Poll finds car salespeople least trusted profession. Well, duh!
By Steve Mertl for MSN Autos
To anyone who’s ever completed an automobile purchase and walked out of the dealership feeling slightly queasy — and that’s pretty much everyone, I’m guessing — the Gallup organization’s latest poll on how Americans rate professions in terms of honesty should come as no surprise.
Car salespeople ranked dead last in the Gallup survey out of 22 professions, just behind members of the U.S. Congress, as the least trusted.
Only eight per cent of the 1,015 adult respondents polled by phone in late November (error margin plus or minus four percentage points) rated car salespeople’s honesty and ethical standards as high or very high. Some 49 per cent placed their trust level at low or very low and 43 per cent said they had an average level of honesty
To anyone who’s ever completed an automobile purchase and walked out of the dealership feeling slightly queasy — and that’s pretty much everyone, I’m guessing — the Gallup organization’s latest poll on how Americans rate professions in terms of honesty should come as no surprise.
Car salespeople ranked dead last in the Gallup survey out of 22 professions, just behind members of the U.S. Congress, as the least trusted.
Only eight per cent of the 1,015 adult respondents polled by phone in late November (error margin plus or minus four percentage points) rated car salespeople’s honesty and ethical standards as high or very high. Some 49 per cent placed their trust level at low or very low and 43 per cent said they had an average level of honesty
By contrast, one in 10 respondents thought U.S. Congress members were very honest, compared with 54 per cent who didn’t. Nurses drew the highest level of trust at 85 per cent, followed by pharmacists, medical doctors and engineers.
Bankers ranked just above journalists in high trust levels — 28 per cent versus 24 per cent. The mid-pack ranking for the moneymen suggests Americans have either forgotten or forgiven the banking sector for crashing the global financial system in 2008.
In its news release on the poll, Gallup said car salespeople have finished at the bottom of the list every year except 2011, when they tied for last with members of Congress at seven per cent.
“Car salespeople's perceived honesty has never climbed out of the single-digit range in the (36-year) history of the list,” Gallup said. In case you’re thinking we Canadians are more trusting than our Yankee neighbours, an Ipsos Reid poll done for Postmedia News last March ranked car sales associate as last on a list of 30 professions parents would encourage their kids to pursue (doctor was No. 1).
And a Reader’s Digest Canada survey published last May put car salespeople at No. 2 on a list of least-trusted professions, just behind telemarketers and ahead of psychics! Most trusted? Firefighters.
Is it fair that after decades of trying to boost its image through efforts such as professional-development training and the introduction of no-commission sales, the car-sales still gets no respect?
Certainly there are salesmen and women who want to put their customers in vehicle that best suits their needs and budget, who don’t up-sell or push the necessity of added undercoating or paint protector.
But the sales person is at the pointy end of an entire sales culture that’s always put a premium on moving metal and maximizing the profit on each piece. As margins fall because of competition and new Internet research tool that give shoppers insight into what a dealer pays, the pressure mounts to squeeze the maximum return on each sale.
I’ve personally caught a salesman in a bald lie; he insisted the used Mazda Miata I was looking at had never been in a collision and shrugged when my inspector turned up a badly bent frame. In another case, a sales guy showing me a new model the dealer had just started selling insisted it was rear-wheel drive until I invited him to the pavement to look at where the diff was.
I bet almost everyone has a story like that or knows someone who does, which taken together bring us to our collective opinion — unfair as it is — of car salespeople as bottom-feeders.
Bankers ranked just above journalists in high trust levels — 28 per cent versus 24 per cent. The mid-pack ranking for the moneymen suggests Americans have either forgotten or forgiven the banking sector for crashing the global financial system in 2008.
In its news release on the poll, Gallup said car salespeople have finished at the bottom of the list every year except 2011, when they tied for last with members of Congress at seven per cent.
“Car salespeople's perceived honesty has never climbed out of the single-digit range in the (36-year) history of the list,” Gallup said. In case you’re thinking we Canadians are more trusting than our Yankee neighbours, an Ipsos Reid poll done for Postmedia News last March ranked car sales associate as last on a list of 30 professions parents would encourage their kids to pursue (doctor was No. 1).
