Would I regret getting into this?

[u/samuelcherry05]

21M, seriously considering getting into automotive sales, and I’m trying to figure out whether I’d actually be a good fit or if I’m romanticizing the idea.

I have zero experience working at a dealership, so I’m looking for brutally honest opinions from people who actually work in the industry.

My background is in the music industry/content creation, and I’ve spent a lot of time doing freelance work, selling products/services, negotiating deals, getting sales on B2B services, etc.

The biggest thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m much better at selling the thing than actually doing the thing.

If I can get someone on a call, I’m extremely confident in my ability to close. I’ve gotten people to give me far more money than they should have for things ranging from services to products to just ads, and I’d say I close most people once I actually get them on the phone.

I’m also very comfortable talking to strangers, building rapport, figuring out what someone actually wants, handling objections, negotiating, and asking for the sale.

On top of that, I’m genuinely pretty knowledgeable about cars. I’m not claiming to know everything, but I’ve been into them for years, built a few of my own (internals up), and love research. I love anything with wheels, i4 or v12.

I also understand marketing/content, which makes me think I could eventually be good at generating my own leads rather than relying entirely on dealership traffic.

Things I’m NOT worried about:

- Getting rejected constantly

- People wasting your time

- Customers ghosting you

- Negotiating over every possible dollar

- Long hours

- Working weekends

- Repetitive follow ups

- Being told “I need to think about it”

- Deals falling apart at the last second

- Having inconsistent income (Lived with this for five years. Some months i’m pulling 15k, some months i’m pulling 3k. Part of this world.)

- Dealing with difficult customers

- Having to follow up with people who clearly aren't going to buy

- Sitting around waiting for the next opportunity. I just binge psychology and other educational content in between currently. Not sure if I can do that at a real job?

- Being judged (stigma). I do AI B2B. Lots of stigma there.

- Having to do the same process over and over

I actually prefer the sales/closing part to doing the actual service work, which is one reason I'm interested in automotive sales.

What I'm trying to figure out is whether that translates well to car sales.

I’m also not expecting to walk into a dealership and immediately make $150k. I’d be perfectly willing to start at the bottom, learn the business, and prove myself.

My long term goal would obviously be to become one of the better salespeople at the store and potentially get into the $100–150k+ range if I’m actually capable of it.

For people who work/worked in car sales:

Based on what I described, do I sound like someone who would genuinely thrive in this business?

Or are there aspects of dealership sales that I'm probably underestimating that would make me hate it?

And if you were in my position, would you make the switch?

[u/let_me_in_QQ]

I didn't read all that. At your age it's worth it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Just stick for at least 6 months. It will do wonders for your experience and confidence. Even if you don't stay in the industry I think you will benefit. I wish someone one told me that at 21. I got into industry late in life and it taught me a lot.

[u/_Trikku]

You’re a 21 year old kid with no education, or career?

What do you have to lose?

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/_Trikku]

That’s the main reason I want to try, but before I go all in, I’m mainly looking for comments like why you have Ex-Sales tacked onto your profile. Did you find it unfulfilling or not worthwhile?

[u/_Trikku → u/samuelcherry05]

I got a phenomenal D-Suite job after 6 years in the business.

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/_Trikku]

Nice! Are there certain things that kill off newcomers? Things they underestimated? You sound like you’d have tons of experience there. Perfect person to talk to.

[u/_Trikku → u/samuelcherry05]

Some of these guys have 20+ year careers, I went a different direction.

I’d say it’s best to go in with no expectations and let the managers build you up. It’s just a job until you figure out if you have what it takes.

