Occupational Evolution.

[Joe Wordsworth]

So... I'm a car salesman.

That's probably the most simple explanation of what it is I do for a living, but its not entirely accurate. Everyone in a given dealership or auto-sales corporation, at heart, is just a car salesman. Its how we all start out. The lowliest salesman up through the management core to the General Manager (king o' the dealership) to the owners and the corporate partners... from bottom to top, they'll all tell you the same thing when asked what they do: "I sell cars."

We're vain and puffed up and scale-breakingly Type A personalities... and very humble about the specifics, when it comes down to it.

Me? I'm not a salesman. I'm a sales manager. That's a step up, basically. Of the Departments in a given dealership (New, Used, Finance, etc.), I am specialized in Internet Sales and E-Commerce. I find hard to find things. I do business nationally. My market is the world-wide-web. I'm the lowliest manager, on the chain, for most dealerships because most dealerships are still behind the times when it comes to using e-commerce to grow business. I have a department, I have sales staff.

Anyhow.

So, the economy has buttfucked the car business--for the most part. Everyone's sales are down and its a rough market out there. Don't, however, think its Armaggeddon... people still /need/ cars in ways they don't /need/ televisions or sneakers or fast food. Its a strong market that has slowed.

Boss Alpha decided to add a partner to my department in hopes of stimulating some competition and sell more cars--this was about a week+ ago. Dude's not there but for a day before the tornado destroyed the dealership and blah, blah, blah... so, the corporate owner people offer me a change of dealership (still in the company) that's closer to home. I took it because I'd rather reap the whole harvest at Dealer B than fight for the scraps at Dealer A. Boss Alpha told me he'd miss me and that if I don't like Dealer B then I can always come back and have my job back (I'm very good at what I do).

So, a week rolls by--I'm slowly dying inside at Dealer B and get my pimp offer from Company C to do the job above my current level of job with them--and doing so at a European Imports supercenter, basically. I start Monday.

And I get a call this morning, while ironing, Boss Alpha just lost the guy he put with me as competition (who took over my operations). Guy blew. Asked, politely, if I wanted to come back... "no". Asked politely, if he could make me an offer to entice me back... "yes".

I just got offered a small pile of money--I wish there were a less crude way of putting it, but that's just what it is--to go back to my old job. Like... out of his pocket--no taxes. A bribe, basically.

$5k if I show up.

Hah.

One of the things I love about my occupation is that we're all mercanaries. We're treated like gunslingers and sometimes there's dirty politics and street-level tactics to the business.

 

[jomar]

So can you get me a sweet deal on a Bimmer before you take the cash and run?

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

So can you get me a sweet deal on a Bimmer before you take the cash and run?

I actually know almost nothing about cars.

Ain't that a kick in the head?

 

[jomar]

I actually know almost nothing about cars.

Ain't that a kick in the head?

Cars, insurance, medical supplies, shoes and potato chips. Product is product, eh?

 

[S-Des]

I actually know almost nothing about cars.

Ain't that a kick in the head?

Not really. It's not about who knows the most, it's about who works the best with people. Knowledge is great, but it has to be combined with other skills, otherwise it just makes you the smartest guy not accomplishing much.

I had to work my way up the computer field. I started with an Associates Degree in Electronics (which gets you practically nothing in this world). After doing repairs, I realized it was a wasted education (for the most part) and taught myself computer repair. I BS'd my way into a temp agency, who got me a job doing computer support. After bouncing through a series of temp jobs (using each as an opportunity to learn more), I managed to land a really nice job doing web site development, tech writing, and support, only to get laid off when the market around here crashed. After years of doing other things, I managed to land my current job, doing field service work on computers. It has practically nothing to do with where I started, but it's exactly what I would want from a job (my own hours, being my own boss, and decent pay with benefits).

It is an evolving market, and no jobs are "safe" anymore, but if you keep your eyes open, there are a lot of opportunities to evolve with it.

 

[jomar]

Not really. It's not about who knows the most, it's about who works the best with people. Knowledge is great, but it has to be combined with other skills...

