Getting out of the motor trade
Discussion
I'm hoping to get a little bit of guidance/help here as I'm about ready to walk out of my job by about 10am every day, I absolutely hate it and need to do something about it but I'm not really sure how.
I've pretty much always had motor trade jobs, with a couple of minor exceptions, some have been ok although most were underpaid, the fact I enjoyed the job and was still living at home was helpful.
The problem is, I've been in the past job since 2011, I got out for 6 months but it didn't work out so I ended up going back, to a different branch, thinking it would be alright with a change of scenery. It wasn't. If anything it's worse, the manager offers no support if something goes wrong, we are understaffed constantly and there is a lot of sour grapes if you even consider having a lunch break, going to the toilet or making yourself a drink... There's no room for progression within the company as they tend to employ managers externally rather than promoting from within as it's easier to do that than to replace someone who is in the sales team...
I have no qualifications other than some crap GCSE grades, which don't reflect my intelligence at all (not being arrogant, just saying I was going through the loss of a parent during my GCSE year so didn't do as well as I should) I've got no transferrable skills as I currently work for a large motor factor.
I can't really afford to take a cut in wages as it's pretty close to the bone already with what I earn, short of not eating, I can't cope with any more than a grand less I'd say. My current wages are good for the job I do but not good for someone who is 31.
My only saving grace is I don't have any kids, I live alone and if I needed to, I could sell my car and buy something slightly cheaper to supplement my income temporarily if I needed to train to do something but I could probably only manage a month or so before it became a problem
What I'm basically after is someone to tell me they've taken the big leap to a different trade and it's been the best thing they've ever done I suppose!
I've pretty much always had motor trade jobs, with a couple of minor exceptions, some have been ok although most were underpaid, the fact I enjoyed the job and was still living at home was helpful.
The problem is, I've been in the past job since 2011, I got out for 6 months but it didn't work out so I ended up going back, to a different branch, thinking it would be alright with a change of scenery. It wasn't. If anything it's worse, the manager offers no support if something goes wrong, we are understaffed constantly and there is a lot of sour grapes if you even consider having a lunch break, going to the toilet or making yourself a drink... There's no room for progression within the company as they tend to employ managers externally rather than promoting from within as it's easier to do that than to replace someone who is in the sales team...
I have no qualifications other than some crap GCSE grades, which don't reflect my intelligence at all (not being arrogant, just saying I was going through the loss of a parent during my GCSE year so didn't do as well as I should) I've got no transferrable skills as I currently work for a large motor factor.
I can't really afford to take a cut in wages as it's pretty close to the bone already with what I earn, short of not eating, I can't cope with any more than a grand less I'd say. My current wages are good for the job I do but not good for someone who is 31.
My only saving grace is I don't have any kids, I live alone and if I needed to, I could sell my car and buy something slightly cheaper to supplement my income temporarily if I needed to train to do something but I could probably only manage a month or so before it became a problem
What I'm basically after is someone to tell me they've taken the big leap to a different trade and it's been the best thing they've ever done I suppose!
Do you work in Parts? I assume by working for motor factors you do?
Lots of guys I've known have never been happy in parts, in fact I don't think I know one happy parts bloke!!
Part guys are good at selling and (usually) good with people which make great salesmen.
A fair few of the part's blokes over the years have made easy transitions into Car Sales, longer hours and slightly worse basic but potential income is substantially more than you'd ever make in parts and most have gone on to be fairly successful at it if they can hack the hours.
Failing that, outside the trade I think with your background lends itself to retail/sales/people facing roles.
Albeit, ultimately it depends what you want to do - we're a long time working maybe now's the time to re-train for good?
Lots of guys I've known have never been happy in parts, in fact I don't think I know one happy parts bloke!!
Part guys are good at selling and (usually) good with people which make great salesmen.
A fair few of the part's blokes over the years have made easy transitions into Car Sales, longer hours and slightly worse basic but potential income is substantially more than you'd ever make in parts and most have gone on to be fairly successful at it if they can hack the hours.
Failing that, outside the trade I think with your background lends itself to retail/sales/people facing roles.
Albeit, ultimately it depends what you want to do - we're a long time working maybe now's the time to re-train for good?
Yeah it’s a parts role I have now, not the traditional bloke in an apron behind a counter in a dusty shop though, I’m sat in an office and answer 150 phone calls a day while working out what people mean when they ask for a steering drumstick...
