My son called to tell me that he is sure this is the coolest job he will ever have

this based on 3 hours of being behind the wheel of brand new cars.

(I reminded him that while its' cool to drive them, it's actually his job to sell them.)

How did it land that gig?

then last week, I got the Sunday paper, circled some ads, and bought him some interview clothes.

The car dealer tested him, interviewed him, asked him to spend a couple of days in learning seminars, tested him again and interviewed him again, and offered him a job.

He will shadow other salesmen for the next 30 days, on flat salary, then after that they will evaluate him to determine if he's ready to go on commissioned-based pay.

He's very excited about it. I'm happy for him. (A little worried due to the economy, but since some people DO make a living this way, and my son might actually be good at this, I'm choosing to be happy for him and proud of him.)

I wish him luck!

I tried selling cars my second summer out of high school.

It's not a job for everyone. For myself, I get too frustrated by people too easily, and I do it too quickly. It's a job that takes people skills (which I simply didn't have), and a smile (which I can't fake).

Odd thing is, my dad was the number one new truck dealer in Texas for x years straight. If he had people skills, he must have saved it for people and we (the family) got everything else. But nowe that I think about it...

Damn. I'm all over the place on this one... how about--

Good luck to your son. I hope he gets to choose his own demo!

I know that this job isn't for everyone.

For right now, I'm happy for him because he's happy to finally not be shut out of the opportunity, and proud of him for really putting in an effort.

to stop spending money needlessly.

How to sell me a car.
1. Know your product thoroughly.
2. Listen to me. I know what I want and have most likely researched it. Please do not try to talk me out of what I want, it will not work.
3. If I am shopping for a car and happen to let my husband come along with to me, talk to me not him. Specially when he tells you it is her car and to deal with me.
4. Do not even think I am stupid because I am a woman. The last car salesman that did this got screwed. I decided if he wanted to sell me that particular car and treat me like I was a dumb blond I would act like a dumb blond. By the time I walked out I bought a $26,000 Pathfinder for $14,000 cash. He even forgot to be sure I was financing it. :rofl: BTW I wanted that Pathfinder, I loved that Pathfinder and it served me well for 13 years. It is now serving someone else well.
5. Pay attention to the person's body language. You can learn a lot that way.
6. Give people time to think. Silence can be very good to you.

Good luck to your son. Some people find they not only enjoy it but can earn good money at it.

Edited to add- If he treats me as a thinking human being and deals fairly with me even though I am a woman, I will refer other women to him.