Finding the Right Salesperson

You have identified the dealership that you intend to buy from. The next step is to find a salesperson. This is very much a personal choice; what you respond to in a salesperson might not be what is important to someone else.

What types of personalities do you work best with? Do you want someone who is outgoing and friendly – who talks a lot, but tells you everything you need to know, plus things you don’t care to know, like the time he took Aunt Edna with his family on an RV trip or how his friend Arney got ripped off when he bought a lemon? Or do you prefer someone who is less assuming and lets you take the lead, but has the answers when you need them?

Even something as basic as the gender of the salesperson can be important. Do you like to work with a man, or do you prefer to deal with a woman? Maybe you feel more confident, for whatever the reason, if you deal with a woman, or perhaps you feel (as unwarranted as it might be) that you can get a better deal from a woman. If you are a guy, maybe trading fishing and camping stories enhances this experience for you, or maybe you want to understand an RV and what you might be looking for from a woman’s point of view. This choice is strictly personal preference, and it is entirely up to you who you deal with.

When selecting a salesperson it’s important to pay attention and to trust your instincts. If they are not helpful, don’t seem to know the product, or are too pushy, ask to be assigned a different salesperson. Don’t be intimidated by the salesperson. He or she works for you.

RV salespeople should be knowledgeable about the products they sell. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the products they offer. How is it constructed? Why should you buy one brand rather than another? What are some of the unique features and benefits of the product? This is a major investment, and you need to know that you are buying the right RV, not only from the right dealership, but also from the right salesperson.

Dealerships lose sales every day because of personality conflicts. After all, each customer is different. The dealer would much sooner have you work with someone who makes you comfortable than lose you as a customer. Don’t pass up what could be the perfect unit for you just because you don’t like the salesperson. You are the customer; as such, you are the reason the dealership is in business.

Of course, if you prefer to look by yourself, ask the salesperson for a business card and keep notes so you can ask any questions you have later. This scenario should be acceptable to the salesperson. If not, she is not acceptable for you.

Once you select a salesperson, explain at what stage you are in the buying process, what homework you have done, and where you think you are in the decision-making process. The salesperson should listen.

However, keep in mind that the salesperson is there to help you make the right choice, but not to make the choice for you. Each buyer is unique and has different needs. If a salesperson starts pointing you to the “deal of the day,” stop him and say you will look at it, but first you want to look at what you came in to see.

One Simple Question That Will Reveal Volumes About the Qualifications of the Salesperson

You can learn a lot about a salesperson by casually asking what he used to do before he joined the dealer’s sales force. Your salesperson could be a highly experienced salesperson who is fully qualified to help you with your purchase, or he could be a weekend salesperson who is moonlighting to pay the rent (or support an addiction) with little experience (or ethics).

If you learn that the salesperson is inexperienced or has a background that does not seem to match with what she is doing now, you might want to seek out a different salesperson with better qualifications. Chances are that person won’t be working at the dealership the next time you visit, so if you have a problem and need a contact at the dealership, she won’t be around.

Jeff Radich is a professional research writer and active RV enthusiast.