Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.
Discussion
Dan W. said:
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. 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.
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..
Just yesterday I had a call from a guy who bought a car last year, he asked for me. His mums car has been written off, he needed a replacement ASAP with the only stipulation that it must have A/C.
We had a pre reg Sandero, I told him the price, he said fantastic and left a deposit over the phone and is collecting next Saturday, he's not even seen the car.
HTP99 said:
Dan W. said:
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. 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.
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..
Just yesterday I had a call from a guy who bought a car last year, he asked for me. His mums car has been written off, he needed a replacement ASAP with the only stipulation that it must have A/C.
We had a pre reg Sandero, I told him the price, he said fantastic and left a deposit over the phone and is collecting next Saturday, he's not even seen the car.
Mexman said:
So, if you do find yourself getting short shrift from a salesman sometimes after he has spent the last 2 hours with you and you want to 'think about it', 'sleep on it' 'run it by the wife' or my personal favourite..'Thanks for your time, that's food for thought'
I appreciate where you're coming from as nobody likes having their time wasted in the workplace. So, with that in mind, say a genuine customer has narrowed it down to 2 cars, each used (approx 2 years old), different makes at different dealers and customer wants to drive both before making a decision... how is this situation best dealt with in order to keep onside with the salesman? I'm guessing being open and honest at the outset, perhaps visit midweek when quieter? Any words of wisdom welcome.Toyoda said:
I appreciate where you're coming from as nobody likes having their time wasted in the workplace. So, with that in mind, say a genuine customer has narrowed it down to 2 cars, each used (approx 2 years old), different makes at different dealers and customer wants to drive both before making a decision... how is this situation best dealt with in order to keep onside with the salesman? I'm guessing being open and honest at the outset, perhaps visit midweek when quieter? Any words of wisdom welcome.
Just be honest and tell the truth, At the end of the day the customer usually buys the car that they prefer and if someone prefers a different car to mine nothing much you can do.Dan W. said:
Toyoda said:
I appreciate where you're coming from as nobody likes having their time wasted in the workplace. So, with that in mind, say a genuine customer has narrowed it down to 2 cars, each used (approx 2 years old), different makes at different dealers and customer wants to drive both before making a decision... how is this situation best dealt with in order to keep onside with the salesman? I'm guessing being open and honest at the outset, perhaps visit midweek when quieter? Any words of wisdom welcome.
Just be honest and tell the truth, At the end of the day the customer usually buys the car that they prefer and if someone prefers a different car to mine nothing much you can do.Sheepshanks said:
HTP99 said:
Pretty much the same here, I have been at the same place for 12 odd years and have loads of repeat business, I've sold to family members, friends etc.
Follow up question - how many car sales people do you reckon stay in the same job for the typical 3yr duration of a PCP? There is a third sales position here but in the last 2 years we have had 4 people in it, we like to have a trainee in that spot but I think many come with rose tinted specs and expect to be earning well, straight off the bat and don't actually realise how hard and what a slog that this job can actually be.
6 People here and I started first 10 years ago, left for a bit and went back and the others are 16 years/15 years/10 years/6 years. We were 5 until the end of last year when we took on a newbie, he lasted until march I think and went. Replaced him with a trainee who is doing pretty well at the moment.
But other branches within the group have had multiple changes of staff within the last 3 years. The longest serving member of staff there is 20 years I think but the next after him is 6 years.
But other branches within the group have had multiple changes of staff within the last 3 years. The longest serving member of staff there is 20 years I think but the next after him is 6 years.
Thanks. The only time I've ever dealt with the same salesperson twice was in an independent Honda dealer - but the whole dealership has gone now.
On several occasions the salesperson I ordered from has disappeared before the car was delivered - and I avoid long lead-times!
I remember the MD of BMW UK complaining that 30% of dealer sales people left very year which effectively meant he had a completely new salesforce every 3yrs so training them was a nightmare.
On several occasions the salesperson I ordered from has disappeared before the car was delivered - and I avoid long lead-times!
I remember the MD of BMW UK complaining that 30% of dealer sales people left very year which effectively meant he had a completely new salesforce every 3yrs so training them was a nightmare.
Sheepshanks said:
Thanks. The only time I've ever dealt with the same salesperson twice was in an independent Honda dealer - but the whole dealership has gone now.
On several occasions the salesperson I ordered from has disappeared before the car was delivered - and I avoid long lead-times!
E remember the MD of BMW UK complaining that 30% of dealer sales people left very year which effectively meant he had a completely new salesforce every 3yrs so training them was a nightmare.
