How to Sell Me a Car

[FILTHYPHIL]

Whatever happened to the salesman working FOR the customer???
Im a real estate salesperson for a living, and I believe in actually helping my clients. But maybe thats just me...
Y'all are talking like its the customer that owes you something..... Thats sooo screwed up. Its YOUR job to accomodate THEM....

This whole argument seems silly to me....

[ChebbySalesDept]

Originally Posted by FILTHYPHIL

Whatever happened to the salesman working FOR the customer???
Im a real estate salesperson for a living, and I believe in actually helping my clients. But maybe thats just me...
Y'all are talking like its the customer that owes you something..... Thats sooo screwed up. Its YOUR job to accomodate THEM....

This whole argument seems silly to me....

Maybe in Real estate you don't mind running all over town showing10 properties for two weeks to find that your client bought from another agent at another office something completely different than what he was asking you for. That's why YOUR job is to accomodate THEM. Selling cars is about right now, not two weeks to three months of shmoozing. The customers either trust/not trust or like/dislike you in the first five minutes of the interview and anything can happen at that time to turn either party off. Fortunately in selling cars there's always someone else to talk to almost right away and in real estate you may see one or two clients every two to three days.

The deal needs to be done respectfully from both sides of the table. I'm not getting abused by some tool who thinks that the 599 per month on a 55000 Suburban I'm quoting (at an $800 deal) is insulting! That's what it is buddy and if you can't afford it, JUST SAY SO! Your lack of funds is not my problem.

BTW, if you're not starting your deals from list or over list, YOU WILL NEVER MAKE MONEY IN THIS BUSINESS!! Here's a tip for you "shoppers" out there. Always ask for the salesperson with the least amount of sales for the month if you want the lowest deal. Just don't call looking for him after a few months because he'll be gone from the store and posting here saying "I used to be a car salesman".

Love the posts of MaxxSS!!!

[KillerMRK]

My dad and I got attacked by an old woman at a Cadillac Dealer.... But it was much worse at the Nissan dealership. Over all, the American dealers were much nicer than the imports.

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by FILTHYPHIL

Whatever happened to the salesman working FOR the customer???
Im a real estate salesperson for a living, and I believe in actually helping my clients. But maybe thats just me...
Y'all are talking like its the customer that owes you something..... Thats sooo screwed up. Its YOUR job to accomodate THEM....

This whole argument seems silly to me....

Your point is well taken. All you have to do for me is describe what your idea of a customer is. I think all of the salesman here would be glad to accomodate a customer.
Your post is another example of how everyone thinks they know what it takes to sell cars. I do know you are probably tired of all the people who decide to get a Real Estate license because they think it must be easy.
I would not pretend to know what it takes to do your job because I do not know. You will not hear me preach to you about how silly I think you are.

[2648562]

Originally Posted by FILTHYPHIL

Whatever happened to the salesman working FOR the customer???
Im a real estate salesperson for a living, and I believe in actually helping my clients. But maybe thats just me...
Y'all are talking like its the customer that owes you something..... Thats sooo screwed up. Its YOUR job to accomodate THEM....

This whole argument seems silly to me....

Oh man, I wish this was Insiderealestatenews, I would love to address some of the many bad real estate agents I've dealt with. Just kidding (sort of). Everything you've said sounds great (I wish you were in NC), I just haven't run across many agents that have your philosophy (at least not after two or three houses).

As for selling cars goes, it's the second biggest "investment" most people make... why not take advantage of people?

With that said, there are bad cops, lazy mailmen, crappy teachers, incompetent doctors, etc. Don't think there aren't shady car salesman just because you're not.

[mikesright]

I'm not a salesman, but I have family who are and work in the business, and after talking to them I have a greater appreciation for what they do, and here's my words of advice.

#1. Find a good salesman to do business with and build a relationship with them. If you do this, it eliminates a lot of hassle during and after the buying process. Simply put, as another salesman said, they want to earn your business again. This is no substitute for not doing your homework, though.

#2 Realize the salesman has a job and a family to feed. The salesman many times work for free until they make a sale, which is part of the reason they can be aggressive. If you don't need help, say so! Don't waste their time. At the same time, don't be afraid to ask for a test drive or let the salesman lead you on a little bit, they ultimately want to serve your needs and build a relationship with you for further sales in the future (for the most part).

#3 At the negotiation table, make reasonable demands and realize that many times, a lower price or a better trade value doesn't always make it better for you. I've heard of all kinds of customers going down the road for an extra $200, only to be completely hung out to dry when they need something goodwilled or something. In short, you reap what you sow for the most part.

#4 You have the power, which means you can say no. If you don't want to be sold something, or don't want to test drive another vehicle, or you've got your heart set on #87561 on the lot, or if you think it's a bad deal, don't be afraid to let your voice be heard to say so. For people who don't want to be upselled, realize that's the name of the game anywhere, a bigger sale=more commission for them, even McDonalds does this, just don't be afraid to say no if you don't want it, same as anyplace else.

#5 Salesman are people too, and understand it's a stressful process in buying a car. If you let them, most of the time, they'll try to make you more comfortable and try to appease your needs. Don't insult them or make the process personal. You'll never "win" that way and neither will they, which is the exact opposite of how negotiations should go.

