Wish me luck
Well, I start Saturday at the Harley dealer. I am now officially a Harley Davidson sales man. For those who know the area, I'll be at Peterson's, the North Store.
My old boss is 3 months now with out my commissions, (again, on going, he just cant get caught up) . . time to go. Love the man, but it isn't good for him nor me to be draining off money that clearly is not in abundance there. Not sure how this one will work out, but I have high hopes . . I know its a hard gig, and its not one with tons of cash attached . .but sure sounds fun, well, as fun as any high pressure, high demand commission sales job can be. (-;
Crash . .already talking to them about getting involved in the riders edge training, seems logical to be as active doing training as I am in the selling . . any advise? (Liability's?)
So . . turning a page in my life . .just walked away from over ten years in the appliance industry . . time to see where motorcycles can really take me.
Man, I really hope that works
Man, I really hope that works out for you. Based on how you have described your sales technique and what I have heard about Harley dealers it could be a perfect match. Not sure how you will handle newbies wanting to purchase 1300cc as a first bike but I'm sure you will figure something out.
Good luck in your new venture (and do we get discounts on t-shirts?)
""you will handle newbies
""you will handle newbies wanting to purchase 1300cc as a first bike"""
Simple . ."Man up boy . .go big. Pain is weakness leaving your body!" LoL
Seriously, I started on an 883 . . I can share my experience. And if I train them, life will be good. I'll know what they need to learn to survive it. In the end, if someone is looking at Harley as a first bike, they will buy it. Even if they were warned off, look at me. I'll just give them sound, solid advice . .then an adult walks out the door in the end responsible for doing the work or not. You know me, I am hard true believer that risk management is a personal choice. As long as when they see me 3 weeks later every word I spoke was truth, they will still respect me. Starting on a big cruiser is not like a big sport bike . .its heavy .. but not uncontrollable.
Besides . .rumors in the mill that Harley Dealers and Hyosung are getting cozy . . problem solved if thats true. Remember the dealers are all independent . . if rent gets hard to come by they will pick brands up on the floor. . and . .Harley just made some kind of manufacturing deal in Korea . . hmmmm. Branded trainer in the future? I know a lot of Harley dealers have other stuff in the mix, including scooters in some stores. Miami so far is hard core Harley . .like Munch said, down to the weekend hot dogs. It's a recreational destination.
In any event . .I dont know shit about what goes on inside the business. I'll cross every bridge as i find it. I just became a noob all over again, a raw green recruit. Right now it is money. I need x number of dollars a month to live, I dont know shit, and this is a commission based job . .I'll make it or I wont. That is my worry for now . .the rest is easy frankly. Just talk to folks and the rest sorts itself out.
Ah, the security of sales . .when next might I get paid something . . . . (-;
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Sweet now if I ever find my
Sweet now if I ever find my way towards Tampa to go fishing again I will just keep heading south. You'll do fine, between your salesmanship and principles to even your political stance I am sure you will have no issues as long as they come in the door. A lot of folks like us out there just some with more money then us to afford the big toys. Hope you find those ones.
Oh and remember.... the hot dogs and soda are for the customers!
****Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy Shit....What a ride!!!"****
Munch . . .if I survive this
Munch . . .if I survive this for say . . 3 years . .its my ticket out of Miami. You are in the "business" sort of . .how many car salesmen come and go in a dealer? Darwin will decide if which I am .. but if I am the surviver, I am then a desired, PROVEN asset worth hiring ant any dealer in the nation, including your part of the world. Nothing I do is random, ever. I didnt pick the timing at all, but I did select the direction.
Besides . .one thing now I'll never have to do, ask that question 20 years from now . ."what would have happened IF I had taken the chance and sold me some motorcycles' . . . . the things I sell . .well, I aint NASA, ya know? LoL Why not mix passion and profession for once in my life and see how it sorts out . .whats the worst that could happen?
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Well from what I understand
Well from what I understand bike sales is a lot less risky of a move rather then to automotive sales. They know your not going to move high volume and leave the limits low.
The advice I can give you though... #1 get you as many HD books as you can and get acquainted with Harley acronyms or model letters rather. #2 At every available moment hang out at the service department and ask every conceivable question .... even the dumb ones, hell just sit and listen and pick up as much as you can.
Most sales people know next to nothing about what they are trying to sell. HD enthusiasts will sniff that out in a heart beat. If you don't know the difference between a FLHTC and say a FXWDG then they will peg you for either a rookie or a temp. They want to buy from people who know and live what they do. Learn it, know it, and ride it.
****Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy Shit....What a ride!!!"****
Yea . .in the early days,
Yea . .in the early days, best to come right out front and say you are a tad green to a vet, and let him lead the selection process. My job in that case is to solve any problems along the way. In my experience, in any new business, it takes about 6 months to go from"caned pitch" to real, well informed, natural conversation. That is the time that kills most commission sales people. That and think the business will walk in the door. Have to go look for a lot of it in the real world. For years now . .most folks I meet get a business card in the end. Has to be a 24/7 habit to hand a card to everyone you talk to about anything. They are the ones who make your month while others starve waiting for the door to swing open.
