Whats a fair dealer profit margin ??

There is a reason for the bigger profit margin. It's because there is no extra money coming on the sale other the extra money from extended warranty and financing if they use the dealer. There is always money coming on a new vehicle from the manufacture.

 

If I received a response like this from a salesperson, our dealings would end there, even if the question was stupid. Unless the customer asked the question in a snide tone, in no way does it merit such an arrogant response. And adding "sir" to the end of it only makes it worse. I understand that vehicle pricing varies immensely between regions, but most people don't. In fact, I understand it so well that I have bought my last 2 Tacoma's 1500 miles from where I live.

You're not losing sales because of your honesty, you're losing them because of your attitude. I can guarantee you that all of these people that you have lost sales to are not turning around and going to Southern California to buy, because you explained to them why the price may be so much lower there.

IMO, if you really care about the customer, you wouldn't patronize them, no matter how ignorant they may be.

 

You have a good point there. I have thought about some of the things I have said previously to people as well. I have also thought about rephrasing what I say when it comes to scenarios like those. It's kind of like trying to wash a car though, depending how you wash it the result comes out a little different every time. I know that might not be a good analogy, but it's the only one I can think of at the moment, lol. I still need to perfect my approach/wording in situations like those.

 

By the way, if I came off harsh, I didn't mean to. You seem like a really respectable guy, thanks for taking my opinion so well.

 

I forget when in this thread it was touched on, but it's also important to think about it from the salesperson and the dealer's point.

Once the salesperson sells you that car, his job and money made are over.

The dealer on the other hand hopes to also see you for service and maybe next time you or someone you know wants to buy a car.

I have to wonder if part of the reason the dealer hosed me so badly on the repair of my old Chevy Colorado is that he never saw me for service after I was out of warranty. Perhaps it was just him trying to make as much as he could by billing me full cost versus trying to get another $2000 caused by the faulty head covered under a warranty, or maybe he figured he might not see me again so this was the time to hit me

 

Having not met you, I'm going to guess you are the type who has a humorous side to you that sometimes is ball busting. Not trying to offend at all, I am the same way. Depending on how well I know the person or what the setting is, sometimes I have to reel myself in. I can say something to a team captain at my part time job who I've known for years that would probably get me fired from my desk job that I work full time.

 

Oh man dude, lol I have said some pretty interesting things to higher authority then myself at every workplace I have been. Army and civilian workplace.

Guys, you both hit the nail on the head. I am a sarcastic humorous kinda guy which tries to make the best out of every situation all while trying to keep things as real and honest as possible. I think that is one of the main reasons why some people can't handle my attitude or approach while I am helping them at work. In no way am I ever rude though unless you give me a reason to be ... Yeah I have days where I don't want to deal with it all, but I think we all do honestly.

I actually jumped off of a American car forum recently where there was a lot douchebaggery around but I was one of the very few who actually chimed in to answer any question, no matter how simple it was. After 4 years of dealing with the guys and the same rudeness from said people I was sick of it and getting a new truck forced me out of there (all for the good!). I came here and carried all the good which I contributed over there in hopes of making a much more pleasurable experience for everyone who had questions or just wanted to talk. Long time member or brand new guy!

So I hope this gives everyone a small insight of who and how I am after reading my first initial post on this thread.

 

That is some really good advice Larry! So many people are so quick to comment about something having no clue what they are talking about.

 

Agreed 100%!!!!! And most people have only ever experienced the car business from one side of the desk. I loved selling cars, but I couldnt deal with all of the extra "stuff" that comes along with it and I had to leave.

