Car Dealer Jobs, do you need to start at the bottom?

[infernouk]

Hey guys

I am 25 and have always loved sales and cars, so i figured I might try some time in a car dealer.

I wondered if anyone in the field can offer some insight as to if i will nee to apply to mass brands like Ford etc, or if its possible to get in at a more premium end?

I have experience working on marketing for Nissan, Rolls Royce, Mclaren and other premium brands but this was in a head office marketing capacity not a showroom floor.

Also I have a marketing degree if thats worth anything here.

Cheers for any advice!

[Wilmslowboy]

Working in a prenuium brand is differnt to working for a 'volume' brand
Most of the sales team for our JLR, Audi and Merc dealers started in that brand...so no need to start at Ford if you aim is to work for a premium brand.

Earmings and enjoyment do not necessarily increase with the exclusivity of the dealership.

[infernouk]

Wilmslowboy said:

Working in a prenuium brand is differnt to working for a 'volume' brand
Most of the sales team for our JLR, Audi and Merc dealers started in that brand...so no need to start at Ford if you aim is to work for a premium brand.

Earmings and enjoyment do not necessarily increase with the exclusivity of the dealership.

Thanks so I do have a shot applying straight into premium dealers?

And yes im very aware that theres no more money to be made at the top than the bottom, i just find i sell better when i have a passion for my product and i know id perform better at a higher level

[Wilmslowboy]

Yes apply straight for the brand you want to work with. (The DP of your nearest site).

Each of our brands also has separate marketing functions - so opportunities in mkting as well, if you don't fancy sales.

[infernouk]

Wilmslowboy said:

Yes apply straight for the brand you want to work with. (The DP of your nearest site).

Each of our brands also has separate marketing functions - so opportunities in mkting as well, if you don't fancy sales.

Sorry but 'DP'? dealer principle or something?

I specifically want sales as i dont want to be sat at a desk all day anymore!

Is there any limit to brands? Like i cant just go for performance brands as theyll want experienced sellers?

[Stu-nph26]

It's a hard gig mate I went to work for BMW great cars, great craic and decent earning potential 40k -70k if you're good. If your aren't you'll make a grand a month after tax and get the bullet in 2-3' months. That was my first job in car sales however I have worked in sales all my life I was a similar age you are now. Expect long hours, high pressure, time wasters and stress. My honest opinion would be don't do it but that's my opinion only if you really want to go for it but fully expect a hard job.

[Stu-nph26]

infernouk said:

Sorry but 'DP'? dealer principle or something?

I specifically want sales as i dont want to be sat at a desk all day anymore!

Is there any limit to brands? Like i cant just go for performance brands as theyll want experienced sellers?

Yea dealer principle go in and see him if he likes you most will give someone a chance if they like them

[infernouk]

Stu-nph26 said:

It's a hard gig mate I went to work for BMW great cars, great craic and decent earning potential 40k -70k if you're good. If your aren't you'll make a grand a month after tax and get the bullet in 2-3' months. That was my first job in car sales however I have worked in sales all my life I was a similar age you are now. Expect long hours, high pressure, time wasters and stress. My honest opinion would be don't do it but that's my opinion only if you really want to go for it but fully expect a hard job.

I live at home and live off £500 a month i make myself, i can live well on £1K and im told by many i would be good for the job, ive worked central london agencies at a much higher stress level than i would assume of dealers, im going into it expecting only to do 3 months if i dont like it so its more about trying that making it my lifes mission

[Butter Face]

I'll echo the comments above, it's a hard job, I mean it's not hard work, you wear a shirt and talk to people all day

The hard work is going in every day, every week, every month, every quarter and relentlessly selling cars. Doing the numbers, keeping customers happy and ticking all of the boxes is hard work.

If you want to work in prestige, go for it. You don't have to start in a volume dealer, but lots of people want to get into that and see it as the holy grail. I'm not bothered, if you sell Ferraris you don't get to drive one every day, you just get to deal with the rich people who buy them.

I sold 250 cars last year and did quite well, planning on hitting 300 this year.

[Stu-nph26]

infernouk said:

I live at home and live off £500 a month i make myself, i can live well on £1K and im told by many i would be good for the job, ive worked central london agencies at a much higher stress level than i would assume of dealers, im going into it expecting only to do 3 months if i dont like it so its more about trying that making it my lifes mission

You don't have to justify you thinking mate I was just giving you my experience of the trade. I've also worked in central London agencies and the stress and pressure was more in the car game. Your only as good as your last month. You may love it or hate it only one way to find out

[infernouk]

Stu-nph26 said:

You don't have to justify you thinking mate I was just giving you my experience of the trade. I've also worked in central London agencies and the stress and pressure was more in the car game. Your only as good as your last month. You may love it or hate it only one way to find out

cheers yeah im in a position i could quit after a week and be ok so i feel nows the time to try whatever i want anyway!

[infernouk]

Butter Face said:

I'll echo the comments above, it's a hard job, I mean it's not hard work, you wear a shirt and talk to people all day

The hard work is going in every day, every week, every month, every quarter and relentlessly selling cars. Doing the numbers, keeping customers happy and ticking all of the boxes is hard work.

If you want to work in prestige, go for it. You don't have to start in a volume dealer, but lots of people want to get into that and see it as the holy grail. I'm not bothered, if you sell Ferraris you don't get to drive one every day, you just get to deal with the rich people who buy them.

I sold 250 cars last year and did quite well, planning on hitting 300 this year.

Cheers for the insight, i think its still something id want to try and worst case i just drop it and do something else no worries!

[Stu-nph26]

Go for it mate don't just go for the brand you like ask about commission, how the dealership is doing against target etc you want to be somewhere with an OTE 40/50k minimum.

[infernouk]

Stu-nph26 said:

Go for it mate don't just go for the brand you like ask about commission, how the dealership is doing against target etc you want to be somewhere with an OTE 40/50k minimum.

Cheers I will do! i want to stay local so my choices are limited but I live in a wealthy area so hopefully prestige brands are shifting ok!