<VV> Re: Car Salesmen - You dont have a clue (no Corvair)

[John Miller]

Frank and others,

    In defense of car salesmen, since I am one, most do have pretty decent training.. I know I have trained many salespeople. The turnover rate among salespeople is huge because the public beats on them so badly. Every customer that a salesperson greets is different and expects different things. Since most people's perception is that salespeople are rude, pushy, obnoxious losers they feel they can treat a salesperson badly and it's ok. We have a saying in the car business- "buyers are liars"- which means a customer can come in and say "I can buy that same exact model $2000 less down the street" when in fact they are comparing a strip down model to a loaded one. A total fabrication which they believe is fair, since they are talking to a salesperson. 
  Cars today have many electronic gadgets, safety systems, and other convenience features on them that change model to model. Do you have any idea how many types of traction control systems and ABS are available on todays cars? How many different types of suspension  and ride systems there are? I worked at a dealership that had 19 lines of cars. Not to mention you need to know about the competions models too. Manufacturers do not send much more than a brochure and a 10 minute tape to train on a new model in most cases...so until the car arrives you may not have much info to share.  
    Most people that come in to buy are usually concerned about the color, the price, and how many cupholders it has. Occasionally you get that anal retentive who has no life other than to study what color bolts hold the seats to the floor, and knows everthing there is to know about a particular model but even when he is presented with everything he asks for cannot make a decision to buy. 
   Most  salespersons are on a commission basis, which means if you dont buy, they do not get paid.All this being done while smiling and showing great patience. How many hours have you spent shopping for a car and not bought? Did you ever pay the salesman for his time? Would you go to your job and expect to not be paid? I suggest you hand that helpful salesperson a $50 next time and stick with the same one....dont try ten different ones. If you dont trust someone why would you buy from them to save $50. And what does that say about your character?
  Finally, to pick on salespeople who might not readily answer your question....for crying out loud guys....we have been talking about one model car for 40 years and still don't have every answer, and in most cases even a concensus.
 
John Miller
Iowa
Thanks!.....I feel much better now.