Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.

[Dan W.]

Mexman said:

So, after 40 pages of this, has this turned anybody 'off' from wanting to persue a career in the illustrious, glamorous, easy, laid back environment of a motor trader/dealer?
Anyone...? Lol.

As much as we moan and bh, I really enjoy my Job but its the fact of where I work its a great garage nice staff and family owned we really look after our customers and I haven't a bad word about my work.

Having said that I have worked for some horrible companies who treat you like dirt and don't reward, this is a good job to do providing its the right company lol

[valiant]

Probably more for the franchised boys but is there a marque that you feel you wouldn't mind working at at the moment due to new models, etc. Conversely is there a marque where you'd cross the street to avoid again due to the model line up?

Also, is one brand more easier to work with? Bought before at Ford's and it's hyper busy, five salesmen all on the go where when I bought the Volvo it was incredibly relaxed with chilled staff. (Spent more time with him discussing and prodding the new V90 than the car I actually bought!)

[Mexman]

Dan W. said:

As much as we moan and bh, I really enjoy my Job but its the fact of where I work its a great garage nice staff and family owned we really look after our customers and I haven't a bad word about my work.

Having said that I have worked for some horrible companies who treat you like dirt and don't reward, this is a good job to do providing its the right company lol

Agreed, I do enjoy it, and work for a decent set up, good pay and good management,
I have worked for some right tyrants in the past, shocking conditions, stupid pay schemes, unrealistic targets, ridiculous hours, and treated like dirt.
The only time I feel really brassed off, is when any quality time off is just a dream or a distant memory, like yourself...

[Dan W.]

Having worked at a few places. VW CITROEN FORD AND SUZUKI can honestly say I could care less about the product I sell some are better than others but all sell.

as mex says its more the place you work for I have found a great place and the product sells really well and customers come back because we look after them.

Im looking forward to my time off when it comes... and the payday lol

[renmure]

Mexman said:

To answer your ques out of the 10 or so people you will meet and greet in the average busy day, (ignoring phone enquiries and e-mails), 5 will be total idiots, dreamers, timewasters, dog walkers, bored or totally unrealistic in there requirements (delete as appropriate).

Some places don't help themselves. I quite like to wander round car dealers / outside show areas / display areas etc if I'm passing and see something that catches my eye for whatever reason. I always make sure I say to any approaching salesman that I'm just there for a look, not looking to buy anything and (in a nice, friendly, bit-of-banter way) not to waste their time with me.

Off the top of my head I can't think that I have ever done that and ended up buying a car that I hadn't intended to, but I've certainly gone back to some places when I have been looking for something so nobody's time wasted other than perhaps my own.

Near me there is a new Evans Halshaw showroom and car lot. It's HUGE. Biggest one in the area by far. However, to get into it you have to be greeted at the door by the greeter, be met at the reception desk by the receptionist, be expected to give your name and (if possible of course) an email address and in return you get coloured name badge (the colour is apparently to distinguish you from, and identify you to, a salesman) and you then get introduced to your salesman/woman who will briefly show you round the area and identify where you can find the various types of cars (duh!) and saying that you really, REALLY, just want to wander round for a look can't actually happen till you have jumped through the Greeter / Reception / Introduction hoops. Even then, every time you actually slow down or stop to look at a car you get swooped upon by the nearest salesbod (identified by a blue name badge natch) as soon as you are in "their" bit of the lot. Getting in is like the Krypton Factor. Getting out is like the Great Escape. I would never, ever, ever go back.

Edited by renmure on Thursday 19th October 18:44

[HTP99]

renmure said:

Mexman said:

To answer your ques out of the 10 or so people you will meet and greet in the average busy day, (ignoring phone enquiries and e-mails), 5 will be total idiots, dreamers, timewasters, dog walkers, bored or totally unrealistic in there requirements (delete as appropriate).

Some places don't help themselves. I quite like to wander round car dealers / outside show areas / display areas etc if I'm passing and see something that catches my eye for whatever reason. I always make sure I say to any approaching salesman that I'm just there for a look, not looking to buy anything and (in a nice, friendly, bit-of-banter way) not to waste their time with me.

Off the top of my head I can't think that I have ever done that and ended up buying a car that I hadn't intended to, but I've certainly gone back to some places when I have been looking for something so nobody's time wasted other than perhaps my own.

Near me there is a new Evans Halshaw showroom and car lot. It's HUGE. Biggest one in the area by far. However, to get into it you have to be greeted at the door by the greeter, be met at the reception desk by the receptionist, be expected to give your name and (if possible of course) an email address and in return you get coloured name badge (the colour is apparently to distinguish you from, and identify you to, a salesman) and you then get introduced to your salesman/woman who will briefly show you round the area and identify where you can find the various types of cars (duh!) and saying that you really, REALLY, just want to wander round for a look can't actually happen till you have jumped through the Greeter / Reception / Introduction hoops. Even then, every time you actually slow down or stop to look at a car you get swooped upon by the nearest salesbod (identified by a blue name badge natch) as soon as you are in "their" bit of the lot. Getting in is like the Krypton Factor. Getting out is like the Great Escape. I would never, ever, ever go back.

