Career in Car Sales ?

Philope

My brother, in his 30's, is talking about a career in car sales, he doesn't have any direct sales experience, but he's keen and always kept an amateur interest in cars and the market. He's good with people, got a bit of life experience, diplomatic, dependable, sociable, not obnoxious, get's on with well people, and I think he would be good at sales.

Problem is, as we know, the industry has flat lined in recent years and there are no jobs, or at least very few, and he's not seen any advertised anywhere near his location in recent years.

If necessary he's prepared to go to the UK to get some experience, but would rather try local first.

He's thinking of cold calling to a few dealers and offering to work part time hours and for low money to get a bit of experience under his belt, what do you think his chances are, and any genuine advice/ideas from car sales people out there how he should approach dealerships ? Personally I think he's nothing to loose by at least trying, or is he mad ?

He's not that keen on buying and selling cars in a small way on his own, because he reckons that the low end of the market is absolutely saturated with clockers and chancers masquerading as private sellers, and doing everything they can to evade providing warranties, tax, rates, and VAT, and you cannot hope to ever legally compete with any of them and hope to make a straight living that way.

bs2014

Regarding sites, keep a close eye on jobs.ie under the motoring section. You may not be based in Dublin, but the Joe Duffy motor group are advertising for trainee sales exec, starting salary not great, but I imagine after a year or 2 this would rocket!

biko

There are openings - mate just started as a car salesman here in Galway.
He has no experience with cars but many years selling other stuff.

bazz26

I'd say they are more interested in someone who has vast experience of buying and selling things rather than specifically a knowledge of cars.

ba_barabus

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd say they are more interested in someone who has vast experience of buying and selling things rather than specifically a knowledge of cars.

Funnily enough I'm viewing two cars on Saturday. Both are being sold by salespeople who used initiative, good sales approaches and who are car people.

bazz26

I'm sure having an interest in cars helps but I'd imagine if you are a natural or good seller of any product/service then you are a far more attractive proposition.

drunkmonkey

don't mind me, i'm just looking.

Philope

Tyre kicker

ba_barabus

bazz26 wrote: »

I'm sure having an interest in cars helps but I'd imagine if you are a natural or good seller of any product/service then you are a far more attractive proposition.

I thought about it after I posted and decided most people would probably prefer deal with someone on their own level if they have little interest in cars.

Philope

I'd say he'd be good at sales, he's that type of fella, though sales is not his background as such.

drunkmonkey

He should watch Glengarry Glenn Ross, if he still wants to be a salesman, watch it again and take notes.

bazz26

You need thick skin too.

road_high

Not the most steady career but should be looking up now after 4/5 years of uncertainty. A lot of guys were let go during the bust (look how many dealerships have closed!).
If you're good at it I'd imagine there's a reasonable chance to earn good money too.

Philope

bazz26 wrote: »

You need thick skin too.

He's got that all right

ltdslipdiff

Some pointers for your buddy -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2wLlrfU89E

Great movie!

ninty9er

If he has any financial commitments it wouldn't be advised. I've recently had an interview with a large established dealer who is offering €18k + commission, car, phone bill! but no real opportunity to earn commission for 3-6 months while I'm put through the paces by the distributor/manufacturer as well as local training. They didn't ask for product knowledge, they were somewhat interested in my career to date, but they gave the impression of more interest in desire to succeed and personality. Another dealer gave the same impression at interview last year.

I've spoken to half a dozen of people who have done it successfully to management level, including relatives and they've all advised that at 27 I'm cutting it tight in terms of giving myself a decent chance to build a career. I have a career with clear progression and bonus structures, but my starting salary was substantially in excess of the €18k on offer, plus I have a company funded pension plan, healthcare, life assurance and illness benefit that aren't on offer.

None of that would stop me taking the job, given that I have plenty of time to make money to buy those things myself, but it's just so much less hassle when someone else takes care of it for you.