of a car salesman today you may want back off the insults of telling someone to find another business.... and if you read his post correctly that is what he was stating. Give the kid a break!
 
GP
#36458 of 48057
Re: Tired of selling cars.... [alejandrom] by greanpea68
Nov 26, 2008 (11:06 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 25, 2008 11:33 am)

When you take the gross out of the equation, cars sales starts to become a very tiresome and tedious process. Long hours, boorish customers, and A LOT of patience for a sale that may bring you only a $100
 
I agree and feel your pain...... You can sell 5 cars a week but if the profit is not there and you are working 60 hours a week for $500 (5 mini commisions) after taxes and benefits it isn't worth it any more
 
GP
#36459 of 48057
Re: Tired of selling cars.... [alejandrom] by greanpea68
Nov 26, 2008 (11:09 am)
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Replying to: alejandrom (Nov 25, 2008 11:53 am)

I also double as a clinical psycologist as well as a used car salesman
 
ROFLMAO...... Boy do I know that one
 
GP

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