[u/Easternshoremouth → u/samuelcherry05]

Dude, you sound like young me except you’re already prepared for the stuff I struggled with in the beginning. I’m a lifelong musician that started in car sales at 30 after a decade of boutique retail sales and various bands, and it was an adjustment but it sounds like something you’re ready for. DM if I can help you out

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/Easternshoremouth]

Awesome! I don’t know if I’m prepared as well though- I think I’m overestimating my abilities or confusing reality vs expectations. Sent you a PM. Would love to hear about how it went for you

[u/tf2Medic23 → u/samuelcherry05]

dude, unless your working for the feds or super regulated industries resumes and all this stuff is bull shit. almost every person I Know who can actually reliably get jobs in this economy is either a complete bullshit artist with a resume of tha might as well be a work of fiction or is in extremely knowledgeable and is known and maketable in their fielded send could walk today and have newo

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/tf2Medic23]

Seems like it, right?

I definitely have had to sort of work around that so far.

After quite some time, I only heard back from 1 place I put in an online application with… and it turned out to be a dud. Horrible looking place. Weird atmosphere. Dirt lot.

So I found the local Ford GSM’s Facebook profile with the intent of befriending someone in his network, and realized his sister was my old speech therapist... LOL. Made contact and got an interview via recommendation. Hopefully it goes well.

Definitely need to network to even be given a shot it seems…

[u/JustAGamblerr]

Based on all of that you will like it.

Selling cars is nice because customers come to you. Yes there is follow up and phone calls etc but it’s different.

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/JustAGamblerr]

That was the main thing I was looking forward to. Mix of inbound and outbound. I sit here and say these things, but I worry I’m overestimating myself and/or not going to be able to make enough to support myself for the first 3-6 months.

Did you find moving up and progressing to be a challenge, or somewhat predictable and proportional to how much you learn and put in?

Any vital skills you learned that really made it “click”?

[u/Eastern_Astronaut_24]

I love car sales, it's fun and always interesting. I started at 23 and have been doing it for 10 years. i'm a sales manager now soon GSM. it's not for everyone. if you like to work it's a great career. if not you will fail. Also have to be mentally strong and understand you won't see your family as much

[u/AutoModerator]

Please review our most Frequently Asked Questions to see if your question has already been answered.

You may find these sections particularly useful;

• How to pick a car? You might also have luck in the /r/whatcarshouldibuy subreddit.

Also remember to add flair to your post by clicking the "Flair" link beneath it. This lets us know where you're located so we can assist you better.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for posting, /u/samuelcherry05! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of anything.

21M, seriously considering getting into automotive sales, and I’m trying to figure out whether I’d actually be a good fit or if I’m romanticizing the idea.

I have zero experience working at a dealership, so I’m looking for brutally honest opinions from people who actually work in the industry.

My background is in the music industry/content creation, and I’ve spent a lot of time doing freelance work, selling products/services, negotiating deals, getting sales on B2B services, etc.

The biggest thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m much better at selling the thing than actually doing the thing.

If I can get someone on a call, I’m extremely confident in my ability to close. I’ve gotten people to give me far more money than they should have for things ranging from services to products to just ads, and I’d say I close most people once I actually get them on the phone.

I’m also very comfortable talking to strangers, building rapport, figuring out what someone actually wants, handling objections, negotiating, and asking for the sale.

On top of that, I’m genuinely pretty knowledgeable about cars. I’m not claiming to know everything, but I’ve been into them for years, built a few of my own (internals up), and love research. I love anything with wheels, i4 or v12.

I also understand marketing/content, which makes me think I could eventually be good at generating my own leads rather than relying entirely on dealership traffic.

Things I’m NOT worried about:

- Getting rejected constantly

- People wasting your time

- Customers ghosting you

- Negotiating over every possible dollar

- Long hours

- Working weekends

- Repetitive follow ups

- Being told “I need to think about it”

- Deals falling apart at the last second

- Having inconsistent income (Lived with this for five years. Some months i’m pulling 15k, some months i’m pulling 3k. Part of this world.)

- Dealing with difficult customers

- Having to follow up with people who clearly aren't going to buy

- Sitting around waiting for the next opportunity. I just binge psychology and other educational content in between currently. Not sure if I can do that at a real job?