Edited by renmure on Thursday 19th October 18:44

That sounds like absolute madness.

I do know of dealer groups that have scripts, that the salesman absolutely must not deviate from, no matter where the customer is in their enquiry or buying cycle.

Fortunately where I work, I'm trusted to treat each customer as an individual and to take it as it comes, some of the crap that I hear that goes on at other dealers, I just couldn't deal with.

[itcaptainslow]

HTP99 said:

renmure said:

Mexman said:

To answer your ques out of the 10 or so people you will meet and greet in the average busy day, (ignoring phone enquiries and e-mails), 5 will be total idiots, dreamers, timewasters, dog walkers, bored or totally unrealistic in there requirements (delete as appropriate).

Some places don't help themselves. I quite like to wander round car dealers / outside show areas / display areas etc if I'm passing and see something that catches my eye for whatever reason. I always make sure I say to any approaching salesman that I'm just there for a look, not looking to buy anything and (in a nice, friendly, bit-of-banter way) not to waste their time with me.

Off the top of my head I can't think that I have ever done that and ended up buying a car that I hadn't intended to, but I've certainly gone back to some places when I have been looking for something so nobody's time wasted other than perhaps my own.

Near me there is a new Evans Halshaw showroom and car lot. It's HUGE. Biggest one in the area by far. However, to get into it you have to be greeted at the door by the greeter, be met at the reception desk by the receptionist, be expected to give your name and (if possible of course) an email address and in return you get coloured name badge (the colour is apparently to distinguish you from, and identify you to, a salesman) and you then get introduced to your salesman/woman who will briefly show you round the area and identify where you can find the various types of cars (duh!) and saying that you really, REALLY, just want to wander round for a look can't actually happen till you have jumped through the Greeter / Reception / Introduction hoops. Even then, every time you actually slow down or stop to look at a car you get swooped upon by the nearest salesbod (identified by a blue name badge natch) as soon as you are in "their" bit of the lot. Getting in is like the Krypton Factor. Getting out is like the Great Escape. I would never, ever, ever go back.

Edited by renmure on Thursday 19th October 18:44

That sounds like absolute madness.

I do know of dealer groups that have scripts, that the salesman absolutely must not deviate from, no matter where the customer is in their enquiry or buying cycle.

Fortunately where I work, I'm trusted to treat each customer as an individual and to take it as it comes, some of the crap that I hear that goes on at other dealers, I just couldn't deal with.

Sounds like typical Evans Halshaw corporate bullst. They are something else!

[Sheepshanks]

renmure said:

Getting in is like the Krypton Factor. Getting out is like the Great Escape.

I suppose they think no-one would choose to browse an Evans Halshaw used car lot for the hell of it.

I have a mate who owns a shop he works 6 days a week in. On Sundays his idea of a relaxing day is to tour car showrooms - medium range 'prestige' level, and sometimes test drive a car. Randomly he or his missus will have changed their cars. I imagine the salesguys must get bored of him and sell him a car just to get rid of him!

[papa3]

itcaptainslow said:

Sounds like typical Evans Halshaw corporate bullst. They are something else!

I believe Peter Vardy has a similar setup in his car stores.

[TheLordJohn]

Want to buy a 996 911?

[Mexman]

renmure said:

Some places don't help themselves. I quite like to wander round car dealers / outside show areas / display areas etc if I'm passing and see something that catches my eye for whatever reason. I always make sure I say to any approaching salesman that I'm just there for a look, not looking to buy anything and (in a nice, friendly, bit-of-banter way) not to waste their time with me.

Off the top of my head I can't think that I have ever done that and ended up buying a car that I hadn't intended to, but I've certainly gone back to some places when I have been looking for something so nobody's time wasted other than perhaps my own.

Near me there is a new Evans Halshaw showroom and car lot. It's HUGE. Biggest one in the area by far. However, to get into it you have to be greeted at the door by the greeter, be met at the reception desk by the receptionist, be expected to give your name and (if possible of course) an email address and in return you get coloured name badge (the colour is apparently to distinguish you from, and identify you to, a salesman) and you then get introduced to your salesman/woman who will briefly show you round the area and identify where you can find the various types of cars (duh!) and saying that you really, REALLY, just want to wander round for a look can't actually happen till you have jumped through the Greeter / Reception / Introduction hoops. Even then, every time you actually slow down or stop to look at a car you get swooped upon by the nearest salesbod (identified by a blue name badge natch) as soon as you are in "their" bit of the lot. Getting in is like the Krypton Factor. Getting out is like the Great Escape. I would never, ever, ever go back.

