What makes a good used machinery salesman ?

[MB Trac]

Like the above says, what makes a good used machinery salesman ? Just want to hear everyones thoughts on the subject, because I'm contemplating doing it full time.Not so much buying and selling, but connecting sellers and buyers.

 

[icanshootwell]

Here we go, this will be entertaining

 

[Smurfancoke]

.22 to the back o the left ear usually works...

 

[balerman]

First up,you need to be personable,knowing about machinery comes well down the list,a touch of arrogance also helps specially if you are selling green kit with yellow wheels!

 

[Pilgrimmick]

Honesty!

 

[John100]

Being a two-faced lying wan##r

 

[Zippy768]

People have to like you and be personable . I would make a horrible salesperson

 

[davieh3350]

I'm thinking I'd like to do something along those lines, I like people, I get sick of being on my own, on the farm isn't too bad but stuck in the workshop welding isn't great.

 

[Pilgrimmick]

I'm thinking I'd like to do something along those lines, I like people, I get sick of being on my own, on the farm isn't too bad but stuck in the workshop welding isn't great.

Why not try and meet some women?

 

[davieh3350]

Why not try and meet some women?

Pppffffttt don't think I'm that good a salesman...

I do not too bad selling beef, I find intimidation works quite well

 

[MB Trac]

I'm thinking I'd like to do something along those lines, I like people, I get sick of being on my own, on the farm isn't too bad but stuck in the workshop welding isn't great.

I'm getting fed up from fixing the same old shite everyday and having nothing to show for all the effort. I have to draw the line somewhere.This is the only part of the business that still shows some promise.

 

[nick...]

Telling the truth and not what you think the customer wants to hear
Nick...

 

[davieh3350]

I'm getting fed up from fixing the same old shite everyday and having nothing to show for all the effort. I have to draw the line somewhere.This is the only part of the business that still shows some promise.

Are you buying stuff, doing it up and then selling on again?

 

[tweedale terrier]

I find salesmen that have come up from the workshop are usually more honest and trustworthy

 

[MB Trac]

Are you buying stuff, doing it up and then selling on again?

Been there, done that. Made a little money, problem is I spent to much fixing it up to my standards and it ends up costing too much. Don't want to sell crap to people. What I'm doing now is looking for buyers for machinery on behalf of the owner, working on a commission of the selling price if I get it sold.

 

[texelburger]

First of all ring back if someone has made an enquiry, be personable, engaging, show interest in the Farmers type of farming and be honest.Believe it or not i know some salesmen who are like this but,unfortunately, some who are quite the opposite.
Rang about a machine for sale,this morning,at a large Eastern Counties dealer and left a voice message with the salesman.Have i had a return call,not yet.Will i get one,unlikely. Has the machine already been sold,probably but why the feck don't they ring back and say so.Its just good manners and ,you never know,it might lead to something in the future.

 

[Cowabunga]

Like the above says, what makes a good used machinery salesman ? Just want to hear everyones thoughts on the subject, because I'm contemplating doing it full time.Not so much buying and selling, but connecting sellers and buyers.

The ability to wield a baseball bat with no conscience [not really]. Failing that, the patience of a saint, the persistence and tenacity of a Yorkshire Terrier, the ability to think on your feet. Honesty [yes really, although some get away with lying and cheating their way through whole careers]. A personable pleasant character. To be good with maths. To be organised with excellent record keeping. To be pragmatic and realistic about what can and cannot be done with the product and to not promise a delivery date unless the product is already in stock. Did I say to be good with maths? To be self motivating and helpful to the customer. To be able to take abuse and downright lies from the occasional customer before resorting to the use of baseball bat or jumping off a bridge. The ability to walk away from a deal that is not beneficial to the dealership. To turn a small percentage of potential customers towards a rival dealer where they will weaken the rival while strengthening your own, allowing you to sleep at night.

Probably a lot more

Edit.
Contacts in the trade and the ability to sensibly value and assess any trade-ins and shift them on.
The ability to make sure that you make a sensible income for yourself while making money by shifting metal for your employer.
The confidence not to be taken advantage of by either customer or employer.

 

[bravheart]

Telling the truth and not what you think the customer wants to hear
Nick...

Know someone who's built up his business doing exactly the opposite!

 

[Cowabunga]

Know someone who's built up his business doing exactly the opposite!

Some dealers oop north have a designated family member who does the jail time for the family. They seem to do OK and there's a mug born every minute that will buy from them.

 

[Muck Spreader]

Some dealers oop north have a designated family member who does the jail time for the family. They seem to do OK and there's a mug born every minute that will buy from them.

I wonder what he sells whilst inside.