True. I've seen brilliant engineers hit a ceiling and not be able to become managers and above because of poor people skills.

 

[only_more_so]

One of the things I love about my occupation is that we're all mercanaries. QUOTE]

Wow! You're half bird half fish! That's so cool.

Sorry, it was just so amusing.

 

[JagFarlane]

True. I've seen brilliant engineers hit a ceiling and not be able to become managers and above because of poor people skills.

On the opposing side...if you have great management skills, they can help you to rise above, even with weaker technical skills. My dad got into being a tech...actually was a field tech like you are S-Des. Worked himself into getting a spot on a site...then eventually became a lead tech for a new contract. However, as he fully admitted, he couldn't keep up with the other techs...they are just too knowledgeable. However...he was able to draw on his skills in management, to rise up, created his own position...and made himself indispensable. [yea I rambled]

 

[Misty_Morning]

Money is cool...more than cool. But it don't make things A-OK.

I was once offered more money than I had ever made at that point or since to go back to a former employer. I turned them down cuz I knew I wouldn't be happy.

What good is making a pile of money if you can't sleep at night and you're miserable during the day?

To me...nothing.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Money is cool...more than cool. But it don't make things A-OK.

I was once offered more money than I had ever made at that point or since to go back to a former employer. I turned them down cuz I knew I wouldn't be happy.

What good is making a pile of money if you can't sleep at night and you're miserable during the day?

To me...nothing.

I feel the same way. I'm going to go with the new company because its going to be an adventure (and I like those); that's more important to me than a slight difference in the cash.

Now, had I been offered a hojillion dollars or something? You ain't seen a motherfucker come crawling back like I'd be crawling. Because we, in the car business, are whores.

 

[Gizzmotick]

I feel the same way. I'm going to go with the new company because its going to be an adventure (and I like those); that's more important to me than a slight difference in the cash.

Now, had I been offered a hojillion dollars or something? You ain't seen a motherfucker come crawling back like I'd be crawling. Because we, in the car business, are whores.

I tried being a car-salesman out for a little while... Never could make it work. Although I have a completely different outlook on life now than I did 7 years ago... but my job now is fairly stable (not entirely though). There is so much stress and so many places to screw up that each day is like running a gauntlet. The worst part is... amongst all the people who are at my level, I am on what you would refer to as "the short list" for who knows what they're doing. But, because of the nature of the job, my managers cannot (and will not) hand out any kind of cash awards, bonuses, etc... just for doing a good job year in and year out.

I can't wait to be out of there.

 

[Misty_Morning]

I feel the same way. I'm going to go with the new company because its going to be an adventure (and I like those); that's more important to me than a slight difference in the cash.

Now, had I been offered a hojillion dollars or something? You ain't seen a motherfucker come crawling back like I'd be crawling. Because we, in the car business, are whores.

I understand and completely agree.



Hey Joe, wanted to tell you that there have two occasions where I have been out buying a new car and blew the salesperson away in my knowledge of the cars I was looking at and I was offered a job selling cars.

I said No Thanks, besides when you have a quality product...it should sell itself....theoretically.

 

[jomar]

...I'm going to go with the new company ...

Excellent. Cost less holdback then?

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

I said No Thanks, besides when you have a quality product...it should sell itself....theoretically.

Theoretically. But, practically? Not so much, unfortunately. People buy cars on emotion, not logic. It took a looooooong time to come to terms with that.

Excellent. Cost less holdback then?

Hah.

 

[jomar]

Theoretically. But, practically? Not so much, unfortunately. People buy cars on emotion, not logic. It took a looooooong time to come to terms with that.

That's why you wash and wax your car before you sell it.

Hah.

I usually buy used cars. I bought a new one once from a green salesman. This was back in the day and he had a notebook he referred to for pricing. He had it on the desk and I could read it upside down. He'd mention an option price and I'd say no, I'm paying that price and point to the wholesale price on the page. The sales manager finally replaced him and we were talking blah, blah and we agreed on a price. Then I mentioned $X less for the different engine and the manager said, "You got me."

