Today I was fired after asking to go home after my shift ended. The GSM told me "After 3 weeks you have only sold 1.5 units (really 2 but oh well) and you want to go home at 6:05."

The hours at this particular store run 9 am to 6 pm, 11 am to close (9 pm) or 9 am to 9 pm. Sundays are 11-7 and we have every other Sunday off.

My thinking is that I have any where from 5-7 kids at home. I am family man. But I have stayed at work to close two of my deals until 11 pm to midnight. I didn't do stellar, I was still learning. The GSM, had even pointed out that he doesn't fire anybody for sales. But he just did.

It is what it is but it just seemed really backstabbing. I made my phone calls, I was always up on the point getting ups, I called 42 people today. My sales were just not up there yet. It's aggravating because I was really trying.

GSM said car sales aren't for me.

 

I would hate to have to sell cars. The salesman I buy mine from has been selling cars for years and years. I feel sorry for the guys in there who give me the walk up and ask to help me and then I tell them I'm there to see David. This guy sells a lot of cars.

 

We have a guy who has been selling for 14 years at Ford. He's the go to guy for a lot of customers. He's not even pushy. Just very convincing in a calm, factual way.

 

Of all the people that work on a car lot from the porter to the GM, the GSM is my least favorite by far. I've never met one I trust.

 

I didn't get a good vibe from my GSM at all. He acted like Macho Man.

 

sad story the guy needs a punch in the face. Car sales jobs are tough for everyone and tougher for someone just starting out without a good customer base. maybe carsales is not for you and you will fing our nitch soon best of luck hope yo find something soon

 

Thanks Glenn. This was my first real post-Navy job. Part of my plan at this point is to look into school and use my GI Bill. I might have lost my job, but there are other things out there.

 

If you enjoy selling cars, try another dealer. It's a truly cut throat business. Not for everybody. It takes years of selling car to build a good customer base and find your groove. It's bad hours, lots of politics, and no guarantee on a paycheck. Good luck.

 

Sounds like it was a crappy job in the first place to me

 

You are absolutely right. I enjoyed it for the most part. The hours are horrible when you have a family. The job was definitely against who I am as a person. I am timid, keep to myself and anti-social. So for me to call strangers and walk up to them every day was nerve racking. However, I did accomplish those things with a smile on my face every day. These last few days I thought I was doing very well. Oh well.

I don't mean to carry on either. Just kind of wanted some place to vent to other Ford guys I guess. lol

 

How did you get so many kids? sorry man just trying to lighten the mood although you don't sound THAT upset.

 

I had an issue with a manager and the GSM. They preach that if you have a question or need a TO (turn over) then come to the office. They say they'd rather you come in there than mess up a deal. But I can tell you there were times I avoided customers because a certain manager was in the office. I was new with questions, uncertainties and I didn't want to be belittled.

Honestly, I felt relieved when the GSM asked me or my dealer tag. It meant no longer having to be treated like an idiot for my lack of experience.

 

I'm half rabbit!

We have a "Yours, Mine and Ours" thing going on. 2 are mine, 3 are ours and 2 are hers. Sounds like some thing off an SAT right?

 

Sometimes bad news is a blessing in disguise. After readin' all this, seems this is the case, and good luck to ya finding something more your style/needs!

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I work at a set of dealerships myself, but I'm the IT guy. However, after seeing what some of the sales people have to go through to even get a customer in these days makes me wonder how they make their quota (yes, there is a target) every month so they stick around.

I mean, you actually have to *convince* some of these people to buy a car... And the others are so bad on credit they have *no business* buying one, but they sell it anyway.

I watch all this and think to myself, sometimes... man. This business is really... interesting.

And you have to be part wolf, I think, to do it in the first place and stick.

/I know I can't sell a car, no way.
//But I can fix them phones and intarwebs.

 

If you like being around cars, maybe you should seek a job in the parts business. It would be a much more consistent paycheck. Just a thought.

 

That was a thought that had crossed my mind. In the Navy I was a Logistics Specialist (formerly know as Storekeeper). I am familiar with inventory, purchasing, hazardous materials and things of that nature.

 

Why'd you leave the Navy?

 

Not by choice at all! As an E-5 you can't stay in longer than 14 years. That rule went into effect in 2005 (I think). Every 6 months a quota of sailors that pass a test (among other standards) are advanced to the next paygrade. I passed the test but could never get in the 3-8% quota to get advanced.

So they kicked me out at the 14 year mark.

 

I feel that way all the time at my job. Parts salesmen, just over the counter. I don't know parts and whatnot and sometimes I feel dumB, actually a lot of the time I feel dumb

 

That sucks!

And thank you for your service.

Get something that pays the bills and then use that GI Bill to the fullest to pursue something you love.