Sitrep:

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura) 07/09/2016 at 22:00 • Filed to: None

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Did a little canvassing of local dealers today. Here’s what happened:

Started at Jag/Rover. They were slammed (I was shocked too) so the managers had the receptionist take my resume. But they did tell her to tell me to make sure I call on Monday to remind them. Being that they insist I follow up because they were too busy and might forget is refreshingly honest. Not counting it as a win but not counting them out yet.

Next was Infiniti. A much smaller dealer (only 5 sales people), but also one of two that I got to actually talk to a manager at. He seemed genuinely happy that I came to talk to him. My theory is that they’re trying to add another person anyway, and having someone with experience who actually want to be there would be much better than they could have otherwise hoped for. He’s talking to the GM to see what closing night they have to talk to me (since they respect that I have a 9-5 currently and are willing to give me a late interview).

Went to Mercedes next. The manager would not come see me and had the receptionist take my resume. However, there is was much more of a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” transaction. Also the vibe of the dealer was not a good one. Very stoic and joyless. Not at all like a car dealer Saturday should be. I don’t care what you sell, get the customers excited and you sell the car. I’m counting this one as DOA unless they prove otherwise to me.

Next I went to Subaru. Same joyless atmosphere as MB. And they’re not highline, so I’d be in a solemn vacuum 70 hours a week for $5k a month. Nope. Didn’t even leave my resume.

Finished up at BMW. They were slammed working end of day deals when I got there. The second place I actually got to talk to a manager. He seemed genuinely happy and emphatically assured me he would call to get something in the works on Monday. Prognosis: positive.

So there it is. Looks like I’m gonna have a big week ahead of me, and possibly some big decisions to make!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/09/2016 at 22:45

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Good luck! I hope something pans out for you. Any others in your general area? Even more of the same brands? As you probably know there can be huge differences in atmosphere from one place to the next. So the downers might be better elsewhere.

Sam > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/09/2016 at 23:02

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If you’re doing sales, I’d pick Jag/LR over the other 2 potentialities. The commissions can be pretty crazy. Our top sales guy would regularly make $10k+ a week .

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 07/09/2016 at 23:12

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I wasn’t super excited about Mercedes to begin with, I only went to that one because one of my old managers that I trust completely told me to give it a try. Also, there isn’t another one close or withibg the distance I wanna drive. I’m being selective because the last two times I felt lucky to just have a job, but now I recognize my value. So I’m being a bit of a diva lol.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Sam 07/09/2016 at 23:16

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I really want to. That’s the one I’ve felt the most drawn to, and as I said, I got good vibes from their response today. I’ll just have to see how it pans out.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/09/2016 at 23:21

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Whatever works for you! Good job recognizing your value. That always comes through in interviews and makes it easier to land jobs. I know how that, “train of feels?”, goes, I’ve been there myself. It’s an awesome feeling to realize your own value, and even better to find am employer who also recognizes it and compensates you fairly.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/09/2016 at 23:28

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Having worked with Jag/LR, Mercedes, and Infiniti, I say J/LR is definitely your best bet. They treat their sales staff right, and those guys were always in a good mood. Plus their product launches were crazy fun. Merc and Infiniti are much more tiresome and joyless, just like the people who buy the mass majority of their products. Always penny pinching, always nagging and whiny customers. It was not a fun environment.

If you have one near you though, my #1 is and always will be Porsche.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 07/09/2016 at 23:36

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I know right? The two dealers I worked at before, both were from connections, so I always felt like I Didn’t completely feel like I earned my position. But at Cadillac, the same manager that got me the job there ended up putting me through the ringer, and I still stood. So it did wonders for my confidence. I was looking at following my good manager from that store to somewhere else this time too, but I recognize that I don’t need to to be successful.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 07/09/2016 at 23:40

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Porsche is a SUPER long way away from me. But thanks for the insight. Are you in NoVa by chance and know the dealerships I’m referring to?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/10/2016 at 02:14

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A lot of people follow managers around. They don’t tend to be the best employees and go down with any hot water their managers get into, and can never get above that manager. Not only that but those managers with crews in tow tend to be... interesting? But not in a good way. Not saying they’re all this way or that you situation is. But those who find their own path and continually earn every step for themselves based on merit tend to be more successful and stable in the long run. At least from what my perspective has shown. One store I was at went through 5 GM’s and another 15 sales managers in just over two years, each with their own crews many of whom have failed out of multiple other stores since.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/10/2016 at 02:45

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No, I’m in SC. Don’t know any dealerships up that way, lol. But the dealership I worked for included all the brands I mentioned above, along with a few others. My position allowed me to work with all the different franchises and see the difference in sales style from brand to brand. So I just figured I’d throw my two cents in from what I saw during my time in the luxury car game. Good luck with it man!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 07/10/2016 at 11:20

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A lot of those people that follow management do it because they have to. They can’t sell cars without that manager taking care of them. I wanted to follow him because he’s the first manager who has really understood that because of how often sales sucks, we have to make it fun. I just don’t want to go to a lifeless dealership where there’s no fun. Because that’s a death sentence for me.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 07/10/2016 at 12:03

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Exactly.