[mr_mbuna]

I'm posting this question for VeeDub Driver and VWGuild, as I've heard they are in the industry, but anyone else who knows please add in.
My question is: what kind of jobs are usually availible at dealerships to teenagers? I'm 16, and I like the whole car-buying process, and I'd be interested in doing work in a dealership. What do dealerships usually pay teenagers, if they hire them? Do dealership employees get discounts on service, parts, and used cars? Just as a question to post out there, would a dealership that you work at or know about benefit from hiring someone to help in the office and with the Internet sales department? I really wouldn't be interested in prepping cars or detailing or service dep't work... what is there in the offices/sales dept.?
Thanks!
Ben

 

[candywhitepassat]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (mr_mbuna)

hmm, I would like to know the same thing

I'm 16 as well, and I would like it if I landed a job in a dealership. But, it wouldn't matter to me what I would be doing (prepping cars would be fine with me).

 

[Elwood]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (mr_mbuna)

My first job out of high school was working at a Pontiac/Cadillac dealership. I washed cars, helped detail occasionally, but spent most my time moving cars in and out of the garage for mechanics and picking up or dropping off garage customers. It paid a little better than minimum wage, but not a lot.

 

[Lexi]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (mr_mbuna)

I worked at two dealerships from 17-20, a Toyota then a Mazda dealership. My job was the illustrious "car jockey" , I started off in "used cars" [which can be better because you find all sorts of interesting things ] and then I moved to new cars .
They're going to pay you minimum wage typically, I made a few $$ more an hour at the time. Its a great job that I would encourage any young person to do for a year or two at least. I say young becuase it doesn't pay enough to make a decent living IMO.
The experience you get far outweighs the pay, I worked the auctions with our head used car buyer and was taught how to check out a car in a very short time for repaints, bondo, engine trouble etc.... Its saved my butt a few times when I've gone looking for used cars.. downside is ALL your friends and their parents will drag you along wiht them [ quick tip ~ when out with friends parents make sure to mention how hungry you are becuase you forgot to eat lunch before coming over

]
Also I thought it was just plain cool to be able to drive all these nice cars I could never afford at the time. New cars lets you drive the latest and greatest but used cars lets you sample the entire market and you get to see how each manufacturer stands up after a few years. As a teen I though the 80's Grand Prix was a cool car, after seeing how they compared in quality to a used Corolla I quickly changed my mind.
The biggest plus for working at a dealership can be the discounts . All employees bought parts for 25% off , new cars at dealer cost and the real jem... used cars for $100 more than the dealer paid. Unfortunately because a few losers got greedy and started reselling they changed this to $1000 more and one car per year. Still , its a good deal .
Finally the added bonus is for you to MAKE FRIENDS WITH ONE OR TWO MECHANICS. You'll get to know a couple of honest guys who work on the side at home. I still go to one guy from my Toyota days..... he's the only mechanic I trust. I buy all the parts he thinks I need and he only installs the one's he finds are necessary.
In the end, if you want to stay in the car industry its a great place ot start. Some of the guys went on to be car salesmen. But I will tell you, if you want ot be a manager, typically you'll need 20 years experience OR you'll go to college . I went to school with the Toyota owner's son & daughter so I have the inside scoop on the schooling they took to run dad's business when he move's down to Florida.

 

[Spell Check Desk]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (VWhombre)

quote:[HR][/HR]My first job out of high school was working at a Pontiac/Cadillac dealership. I washed cars, helped detail occasionally, but spent most my time moving cars in and out of the garage for mechanics and picking up or dropping off garage customers. It paid a little better than minimum wage, but not a lot.[HR][/HR]​

[email protected] had a car wash guy who was 16... although he had to quit because he lost his licence

You might want to try for the parts driver job too but they might want someone who has a bit more driving experience.

 

[bc]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (SciroccoGirl)

I first got a job with hopkins honda when I was 17. I washed/ran cars. I did that for 8 months at $9.50 an hour then I became a night-time oil changer for $11.51 an hour. This last winter break I was making $12.51 an Hour doing oil changes. I look forward to going back.

 

[mr_mbuna]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (Y2KRICEBOY)

Are there any jobs in the office? I wouldn't be totally against being a "porter" or whatever they call 'em, but I've already got a job at a good pet store, where I'm a senior employee. (almost 2 years there now!) Has anyone ever worked inside? Anyone that works at a dealership; what jobs are there in the sales office?
Thanks everyone! Good discussion!
Ben

 

[landrumdh]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (mr_mbuna)

Had a friend this summer who worked as a temp she's 20. She filed papers for 2 weeks for a BMW dealership. They gave her some cool BMW stuff when she was reassigned.

 

[katphishcatfish]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (mr_mbuna)

Without a doubt the best job i ever had was working here:
http://www.armandosauto.com/
Got to drive porches, benzes, and bimmers all day long.
AHHH the stories I have....Remind me to tell you about the crackhead in the Rolls Royce getting stoppped doing 105 in a 55.
Wonderful!!!!!

 

[MotownSVT]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (katphishcatfish)

I worked at a pretty big dealership while I was in college (Lincoln/Mercury, Suzuki, BMW, Mitsubishi) and it was a great job. I didn't work in the offices up front, though. I worked in the parts department (running parts out to the service techs, picking up parts around town, logging inventory, etc.) and it was a lot of fun. Dirt cheap parts from all the local part stores and dealerships and decent pay help as well. I don't know if any dealers have entry-level positions in the sales department, though. You normally work your way up to that. Plus, if you're underage you're more than likely going to be a porter or working out at the wash rack.


[Modified by MotownSVT, 1:08 PM 2-13-2002]

 

[Brocktoon]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (mr_mbuna)

I worked as a service driver, picking up stranded people with broken Jags.
When I was in high school, there was a guy who sold VWs who wen to school with me.

 

[matt007]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (Brocktoon)

I wouldn't mind a job at the local stealership. I wonder if I could work in sales..Hmm

 

[Ron L]

Re: Jobs for teenagers at Dealerships? (matt007)

I started as a porter/detailer in a dealer body shop. Moved into final assembly, painter's helper, and eventually painter. The pay wasn't great, but we got discounts on parts and the experience was good.