Stories from the Sales Frontlines

14314324344364372003

Comments

  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    Its a small dealership and we only have 3 salesmen. Im talking about less than 70 cars on the lot total. One sells about 15 the other about 10.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    joseo

    enjoy the country club enviroment .you will learn alot in that type of store,just keep the beback dust handy.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    mack

    i think i know bill.

    bill: boss no one is coming in today the weather is to nice/bad

    bill: boss everyone is just looking today

    bill:boss the cust says the widget is the wrong shade of white.

    bill: boss they want one with air instead of nitrogen in the tires.

    bill: boss they need to ask their plumber if it is okay to buy today

    bill is always in the bucket and his kids never wear shoes when he has the wife bring them up on hotdog day.

    bill always breaks out the invoice then over allows the trade then complains he only made a mini.

    bill always smokes GPC's and wears deadman clothes.

    bill is always calling in late because his 86 taurus or 88 caddy wont start

    i always refer bill to the yota store where my dog toby could close a deal.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    well,she says to drive a subaru you need a rainbow flag , a disney sticker and a hillary 2008 sticker on the rear window

    ROFL.............. :)

    gP
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    we put 2 stickers on our subie reps car ,friends of dorothy w and logo tv.

    our subie rep said a lot of harley rider's flirted with him in traffic before he noticed and removed the stickers .
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    I was on my way home after working all day on Wednesday. My wife called me and asked if it was okay if a friend of hers drops by to say hello. Sure, no problem.

    I get home at 8:00pm. I was surprised to see that my wife's friend had brought along a friend as well. He looked vaguely familiar, but I shrugged that off and greeted everyone. Kissed the wife, the baby, took off my shoes and grabbed a beer. The guests declined one. :P

    So we sat and chitchatted a little bit about our kids and what was going on in each others lives. We talked for about 30 minutes and then the man guest starts to ask
    questions about providing for our infant. He wonders if we have life insurance or a college fund for baby. My gut starts to feel a little bit funny, but I answer him kindly and let him know what we are doing. But then, he starts to go into a full blown presentation about what kind of benefits and options we had available. Ya, he opens up his briefcase and pulls out a freaking presentation.

    My mind starts racing because I'm immediately pissed. In the past, I've just thrown people out of the house, but now I have a wife. I don't want to embarass her and her friend. So I interrupt his presentation and go to the kitchen to try and compose myself. I'm trying to think of a reasonable way to make this guy exit as quickly as possible. It's not working. All I want to do is throttle this guy because I haven't eaten, I'm tired and he's f#@$ing rude.

    So I walk back into the living room and what do you know. My wife has told him this isn't a good time and perhaps he could just leave some information for us and we'll call if we have any questions. That's why I married my wife! They exit and I let my wife those 2 aren't welcome anymore.

    I've never seen a ruder way of selling in my life. And then it hits me, this is the same guy I met about a year ago. We had met at my wife's friend's baby's christening. We had a conversation and he had eventually invited me to lunch to talk about some opportunities. When I eventually made it to lunch with him, he starts to push for me to sell insurance for him. He presents it as a part time job, but that's no part time job if you're going to be successful. I politely tell him no, even though he had never mentioned that he was going to be hawking insurance sales on me at lunch. He doesn't even pay for it!

    This is a classic example of how NOT to sell. Don't go to people's houses under the guise of friendship and then all of sudden start pushing something. Don't invite people to lunch and not pay. Mackabee said it right, be kind and let people know what you do. Bottom line is, people buy from people they like. I wouldn't purchase insurance from this [non-permissible content removed] if he was the last man on earth.

    -Moo
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
    Nice. Reminds me of years ago when a high school friend of my father calls him and invites us to lunch. My dad has not seen him in years and thought it would be great to catch up. Before we ordered he launches into his Amway presentation. My father never spoke to him again.
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    was on my way home after working all day on Wednesday. My wife called me and asked if it was okay if a friend of hers drops by to say hello. Sure, no problem.


