Should I be a car salesman?

"DAMG0014" (DAMG0014)
02/16/2015 at 15:07 • Filed to: dealership, salesman, buying, life, job, advice, tips

I'm 24, nearing 25. That's a quarter century! What the fuck am I doing!? I work at a call center; it's horrible, and really don't want to climb that ladder. I went to school for graphic design; I do art on the side with sub-par results and recognition.

Anyway, I like cars. I figure if I'm going to coast for another year while I pay for my car, save (to move the fuck out of Fargo), and do boring adult stuff, I may as well get a job that I half-way enjoy. Car dealers are hiring in my area. I know I'll probably be selling Civics, crossovers, and well, more crossovers. I know there must some Oppos that know thing or two about the subject.

I guess my concern is that my laidback attitude may not bode well in a sales environment. I worked as a sales associate at Macy's; it wasn't commissioned, so I technically didn't have to worry about my sales performance. It's not that I'm not that lazy, but my sales performance was always a thing that "needed improvement." I am customer-minded. I was probably one of the most knowledgeable people in my department, and took pride in informing customers and leading them in making the right decision. And that's my attitude. I'm not particularly pushy. Any tips? Could I still be a decently performing car salesman with that attitude? I have bills to pay. Or do I need to grow a mustache and make mother-in-law jokes!?

DISCUSSION (21)

OPPOsaurus WRX > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:11

y not do something in graphic design?

E. Julius > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:11

I don't have personal experience, but what you've described sounds nothing like what any of the salespeople on here have said is required in previous posts of this nature.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:11

Man, you sound similar to me. I'll be 26 next month, and I also work at a call center. I've also worked non-commission retail as well. And I'd also love a career in cars. Seems like it'd be totally awesome.

Steve in Manhattan > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:13

I used to hang around a Mercedes/Volvo/Toyota dealership when I was dating the assistant service manager, so I know a bit about this (one guy there sold me a 300D and a Camry wagon - he was good). Find a place with high volume - you're not going to be selling Mercs or Audis when you start. Listen to a sales course so you learn how to close - I sold real estate in a previous life, and if you can't close a sale, you can't make a living. Often it's as simple as asking whether they want the white one or the red one. ABC - always be closing.

StingrayJake > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:17

The fact that you have sales experience might help. And while they might not admit it up front (depends on the GM/sales manager), dealerships really do prefer in-your-face personalities. That's not to say they won't hire laid back folks (again, depends on GM/SM), those people just generally don't last long because of the stresses and hours.

I went through a few interviews at car dealerships back in the fall. One dealership had an aptitude test that apparently was the difference between me getting the job and not. The rest were usually just meet-and-greet with the sales manager and them giving me a raised eyebrow when I told them about my background. Please fill out the paperwork and we'll never call you back.

I came from a journalism background and I'm pretty neutral emotionally in almost all settings. I'm not a pushy person. Ended up with an office job in marketing (coincidentally marketing products that dealerships buy) that doesn't pay what car sales people get but it's regular hours (8-5 M-F and not 80-hour weeks M-S) and it was a good raise from the peanuts in journalism.

DAMG0014 > OPPOsaurus WRX
02/16/2015 at 15:19

HAHAHAHAHAHA! HA!

Yeah, I've tried, kinda. Prospects are kinda limited here; I'd like to work at an agency, and there are only so many here. I'm thinking of saving-up for next the few months, to make moving to a bigger metro area and bit more comfortable.

OPPOsaurus WRX > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:23

my buddy works for a small helmet company and now controls everything for thier catalogs web images, ........ little places can be fun too

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 15:24

I work in car sales. Don't do it because you like cars. You'll quickly learn one has nothing to do with the other. There have been other people who asked the same question here on Oppo, look around for those posts and their responses.

DAMG0014 > OPPOsaurus WRX
02/16/2015 at 15:30

Oh for sure, if I could get an into something like that, I wouldn't mind. I know this girl who's kind of a do-it-all for new company. She just ran into that opportunity when she was working as a barista.

So yeah, I have my peepers open. Just no luck. A lot of the more established professional places look for experience, which I don't have :/

DAMG0014 > Twinpowermeansoneturbo
02/16/2015 at 15:45

I was trying to look for posts. I figured this could have not been the first time this has been asked. I went kinda deep with the keywords that I used, but I didn't see anything.

I'll try to search a little more. But this alone is a bit discouraging. The few times I've visited dealers, I've been disappointed by their knowledge; I figure that's something that could set me apart. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'm pretty good at remembering facts when comparing products.

My one positive experience was with a guy that was very charismatic, but he was rather open about his ignorance; it was a weird experience. It was an easy sell, because we were looking to buy, not look - so I think he picked-up on that, like, "I know you're going to buy this, so fuck it, let's just work a deal." Most of abrasion came when negotiating the price, but even that was a bit tongue-in-cheek, like, "You can't blame me for trying to rip you off!"