Perhaps he should have looked at why that was. Sounds to me like something was wrong with the job for such a high turn over. On several occasions the salesperson I ordered from has disappeared before the car was delivered - and I avoid long lead-times!
E remember the MD of BMW UK complaining that 30% of dealer sales people left very year which effectively meant he had a completely new salesforce every 3yrs so training them was a nightmare.
mcdjl said:
Sheepshanks said:
Thanks. The only time I've ever dealt with the same salesperson twice was in an independent Honda dealer - but the whole dealership has gone now.
On several occasions the salesperson I ordered from has disappeared before the car was delivered - and I avoid long lead-times!
E remember the MD of BMW UK complaining that 30% of dealer sales people left very year which effectively meant he had a completely new salesforce every 3yrs so training them was a nightmare.
Perhaps he should have looked at why that was. Sounds to me like something was wrong with the job for such a high turn over. On several occasions the salesperson I ordered from has disappeared before the car was delivered - and I avoid long lead-times!
E remember the MD of BMW UK complaining that 30% of dealer sales people left very year which effectively meant he had a completely new salesforce every 3yrs so training them was a nightmare.
I bought a new L200 from them for the first time in 2006, then another in 2008.
I sold that back in 2010 and had no other dealings with them until March this year.
We were looking for a runabout to replace our 13 year old Forester so called it to look at the Suzuki Vitara.
Couldn’t believe it when I saw the same two service guys, same general manager, a couple of the same salesmen and the same after sales chap still there.
Each and every one of them remembered my name and my occupation.
Sales manager just chucked me the keys to his Vitara and told me to have the afternoon with it.
Ended up buying one. No hard sell, very pleasant experience.
mcdjl said:
Perhaps he should have looked at why that was. Sounds to me like something was wrong with the job for such a high turn over.
IIRC he did say he thought a lot of it was to do with the hours, particularly weekend working. I do remember the only BMW salesman I've ever met having BSc (Hons) on his card, so perhaps they were recruiting the wrong kind of candidates.
DuraAce said:
Do you bid lower on trade ins that have been smoked in? If so, by how much?
How do you fix the stink?
Would you be honest if a prospective buyer wanted a smoke free car?
Where do you stop though...?How do you fix the stink?
Would you be honest if a prospective buyer wanted a smoke free car?
Used cars have lots of differing smells.
Some have fag smoke, some have dog smell, some reek of B.O, some of perfume/aftershave, others stink of curry/food, and some just smell of the previous owner.
Ex motability cars are notorious for bad smells, some smell of piss and other body odours or 'accidents'
Let's face it, some people just smell and this transfers to there car.
Whenever I jump into a part exchanged car, you always get a smell that hits you, as it is different to what your nose is used to in your own environment.
If you pre warned every customer of an 'odour' in a car, you would never sell anything.....
I keep my mouth shut, and let them decide what is acceptable or not.
Mexman said:
DuraAce said:
Do you bid lower on trade ins that have been smoked in? If so, by how much?
How do you fix the stink?
Would you be honest if a prospective buyer wanted a smoke free car?
Where do you stop though...?How do you fix the stink?
Would you be honest if a prospective buyer wanted a smoke free car?
Used cars have lots of differing smells.
Some have fag smoke, some have dog smell, some reek of B.O, some of perfume/aftershave, others stink of curry/food, and some just smell of the previous owner.
Ex motability cars are notorious for bad smells, some smell of piss and other body odours or 'accidents'
Let's face it, some people just smell and this transfers to there car.
Whenever I jump into a part exchanged car, you always get a smell that hits you, as it is different to what your nose is used to in your own environment.
If you pre warned every customer of an 'odour' in a car, you would never sell anything.....
I keep my mouth shut, and let them decide what is acceptable or not.
Sheepshanks said:
IIRC he did say he thought a lot of it was to do with the hours, particularly weekend working. I do remember the only BMW salesman I've ever met having BSc (Hons) on his card, so perhaps they were recruiting the wrong kind of candidates.
Is it the BSc or putting on his card that's the problem? I do know one person who puts BA (Hons) on his email signature and is just as much a prat as you'd think. DuraAce said:
Do you bid lower on trade ins that have been smoked in? If so, by how much?
How do you fix the stink?
Would you be honest if a prospective buyer wanted a smoke free car?
we tend to stay clear of part exchanges that have a smoke smell, we either offer a lot less that normal or we offer a crappy trade price. How do you fix the stink?
Would you be honest if a prospective buyer wanted a smoke free car?
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