Most reps don't make it more then a month. There are many reasons. Some new guys are people who have left a job or retired they always wanted to be a salesman. These guys are used to being respected and liked. They start selling cars and get very little respect from anyone. It is an adjustment to get cursed out by your new and younger boss.

The Salesman is the face of the dealership and the manufacturer. A manufacturer spends millions of dollars on ad campaigns. The dealership spends thousands of dollars on local ads in the newspaper and online. The Salesman is the first impression the customer encounters. Why are salesman untrained? The typical training at a dealership is handing them a bunch of brochures and have them try to remember the horse power and torque ratings of every car. Thrown to the wolves! If they survive that they move on to be the personal runner and assistant for the other salesman. It is a sobering experience to go and get lunch and coffee.

The pay in the beginning is a small salary then 100% comission with a draw. If the new guy does not have a wife who can carry him or great severence package from his previous job he is gone.
The new guy learns almost everything not to do by doing it. Most rules are set after the fact. Some new guys are poisoned by the complainers and negative guys on the floor.

Many new guys have a problem putting in a 60 hour week and then owing the company money.They were told in the interview they can earn six figures. They wonder when the huge checks start rolling in. Car Sales is a tough racket and not for everyone. This is a job that requires many intangibles that simply cannot be taught. In the end you get out what you put in. I like to help out the new guy but many salesman are insecure and turn their backs on the new guy.

Lets review what the Salesman's job is like:

The salesman works a couple of twelve hour shifts a week and every Saturday and if he does not sell enough cars he owes the dealership money.

The Salesman takes on all jobs in the dealership that have come available since they cut back and fired everyone who drew a salary all for free.

The Salesman gets blamed for not setting up the back end when the business manager does not sell anything.

The Salesman travels to the customers house or place of business to get the signature someone forgot.

The Salesman drives to a dealer 50 miles away for a dealer trade.

The Salesman does not get paid until everyone else does.

The Salesman learns most of the policies of a dealership after the fact.

When all is said and done the salesman survives all and is the last one standing.

Make no mistake I love my job! There is no place I rather go to every morning. Tomorrow I will go over the many positives of being a car salesman. Can anyone here reading this list some of the positives of being a Sales rep?