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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: surrey bc
You can work at a dealership or have a life and make a living . Really can't do both .
Really ? I work at a dealer and have held my position for over 7 years and am now senior parts . I have sunday and Monday off and I make a great income ( very north of $14 per hour). I retail information and understand the bikes and am always working on my people and selling skills
Really ? I work at a dealer and have held my position for over 7 years and am now senior parts . I have sunday and Monday off and I make a great income ( very north of $14 per hour). I retail information and understand the bikes and am always working on my people and selling skills
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
You can work at a dealership or have a life and make a living . Really can't do both .
Really ? I work at a dealer and have held my position for over 7 years and am now senior parts . I have sunday and Monday off and I make a great income ( very north of $14 per hour). I retail information and understand the bikes and am always working on my people and selling skills
Really ? I work at a dealer and have held my position for over 7 years and am now senior parts . I have sunday and Monday off and I make a great income ( very north of $14 per hour). I retail information and understand the bikes and am always working on my people and selling skills
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 290
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From: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
I also work in the auto industry for an OEM with a background in retail (dealership) automotive. I can't imagine there are huge differences, so...
If you're in it for the money, go retail. Stay out of the sales end of things and you'll probably be ok.
If you actually like marketing, run as far away from automotive or cycle as you possibly can. At least at the dealer level or anything having to do with the dealer level. This industry will ruin the best of marketers because it is so screwed up.
OEM isn't where the money is. You have to absolutely love what you're doing, but also understand that it isn't exactly what you think it is. Sort of hard to explain.
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have if you're wanting to ask them. I can be a bit more specific in other avenues of communication.
Whatever you decide, the internship sounds like a good idea. As Blue mentioned, if you can find an internship with an OEM you should absolutely do that. You'll find out pretty quick if it's a world you actually want to be in. Talk to EVERYONE. Make friends. Get your name out there. In a lot of ways this boils down to who you know, not what you know.
Blue also mentioned your love of scoots isn't as important as you'd think, and he is right. I happen to work for a brand that employs 99% enthusiasts, but they aren't all that way. Heck, one of our VPs can't seem to stay out of a race car.
Anyhow, best of luck to you. Whatever you decide.
If you're in it for the money, go retail. Stay out of the sales end of things and you'll probably be ok.
If you actually like marketing, run as far away from automotive or cycle as you possibly can. At least at the dealer level or anything having to do with the dealer level. This industry will ruin the best of marketers because it is so screwed up.
OEM isn't where the money is. You have to absolutely love what you're doing, but also understand that it isn't exactly what you think it is. Sort of hard to explain.
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have if you're wanting to ask them. I can be a bit more specific in other avenues of communication.
Whatever you decide, the internship sounds like a good idea. As Blue mentioned, if you can find an internship with an OEM you should absolutely do that. You'll find out pretty quick if it's a world you actually want to be in. Talk to EVERYONE. Make friends. Get your name out there. In a lot of ways this boils down to who you know, not what you know.
Blue also mentioned your love of scoots isn't as important as you'd think, and he is right. I happen to work for a brand that employs 99% enthusiasts, but they aren't all that way. Heck, one of our VPs can't seem to stay out of a race car.
Anyhow, best of luck to you. Whatever you decide.
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