Parts jobs at dealers pay substantially less than this one does, the local Nissan dealer was advertising recently and it was 8k less!
Unfortunately I’m not great with people face to face, I’m alright on the phone and alright on the internet but in reality in horrendously shy which doesn’t help at all.
A couple of my friends are hearing engineers and they’re positively rolling in it, although they’re all self employed by now and looking last night, working for a big company in that trade, the money is pants so that’s one idea out the window, I’d need to be self employed straight away and that’s too risky for me.
Parts jobs at dealers pay substantially less than this one does, the local Nissan dealer was advertising recently and it was 8k less!
Unfortunately I’m not great with people face to face, I’m alright on the phone and alright on the internet but in reality in horrendously shy which doesn’t help at all.
A couple of my friends are hearing engineers and they’re positively rolling in it, although they’re all self employed by now and looking last night, working for a big company in that trade, the money is pants so that’s one idea out the window, I’d need to be self employed straight away and that’s too risky for me.
I on the other hand was earning a decent living as a production engineer. 25 years of that it got a bit the same. Jacked it all in and went into the motor trade.
Now making terrible money, and working harder, but I'm my own boss (priceless) and see the kids everyday for meals and family time. You set your own priorities in this life.
Best of luck though.
Now making terrible money, and working harder, but I'm my own boss (priceless) and see the kids everyday for meals and family time. You set your own priorities in this life.
Best of luck though.
I am and have been in the Motor Trade all of my working life and mostly in parts and earn a very good living well above national average.
It's not the role it's the company and I suspect I know which one or two it might be
To a dealer / manufacture that is developing there own trade parts programme you are worth decent money
So it's look for the right brand, look for the right location and then look for the right owners. There are a couple of large companies to stay well clear of but you could probably work them out
I know locations that have have just taken on parts counter sales who will have a £28k basic and then some bonus on top. Working conditions are good but you need to be good at what you do. I know of few guys who will earn in excess of £40k but they typically will have some very good customers who follow them.
The role has changed it used to be a parts storeman but is now very much a parts tele sales role. The knowledge required to look a part up ( and get it right) has been taken over by systems but it still needs a person to make the sale
If your product knowledge is good and you would know where to source parts there is a decent living to be made selling a small range of product on the internet
Feel free to PM and if I can I will give you some more detailed thoughts and if possible point you in the right direction for any opportunities.
It's not the role it's the company and I suspect I know which one or two it might be
To a dealer / manufacture that is developing there own trade parts programme you are worth decent money
So it's look for the right brand, look for the right location and then look for the right owners. There are a couple of large companies to stay well clear of but you could probably work them out
I know locations that have have just taken on parts counter sales who will have a £28k basic and then some bonus on top. Working conditions are good but you need to be good at what you do. I know of few guys who will earn in excess of £40k but they typically will have some very good customers who follow them.
The role has changed it used to be a parts storeman but is now very much a parts tele sales role. The knowledge required to look a part up ( and get it right) has been taken over by systems but it still needs a person to make the sale
If your product knowledge is good and you would know where to source parts there is a decent living to be made selling a small range of product on the internet
Feel free to PM and if I can I will give you some more detailed thoughts and if possible point you in the right direction for any opportunities.
I'm in a very similar position, i.e want out of the motor trade. Funnily enough I posted about in a thread earlier https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My issues are the hours are starting to grate (been doing it since 2005) and the earnings aren't what they used to be.
The issue I have is no qualifications as such, and my only option appears to be another sales job, but I'd be concerned about it being "same crap, different toilet"
I have tried moving to different dealerships, and once the novelty of a new environment wears off, I realise that I just don't want to live to work anymore (which is what it feels like now). I've earnt very well but I'd be happy earning 10k less per year and doing a 9-5 monday to friday job where I can just switch off at 5:01pm.
I'm curious what job you tried when you took a break for 6 months, the reason I ask is because it might be useful to know what went wrong, in order to offer any advice about what you could do to move forward.
I think what you need to find out is whether it's the job itself that's the issue, if fundamentally it is, then changing environment won't help. From your post though it seems to be more of an issue with where you work, as opposed to what you do.
My issues are the hours are starting to grate (been doing it since 2005) and the earnings aren't what they used to be.
The issue I have is no qualifications as such, and my only option appears to be another sales job, but I'd be concerned about it being "same crap, different toilet"
I have tried moving to different dealerships, and once the novelty of a new environment wears off, I realise that I just don't want to live to work anymore (which is what it feels like now). I've earnt very well but I'd be happy earning 10k less per year and doing a 9-5 monday to friday job where I can just switch off at 5:01pm.
