Ford Auto Sales

[Yoop33]

Is anyone a salesman in the Auto industry or better yet, with Ford? I have always wondered what it would be like selling new and used cars. Something I think I would do well at and I love cars soooo...
But how are sales right now? This particular dealership claims they are doing very well, but what is the truth? What are the perks of working for a dealership/ ford?
Just curious if it would be worth or a waste of time.

 

[designit]

Here's a preview of next months sales meeting...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI

 

[GAINMOB]

Is anyone a salesman in the Auto industry or better yet, with Ford? I have always wondered what it would be like selling new and used cars. Something I think I would do well at and I love cars soooo...
But how are sales right now? This particular dealership claims they are doing very well, but what is the truth? What are the perks of working for a dealership/ ford?
Just curious if it would be worth or a waste of time.

i would say they are still doing good...you have people changing from suv's to cars all the time so they continue to get sales....

perks???? employee discount...commission...variable hours...you work only if theres and actual person there...how many times have you seen them just chilling...discount is the biggest perk...my wife worked for an affiliate when we got my truck...if i remember correctly...the dealership paid $34K for the truck...being an affiliate...$29K+ out the door...

 

[99 Expy]

i would say they are still doing good...you have people changing from suv's to cars all the time so they continue to get sales....

Not us. Must have not gotten the memo to go get a car lol

 

[SOLISIMO]

My wifes dealership is doing very well. Although she works upstairs I know some of the sales guys and I know they can afford atleast a $700 f250 harley truck payment lol

 

[Yoop33]

My wifes dealership is doing very well. Although she works upstairs I know some of the sales guys and I know they can afford atleast a $700 f250 harley truck payment lol

Are these guys pulling their houses with the F250 too?? lol I would like to keep my nice place Downtown.. I think I may check it out though. Ya never know.. may be a gold mine

 

[Yoop33]

Glengarry Glen Ross... Reminds me of my job currently!!

 

[SOLISIMO]

Actually we went to a 100k dinner and this year their was only one sales guy there. Other years there were alot more. You just have to have the customers stay loyal to you when comming back and make it more of a personal sale as opposed to just a making money sale.

 

[tonydiv]

I was in the business for a bunch of years, mostly with Ford, but I did put in a couple of years with Land Rover (back when Ford owned them)

The biggest ass kicker with car sales is the hours. Nearly every dealership has at least 2 days a week that are 9a to 9p, and you're going to be working them. You are also working every weekend. It's a necessity, that's when 80% of the business walks in the door.

A lot of my friends that are still in the business are making decent money, but you would expect that. Usually the guys who can't cut it wash out in a month or two.

The big change that has happened in the last 10 years or so, is that it's no longer a 'relationship' business. It used to be that buyers had 'their guy' at a dealership that they bought from and recommended to friends. It isn't like that anymore, buyer will walk away, and go to a place clear across town to save $3 a month.

Oh, one more myth (since I got rolling here) Buyers all say that they don't want a pushy sales person. Total crap.
Get in to the business and try to be that helpfull, no-pressure-at-all sales person.... you'll go hungry in a week. And they are going to take all that helpfull information that you gave them and buy that car from the pushy guy at the other dealership.

 

[Yoop33]

The hours dont so much bother me as I work 2 days a week at 16 hours a day... The other 4 days are usually 8 hour shifts. Obviously I would prefer not to though

 

[SOLISIMO]

I was in the business for a bunch of years, mostly with Ford, but I did put in a couple of years with Land Rover (back when Ford owned them)

The biggest ass kicker with car sales is the hours. Nearly every dealership has at least 2 days a week that are 9a to 9p, and you're going to be working them. You are also working every weekend. It's a necessity, that's when 80% of the business walks in the door.

A lot of my friends that are still in the business are making decent money, but you would expect that. Usually the guys who can't cut it wash out in a month or two.

The big change that has happened in the last 10 years or so, is that it's no longer a 'relationship' business. It used to be that buyers had 'their guy' at a dealership that they bought from and recommended to friends. It isn't like that anymore, buyer will walk away, and go to a place clear across town to save $3 a month.

