Automatch Is Hiring!

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
02/26/2018 at 12:03 • Filed to: Automatch Consulting, Automatch, Jobs

Hey Oppo, it’s been awhile. Remember me? I see a lot of new names here. Hope all is well in Oppoland . Most of you know I run a business where I help folks buy cars, and now I need your help. You all know cars, and many of you know how to buy them. So here is an opportunity to make some money.

Ok before I get into the details I need to get this part out of the way - This post has nothing to do with my work as a writer on Jalopnik. Working with me is not a gateway to being a Jalop writer. This position is exclusively for Automatch Consulting.

During some months I have the very good problem of having too many clients and not enough hours in the day. So I’ve started taking on some agents, as I call them, to help out with some of the client load.

This is a part-time, freelance position on an as-needed basis. But if you spend your free time researching vehicles and/or helping family and friends score deals on car purchases this could be a way to make some money on the side.

I am looking for agents for two positions, the pay rate is $25/hr.

Shopping Agent - You will shop new, used, or lease deals for up to two vehicles. I will give you the location and the details. A Shopping Agent will be expected to contact dealerships, negotiate price, and report back to me with the details of the best offer(s). Agents will be paid based on a six hr rate. That means if the work gets done in three hours, the Agent gets paid for the full six. Conversely, if the deals take you longer than six hours, Agents only compensated for that time. Some deals are fast, some take a bit longer. On average it should take a skilled Agent under six hours per deal.

Dealership sales experience is a plus but not required for Shopping Agents. If you are currently in dealer sales and are looking for some supplemental income, you are welcome to apply and I can arrange deals where they are not a conflict of interest for your current position.

Survey Agent - Part of my service entails helping people pick what car to buy. I send my clients a detailed questionnaire and then analyze the results. Agents will be expected to take analyze the customer needs, budget, preferences, and lifestyle. Then locate up to five vehicles that would be good prospects to test drive. Agents will provide links to current vehicles in dealer inventory along with short commentary as to why the vehicle would be a good match.

This position is great for someone who loves to research and make suggestions to folks.

Each survey takes about one hour to complete. Again if an Agent gets the work done faster they still get the full hour, but the inverse also applies.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Please do not send me an email. I get about a billion of those a day, it will likely get lost.

Thanks!

DISCUSSION (48)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:14

Can the work be done remotely?

For Sweden > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:15

Can I yell at car salesman?

Ash78, voting early and often > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:15

Oppo answers

Job 1: “I see your ad says $19,900. I’ll give you $2,500 cash. I could get a 1991 Lexus LS400 for that, so I need you to be competitive.”

Job 2: “You need a Miata. No, the kids can sit on the luggage rack. Or just make 2 trips. Worth it. I can get you an NA model for $2,500 if this Lexus guy doesn’t call me back first. Do we have a deal?”

Good luck, Tom!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:16

Good to see your business growing and to see you on Oppo!

Tom McParland > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
02/26/2018 at 12:17

Absolutely....all you need is a cell phone and a computer. I don’t do any of this in person.

Tom McParland > For Sweden
02/26/2018 at 12:18

Depends...I usually don’t.

Tom McParland > Ash78, voting early and often
02/26/2018 at 12:20

lol

Tom McParland > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/26/2018 at 12:20

Thanks!

For Sweden > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:20

Wow, sounds like someone isn’t getting coffee today, Tom.

bob and john > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:21

too bad I’m in canada :(

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:22

Fantastic. I filled out the form, let me know if you’d like me to shoot you a resume or anything.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:26

I hope you are still doing this in 2 years when I’m ready to buy a new WRX.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > bob and john
02/26/2018 at 12:26

There is only like 5-6 things a year that make me wish I was American. This counts.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:26

My parent recently bought a salvage title 2017 Traverse. Does that exclude me?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:29

Just sent in a form. Let me know if you need a resume!

Tom McParland > bob and john
02/26/2018 at 12:30

I have had to turn away customers in Canada because I’m not familiar with the dealership pricing structure up North. So fill out the form, we may have an opportunity

Tom McParland > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/26/2018 at 12:30

See the previous comment to Peter.

Tom McParland > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/26/2018 at 12:31

I should still be around.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:32

Oooh! Too bad I am gainfully employed ignoring adjusting insurance claims.

