The Truth About Car Sales

My husband was a History teacher for 6 years before leaving education and going into car sales. He made the switch when our daughter was a year old when it became clear a teaching salary was just not going to cut it. Since we both decided it would be in the best interest of our daughter and subsequent children if I stayed home, we lost an income. It was a major sacrifice. The thing about education is that there is no money, especially not enough for a sole provider to support a family on. The nice part though was he was home by 4 or 4:30 most days.

He is currently in sales and it has been a sacrifice. The hours are unpredictable and long, the demands placed on him are ever increasing, and there seems to be very little time remaining for him to spend at home. The flip side of that is that he has been very successful and aside from the long hours, really enjoys it. I think that surprised him initially.

Admittedly, I had a really rough time the first year because I was alone a lot, had a one-year-old and was pregnant with our son. I felt like a single mom and still do a lot of times. I have gotten used to the fact that he sometimes works 16 hour days or that sometimes he won’t get home until close to midnight as he is finishing up a sale, even though the dealership is supposed to close at 8 (they’ll stay open as long as someone’s buying). It is a decision we as a family made and we all have made sacrifices to make this work. I run errands alone with the kids, shop with the kids, and attend family and other functions without a husband present. It’s hard to make plans because while my husband may be scheduled to only work until 4 PM on a certain day at the last minute something always comes up and he ends up getting out hours later. So, nothing is every really set in stone. For me that is the hardest part. I am very Type A and I plan out everything. This job has made that virtually impossible to do. The good news though is that our financial situation has changed for the better as a result of this job. Just having that constant stress eliminated makes a huge difference.

People have this pre-conceived, stereotypical view of car sales men as greasy, slime balls who are just out to screw you. While they certainly exist most are hardworking, honest people who are just trying to support their families. Most are trying to get you the best deal possible while still making enough money to feed and clothe their families. No one, unless you are in car sales or your spouse is (yes, there are female car saleswomen too), truly understands the type of commitment and sacrifice involved.

Many jobs require long hours and personal sacrifices, but a vast majority of those jobs also have built in respect and a contracted salary. I think if people knew how long and hard these sales people worked, often times for free, they would not be so quick to feel like treating them with a lack of respect is okay. My husband has worked 16-hour days and had sales fall apart. He goes home with no money. Nothing is more discouraging. There is no guarantee he will get paid. It is entirely up to him and what he sells. That’s a lot of pressure.

My husband has been there for 2 years now. He is well liked and well respected by both his colleagues and his customers and that says a lot. He has worked hard to earn the trust of his customers and it says a lot when they become repeat customers and then refer their family and friends. He has gotten a lot of business that way. This job is not for everyone. So I respect my husband that much more for working hard, making sacrifices and becoming consistently successful at something a lot fail at.

**Disclaimer: There may be a lot of frustrated, complaining posts this week as husband is working a huge sale for the next 6 days and will not be home.