 

I don't know........the last one I bought we drove 150 miles to pick it up. The guy said why didn't we just ask them to deliver it. They would have gladly done it for free.
We got to the dealership at about 5 on a weekday afternoon and didn't get out of there till 9. Basically we were in line.......I saw 5 new cars being turned over to the new owners untill it was out time. That seems like a lot of cars in 4 hours on a weekday. Again....I think it's all in the quantity of cars sold. What ever extra the dealer / salesperson can make from walk-ins is just just that.....extra.
Unless the saleman gets paid on quantity of units sold and is able get internet pricing approved by the "manager", it'd think it's really tough to make a living selling cars.
Currently I'm trying to get internt pricing at the dealer where I took the test drives. I had a great saleman and if at all possible want to make sure he gets compensation even if I have to pay a little extra. As long I I know it will go to him. But at 30,000+, about two thirds of what I make in a year, every dollar counts.

 

Being that the different regions have different pricing, what is the best region to get the best deal?

 

Internet gets all the leads. While the floor gets left the crumbs. I try to do the best possible job I can with the person to answer all their questions and make their deal as quick and painless as possible, this is especially so when they are very tolerable and easy to deal with.

I actually got lit up for the first time by my GSM today for apparently not turning over someone. He then proceeded to tell me I didn't make my draw for the month. I knocked my ASS out last month to get every single possible deal I could, for him to just insult me like that really ruined my day and I was after that point unable to deal with any more ups for the day. I couldn't hide how irritated I was either. It was written all over my face.

Different regions have different pricing on different vehicles. There is no specific region where you will get the "best price" on a particular model.

 

would have been my last day working for that GSM

 

Yeah but here is the problem. Where am I going to go after that?

 

I couldn't sell cars.

the hours suck & most places pressure you to make sales.

 

I hate it. Ever since the new GSM came over and the old one moved on to being used car manager the place sucks. I used to sell 11 to 12, now I'm down to 6, 8... really low numbers. I can't freaking do it. I can deal with the people but I cant deal with him, he's managed to single handedly turn the place from paradise to pressure hell. He's a dumb ass dick head. And in no way don't pardon my language.

Sorry, I gotta vent somewhere guys :/

 

maybe you can move to the used cars side?

 

I'm going to try another month on the floor, if it doesn't pan out I am going to opt to changing over to the service side to write it (I used to). All these recent happenings at my workplace has kind of been a catalyst for changing jobs. You can never have too many options. Luckily I am skilled in multiple fields, conveniently I used to be on the repair industry of vehicles, I also used to be a smog technician with a still current and just newly renewed license, electrical diagnosis, soldering skills, circuit board experience, you name it. I just started job hunting again just in case. I may also put a job wanted ad in the regional portion of this forum so the local guys know I am searching and my current experience if they know of anything that may suit me.

I just can't stand being harassed for something which is someone else's decision weather or not they want it today and right there at the moment entirely.

 

Awesome response, thanks Larry! I've seen that lesson first hand a couple of times. In my early twenties I worked in high tech manufacturing assembly, and used to think that all the office folks had easy jobs while all the "real work" was done out on the production floor. Then I went back to school and earned one of those office jobs doing production planning. Turns out that it's not so easy forecasting and scheduling a couple dozen products with millions of dollars in raw and finished inventory at stake, customer orders to satisfy and taking production efficiencies into consideration. In between high tech industry jobs, (I was laid-off and) I took a job as a waiter to make ends meet... and picked up shifts as a host. So when I say that a sales position is a host/ admin position, I am not trying to completely demean the job. I respect host/ admin positions and dealing with the public is never easy.

I had hoped that by saying "play devils advocate" it was apparent that I was exaggerating to offer a counterpoint. I think like any job, there are certain sales people that just aren't good at it and some that truly excel. It looks like some of the good ones are even members here. Unfortunately, the bad ones in auto sales are more visible because of the high dollar value involved. (Are there forums with tens of thousands of members that discuss a poor sales experience with buying a specific brand and model of MP3 player?) Sorry if I got things off track, this has been a great thread so far with some interesting insight into the vehicle sales experience from both sides of the desk.

 

No problem man, that's what we are hear for. This guy is exactly what I was referencing when speaking of shitty managers in the business. It makes it unbearable.