Recently, I found myself inside a dealership for personal reasons; I was purchasing a new car. However, and I normally do not speak in the first person, I found myself being spoken to about political beliefs, and even worse so, I was informed as to the personal beliefs of the salesperson, and the sales manager. It took less time for me to decide to leave the conversation, and the dealership, than it takes me to decide lunch. However, it does pose the question of, if it’s alright to converse with others in the dealership about the upcoming election. The answer to that question, is obviously NO.

America may be in one of the most polarized times in its electoral history. America may also be in one of the most hotly contested elections in recent decades, splitting lines between parties and splitting parties within themselves. However, ANY talk of this election, or any election for that matter, should not be discussed inside the dealership. While speaking with other dealership personnel about politics should already be frowned upon, discussing it with the consumer should be absolutely nonexistent. This type of conversation can lead to not only an unstable work environment; such conversation can lead to the loss of a sale.

Conversing about politics with personnel creates divisiveness among the staff. When coworkers speak about politics, including this election and their candidates of choice, it creates an informal and dislikable environment. This type of conversation can not only create rifts between employees, it also can affect the management as well. People begin to think less of others when certain personal issues are voiced, and this can lead to one of many negative outcomes. For instance, if two individuals go to lunch and come back sweltering in anger because they find themselves on two separate ends of the political spectrum, they may not be able to work well together again. With this election separating the parties to such a drastic end, it is not unlikely that such an event could occur. If employees are not able to work in a team mentality any longer, it can affect the entire dealership and how it grows before, during, and after the election.

Speaking about politics to the consumer can lead to a lost sale, and a negative review. This is the key, because no dealership wants its employees to bicker about politics, but moreover no dealership wants to lose a potential sale. ESPECIALLY not because a salesperson informs the customer of their personal political viewpoints. When a sales staff member decides to inform the customer of their beliefs, especially in this election, they have only a 33.3% chance of hitting a common ground. I say this with the idea that out of 3 people, 1 will pick one or the other party, and 1 will be undecided or not bothered. No matter if the customer has the same views as the salesperson, the customer did not enter the dealership and speak to a salesperson to speak about personal viewpoints, they are there to purchase or lease a vehicle. Simple. In addition, consumers rely on reviews to make their initial decisions, and when politics are involved, for or against, the consumer is far more likely to review the dealership, negatively. Any personal ideologies must be kept at home, in the car, or at the specific candidate’s rally and nowhere else. Losing a sale to a competitor is tough enough on the dealership, but losing a sale due to employee incompetence is unacceptable.

No matter the viewpoint of the dealership’s employees, left, right, middle, it doesn’t matter. Political views are not sports teams; they have a drastic effect on what people think about others. Therefore, ALL conversation pertaining to politics or this election, must not be spoken about in conversation with personnel and especially not with customers.