Edited by renmure on Thursday 19th October 18:44

Motor point is a very similar set up.
Did a 3 month stint there, a few years ago, and it was hell.
I physically used to throw up at 7am in the morning at the thought of starting a 12 hour/6 day straight shift at that hell hole.
God knows how I lasted 3 months, you had to be on your feet on the pitch all day, bkings galore if you dared sit down at a desk, unless you were signing someone up.
Was in between jobs at the time and had to take the job offer though to see me through, but I can honestly say, it was the worst period of my life....ever.
9pm finish most nights, get home at 9.45pm, no time to eat healthily, just flop into bed exhausted, and then up and back out the door at 7.30am to do it all again.
Absolutely no quality of life whatsoever, worked every weekend, one day off during week, that's if you actually ended up taking it.
wker management, strict procedure to meet and greet, my God, just the thought of it is making me feel queezy again....

[Dr Jekyll]

papa3 said:

itcaptainslow said:

Sounds like typical Evans Halshaw corporate bullst. They are something else!

I believe Peter Vardy has a similar setup in his car stores.

Sytners in High Wycombe were like that when I called in a few months ago. I wanted to look at a 320d and expected to be able to wander round the used stock and maybe compare with the odd 318d or even a new one. Instead I was escorted to one car and then back to the door.

[coppice]

Evans Halshaw ..shudder. Let's just say they were economical with the acualite when they sold my wife a car. This was a mistake on their part , I can tell you.Persistent is not the word...

[StescoG66]

hyphen said:

Question.

Have you left or found anything unusual in a car?

Question prompted by Vauxhall Camberley's courtesy car drugs debacle recently... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4977138/Fa...

This guy sounds like a weapons grade tosser. A swift kick in the bks is too lenient for this trouble making busybody. The fact his story is in the DM says it all really..... Honestly makes my blood boil.

[Dan W.]

StescoG66 said:

This guy sounds like a weapons grade tosser. A swift kick in the bks is too lenient for this trouble making busybody. The fact his story is in the DM says it all really..... Honestly makes my blood boil.

Everybody wants something for free. this gentleman is no different

[silentbrown]

Dan W. said:

StescoG66 said:

This guy sounds like a weapons grade tosser. A swift kick in the bks is too lenient for this trouble making busybody. The fact his story is in the DM says it all really..... Honestly makes my blood boil.

Everybody wants something for free. this gentleman is no different

Well, he got something for free I can't imagine the lady in question going to her boss and saying her stash has been nicked from a company car...

[techguyone]

I must be a tosser too, If that had been me, I wouldn't have wanted something for nothing, it would have been a trip to the police station and they'd have sorted it out. I wouldn't have involved the car dealership at all.

Imagine how happy you'd be if you got stopped by chance and the police found that on you, in your charge.

Nah don't think so.

[Rick101]

renmure said:

Near me there is a new Evans Halshaw showroom and car lot. It's HUGE. Biggest one in the area by far. However, to get into it you have to be greeted at the door by the greeter, be met at the reception desk by the receptionist, be expected to give your name and (if possible of course) an email address etc etc....no need for massive quote....

Edited by renmure on Thursday 19th October 18:44

I've had that when visiting Carcraft on the M62. It's changed names now.

About 8 'greeters' ready to pounce when I walked in. Held my ground and said I just wanted to look at a few cars and refused to 'take a seat' to go through the little slideshow presentation you have to endure.

I feel for the bloke actually, I could almost see the terror in his eyes knowing the bking he was going to get for not getting me sat down and converted.

They certainly do lean towards a certain type of customer, as much as a fan of monthly payments that I am, this was a £99 deposit and drive away type place flogging 10 year old MX5's for 16K.

[sinbaddio]

Great thread!

Got a questions for the sales folks (used or new). How important is repeat business? How much of your quota does repeat business account for and how proactive are you/your dealership in maintaining contact with existing clients?

I only ask as it plays a significant role in my business - being able to justify bringing a new product/service onboard, knowing you have an active base to sell it into already.

Cheers,
Sinbaddio.

[Dan W.]

sinbaddio said:

Great thread!

Got a questions for the sales folks (used or new). How important is repeat business? How much of your quota does repeat business account for and how proactive are you/your dealership in maintaining contact with existing clients?

I only ask as it plays a significant role in my business - being able to justify bringing a new product/service onboard, knowing you have an active base to sell it into already.

Cheers,
Sinbaddio.

Repeat business is huge, I would say its about 60% of my sales. Personally I have a diary system with existing customers once they have bought a car I call them once a year to catch up and then forward them on again.

Once you have their trust and they are confident with you and the product, we get phone calls along the lines of Hi Dan its been nearly 3 years we want a new.... when can I come in to see you..