TO THE EDITOR:
James B. Treece’s “No experienced personnel need apply at this dealership” (April 2) confirms my view that in automotive retailing, salespeople are considered readily available and easily disposable.
In the 17 years I spent as a car salesman, I know of one salesperson who retired. Most quit or were fired.
On any professional sports team, if the team is failing, the coach gets fired. In the car business, the players get fired.
Clearly, automotive retailing is run mainly by private owners who can operate their businesses as they see fit and hire whomever they wish.
Here are two instances of owners and managers who cared little about who was hired or fired as long as the sales were made and the customer service scores were high enough to get the CSI dollars.
At one dealership, staff cuts were made in early December, and one of the managers announced that the company was doing the fired workers a favor so that they would not spend too much on Christmas presents. I couldn’t make up a statement like that!
At another store, business had increased, and the owner had a new dealership built. After completion, the owner held a companywide meeting and announced that all staff members would take a pay cut to help pay for the new building. Those who did not like it could leave.
I could go on, but such stories are more common than you might think.
STEPHEN NECZYPOR, Hilton Head Island, S.C.