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Any Questions for a Car Dealer?
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The discussion title says it all - if you ask a question, please be prepared to receive an answer from the perspective of a car dealer. If you do not like the answer, that's fine - we have many other discussions in which mainly consumers participate, and you are welcome to visit those discussions and seek out other opinions as well. Gathering information from many sources, rather than just one, is often the best way to feel comfortable with your decisions.
Arguing with and berating the helpful members who offer advice on these boards will only lead to posts being deleted, and the possible re-closure of this discussion.
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Oooops....I'm already off topic.
sorry, im off topic too - but i am a dealer (or at least work at one!) so i dont have any questions for myself...
-thene
I guess it does cut down on the chances of hitting the jackpot deal on a laydown if nothing else.
I could see this as something that the dealer might like, but not being advantageous for the salesperson.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
We are making up in volume what we are losing in gross. I know this sounds unbelivable, but I had a salesperson sell 107 cars last month. Now he is a freak of nature and pays a full time assistant, but that is still a decent year for some people.
I'll assume he's compensated for unit quantities more than his gross (or, lack of gross in this instance).
Good questions, though. Are all employee pricing deals "mini commissions"?
thene...has the domestics pricing scheme cut into your Nissan business?
Remember that there are other avenues to acchieve gross other than sales price.
so who knows!
-thene
Does he do his own finance work as well?
There isn't enough time in the day for that.
What does his self paid assistant do then??
Any questions for me are welcome.
I ask because lately it seems the Jiffy Lube model of loss leader oil changes combined with annoying pitches for every conceivable fluid flush and premature replacement of filters has taken hold of dealer service departments everywhere. Did Jiffy Lube put that much pressure on the service departments that they had to adopt that model to compete?
I go in for the 15k mile service and without even seeing the car, the service guy is "recommending" air filter and cabin filter replacement. When I say I want just what's in the service book that came with the car, I get the "well, if you just want to do what's in the book..." comeback with the raised eyebrows.
Got the same thing from a different dealer at the 5k oil change.
Is there no place left where a guy can get an honest assessment of the maintenance needs of his vehicle without having to endure the F&I mop and glo song and dance routine all over again?
Not trying to be inflammatory, but I am seeing this kind of business practice everywhere now. Just the other day I went to a tire shop solely to get tires rotated, because I am not going back to that dealer. They pop the hood and want to talk about power steering fluid and how black my oil is.
However, when it comes to service, we all want to go somewhere we trust. In our case, there is a local Shell service station that has treated us fairly in the past, and we go there for all non-warranty service.
Also, there is a Honda dealer not far away that seems pretty good. At least they did some warranty service on our 97 Accord without trying to get us to pay for a lot of extra stuff.
All you can do is keep looking around and using your best judgement to find an honest service center.
"your cheating me on my trade" complaints ????????????
I see a few mentions on some forums about this but raves about 10k
off sticker on a new GM truck........................
However, I see a difference between a McDonald's guy asking me to supersize something and a service manager "recommending" an extra service. The McDonald's guy is just asking if I would like a larger portion of fries and a bigger drink, something I already asked for. He is pitching the better unit price angle.
The service guy is acting like he is a professional giving advice, but in reality he is just a salesguy padding his bottom line. He has no idea what my car needs. He just has a few products to sell. Perhaps I wouldn't be so disgusted with the whole mess if he said something like "as long as you're here, why not knock out item x and y which are due on your vehicle in z miles anyway, save yourself the extra trip." instead of what I encounter which is the "you need to do this or bad things will happen."
Buyers always think their vehicle is cleaner and nicer than the guy next door .. do you think they discount the high miles, the $2,500 ding and the nasty rubber...? heck no.! .... they just find the highest info source they can find and try to use that ..................
Terry.
Your info. worked for me 3 times...............Thanks again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm going to start selling cars for a living, and I'm kind of torn between where to go. I really like what Chrysler has been doing with their vehicles lately, and I also like a lot of what I hear about the way Carmax does business. My choices right now are Citrus Chrysler in Dade City, FL, and the Carmax in Tampa. I haven't done much research on Citrus, so I don't know if they're a no-haggle dealership, pay a salary plus commission, are straight commission, or any of that. This is a brand new experience for me, and is a decision I've been mulling over for the last 8 years or so. I've got experience in motorcycle vehicle and parts sales, and retail parts and tires for cars. I've also worked as a mechanic in both motorcycle and car shops, but not extensively. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
John
As far as the type of make, I would say theoretically Honda and Toyota are the best because I don't know of many markets they have flooded with too many dealers. They a least have the oppurtunity to make money the first few years a car is out because they don't have to drop their pants on every deal because there is another dealer 10 blocks away. But they don't always have the best reps because of arrogance because of the lack of competition.
