Ask a car salesman

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Holden's what they call Opel over in Australia, right? Is there any sensible reason why they call their brand differently in pretty much every country?


That's what I thought, or better, hoped. We're currently in the tedious process of looking for a new (used) car, most cars we've seen so far that are within our price range for what we went seem to be brands that don't have the best reputation when it comes to longevity (like french manufacturers, for example).

General Motors owns Holden and Opel. Holden is a beloved Australian brand name and it would be crazy to brand their vehicles as Opels. Holden Australia actually makes excellent 6 and 8 cylinder sedans exported to the Middle East and branded as, get this, Chevrolets??? Go figure.

Holden no longer imports Opels and rebrands them, Opel is coming to Australia as a stand alone marque.

As for your new vehicle purchase, I'd suggest you would want to have a compelling reason in terms of design and suitability to purchase a European car ahead of an Asian vehicle. At least in that lower price range. Obviously BMW and Mercedes is another story. And don't discount a Skoda.....good car.

 

[downtown]

The manufacturer/retailer relationship is an interesting one. We actually get paid a significant portion of our income via bonus payments for everything from volume, to meeting showroom and facility standards to good results from customer surveys. It can be up to half our monthly income (mostly for hitting volume targets). Basically, Hyundai wants to dictate the way we run our business, and are happy to pay for our compliance. So things like promotional pricing and offers, fixed price servicing, low interest finance make it harder to put margin into our deals but make the process of selling a car a hell of a lot easier.

If you had to set up a new dealership, would you rather go it alone and take the flexiblity and potential higher profit margins, or partner with a manufacturer again?

Turnover in the motor industry is notoriously high. I'm lucky to have a team of 6 of which the newest guy has been there a year. Firing someone is one of the ugliest things I have to do. I'm actually hopeless when it comes to hiring and have been sweet talked into giving many a guy or girl a run, only for it to end in tears. I currently have two females.

Frankly, I'm a terrible recruiter.

It's funny, in my professional experience, sales guys seem to be the worst at the HR/staffing side of the business, and I have no idea why. I guess you are a pretty lucky shop to have turnover that low. I know lots of (successful!) dealers that are replacing a guy basically every month. Do you train folks? Did you find that difficult?

We certainly do have a service station. In fact, small cars are really a vehicle to give us a shot at selling finance and gaining a service customer. We would be lucky to make $1000 selling a little 4 cylinder car, but we will make that again if you take our finance and again if you service you car regularly with us. You may even recommend a friend to us. I'm a firm believer that my primary role is to increase the dealerships customer base, not just take the quick buck.

Yeah, I agree, and I think that seems to be typical. I've been told that American dealerships will often take *very* skinny deals on a new customer, only to expect to make it back by charging out the arse on the service side. Kinda like how Microsoft takes a loss on XBOXs but makes it back on accessories, XBOX Live, and games...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Have you ever threatened to club a baby seal to get a better deal?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

If you had to set up a new dealership, would you rather go it alone and take the flexiblity and potential higher profit margins, or partner with a manufacturer again?

The option of distancing oneself from the factory is simply not an option when it comes to new vehicles. At best, you could steer away from the large manufacturers and go with a niche brand. If you can sell 20 Ferraris a year, Ferrari are not too concerned whether you have the factory dictated coffee machine and the odd unhappy customer. Realistically, used cars is the way to go it alone and used cars is a dying industry for all but the very best operators. Having said that, a firing used car operation can clean up money wise.

Sorry Ziggy, it's midnight and far too late to be persusing YouTube clips with "Clubbing baby seals" in the title. That's one to accompany my morning coffee for sure.

 

[classical_hero]

Are old car salesmen trustworthy?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Are old car salesmen trustworthy?

Are people trustworthy? Use your judgment as you would in all encounters.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Clip is harmless by the way. No visual iffy bits.

 

[Zelig]

Is it ever impossible for you to give your lowest possible price to someone paying in cash?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Clip is harmless by the way. No visual iffy bits.