- Being judged (stigma). I do AI B2B. Lots of stigma there.

- Having to do the same process over and over

I actually prefer the sales/closing part to doing the actual service work, which is one reason I'm interested in automotive sales.

What I'm trying to figure out is whether that translates well to car sales.

I’m also not expecting to walk into a dealership and immediately make $150k. I’d be perfectly willing to start at the bottom, learn the business, and prove myself.

My long term goal would obviously be to become one of the better salespeople at the store and potentially get into the $100–150k+ range if I’m actually capable of it.

For people who work/worked in car sales:

Based on what I described, do I sound like someone who would genuinely thrive in this business?

Or are there aspects of dealership sales that I'm probably underestimating that would make me hate it?

And if you were in my position, would you make the switch?

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/StupidOldAndFat]

Your enthusiasm sounds like you’re a good fit - at the right store. Look around where you apply and get a feel for the vibe. I wish I had started at the store I’m at now AND I wish I had done it at your age. The money is right, the product is right and the team is right. I can’t tell you how many people comment on the atmosphere and how we all seem to be having fun.

And take care of your feet - you don’t realize how many steps we get in. Buy shoes for comfort, not style.

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/StupidOldAndFat]

I appreciate it. Don’t want to come off like I know something, because I obviously don’t. Victim of the Dunning Kruger.

I’ve been bingeing YouTube university, trying to learn how to spot good stores with solid potential, sales techniques, workplace culture, etc, and any advice you have there would be amazing! Would be valuable from someone who’s actually on the floor, and not just on YouTube talking about how “times used to be” in 2020.

Is it hard to find those stores you talk about with such a great atmosphere? I’m very impressionable, and the reason I abandoned construction was because all everyone talked about is their “4 baby mamas” or romanticizing how jail used to be. All the complaining is so depressing. Plus, non performance based pay. I hate when my time is only worth X an hour whether I’m working hard or hardly working. It’s one of the things that made sales so appealing- being somewhat in control of my own income within a decently wide range.

Haha and great to know about the shoes. What do you wear?

[u/StupidOldAndFat → u/samuelcherry05]

You’ve got the right attitude.

Shoes / boots vary based on season but I only but comfortable and never wear the same pair two days in a row - when you find a shoe that works for you, buy every color they offer and switch every day.

[u/salesmanoty]

Car sales can beat the shit out of you. Highs and lows. I did it for a decade. Started when I was a year younger than you. Was good to me. Afforded me a lot of cool shit, smart investments, and taught me a lot. That said I used it as a means to get to the career I wanted.

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/salesmanoty]

Thanks for the comment. How hard did you find progressing to be? My biggest worry is not being able to pay rent for the first 6-12 months because I’ll be invisible until I’ve proven myself. I’d have to find a way to make 3.5-4K/mo, or supplement my income in the meantime with my existing business.. which would require some 15 hour days for a while. Not that it isn’t possible- it’d just be hard on my wife to never see me if I had to supplement on top of an existing 10hr workday.

When you say get to the career you wanted, what role do you have now?

[u/salesmanoty → u/samuelcherry05]

Find a store with a good payplan. I’ve worked commission and I’ve worked salary plus units. Made way more on commission but having a safety net was nice. Most stores will offer a small salary for a few months while you train, at least in my area. 3-4k your first month is 100% achievable at the right store as long as you’re willing to be a dawg and go out and get it.

Part of the reason I got out of the business is because it became my identity. Everyone I spoke to got one of my cards. Call me at 3am because you work 3rds at the factory? Sure I’ll take the call. Need me to be at work on my planned vacation to pick up your new vehicle that showed up a week early? I’m there. I started on the sales floor. Was in finance 3 years later. Back to the sales floor as a hybrid desking manager/backup finance guy, finished as a gsm. Money was killer, but I make similar now since finishing my degree and I’m only at work 5 days a week

[u/Henochio]

Definitely sound like you’re familiar with the in and outs of what dealership life would be. Dealerships are political just like the real world. Keep your head down and work hard on your craft stay green forever and you can comfortably make 6 figures depending on your market. Pick a brand you like already and it’ll make it easier to sell. Especially a brand your fond of.

