Looking for some advice. I have a possible job offer as a Sales Manager/Finance Manager at an HD dealership. Motorcycles and riding are a passion of mine, but I'm not sure I want to work in the industry. Does anyone here work or have worked at a dealership? What was your experience like? Pros? Cons?

Thanks,
Chris

 

I'm interested to read some comments on this. Around my area (KC Metro) there seems to be a lot of turn over both in the Service Department and the sales floor.

 

There are several perks to working at a dealership as there is at any other job. A lot of your satisfaction or dissatisfaction will depend on the upper management/owner of any particular dealer. I would do some research into their practices possibly by "interviewing" their current staff and how they are viewed and percieved by the community.

 

High turnover and young staff seem to be the norm at HD dealerships. There's got to be a reason. Curious to hear from some first hand experience.

 

Not my personal experience, but my good friend's cousin has been a finance manager at a large dealership in Kansas City for over 15 years, and loves it. He enjoys the laid-back atmosphere, fun company events and the clientele. He makes big $$$, too.

 

You may want to read the reviews at Glassdoor.com from previous and current employees. Other websites will also have reviews from the dealership as well. It may give you insight into what happened to the last finance manager that was there and a feel for how ownership deals with issues.

If you qualify for a finance manager position at a Harley dealer you probably have worked at an automobile dealership. I have dealt with unscrupulous finance managers at auto and motorcycle dealerships who (try to) work the numbers to gain a bigger profit for themselves and for the dealership. They also tend to add other add-ons to the sale to bring in a bigger profit. I hope that you don't practice or do any of those tactics as they only serve to taint the business image and chase away prospective buyers.

 

Something else to remember is you’ll probably be working on the weekends instead of off riding somewhere.

 

Is why I could never do it.

 

I’ve never done it, but I’d suppose it to be a job. I mean, there’s a reason they have to pay you to do it.

 

Gotta find out from the people there, and other sister dealers too, since the corporate folks will matter, look for loose lips.

Can't count on those still mesmerized, or, who will lie cheat and steal for $, since that may suck for you.

Sorce