Don?t believe the stereotypes you hear about auto sales.
Kate Jenkins, a top salesperson at Bill Kidd?s Volvo/Toyota/Scion, had heard all the rumors too. But after joining the dealership as a greeter while in college and moving onto the sales team after her 2004 graduation from Towson University, Jenkins discovered the hype is far from the truth.
“What you hear is not what it?s like,” she said, recounting myths of high pressure and unethical behavior. “The people [here] are open and honest. An honest person can make a decent living at an auto dealership.”
At Bill Kidd, such ethics, as well as strong teamwork and a ?can do? attitude, are a prerequisite for employees, General Sales Manager Brian Gerald said. Many employees, including him, have worked at the dealership for more than two decades, underscoring the camaraderie and positive atmosphere there.
Gerald joined an auto dealership while in college and stayed because of the earning potential. Kidd recruited him 24 years ago, and he has held the general sales manager post since 2002. Gerald?s love of variety has kept him in the business.
“When I train new people, I always tell them that the challenge is to realize there?s always something different,” he said. “You can think you?ve heard and seen everything, but it?s never the same.”
The dealership has a training program that covers 18 areas across the 50-year old dealership so employees can ensure customer satisfaction. That way, those in various departments are conversant about other topics when dealing with customers.
“It is a signature process,” Gerald said. “For example, parts staff know how cars are delivered. That helps them do their jobs better.”
Also, the dealership has a system for almost all processes. One example is the use of greeters and rotation of salespeople so a group of sales staff doesn?t swarm a customer. That?s just part of the low-pressure, more casual attitude Kidd?s staff prides themselves on.
Gerald said staff members often tease him because he knows so many customers or their friends and relatives. But such personal knowledge, by Gerald and his staff, is just a given at the dealership, he said.
“We aren?t looking for business out of D.C. or Catonsville or other areas,” Gerald said. “There was a recent survey that showed we sell to 88 percent of the people in our area. That?s what we want ? to be the neighborhood dealer.”
More information
Bill Kidd?s Volvo/Toyota/Scion
10401 York Road, Cockeysville
410-666-8900