I'm curious what job you tried when you took a break for 6 months, the reason I ask is because it might be useful to know what went wrong, in order to offer any advice about what you could do to move forward.
I think what you need to find out is whether it's the job itself that's the issue, if fundamentally it is, then changing environment won't help. From your post though it seems to be more of an issue with where you work, as opposed to what you do.
Edited by I like Hands up deals on Sunday 25th March 22:41
I got out of the motor trade years ago as the money was crap.
This thread has surprised me though, how is it possible that parts counter jockeys are earning more than technicians? Perhaps the OP is too talented for his current role (even starting this thread would suggest he is) but I've never experienced anything other than pulling up the correct exploded diagram for me to point out which component it is I'm after which would suggest it's much more than a minimum wage profession?
This thread has surprised me though, how is it possible that parts counter jockeys are earning more than technicians? Perhaps the OP is too talented for his current role (even starting this thread would suggest he is) but I've never experienced anything other than pulling up the correct exploded diagram for me to point out which component it is I'm after which would suggest it's much more than a minimum wage profession?
sparks_E39 said:
I don’t want to have anything to do with sales though.
You already do.You sell hours and parts.
You upsell from EVHCs.
You qualify your customer's needs and offer a service to meet their requirements.
Your job is harder than a car salesman as it is often a distress purchase.
You ARE a salesman, though.
Would you be willing to retrain? That's probably your best option but not a short term fix. Are there any areas in particular that you think would be if interest?
Alternatively, can you start your own business doing something similar to your current role? For example, choose a fairly popular sports car and start buying written off examples to strip down for parts to sell on. Establish a good presence in the online forums, even sponsor one to get your name out there.
When I had a 350Z there were a couple of guys that did this that I used to source cheap replacement parts. No idea if they made a lot of money from it, but at least they had the freedom of being their own boss.
Alternatively, can you start your own business doing something similar to your current role? For example, choose a fairly popular sports car and start buying written off examples to strip down for parts to sell on. Establish a good presence in the online forums, even sponsor one to get your name out there.
When I had a 350Z there were a couple of guys that did this that I used to source cheap replacement parts. No idea if they made a lot of money from it, but at least they had the freedom of being their own boss.
Darkslider said:
Haha no, that's one counter that doesn't even justify minimum wage! I assumed with the wages being banded about we were discussing main dealer parts counters, not motor factors.
Large motor factor.... Only there are 3 main factors in the south east Euros,Southerns,SC's I work for one of them and the salesman can make some nice money if they keep there averages up throughout the month.
But its a s
t job and long hours chasing the sales. I'm lucky i just worry about getting the parts in through one door out the other in the warehouse. I was in this exact position a few years ago, I can’t stress how important it has been for me to learn a trade, and I’d suggest for you to do the same. It’ll give you so much flexibility and there’ll always be work available.
So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
Edited by Pig benis on Tuesday 27th March 18:03
Pig benis said:
I was in this exact position a few years ago, I can’t stress how importantly it has been for me to learn a trade, and I’d suggest for you to do the same. It’ll give you so much flexibility and there’ll always be work available.
So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
Would you mind firing me those resources? I'm currently trying to break into IT.So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
nought2sixty said:
Pig benis said:
I was in this exact position a few years ago, I can’t stress how importantly it has been for me to learn a trade, and I’d suggest for you to do the same. It’ll give you so much flexibility and there’ll always be work available.
So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
Would you mind firing me those resources? I'm currently trying to break into IT.So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
xiodene said:
nought2sixty said:
Pig benis said:
I was in this exact position a few years ago, I can’t stress how importantly it has been for me to learn a trade, and I’d suggest for you to do the same. It’ll give you so much flexibility and there’ll always be work available.
So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
Would you mind firing me those resources? I'm currently trying to break into IT.So I went into IT 5 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Okay it was a paydrop for my first support role (12k), but now I’m comfortably earning over 50k and am just turning 30 in 2 months.
I don’t want my post to sound like I’m bragging, as I’m not that sort of person, instead I just wanted to show that taking a pay drop sometimes is what’s needed to progress in another industry.
I honestly wish you the best of luck and if you decide IT is your bag, then I can send you some links for free online resources, that will definitely help to land your first role.
PB
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