So Tim are you still working there?

 

That's a negative.

 

insightfull... but that sux... kinda figure they are always jumping to get the next person... but to flat out not help some because they dont like the brand??? they should probably move to another dealership...
they're not getting paid because they like or dislike a brand they are getting paid to sell...

:sigh:

oh well hope ya find something

 

I worked in a very similar environment a while back (not as big as cars, but anywhere you play with someone's credit report is a big deal) when I worked commission sales. It's a shark tank.

It's unfortunate that you had to turn down the job, Tim. But I'm sure that there's something out there better for you morally, ideally, and financially.

 

hmmm damn that sux... odd though... when i bought my tc the dealer actually steered me away from a celica gts and towards a tc... and it was like 6000 cheaper (the tc)

 

that's kind of sad cause when i was being helped the guy was totally psyched to sell me my Scion. and there was no fighting for me infact i was walking around the lot for like 5 minutes before jason came up to me (jason was the guy that helped me. was really cool)

 

I bought my tC from Gladstone. Dealt with Jeff over e-mail at first, then went down to the dealership and spoke to kelly and jeff. The one thing that stood out for me was that Kelly had a love for Scion as a brand and a car.

I knew i was in good hands and she really did treat me well. Not sure if Jeff still works there at gladstone but if it was not for him i would sure have not went to Gladstone. Both Jeff and Kelly are a great thing for Gladstone . If jeff even works there any more

There will be a job out there for you! Good luck

 

There are a couple great guys there... Ricky/Jeff/the other noob, Brandon, are guys that I respect, and all noticed and related to what I saw as well

 

I used to work for big network of car dealerships up here and what Tim described is the same everywhere. I didn't work in sales but had to deal with them everyday and some of those guys were straight up a-holes. It's no wonder the turnover rate was so high, every few weeks I'd see someone new.

The only place that was different was a BMW dealership, it was a whole different environment, everyone was nice and no "sharks".

 

I know this is a "repost" but the classic edmunds.com expose on auto dealers seems apropos here:
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/page001.html
sorry you apparently experienced car sales at its worst Tim. Good luck.

 

I have to say, I know EXACTLY what to do next time I buy a car though...

I come from a management perspective, so I see what the objective of having these people perform in a certain way is and that there is a positive result economically, I just don't agree with it in practice, and seeing it from a customers perspective, which is always what I was tought... it's bass-ackward... the value of the dollar before the value of a customer as a person rather than an opportunity.

There's a reason there are few women in the industry, high turnaround, intense customer cautiousness, and lots of apathy on the customers part as well... with a mix of distrust...

The Irony is that salesmen get frustrated when customers don't believe what they say, and distrust them, but, honestly, there are enough reasons in their action for distrust to be built. My perspective from the inside shows transparently why the auto industry has gained it's reputation and the lack of energy expended in making things different in the future...

I dare say you could make a crapload of money if you could change the industry from within and contruct policy and proceedures to prevent the opportunity for distrust and manipulation, allowing customers to know for certain they were not at the mercy of the behavior we all know is there currently. You definately wouldn't make money off the bat and for a for an initial period of time, but if people discovered that oasis... it'd draw those hungry for a different experience... Cause we're all out there looking for it.

The Scion priciple is the foundation of such an ideal, but, is critically turned down by salesmen and avoided, as it does not make profit to the same extent... and doesn't provide them the opportunity for high pressure, redirection, and price manipulation...

BUT, this is the bite of it all... We (The Scion Ones) are the ones going back to the dealer for BBQs, we are the ones who want others to buy Scions, and we are the ones who Lift up Kelly and all she's done... So, I guess there is hope... and I adamently hope that those in power see the end result of the priciples of Scion Sales, the lack of profit, and the reality that there are a TON of us out there who appreciate and respect those who believe in it and practice it...

Hopefully they'll be successful and it'll grow, and owners and others will realize why Scion Owners are meeting at dealer lots and Scion owners are lifting up dealer reps... and they'll push the scion ideals even further (I can hope)

BTW - I'm super idealistic... aren't I?

 

Well i have only lived in the states for a little over 3 years now(From england originally). Most places there are no where near as bad as what i have seen and heard about here in the states.

I persoanlly dont know ONE person who likes going to a dealership and been "marked" by the salespeople before they even get out of the car. That to me shows a lack of respect and a love for the american $$$ over anything and everything else.

But i guess thats the way it is and will be the way it wil stay. Was just another reason i liked scions over other cars/dealerships. There was just a no hassle, no pressure approach, and that i liked.

 

sorry to hear Tim, the funny thing is, those same salemen that don't like to sale Scions are probably the ones drooling over our cars when we were there and eating up the burgers and hot dogs and sending their UP's out to eat also, its truely sad.

 

^ Yeah... and they are the coolest then... funny the difference when they aren't in "sales mode"... I was surprised at that dynamic.

 

Sorry to hear it Tim, I guess that $$ is more important to some people than offering the customer the best deal they can.

 

I feel I should chime in on this one....
Please cut Gladstone some slack, they recently changed owners. The dealership used to be called Thomassen, they were always on top for sales and towards the bottom for CSI (customer satisfaction). This is a culture that changes somewhat slowly.. Maria Smith, the new owner (also owns Lake City) is one of the best dealers Toyota has, the turnaround at Lake City has been amazing, they are up like 130% in sales or something ridiculous... Gladstone has turned things around as well... there will always be a few individuals that have their best interest first and are perhaps not very respectful towards customers and are likely terrified of the Scion process and vision. These individuals will likely rise (or sink) to the commensurate level. It is people like Kelly that are a ray of hope indeed. Tim, I have been there, I worked at a Ford dealership for a month, I was top sales that month and quit because I could not gel with the culture… Gladstone is headed in the right direction, anyone considering purchasing a car there; I would encourage you to do so!

 

I'm still for getting a car there, and sending guys to HER... Glad that Maria is aware of the mentality, and I truely hope her transformation ability is used to the fullest amoungst other management staff.

I strongly agree that Kelly is a ray of hope there and if her example was followed, that the buying experience, sales experience, and ulltimately, the envirnment and respect for the customer would gain to the point that we all could return that respect for them.

Maybe someday that culture would be acceptable... but, I think as a customer, I'd long for the day when there is not the concept of an "UP", my salesmen weren't switched on my to "Close" and the management was up front about every number... Even if an indivual salesmen stood up for that ideal, the sales managers are the ones who control the envirnment, the process, and ultimately, the ones re-enforcing what we all know to be the dismaying truth... and I've seen them work, and I've seen Kelly work in an opposing matter to them, refreshingly.

Three more of Kelly and three less of the "Guys"... that's the key... no doubt about it... That would enable the mentality to bleed down into the sales staff and wash out any of the sales staff that couldn't adopt and build successful salesmen with solid ideals to grow, building the respect into he industry.

It's all in the past now... and I'm game to move on to the future... I'll end the post, as it could continue, but hope that Kelly has a chance to share with Maria thoughts of her loyal community and the ideals we stand for, as we actually care about someone in a dealerships success, and that MUST be rare...

Best of Luck.

-WDS