For me the dealer is the most important part of the equation and toughest to know until you sell for them. My owners have other businesses. They treat our dealership like a business, not like a car dealer. They are honest and ethical and have the same standards I do when it comes to doing business. Talk to each one and go with what you are comfortable with.
Lets use the Dodge Charger as an example.
Engine is the Hemi of course.
No sound system of any kind
No power anything
Cloth seats
No dvd/nav system
No A/C
No luxuries at all
Terry.
I am getting ready to retire from the U.S. NAVY after 22 glorious years and have been thinking about where my next step in life should be...
After pondering it for a while...I asked myself what I enjoy doing and what are my interest...then it came to me...cars!!!
I do allot of reading and researching about all types of cars, trucks, etc...it is just a hobby of my I guess...in fact when I am out driving around with my 6 year old son we play this game on naming all of the cars we see by make and model...and let me tell you...my 6 year old has all make and models down pat! Now we are working on make, model, and year!
Anyway, I am partial to Acura/Honda & Lexus/Toyota's for the main reason that I really believe in the product...for the last 20 plus years that is all I have owned!
So my question would be this, are there salemans jobs out there that pays a salary & commission? And if so, can someone explain to me how exactly that works? I believe there is usually a minimum set number of units that every employee is suppose to sell in a month correct?
The only thing that I do not like about the business is how when you pull into a dealership and see 50 salemans hanging out by the front door...to me that doesn't seem professional...especially when they are cokin' and smokin'. It would be a little intimidating to young females who might be put off by that scene.
To close, I have to admit that I do not have any car selling experience...but I have worked in logistics for the last 22 plus years...transpo, contract buyer, accountant so to speak (took care of the command's budget) etc...but as I mentioned earlier, I do have allot of knowledge about cars...through reading and research....
I do have a wife and 2 small children to think about as far as doing something with a steady income...I'm not looking to get rich per say (if it happens...great). I just want to do something that I enjoy....and can buy that loaf of bread for my family!
Thanks in advance to all that can respond as it would be much appreciated!
anyways, there are many types of pay plans out there for salespeople, all depending on how the dealership likes to run. you'll find straight commission, salary plus commission, and salary (i think the no haggle stores work that way...not sure?)
anyways, as far as finding a dealership that you think you'd like to work at, drive around, see where the salespeople are - see if they look happy, professional, and dont smoke on the front step of the dealership. if you do your research (like you would buying a car) you'll find exactly what you are looking for! and, if you get into the right place, it can be rewarding! however - it can also be VERY frustrating as well! and be prepared for long hours - 11 or 12 per day!
good luck!
-thene
If the assistant isn't an employee of the store, how does management feel about a "non-employee" doing test drives?
If the assistant IS an store employee, aren't they just another sales person at that point? That makes the "super salesman" no more than a "closer".
Does this guy write his own deals? If so, then he's really just a sales manager with one salesperson working for him ("the assistant"), correct?
Just curious!!!!
Funny, I just bought a Toyota. My sales person was excellent. She was very knowledgeable about her products and very helpful in putting a complex deal on the table. That said, when I asked her what she drove, she pointed to a Ford F150. I have to admit, it gave me "pause" since it wasn't a Tacoma or Tundra.
everytime the new motortrend/road and track/car and driver/ etc mags come out, i buy them - read them cover to cover, and can talk to anyone about almost any car confidently. it not only helps to know YOUR product, but some about your competitors as well!
our nissan store closes deals right around 47% - if only we had more people coming in! our salespeople here (and we are probably a rare dealership) get along so well - i invited them all to my wedding, we all went to our managers wedding - we have gatherings outside of work - and we work well together and help each other out as needed. people see that relationship we all have here, and the comfort level it brings, and people are more inclined to buy at a place that feels that way (again, see closing ratio!)
whoa, i got a little off topic there - sorry!
