Getting ready to change jobs

[ladypanther]

Been where I am 3 years.(car sales) Things were going well for a while but have steadily declined since we got a new GM a year ago.  I think my income there has maxed and will go down.  Need to be going forward.  I have stumbled onto the world of RV sales.  Does not sound all that appealing but there seems to be good money to be made and their season is about to start.

Anyone in that business?  I am likely going with a big company.  Work environment seems good and they seem fairly laid back. (I have a friend who has been there 10 days.  Someone else I know works for them in another state and raves about the business, the latter previously worked where I am now). Also, hours are better..latest I would have to work there is 6pm....8pm where I am now.

I don't make changes frivolously.  Have been looking for months.  Wanted a job with good money and banker's hours.....that opportunity has not come forth.  So, this seems to be the hope of better money and a bit better hours.  Commission sales are always risky.  Where I am not they do not seem to be driving business, and of course they blame salespeople. The RV people seem to be salivating about the thought of spring being around the corner.

So, let me know if you know anything about the business.  This is helpful for me in just talking about it.

[Doyle]

1 hour ago, ladypanther said:

Been where I am 3 years.(car sales) Things were going well for a while but have steadily declined since we got a new GM a year ago.  I think my income there has maxed and will go down.  Need to be going forward.  I have stumbled onto the world of RV sales.  Does not sound all that appealing but there seems to be good money to be made and their season is about to start.

Anyone in that business?  I am likely going with a big company.  Work environment seems good and they seem fairly laid back. (I have a friend who has been there 10 days.  Someone else I know works for them in another state and raves about the business, the latter previously worked where I am now). Also, hours are better..latest I would have to work there is 6pm....8pm where I am now.

I don't make changes frivolously.  Have been looking for months.  Wanted a job with good money and banker's hours.....that opportunity has not come forth.  So, this seems to be the hope of better money and a bit better hours.  Commission sales are always risky.  Where I am not they do not seem to be driving business, and of course they blame salespeople. The RV people seem to be salivating about the thought of spring being around the corner.

So, let me know if you know anything about the business.  This is helpful for me in just talking about it.

I don't know anything about the business but it sounds like you need a change. If the RV thing doesn't work out another dealership would snatch you up in a second.  Congratulations on lasting 3 years.  

[ladypanther]

Just now, Doyle said:

I don't know anything about the business but it sounds like you need a change. If the RV thing doesn't work out another dealership would snatch you up in a second.  Congratulations on lasting 3 years.  

Thanks.

[Doyle]

This video never gets old.  

 

 

 

[ZeroZeroSeven]

My uncle worked for Orlando RV (I think that was the name) in Florida for about 5 years after he retired - he didn't need the income, he just wanted to try something different in retirement after owning his own business for 15+ years.  

I'm not sure how much he made, but he had a nice house in a development around Lake Mary and he never had to touch any of his retirement accounts.  Over half of his clientele were couples nearing or in retirement that wanted to travel in retirement.  I think he enjoyed it - said there was a lot to learn about the differences in manufacturers and what they brought to the table as far as features, options, etc.  Ultimately he got out of it because he wanted to devote more of his time to teaching private golf lessons.  I would imagine your background in car sales would be a big help in getting acclimated.  Hope this helps!

[Mr. Scot]

3 hours ago, ladypanther said:

Been where I am 3 years.(car sales) Things were going well for a while but have steadily declined since we got a new GM a year ago.

For a second I thought you worked for the Cleveland Browns.

[thefuzz]

I would be awfully careful about the change.  At least with cars, you are selling something that almost everyone "needs".

With RV's, it's a total emotional purchase, not so much a logical and emotional purchase.

Ask the guys around the store how much of their business is referral, and be back business, and also ask the newer guys (less than 2 years there) how much they made in their first 18 months.

 

[panther4life]

I'm a 10 year vet in the car biz and would have no qualms about giving it a shot (assuming you have some savings to fall back on if it doesent work out). The only end game's in the car biz is to stay at 1 sport forever and live off repeat and referrals or work your way up to ownership status. 

One thing about the car biz is there is a million dealerships and if you can sell you'll always find a job selling cars somewhere if you're looking. Problem is it's very hard to find a good stable dealership as MRScots reference to the Browns was incredibly spot on. Trust me, I've looked for greener grass for almost my entire 10 year career and have never been afraid of change. As a matter of a fact I think I set the record for number of times leaving a dealership only to come back and start all over again (losing all of my repeat and referrals each time). Or left as a sales manager and had to start over in sales again.This all being at my original dealership I started at I probably left and came back if not 10 times very close to it. Luckily I always had a good name there and was always welcomed back.

 

 

 

[panther4life]

You may already be well aware of these things but I would like to share .

Over 10 years the 1 most important thing I'll say I've learned above everything is keeping a positive attitude no matter what! If you do have any negative thoughts do no share them with anyone you work with.

This also means staying the hell away from all the cancerous negative cynical thinkers in the dealership that like to have pitty party's together. Granted a lot times what they say can be true but ignorance is bliss. 

 

[thefuzz]

On 2/15/2016 at 10:34 AM, panther4life said:

I'm a 10 year vet in the car biz and would have no qualms about giving it a shot (assuming you have some savings to fall back on if it doesent work out). The only end game's in the car biz is to stay at 1 sport forever and live off repeat and referrals or work your way up to ownership status. 

One thing about the car biz is there is a million dealerships and if you can sell you'll always find a job selling cars somewhere if you're looking. Problem is it's very hard to find a good stable dealership as MRScots reference to the Browns was incredibly spot on. Trust me, I've looked for greener grass for almost my entire 10 year career and have never been afraid of change. As a matter of a fact I think I set the record for number of times leaving a dealership only to come back and start all over again (losing all of my repeat and referrals each time). Or left as a sales manager and had to start over in sales again.This all being at my original dealership I started at I probably left and came back if not 10 times very close to it. Luckily I always had a good name there and was always welcomed back.

 

 

 

Agreed 100% on the savings thing....I wouldn't leave a sales job without at least 6 months living expenses in the bank.

[hepcat]

I always feel like if a change comes around and you have the opportunity and you're seriously considering it, it's almost always a good decision.  Make the move.