And a Reader’s Digest Canada survey published last May put car salespeople at No. 2 on a list of least-trusted professions, just behind telemarketers and ahead of psychics! Most trusted? Firefighters.
Is it fair that after decades of trying to boost its image through efforts such as professional-development training and the introduction of no-commission sales, the car-sales still gets no respect?
Certainly there are salesmen and women who want to put their customers in vehicle that best suits their needs and budget, who don’t up-sell or push the necessity of added undercoating or paint protector.
But the sales person is at the pointy end of an entire sales culture that’s always put a premium on moving metal and maximizing the profit on each piece. As margins fall because of competition and new Internet research tool that give shoppers insight into what a dealer pays, the pressure mounts to squeeze the maximum return on each sale.
I’ve personally caught a salesman in a bald lie; he insisted the used Mazda Miata I was looking at had never been in a collision and shrugged when my inspector turned up a badly bent frame. In another case, a sales guy showing me a new model the dealer had just started selling insisted it was rear-wheel drive until I invited him to the pavement to look at where the diff was.
I bet almost everyone has a story like that or knows someone who does, which taken together bring us to our collective opinion — unfair as it is — of car salespeople as bottom-feeders.
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Posted by: James | 2012-12-13 11:11:45 AM
As a professional Car Sales Representative for a high end dealership in Ontario, I have to take an exam and carry a current sales licence to do my job. Too many complaints to the governing body, that is there for both the industry and the customer, removes my licence and will not allow me to work in my chosen profession. Unfortunately the customer does not need a licence to tell lies i.e. "I can get it cheaper over there, it has never been involved in an accident etc.etc.
Not all of us are charlitens and most of us are honest, hardworking people supporting families just the same as our customers.At least give is some credit where credit is due.
Posted by: Em | 2012-12-13 11:16:16 AM
I love this article!! well I love the comment section.
As a previous car sales person, I spent hours learning cars and options and working around the clock to make sure my customers had a great experience and bought something they would be proud of and enjoy for years.
Unfortunately that profession is followed around by a negative sterotype perpetuated by bitter people who have nothing better to do then complain.
I guarentee most of the people surveyed were trying to buy a $50,000 car for $25,000 and went to some dumpy local cheap corner lot and wondered why they weren't getting the million dollar service.
The thing I found most funny is when I did some research on least trusted professions myself.
I found another survey done by Ipsos (a trusted survey company) and it says that Politicians are 18% trusted... while ... wait for it... Journalists are 17%!!
so as bottom feeders go...
I think we can take this collective opinion — unfair as it is — of journalists as bottom-feeders.
Posted by: 655Hemi | 2012-12-13 12:45:28 PM
Bottom feeders: worst being first
(1) Lawyers and Judges
(2) Politicians and elected city officials
(3) Auto Journalists (because they pretend to actually know something about the auto industry)
(4) Used car salesmen
(5) Financial industry leaders
(6) CEO's of Large Corporations (includes Walmart)
(7) Chemical Industry leaders (includes gasoline)
(8) Police
(9) New Car Salesmen
(10) Large Business Owners
(11) CEO's - OEM Auto Manufacturers (especially the foreign OEMs)
(12 ) Military Leaders...... not the men actually serving our country
and the list goes on...................
Posted by: mike | 2012-12-13 2:04:20 PM
As a long standing car industry employee, i keep seeing the same scenarios always repeating about car salesmen and car dealerships, but the fact of the matter is ... selling cars is a hard business. to my knowledge, there is no other industry that exists where all profit margins are available to all, and then, we are accused of trying to keep a margin on the sale. First, most salespeople are on commission, and the line of profit on a vehicule is very.. and im repeating this, very low. Plus, car dealerships are obligated to car manufacturers and their customer satisfaction norms. Plus, we are monitored on profit averages. If im making 1000$ over everyone in my district,, someone is going to ask the dealer principal some questions. We do have a MSRP to follow and customers should know their negociating points before they walk in to a dealership. If most people knew how much money the local grocery store does on a can of beans..... but im not here to compare apples to oranges.
With the advent of the internet and comparaison shopping, a customer has the pick of doing 3-4-5 dealerships all within usual driving range and purchase the best deal for his money.. and there is nothing wrong with that, but ill always encourage people to buy locally...suport your local business..remember, you still buy groceries, gas and your kids go to school together.
