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Anyone sell cars for a living?

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nerp

nerp

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I've reached a point in my career that I'm contemplating a cosmic leap in terms of what I do. As it stands, I do pretty well for myself and between my wife and I and other assets we're set for life so I can afford to leave my field and jump into a new one.

I post this thread because I'd love to hear from people who work as car salesmen and their stories about the job.
 
Sell cars as in working for a dealership? Or sell cars as opening up your little place?

I was working at a dealership in 06 before the market tanked. It was a BOOMING market, seems like they sold about 5+ a day, or well 5 were picked up a day. Lobby was always full of people and the car hauler came twice a week with 10 cars each time.

Same dealership in 08, well it was dead. They were selling used cars more then new but even that was a slow pace. All the old timers either retired or sucked it up because they couldn't do anything else. All the young people i talked to went somewhere else.

Most didn't know crap about the car. Just read the little booklet and throw out numbers, like 200hp, V6, 0-60 in xxx.

Its a dieing breed, like a bank teller being replaced by ATMs and apps. So is the car salesman, truecar and other places takes away your commission. So all your dealing with is window shoppers.

I do know one thing, its hard to gauge who is pulling your leg and who is serious until its too late. Couple older salesman told me back in the day, when you walked into a dealership 75% of the time you will walk out with a car as long as the dealership could get it and they didn't screw it up. Now its more like 25%.

This might not be the same as a high end dealership.


I buy, repair, drive and sell a car maybe once or twice a year. And honestly its just annoying now. While craigslist is 10 times better then asking around or the newspaper. You get so many scammers and in general just BROKE people its not even funny. If i list a car for $2500, there is no way anyone in the right mind, drunk or not is going to let it go for $500.
 
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I grew up on a car lot. My father and Grandpa would buy lots that were not doing well and were able to turn it around and sell it for a prophet.

Trouble is we moved all over the US.

Car sales is a hit or miss business. A store may be very hot now but in 6-12 months it's dead.

you have a bad week? you are gone. they won't keep you around.

Also the job is changing. costumers are getting more knowledge on everything from the car to how to buy.
 
nerp said:
I've reached a point in my career that I'm contemplating a cosmic leap in terms of what I do. As it stands, I do pretty well for myself and between my wife and I and other assets we're set for life so I can afford to leave my field and jump into a new one.

I post this thread because I'd love to hear from people who work as car salesmen and their stories about the job.
Click to expand...

Listen to this: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/513/129-cars
 
I work with dealerships across the country consulting, training, and running events. The turnover can definitely be harsh and it takes very specific personalities to excel. Thing is, I've mostly worked with Ford, BMW, and MINI so that's a very unique set of dealerships.
 
i do not suggest taking up the occupation. among other things, the industry still expects the salesmen to clean the snow off of every car they want to sell, even on lots with 100's of cars. my old man and his artificial knees do not care for this. nor does he care for the time-wasting jackasses, online and in person.

the industry's cutthroat reputation is if anything, understated. if you're bent on moving iron, i'd consider a large dealer network with extensive dealership/manufacturer training and certification. it provides you with the tools for success, and the company's investment in you will get you as much of a safety net as possible - maybe 2 bad months before you're canned instead of 1.
 
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