Help with new career

First off, I want to state that this is not an advertisement. I am writing this to get advise from my neighbors.

With that said, here is a little background. Three months ago my whole department was dissolved at a large telecom company and I was forced to find employment in a new field. Since I have a love of talking with people about cars, I decided to give the lucrative field of car sales a shot.

Now the question. I have minimal resources but I want to reach out to as many people as possible to come and talk to me if the are looking for a new car. You your opinion, how would I go about doing that.

-Gregg

 

I'm a car person and gear head. Proof, compressor and impact wrench is coming to my garage soon and if I could fit a lift I would already have one. Oh I'm in telecom, sorry to hear about your misfortune. Are you sure you a car person? Cause you would know the answer.

Okay here's my $.02 worth. Use the power of the internet. Not knowing which dealership you work for, I'll use Carmax Mitsubishi down the road in my examples. Join car forums for your make you sell. In this example forums like Lancer.com, DSMtalk, yahoo groups for mitsubishi cars, etc. Then provide helpful information and make it known you work for satan... I meant the dealership Be yourself and be helpful. Provide free service like carfax if possible. Also things like stereo code for those who bought a used car and forgot the security code for their stereo. Basically make friends on these forums and make it known your a cool dude who's honest. If you make someone's car buying experience bad, well you'll be dead in the forums.

Become an expert in the hottest car your dealership sells. In your example, that would be the Lancer Evolution cause it sells for MSRP or MSRP + markup. Lots of profit and I'm sure your comission will reflect this. Know EVERYTHING about the car, if you don't know, ask someone at the dealership or search on the internet. Know the competition too - WRX, S4, SRT-4, etc. People who want this car will seek you out cause you're the "guro". Be prepare to answer questions about the front mount intercooler, TD04H 16G turbo, active yaw controls, etc. Cause if I'm a gear head looking for a hot car like this, I want to talk to a sales person who knows what they are selling. Show the intelligence.

Also join some of the local car clubs. If you sell BMW join the local BMW car club, same with all the other makes. Google search can be your best friend.

Oh and here's some advice, practice respect and you'll sell cars. When I decide to buy my Infiniti, I'm heading over to Passport and buying it from a salesperson I never met. People on a forum I read rave about their experience. Same with a salesperson in Texas, lots have bought thru this person. I'm sure his comission check reflects that.

And I hope you know that selling for a high end dealership can mean bigger commission checks. BMW and Mercedes always sell for MSRP for more, might be harder to sell more per month but each counts big.

-Teak

 

Teak,

Thanks for the advise. I am on forums for my SE-R but never thought to use them to drum up business.

-Gregg

Gregg Sandelli

 

If you work for nissan up the road, tell corporate they need to bring over the Skyline GTR. I want that inline 6 turbo and all wheel drive.

That SE-R spec V is pretty nice for a small 4 banger.

Hey, how about working for Sterling BMW and getting me a good price on a 330xi or M3. I'm living in Broadlands cause I didn't get to buy my M5 back in fall of 99. I'm glad now that I have the house. Still the thought of renting with a bad a$$ car is not a bad thing.

-Teak

 

I was thinking on working there but I was less than impressed with the management style. As for the Skyline, I wouldn't be surprised to see it soon. With all the hype around rally style cars, Nissan could make good money off it. I did see one the other day, probably brought in as a grey market car.

I have the standard SE-R...I drove the Spec V and I didn't like the way it shifted or the RED interior.

Sterling BMW may be in the future but right now it's Ford. Not my favorite brand but I like the work environment.

-Gregg

Gregg Sandelli

 

My favorite ford is the Cobra-R or a 93 Cobra, love that body style. Sorry too young for those older 302 engine cars.

-Teak

 

What is the typical commission on a new car sale? Is it usually a percentage of MSRP? Does it vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacrurer?

Do salespeople get an hourly wage in addition to commission?

Is BMW of Sterling pretty new? They seem to be advertising like crazy. Any more dealerships opening up in the general area soon?

Thanks for any answers!

--fellow car lover

 

Ferrari of D.C. is supposed to be opening up right there between nissan and carmax. I know that will be the way I go to work and come home everyday.....
Anyone here driven an Infiniti G35 coupe? Like to get your feedback if you have.....

DwArFlOrD

 

It'll be hard to get a test drive in a G35C since most or all are sold before leaving the transport truck. You might be lucky and get to test drive a used one from a dealer lot. I've seen 1 or 2 dealership in the area with a used G35C. Check the papers.

I've riden in a sedan and it's got power for a 4 door. Probably about 220whp, 260 at the crank. Handles very well. I heard the coupe is more rigded and a bit more power. I've heard the exhuast and it's awesome.

Check freshalloy.com and look in the forums. There's usually a meet at Passport Infiniti in Alexandria. You can get a first hand look at some.

Most likely I'll have one in my garage by the end of the year. Oh if you can wait the AWD will come in the sedan sometime later this year or early next, and I'm assume the coupe will follow shortly.

Do I hear Nissan/Infiniti Skyline GT-R?????? Turbo time!

-Teak

 

Thanks Teak,
I knew that the coupes are hard to get to test drive, but mostly on the 6MT side. I know the dealers have autos on the lots (though not many), but I am looking into getting a manual. Ive heard they shift and handle simlar to the Z so Im thinking about heading over to Nissan here on the corner and take one out. If the Z had 4 seats and more conservative styling, thatd be what I would prefer.
What color are you looking for? I cant decide if I want the Laser Red or Diamond Graphite....[]

DwArFlOrD

 

Looking to get 6MT (brembos!) DG/G, nav, aero, I guess premium even tho I don't want the bose just the sunroof and auto dimming mirrors.

Most likely I'll order the first batch of '04s. May wait for the AWD if it's early part of 04 and not over $2K.

And I'll add a clear bra soon after. The 350Z is a nice car but you'll have to compare it with Track model since it has the brembos. I still like the G35C better than the 350Z styling. Love the rear of the G than the Z.

-Teak

 

I actually make a flat commission. It makes working with customers much easier. I have not been able to drive a G35C either but as understand it, it drives a lot like the 350Z which it is based on.

Gregg Sandelli