Most ''dishonest'' scenarios come from 2 things. The most important, is buyer beware. MOST customers do not shop, or prep, before going into a dealership. Get your facts straight before walking in. Salespeople are not there to waste time, they are there to make money, satisfy a need created by the customer. Have an idea of what you want , what accessories are important to you, be aware of what your trade in is really worth, and take it from there. Chemistry is important. Some people click together, others dont. Change salesperson. Thats all you need to do.
The second scenario that brings most wrath to the car business is again, car dealerships. Used car dealerships. Im the first to admit that alot of used car salesmen should not exist. Buy your used car from a dealership, not from Joe on the corner. Take the car YOU choose and take it elsewhere to be inspected. Make sure that the car comes with a warranty or buy one... and remember.. its a used car. Scratches, scuffs, worn items, defects... all come with the package. You dont want a hassle, then buy a new car.. just stop expecting a used car to be ''all that''... its a used car... grow up people.
Like i mentionned in my first words, the new car industry is very strict and norms exists. So, before you try to rip a new one to your salesmen or the service department, remember.. its your job to know what your buying and its the salesmen job to fill in the blanks and to make sure your buying the right car for the right needs. Read your books, know what is covered by warranty and what isnt. if you walk in with a problem, and your car has 103000km and the engine is dead, you gotta ask yourself... is my car warrantied to 100000km or 103000km?? oh.. your passed your warranty...mmmm..... did you buy the extended warranty that they offered you?? NO?? You are out of luck. You have the choice, you have the power.. when you purchase your vehicule. And if you dont protect and maintain your purchase...its not the dealerships fault. Rules are rules.. and they work both ways.... id love to see you complain to the grocery store owner that his beans are too expensive... ''Ya .. i'll buy a can of those beans if you give me a free bread and some hotdogs to go with them''...... nice try.............
Posted by: mike | 2012-12-13 2:53:16 PM
its funny i always though politician where the most honest
Posted by: Wayne | 2012-12-13 2:58:13 PM
Sorry guys!!!! Car Salesmen and women are always going to present themselves as the honest hardworking individuals...they HAVE to...their livelihoods depend on them being smooth,coercive,and to some degree slick.Why? Becuase the dealerships they are working for have quotas,quotas that are upped as sales grow,or in some cases decline.Bottom line is the dealerships and their owners are the bottom feeders,much like the CEO's of insurance companies and banks,as well as the heads of Hospital boards,and ALL politicians.They don't call it dishonesty,nor will they ever admit to misleading ANYONE.Why? LIABILITY!!!!AUto's hide behind MSRP,as their holy grail,all MSRP is...is the manufactures SUGGESTED,retail price!You can also add all the little industry buzzwords out that also add to the mix that leave one wondering just how honest the industry as a whole really is:Cash credit allowances,no credit app refused,factory employee pricing(you have all seen the adds).They purposely use all of it to weigh down the average consumer,get them in and then get you looking at some pretty hefty documentation.
After all is said and done most consumers NEVER end up with the vehicle they really want,and usually have paid much higher than the add says they should.Personally this industry is the one industry the openly hides more costs to you,than shows.Then of course there is the very slick speed with which they skim over the fine prints.Nope,Nobody is EVER going to convince me that this industry is any different than the sleezeballs previously mentioned.The fact of the matter is..ANY industry that buries the consumer with jibberish,buzzwords,hidden fees,back and forth deals with business managers.AND DONT get me started on these so called extended warranties,mileage limits on leases,so called reconditioned used vehicles...........You get my drift.
We buy cars trucks and SUV's becuase we HAVE too,period.
Posted by: Golfdawg | 2012-12-13 4:11:02 PM
Automotive Journalists must rank at the very bottom, Like McKenzie only the paper values your opinion, everybody else thinks your just un valued content that makes up the difference in blank spots before the comics.Automotive Sales People are like bars-when you go to the volume places you get more selection but lots of a-holes,go to where they care.
