Arthur Kuznetsov is a DePaul student who in his short part-time career has managed to work for a number of reputable car dealerships, occupying positions that began in service and continued on to sales. Fortunately, he found time in his busy schedule, which is dominated by classes and work arrangements, to sit down with me and answer a few question that most directly affect the consumers in the auto industry – the interaction with the car dealerships.
How did you end up working at a car dealership? Was it your first experience working with cars?
It was definitely not my first time working with cars or at the dealership. I started out working valet for multiple restaurants and then went over to work at MB Autohaus on Edens where I detailed cars. After that I transferred over to Luxury Motors and shortly after to MB of C where I got the chance to sell cars.
Some say that car sales is a dog-eat-dog world, do you agree? Why?
Yes and no. Yes because you are all on commission and if you want to make some money you better pray to god you are the first guy to get the phone or greet the customer who walked in to the showroom. No, because the management would throw you a bone in the end of the month or if you help another salesman close a deal you will get to split the sale.
What is the most interesting experience you have had while working as a salesman?
Interesting experience? I guess the fact that you get to meet people and drive high end cars especially when you work for dealers like MB of C.
It is said that a car salesman will do anything to close a deal. What is the farthest you have ever gone?
Drove a car to a customer’s house so that they can test drive it. I actually haven’t seen those desperate sales attempts in the work place that you see in the movies.
In today’s market, the cars are divided into three camps – Europe, America and Asia. Cars from which region interest you the most?
Europe, I can narrow it down to Germany specifically. You really have to drive a lot of cars and take your time with them to appreciate the difference. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of nice Asian and American cars, but they just don’t drive or look like German cars do.
While on the subject, what is your take on the recent Toyota recall woes?
Personally, I think it was bound to happen because they just flooded the car market in the past decade. Such a high production usually ends up with a few flaws. I think it’s a good time for American cars to get some ground back in their [home] market.
Are there any inside tips you can spare for the future car buyers?
Use the internet before you go shopping. Everything is available from MSRPs, leases, reviews, current promotions. You can even find the invoice on the cars.
Online or dealership, which is the best way to shop in your opinion?
You can get a lot of info online which will inform you, but you still have to drive the car and inspect it visually. Online pictures don’t show everything about the car and thats why you actually should go to the dealership and look at the car.
Are there any particularly good perks that come with working at a reputable car dealership?
The biggest perk is you get to drive some very nice cars. The second perk is you make a nice paycheck that at least looks big to a college student. The third is you get to meet some celebrities once in a while who are there just kicking tires. Finally, there is no manager to constantly bust your chops, but only if you screw up of course.
Finally, is being a car salesman a positive experience overall? Or does it succumb to the dogma of every job having its ups and downs?
Overall it was a positive experience. I didn’t like the long hours since I also attended school full time. For those who are car fanatics, they will enjoy it. Those who need to make money will probably not. Your work shows off on your paycheck and the best part is that no one tells you what to do as long as you do the monthly quota of 8 to 10 cars.
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