Salesperson has to drive off the lot?

[Core9797]

Originally Posted by ChebbySalesDept

You are very different as most customers could care less what a saleperson makes on a deal. In fact, most wouldn't believe how little we make on cars at times.

Matter of fact, a friend of my friend's mom came to by a Corolla from me one night with her then-boyfriend. He haggles the **** out of me for three hours on the car, and it ends up being like $350 over. Obviously I ended up with a mini, which at that particular store is $100. Later, she asks my friend's mom what my commission was. She didn't know, so the question was relayed to me. If you grind me on a car, and I end up with a mini, I don't mind telling you. Maybe a little guilt trip? So I told her I made $100, and she was so shocked at how little I made and actually offered me a check for $400. I declined, but it amused me and it made me wonder how many people think that we make vastly more than we really do.

[redlipp]

Originally Posted by Core9797

I'm not going to read this entire thread, as just during the first 5 pages I read I had to smoke several cigarettes just to keep myself from punching the screen. But I'm going to throw in my two cents:

In my two years in the business, I've usually stayed in the middle of the pack in terms of units, but my CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) has never dropped from 100%, and my average gross has never dropped below $2600. I actually had one complete year where my average gross (this is just front-end) was $3216.

I accomplish this by treating the customer with respect and expecting it in return. I am a professional and if I get treated with anything less than respect I sure as hell let the customer know that this is MY place of business and this is how I earn MY income.

If the customer wants to be adversarial, I can play that game, and I will win. Point blank.

However, if the customer can appreciate good service, I can appreciate that they're spending a significant amount of money, and we're both happy.

I've had customers buy me bottles of scotch, invite me to their children's birthday parties, to their house for dinner, etc. All because of my good service.

However, the ****ing mooches that point to a car and say "What's your invoice?" or "What's your bottom line?" kindly get a size 12 Bostonian in their ass. Because I am a professional and should be treated accordingly.

I'm done venting. Now I'm off to smoke another Newport.

$3216 front end gross, what the heck are you selling?

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by redlipp

$3216 front end gross, what the heck are you selling?

My guess is used cars. I get paid from hold back up on my front and it does not come close to $3200. It is great how this thread lives on.
I like to hear what people think of the salesman it is a big help in for me to understand different types of customers. Beleive me the people here are in the minority. That is meant as more of a compliment then an insult.

[ChebbySalesDept]

Saturn's model of selling for MSRP is not doing well. It hasn't and probably wouldn't. I've had the conversation many times with a customer who says "Why can't you be like Saturn and be one price?". Well, Mr. Customer, we started at MSRP and I was not the one who started the "game".

If we all sold for MSRP, then something else would be negotiated. Nothing would be simpler. The "game" would start regarding the trade, interest rate, etc.

This country has been horse trading for centuries and this will continue in the auto industry. Some guys can do it well and others move on to lower paying, salaried jobs.

Those of us who have been making very decent livings in the car business go thru the ups and downs and the strong survive.