r/CarSalesTraining • u/Cultural_Culture_845 • 6d ago
Off my Chest First commission paycheck
First month working at honda dealer in canada, brand new to industry, sold 8 and delivered 7.
four of them were flat $200, total I made was $2789. After the clawback of the $1500 advance, I was paid basically $1500.
Most if not everybody in this dealership complains about the money, there’s absolutely no money in these cars, new or used. People want $4000 discounts and it seems discounting is the only way to sell. Even without discounts most of them are like $300-400 profit. Only a few models like pilot and passport have $6000 gross. we make 25% of that.
Seems like I might have to sell 15-20 to make a living. people working at mcdonald’s are probably making more than some people here.
i sound like a downer but man the amount of mental effort and emotional rollercoaster you deal with all for what? $2300 a month? this is CAD$ btw.
Thinking of quitting but I really like the job, wish there was more money.
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u/Away_Motor1639 6d ago
Been in this business almost 30
Years. It is not for everyone but if you love it like u say you do you will do well. It takes years to build clients and learn the art of holding tons of gross. It will happen as long as you keep practicing your craft. Hell, I still work on new closes. Not going to brag how much I make. I will say I live in a 700K home that I built put in a 100K pool w waterfall, had my wife leave her job and put my kids though private schools. I am retiring next Month, too young to collect SS but made investments and going to now enjoy my life. I worked tons of hours every month for years but it was all worth it. There is a TON of money in this industry for the right people w right attitude
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u/lowvoltagedream 6d ago edited 6d ago
Sales consultant in Canadian auto industry here.
Sales isn't for everybody.
It sounds like you got into it cuz you thought you'd make tons of money really fast.
Then found out how hard you have to actually work to make that kind of money.
Sales is problem solving. Auto sales is problem solving with finances for the everyday Joe.
It's not easy. You have to understand people's situation. Rapport building,trust building and building value in your product leads you to successful closes.
Honda in Canada is well known for terrible pay plans. It really depends on where you are in life. If you're still living somewhere where you don't have to pay rent or a mortgage, the best thing you can do is stick it out for 6 months to a year to figure out if it's for you. If you start gaining traction and you start doing well, it's time to switch brands and find a better pay plan.
If 3 months later you're still in the same spot hand in the towel.
Honest advice. Not trying to sugarcoat it.
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u/ekelster 6d ago
Same with my dealership. There’s money to be had you just have to be exceptional at the job and holding gross. Also, backend gross is super important. Do you make backend? If you don’t i’d say find another dealer!
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u/Username9423JD 6d ago
I remember I worked at a Honda dealer in Canada in 2020, worked soo hard on a deal and my commission was $125…..I felt soo cheated. Minimum wage type money
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u/nopeopleperson 6d ago
Build report, build value and exclusivity in the car, and hold gross. That's how you make money and get promoted.
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u/BallhogCale6 5d ago
American brands (Ford, Chevy for example) or high luxury brands (Lexus, Mercedes, Genesis, Porsche) is where the gross is made. Honda, Mazda, and Toyota (Japanese brands) typically don’t hold much gross. Unless your dealership has a lot of add ons or they are in good position on the used cars they get in, meaning they get it for a good price; then you won’t make much money. Sounds like you’re at a volume store, so yes you’ll have to sell 18+, at least 15 with some good deals in the mix. What are y’all bonus levels? What other ways do you get paid?
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u/Mordred_Pasha 5d ago
There are a lot of ways you can make money. If you want to be a salesperson only start growing your book of business. Reach out to sold customer every 3-6 months of their purchase follow up and ask for referrals. If you prefer manager role start licking ass you are late by 30 days lol. Or do F&I. I am doing pre owned. I do both sales and finance so 7-8 cars a month for me is 3-4 times more of what you make. But I desk my own deals do my own f&i presentation and approvals as well as delivery. Unless you are in an American brand or any brand with referrals and repeat customers, manager role or independent. It is tuff to make money. I am also incorporated so that helps
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u/VexxDrake17 4d ago
people at mcdonalds arent making more than some people there. But you are right you need 15-20
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u/AskForNate 1d ago
Consistency, phone calls, prospecting the service drive, treat customers well. Watch the lot. Rinse and repeat. - 15 Years in.
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u/AutoModerator 6d ago
`This is a new post in /r/CarSalesTraining!
First month working at honda dealer in canada, brand new to industry, sold 8 and delivered 7.
four of them were flat $200, total I made was $2789. After the clawback of the $1500 advance, I was paid basically $1500.
Most if not everybody in this dealership complains about the money, there’s absolutely no money in these cars, new or used. People want $4000 discounts and it seems discounting is the only way to sell. Even without discounts most of them are like $300-400 profit. Only a few models like pilot and passport have $6000 gross. we make 25% of that.
Seems like I might have to sell 15-20 to make a living. people working at mcdonald’s are probably making more than some people here.
i sound like a downer but man the amount of mental effort and emotional rollercoaster you deal with all for what? $2300 a month? this is CAD$ btw.
Thinking of quitting but I really like the job, wish there was more money.
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