[FILTHYPHIL]

Originally Posted by ChebbySalesDept

Maybe in Real estate you don't mind running all over town showing10 properties for two weeks to find that your client bought from another agent at another office something completely different than what he was asking you for. That's why YOUR job is to accomodate THEM. Selling cars is about right now, not two weeks to three months of shmoozing. The customers either trust/not trust or like/dislike you in the first five minutes of the interview and anything can happen at that time to turn either party off. Fortunately in selling cars there's always someone else to talk to almost right away and in real estate you may see one or two clients every two to three days.

The deal needs to be done respectfully from both sides of the table. I'm not getting abused by some tool who thinks that the 599 per month on a 55000 Suburban I'm quoting (at an $800 deal) is insulting! That's what it is buddy and if you can't afford it, JUST SAY SO! Your lack of funds is not my problem.

BTW, if you're not starting your deals from list or over list, YOU WILL NEVER MAKE MONEY IN THIS BUSINESS!! Here's a tip for you "shoppers" out there. Always ask for the salesperson with the least amount of sales for the month if you want the lowest deal. Just don't call looking for him after a few months because he'll be gone from the store and posting here saying "I used to be a car salesman".

Love the posts of MaxxSS!!!

I guess that one of the main differences between selling cars and selling houses, is the effort put into obtaining customers/clients. I spend thousands of my own personal dollars to market myself and my business. I am regarded as a "sub contractor" by the company I work for (largest in Canada). I value every customer/client that I have because I have to work and spend money to get their business. So once I have a customer/client I bend over backwards to make them happy. If I'm successful, then I get paid (quite well I may add). Car salespeople on the other hand spend little to no time, money or effort (to my knowledge - having worked at a dealership as a kid) to bring in customers from external sources. They seem to just stand there (smoking usually) and wait for someone to drive onto the lot, then its a foot race to get to this customer. I dont mean to be disrespectful or anything it just annoys me that car salespeople seem to unite in the fact that the customer is there for them or something. Without customer you would have NO JOB. If they are a pain in your ass then suck it up sweetheart and if nothing else think of the payday at the end. I have no idea what sort of money you guys make, but I know that each potential deal in my industry is worth 12 to 15 grand. I am willing to work for that. If the annoy me a little then I put up with it.... but the again I dont have another customer driving onto the lots 10 minutes later....

Just my oppinion.... dont get mad

[pontiacjs]

usually when you are dealing with a customer that is difficult they also want the cheapest price. When all is said and done that awful person that you sucked it up for and treated them far better than they deserved will pay a $75.00 commision. I say pass on that and either get on the phone and prospect for a referal or repeat customer, or go to lunch. You will be happy you did.

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by pontiacjs

usually when you are dealing with a customer that is difficult they also want the cheapest price. When all is said and done that awful person that you sucked it up for and treated them far better than they deserved will pay a $75.00 commision. I say pass on that and either get on the phone and prospect for a referal or repeat customer, or go to lunch. You will be happy you did.

You left out the part about after all you did you still get a bad survey. That also happens more times then not.

[plooked]

Originally Posted by isszy

Don't get me wrong, I understand that you work under conditions that I would never work under, but your response is exactly why I bought my last 2 cars through a car broker who dealt directly with wholesale.

2003 Holden Berlina Wagon (his)
Factory dual fuel
17" International alloys
SS Leather steering wheel
Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers
1600kg towbar
Calais fog lights
FE2 suspension
Mudflaps
Holden rubber floormats (don't buy 'em, they wear through in 6 months)

2002 Holden Berlina Sedan (hers)
Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers
Mudflaps

BFD! So far it's been 5 and 6 years since your last purchases. (if they were new). Besides, we really don't care whether you buy from our store anyways. We're more concerned with regular friendly people who purchase new vehicles on a regular basis and do so with about being sneaky or miserly.

Also, where do you work? How would you like it if your customers came in and treated you as you treat your salesperson? The majority of people would not like to be treated as we are treated by them. If I treat you with honesty and respect, why can't you respond in kind? There are far more honest and decent salespeople than there are bad apples; but the few bad apples do not give you the right to treat us all poorly. Similarly, the good salespeople do not treat all customers poorly, just because some are bad ones. If you have a poor experience, it could be that salesperson who is at fault but it could just as well be your attitude, deceitfulness, disrespect and/or dishonesty which causes him to act this way towards you.

Also this give me your best price is a bunch of crap. I'd like to see how well haggling (grinding) works when you go to buy a gallon of milk, or better yet, try this while buying gasoline for the car that you wheedled some salesperson out of a decent comission. This is America, we all work to make money. I don't come to your place of business/employment and ask you to work for less because I'm a cheapskate. You shouldn't do this to me. (anyways, I work for Saturn, so my best price is right there on the window sticker )

I'd rather sell to the majority of decent honest people who buy without having to play all those games.

[rhvfd10]

I hope you realise:

A: you are insulting a Mod who works at a dealer
B: the cars you "quote" him as woning do not belong to him but rather a gentleman from Australia.

I'd hate to encounter you at a car lot. You'd probably say that my truck is a POS and that a new Sierra has a permanent wax coating or something...

[pontiacjs]

I do not mind or get upset when someone wants to haggle over the price of the car. That is part of the business and has been going on since the horse and buggy. I do get angry when someone is rude and abrasive.