I'm going to try to chime in as a customer in this
I understand that a salesman can not know ALL there is to every vehicle they sell. BUT they also need to admit it. I live in a little town with one Chevy dealer. I almost bought an 07 burb from them, why? well the sales man was pretty knowlegable AND he admitted that he did not know a-lot of the info I was asking for. I know I'm not the average customer. I'm online looking at these forums more than I care to admit. BUT if I'm dropping 45-50K on a truck and SUV then I NEED to know my stuff, and I would hope the sales man had a clue.
I just went into that one Chevy dealer yesterday (the mentioned salesman was not there) and I got another one (salesman that is). I just wanted to know if they had the ONE GMT-900 in yet so I could see it in person, and get a sales brochure. When I asked about the brochure the guy did not think they had any, but still went over to look (good for him). He then proceeded to say "Nope, we do not have any". Well we were looking at the 07 Silverado brochure right there!!!!! I understand it's a new truck, and it looks different, but that was just bad!!
I'm not just dissing the Gm guys (I love GM and they will be getting probably about 100K from me over the next few years (new burb for the wife and a 3500 for me).
So to bring it back on topic, I know the average salesman may not know it all but there is something to be said when I go in and A. know WAY MORE than them and B. probably made a sale or two FOR THEM by having other customers come up and talk to me about their product.
NO I have no urge to be a car salesman, and again I'm not dissing any one who does that job. I just wish they knew about this site LOL ( I told 4-5 different ones about this site, and I hope they came and looked)
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Originally Posted by zzyzx1122
Having been a pretty successful car salesman for a number of years, I always find it interesting to read the comments of enthusiasts on these boards.
Being an enthusiast myself, I can understand the desire to have a salesperson that knows all the specifics and is a complete expert on every vehicle they sell.
However, most people who shop for cars just don't care about technical details. They buy because they like the styling, comfort, or some other features. But rarely do people go much beyond the basics.
I've *never* had a customer ask me about hydro forming.
Nor has anyone ever asked me about OHV engines vs. OHC. They just want to know if it has good power.
I'll never forget hearing a customer ask one of the guys "What kind of engine does this have?" His answer - "I don't know, but it's a good one!"
The customer laughed, drove the car, and bought it.
So the average salesperson can usually answer the questions of 95% of customers with pretty limited product knowledge. Personality and closing skills can go a long way.
As far as the ride & drive booklets and other sales training guides that are provided from the manufacturer... they are usually written by well-intentioned college grads who have never sold cars in their lives. There's a little bit of a disconnect with reality.
And finally, I must say that the average "know it all" guy who comes in to the showroom and expects you as a salesperson to be a complete expert on everything (asking questions they already know the answers to, in order to "test" you), they are the same people who expect the dealership to make practically nothing in selling them the car.
Then they get on internet forums and bitch about how the salesperson knew nothing, wouldn't deal, bla, bla, bla.
Trust me, if sales people made a decent commission per sale, you'd see more professionalism out of them.
So, like the one guy said before me... if you get a salesperson who is really professional, knows the product, and gives you good service... support them.
Believe me, I could spend hours going over everything on a vehicle and completely servicing a persons needs, but the typical customer will just as soon go buy the same car that I showed them, from a guy who knows nothing about it, if they think it will save them a few hundred dollars.
Unfortunately, that's the reality of most car sales these days.
There are exceptions. And selling cars can be great. But I wish people on these boards could see what it's really like to me on the front lines. Dealing with the public can be really interesting.
Hope I provided some insight. Thanks!
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