By the way those quotes are my paraphrasing of what I think was going on in his head. He didn't actually say those things, but I'm pretty damn sure he meant to.

mycarneverruns87 > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 16:05

I was a salesman for almost a year before I quit. I was at a great dealer working for great people so that was not the issue. I was the issue because I was laid back as well and couldn't ever close deals. I tried my hardest but couldn't seem to make it work. Customers want the world and then some and walk in expecting you to try to f*&$ them. I am as nice as they come but it just doesn't translate. I thought I would be able to sell based on product knowledge which I was dead-wrong on! The customer only wants to know about how many airbags the thing has and if you can give them the $15,000 they owe on their $400 shitter while also taking 50% off MSRP for the new vehicle. You will also be undersold by literally $50 from another dealer after you work with them for a few days....NOT JOKING!! You have to be aggressive and go back and forth between customer and sales manager a lot so be prepared.

If all of this sounds ok then go for it. It really isn't easy.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 16:14

If you end up going into the business you'll find the negotiation process is the easiest bit. You'll be trained thoroughly to work the numbers and extract the best offer from a customer, but in the end all you have to do is what your manager tells you. He tells you everything, and you convey it to the customer. The hard part is everything that comes before the negotiation, and dealing with the non-customers and strokers. It can be extremely frustrating and exhausting. You don't know if you have something real until you approach a customer. And once you've spoken to them and determined if there is something there, it's hard to get rid of them quickly if there isn't. I made much more extensive posts about the industry on other threads. If you look through my post list you'll find them.

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 17:08

do you have a portfolio?

dr861 > DAMG0014
02/16/2015 at 22:06

It looks like you're asking the right questions. You should be asking if you really like sales as a career. Not only that, if you like the title of salesperson, which is one of the most despised titles in the business world. I've been in sales (NYC Real estate) for the last 3 years and while there are many things I love about it, there are definitely a few things I've learned which are harsh realities of the business. First, finding business will be your number one task. If you aren't ready to go find it, I highly suggest reconsidering. Secondly, you HAVE to be a self starter, and this is really hard to train into yourself if you are not. Third, what mycarneverruns stated, is absolutely true. You are going to run into clients and have to take their guff with a smile and your best attitude. You treat one client badly and it could be the end of your reputation as a salesperson.

Being a salesperson isn't a great side gig, even though many people think they can make a quick buck or two. It's a full time job, and you have to think about it like building a small business from scratch. Your business. Like as if you're name was on the sign outside the dealership. It's anything but fast. If it is for you though, the rewards can be great. You are always meeting new people and involved with new scenarios, and if you are a guy that loves every facet of getting a deal done, I highly suggest it. Give it a whirl and see if it works. If you are making good money in 6-9 months, I'd say stick with it. If not, get out, immediately. Also, if you're unhappy, get out.

Here are some words to live by:

"Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

DAMG0014 > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher
02/17/2015 at 13:43

Pfffft, duh .

I need to get better at pimping my stuff. I don't know. I know I haven't put myself out there enough. Out of college, I was under the impression that showing my work to get me a job immediately. It's been about four years now.

DAMG0014 > mycarneverruns87
02/17/2015 at 13:48

Were you able to make a living? My financial status is pretty fragile; I pretty much live from paycheck to paycheck. But I'm finally starting to save money. I'm not sure how the whole commission thing works; I have an idea, but if I don't sell enough and end-up making minimum wage (or something) one month would be a big burn. I only would like to do it for a year or so.

DAMG0014 > dr861
02/17/2015 at 14:07

You're right. Thanks for that input.

I don't want to be salesman, and I don't that to be my career. I kinda go back and forth between this idea of coasting and being best you can be in all situations. I mostly interested in doing it for about a year to save money. I make about $14 an hour at the call center, and can make up to $20 IF I do overtime, but then, taxes. So I can make like an $500+ a month if I put in an extra 40 hours. But that's MORE work, in something I really don't like doing.

I do like meeting people, discussing products, and trying to find what meets their needs. It's a fun challenge. While I am polite, I'm not the kiss-ass type, that will say - "That looks great, you should buy it!" - if it's not so. I do think selling cars and talking to people would be fun, even if it's a family minivan. It's something I wouldn't mind doing for the time being, but I really would like to do it as a way to make more than usual money to allow myself more of a cushion so I can take (financial) risks as far as moving and/or pursuing my career.

Your comment is a little more encouraging.

DAMG0014 > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
02/17/2015 at 14:10

I don't know about totally awesome, but I would rather be sitting in a car than in a cubicle, heh.

Did you go also go to school for something besides "call center guy"?

mycarneverruns87 > DAMG0014
02/17/2015 at 17:08

You will likely have a base pay which is usually enough to live on. To make commission you need to sell and earn more than your base pay in order to make above. I only surpassed my base pay 2 months of the 7 I worked there. A different salesman who was the top seller (knew jack about cars) pulls over 100k a year.

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > DAMG0014
02/18/2015 at 19:22

Yeah, I meant as in "I may need to get something done soon, please could I have it" rather than blindingly obvious advice.

DAMG0014 > BlurpleToyotaDishwasher
02/18/2015 at 21:41

Yeah, dude! The "duh" was a link. Check it out and let me know. My email is acquaintdan@gmail.com

http://fourltrs.carbonmade.com/