Problems already in my new job (car salesman)
Discussion
Hi folks,
I started my new job (first job infact) at my local Platinum Vauxhall dealership two weeks ago and up until now I have throughly enjoyed it. I sold my very first car yesturday and I was well and truely over the moon. Then today my manager called me into his office to have a chat, nothing bad was said against myself, however we have this new salesman starting and he will be taking my desk, in which I have been relocated in a dingey office away from the showroom window and just away from anywhere to see potential customers. This upset me as it felt like I was being pushed to one side.. Then my manager went onto saying, "let the other salesmans serve before you and then pick up the dribs and drabs". At this point I was incredably pissed off, not only because it felt like I was being excluded, but I am very competitive and I really do enjoy talking to customers about our products. I get quite a kick from it.
Another thing which hacked me off was, at the same time I started, so did another chap (a lot older than myself) and he didn't get any of this mentioned to him. Ok, he has sold one more car than myself, but my manager has been sent emails from customers saying how much of a polite young man that I am and I have a great product knowledge.. This other chap hasn't had anything of this sort. Oh, and this chap got a company car straight away, whereas I have to wait for 3 months. We are both on the same contract so I am not sure what is going on there..
Am I taking this a bit too heart? Or should I have a word with my manager tomorrow as I am really not happy? I really do not want to upset anyone, partly because I am on my 3 month trial period and also because I am the newbie, of which I don't want to sound like a wingey cock.
I started my new job (first job infact) at my local Platinum Vauxhall dealership two weeks ago and up until now I have throughly enjoyed it. I sold my very first car yesturday and I was well and truely over the moon. Then today my manager called me into his office to have a chat, nothing bad was said against myself, however we have this new salesman starting and he will be taking my desk, in which I have been relocated in a dingey office away from the showroom window and just away from anywhere to see potential customers. This upset me as it felt like I was being pushed to one side.. Then my manager went onto saying, "let the other salesmans serve before you and then pick up the dribs and drabs". At this point I was incredably pissed off, not only because it felt like I was being excluded, but I am very competitive and I really do enjoy talking to customers about our products. I get quite a kick from it.
Another thing which hacked me off was, at the same time I started, so did another chap (a lot older than myself) and he didn't get any of this mentioned to him. Ok, he has sold one more car than myself, but my manager has been sent emails from customers saying how much of a polite young man that I am and I have a great product knowledge.. This other chap hasn't had anything of this sort. Oh, and this chap got a company car straight away, whereas I have to wait for 3 months. We are both on the same contract so I am not sure what is going on there..
Am I taking this a bit too heart? Or should I have a word with my manager tomorrow as I am really not happy? I really do not want to upset anyone, partly because I am on my 3 month trial period and also because I am the newbie, of which I don't want to sound like a wingey cock.
kybo said:
Yes,
I think you are taking it to heart - quite rightly so IMO, and so would I!
Initially, it sounds a little bit like you're being persecuted because of your age.
I would approach your manager, but in such a way that you would like a few things clarifying - ask him to explain why you are being moved into the closet for this other salesman (maybe he has a good track record - not a good enough reason to move you, tho), why you've waited for a car when others haven't. That way it doesn't look like you're a winge-bag.
However, things aen't always as they seem.
A positive spin can be put on this - have you considered that your manager may think YOU don't need a desk in a key position to sell cars, that YOU don't need the easy sales like the others. Could be that he believes you could sell sand to the arabs!!
HTH,
Scott
I was just thinking of how I should approach this situation and you are right, that would be the best way. I am not expecting a car at all, however it is incredably harsh on their behalf to let me wait. It an insurance thing, as I was the easiest to insure out of myself and the other guy who started. Party because he has 9 points and quite a few claims and I have a clean licence and almost 5 years no claims. I think you are taking it to heart - quite rightly so IMO, and so would I!
Initially, it sounds a little bit like you're being persecuted because of your age.
