Howdy. I'm still selling cars in my second full month at the dealership.
My total is now fifteen vehicles since March 25th--three in March, eight in April, and four so far in May. I just need to get four more out for the rest of the month and I'm at my average. I'd like to sell ten a month but I'm not going to be greedy in my first year.
In all, it is going very well--at least as well as can be expected. So far, I'm learning all that I need to know about the process and the vehicles I sell. With time I'll only get better, I'm sure.
Let me share with you a little bit of what I've learned in my first few months. Just call the these points some wise advice to car buyers. Some of you might find this funny, but a lot of people I see at the job have some very unrealistic ideas about buying a new car or truck.
1) Your old vehicle is not worth nearly as much as you think it is.
2) Your credit history is also probably worse than you think it is.
3) The negative equity (when you owe more on your car than it is worth) on your trade-in CANNOT disappear or be "eaten" by the dealership when buying a new car. It can, for a price however, be buried deep in your next car deal.
4) Unless you put a lot of money down on a new car you most likely cannot buy a $40,000 vehicle for only $300 per month.
5) If a "true" price (or lowest price) store tells you upfront that they have a bottom-line price already on a vehicle then they cannot lower the price any more than it already is.
6) Contrary to most money advisors, borrowing money to purchase a new vehicle is a complete waste or your resources since any vehicle depreciates in value over time unless it is a rare, one-of-a-kind, or custom-made automobile.
7) A lease is almost always your best method of acquiring a new vehicle unless you drive more than 20,000 personal miles per year or plan to add a lot of accessories.
8) The easiest way to put a salesman off your trail is to NOT say "I'm just looking" but rather a simple "I cannot purchase today." If I had a dollar for every time I hear "I'm just looking" I can promise you I wouldn't be selling cars anymore.
9) As a salesman I'm out there to help you make an important decision in buying a car so the more you tell me about your wants and needs the better I can answer your questions. I cannot read minds. If I could I certainly wouldn't be selling cars.
10) The buying of a car is a time-consuming process that involves credit agencies and more personnel than just a salesman. The time-line cannot be rushed just for you because you think you're more special than any other customer.
Keep these facts in mind and you'll have a more enjoyable car buying experience. Well, if not for you, at least I'll have a more enjoyable experiencing dealing with you on the sales floor if you keep these facts in mind.