-thene
While Nissans aren't my "cup of tea", I do admire where they are today given where they were 5 years ago. I think my "bias" has more to do with the treatment I received at my local dealerships. A few years ago, I was in the market for a sports car. The 350Z had just been released and on my short list. Of the 2 Nissan stores that were local to me, both gave me a "sleazy" feeling in talking to their personnel. None of them asked me what I wanted.....just how "hot" the 350Z was. I was well aware of that fact, at the time.
Now, if they had approached me with pointing out some of the features/performance of the car instead of coming out of the shoot with the "strong price" of the car, I may have a different opinion. Even the test drives at both dealerships were riddled with high pressure sales "closes" about how the Zs were bringing strong money. But, it kind of tarnished my perception of all Nissans and their dealerships, rightfully or wrongfully.
From reading your posts, I can tell you aren't cut from that cloth, however. Too bad, you aren't anywhere close. Like Terry, danf, Craig, and some other delaership personnel who post here, I would enjoy doing business with any of you if I were in the market (which this year, has been quite a bit).
The most important factor in sales is dedication. You have to have an ability to work hard and be willing to learn from your mistakes. Be honest, sincere and have a long term plan of where you want to be 2,3,10 years down the road.
You don't have to have car knowledge in the beginning but you do have to have the right personality and disposition or this gig will eat you alive.
It isn't all fun and games but with that being said, I couldn't think of any other job in the world I would rather do. Even the best of the best ( that make it look easy) are working very hard and are very competetive.
When selling, it isn't about the money....it is about the sale. The money just happens to come with the fruits of your labor.
There may be others that disagree, and truly there are customers that will purchase from whoever beats the price of their competitor by $5, but I think that is the minority. And quite honestly, those are not the customers that you want in your book of business. Honesty, follow-up, comittment, and length of tenure all are key ingredients. The most important of all, however, is the ability to meet, get along with, and communicate with all types of people. If you have this ability, this is a wonderful business to be in, with lots of new and wonderful experiences to learn from every day.
And to reinforce what bsell said at the end in their post, I don't work with someone to purchase a vehicle to get a commission. The commission allows me to continue working with people to purchase their cars and support my family. I worry about making sure that the vehicle is sold and worry about whatever commission I get later. And notice I don't say that I sell cars btw. People purchase their vehicles from me. If I don't have the right vehicle at the right time for the right person, nothing I can do will "SELL" that vehicle. If I do a good job at matching a customer to what their needs are and making them aware that I am the best person to make sure that the process is easy, and will be there to service them correctly, then they purchase that vehicle from me.
Sorry about going on and on, but I do love what I do and so do many in the business, but want others to know what its like.
Ken
As far as management is concerned, this guy can do just about anything that he wants to. With his sales volume, gross, and customer loyalty we don't question his methods. We basically bought him from a smaller Chevy dealer in town. He accounted for over 50% of that store's business every month. In fact, Edmunds did a story about him a few years ago. So he may write his own deals sometimes. Once again, if management trusts you to make a profit they will typically let you be.
If you met his assistant, you would know immediately that he is not a salesman. He may wear the uniform, but he couldn't survive on his own I'm sure.
If you know the product, have what I want sitting on the lot (or are willing to get it for me), treat me with respect, then we'll get to a deal 90% of the time. I'm always willing to pull the trigger on something if I walk in the front doors.
On the other hand, I don't neccessarily shop cars for sport. I've heard a lot of that goes on. I just don't see that as a great way to pass the time.
I know Saturn tried the "one price" scenario, but they didn't have appealing products for the longest time.
I'm left to wonder if this is a "crossing the chasm" moment in the car biz. If the manufacturers decide to continue the "employee pricing" scheme, is it possible that they won't want to go back to the "old way"? IF they do, I would have to guess Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Audi, etc would have to follow suit to stay in the game, right?
If so, that would be an upheaval in the way dealerships and manufacturers do business that would be unprecedented. It certainly would do away with the "prices paid" part of Edmunds threads.
The makes who have good here are the Europeans....which leads me to my next question.
to me, i have xxx number of dollars to spend - i know what cars i can afford, what fall into my budget, and what i want to buy. i go from there - if it falls near my budget - im happy! who cares what everyone else paid? you are only going to be stressed and unhappy if you are always worrying about what everyone else does...
just my 2 cents though...
-thene
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
off topic but interesting.
Mazda has S-plan.
Aston doesn't have anything AFAIK.