Anyone here sell P-cars for a living?

Even though I'm an internet sales guy at a non-luxury make dealer, I'm really a closet Porsche freak having owned one in the recent past, and aspiring to another, hopefully soon. Just yesterday, I got word of an opening for a floor sales position at a local Porsche dealership- something which never happens- it's pretty much like the supreme court- someone has to either die or retire for there to be an opening. I've been told that I pretty much have the position if I want it, however it'd be nice to get some advice before I make the jump. For those of you successful at selling P-cars (or other very highline makes), What's the style of selling that works? It's been a while since I've been "on the line", and I've been accustomed to the low pressure, consultative style of selling on the 'net and have been very successful doing exactly that. Does selling Porsches require a more forceful, controlling approach? Also, I currently am earning a low 6 figure income, and our GSM is telling me that I wouldn't likely make much more, and possibly less to start. Anybody have any input to that regard? Thanks in advance

Good luck with your decision - I can imagine that selling Porsches could be fun, although I'd bet that you would make more money with the volume of selling Acuras. I do have to say that anyone who tries to take a "forceful, controlling approach" wouldn't be selling me anything and certainly not a Porsche. Those who buy a Porsche know what they're buying and I'm not convinced that the average buyer needs to be sold on anything.

PM sent

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I think that ceased to be a safe assumption sometime in the mid-1980s. Lots of people who walk into Porsche dealerships today are considering other options, and often might not even be car enthusiasts at all.

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totally, bruce. do the rest of y'all get out much?

Turambar - Send a PM to Likemystoppie? , cho hangs out mostly ont eh 997 Forum. He is a salesman at Prosche in North Olmstead Ohio.

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Thanks, I'll look him up.

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I hope that's the case, but it's surprising what sales approaches sometimes work the best in practical application with "walk in" customers, even those that are affluent. Unfortunately the most successful car salespersons are often those that are the most assertive, repetitively annoying (never taking no for an answer) and a just a bit manipulative in leading a customer down a path to a purchasing decision. Statistically, it's been shown that over 80% of customers that walk into a dealership and leave without buying a car, never return-even if they've had a positive experience. After they've had time to cool off and "think about it", they end up for various reasons of circumstance, buying a car elsewhere. Strangely, it's often a completely different model, and sometimes even a totally different make, than they initially were considering (I'm talking about the type of customer deciding between a base Boxster and BoxsterS and ends up with a MB SLK350. Obviously someone who wants a GT3RS isn't looking at anything else). The salespersons that are able to persuade a customer to act NOW, are the ones that end up on top of the board. I guess it's a case of nice guys never win... I do hope that Porsche customers are a relationship type sale, and not one where the clients needs to be pushed over the fence on an impulsive decision. I am curious to hear however, from porsche salesmen on what their actual experiences are.

More than a decade ago, while waiting for my Bar results, I sold cars. I sold first for a standard japanese car company, and then a couple months later, was promoted to their high line division. I saw a lot of different styles. Sometimes, a salesperson with almost no in depth knowledge of cars would do quite well. And sometimes, a salesperson with extensive knowledge of cars might not do so well. Car sales is about sales more than it is about cars. If you are successful in internet car sales, then you probably have a style that is successful and the right balance of assertive and non-offensive, that makes people comfortable. And of course, you have to be motivated to pursue and complete the sale, which I assume you probably are doing currently. I found it much easier to sell 2-3 of the standard cars, than 1 car of the high line cars. Of course, that could depend on surrounding income demographics, economy, and product.

Well stated Ronin, I especially like and agree with ..."assertive and non-offensive". Turambar, I have been in sales management my entire business career (30 years) have trained many sales people, which I truly enjoy and for the past 12 years, own my own business (more sales). The Sales professional that knows the difference between assertive and aggressive and knows that he can NEVER be offensive will win customers and enjoy his career. You mentioned the consultative approach. Absolutely, he should ask questions that help the customer "think things through". Too many salespeople ask questions that benefit the salesperson (i.e. what's your budget, what colors, and other weak questions). The best salespeople across industries have one thing in common. They ask question the customer benefits from (i.e. Are you planning on using the Porsche for your daily driver? How many years do you see yourself owning the Porsche? What other high-end cars have you purchased? Why are you considering a Porsche now? etc , etc). You MAY end up benefiting from the answers to these questions but the real reason for asking them is to help the customer think through the buying decision. Sounds like you are already a successful sales professional, so you have already discovered the above. Best of luck in your new career. Let us know how it goes for you. Andy T

Sales is about listening to the buyer and reading their actions and reactions. If you can do that well, you will succeed. Good luck.

Honesty, professionalism, and a strong business sense. FORGET the quick sell. Make solid contacts with genuine interest and approach and you will win. Lastly...KNOW YOUR PRODUCT. Inside and out. The more you know, the more you can be the pro. Good luck. C.

I've always wondered how a sales person for Porsches, Corvettes, etc., handle drivers on test drives who seem to be driving over their skill level. Screaming, "We're all gonna die!!!" is probably not conducive to closing a sale. It would also be hard to sit there while a prospect is trying to drive a stick shift but is just abusing the car.

