Would you buy a car from

[SnakeEyeSS]

I got an interview at a local Chevy Dealership. I can work the hours(I'm in a school work program(Business and Computer Tech.), less school for extra time to work). I'm qualified for this(I can name every engine offereing for every model, including HP, and even torque for most), and know a lot of otherwise "useless" info. Impala is most econoical Mid-size, Trailblazer callss leading standard power, etc etc. The only thing is, some people believe I'll have a hard time showing that an 18 year old could sell cars. My parents and friends(who know me) think I'd be great at it. I've got these reasons I'll bring up in the interview:

 

1.) Chevy has lowest buyer avg. age of all GM companys, I can releate

 

2.) I CAN answer the customers question about the cars, and why they are better than the competitions

 

3.) Chevy is continually making more teen and youth oriented cars, I can relate, I am one

 

4.) I have had a lot of past experience with Cuttomer Service in my past jobs

 

5.)I truly believe Chevy is the best American manufacturer(well, GM)

 

6.)If he donse't seem to believe that my knowledge of the model line, I'll ask him to randomly pick a Chevy vehicle, and I'll then procede to give him all the good info. depending on model, I could talk about it for 5 minutes straight.

 

7.) I'll show that I already know some of the current incentives(spent the last few days researching the "power packs", Tahoe and surbabn offer two, Silverado offers three or four)

 

8.)I am an automotive enthusiast, I'll love being a part of getting people in the right car

 

 

Sound good? I would like this job!

[RyanbabZ71]

The salesman who sold me my truck was in college like i was and roughly the same age. He knew more than I did and he helped me with all my questions for about a year before i bought my truck. Id rather deal with an enthusiastic younger salesman who lacked experience versus someone who has sold cars all their life and knew nothing about them and didnt try to learn about them. Good luck

[99silveradoz71]

Well that knowledge and "doing your homework" will help you. You've got some good points if things head down the "well you seem like a....but" road. The only other suggestion that readily comes to mind off-hand is to blow them away by being completing the package with professional business attire when you go for the interview. Shirt, tie, suit or sport coat will definitely help convey a professional appearance. Go get it!(the job)

[mjsmith1223]

Sure I'd buy a car from an 18 year old who could answer my questions (and some I'll know the answer to, but will be testing to see if you do). Dress smart, be friendly and enthusiastic and no one will care how old (or not) you are. One piece of advice a very experiecened salesman gave me back in the day, "Logic tells, emotion sells". Meaning you can know everything in the world, but if you can't get the customer excited about it, they won't buy.

 

Mike

Grand Haven, MI

[xcanuc]

Actually I look for the youngest salesperson. But then again I also look for someone that looks new. A new slaesperson needs the numbers and when the final numbers are crunched the manager will be more likely to let it go cheaper to help the salesperson out. I learned this at my last time buying a new truck.

 

Faerge

[TROYROBO]

go for it

[MadFish]

I would. They could be 12 years old for all it matters. If they know their stuff, friendly and dont try shoving the car down my trought(not litterally). I got a friend thats 19 and sells Mercedes, Porsces, Land Rovers, Jaguars, Maybachs, and Saabs. He knows more about those cars, then most of the techs at the dealership know. I havent heard him say anything about anyone having a problem with him selling them a car. So, I dont see why anyone wouldnt buy a car from you.

[Lance Link]

I bought the Yukon from a guy in his low 20s. It's all about the individual person- I'd rather buy from an informed and polite 14 year old than the morons I usually encounter at car dealerships.

[melbertbloosfan]

Good luck. A bit of advice to add tho. I know most of these dealerships don't really car too much about how much you know about the car. We all know from experience most of the guys on the lots know less than we do.

Impress the manager with your salesmen skills, not specific product knowledge. A common interview tactic is to ask you to sell them this stapler/pen/widget/whatever. Practice with friends or family on your sales presentations. Do you ask the customer for his needs first or merely jump in and wow them with your knowledge of the product? Opinions vary, but IMO, it is best to get the customer talking about his/her needs and then tailor your "pitch" around that. Just my $.02

[tmf6902]

Hey as long as the salesman doesn't try to TELL ME what I want, and doesn't show me Audi's when I want to look at trucks, I could care less. One other thing that gets my goat too. When you ask a question, and they BS you because they don't know the answer.....just say, I don't know, but if you give me a minute I could look it up......thats what I want to hear......no BS no problem

 

 

Good luck.....do they offer any sweet employee discounts????

 

 

[pacodiablo]

Why not. I think you could, hell, I sold my parents a Ranger! (they had not planned to ditch the POS Nissan that day...I did, lol)

[SnakeEyeSS]

Well guys I had the interview.

 

 

The guy seemed to like me, and said I seemed energetic. Appearently I did all the step right beofre the interview, and he said he'll be able to tell me something wednesday evening, and if he dosen't calll me, to call him. He said he has hired people "like me" before with success, so age dosen't really bother him. He said there would be a few hurdles, though, such as I would be able to only work the best hours to be a salesman, but he thinks they could get it to work. He said I probably knew more about the cars than he did, but that wasn't as important as personality and people skills which I think he said I showed in the interview(I told him when it comes to cars, I'm more than happy to help someone find the right one, as many people use me for advice and info when buying a car). He then told me he didn't want to say right then if I had a job or not, in case the GM didn't like it, because he has to clear it with him(the GM). I feel good about it!

 

Strict comission(sp) sales, 25%. Can't wait untill wednesday!

[WEFs99]

If you present yourself to the customers in the mature way that you make your posts, you've got it made. Go for it.

[Chris97K1500]

I couldn't agree more with what others are saying. If you seem to be genuinely interested in their needs, not what you think their needs are, you'll do fine. Ask them what they want, then you can use your knowledge to help them decide. Don't make the decision for them. I would have no problems buying from someone your age. One tip, don't say things about vehicles that you don't know if the answer you give is correct. I like to play "dumb" when buying, if the salesman says something I know is wrong, just to get me to buy, I walk away. One other tip, don't judge a book by it's cover. Just cuz the person looks like they can't afford something, don't assume they can't. The other day I went to the local GM dealership for touch up paint, wearing jeans, t-shirt, hat, I was looking at a Z06 Vette. Every salesperson there ignored me, can't afford one right NOW, but not to sound snotty, after dental school, I will. And when I can afford one, I will still be wearing jeans, t-shirts, and hats, but not at that dealership. Good luck, Chris

[SnakeEyeSS]

I couldn't agree more with what others are saying. If you seem to be genuinely interested in their needs, not what you think their needs are, you'll do fine. Ask them what they want, then you can use your knowledge to help them decide. Don't make the decision for them. I would have no problems buying from someone your age. One tip, don't say things about vehicles that you don't know if the answer you give is correct. I like to play "dumb" when buying, if the salesman says something I know is wrong, just to get me to buy, I walk away. One other tip, don't judge a book by it's cover. Just cuz the person looks like they can't afford something, don't assume they can't. The other day I went to the local GM dealership for touch up paint, wearing jeans, t-shirt, hat, I was looking at a Z06 Vette. Every salesperson there ignored me, can't afford one right NOW, but not to sound snotty, after dental school, I will. And when I can afford one, I will still be wearing jeans, t-shirts, and hats, but not at that dealership. Good luck, Chris

I know that. My dad has told me of stories of a guy he knew who owned a trash truck business. Me went to a dealership in his work clothes, and no one would help him. So left left. Point of the story? He had the CASH with him, he was gonna buy on the spot, cash.