More recently, a sales guy gave me the "I have your car" and slides a piece of paper across a desk with a stupid price on it. Like the internet doesn't exist.

So, I hope as a "mercenary" you are honest, have integrity and have people's best interests in mind. If so, they will return and you will be rewarded.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

So, I hope as a "mercenary" you are honest, have integrity and have people's best interests in mind. If so, they will return and you will be rewarded.

I have... many opinions on the process.

I am honest, unless I need not be; I have integrity; and I am not at liberty to have people's best interests in mind. It is infrequent that someone comes to buy a car because they are looking out, even for their own best interests.

I'm not their mama, I'm not their preacher, I'm not their spouse or their doctor. I help people make decisions, often enough ones that are bad ideas. Its not my job to change their mind to a vehicle that's better, cheaper, safer, more valuable, and easier to operate... its to give them what they want.

Not often are those two anywhere near close.

 

[jomar]

I have... many opinions on the process.

I am honest, unless I need not be; I have integrity; and I am not at liberty to have people's best interests in mind. It is infrequent that someone comes to buy a car because they are looking out, even for their own best interests.

I'm not their mama, I'm not their preacher, I'm not their spouse or their doctor. I help people make decisions, often enough ones that are bad ideas. Its not my job to change their mind to a vehicle that's better, cheaper, safer, more valuable, and easier to operate... its to give them what they want.

Not often are those two anywhere near close.

And that's the shame of it.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

And that's the shame of it.

True. I think of myself as having more in common with a bartender than a doctor.

 

[English Lady]

I feel the same way. I'm going to go with the new company because its going to be an adventure (and I like those); that's more important to me than a slight difference in the cash.

Now, had I been offered a hojillion dollars or something? You ain't seen a motherfucker come crawling back like I'd be crawling. Because we, in the car business, are whores.

Joe=Manwhore, yep, we've established that already.

Isn't it nice to be wanted, eh?

 

[Trinique_Fire]

So... I'm a car salesman.

That's probably the most simple explanation of what it is I do for a living, but its not entirely accurate. Everyone in a given dealership or auto-sales corporation, at heart, is just a car salesman. Its how we all start out. The lowliest salesman up through the management core to the General Manager (king o' the dealership) to the owners and the corporate partners... from bottom to top, they'll all tell you the same thing when asked what they do: "I sell cars."

We're vain and puffed up and scale-breakingly Type A personalities... and very humble about the specifics, when it comes down to it.

Me? I'm not a salesman. I'm a sales manager. That's a step up, basically. Of the Departments in a given dealership (New, Used, Finance, etc.), I am specialized in Internet Sales and E-Commerce. I find hard to find things. I do business nationally. My market is the world-wide-web. I'm the lowliest manager, on the chain, for most dealerships because most dealerships are still behind the times when it comes to using e-commerce to grow business. I have a department, I have sales staff.

Anyhow.

So, the economy has buttfucked the car business--for the most part. Everyone's sales are down and its a rough market out there. Don't, however, think its Armaggeddon... people still /need/ cars in ways they don't /need/ televisions or sneakers or fast food. Its a strong market that has slowed.

Boss Alpha decided to add a partner to my department in hopes of stimulating some competition and sell more cars--this was about a week+ ago. Dude's not there but for a day before the tornado destroyed the dealership and blah, blah, blah... so, the corporate owner people offer me a change of dealership (still in the company) that's closer to home. I took it because I'd rather reap the whole harvest at Dealer B than fight for the scraps at Dealer A. Boss Alpha told me he'd miss me and that if I don't like Dealer B then I can always come back and have my job back (I'm very good at what I do).

So, a week rolls by--I'm slowly dying inside at Dealer B and get my pimp offer from Company C to do the job above my current level of job with them--and doing so at a European Imports supercenter, basically. I start Monday.

