I am considering taking a job as a car salesman and was wondering if some people who have been or are salesmen could let me know about the job. What are the good points and what are the drawbacks? Thank you for any advice.

 

People aren't buying cars right now, so I'd think trying to sell them is going to be quite difficult...

 

It's not that people aren't buying cars, it's that they're not buying cars like they used to.

Being a cars salesman takes patience that a lot of people don't have. In order to makes sales quotas, you might have to do some things that you might not be comfortable with, i.e. high-pressure sales tactics, etc. I hated all that stuff.

 

It's a tough gig but you are 18 so give it a shot. I don't recall seeing many 18 year old car salesman so that may work against you.

I think I'd rather be selling Hondas than Acuras. Keep that in mind during this market. You want to work at some place that you can move cars.

 

Just don't misspell your employers name. Remember it's Infiniti not Infinity. Good luck and def try to work somewhere like hyundai. People want value these days not luxury.

 

The job is at a Toyota dealership and hopefully my age won't be a problem but you never know.

 

I would caution taking a job at Toyota given all the recalls and bad press, but Toyota is still the top selling brand and for the most part are great cars, so I wish you luck

 

You can make some decent money selling cars depending on what type of person you are.. Me I am blunt and up front with people and tell them how it is , so I do well..
It also depends what dealer you work for, I seen ALOT of people come and go..
I worked for Saturn for 5 years and my best year I made close to 70K and my worste year (which was last) I made $30K in 9 months.. My first 3 months at Infiniti I made 15K and I was training for 2-3 weeks where I made no commission..
My pay here is $200 / week plus 25% on the front and 5% on the back ..
The most I made on a car (well truck qx56) was $10,000 up front fo I made $2500 on one car but those dont come around too often.. Then you have unit bonuses 10 cars +$500 and 13 = demo allowance $300 but every dealer is different..
There are 11 sales people here and 3 broke 100K but u have to WORK..
This is a JOB that you controll how much you can make so if you are hungry and know your stuff and can talk to people (no be afraid to tell them that there car is POS and is worthless and stuff like that) then you will be fine...
Infiniti also is offfering spin bonuses on G convertables and M's so every G convert or M we get $200-$700 strait from infiniti..

 

StonedCL what are the hours like?

 

Your AGE will be a problem , when I started I could not get into Highline dealers (MB , BMW) cuz they wanted expirence older people..
One of my old managers worked for the DLR I work for now so He got me in...
Peopel are weary to buy a 50K car from a 18y/o kid...
You will prob have to start out at like Nisson, Honda, or like a Mazda DLR unless you know someone!

 

HOurs are

monday 9-8
Tuesday 9-6
Wensday 9-8
Thursday 0ff
friday 12-7
Saterday 8-6
Sunday Closed in NJ

48 hours a week

 

Those are my hours but MOST Dealers are 2 whole day 11-12 hours
one early day one late day and one day off and all day saterday, so also depends on the dealers hours..

 

^you're back...

 

As others mentioned. Think twice about Toyota. They are under the gun. There are a lot of hungry salesman in those dealers right now. I suggest Hyundai, Honda, Ford.

 

Damn that's a lot of coin. I had no idea the markup on those things was that high. How much do you typically make on a car when someone pays "invoice"?

 

Around $1000 (Give or take a couple hundred depending on car) on invoice so I would make 25% of that

There was $6000 in Dealer cash on the QX at that time..

 

I was looking into it and was actually offered a position with Audi... but I turned it down. Not worth working all of those hours and giving up my nights, weekends, and holidays for that kind of money. Most of the sales guys were putting in 50-60 hours b/c car sales are down... so they worked extra hours to get that one or two extra units moved. No thanks...

That said, at your age you will probably do well and probably won't mind working those hours. As StonedCL said though... your age may be an issue unless you know someone. You will likely have to start with a "lower end" brand to gain some experience... but hey, you never know.

 

When I was slightly older than you I started selling Mercedes Benz/Volvo/Mazda products during the summer months while attending university. The gentleman who owned the store took a chance on me, and we actually remain good friends until this day.

I'm sure a lot has changed during the years, but I look back on the experience with fondness. Your age will not be a problem. A potential customer isn't interested in your age, he/she is interested in your product knowledge and professionalism. Age is not a reflection on either. The hours can be a bitch at times, and always deliver any car personally. Do NOT get an associate to do it if it's your time off. Be respectful and accommodating. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't pretend that you do. Excuse yourself and find out what the customer has asked. Just remember that a customer can buy a car anywhere. Give them reason to think that buying it from you is a benefit.