I would approach your manager, but in such a way that you would like a few things clarifying - ask him to explain why you are being moved into the closet for this other salesman (maybe he has a good track record - not a good enough reason to move you, tho), why you've waited for a car when others haven't. That way it doesn't look like you're a winge-bag.
However, things aen't always as they seem.
A positive spin can be put on this - have you considered that your manager may think YOU don't need a desk in a key position to sell cars, that YOU don't need the easy sales like the others. Could be that he believes you could sell sand to the arabs!!
HTH,
Scott
The positive side of being in the "closest", is I will have my own office, so very little distractions for myself. I will also be closer to my line manager for any help if needed, I will have air con and no longer the slowest computer in the whole universe
Downsides - It seems like I am being pushed out, as I was told there was only going to be 2 positions at the dealership because of the previous two people leaving. I won't be able to see any customers what so ever, so I will constantly have to be up walking around (no problem, but annoying at the same time), the "closest" gets used by everyone at lunch and lastly, the other guy that started the same time as I did is allowed his desk, a car, doesn't have to change desks and doesn't have to look like a complete tit by going to chat to the branch manager tomorrow about this. Oh bugger!!
Tonberry said:
You've only been there for two weeks. If you want to keep your job think very carefully about how you conduct yourself.
I personally would not mention it for now. Keep performing and review the situation in three months. Keep a record of all that is said to you down to every last detail.
Chin up - welcome to life.
How old are you by the way?
I am 22 (just turned) and I haven't been rude or anything other than polite to anyone. I really need this job and I am really trying. It is something I enjoy and have wanted to do for a while, so I really do not want to mess anything up for myself. Plus, my parents would kill me I personally would not mention it for now. Keep performing and review the situation in three months. Keep a record of all that is said to you down to every last detail.
Chin up - welcome to life.
How old are you by the way?
First off, thank you everyone for taking time out to reply.
Yesturday I met the new guy which is taking my desk and first off, he has the worlds most pathetic handshake. He also came across as being very cocky (a bit of a jack the lad character) and not very confident in what he was preaching about in sales ( I am aware that I have contradicted myself, but he was a weird one). I also spoke to one of my co-workers who knows of this fella, and it isn't good news. Apparently he is very lazy and he had a bad track record for meeting targets.
As for speaking to my line manager (of which is a really nice guy), I have taken your advice on board and made a note of everything that was said, which I will bring up after my 3 months probationary period. Looking back at what was said, I am very glad I didn't fly off the wall like I would have done normally. I really do not like to be treated any different than anyone else, but I am new, so I will just work my arse off to prove to my manager that I can do my job. Oh and I won't be picking up the dribs and drabs, if none of my colleagues can be arsed to speak to people, then that isn't my fault. I am very determined to make my next sale, however I do need to practice "closing the deal". I really do enjoy this job so far, it is exactly what I wanted it to be, well apart from the long hours (10 hour days is knackering me out
)
Yesturday I met the new guy which is taking my desk and first off, he has the worlds most pathetic handshake. He also came across as being very cocky (a bit of a jack the lad character) and not very confident in what he was preaching about in sales ( I am aware that I have contradicted myself, but he was a weird one). I also spoke to one of my co-workers who knows of this fella, and it isn't good news. Apparently he is very lazy and he had a bad track record for meeting targets.
As for speaking to my line manager (of which is a really nice guy), I have taken your advice on board and made a note of everything that was said, which I will bring up after my 3 months probationary period. Looking back at what was said, I am very glad I didn't fly off the wall like I would have done normally. I really do not like to be treated any different than anyone else, but I am new, so I will just work my arse off to prove to my manager that I can do my job. Oh and I won't be picking up the dribs and drabs, if none of my colleagues can be arsed to speak to people, then that isn't my fault. I am very determined to make my next sale, however I do need to practice "closing the deal". I really do enjoy this job so far, it is exactly what I wanted it to be, well apart from the long hours (10 hour days is knackering me out
)Edited by Monkey news on Saturday 24th July 12:04
Edited by Monkey news on Saturday 24th July 12:06
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