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Car sales revisited

ladypanther

By ladypanther,
in Huddle Lounge

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ladypanther Grand Master

ladypanther

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I have been working in car sales since 3/11. This is a whole new career to me. I went with a company who has a training program and says they do things the right way.

I was so burned out with my previous career (human services....the clients not the problem, but the systems). I also wanted a chance to make some money...work hard and be rewarded. A new concept.

So, I work for a good company. The owner has several dealerships. He conducts our meeting every Mon morning. He talks about doing things the right way. His rule 101 is the golden rule...although he does not preach religion, just talks about treating people right.

He gives fair market value for trade ins and charges a fair price for his cars...usually below market value. His philosophy is to be a volume dealer...make a little on a lot vs a lot on a little.

So....just want to say, research the dealership, not just the car. I have seen people leave because we would not discount the car (we were at bottom price...they drove 2 hrs to look because of great price) because they think everyone inflates the price and should haggle. Some do, but do your research. ( I have already seen other dealerships have the same car priced 3-4000 more than ours...of course they offer more on the trade in. Often their bottom line is not better, but people get fooled on their trade in price).

I have seen that some here said they would not answer the question about what payment they were looking for. Well, where I am....that does not affect the price of a car. It just helps me direct the person to something that they might want/afford. It is common for people to be looking at a $600 payment car when all they can afford is $250. Also...bad credit people are more likely to get a new car with a rebate (esp if they have little or no down payment).

After only a couple of weeks in car sales, I commented to one of my mentors that the rep of car sales people was that we are dishonest,but it seems that customers are more dishonest. He (and he is a gentle, wonderfully honest guy who has been there 13 yrs) responded....buyers are liars.

I have had people lie to me about their trade -in. (We do a car fax check) Those seems to be the people who trust us the least when we show them we actually are charging 2-3000 dollars less than retail value for what they want to buy. Liars trust no one, even honest people.

Where I work, just before I started, they fired a top sales person for lying to a customer.

So there is honor where you do not expect to find it. We are not all alike. I will not lie or deceive. In my interview I said I wanted to be able to feel good about what I did and I wanted to do things the right way. I have gotten very nice feed back from my supervisors.

So, please do not judge all of us ( car salesman) alike. Research the dealership and the sales person. I give all of my customers my cell phone no. I got 2 calls today on my day off and I took care of them.

I love my job. I work with really nice people. I get to meet a lot of people....all so interesting. It is so neat to help someone get their first new car. If they can't get a car....I stay in touch.....hopefully together we can find a way for them to get what they need. Even if that does not happen, I get to meet so many nice people. (There are some jerks...but thankfully, they are the minority)

So........all cars sales people are not alike,or are not what you think. If you want to double check a price on what you are trading in or what you are buying...I can check that for you. Just let me know.

I am happier than I have been in years. I have 2 days off each week (am of every Sun...so does not interfere with Panther games).

Please contact me if I can help with any car questions.

Did I mention that I love my job?

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ladypanther Grand Master

ladypanther

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Buyers are liars.

Interesting philosophy, haven't heard that one.

It is a phrase from experience. Sadly, even from my short experience.....seems to be true. I want to emphasize, the perception that all car sales persons are deceptive, is not true. I am I honest and no one has suggested I be anything else.

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thefuzz Mentor

thefuzz

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Good for you.

Hopefully the $$$ will start rolling in. Referrals are key, stick with the good customers and they will stick with you.

I have bought 5 cars from the same guy in Wilmington, and when I am even thinking of buying I call him and have him find what I want and I go take a look. No pressure what so ever because he know that if I am going to buy, it's going to be from him.

He's been doing it for about 10 years and clears over 100K every year. Hope you can get to that spot.

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Scrumtrilescent Rookie

Scrumtrilescent

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Just bought a car a week or so ago. We did all the research, knew the real invoice price/holdbacks, incentives, etc...but we had so much fun with the dealer we ended up not haggling down as much as we probably could have. We put enough down so it didn't really affect the bottom line anyway, and it made his day.

That and it was late and I was teh hungray.

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thefuzz Mentor

thefuzz

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Just bought a car a week or so ago. We did all the research, knew the real invoice price/holdbacks, incentives, etc...but we had so much fun with the dealer we ended up not haggling down as much as we probably could have. We put enough down so it didn't really affect the bottom line anyway, and it made his day.

That and it was late and I was teh hungray.

Uhhhhhh what did you buy?

The suspense is killing me.

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ladypanther Grand Master

ladypanther

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So, today, I had a customer look at an SUV...which was certified (only dealers of that brand can certify). They had driven a bit of a distance and had a list of cars from their internet research that they wanted to look at. Only 1 car was left, at another dealer. They came back saying that dealer offered a "lifetime guarantee" on all used cars. Talked to my manager...he said this "guarantee" was filled with all sorts of fine print (like everything had to be done there....no exception for travelling, plus other fine print stuff.) I mention this because things that sound too good to be true often are. No one can offer a lifetime warranty on any car....much less a used car.

As it turns out, this couple (really neat people) bought from me. Likely because we offered value and seemed more credible.

Lesson....do the research. Know what your trade-in is worth. (I can give you links if you need them.) If a dealer offers a lot more....know they have their cars marked up a lot. Check out warranty options. There is a big difference. (And check the fine print).

I still love my job.

I am meeting a lot of nice and interesting people. Even if they do not buy, a lot of wonderful people to get to know.

Trust your instinct..if you do not like the sales person....run.

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