Where do you live? (...wish everyone would just add their location to their profile.) The reason I ask is if you're in one of the major metro areas with high income demographics, I think you could probably be successful. Otherwise, if you're in a smaller area and you're making 6 figures with Internet sales (?), don't move. The dealer here in Newport Beach is just killing their numbers.... (selling a lot).

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I had two experiences lately with local porsche dealer (two separate sales associates). Neither good, I'll explain quickly. 1) Went in on a Saturday, looking to possibly upgrade to newer year (Used 997). I talked to associate in front of building, talked about my car, what I was looking to do etc...He gave me keys to 997 and then began the father routine (I'm 42, he was early 30's) Don't speed, please be very careful, we don't let everyone drive them etc... I felt a bit put off. 2) Was looking for a used Cayenne for my wife (we purchased a non-porsche SUV soon after). Called associate that my wife and I had talked to on previous weekend, he said "when you bring your 996 in for yearly next week, take the Cayenne for the night". Called him the next week at about 3 in the afternoon and said after a meeting I'd swing buy to drop 996 off for oil etc...and would he still be O.K. with me taking a Cayenne. Sure, he said. Called wife, said don't pick me up at dealer, I've got a ride. Showed up at 6 and he said take it for a drive, I said I would test it out on the way home and he started to back pedal. Oh, geez I don't think I can do that now blah,blah,blah - never really gave a reason why. Had to drive 996 home and return in morning with a ride. Just my quick experience. Actually purchased my C4 with CPO from another dealer, same ownership, but much more pleasant to deal with.

Thanks for the advice guys, you just confirmed what I thought all along. It sounds as if we're all unanimous on what works best long term- You have to be a bit steadfast and confident in your approach, but always with the best interest of the customer in mind if you plan to be a long term success. BTW Meister, I'm in San Diego, what's your opinion of that market?

A few things to think about : The latest Christophorus (factory) magazine says Porsche unit sales in the US were down 10% for the fiscal year ended in July. No one needs to buy a Porsche. Sales will likely drop in a recession, which some think we're already in.

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If I'm not mistaken, Cayennes are responsible for most of the drop. As for a recession, I'm with you. It's coming. Be like 1990 again, I think.

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we dont need self fulfilling prophecy....

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I think SD is great, plus the Chargers give the rest of us a team to root for. There are two dealers down there I think, Hoehn off the 5 freeway (?) and another one of Miramar Blvd (?) that has the nice modern Porsche building. But I think SD has a very strong economic base, plus military and contract engineering firms, etc, so that's a positive. But I didn't realize Internet sales of non-premium brand could make 6 figure income, so I guess you know what you're doing. Good luck on your decision either way. -Dave

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The added issue is that we are dealing with a continued very weak dollar. Wouldn't be surprised to see that Porsche is going to increase its US $ prices to offset for the weak dollar. In that case you are potentially dealing with a recession and an increase in pricing for new P cars (and beamers, etc)... not a good combination.

My best friend is the general sales manager for a local high end dealership here in Tampa. My friend I'll call John, has been selling cars for as long as I can remember. John don't know shi* about the cars he sells. I know more about his product line than he does and have tested this fact many times. However, John has risen to the top of his market many years in a row, with the placks on his office walls to prove it. The fact is, John knows people and what it takes to press their buttons. He is the kind of person you feel comfortable with when you first meet him. Simply put, he sells cars because people like him. People who buy high end cars generally are educated to the point of technician on the product they are looking for. They have done their homework and know more about the product than you might expect. They are always looking for price. They didn't get rich by being foolish and throwing away money. As we say in Tampa, they didn't fall off the shrimp boat yesterday. So what your left with is... is this sales person the kind of person I want to do business with. John just told me yesterday, that the market is way down right now for high end cars. People are holed up as he puts it and very market cautious right now. You might want to think about stable/volume income rather than large comissions right now. As the general population takes a step back and deep breath. Speaking of large comissions have you even asked what your end is on a large sale might be. Don't sign and get a surprise when the dealership says that they had to sale the car at near invoice and because of the lack of profit you get next to nothing for your trouble. Probably not what you wanted to here but I'm just sayin. Brew

The near future economic projections are a concern- I've been thinking that on one hand it's true that Porsches are non-essential luxuries, on the other hand unlike a large swath of BMW and MB buyers in the borderline upper middle class that have been stretching themselves into imminent financial obstacles, Porsche buyers are the real deal- if you have the net worth to buy a $100K+ vehicle, a down turn in the economy isn't going to effect your decisions as a consumer as much, or that is the theory at least. I did get a chance last night to speak extensively with the Sales manager at the store, and since it's an internal lateral move from within my company (which I found out, means I have a safety net should things go awry), I'm fairly acquainted with him and know that he's a straight shooter who tells it like it is. Suffice it to say, even the lowest underperformers selling an appallingly small number of cars were making a comfortable living- something that management is not happy with- they want someone fresh to come in and wake up the establishment from resting on their laurels. So to cut it short, I accepted the position. Thanks guys for all your help and wish me luck!

best of luck!

Turambar, Good for you... congrats. Make sure you frequent us on the board often and please treat all of us well when we want to buy a new or used 911!!

Turambar, Best of luck in your new position. Continued success! Andy T

Congrats, and best of luck my man.

Thanks guys, as soon as I get established and up to speed, believe me, you'll be hearing from me!

Good luck to you!

Best of Luck and Success!