Wage watchers: how much does a car salesperson earn?

What do you for a living?

I work in Leuven at Hergon Group, a Ford and Land Rover dealer. I advise clients who want to buy a Ford. I’m also responsible for price negotiation, closing the sale and delivering the vehicle.

Because of the crisis, people are definitely more careful about buying new cars. Sometimes they put off the purchase for a year. Our Ford buyers are a pretty rational group. With a brand like Land Rover, however, the customers are rather emotional. They come to the garage with the intention of buying a Land Rover because they really want one.

Is it busier during the car show?

For us, the car show is the busiest time of year. While the show only runs for 10 days, the show’s offers are valid for a month. There, Ford focuses mainly on companies, but naturally we also help individual buyers. After receiving information at the show, interested buyers are contacted by their local car dealer. At show itself we don’t really sell anything.

Do you enjoy your job?

Definitely! Since I was young, I’ve had a passion for the car industry and motorsports. Plus I work in a very nice team.

What do you think of your salary?

I find it average. For the number of hours and days that we work, it is definitely not exorbitantly high. But considering the economic situation, we couldn’t ask for much more. We have recently managed to make it so that we’re salaried and not working on commission. The crisis affected our wages too much. That is actually a trend in the industry right now.

How many hours do you work each week?

Normally I work around 44 hours a week. I work five days and am free on Sunday and Monday. During January, I work seven days a week because of the car show, and that’s around 59 hours per week.

What is your biggest expense?

My rent. But right now we’re looking for a place to buy.

Have you been watching your money more since the crisis?

No. I have decent job security. I work in a big garage and two showroom salespeople are really necessary. And while the turnover in the sector is fairly high, my colleague and I have worked here a long time.

What do you like spending money on?

On shoes and interior decorations like mirrors and cabinets.

What is your big dream?

I dream of a peaceful life in Italy or the south of France with my wife and our future children. We have to work till an ever-later age to keep everything going. But by the time I'm 50, I’d like to be setting my own agenda in a beautiful place.