Peter would be a good candidate though!

ttyymmnn > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:33

So, you’re not looking for a guy to write about airplanes? Bummer....

random001 > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:36

I would be a perfect choice for this!

I would fail miserably, not have enough time, and just tell people to buy the damned minivan and stop whining about it, though...

But...PERFECT!

Garrett Davis > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:37

Submitted!

HammerheadFistpunch > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:40

interdasting. Since researching cars is pretty much all I do, this could prove interesting.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:40

I could never do it, I just recommend a Juke to everyone.

“I’m looking for a light RWD sports car.” “How about a Juke.”

“I want a mid-size sedan, with a V6.” “How about a Juke.”

“I need a 1/2 ton truck, with a V8.” “How about a Juke.”

BahamaTodd > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 12:54

Are we getting replaced?

https://jalopnik.com/tag/what-car-should-you-buy

Tom McParland > BahamaTodd
02/26/2018 at 13:08

Not sure I understand your question, but I will still do that column. These positions are for my paying clients that hire me as a consultant, not for Jalop readers that submit to that form.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:11

Form Filled. I know you’ll have hundreds of applications from here.

BahamaTodd > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:11

Just making a joke that your column is actually used for your clients.

Azrek > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:15

Are there designated hours? I could do part time Survey Agent with my wicked prose and keen understanding of car buying (All my friends come to me to get cars much like all Oppos here).

Tom McParland > Azrek
02/26/2018 at 13:22

There are no designated hours. I will give you a task and a deadline, as long as I get quality work in a timely manner it doesn’t matter to me when you do it. Now for the Shopping Agent obviously you would need to be somewhat available during business hours to handle calls and emails.

Azrek > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:25

How quick is a deadline? ie...I work all day away from phones/decent internet then goto the gym/school

Tom McParland > Azrek
02/26/2018 at 13:27

I like to have survey results within 4 days, I prefer to have price quotes in 4-5 days.

Mechanically > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:28

Tom, you and I have emailed regarding this in the past. (I realize that’s not likely something you recall.)

Excited Automatch is growing! I’ll shoot a form reply your way.

Tom McParland > Mechanically
02/26/2018 at 13:30

Yeah, I got a lot of emails from folks over the years, but never really had a need for them until now.

Mechanically > Ash78, voting early and often
02/26/2018 at 13:33

Tragically likely. Tom’s taking a calculated risk here!

Mechanically > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:43

Sure. And our interaction (on my side) has always been; “man I like how you do what you do!”

So, doesn’t mean there’s a fit. Just that I think your approach is both original and something I see a growth potential in.

shop-teacher > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 13:51

Oh, exciting OPPOrtunity!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 14:46

GLWHire!

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 15:34

Glad to hear that you’re doing so well! Hopefully I can help you!

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 18:08

I’d be great for this, so long as everyone wants a supercharged V8.

E90M3 > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 23:26

I like to do unnecessary car shopping , maybe I could be of some assistance.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Tom McParland
02/26/2018 at 23:54

I really thought one positions would be ‘webmaster’.

(I don’t know much about your line of business but I do know a thing or two about websites. Yours is quite ok and I understand it was built using an easy-to-use online tool but a few small tweaks can make it look much more polished and maybe attract more customers.)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/27/2018 at 19:51

Kinja'd!!!

Party-vi > For Sweden
02/28/2018 at 12:52

I see what you did here.

Chariotoflove > Tom McParland
02/28/2018 at 15:54

I have specific experience in researching and buying cars for folks with physical disability.

KWG > Tom McParland
03/01/2018 at 15:32

This all sounds great for the layman resource hound, however John Cadogan in Australia has been doing this very same thing for years. The primary difference between Auto Match and Auto Expert is professional brokers at the negotiating table by Auto Expert to ensure the very best deal without those sneaky little tack on costs many dealers enjoy to cleverly disguise as fees. A good match between client and automobile is not necessarily the optimum choice but more the best compromise between what the client wants and what is locally available.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Ash78, voting early and often
03/01/2018 at 16:20

That’s wildly accurate lol

NewAutomatchSurveyAgent > Tom McParland
03/13/2018 at 10:57

Hey Tom, did you find a new Survey Agent? I submitted my form, but haven’t heard anything. Would love to help and get a taste of this type of work. Something I’ve always thought of taking up.