I have to say your dead on with the advise . .
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Good luck!
You sound like you deserve a change of pace and a new opportunity. I'm sure you'll be great! If I ever switch to the dark side, maybe I'll come pay you a visit...for now I'll just be one of those wretched sportbike hooligans...except without loud pipes...and with gear...and not pulling stand-up wheelies on the interstate...and riding sober...and not really doing anything remotely out of the ordinary or hooligan-like...
Seriously though, we all know you have a lot of passion for this stuff, and you seem like just the type of salesman I'd like to work with (honest, knowledgeable, friendly, etc.). I can't see anybody thinking otherwise!
Sounds Exciting... and Scary
Congratulations Elwood! Sounds like a great opportunity that would be both exciting, and a little scary (financially). Best of luck to you. At least you have the perfect weather for year-round riding down there, so hopefully you will continue to see lots of customers coming through the door, even though it is the month of December. I'm sure you'll be selling lots of great gift ideas for those Christmas shoppers out there as well.
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2004 Suzuki GS500F
Fantastic! I'm so excited
Fantastic! I'm so excited for you!
The Harley dealership up here seems like it would be a nice laid back kind of place to work. They didn't have the high pressure sales thing going at all. To a large extent, they seemed to rely on customer loyalty and brand recognition to convince people to buy a Harley rather than browbeating the customer into thinking they "had to have" the bike.
I don't don't know if it is because I'm a woman or the salesperson who was working with me, but I also didn't ever feel like he was trying to put me on more bike than I was ready for (I also didn't get the "little woman" vibe off him, so I don't think it was a chauvinistic thing- just a good sales thing).
I think that you will do just fine. You have years of experience in sales already, and you obviously have an interest in talking shop and being sane about the skill level. I hope that it all going well for you.
Owlie
Wow! It's a big change, indeed!
Hello Elwood...I agree wholehearted with what the others have said prior to my post. You will be a great ambassador for their product, and along the way, lead people to a possible purchase. Like you said, adults make an informed decision on the actual buy, you just provide them information and honest real-life experiences about your HD's. Can't ask for a better salesperson than that, in my book. It's likely exciting and scary all at the same time. But, three months with no commissions surely does indicate it's time for a change, so good for you for having the...um....courage (ha ha)
to do so. Will ya get a discount on parts as an employee? That might help,too.
2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic
Lynn C.
Discounts for a Harley owner
Discounts for a Harley owner in a Harley store . . parts, gear, cloths . . . that my friend is nothing more that an excuse to give my whole paycheck back to the boss! LoL
No job change is ever easy, in commission sales going into an unknown business . .the "unknown" is scary. I have worked some hard jobs in the past, some real crash and burn events too . . . when you get paid 100% on what you produce . .you have no safety blanket. But that is just the adult in me recognizing the fact things are not a given. I am quite excited and looking froward to the job right now. Money aside, lets face it, making money selling Harley's is not an unpleasant thing, and prospecting for "leads" by riding at every possible opportunity, hanging out at bike nights, shows and events . .tragically painful. LoL
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Well, up dates . . first,
Well, up dates . . first, life cannot lack drama. I was one of two people hired, and the other guy is going to be cut lose tomorrow. Made it almost 5 days . . (-;
The manager who hired me has also resigned and will be gone next week . . oh boy. That is sad, I like him a lot. He is very good at what he does . .not any kind of used car salesman . .just good people who knows how to sell the right way. I hope whoever they hire isn't some slime bag used car hustler . . .
I am not to surprised, I knew what the economy and in particular the environment in the business was on the way in. The guys are not making much money, and there is a lot of stress and pressure in the shop, but the crew is all good people from what I can see. Hopefully I can just ride it all out.
The good stuff. . . . I can walk the whole floor now and spot every model on sight. I was never the type to just memorize all that shit for the fun of it, so the first few days were a challenge. I am getting to ride all the bikes, we allow test rides, but one of us has to lead ..very cool. Rode a V-Rod today for the first time . .very fast. (((-; Glad I didn't buy it however, its super fast, but feels smaller than the Sporty under me. The Road kings are GREAT. The Cross Bones is way smother than it looks with that sprung front end . .like any other Softail really. I am hoping we get in a Rocker . .very cool bike. All the 2010 Dyna's are great.
Looks like I will end up well connected with the local MC's . . I have met several Out Laws in just a few days. Some of the wrench's in the back seem to belong to a MC I never heard of . .guess I will learn more about them soon enough.
If I can survive a wee bit longer than the other noob, I think I am going to enjoy this job. LoL I feel at home with the folks and the crew . .
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Sorry the start has been a
Sorry the start has been a little rough personnel-wise, but it sounds like you are enjoying the challenge. Hang in there and everything will come right for you.