Posted by: Mechanic | 2012-12-13 4:59:10 PM
There is a great difference between a Used Car Salesman and a New Car Salesman. The very first thing to remember is "Let The Buyer Beware" ! There is a special place in hell for the Used Car Salesman where they push that great deal up a hill for eternity! The buyer needs to understand that the Salesman is there to sell the car not to give you a great deal. If the deal seems to be great you need to question why does it sound so good. Even on a new car there is only so much margin that the salesman has to work with. They are not your friend and are not there to get you the best deal there is. If that was the case they would not be able to make a living selling cars. The buyer needs to do their homework before going in to see the salesman. They also need to question each and every thing the salesman offers to be sure they really need it and if it is a good deal for the buyer or a good deal for the salesman. Once you have done your homework and reviewed the extras offered then you may get a "Reasonable Deal".
Posted by: Car Salesman | 2012-12-13 6:06:50 PM
First of all Wayne - Absolutely ridiculous accusations!! And by the way, you buy the majority of your products because you have to! Cars are a necessity for most people, just as food, shelter, and clothing. Having worked in both a highly rated new car dealership and now currently at a used dealership, I can guarantee your impulse to demean the entire industry is completely incorrect!
I got into this business because I have a passion for cars, and I love dealing with new people on a daily basis.
The margins on car sales are very low! The average mark up on a vehicle is $1,500.00 and most people walk in expecting thousands and thousands of dollars off!
Car salesman spend lots of time with their customers and really do narrow down their choice to the best suitable product on their lot according to the amount you want to pay up front or the amount you would like to finance. Sure everyone wants a Rolls Royce but when you can afford more so along the lines of a Honda Civic please lower your expectations. Generally speaking I try to "split the difference" of our mark up, giving you the consumer a fair deal while allowing us some profit to eat! I don't get paid hourly so I truly believe this to be fair, and sometimes have to lower even more so to make a pay check. Understand that if I give you 750 dollars off and I give your neighbor 1000 dollars off on a similar unit, I didn't scam you or try to pull a fast one, that's just the nature of the business.
People consider salesmen "slick" or "dishonest" because I come to work with a smile on my face and I'm personable!!
I literally had someone complain I was trying to sell them an ex-racer (seriously...an "ex-racer" lol) because the vehicle had tinted windows and a FACTORY spoiler. They test drove the car, enjoyed the drive, loved the fuel efficiency of the 4-cylinder and could afford the payments without an issue. After the deal was done someone told them it was an ex-racer with all these "aftermarket" modifications to the vehicle! TINTED WINDOWS!!
Regardless of certain peoples stupidity, most consumers come in with their guards up because they don't want to get taken advantage of. Which is understandable based on the previous history of car salesman. But that was before the Ontario Motor Vehicle Counsel (OMVIC) was in place.
Without the appropriate technology or any regulations previously, salesman could increase the price of vehicles dramatically without anyone knowing the difference!
If I were to try and do that today my license would be stripped, I would have a huge fine to settle and the dealership would be fined drastically as well!
I agree there are plenty of shady curbsiders out there that are fixing up rebuilds and selling them without a carproof but larger dealerships aren't in the position to do so for the most part in fear of losing their franchise rights, the fines, bad publicity or losing their privately owned dealerships!
Please do your research on the industry before you make accusations like this about all car sales people because most are living with an annual income of around 35 - 45 thousand a year! The hard closing salesman out there that are more concerned with a pay check than finding the right vehicle are still making little more than that because they can't build a client base!
This is the hardest industry to work in sales and people don't realize the stresses and pressure of the business. Car salesman are extremely hard working so try showing a little more class and respect instead of coming into the dealership ready to lose it on someone you think might be taking advantage of you! You might see a considerable difference in how you're treated *WAYNE*
I enjoy this business immensely and I really encourage people to find what they're interested in, let the salesman do their job, and at the end of the day....you have the right to WALK OUT or make a purchase!!!
Even the people that have been taken advantage of by a "slick" salesman, if you would just slowwww down, take your time, and if you're unsure, ask someone you know for help. It's not a bad idea since this is the second largest investment most people will make in their lives.
If a salesman has legitimately lied to you or mislead you, contact OMVIC and try to asses the situation for what it is rather than coming into the dealership in a rage hoping for everyone to throw your money back at you!
