Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    what part of florida is your dealership(s) in?
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    yeah, just imagine what it would be like to sell 99 and miss by just 1 unit, that would suck!
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    yeah, just imagine what it would be like to sell 99 and miss by just 1 unit, that would suck!

    I would like to be the customer that buys the 100th unit on the last day of the month, quarter, year at 15 minutes before closing. :D

    How about invoice, less incentives, less holdback, and a 1000 to boot? ;) :P Don't worry, I'd make sure the CSI was perfect. :blush:
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    Ive been working here for 1 1/2 months and im starting to wonder if this is what it will be like. Floor traffic real slow and Ive only sold 3 cars . Is it that this dealership is really small or what? Ive had a couple of ups but half of them arent buyers and the others have credit issues.This is my first time selling cars. Although my bro has made a pretty good living off of selling at a little bigger dealership for 3 yrs. now.
    How did ya'll start out? :confuse:
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Ive been working here for 1 1/2 months and im starting to wonder if this is what it will be like. Floor traffic real slow and Ive only sold 3 cars . Is it that this dealership is really small

    It is December don't worry to much. What do you sell and what is location?

    It will pick up during Presidents day weekend and continue.

    GP
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    Ford.................Texas
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    South florida
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    closest anyone has come to the 100 unit bonus was the dealers son with 76 1/2 deals( not one house deal).the kid is a great car man not your typical lazy dealer kid.I am currently training him to become a deskman,
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Ford.................Texas

    I wouldn't worry too much. From what I understand Fords sell more down there. How else is anyone going to tow all that cattle ;)

    It is just Christmas time... I only have a coupke out myself. Some guys don't have any. Hang in there untill Presidents Day............

    GP
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Oh I hate that.

    There isn't much I hate more then bonuses that are completely unachievable. Our top bonus level is pretty high but it has been hit a couple of times. I have done it twice and my partner has done it two or maybe three times as well.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    most deals on new anything only make the owner money.but look at it this way a mini on a new is $250 and the spiff from the factory is a stair step starting at $100 then throw in a unit level bonus and a % of f&I. you can make 75 k a year being a order taker.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    the kid made 50k+ that month including cash spiffs unit bonus factory cash and f&i.the best part is he spent it all at the stripclub.
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    oh, i wasn't complaining. our minis are 160, and right now all i sell is used which have been way more than minis.

    sorry its been slow for everyone else, but not for the dealership i'm at. i already have 5 sold for the month with another that about 90% done. last month i sold 4.
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    No i mean 3 in a month in a half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    our month started dec 3rd and i have billed and burning gas 83 deals ,61 used and 12 new.
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    what do you sell and where?
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Yeah but that is for the whole dealership. How many cars does the average salesperson have out so far?
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    a few have none and a few have a few. my top product spec sold 57 or so last month. i know he missed the 60 bonus.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    chrysler,dodge,jeep,kia,hyundai and subaru in florida.
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    how was it when u STARTED working there? did u sell as many?
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I have been here 25 years. when i was a salesman we only had Dodge and i would sell 25 + a month. That was back in the day of a $100 dollar pack, 30% front and back ,you had to contract your cust and get your deals bought at the bank and closed on sundays.
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    how many are other guys at your lot selling? if most aren't doing that many then you might consider a different store.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Res%10.5k miles 36 months money factor buy rate(825- 850 beacon score) with volvo financial .

    Anyone looking for a quick and easy deal? I want to order a unit with tourist overseas pick up.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Hey deskman, welcome to the forum. You sure have livened things up. A few of us here are not in the car biz, so tell me, just what is a deskman? Thanks in advance.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I am a gsm of a dealership. The guy who can only write with sharpie markers. I say no a lot and and sit behind tinted glass.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] ColoradoPosts: 0
    He's the man behind the curtain... ;):)
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Deskman email me using the email in my profile there are a pair of Volvo dealers in my autogroup and one of them specializes in OSD. I am on the other side of the country from you but with OSD I don't think that matters. I will call the finance guy I am buddies with and introduce you two.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    british_rover

    thanks if he and i can work out a deal for 200 under i will send you guys a 100 each amex gift cards.

    deskman
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I plan to build a c70 tonight with Mrs Deskman. I will send you the specs soon.
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,630
    God, I love this board.

    Party on!
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    the best part is he spent it all at the stripclub.

    Now thats a car man. Rich on the 1st Broke on the 5th :D

    When I used to be the training mgr I would love to hire people with one of the following traits.

    1. Expensive taste

    2. In debt up to their eye balls

    3. Had a wife who was a stay at home mom

    4. Was used to having money.

    5. All of the above

    Put people like that in a commission based job and they will work there [non-permissible content removed] off because they needed the money.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I got to work at 7:30 am, its my partners day off. I got my first customer in my office at 9:30am and the last one just finished 20 minutes ago and I had some one in front of me all day. The best thing about it is they all financed!!!! :D

    Ended up hanging 9 deals. That is a good Thursday for us.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    the only reason i started selling in october 83 was because my 84 turbo colt payment was $175 a month and i launched the motor in my 70 hemi super bee.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I still have 3 tables full and 2 riding.i hope to get out of here by midnight.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,822
    spring for an atlas dude. Last time I checked, Connecticut and Florida were on the same side of the country! Different ends of course... :blush:

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    The Diamond white pearl is the hardest to find. This store also has a 99 with 112k miles and they want $7995.00 for it.
    Mackabee
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    spring for an atlas dude. Last time I checked, Connecticut and Florida were on the same side of the country!

