Need advice on job interview with Alfa dealer
Need advice on job interview with Alfa dealer
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Discussion

simon67

Original Poster:

346 posts

289 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
I have a second interview with an Alfa dealer for a sales exec job. As this is my first foray into the world of new car sales I was wondering if anyone in the trade could offer some advice.
I am basically keen on the job but do have some worries.
1. They are offering a salary of 7k basic plus 20% commision on new and 10% on S/H. Is this reasonable or shoud I push for a better basic?
2. Alfa dealers seem to have a bad reputation - any experiences?
3. Target for new sales is 150/year between 2 sales execs - is this reasonable?
4. Is Fiat going to go bust & take Alfa with them or are GM going to mop up the mess?

Thanks in advance for any help
Please feel free to make any other comments about this type of job


Cheers

agent006

12,058 posts

295 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all


Please feel free to make any other comments about this type of job



If you're completely incompetent at anything and everything, you'll do well.

polar_ben

1,413 posts

290 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all

1. They are offering a salary of 7k basic plus 20% commision on new...
3. Target for new sales is 150/year between 2 sales execs


Is it just my crap maths, or would this mean >£250,000 p/a commission?!

alunr

1,676 posts

295 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all

polar_ben said:

1. They are offering a salary of 7k basic plus 20% commision on new...
3. Target for new sales is 150/year between 2 sales execs


Is it just my crap maths, or would this mean >£250,000 p/a commission?!


I'm guessing this is only on the profit bit. If not I'm off to be a car dealer!

simon67

Original Poster:

346 posts

289 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
Just on the profit I'm afraid!

williamp

20,457 posts

304 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
Remember that no job is for life- and that goes for both sides.

If youre keen, whyh not take the job? We all make mistakes, and if this job is not for you then leave. Its not the end of the world.

But you might really like it, you may be very good at it, and you may get that call from the Ferrari importers asking if you would like to work for them..

Dont turn it down because Fiat MIGHT go bust- even if they do tommroow (which they wont, the Italian government will see to that) theres probably 6 months- 1 year of car stock to shift. Plenty of time to learn the trade, get some training and look for another job.

Go for it!

simon67

Original Poster:

346 posts

289 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
Cheers willamp - nice to hear some positive comments. I think that I will probably give it a go - it's not a great leap in a years time to be selling Ferrari or Maserati!!!

TheLemming

4,319 posts

296 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
I would also suggest checking Autocar, Reed etc for car sales positions for comparison.

The £7K basic does look a little low...

miniman

30,196 posts

293 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
How confident are you in making a decent number of sales? If you're not dead certain you'll hit that targer, £7k seems like a pretty basic basic.

simon67

Original Poster:

346 posts

289 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
quotequote all
I'm going to try for 10 basic. I think that he needs me more than I need him!

Superflid

2,254 posts

296 months

Tuesday 11th March 2003
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Just remember:

"Selling a car is like making love to a beautiful woman"

chris.mapey

4,778 posts

298 months

Wednesday 12th March 2003
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Go for it. Basic isn't too bad I started on £4K basic a few years ago.

Don't forget to talk about sales process etc, and delivering excellent levels of customer service (no I'm not joking - that's how I got my job!!)

20% comm on new cars in pretty good, but what sort of dealer margin is in an Alfa?, also are there any quarterly bonuses that you get a taste of? What about manufacturer standards payouts?

If you want to ask anything specifice, please feel free to email me (I currently sell Hyundai in Ipswich - don't yawn at the back!)

Chris

Edited to add : GOOD LUCK!

>> Edited by chris.mapey on Wednesday 12th March 10:30

sparkey

789 posts

315 months

Wednesday 12th March 2003
quotequote all
I'd go for it - he who dares wins etc.

Find out what the profit level is and then work out accurately your expected gross. Thier targets will probably be fairly accurate, and if you are well off the target you'll probably be out anyway !

If nothing else it'll be good experience

incorrigible

13,668 posts

292 months

Wednesday 12th March 2003
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Superflid said: Just remember:

"Selling a car is like making love to a beautiful woman"


It's all about todgers Paul

simon67

Original Poster:

346 posts

289 months

Wednesday 12th March 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for the encouragement folks.
Dealer margin is 8% and average profit per unit is £800 on new & not sure on used - I guess more!
I think that the big question is will the dealer reach its target of 150 new units? Alfa are pushing heavily into the fleet market with lots of new diesels so who knows! I am keen one minute and then not so keen the next. The issue of co car tax is a bit of a worry. What if I get a V6 to take home (great I know) BUT lots of tax to pay on a poluting 27K motor?

Desisions decisions

Oh yes, another spanner in the works is an interview with a certain prestige 4X4 dealer next week!

>> Edited by simon67 on Wednesday 12th March 11:07

sparks

1,217 posts

310 months

Wednesday 12th March 2003
quotequote all

simon67 said: Thanks for the encouragement folks.
Dealer margin is 8% and average profit per unit is £800 on new & not sure on used - I guess more!
I think that the big question is will the dealer reach its target of 150 new units? Alfa are pushing heavily into the fleet market with lots of new diesels so who knows! I am keen one minute and then not so keen the next. The issue of co car tax is a bit of a worry. What if I get a V6 to take home (great I know) BUT lots of tax to pay on a poluting 27K motor?

Desisions decisions

Oh yes, another spanner in the works is an interview with a certain prestige 4X4 dealer next week!

>> Edited by simon67 on Wednesday 12th March 11:07




Based on the above info, selling 75 cars @ 800 dealer profit, with your cut of 20% gives 12000 commision.

Total 'salary' 16000 plus any benefits.

Not sure if that is any good, but can be used as a comparision to current income.

Go for it. Alfa's are good cars, and maybe you can make the dealers (well one at least) better!

Sparks

P.S My maths isn't great, so I may not be right.....

pdv6

16,442 posts

292 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
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sparks said:
P.S My maths isn't great, so I may not be right.....


Er, yes. I make that £19k + used sales

FourWheelDrift

92,380 posts

315 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
quotequote all


Watch me Simon. Learn from me. I could teach you everything there is to know about this business. These aren't cars were selling here - they're dreams.
And to know about cars, to know about dreams, you have to know about women.

A woman is not just a creature that likes fine wines, Whitney Houston films, and the manly smell of a pipe. A woman is a complex, mysterious box of tricks. When your selling a car to a woman, you have to imagine you're making love to her. You have to seduce her. And when she buys, that's the big "O". Orgasm Central. A multiple orgasm would be... if she
bought lots of cars.

But when you're selling a car to a man, it all comes down to who's got the biggest todger. You have to make him think that his is bigger. But - in order to sell it to him, you have to know that yours is the biggest. You have to keep telling yourself, "I've got the biggest todger in the world."

But it's not as big as mine, Simon. It's not as big as mine.

I have too much time on my hands this week!

SGirl

7,924 posts

292 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
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FourWheelDrift said: A woman is not just a creature that likes fine wines, Whitney Houston films, and the manly smell of a pipe. A woman is a complex, mysterious box of tricks. When your selling a car to a woman, you have to imagine you're making love to her. You have to seduce her.

Okaaaay.... so how does that fit in with "you'd love this car madam, it's a beautiful colour and it has a really good radio. Engine size? You don't need to worry your pretty little head about that madam, just look at the fine quality of the carpet..."

Cynical, moi? Oh yes. Met a few car salesmen since I started driving.

Bodo

12,620 posts

297 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
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new keyboard please!