From Automotive news:

General Motors Corp. said it plans to end its successful "employee discounts
for everyone" promotion next week. The company also signaled that it will
embark on a new pricing strategy for 2006 models that will attempt to focus
on permanently lower sticker prices instead of big rebates. "It is our
intention to end the employee-discount program on August 1," GM spokesman
Jeff Kuhlman said yesterday. After two months of strong sales, inventories
of unsold GM vehicles are at such low levels that the company doesn't have
enough vehicles in stock to continue the program. It's unclear whether Ford
Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG will follow suit and end their own
employee-discount offers, launched in July after GM's June sales surge. For
GM, ending the employee-discount program signals the start of a critical,
and potentially risky, new phase of its effort to overhaul its North
American marketing. GM lost $2.5 billion in its North American auto
operations in the first half.

 

Hey Ed, is the Ford Family plan going to continue? With my new job starting on Monday would it be easier to establish a customer base with the plan going or just starting off normally. I'm starting to get nervous now that I'm down to the wire.

Thanks in advance for your advice
Andy

 

Ford in it's infinite wisdom will probably hold off until Monday or tues to tell us.

Don't be nervous, just treat customers the way you want to be treated and learn your product. Ford has DVD's for all of the vehicle lines so it is pretty easy. You might want to stop by the dealership and see if they will let you borrow them to start watching before you start.

GOOD LUCK and email me any time with questions.

 

Thanks Ed! They mentioned DVD's for training. I made up this huge binder with all of Ford's brochures in it to study the vehicle lineup a little more in depth.

 

Why oh why can't I find a salesman like you two around here?!?!? :bang:

 

Hey Andy, it's Jeff. Don't be nervous, it is totally expected. I was a nervous wreck when I got on the floor for the first time. Felt like I was going to throw up . After a few weeks, you'll get the butterflies out, just like I did. Just do exactly what Ed says, and what I mentioned to you, when I called. Just treat customers exactly how you want to be treated. The best advice also, is to follow up after the sale. Make sure their happy, and they will always remember you. Good luck, and feel free to call me at the dealership if you have any questions. I'lm really only a few hours away.

 

Ford's plan is also ending on Agust 1, http://www.ford.com/en/default.htm, some dealers are extending it one or two days, Galpin's Ford/Lincoln & Mercury family plan ends 2 days after.

 

Whatever GM does, Ford will follow. They never wanted to get into the employee pricing for everyone and was in the process of pumping up the friends and family discounts when GM went employee pricing. So they'll bail ASAP.

 

Just be yourself and explain everything throughly to them. dont be nervous, if u act like u do on here to the customers, they will stop in everyday just to say hi

 

You have found us, and there are more than 2 of us!

 

I meant in my geographical area.... :bang:

 

There are a few more salespeople on this forum that put the customer #1. BEK355 in Lancaster, Pa, myself in Lansdale Pa, ISELLFORD (Ed Miller) is a great asset to this forum, and lets not forget about KARPRO, one of the originators of being a salesperson on this site. We are always here to gladly answer any questions, and put to rest any BS rumors some places say to customers. And once Andy gets the training under his wings, I know, for a fact, after meeting him, he will make a fantastic Ford salesperson.

 

Thanks for the advice Jeff I'm trying to remember everything you told me. I'm really psyched to get out of my current job and get to work. I promise to keep you guys updated on my progress as I move along in the Ford Family!

<!--QuoteBegin-05fordgt@July 28, 2005, 10:19 AM
There are a few more salespeople on this forum that put the customer #1. BEK355 in Lancaster, Pa, myself in Lansdale Pa, ISELLFORD (Ed Miller) is a great asset to this forum, and lets not forget about KARPRO, one of the originators of being a salesperson on this site. We are always here to gladly answer any questions, and put to rest any BS rumors some places say to customers. And once Andy gets the training under his wings, I know, for a fact, after meeting him, he will make a fantastic Ford salesperson.

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You know, I couldn't do this without your guys support. I can't tell you how much I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. You are truly good friends

 

Good Luck Andy. I wish you a good first day

 

I will do my best. Thats all I can do give it a 100% and let life decide the rest

 

mstang is a great Ford Salesman for people in the Toronto area as well. A few of us have had great sales experiences with him.

While the employee pricing deals were great for getting people in the showrooms, I think in the long run it will hurt everyone. No one will pay sticker for an American car anymore unless it is a "must have" product.

 

True, and there aren't many of those.

 

andy, good luck to you my friend. and along with that whole being yourself thing, remember to use your awesome sense of humor. if anyone can sell me something, its a good friendly person with a nice sense of humor, reality and honesty. now reality.... that'll be the hard one for ya

you have my stamp of approval, i think you'll do great. heck, if your dealer can afford the shipping (that'd be the loophole lol), i'll buy my first new car from you*. you specifically




*but then again, by the time i can afford one, you'll be retiring lol. once again, good luck my friend, i wish you well!