Confessions of a car salesman
edmunds.com
Confessions of a car salesman
1–10 of 14 posts
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#2This bit was great.
"You've never sold cars before. Is that right?"
"Right."
"Why do you want to work here?"
My first inclination was to say, hey, I'm a car freak. Always have been. I could explain cars, how they work, get people excited about the performance and the different features. But then I remembered my editor's advice.
I smiled at Dave, trying to convey the feeling that the answer was obvious.
"I want to make a lot of money," I said.
The effect on Dave was amazing. He smiled and relaxed, as if I had said the password to enter an exclusive club. If this had been a cartoon, dollar signs would have appeared in his eyes accompanied by a loud "Cha-ching!"
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#3This article is really long, but if you can only read one portion of it, read this part about the 4 square worksheet:
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/page003....
It's a really interesting insight into how one experienced side in a negotiation can frame things to their advantage.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#4This bit was great. "You've never sold cars before. Is that right?" "Right." "Why do you want to work here?" My first inclination was to say, hey, I'm a car freak. Always have been. I could explain cars, how they work, get people excited about the performance and the different features. But then I remembered my editor's advice. I smiled at Dave, trying to convey the feeling that the answer was obvious. "I want to mak…
Agreed, I thought that imagery was very funny. I'm on part 7 now, so far it's a good and interesting read.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#5I read this a few years ago. It's excellent, but it made my blood boil. I hate manipulation and pressure.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#6I read this a few years ago. It's excellent, but it made my blood boil. I hate manipulation and pressure.
The only pressure here is in the tires.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#7This article is really long, but if you can only read one portion of it, read this part about the 4 square worksheet: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/page003.... It's a really interesting insight into how one experienced side in a negotiation can frame things to their advantage.
The last page also has some excellent advice on it. My favorite: If you don't like anything about the deal, even if it's just the salesman rubbing the wrong way, just walk away.
The salesman wants you to treat walking away like a nuclear option, but it's the biggest lever you have.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#8A HN classic: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=263727
FYI: repeats over a year are fine. Often shorter is ok, but don't push it.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#9This article is really long, but if you can only read one portion of it, read this part about the 4 square worksheet: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/page003.... It's a really interesting insight into how one experienced side in a negotiation can frame things to their advantage.
The last page also has some excellent advice on it. My favorite: If you don't like anything about the deal, even if it's just the salesman rubbing the wrong way, just walk away. The salesman wants you to treat walking away like a nuclear option, but it's the biggest lever you have.
They try their best to make you feel like a real asshole for walking away, though, especially if they took you for a test drive and everything. I think a lot of people just don't have the "jerk DNA" to do that. They prey on people's basic politeness.
While, like the author, I can feel some sympathy for the individual salespeople, the industry as a whole is just awful and I can't wait to see it die. It's coasting on pure momentum now but the minute people can reliably buy a car elsewhere, like they would buy any other major item, sayonara dealers.
I just wish I could go to the Car Shop and buy a car the same way I go to a department store and buy a TV. I can look at all the models from all the different brands. They all have a sticker on them with the best price. I choose one, pay for it, and leave. That's all I want! The dealer system adds no value for me at all - in fact it makes the whole experience worse, and then rips you off in the bargain. I just can't stand them.
Re: Confessions of a car salesman
#10Like most businesses the Internet will change the model of car sales. In a few years there will be fewer dealers and
the prolonged negotiations and manipulations will from another era.
Costco is already moving into this space cooperating with local dealers to manage inventory and service. The number of dealers will collapse to the organizations that create an internet buzz around fixed and fair pricing and solid service.
Expect Amazon to move towards this highly leveraged model to connect buyers with inventory.