Who Wants to be a Successful Car Salesman?

"Matty V" (mattyv)
05/13/2015 at 07:25 • Filed to: carbuying, jalopnik, sales

Does anyone here work in the car business as a salesman, sales manager or finance manager? If so, how do you like your job? I’m a finance manager. The most hated person in the dealer. However, I think it’s a lot of fun and you get to meet interesting people. Who on OPPO wants to work in a dealer’s sales department?

DISCUSSION (22)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 07:30

pass.

i’ll stick to the parts department thanx.

Firewrx234 > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 07:37

I’m currently a car salesman but will be taking another job next week. The biggest reason is the time commitment. I love my store and the people who work there. We’re like a family and I plan on hanging with them after I leave but I can’t be putting in 12 hours a day for almost 6 days a week. Too rough.

Don't get me wrong I actually love the job, being able to meet all kinds of interesting people and being able to learn more about the cars than I ever could have outside of a dealership. It was fun and besides, if the new job doesn't work out, I wouldn't mind coming back.

Coty > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 07:43

Dis guy.

Coty > Coty
05/13/2015 at 07:44

Oh wait, I read that as, “Who works in a dealer’s sales department?”

My bad.

LongbowMkII > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 08:52

Depends on the dealership. Helping people find an awesome car sounds like a great job. However, needless upselling and having to hear racism/sexism all the time would make it tough for me to keep a dealership job. Granted all dealerships are not like this, but I feel that my area would be worse than the national average.

Matty V > Coty
05/13/2015 at 08:54

He’s the “tree finger salesman from joisey”

Matty V > Firewrx234
05/13/2015 at 08:57

Congrats on the new job. Being a car salesman isn't easy. We're always viewed as the bad guy by customers. And yes, 12 hour work days are the worst thing about the car business. However, with persistence and willingness to stay late, I've seen many salespeople become very successful. I'm lucky because my dealer doesn't make us stay late, or over-work us.

Matty V > LongbowMkII
05/13/2015 at 09:02

All the dealers I’ve worked for (in northern NJ and Lower NY) never had racism or sexism issues. They all took these issues very seriously. Also, you’re right about needless up selling. It doesn’t work. A good car salesman will point you in the right direction when it comes to the right car. For instance, I work at a Chrysler Jeep and Dodge dealer. Most people come in wanting the absolute top of the line car (ie. Grand Cherokee Summit) when all they want is leather, sunroof, and nav which all is available in the Grand Cherokee Limited for $10,000 less.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 09:07

I do, I have a few applications pending now. I’m also considering applying for a Lot Attendant position at a local Porsche dealership because that is the ideal place to build a career.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 09:21

As soon as I turn 18 I want to go into the dealers!

Eventually the plan is to open my own

Matty V > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
05/13/2015 at 09:38

Smart guy. Start small and think big. Never let that big dream die! I know people who have acquired a dealer with NO MONEY.

Matty V > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
05/13/2015 at 09:40

That sounds great! I don’t know how much a lot attendant would make at a porsche dealer. But you’ll be driving Porsches all day. Almost anyone can work at a car dealer as a salesman. I would hire practically everyone who applies.

Matty V > pip bip - choose Corrour
05/13/2015 at 09:41

That's no problem man. The parts department is equally as important as the sales department. All of the different departments are important.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 09:44

if only we didn’t have to deal with retarded customers who seem to think they know it all.

or retards who can’t even get a vin off their car when they need to order parts , even though they know they need it.

As Du Volant > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 09:54

I spent 6 years selling cars and loved it. Was very successful with it too. The hours were absolutely brutal but the enjoyment of my job kept me going. The worst thing other than the hours were the ups and downs with money. It really sucked to make 1/3 as much in January as I made in July.

I’m still in the biz now, but I got promoted to director of operations for our internet sales department for the whole auto group. The income is (a little) more stable and the hours are great, I work 8-5 M-F now instead of 9-whenever 4 weekdays plus Saturday.

This business is like a drug.

Matty V > pip bip - choose Corrour
05/13/2015 at 10:02

Yeah. My parts department always complains when customers don't provide the VIN. It's essential for parts.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 10:15

I’ll stick to the other half of the building, thanks. Though I do on occasion help the sales staff with some of the more tech savvy customers. Spent a few hours this last Saturday helping sales with multiple customers since the shop was slow. The worst part is putting all the time in, going out of your way to answer all of the questions, and then having the customer go somewhere else.

Your boy, BJR > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 10:30

Card game?

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 11:02

I previously worked at a bank as a teller so I have sales and customer service experience which I hope puts me ahead of other applicants.

The Porsche job would probably be a step back money wise but for me its a step in the right direction career wise.

Matty V > Your boy, BJR
05/13/2015 at 11:22

Through legal and creative ways of financing a business.

Matty V > As Du Volant
05/13/2015 at 11:37

You’re totall right. This business is like a drug. I’m in the finance and insurance office. This is really where the hours suck. But the rewards are the reason why I'm still here. And yes, January sucks everywhere.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Matty V
05/13/2015 at 14:07

I work in parts, I meet most of the people working in sales and I have to say our new FI guy is great. Hes a little odd himself, but seems to be a vary nice guy. We do have a few typical “salesmen” but that’s bound to happen.