There are rules and regulations we all have to follow as salesmen so educate yourself, let us help you since we study these vehicles inside and out, and if you find an incompetent salesman or someone acting a little shady, you may find someone else instead of signing the papers then laying the blame! I know I'd be more than happy to help!
This post is for every salesman out there falsely accused and hard working! Good luck and happy selling in the slower winter months!!
Posted by: jn | 2012-12-13 6:39:05 PM
First, let me point out that this is an American study. The Canadian automotive industry is vastly different and much more heavily regulated than the Americans. If you ever watched King of Cars you would know that we are not legaly allowed to sell cars in Canada that way at all. OMVIC, which regulates the automotive dealers/sales people in Ontario would remove our licenses in a heart beat. Next, we dont "skim" over any paper work and/or the fine print.We dont force anyone to sign anything they arent comfortable with. Everything on our bills of sale or lease in Ontario is in plain english as per our trust worthy and honest politicians. They made up the bills of sale so they could be understood and nothing can be "hidden". As some of the posts on here have stated already, we are all just hard working men and women trying to earn a living, with families and mortgages etc. If you start of by showing some respect to the sales person you are dealing with, I gurantee you will get some respect back and a fair deal on a car. In the end, if ou dont like it, walk out and go elsewhere. You always have a choice, no one forces you to buy anything.
Posted by: M Steckle | 2012-12-13 7:08:01 PM
Take from a past car salesman, no one can lie like a customer trading in their old car, Id like everyone who has ever traded in their car to ask themselves if they told the REAL history of their car they were trading.
Posted by: wayne | 2012-12-13 8:10:27 PM
As a person who has worked in the auto industry for over 40 years i can tell you that the statements being made by some of the people who have posted them shows there lack of knowledge and stupity. the sales people who work in the dealerships as a whole are some of the most honest and reputable people you can meet. We don't force anyone to make a choice of car,warranty,or anything else they choose to purchase.If you have had a bad experience don't take it out on the sales person, try looking in the mirror and you might see the real idiot that has no morals and is as dishonest as they come
Posted by: buzzard | 2012-12-13 8:25:34 PM
I've purchased a lot of cars over the years (I'm now 63), so I have a lot of experience dealing with car salesmen. Overall, I think they are better today than they used to be. There are still the sleazeballs out there, but most of those type of guys seem to work at those small privately owned corner used car lots. Hint 1: stay away from those "Joe's Used Car" lots. Secondly, I have to say that once you find a dealership you like, stick with them. I've been doing business with a local Nissan dealer for 10 years now, and they have been great. Good employees and honest sales people. OK, hint 2: If you're in the market for a new car....do your homework. Get as much info as you can before walking in the door. That way there will be fewer surprises. Never buy a car on the first visit either. Look around, get to know the dealer and sales person, and then go home. This gives you time to think and to get the emotions in check. Nothing worse than getting caught up in the moment, and buying something on impulse. Hint 3: Like someone said in an earlier post, if you are getting bad vibes from a sales rep., then switch it up and deal with someone else. Lastly, to commenter M Steckle: you are so right re: trade ins. I've traded in a few cars, and believe me, there were reasons why I wanted to trade them vs. selling them privately. They were a piece of crap, with hidden problems that I did not disclose. Too bad for them though. It's buyer beware on both fronts.
Posted by: Bob | 2012-12-13 10:36:18 PM
after being in the auto business for about 50 years i have found that about 75 to 80 percent of people trading there car are doing it because there is some mechanical or body problems that is why they want to get rid of it , almost all of these so called great honest people will try to slip the deal through an not tell the so called crooked sales person that there is something wrong with their old car so where are the y located on this horseshit ladder better wake up and do some real research before shooting the poor sales guy ,your research should be almost the reverse
Posted by: Rob | 2012-12-14 12:25:53 PM
There is another side to this equation.
Dealer service or rather the utter lack there-of.
We bought our Subaru new on 2001 and really had no issues with the sales-gal.
HOWEVER the parts/service department was so incrediby bad that I will never buy from there again.
It is a VERY good thing that the car has been fantastic because since the warranty has been up I have not stepped foot in that place.
Here is the unfair part, from the customer standpoint sales and service are the same thing... the DEALER. Bad service there makes the entire experience bad and the entire dealership wears the blame.