Can I be a car salesman?

Question

Ok, heres the deal. I am 16 and I think I was born to be a car salesman..(I know.. weird) but I know everything about cars and selling them. I don't want to do this as a career my whole life though, I just want to do it while i'm in high school. Do you think anyone would actually hire me, being 16? Are there any car salesmen out there that have any advise for me? And I know for a fact that I don't want to do this my whole life because it just doesn't pay good enough and I really want to be a buisnessman or something like that. HELP PLEASE! I really want to apply at a car dealership but I think they will laugh at me. If there is anyone that could sell cars.. it would be me. I really hope someone can answer these questions. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I really admire your ambition, and I'll bet that you will become rich one day. We need more young people like you! Never give up on your dreams because, one day, they just might come true. Have you considered starting in another job at a car lot or dealership, and impressing your boss so much that he/she will take you seriously? I think your status as a minor may prevent your being a car salesman right away. Only as an adult can you create binding contracts, which could be considered a necessary part of the job.

Answer 2

No. Finish HS, goto college and get some life experience. You don't need to know jack about cars to sell them, it's a people buisness.

There is excellent income in the car business. An established salesman with an excellent referal business can easily make 200k/year. A first year guy with a ton of ambition, talent, and motivation can make upwards of 70k. The guys in the business office (F&I Managers) usually make about 120k and the folks you see sitting at the desk are usually in the low to mid 200's annually. This is at a delaership that sells 150 or more a year. The bigger the dealership, the bigger the pay for the managers. Some GM's (general managers) make 500 - a million a year.

The car business is tough. You deal with people like the first answerer on a daily basis. They think you are scum because they were too stupid to know how to correctly buy a car and got themselves reamed a good one and now acts like a jerk everytime he steps onto a car lot. These people are your rightful prey. Caveat Emptor, if you don't know jack, you will always get screwed.

The hours are long and tough. Some salesmen have been known to work every day of the year. Depending on your state, the dealership may be open 7 days/week. Depending on the dealer you are at, you may be expected to be at the dealership all 7 days from 9am to 9pm or later. Also, not all dealers are equal. Some owners are complete ******* who do not know how to run any business, let alone a car lot, and take out their ineptitudes on their employees. You will see new desk managers at those stores every 6 mos.

It's a tough business. You have to have very thick skin, and it helps if you don't place a lot of value on personal time. 80-90 hour work weeks are common. Vacations are rare. But the money comes very quick and in huge truck fulls. This in and of itself is the downfall of many young car salesmen. 23 year old guys making 75k/year, with some of that comming in 2-4 grand chunks in a week at atime often times lead to drug and alcohol abuse.

Answer 3

Manny said it best. This is a very hard business, but the reward can be huge. Forget everything you know about cars, that can hurt you. The best thing you can do to be a top earner is to learn to deal with the scumbags like the first answer. Win them over on your lot and you have a deal. Learn how to make a friend with every idiot you come in contact with. This business is about making friends quickly. As far a getting a job, you can't be a salesman at 16, you can't deliver a car because of the contract, and you cant' drive them. Start out as a car washer, then a detailer, make very good friends with the sales manager and you'll be well on your way. My first year as a salesman grossed me over 70k. There is plenty of money to be made, a great job through college. I also admire your ambition, keep it up.

Answer 4

You've got several wrong ideas going here...

1. Most dealerships won't even discuss hiring a minor. You need to be a legal adult before you can accompany potential buyers on test drives, write contracts, etc.

2. Knowing a lot about automobiles doesn't help in selling them. You need to know more about people and how their minds work.

3. A really good auto salesman at a big city dealership can have a six-figure annual income. The income potential is better than anything else someone with just a high-school education could do.

Answer 5

Maybe you should talk to the manager at a car dealership! That's kinda the only way to really be sure if they would hire you! That's cool how you already have a job picked out for yourself, I'm 16 and I still have no clue as to what part time job I want to get! lol OK well hope you find that job for yourself! Oh and you never know about them laughing at you! So what if they do? Just try at another place! Your chances go up when you fill out an application! Confidence is the key! (hope I helped)

Answer 6

Most car lots wont hire anyone under the age of 18 due to insurance liability. Some car lots are even 21 or older. They have to pay insurance premiums on their employees and underaged employees cost a lot more. So just study up on your cars and work a few other sales jobs till you hit 18 then go for it. Can make a lot of money in that market if you are any good at sales.

Answer 7

my son is also 16. he knows every fact about every kind of car they make. i have told him he should be a car salesman too, but i have never seen a really young one. you would have to go and apply at places. you don't know if they would try you out for a while unless you tried asking. once they hear you talk and all your knowledge then they might consider it. dress very nicely

Answer 8

If you can sell a car to a nice sweet old lady and don't care that you will make $1000 off of her car sale. Than go for it.

Answer 9

typical teen boy thinking they can sell cars.... not the first time i've heard this... i live with a 17 year old ....... you should wait at least until you have ur liscense.... and most car dealerships have a requirement of being 18 or older sorry... unless you knew the owner or something....

Answer 10

you don't want to be!!! Its a crap job.. People will hate you as much as they hate laywers. You work all of the time, and you don't get paid by the hour... YOU can bust your but all week and only come home with 100.00. Pick a real career with benifits, Your future wife, and kids will love you for it. You'll get time off, and medical, and retirement. TRUST ME this is a crappy job