I am a new equipment sales rep serving manufacturers in ohio and michigan, do I HAVE to buy an American car?

Question

why - will my customers look down on me for buying foreign? will they not respect me, or will my car be keyed? Just thought I'd ask before i buy.

Answer 1

I live in Michigan. As a matter of fact, I live in Warren, which is a suburb of Detroit. If you will be serving CAR manufacturers in Ohio and Michigan then honestly, I advise you to buy American. You're going to be in states where a good deal of the people make their livings manufacturing American cars...you should show THEM that respect if you want THEIRS.

Answer 2

Well, they make Hondas in Ohio, and I believe a number of nominally-foreign automobiles are made in Michigan factories as well. Mercedes makes SUV's in Alabama. And some of the nominally-American makes are re-badged Korean cars.

Unless you're servicing people in the automobile-manufacturing business, I'd suggest that you buy whatever is most economical for your needs.

Moreover, I'd suggest that you buy a used car, and one that doesn't necessarily look so swell cosmetically: it should look competent and well cared for, but non-shiny and non-sporty; the idea is to project a business-like, competent, and bottom-line oriented image to your customers.

That, of course, includes your personal appearance: no tattoos, no piercings, no jewelry aside from a wedding ring, dress in a business suit, with old but well-polished shoes, hair style medium short.

It is also assumed that you will know the company's catalog forward and backwards, and you will know the history and most operations of your prospective customers' businesses.

Once you make a reputation of being the guy who will get a vital part to a customer on an icy Christmas Eve, nobody will care what sort of car you brought it in.

Answer 3

I would say they would not look down on you for the car you buy, just as they would not look down on you for the color of your shirt. What you purchase with your own money is entirely up to you. Unfortunately, a lot of foreign cars really are better cars then American manufactured vehicles. I personally always bought American cars and always had a lot of issues even with brand new vehicles, I just bought a Mercedes, and guess what, i have had no problems...anyone who would look down on you should seek some mental health care.

Answer 4

It would be safer to own an american car being that you are in sales.There is not a single person where i work that has a foreign car. We cannot all be wrong. No point in putting a silly reason into the mix as a reason not to buy from you. sell a bunch of product then you can have two cars one to drive for work and one to play in!

Answer 5

Will you be selling American made products? If you are, I would strongly advise an American vehicle. Remember you're in the Heartland of this great country.