6 REASONS WHY YOU CAN TRUST CAR SALESMAN
6 Reasons Why You Can Trust Car Salesman
4 min read
·
Oct 26, 2023
It’s time to think differently. Most people scoff at the idea that a car salesman can be trusted. It has become cliché and vogue to compare any type of unsavory character or act to a car salesman. Granted, this stereotype was well deserved, but like everything else, the profession has evolved for the better.
As true with any profession, there are still bad characters in the auto industry, but they are harder and harder to find. True professionalism has taken hold of the industry, and here are 6 reasons why you can trust your car salesman.
The time has finally come; the one thing most consumers hate more than going to the dentist. The dreaded trip to the car dealership to replace your worn-out vehicle. While many people find this experience overwhelming and filled with distrust, it does not have to be that way. Although they have a bad reputation, rightfully earned in previous decades, starting in the previous century and lasting into this century, the typical automotive sales professional no longer falls into that category. When you next find yourself on a dealership’s lot, feel confident in your research and know it does not have to be a me vs them scenario. Often, the sales professional will show the customer the same amount of respect they perceive the customer gives them.
1. They are Experts with Product Knowledge:
Most major automotive manufacturers provide intense, up-to-date training for dealership sales consultants. This includes intense online courses, off-site ride and drives, and in-dealership instruction. Consultants train on vehicle features, how they work, and what trim levels they are found on. This carries not only to the specific brand but how they compare to the competition. Your car salesman talks about the vehicles daily, is up to date on any changes, and saves you time by pointing out the models and trim levels that include the options you find valuable. Although it is true you may find the old dinosaur who pushes a particular car on you (run away from them), or the brand new consultant just starting out, you will encounter the educated, prepared, true professional.
2. They will recommend options
In today’s market, automotive professionals act as advisors more than a typical sales representative. In this advisory role, they will initiate a conversation with you, finding out what is important and why, and based on the information you provide, make recommendations on which vehicles best fit your parameters. This is the tricky part, as every book ever published on how to buy a car tells you not to give up too much information. This is purely bad advice, as the sales professional can not do her job with limited information, leading to misunderstandings and frustration. You may come into the dealership thinking you want X, but after discussing what you need, vehicle Y aligns more with your situation, and often, your professional advisor shows you a vehicle you never considered but is exactly what you are looking for.
3. Transparency
With the amount of information available to everyone, today’s automotive consultant provides transparency throughout the car buying cycle. From talking about the car to discussing warranties provided by the manufacturer to trade-ins, your automotive consultant will give you all, if not more, information for you to make an informed decision. You can rest assured that if you say “Yes” or “No,” you are leaving with the knowledge you made the right call for you.
4. Reputation and Reviews
Google, Dealer Rater, and Yelp all linger in the back of the sale advisor's mind. As a professional, providing an honest, easy, transparent interaction leads to good reviews. And good reviews often lead to more sales. If someone is untrustworthy and deals with customers in a shady manner on a consistent basis, that will be reflected in those reviews, and you should stay clear ahead of time. In today’s market, it’s not worth putting yourself through the aggravation of dealing with a dealership or sales consultant who is stuck in the 1980s. Before heading out to a dealership, check out how the community perceives them through their reviews. Doing so will save you a lot of trouble and headaches in dealing with the undesirables.
5. Pay is often tied to survey scores
After you make a purchase, especially a new vehicle, most car companies will send you a survey asking about your experience. These surveys are extremely important to the sales professional and the dealership. A bad survey can have a detrimental effect on the sales advisor's paycheck. Too many poor surveys, and she is more likely than not to look for another job. With an emphasis on surveys and online reviews, sales professionals work with honesty and integrity in their efforts to earn your business.
6. Referrals
You made it through, found the vehicle you wanted, and everything went great. Your sales consultant was knowledgeable, friendly, informative, and transparent. You could not be happier. When you hear others in the market for a vehicle, you gladly recommend “YOUR” sales consultant at XBC dealership. Referrals from happy customers make the sales professional’s job easier and more rewarding. The sales consultant earns this right by building trust.
As you can see, there is every reason to trust your sales advisor in today's market. Go into the dealership with an open mind, and you find yourself more likely than not working with a true professional. While true, the sales advisor wants your business, it is up to him or her to EARN it.
-Patrick Gloss is currently a professional sales consultant at #MetroWest Subaru and a freelance copy and content writer.