And I get a call this morning, while ironing, Boss Alpha just lost the guy he put with me as competition (who took over my operations). Guy blew. Asked, politely, if I wanted to come back... "no". Asked politely, if he could make me an offer to entice me back... "yes".

I just got offered a small pile of money--I wish there were a less crude way of putting it, but that's just what it is--to go back to my old job. Like... out of his pocket--no taxes. A bribe, basically.

$5k if I show up.

Hah.

One of the things I love about my occupation is that we're all mercanaries. We're treated like gunslingers and sometimes there's dirty politics and street-level tactics to the business.

Bribery, hm? Experts say that this starts in early childhood, when parents bribe children to do or not do certain things.

Just trying to make life difficult.

 

[logophile]

I read the title of this thread to be:

Exceptional Ovulation.

Hrm.

 

[English Lady]

I read the title of this thread to be:

Exceptional Ovulation.

Hrm.

If Joe were ovulating, it would be exceptional! *LOL*

 

[CharleyH]

So... I'm a car salesman.

That's probably the most simple explanation of what it is I do for a living, but its not entirely accurate. Everyone in a given dealership or auto-sales corporation, at heart, is just a car salesman. Its how we all start out. The lowliest salesman up through the management core to the General Manager (king o' the dealership) to the owners and the corporate partners... from bottom to top, they'll all tell you the same thing when asked what they do: "I sell cars."

We're vain and puffed up and scale-breakingly Type A personalities... and very humble about the specifics, when it comes down to it.

Me? I'm not a salesman. I'm a sales manager. That's a step up, basically. Of the Departments in a given dealership (New, Used, Finance, etc.), I am specialized in Internet Sales and E-Commerce. I find hard to find things. I do business nationally. My market is the world-wide-web. I'm the lowliest manager, on the chain, for most dealerships because most dealerships are still behind the times when it comes to using e-commerce to grow business. I have a department, I have sales staff.

Anyhow.

So, the economy has buttfucked the car business--for the most part. Everyone's sales are down and its a rough market out there. Don't, however, think its Armaggeddon... people still /need/ cars in ways they don't /need/ televisions or sneakers or fast food. Its a strong market that has slowed.

Boss Alpha decided to add a partner to my department in hopes of stimulating some competition and sell more cars--this was about a week+ ago. Dude's not there but for a day before the tornado destroyed the dealership and blah, blah, blah... so, the corporate owner people offer me a change of dealership (still in the company) that's closer to home. I took it because I'd rather reap the whole harvest at Dealer B than fight for the scraps at Dealer A. Boss Alpha told me he'd miss me and that if I don't like Dealer B then I can always come back and have my job back (I'm very good at what I do).

So, a week rolls by--I'm slowly dying inside at Dealer B and get my pimp offer from Company C to do the job above my current level of job with them--and doing so at a European Imports supercenter, basically. I start Monday.

And I get a call this morning, while ironing, Boss Alpha just lost the guy he put with me as competition (who took over my operations). Guy blew. Asked, politely, if I wanted to come back... "no". Asked politely, if he could make me an offer to entice me back... "yes".

I just got offered a small pile of money--I wish there were a less crude way of putting it, but that's just what it is--to go back to my old job. Like... out of his pocket--no taxes. A bribe, basically.

$5k if I show up.

Hah.

One of the things I love about my occupation is that we're all mercanaries. We're treated like gunslingers and sometimes there's dirty politics and street-level tactics to the business.

As I read, basically you are a whore. 2 bucks for a handjob, 5 in the mouth and 7 up the ass.

 

[elsol]

As I read, basically you are a whore. 2 bucks for a handjob, 5 in the mouth and 7 up the ass.

I think the K allows him to say he's an 'escort'.

2k for a handjob, 5k in the mouth, 7k up the ass, 20K four corners of the world.

 

[CharleyH]

I think the K allows him to say he's an 'escort'.

2k for a handjob, 5k in the mouth, 7k up the ass, 20K four corners of the world.

You think he is worth a K, Elsol? I am not so certain.