Cool. I'm actually a massive softy when it comes to animals. Many a colleague has faced my wrath after sending dubious stuff involving our evolutionary superiors.

 

[Grisu]

General Motors owns Holden and Opel. Holden is a beloved Australian brand name and it would be crazy to brand their vehicles as Opels. Holden Australia actually makes excellent 6 and 8 cylinder sedans exported to the Middle East and branded as, get this, Chevrolets??? Go figure.

Holden no longer imports Opels and rebrands them, Opel is coming to Australia as a stand alone marque.

ah, I just remembered seeing tons of familiar cars around in australia with the unfamiliar (to me) "Holden" brand

As for your new vehicle purchase, I'd suggest you would want to have a compelling reason in terms of design and suitability to purchase a European car ahead of an Asian vehicle. At least in that lower price range. Obviously BMW and Mercedes is another story. And don't discount a Skoda.....good car.

Problem is, none of the Asian manufacturers sell the type of car (Minivan) in the size we would like anymore (Like the Toyota Previa). So it's either either a European car or a American car (if you still want to call the european branch of Ford american). Otherwise I'd absolutely opt for an asian car as to this date I've made nothing but good experiences with them.

Have you ever threatened to club a baby seal to get a better deal?

ahh, it's been too long since I've watched that movie....

 

[classical_hero]

Are people trustworthy? Use your judgment as you would in all encounters.

Well it is just that on most lists it comes as one of the most untrustworthy jobs, sso have you had any bad experiences or heard about such bad experiences?
http://career.jobboom.com/workplace/challenges/2007/12/19/4732266-ca.html

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Is it ever impossible for you to give your lowest possible price to someone paying in cash?

Another one of the biggest myths. Cash sucks. I'll sell a car at $1000 loss if we can make $2000 on the finance.

Interestingly, I have had customers offer me $500 cash (for instance) as a personal bribe if I give them $1000 off the contracted price. I'm proud to say I've never been tempted.

I also want to reiterate that my lowest price is of no interest to me. It doesn't even cross my mind. Your highest price is what I want to know.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Well it is just that on most lists it comes as one of the most untrustworthy jobs, sso have you had any bad experiences or heard about such bad experiences?
http://career.jobboom.com/workplace/challenges/2007/12/19/4732266-ca.html

Lists are also notoriously untrustworthy. But yeah I have to admit, the nature of salespeople and the commissions on offer does lend itself towards attracting less honest people. Just keep your wits about you and don't drop a heap of cash on an emotional purchase (unless you're dealing with me)

 

[classical_hero]

Lists are also notoriously untrustworthy. But yeah I have to admit, the nature of salespeople and the commissions on offer does lend itself towards attracting less honest people. Just keep your wits about you and don't drop a heap of cash on an emotional purchase (unless you're dealing with me)

If only I could find that video of Amy from Futurama buying a car. I hoe you have sen that show.

Any way onto a more serious talk than what I have been doing. What is your dream car you would like to own?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

If only I could find that video of Amy from Futurama buying a car. I hoe you have sen that show.

Any way onto a more serious talk than what I have been doing. What is your dream car you would like to own?

The most satisfying car to drive is one you know you got ridiculously cheaply. No better feeling than selling it a year or two later and making money on it.

But a realistic choice? Lamboughini Contache.....those doors still turn me on and you really have to wrestle the thing to get the most out of it. But maybe an M3 is a more palatable daily drive.

 

[holy king]

have you had sex on a test drive?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Sex on a test drive? Never. I've been propositioned and declined. I've had sex after hours in the dealership though and had my way with the odd customer over the years......always after they collect their car though.

So no. I really should take one for the CFC team and give it a crack though heh?

 

[classical_hero]

So no. I really should take one for the CFC team and give it a crack though heh?

Just make sure the person is a she.

 

[holy king]

pff, as long as it's tight, fleshy and at 38° celsius...

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Just make sure the person is a she.

Where did that come from dude? Ok, I'll be vigilant!