    Only if your perception is east west. Going North south they are on opposite sides of the country. :shades:

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Cool I will call my guy tomorrow and see what his allocations look like.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Joseo, you need to let people know what you do for a living. First start selling your friends and neighbors and go from there.image

    Work the service lane, get there an hour or more before the rest of the sales force and talk to customers in service. Get to know the service writers. They are good for a couple of deals a month. Take them to lunch when they give you a customer that buys, their choice. image

    When you take your laundry to the cleaners, leave a couple of business cards in your suit pockets, give the cashier one also. Ask her if she knows anyone that needs a car. Ask her if she needs one too. image

    Never be ashamed of telling people you sell cars. As long as you are doing your job honestly and treating people fairly you never have to apologize for what you do. image



    Network. Get to know your competing brands and even hook up with another salesperson and have a reciprocating relationship. You send him customers that won't buy your product and vice a versa. I have a relationship like that with a former navy buddy. He sells Hondas I sell Toyotas for the same dealer group and we can cross sell but I prefer to stay at my store and send him anyone looking for a Honda if I can't sell them a Yota.
    He does the same, little secret, get to know your main competition strenghts and weaknesses and use them to your advantage. Never put the competition down. Example: Customer says to you "I'm also going to look at the Chevy Silverado." You reply "Great vehicle, Chevy makes some of the best trucks around. Let me show you what makes my truck better.!" image

    I could go on and on. And remember, there is no such thing as a slow month. It's only slow between your ears. Prospect, people buy cars in the winter time also. And one last thing, don't assume that someone is not a buyer because they "aren't buying today". Like the guy in the Glenngerry, Glennross, movie said to the sales force, "If they are on your lot, they are looking to buy a car"
    And like I say, "You are obviously here to buy a car, because we don't sell hamburgers here!" ;)

    image

    Mackabee

    ps. If you need any more tips let me know.
    Also, stay away from Negative Bill.
    Bill is the guy that always complains about Joel getting all the house deals, he complains that the inventory stinks, he complains that there's too many sales persons on the floor, he complains about the service department, he complains about customers using the internet to do their homework, he complains about the weather, it's too cold, it's too hot, pretty soon you're complaining along with Bill. Misery loves company. Go to work, to work, stay away from the huddle and away from the pack. Separate yourself from the crowd.

    image
  • otto8otto8 Member Posts: 116
    MY MY....................The FRONT doors AND the REAR sliding doors are
    falling off the sienna vans............................

    OUCH !!!!!!!!!!!! I knew my eyes weren't failing me...................
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Hey, you never told us how the Dog and Pony show went at your store last Saturday! Who won the Fusion and who won the F-150? Enquiring minds want to know.
    :shades:
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    What are you talking about?!
    Mack
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,630
    First, you gotta wanna.

    Then, do what you've laid out here. I was in sales (technical electronic stuff) for a couple of years, and it's interesting that the basics are still the same, 30 years on.

    Do what you do well, and be proud of it. Let other people know, without being a PITA (think Amway).

    Either way, if you get along with people & know your product and the business, sales can be very rewarding.

    It's a shame that sales has such a poor reputation, but I see the same thing in my present occupation (engineering/management). The politicians (easy money types) seem to win in the short term, but the professionals will win in the end. Problem being, many organizations these days aren't interested in "the end."

    What have you done for me lately?
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Never put the competition down. Example: Customer says to you "I'm also going to look at the Chevy Silverado." You reply "Great vehicle, Chevy makes some of the best trucks around. Let me show you what makes my truck better.!"

    I use that same idea when I have to go up against a competitor. Don't put them down just play up the strengths of your product. Another good idea is when someone says I am looking at a Podgysleriac Caracordolla ask them what they thought about certain features you know are weak on that model. If you know that the back seat in the car doesn't fold down completely flat and yours does ask him what he thought of the fold flat rear seats. When he says, "Oh well they say they fold flat but they really don't go flat all the way," listen and then show him and/or remind him that yours do.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    from what i understand osd does not come out of allocation.bmw,audi mercedes osd does not come out of dealer allocation.

    Mrs Deskman is already crying about giving up the 911 . I told her we can keep it and she can drive my demo.that did not go over well,she says to drive a subaru you need a rainbow flag , a disney sticker and a hillary 2008 sticker on the rear window
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    i ended up getting all 5 late lastnight and left at 11.45. i am sitting on 100 new and used going into the first weekend.now i all i need is 100 this friday saturday and sunday.

    i just love 50% off sales.i also love P cars. 2007 widget only 4988 after trade equity or cash down of 5000 get them before they are gone. lol
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Hey D man, you are wasting your time on that SM desk!! If you ever got hold of me I would probably buy 2 or 3 cars before I could get out the door. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    what is your beacon? we can deliver them to your door.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    9 am and i have inked my first deal jacket! bring on the boges i need a big backend day today.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    i just love arriving to work and seeing people with the news paper ad in hand and sitting on the car they want to buy. too bad that the 2004 widget with low miles they are trading is only worth $975.

    I love this business!!!!!!
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