    From the beginning of this post I tought I was about to read a Penthouse Forum :P

    That is a horrible way to settle down when you get home. Me personally i would have played with him acting all interested while getting a good buz on. Than tell him to go pound sand. :mad:

    GP
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    what city u from? I have family in Naples FL. Maybe i should go there? ;) :shades:
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    joseo, sounds like you are working at a store where there's no training at all. Go to the library and grab yourself some books on sales. To start get Tom Hopkins
    "How to master the art of sales", get something by Zig Zigler, anything, the guy is amazing and very motivational. Practice, drill and rehearse. On slow days where you don't see anyone on the lot get one of the other salesman and do a walk around as if you were selling him the car, ask for input and correct what you are doing wrong.
    With three guys there and one doing 10 and the other 15 you should be getting your share. Don't give up. Relax and don't get stressed in front of customers, they can sense desperation in a second. Last but not least, invest in yourself. Set yourself apart from the other two. Dress better, clean cut, and smile no matter how bad you think you got it, someone has it worse.
    Mack

    Ps. go to link title and check him out. He's got lots of tips and it's all free. You may want to invest in some of his cd's or dvd's later.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Don't tell me.... Primerica no doubt?
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Mack

    in naples you need to work for merc,bmw or caddy.

    naples is a ok car town .low volume ,big gross leases or mini cash deals.

    my parents live in port royal area of naples.if your ever in town let me know we can meet for a refreshment on 5th ave.

    Deskman
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    how much $money$ do YOU make an average a year?
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    i will end up just shy of 500 k this year. :cry:
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Don't tell me... PRIMERICA, right? I got nailed by a similar pitch as well. Feh! Pyramid scheme! I make more at a crappy part-time job I got on the side than 98% of their agents. Their life insurance premiums are sky high and their mutual funds are loaded. A co-worker of mine got involved with that crap and his wife almost left him.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Before we ordered he launches into his Amway presentation.

    I had the same thing happen with some friends of my ex-wife. That and the fact she is a lawyer is why she is my ex-wife
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...ANYBODY falls for Amway anymore. You'd had to be living at the bottom of a mine for 50 years not to know about them. They're a stale old joke. Heck, does anybody remember the episode of "The Simpsons" where hapless Gil goes into an Amway pitch at an AA meeting?
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    My expirience is from 20 years ago and at the time I lived in Ada MI. The presentation lasted 2 1/2 minutes before the person was shown the gate.
  • jlawrence01jlawrence01 Member Posts: 1,757
    Amway and Primerica salesmen are so easy to spot as they'll NEVER tell you in advance why they want to talk to you. That alone gives it away.

    Primerica bothers me more as they call me (as a CPA) acting as a management recruiter, make false representations as to an opportunity, and then start talking about Primerica.
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    WHAT? I wish I made half of what u make. I think you're making more than some lawyers/doctors? I think I have a new idol LOL. :D And I thought our top sales man made a lot 50K. :confuse: :sick:
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    it is a down year for me.2002 thru 2004 i did 750k +. i do get a % of everything (sales,service and parts)that goes thru the store.
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    If you were to go back in time, would you do it again or would you have gone and got another job? If you make that much, about how much are the greenpeas making? :confuse:
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Hey Roy,

    I thought you were a ruthless used car salesman?!

    -moo
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Joseo,

    Get off the internet and go meet someone. :D

    -moo
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I was made for the car business.I was lucky that the retail found me.i started as a porter/detailer at my store in 1982.

    i have some peas that make bucket checks and some that will make a 100k this year.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    right now you could say i am in the used business 85% used to 15% new the past few months.
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    What? what does that mean?
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Just a friendly reminder that you won't be selling any cars to us. ;)

