Sales
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 127
From: Republic of Texas
Sales
Just curious how HD dealers pay their sales staff? Is it salary, commission, both? If commission, what percent? I saw an ad for a local dealer looking for sales person. It listed the position as $75,000 annually.
if working 20-24 days a month turns them $260 - $312 a day on average, I guess it's possible if they work on salary base + commission if they turn enough bikes. If a guy makes $200 a unit and sells one every other day and two on Saturday, he's hitting $48k on commision and would have to make up the rest on base salary which is doubtful if he's gonna hit $75k per annum.
just a guess but $75k, it would have to be in a large metro area and moving a lot of bikes.
just a guess but $75k, it would have to be in a large metro area and moving a lot of bikes.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 353
From: Tyler Tx
I would think the top guys at like Texas Harley in Bedford where your avatar pic is from probably make that. But the majority of dealerships and the majority of salesman probably make more in the 40k range. Just a guess but car dealerships advertise the same way when hiring. I’m sure autonation in Arlington has some six figure guys but the majority probably make 40-50k a year.
Comes down to job satisfaction to me. If you’re doing something you love and can survive on 40-50 a year, go for it because it will probably be rewarding to work around something that you love doing.
For me, every time I’ve made a career out of something I’ve loved, it’s burned me out and I’ve hated it. I spent many years building hot rods and by 2009 I was done. I was so sick of whiny customers, broke customers who want champagne fast on a beer budget, and people who think my time is worth 20 bucks an hour when I spent many many years learning what I know and damn sure ain’t giving it away. I quit the industry completely and don’t even go to the track anymore. I’ll stick with oil and gas processing and keep my hobbies separate from my income so I don’t ruin anything else hahaha.
Comes down to job satisfaction to me. If you’re doing something you love and can survive on 40-50 a year, go for it because it will probably be rewarding to work around something that you love doing.
For me, every time I’ve made a career out of something I’ve loved, it’s burned me out and I’ve hated it. I spent many years building hot rods and by 2009 I was done. I was so sick of whiny customers, broke customers who want champagne fast on a beer budget, and people who think my time is worth 20 bucks an hour when I spent many many years learning what I know and damn sure ain’t giving it away. I quit the industry completely and don’t even go to the track anymore. I’ll stick with oil and gas processing and keep my hobbies separate from my income so I don’t ruin anything else hahaha.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 187
From: Florida
I'm guessing it varies from dealership to dealership, as there are several ways to pay salespeople who sell vehicles.
Salary, or a draw, plus a commission based on a % of the profit is the most popular.
Usually, dealers add a certain amount of money (a pack) to the invoice & pay a % of the profit over that number.
The commission rate depends on the pack. The higher the pack, the higher the commission rate. Less pack, less commission rate.
The variables are endless: Different amount of packs & commission rates, volume bonuses, spiffs for selling certain units, in-house or factory contests......
My experience has been the earnings quoted in any help wanted ad is the amount the top earners are making.
Salary, or a draw, plus a commission based on a % of the profit is the most popular.
Usually, dealers add a certain amount of money (a pack) to the invoice & pay a % of the profit over that number.
The commission rate depends on the pack. The higher the pack, the higher the commission rate. Less pack, less commission rate.
The variables are endless: Different amount of packs & commission rates, volume bonuses, spiffs for selling certain units, in-house or factory contests......
My experience has been the earnings quoted in any help wanted ad is the amount the top earners are making.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Never been a Salesman but knew a Car Salesman that had done it all his life both Used and New, made money hand over fist .. He told me to keep it simple without being pushy and get a feel for the customer and with experience you will get the know whether you have a buyer or tire kicker regardless how they may appear .. One sign he said is after one looks over something pretty well and gives that look of where is everyone, get there quick as this one is buying and don't take care of him soon there is another Dealer down the road .. Also mentioned the biggest mistake is wasting time with Obvious lookers when there could be potential buyers on the Lot at the same time..
Last edited by JayStronghawk; Oct 28, 2018 at 04:02 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 858
Likes: 286
From: nw Ark
Owner of the dealership decides.
Sales as a career is interesting. A good salesman will always make more money than his boss.
A good professional athlete will always make more money than his coach.
Not many careers have this feature.
Sales as a career is interesting. A good salesman will always make more money than his boss.
A good professional athlete will always make more money than his coach.
Not many careers have this feature.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 414
From: Ellensburg, WA
I would guess you are going to get a more accurate answer asking the dealer that posted the help wanted ad.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
YEP. HD Dealerships are not the same as HD corporate. They are independently owned businesses. Each one sets their own compensation, benefites, etc.....
You'd have to ask that particular dealer how they arrived at the 75K amount.
I'd guess it's some sort of base salary X commission type of deal.
You'd have to ask that particular dealer how they arrived at the 75K amount.
I'd guess it's some sort of base salary X commission type of deal.
