What would u do in this situation...

[Fowlersrs]

Ok guys, been chatting to a few of the guys on the Live chat to get a few opinions but really could do with a few more so I thought id post here.

Ive just recently applied for a Motorcycle sales position at one of the South wests biggest dealers, they are a big player in the field and well known to a lot of bikers. I had an interview and a phone call to say I hadnt got the job because someone fitting the bill perfectly (an ex Whites employee) had met all the criteria, they did however say they where so impressed theyd like to keep my file on record in case something came up. Well it has...

I recieved a phone call today offering me a position within the company, very similar role but in there clothing department, basically selling all the top motorcycle gear...

Now the difficult part, for a long time ive fancied a change in my career path, at present im a heating / gas engineer for a big firm and whilst the moneys good, the job just isnt all that interesting anymore, so my love for my bikes got me interested in working in the trade if a position became available..

Im a little in limbo now as I really do fancy the oppurtunity to do something different and it was mentioned id be considered for a future roll of motorcycle sales once within the company anyway...

However the nitty gritty, a single guy on his own needs to make a living, im 26, got a roof over my head, got a mortgage and bills to pay like the rest of us.. so the pay cut and sacrifices are proving difficult in helping me to decide what to do, its a constant battle of quality of life vs enjoying my job..

lets look at it in simple terms I guess..

1. I dont enjoy my current trade, the trade isnt what it use to be, I currently work a 45 hour week to get paid 1£600 a month take home..

2. the advertised position is something I think id enjoy, it represents a new career path and im sure opportunities will open up for further work, however because its a OTE job the basic salary take home would be around £1000-£1100, ive been told OTE should see me take home 1250-1350 a month...

its really difficult in deciding what to do, there are other things I need to way up, at present I get a company vehicle and id have to commute with the new job..

anyone here whos ever had to do anything like this, ur advice would be great, id also like to hear from anyone doing similar, whats the job really like, are these realistic OTE's??

[DrDonnyBrago]

Have you ever worked in a sales position? It takes a certain type of person, I absolutely detest it.


Going from a skilled trade to an unskilled bottom rung sales position sounds a bit daft, especially if it involves a pay cut but to each their own of course.

[Fowlersrs]

[Knot600RR]

Working in a biking environment will be fun and interesting for a while, then within a year or so, it will become just as dull as anything else you've done/doing.

If you love bikes, then it could be a fast track way to hate them!

Depends on the folk you'll be working with.

Flip side -

You could love it, exceed OTE and do something you really enjoy. My local big bike store is always a pleasure to visit, the staff have all been there for years and THEY seem to enjoy it, so it could work out.

Money isn't everything, maybe you could still do the odd bit of fitting work as an extra to a.) keep your 'hand in' and b.) make a bit of extra cash if required.

Enjoying your life is more important IMO - does it look like a fun place to work?

Tough call....

[Fowlersrs]

[Knot600RR]

The other thing to consider is what will the future hold?

Will the OTE's increase significantly at the bike shop, or would a move to being a self employed fitter or similar offer a better way of life?

One thing I've noticed at my local bike store is that none of the bike sales guys ride bikes on a regular basis. Clothes bit, all of them ride bikes and workshop only one.

However, with a decision of this magnitude, I really think you need to bounce this of friends/family that it may impact. Is there anyway you could ask to go and 'give it a go for a day'? Might save a good/bad call?

If you didn't already have a job, this would be a 'no-brainer'.

[Imonster]

[kerr]

[rac3r]

I worked in the clothing/accessories department at a dealer for a while and I agree with the others. Starts off good and fun but after a while it's soooo boring, especially in winter when it's pretty much dead!!

However discounts and super cheap servicing are awesome
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[Fowlersrs]

[Elffie01]

Sounds like you are not in the wrong job, just at the wrong company.

Sales is dull as hell after the newness has warn off, skilled person into sales. Might as well ditch the job and go find a paper round...

Stay in your trade and find a decent employer ! But your decision, good luck

[Shaft]

I'm going to be a bit more positive and say I made a very good living out of retail vehicle sales (cars though, not bikes) and it's not as difficult as people make it seem; if you have the basics of being personable and sincere, you can pick up the tricks along the way.

Bike/kit sales does seem to be a long term career for a lot of people.

I went into a localish bike shop recently and the bloke serving me used to sell me gear, at another place, 30 years ago; we got into talking about the old days, as you do, and it turned out that almost everyone who worked at the original shop are still in the business.

I would say that bike sales are the poor relation to cars, in terms of earning potential, but if you can earn enough to pay the bills and buy a few beers, that's all you need.

Things can be very slow at times, but that could apply to any shop, or indeed any business, not many people spend their entire working career flat out, all the time.

I also don't hold with this thing about, "you've got a trade, don't give it up". You'll always have that trade to fall back on and it could be that it really isn't the job for you, you won't know for sure unless you do something else.

This did catch my eye though........

[kneedown]

I worked in a big dealership in the parts department, yeah it was fun at first but prospects for advancement in a dealership are few and far between, the potential to earn is always seasonal and the novelty wears of very quickly, if you didn't have a job and were looking for a job I would say yeah go for it, however if I had your job and was offered that role I would not take it, having worked in sales I can say it is certainly not a job I would return to and certainly would not take a pay cut to do it, to be honest you will find that the fact you are all bikers means nothing, I found that in the end I was just getting sick of customers just for being customers, sales usually equals low pay and shit hours and no respect in your job role, just my opinion

[Carl_steveo]

I work in sales on minimum wage and it's pointless. Utterly replaceable and not worth the hassle you get for targets. There's no benefit when your selling well and when your low on targets you regret getting up in the morning. As others have said I would stick with the trade but maybe change employer!!!!
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Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[Dean-J]

Just as an aside, your working 45 hours a week for £1600 then you need to change companies chap.
My best mate is a Gas fitter/heating engineer and takes that a fortnight doing 40 hour weeks.
Plus his on call shifts are really well paid, and any overtime he does is also.

A sales job in a shop will bore you to tears within a month, your job whilst repetitive at least has some variation, and also pays better even where you are now.....

I wouldnt do it, but thats just me....