    -moo
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    yeah I know I just want to see what the PROS are doing. (advise, tips , anything.............Im new to this bussiness.)
  • snapper2snapper2 Member Posts: 11
    Absolutely right-you never put the competition down because in essence you are putting the customer down-after all they are considering that vehicle. How nice to see that someone understands the value of explaining the benefits of their vehicle!
  • snapper2snapper2 Member Posts: 11
    Amen-so how do we in this business get such a bad rap? Nowdays, it's not about the price it's about the customer and how you treat them. Our brand is in person pricing because our owner recognizes the value of having the customer in the showroom-especially the way we treat them. I work for a dealership where the average employee has been there 15 years-what does that tell you?
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    How many people have you talked to today? Closing on average is 20% so if you talk to five people one will buy. Some people close at a higher rate some lower but 20% is the average. So let's begin by doing this; I want you to talk to 5 people every day you are at work. Demo everyone. You can't get someone excited until you get their butts in the car. Remember, there's an [non-permissible content removed] for every seat. ">
  • joseojoseo Member Posts: 20
    lol. thats true. But I dont think you know where Im coming from......its a very small dealership in the country. :sick:
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Prospect everyone. Every person you meet in and outside the store should have your card .

    Make a good impression with everyone you speak to.

    In the old days i would open the phone book and start with A and work my way to Z.

    In most small towns people go to the bank or credit union for carloans,make sure to introduce yourself to the loan mgrs/officers. Create a program for outside lenders.(% over net to the cust they send you)

    Create a program for civil workers (fireman,police,school teachers,county/city workers)

    insurance agents are a good bird dog,cust call agents to ask about cars all the time(Mrs Deskman owns a insurance agency)

    Chat with service cust,they are captive ups.

    start sleeping with the receptionist so she will give you all the phone ups.

    lie lie lie to make the deal! once they are burning gas who cares!!!!!!! only jokeing. :shades:
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    start sleeping with the receptionist so she will give you all the phone ups.

    :P

    It works.

    -moo
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,412
    "...the kid made 50K+ that month...he spent it all at the stripclub..."

    Dumb kid, he should have bought instead of just rented. Much cheaper in the long run. ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • sky23213sky23213 Member Posts: 300
    Ah, but who said "Why buy a cow, when you can get milk at the store" :P
  • alamocityalamocity Member Posts: 680
    Great advice Mack, shoot I'd buy a Toyota from you if you were closer. Our dealership's here leave a lot to be desired I'm afraid, the last time I went I had a guy who reminded me of that motivation speaker character done by Chris Farley on SNL
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Back in the day i sold a mirada to a cop.Every thing was great until the bank mailed the payment book.The cop opened his book and noticed his payment book had 60 payments when he thought he had a 48 month term.

    A few weeks later the cop is blowing up on the showroom and my owner comes out of his office and asked what he is upset about.(i did a 5 finger contract close and then stapled contract and put in envelope)Owner asked the cop when he planned to trade.the cop said in 2 years and my owner looks at the book and tears out the last 12 payments and said see you in 2 years to order your next car.

    I asked the owner if i would get a charge back and he said the cops always send cars back to the bank and not to worry about it.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,412
    "...Great vehicle..."

    That's the line a salesman use on me once. I drove in in a badly battered 1991 Oldsmobile that my kids had dented on every surface and was covered in rust. The salesman said: "That's a great looking car, the Oldsmobiles are terrific vehicles".

    Now you tell me he probably didn't really mean it. :cry:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    never buy when you can lease and walk away.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I am on Mrs Deskman version 3.0
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    version 3

    :) Hadn't heard it described that way before :)
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    I am on Mrs Deskman version 3.0

    Would version 3.1 be an enhancement of 3.0? :blush:
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    3.1 DD after the little deskman arrives this summer.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I have a nice day going .I have inked 15 today looking for at least 5 more.

    Should i slide out early so i can play with Mrs.Deskman ?

    I could have Jr watch the store.will he jerk if it gets busy or will he decapitate them ?
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    one word

    AMWAY
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    i thought your name sounded familiar. fan of "Used Cars" are we? LOL.

    "What the hell is this? Is this a 1974 Mercedes 450SL for *twenty-four thousand dollars*? That's too &$%#ing high. "
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    Back in the 80s i worked with salesmen that dressed like rudy and the evil brother roy.I have worked with a colorful bunch over the years.

    The best ones today are Minority Preachers that travel the country.They sell cars and preach when not at the dealership.They last about 6 months then move to a new church and new dealership once they have beheaded all the church members on car deals and all the young female church members are knocked up.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    madmanmoo

    do you sell hyundai? in the states or india?
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.