I've looked over many reviews of CarSense, and I'm hoping job seekers are intelligent enough to know that any business, especially a car dealership, couldn't possibly be as perfect as many of these reviews make it out to be. I'll start with some of the remarks on training : training consists of sitting at your desk your first day watching multiple pre recorded videos. I was originally told I would have a mentor, and that never occurred. I recently had my three month review and the member of management that gave it to me even remarked I didn't have one. You spend two full 8 hour work days with an outside trainer teaching you about the Allstate aftermarket products you sell. And then you have a one day training with one of the VP'S who is also titled as HR/cultural development. To hear people brag about his training, you would think you were about to listen to some prophet, when it ended up being nothing but common sense and a review of all the recorded videos you watch.
CarSense prides itself in being non traditional in regards to car dealerships. Although I've never worked at a traditional dealership, I've interviewed with plenty and have worked with those who have. One thing that was initially attractive to me was the schedule. It sounds great, but make no mistake about it, traditional or non traditional dealership, the car industry is the car industry. Being scheduled certain hours are one thing, what you end up working is totally another.
CarSense uses an "up" system, meaning you sign a list every day depending on when you get to work. The first person "up" gets to greet the first walk in customer, the second person mans the phones. Sounds fair, right? In a perfect world, sure, but it's not supervised and the rules change depending on who is there each day. It actually ends up being more of a hindrance than anything. I was scolded by a long time employee once because I answered the phone and it wasn't my turn to answer it, at least in his eyes. The non sense and immaturity that it breeds isn't worth it. I'm all for a traditional dealership on this sense, where one central person answers the phone and it's every man or woman for themselves.
You are expected to cover CarSense philosophy with every customer you encounter. Doesn't matter if you already spoke with them over the phone and bored them to death with it, and if you don't, be prepared to be scolded.
Many people who have questioned me about CarSense, including customers, want to know about "non commission sales people". Many people associate being non commission with it not being important to sell a car. Not the situation at all: you are not paid on the traditional commission structure, but you are paid on a volume bonus, and this is how you make the bulk of your income. You may be told during an interview that you can make $60000 or more a year. To do so, you need to focus on selling at least 20 cars or more a month. Which means handling 2 to 3 customers at a time, and can mean throwing that wonderful sounding schedule out the door.
Prepare to deal with fellow employees who claim the customer you greeted is actually theirs, even though they didn't ask for them, and haven't spoke to them in months. I'm sure this is something you encounter in all car sales, but beware if it's your first time.
There truly is no negotiating in the price of the car. When it comes to the price of the customers trade in, or what percentage rate the customer is looking for for financing, you are told the same thing, but you are also asked if a customer has a number in mind when talking about a trade, and financing begs and pleads with you to get the customer to finance through CarSense if they indicate they have their own financing or if they are paying cash. If the customer still decides to pay cash or deal with their own financing, don't be surprised if you witness a temper tantrum from the finance manager. There is also supposed to be no negotiating when it comes to finance or trade ins, but if a deal doesn't work out, you're asked if the customer had specific numbers in mind, which always left me wondering what it mattered if CarSense final numbers are what they are.
It's beneficial for you to master selling the Allstate aftermarket coverages. It will benefit you financially and may eliminate you seeing the finance manager throw another tantrum.
Keep in mind, you will be working in a large, open air building, where everything you say can be heard. If you don't sell a car to an opportunity, be prepared to be interrogated as to why.
CarSense prides itself on being a faith based company, even going so far as to put bibles in every car they sell. The behavior I experienced from management on down was, at times, far from God like. I'm not one of those new age sickening politically correct types, but it is the 21st century, and some behaviors in the work place should be gone for good.
I gave car sales a try, I had three offers made to me all at the same time and felt CarSense was the best choice. I'm thrilled to be out of the industry and just as happy to be away from CarSense
