Jobby Job #1
My last day at my old church was October 15th, & since then my search for work was in overdrive. Before I get into that, I must say that I loved the time off. I was able to get a little life back into me & I wasn't feeling so drained of energy. I also found that I could really do the stay at home dad thing. I would wake up to coffee that I had set to brew, read my Bible, then take myself to the gym. Upon arriving home, I'd do my cleaning thing for about an hour, then shower & jump on the internet to look for job possibilities. Great times were had by all, & by all I mean by me.
Anyway, I was contacted by Lithia, America's car and truck store. Yes, I have memorized pretty much all the catch lines, mission statements & all the other jabba that goes along with it. I went through a week of training with a select bunch of "future car sales professionals." All of the sales training was brought to a close on friday & I went straight to work. I just finished my 9 days straight and am beginning my day off tonite at 8:30pm. I sold my first car to a ladie named Echo. She told me after the deal that she was really struggling with the whole car issue before she came to Lithia & her friend told her to leave it in God's hands. She thought is was amazing that God led her to a former youth pastor to sell her a car. Pretty cool stuff.
The people that I work with are a "dream team." If you've ever seen the movie, dream team, you'll know what I mean. First there is David, the GSM (general sales manager), who is your typical accountant type person. Next is Matt, the new car manager, who reminds me of Jake Busey ala Ace in Starship Troopers. His sole purpose is to get anyone to buy him Rockstars or lunch. Ronnie, the used car manager is a big jovial man who's sole purpose is to mess with people and eat sushi as much as possible. That brings us to the sales team. The first guy I met was John. John is about my age, and has been there about 6 months, and before that he was a gunner in Mosul Iraq on an apache helicopter. That boys seen action. Next is Homberto. He is a tall mexican dude who lives in Fallon. He already tried to monkey on to one of my deals. Bad news. Ray is the internet manager and they call him the hunchback of notre dame. This is because he has a nice healthy hunchback. He is a huge complainer & is rediculously lazy. Radicka is an island chick. I'm not sure about her yet. Romberto is the lot dude who cleans the cars up. His purpose is to stick tags and anything else he can on Ray's hunchback. Ray's solution is to say, "you stupid fat little guatamalan."
So far, the days have been either really fast or really slow. On slow days, like today, I research for cars that people tell me they are looking for. I have found pretty much everything people have asked for, just no buyers yet. It'll probably all happen within a week. So anyway, tomorrow is my first day off but I may have to go in. This guy walked on the lot today, wearing nothing that would indicate that he was independantly wealthy & I happen to "up" him. He asked for a corvette & said he'd pay cash. It turns out that my used car manager has sold the guy 8 cars & he always pays cash. I found him a Corvette at one of our dealerships & he is coming in tomorrow to look at the info on the internet. If he wants it, I will go in and work the deal. Yes, I will go in on my day off for money.
I will give a little inside information on what we just took in that will make for sweet deals. So if you're in the market, here you go.
2003 Mustang GT
V8 with upgraded pony package (upgraded tires, seats, and fog lights.
44,000 miles $16,900
2, 2006 Dodge Durangos
1 with 14,000 miles & 1 with 27,000
V8's with 4.7 liter for better milage
1 starts 2000 under wholesale & the other is very close to wholesale.
Now you all know before anyone else. So yes, if you know anyone, send em my way so I can pay my house payment.
The biggest adjustment is with the time. Jessica works mornings and I work afternoons & nights, except for weekends. That means that we don't see each other very much. Maybe an hour or two a day, which isn't so much. Prayers would be nice. That is my 1st 9 days, wrapped up by a faded & tired mind. I'll do my best to post often.
12 Comments:
Good stuff Ben. When I worked as a detail guy at a dealership, it too was filled with characters. It truly is good people watchin'. Congrats on the job and I will be praying for you.
I have to watch myself. It's easy to get into the mindset that everyone else has. Lots of complaining about people & the other salesman. I have to keep my head clear & just work harder than everyone else. It's pretty fun though.
Sounds like you work in an outdoor casino. Everyone is chasing the $, but no one wants to work for it. At least you don't have to deal with sweaty bob and cocktail waitresses.
I forgot about the ol' cocktail waitresses. Let's see...Weibke, Jonie, Connie, and stuttering John. Good times, good times. Last time I was in they said that they went to a different system in the bar so Bob couldn't steal anymore.
Nice update. I'm sure I would consistently call Homberto Romberto and vice verse . . .
When you asked the ladies name and she said, "Echo" did you say "what?" and did she say "Echo"?
I didn't mess with her too much as she was my first sale to date.
"stay at home dad thing"?
Is there something that you and Jessica haven't told me?
Georgia,
Never. We both know that you'll be the first person I tell.
All I am saying is that I feel it amazingly odd that pastors really DO make great car salesmen. I tell this to my brother regularly. What IS that all about? On another note, I think it is also amazing that God brought you a Christian to sell your first car to. He is cool like that.
Whoo hoo, very glad that you won't be homeless and that you are selling even here on the blogspot. Gotta love that!! Truly prayers are headed in that direction. God's favor is a pretty amazing thing.
I wonder if I would make a good car salesman. I am going to post about this right now.
good stuff Ben...sounds like you work with quite a group of characters. which lithia do you work at?
i am going to scoey's blog to if he decided he would make a good car salesman...
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