Internet Auto Sales

[Pete]

Has anyone here ever bought a car from a dealership website?

I don't mean Ebay.

I'm talking about a regular brick and mortar automobile dealership that has an internet salesperson and an active website.

Have you ever found a vehicle that looked interesting, gone to the dealership, met that salesperson, and ended up with a vehicle?

Know anyone who has?

[Charlies02GLS]

I found my Jetta through TDIclub.com and a salesperson who posts on there. It was a fair experience, not better than going to a local dealership, but not worse and the train ride was a PITA since I went through NYC to get there and there were brownouts on that particular day so I ended up being about 2 hours late getting into the Trenton station. I will say that the condition was not as good as he described (which was not much of a surprise) but I needed a vehicle and it was significantly cheaper than my other options.

Are you in the market for another vehicle?

[Pete]

I'm always in the market for another one :mrgreen:

Actually, I've been contacted about being the "Internet Sales Director" of a larger dealership group.

Frankly, it's in my best interest to get out of the job I'm in right now. I would much rather be back in the automotive field somewhere.

Internet sales, the way many dealerships do it, is more detail oriented. It also requires some computer and digi-cam work to get things together. It offers the variety of telephone, email, and referral business as well as time setting up the ads and taking the photographs.

I like the variety, but I'm not experienced with the pay. The few places I knew who did this sort of thing paid a webmaster to use their photos and let anyone have at it. This dealership wants someone more focused on selling.

Internet sales seems to be more direct. Your experience of the vehicle not being described accurately is unfortunate and it's one that brings up a whole other discussion.

I'm at one of these life crossroads, trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up (yet again...still). I'm trying to decide if such a job would be a good move or a dead end.

[BlueZero]

I've kind of bought two off the internet.

First was my new 2004 Ford F150. Found searching inventory of local dealers. Worked out all the numbers via email, then showed up for them to inspect my trade and for me to inspect the new F150. Signed the paper work and picked it up the next day.

I just bought a 2003 Jeep Liberty about 3 weeks ago. I tried to do everything via email but the lady couldn't see the attached photos of my trade so then I put them on a website and she still couldn't see them. I was hoping to do the same thing as the F150. Take care of it all through email then just show up for an inspection.

My friend also found her car on one of the car search websites. She called then did the deal in person. But she wouldn't have found the car with out using the internet.

Good luck with what ever you decided to do.

[Danin Re']

I'm at one of these life crossroads, trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up (yet again...still). I'm trying to decide if such a job would be a good move or a dead end.

It sounds as if you think you might enjoy the job and that's a big part of any career decision.

The thing I would be most concerned about, and you may have already thought of it, is this. What happens if this position, or having someone dedicated to it instead of the usual way most dealerships do it, doesn't bring in the kind of revenue they are looking for? Will they just dump you and say, "Hey, thanks for trying, sorry about your luck." Or, will they put you in a regular sales position so that you still have a job.

Also, how is the pay for the position... commission/draw like the regular sales people? If it is the same as the regular floor sales people, you may not make as much depending on how the internet sales do. It may be more unpredictable than the regular floor sales. On the other hand, if you do it right, you may stand a chance to make a lot more than the people on the floor.

Just a few things to think about.

[Pete]

This dealership's pay plan is salary plus bonus on number of units and extras sold (warranty, alarms, cloth tops, etc).

Haven't gotten into detail on the $ amounts

The most rotten thing about any sales job is a "skater". That is someone who skates across the sales floor or phone line, takes your customer, and sells to them instead of you doing the deal. It would seem internet is very succeptible to this. A potential customer can anonymously look at the car, then just dial the dealership or show up and talk to whomever.

This means the work the internet person put into the listing helped the dealership, but didn't pay that person a penny. For this reason, I would negotiate a higher base salary for doing the advertising legwork and setup.

It's a deal breaker if they don't compensate that position a bit differently.

Meeting tomorrow...I'll see what turns up

[Danin Re']

This dealership's pay plan is salary plus bonus on number of units and extras sold (warranty, alarms, cloth tops, etc).

Haven't gotten into detail on the $ amounts

The most rotten thing about any sales job is a "skater". That is someone who skates across the sales floor or phone line, takes your customer, and sells to them instead of you doing the deal. It would seem internet is very succeptible to this. A potential customer can anonymously look at the car, then just dial the dealership or show up and talk to whomever.

This means the work the internet person put into the listing helped the dealership, but didn't pay that person a penny. For this reason, I would negotiate a higher base salary for doing the advertising legwork and setup.

It's a deal breaker if they don't compensate that position a bit differently.

Meeting tomorrow...I'll see what turns up

I used to hate that... I've worked a few retail jobs where you get commission or bonuses based on sales. You spend hours with someone, sometimes over a few days and when they come back to buy, you're not there. Even when the customer tries to give the credit to you, the person doing the sale still gets it, whether intentionally or unintentional.

Anyway, good luck.

[Charlies02GLS]

:thumbsup:

Hope the meeting goes well

:thumbsup:

[Grimm]

I found my current car online. I can't remember if it was through Autotrader, or if it was on their dealer website. They tried to pull a fast one though when I went in. I had found the car online for $17,995, and when I drove it and sat down with the salesman, I asked for giggle what the price was to see what he would say. He told me $18,995. So I told him that I had already seen in for a grand less online, and he said that they often have conflicting prices with the guy that does the internet stuff. I'm thinking, yeah right, you guys aren't that stupid. Long story short I did buy the car, but I paid less out the door with tax, along with two new tires than the internet price.

[Pete]

This job wasn't meant for me.

The person they want to hire will be another salesperson on the floor in addition to all the responsibilities of the 'net. The pay plan would be identical to all the other sales people. "You would have the added tool of selling with the internet, something the others here won't have. It would be to your advantage."

Meanwhile, I'm outside getting cars freshened up enough to take pictures then inside uploading and creating listings while other salespeople are taking "ups" and getting chances to sell.

They were firm on the pay structure (which wasn't all that generous to start).

I passed.

This makes me think even harder about starting my own business again.

[Danin Re']

That sucks.... starting your own business can have it's headaches too I'm sure. But, the benefits in the long run are probably much better.

[Charlies02GLS]

Sorry it didn't work out for you. I'm sure another opportunity will come along soon enough.

Enjoy the rest of your week off, hope you get the chance to sort out that fuel system issue.

[Pete]

Thank you all for the well wishes and support.


Enjoy the rest of your week off, hope you get the chance to sort out that fuel system issue.

Garage door opener broke...now I get to work on that before the car :lol: I'm on a roll, I tell ya'

[Charlies02GLS]

LOL....Maybe you'll squeeze in a couple hours Sunday evening