Oh, one more myth (since I got rolling here) Buyers all say that they don't want a pushy sales person. Total crap.
Get in to the business and try to be that helpfull, no-pressure-at-all sales person.... you'll go hungry in a week. And they are going to take all that helpfull information that you gave them and buy that car from the pushy guy at the other dealership.

Sawgrass Ford in Sunrise, FL became popular for the "relationship business" and still honor it till this day. These sales guys have their contacts and use them when they need them to sale.

 

[Yoop33]

Does anyone know how many a dealership will employ at a time? Obviously its based in numbers but I cant stand waiting around for my "Up". Granted I would probably just find a car to play with while waiting but I dont wanna be that guy sitting around like I had nothing better to be doing.

 

[GAINMOB]

Glengarry Glen Ross... Reminds me of my job currently!!

uhm...is that one name or you talking to me too...

 

[GAINMOB]

Does anyone know how many a dealership will employ at a time? Obviously its based in numbers but I cant stand waiting around for my "Up". Granted I would probably just find a car to play with while waiting but I dont wanna be that guy sitting around like I had nothing better to be doing.

depends on sales tempo...and city...if they arent getting sales/slow tempo...they wont be hiring...but a big city...say orlando...tampa...miami...you may success...

 

[tonydiv]

The Ford dealership that I originally worked at was HUGE. We used to move between 800 and 1000 units a month. (Some dealerships won't move 1000 units a really good year) We had 50 sales people. The kicker was that we were a 'one price' dealer. The price for each vehicle was on the windshield and that was it. Had to be a damn good salesmen to move the iron when you can't change the price by even a penny.

They have since been bought by Autonation, who has run it in the ground. I think they now have about 12 - 15 sales people and move way under 200 units a month

 

[Yoop33]

The Ford dealership that I originally worked at was HUGE. We used to move between 800 and 1000 units a month. (Some dealerships won't move 1000 units a really good year) We had 50 sales people. The kicker was that we were a 'one price' dealer. The price for each vehicle was on the windshield and that was it. Had to be a damn good salesmen to move the iron when you can't change the price by even a penny.

They have since been bought by Autonation, who has run it in the ground. I think they now have about 12 - 15 sales people and move way under 200 units a month

Is Ford a good company to work for? Is sales for Ford a good bet? (granted youre a decent sales person and the market is decent) Perks, Benefits, etc?
I just dont wanna get into something again like I am in now. I basically do Time Share sales for Disney which is a lot different then traditional time shares yet people cant stand me or my co-workers because of what other Brands have done.
As for sales in general, I have always hated sales and that "used car sales guy". My way is "He is the product, this is why it is good, this is how it compares to the rest, this is how it will work for you. Take it or leave it". That has always worked for me. I refuse to be that guy that makes a deal and then says "well you know what.. let me go see what else I can do for you and ask my boss". Dont make me feel like you are doing me any favors.. I have done my research and in most cases I know the product I am looking at. Just be real, and ill do business. If not then no worries.

 

[tonydiv]

Ford, in general, is selling well now, so it's a good choice. Places like Honda also always sell well, but the commissions generally not as good, so you have to sell more to make money.

But, not all dealerships are created equal. Some have an owner there every day while others are corporate run. Commission structures vary. Management styles are very different. In the car business a bad (or worse, a weak) desk manager can make your life miserable. If you can find a well run dealership where the salespeople are moderately happy, then it may be a safe bet.


One thing that I always warn people about is the practice that alot of dealers use of 'flooding the floor' with salespeople. They hire more salespeople than they have business for, just to shake things up. The new guys end up being a tool to make the veteran salespeople hustle more. Since adding salespeople doesn't actually more customers come through the door, most of the new guys end up moving on when they see their paycheck. If it seems like most of the salespeople have only been there 2 to 6 months, that dealer may be one of the ones who plays those games.

 

[Yoop33]

uhm...is that one name or you talking to me too...

Huh?? Its the name of a Movie... Thats what the YouTube clip is from.