Good luck.


Terry

 

^ See around here, those higher end brands require 3-5 years experience, so he'd likely have to start at Ford, Chevy, Mazda, or one of those brands. But like I said, you never know. Can't hurt to try!!

 

I worked for an independent dealer for 4 years. Although it was a lot of fun and great experience, relying so much on people's buying habits probably took a few years off my life.

I'm extremely happy to be getting constant stable paychecks these days.

 

I have been doing the car thing for a long time now. My dad bought a car lot when I was 18 and I worked it every summer all the way through college. Since I graduated I've been running the lot to let me parents get away and vacation and stuff.

People are actually spending money again, which is really nice. On an average month we sell around 20 cars give or take a few here and there. I pay myself only on commission 30% on all profit sales and I think I made about $35,000 last year. Not bad considering I come and go as I please and I really have no boss, which is rare at 27.

So I say take it, if you can get your hustler mojo going, you might be able to make a grip of cash, if not whats the worst that could happen.

 

^ Much different then working at any of the big name franchised auto dealers...

 

You have to enjoy what u do , and you will do well...
I love my job, I meet new people everyday, I drive alot of different cars ..
BUT I was a car nut since i was little , I had all the matchbox cars and always thought I would own a Lutus Espirt..
I worked for Verizon Wireless for a few years and Loved dealing with people ( I am a people person in person) so I moved on to my 2 loves people and cars and I enjoy everyday at work.. And the managers dont give me a hard time cuz they know I am here to make $$ , I see them get on some people and feel kinda bad for them, but they leave me alone...

You got to be happy and have a great personality to make good money selling cars.. I would not give this up for a steady paycheck and a cubicle for 8 hours a day... When you work at a job that you earn a steady pay and make the same amount as the guy in the cubicle next to you but due double the work..NO WAY .. not for me... The people that would rather get a steady paycheck then a chance to bring home $5000 in week are the guys that just want to get buy in life and do not want to excel..
You get what you put in, and thats why alot of people don't make it cuz they want to get but not put in!

 

Wait......no talk of conspiracy, controlled explosions, traceable money, black helicopters, "they" are behind it all......what's going on here?!?!?!?

 

Sorry to tell you but I contibute alot of things to this forum not just my Belifes.. Thats the other thread.. I allready got Banned for "derailing one thread"

 

What is a "belifes"?

 

I would absolutely love to see one of your completed sales contracts.

Terry

 

Takashi: I think I've got a frush.
Booger: What the fuck's a frush?
Takashi: [showing his royal flush] A *frush*.
Booger: [showing his cards] Oh, well I've got two sevens and two sevens beats a frush.
Takashi: Oh, thank you.

 

Hey did you notice they spelled Infinity wrong on the ad below?

 

 

<div><object width="512" height="322"><param name="movie" value="http://d.yimg.com/static.video.yahoo.com/yep/YV_YEP.swf?ver=2.2.46" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="AllowScriptAccess" VALUE="always" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="flashVars" value="id=5646813&vid=1679294&lang=es-mx&intl=e1&thumbUrl=&embed=1" /><embed src="http://d.yimg.com/static.video.yahoo.com/yep/YV_YEP.swf?ver=2.2.46" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="322" allowFullScreen="true" AllowScriptAccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" flashVars="id=5646813&vid=1679294&lang=es-mx&intl=e1&thumbUrl=&embed=1" ></embed></object><br /><a href="http://espanol.video.yahoo.com/watch/1679294/5646813">Takashi: Revenge of the Nerds Tricycle Race</a> en <a href="http://espanol.video.yahoo.com" >Yahoo! Video</a></div>

 

They are easy, I just copy the information off the license..
I know and my managers know I am the worste speller, thats why I sell cars.. NO writing involved!

 

^^ Let's hope the GM does not give you email access to the clients.

 

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/page001.html

 

The new waffle

 

Become a car salesman so that you can sit around and post conspiracy theories all day when you're slow!

 

So it's a Syrup Delivery Vehicle? Nice!

 

car salesmen will burn in hell lol

the most diabolical swindlers on the planet.

never did like them, i even hate the salesmen at my acura dealer. i've heard them lie to customers faces.

 

A car nut that sells Infinitys and belifes that he will own a Lutus. Jesus Christ.

 

Hes right, you do have to love it.

He loves sitting on his ass in a car dealership day after day posting dumb shit on Acura because no one is buying cars right now.

So, if you love sitting in an empty showroom doing nothing all day, be our guest and follow in mr.9/11's shoes. I bet you get real bored real quick.