How do you like to be treated when entering a dealership?

[carver2011]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a job since I am moving home to finish college and I have decided to go into car sales. My ultimate goal is to have a career in the automotive industry and I think a background in sales will be helpful. After two unsuccessful attempts to get hired at a Mercedes/Nissan, and Cadillac dealership, I've decided I should go to what I know...Hyundai. I drive a Santa Fe and have really enjoyed it and know I would be a good salesman for the Hyundai brand.

My question to you guys is this: How do you like to be greeted/approached when you go to a dealership, and what has a salesman done in the past that you've liked or disliked? If I get hired at this Hyundai dealer I might have the chance to sell the Genesis, and I want to be the best salesman they've ever had. I just wanted to know if you guys had any advice.

Many thanks.

 

[Pahaska]

I like to be greeted, asked my intentions, and then pretty much left alone unless I request help. When I have a question, I will ask.

I hate to be dogged by a salesman. The first salesman can give me his card and I will make sure he gets credit.

 

[GripperDon]

Ignore me until I ask for you.

 

[PINGGOLF]

Greet me with a smile, mention your name and simply say, "if you have any questions, just let me know." and then walk away!

Next, KNOW your cars because you need to expect that the potential buyer knows just as much if not more than you do...otherwise...why would they really be there??

When you hear the words "just looking"...that means they are just looking...say "if you need anything or information, just let me know!" Then walk away.

If you dont know the answer to a question...SAY YOU DON'T KNOW...but you'll do your best to find out, DONT BS THEM with a impromptu answer...immediately GO and find out! More than likely, the buyer already knows the answer! If your co-hort gives you the wrong answer, your out of luck!

Be honest and up front! My first few questions when entering into the purchasing documents or negotiating on a price is "how much are you making off the deal?" I do this because I want to know where my hard earned money is going. Personally, I'm not going to pay you a grand to be the middle man. $500 is my max. Knowing good and well you'll probably sell more than one car a week which will yield more than enough dough to pay the bills and have a nice dinner or two.

I know its difficult, but pretend the customer is always right...even though at times they may not be. Most of the time, they see things their way and ONLY their way... We all know the old adages of car salesmen and lawyers...the lie...so expect to be judged as a liar...even though they wont come out and say it. Do not hold this as offensive, its natural.

Just keep in mind, its a GAME that the dealer always wins because sometimes people are just too stupid to walk out the door or to see beyond the costs associated with the sale.

All the dealer prep fees and junk, those are the first things I get removed from my negotiating table. Why the heck am I going to pay $499 for you to "prep" a car to sell? Its YOUR JOB as a dealership to clean it, remove the protective covers and prepare it for the lot! If they wont budge on this stupid fee, I walk out the door.

I am always prepared to drive to another state to save $500 and you'd better believe that I will get dealerships competing for my business!

Anywho, those are just some thoughts...HA! I sorta took the topic and ran with it!

Good luck in getting your job and I hope things go well for you!

 

[carver2011]

Thank you all for your responses.

My major is Business Administration and Marketing so I have some accounting and business principles under my belt which might help me some. I really have no problem leaving customers to look around since they will eventually need to come find me to have a car unlocked or something. I've tried to keep up with Hyundai as much as possible so I feel confident in my product knowledge. I've been on the buying side of car deals several times with parents and such so I'm anxious to see how everything happens from the other side.

In case none of you have heard about it, Edmunds.com has an interesting article about an undercover car salesman...ya'll should check it out.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html