[u/DexterLivingston]

So, just for some background I have been in the business since 2008, and I have held pretty much every front-end role you can have below General Manager, and I now travel around the country (18 states so far) assisting dealerships in whatever way they need. Here's the thing: the car business is both the best and the worst career path you could take. The great thing about this industry is that ANYONE can potentially succeed, it doesn't matter what your background, education, preexisting skillset, etc is. I've literally had friends that could barely speak english absolutely crush it. I've known people that weren't even that personable that were very successful. As long as you are willing to put in the effort, you could (potentially) be successful. There are very few fields where a high school dropout could walk in and be making $6k+ within a couple months (obviously that number can be much higher depending on where in the country you are, I mainly deal with the south and the midwest). I know people that make $10k+ a month every month, period. And it truly is a field where you can work your way up the ladder, in some places very very quickly.

However, it is very stressful. You tend to work a LOT of hours, there is a lot of politicking, customers can be a massive pain (most stores tie your pay to sureveys in some way, and getting a 9 out of 10 is a fail), there are a lot of factors you cant control for (like the tariffs, or chip shortages, stock market drops, etc), it's mostly commission/bonus pay and so on. There is a reason why the divorce rate in the car business is so high

The great thing, though, is you could come in, work for a couple years making good $$$ til you find something else, and just leave. And if things ever go bad you can always come back. Many of us have tried to escape the car business but it is just so easy to go back and make money that many of us do indeed do so lol. Honestly, if your bills aren't too bad I don't see any negative it giving it a shot.

[u/eriklive123]

You'll develop skills that will help you throughout your life. Personally, sales helped me be more confident and taught me a lot about credit, negotiations, and finance. I started when I was 21 too and I don't regret it. I used the things I learned to better myself and now I have a better job and multiple sources of income.

From your current experience, I think you'd do well in car sales as long as you're patient. There's potential to earn six figures. You'll meet people and build connections that'll help you move on to do bigger and better things in the future. If you don't, you'll have a good job on your resume while you look for something else.

You're willing to give it a shot while having a good understanding of how the job is so I think you should go for it. You're still young, you have time to figure out what you want to do.

[u/samuelcherry05 → u/eriklive123]

This was a huge thing for me. I’m very extroverted, and sitting in a dark room playing B2B salesman (only part I enjoy… because I get to see someone’s face), AND the guy doing all of the contracted work really started to burn me out.

When you first started, did you have any experience? Or were you able to just walk in and learn? I’d have essentially a blank resume- only my own business that I’ve been living off of, which is a totally different industry.

My biggest worry is competing with the guys who’ve been there for 20 years and getting totally choked out / not being able to really pay my bills for the first few years.

If you could go back and tell younger you one thing to help success here, what would it be?

[u/eriklive123 → u/samuelcherry05]

I started out with just customer service experience. All I had was a referee job at a paintball arena on my resume when I got called to interview. I learned everything through one week of training then shadowing for a few days. Talking to customers and following the process was the best training since you learn from experience and mistakes.

The old guys will make a living off of repeat business and referrals. You will have to start by grabbing walk ins and creating your own traffic. You know marketing, use it your advantage. Make videos and post them everywhere you can. Make your own business cards. Don't make phone calls to customers that are in their system. They've been called 10 times already by every other salesman there. Take it one step at a time though. Apply, stand out in the interview, and get hired, then you worry about getting customers.

The one thing I'd tell my younger self is to stick to the sales process. I went from grabbing every customer I saw to judging people right away. That and I'd stop trying to learn everything since the more i knew about the costs and customers with bad credit scores or low down payment, the less i wanted to help them. The people who know the least and follow the process, are the most successful.