How To Have A Successful Career Selling Cars. Can I Earn A Living Selling Vehicles?

Vincent Huiskamp Left the following comment on one of my hubs.

Hi i am very happy to read what you have to say about car salesmen i just had my first day at a car lot (KIA)

get my name out there and make potential prospects i feel scared that i won't make it what can i do i did my best and learned almost the whole inventory on the lot and it's highlights can you please send me more info becausse i feel uncomfortable not knowing that much no experience thank you very much

i am from the netherlands and live in america for 2 years now and don't know very many people i don't know how to

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First I would like to thank Vincent for the comment and I hope you find my advice useful. Congratulations in your new career as a car salesman. You have just entered upon a career path that can be very rewarding, or very frustrating. It all depends on YOUR Attitude towards the sale process.

How do I get get my name out there and make potential prospects?

The best way to get your name out there is to excel in what you are doing. Provide excellent customer service, be polite, and follow up with your customers. Both the ones who have bought, and especially the prospects that did not purchase. Send out a few Thank You notes every day, three to four days after you mail them call the customers. This way they will just be opening your note when you call.

If your customer has a problem stopping them from buying a car, that problem also becomes your problem. Help them to straighten out the obstacles restricting them from purchasing and you will sell more cars.

You say you are here from the Netherlands? What languages do you speak? Spend a little money in yourself and place ads in magazines, newspapers, and any other media that operates in a language you speak fluently. ADVERTISE YOURSELF!

Always be a Salesman, speak to people wherever you are, leave business cards whenever you can.   Try to maintain an upbeat and positive attitude, even if life hits you hard, do not express your life's problems to the customer.

The customer is interested in only one thing. That thing would be theirselves/themselves. If you take the time to listen to what the customer is telling you, they will reveal exactly what you would have to accomplish to close a deal.

There are to kinds of people trying to make a living at selling cars.

The first is the TEACHER:

This is the type of person who has an absolutely superior talent for giving up every piece of knowledge that their mind can retain. This is completely boring to the customer unless it is something that they have made inquiries about. The TEACHER will divulge every aspect of the vehicle without ever trying to make the Close. Which brings me to the second kind of person trying to sell cars.

The CLOSER!

That is right you will not be able to call yourself a salesman if you do not find the ability to sell cars. A CLOSER will write up an order within minutes of the customer entering the showroom. If the customer is ready to buy. A Closer asks the right questions and as soon as they receive a positive response the Closer shuts up and writes the order.

Although knowledge of the product you are selling is a valuble tool to aid you in selling cars. Knowledge of your actual inventory will pay off better, with more sales. Know what cars you have in stock and where they are, Right now. You should be able to tell your customer about the Blue sedan with Leather and be able to walk them immediatly right over to the vehicle.

Nothing is more frustrating to a customer than following around a Sales rep who does not appear to know where they are going.

The more you know about the person you are trying to sell a car too. The greater your chance at making the sale. People have triggers that are their buttons to push to make the deal.

Some people will be interested in gas mileage, others will be interested in horsepower, still others will have a personality more concerned with monetary issues.

There are two things that a customer looks for in a new vehicle the first being their needs. They might need the car to be an automatic with four doors. The other thing that influences the customers buying decisions is wants. They may need a four door automatic but they would really like to have power windows and a sunroof.

If you can cover everything a customer needs with as much as the customer wants that you can get them. All the while making sure the car is in their budget. You are on the way to making a sale.

Learn as much as you can about people. Ask them questions, don't worry there is nothing that people like to talk about more then themselves. Try to find things you might have in common with your customer and talk about that.

I say this with all seriousness, try to make friends with your prospect. It is much easier to sell to a friend then a stranger.

Be yourself, do not try and pretend to be something that you are not. Tell the people that you are new and you may have to ask others the answers to their questions.

Do not be afraid to ask for help, get a manager or even another salesman if you feel you are losing control. A fresh face sometimes makes all the difference to the sale.

When you see a successful salesman in your company with a customer, stay close. Do not interfere but hang around the perimeter to hear what the salesman is saying. How is he overcoming objections? What does he do for a proper walk around? Most of all listen to what he says to achieve the Close, because ultimately that is all that counts.

Learn your Four square system so you can manage it blindfolded. Most of all remain confident. You are there to do a good job. You will provide an appealing appearance and a friendly attitude and you should be fine.

Thank you again Vincent for providing me with the inspiration to write this hub and I hope you find some useful information within it. Please feel free to leave me more questions in my comments.