Working In A Dealership

[senna_T]

I think there is one or two others, but I'm probably the most active - out of boredom mostly!

[antigravity]

Hahaha... same here.. Im sitting at work, trolling the boards, feeling guilty for not actually doing work!

Doesn't stop from doing it though. hehe

So are you at work? If so, sounds like a cruisy job... where do I sign up?

[ms700]

There are always adverts in the local papers here for F/I people at dealerships, its only a matter of time before one pops up.

Are you going to stay in QLD or move?

[antigravity]

I'm going to stay here in QLD. My partner's family is up here, and we need their help with the little ones!

Will keep my eyes open for some F/I ads, but yeah... I might even consider sales roles if the pay is good enough... Just a bit scary making a big change from one type of role to a completely different one...

[shitbmxrider]

I have worked in Car & Truck Dealerships for 6 years now, 1/2 that time in Spare Parts, and the other Half in New (truck) Sales...

And im echoing the above...most of the people you work with are damn decent, these days...that said, theres always 1 or 2 arseholes per department intent on ruining your day...

Also, people that are just out to rip customers off are easily identified, and are *known*...(especially in the Truck Industry, its a damn small circle, and everyone has worked for everyone else, as a rule)...and generally, you can avoid them.

I love working in a dealership, in my situation I am basically my own boss running my own buisness(although I do have a Sales Manager I report to)....so, how well I go is entirely dependant on myself(its different on trucks, im on the road 3/4 of the week making calls)

[PDIDDY]

I have been in the "Game" for nearly 11 years now, mainly with Ford & Toyota. I haven't been in F&I, but have sold both New & Used cars, been a 2IC and a Manager before.

Like the others said, the days of the "white shoe/gold chain wearing, gold tooth" dinosaur salesman have gone. People are far too educated now (some even know more than the salesperson about a particular vehicle). Customers, IMO, are now looking for great service more than anything. Let's face it, if they don't get what they want from you, then they can drive 20 mins down the road and find it somewhere else.

F&I guys do work on a retainer plus commision, but the structure is different to sales. It is usually worked on how how much over "base rate" they write the finance at. EG: if the base rate is 9.5%, and they write a loan at 10% for $30k, they get paid a percentage of the .5% of the $30k or similar.

Honesty is the best policy at all times, because remembering the lie is increasingly difficult.

As for the sayings " If the customer's lips are moving, then they're lying".

Hope this helps.

[antigravity]

  PDIDDY said:

F&I guys do work on a retainer plus commision, but the structure is different to sales. It is usually worked on how how much over "base rate" they write the finance at. EG: if the base rate is 9.5%, and they write a loan at 10% for $30k, they get paid a percentage of the .5% of the $30k or similar.

Honesty is the best policy at all times, because remembering the lie is increasingly difficult.

As for the sayings " If the customer's lips are moving, then they're lying".

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info... more stuff I didn't know. Thanks!

Ahh... so as an F&I consulant (or whatever they're called), you don't automatically try and get them the best interest rate?

I guess the all important question here is, do you all get by ok?? Money wise? Or do you struggle to make sales sometimes?

Edited 05/09/08 06:34 AM by antigravity

[senna_T]

Lately the market is slow, but it goes up and down. Now that interest rates are going down, sales will pick up again - how much you can never tell though.

Don't get me wrong, there is massive money to be made if you do the right thing and sell car/finance.

One thing to look for is a multi franchise dealer. That way you can spread your business across more than one manufacturer

[seventytwo]

  antigravity said:

Was doing some research and found this article, by a writer in the states who went undercover as a car salesman. I'm hoping the industry is a little different here as it is there, because what they do over there is shocking to say the least... have a read:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/artic...62/article.html

Thanks Senna_t... that info is great. Invaluable.

I've haven't worked in the motor industry directly, but have experience with personal finance with a main background in insurance (sales, service, compliance, claims in both domestic and commercial risk), worked for a little while with the CBA and organised personal loans for clients purchasing vehicles.. Nothing too complicated (compared to fleet or leasing), but its a start.

I wouldn't mind getting into straight car sales either as a complete change... if you can make decent money without having to be a tossbag. hehe

Great article, cant say I would like to work for commission though, I prefer to know that I will get paid at the end of the week.

[antigravity]

  senna_T said:

Lately the market is slow, but it goes up and down. Now that interest rates are going down, sales will pick up again - how much you can never tell though.

Don't get me wrong, there is massive money to be made if you do the right thing and sell car/finance.

One thing to look for is a multi franchise dealer. That way you can spread your business across more than one manufacturer

Great. I've heard exactly what I've wanted to hear.

You can be ethical, and be successful working in a dealership.

Might start sending some resume's around!

Thanks for the tip with the multi franchise dealers. I thought that too actually. Wider choice = more clients.

Thanks again guys... The help on here has been great.