why do people think car salesmen are scum?

Question

Oh, come on... Why dont you like salesmen. Are they shady?

Answer 1

Cars are one of the few things that people buy that the price is not fixed, but is negotiable. If you go into Sears to buy a lawnmower, the price is on the ticket. If you want that lawnmower, you have to pay the price. You can go to other stores and compare prices, and decide what you want to buy. The sales force may make a commission, but it is based on selling the item rather than the price.

With a car you often can get a lower price than is on the window, but you have to haggle to get it. The salesman is usually paid a percentage of the profit, so every dollar off of the price costs them 25 cents out of their own pocket. Of course the salesman is going to try to get you to pay as much as he can. If he sells the car for a very low price, he does not make much on the deal.

People always want to get the lowest price possible. The salesman wants to make as much as he can, to support his family. Even if the deal is good for the customer, and the car is what they want and need, there is always the idea that they paid too much. That is why they thing that car salesmen are "scum".

Answer 2

Most people will think that car salesmen are scum because
they need to close a sale quickly without helping the buyer to
buy the right car. Also they would promise almost anything to
the buyer as long as they can close the deal. Usually, the buyer
would end up being 'short-changed' by the salesman when
the deal is done quickly.
Thus, this is the reality of car salemen in action.

Answer 3

Iam a car salesman. Iam not scum, I try hard to help my customers and have ongoing relationships with many. So to the ones who like to think you can put people into one category you ladies and gentlemen are the scum. Oh and cowboybill you sir are a prick

Answer 4

It boils down to information. There are two kinds of information out there; information that can help you make a good decision and the same information, yet it keeps you from doing so. You have to ask yourself what you're listening to.

Car salesman are not scum. They are doctors, lawers, police officers, fire men, contractors, you name it. They are made up of people who want to listen to the customer and offer help and guidance in a thoughtful manner.

Problem is as if any group of people; one gives ten a bad name. Do all Catholic priests molest young men? Do ALL politicians steal, cheat and lie?

When you visit a car dealersahip and decide that you want to haggle over a persons value, think of this. They placed a MSRP on vehicles to establish a basic value in pricing for the consumer so the consumer would kow what was fair. Ever since, people have not wanted to pay this price.

Your avergae car salesman in this nation sells 7 cars a month. They work 68 hours a week including nearly ALL holidays and weekends. The "mini" amount they get paid to sell a car is roughly $50. This is what they'll be paid roughly when you buy your car at $500 over invoice. What kind of information would you like your sales professional to have to that when you ask the questions he/she will be able to respond accordingly? Can you support yourself on 7X$50 for a months work?

The expression exists in the automotive sales business that "Buyers are Liars." I dont think this expression just happened by accident. Could it be true if it is known by every car salesman out there?

Ask yourself this question next time you want to buy a car, "would I challenge Michael Jordan to a game of one on one for 10K?" Unless you want to brag about playing Michael, you wouldn't do it. So why does the average buyer who purchases 8 cars in their lifetime walk on a dealership lot and think they can out play Michael? Just the average joe sales pro deals with practice daily and the average buyer cannot win.

Treat people as you wish to be treated. Pay people what they are worth in ALL walks. Never challenge or put a man down on his own turf. And for your own sake, buy "Cars and People; How to Put the Two Together" and get a thorough understanding of the car sales retail business from their eyes.

Answer 5

1-because of old school sales guys. The stereotype:white collared shirts and ties that run back and forth between the manager and the customer.
2-big city dealers. tell you anything you want to hear
3- 'desk' and f and i guys ruin the deal/relationship with the customer. most salespeople just present vehicle then present deal
4-list goes on. truth is most ARE

Answer 6

they only care about selling .. i went to a dealer for a car,
didn't have the color i wanted. asked him 3 times to check
if any were coming in, wasn't in a rush to get a new car, coulda
waited, settled for a color, 1 week later, went to pick up my
plates and there were atleast 10 in the color i wanted on the lot.
so he lied..... and i won't go back there..

Answer 7

They always want to sell a car not to help them buy the right one.

Answer 8

Because they ARE scum.
They are one notch above a realtor and one half notch above a lawyer. They are all below a big pile of whale sh*t.