I'm currently looking at changing career fields and have always dreamed of working at a motorcyle dealership as a salesman. I live approx. 15 miles from a dealership in Mansfield Ohio. My question is this... how much do they make? Is it similar to a car salesman. I would love to work in the motorcycle industry but am afraid that I wont be able to support my family if I change jobs. I currently make about $34,000 as a counselor and I'm burned out.
Don't do it. The motorcycle business has been on an upswing and may look attractive from the outside, the reality is it doesn't pay as well as the car business or any other real career. The really bad part is the downturns can be vicious and long. The last one was from the late seventies until the early nineties and saw annual sales go from over a million to less than three hundred thousand. I stayed in because it's what I like and I was willing to live with the consequences and Maureen and I have no children. If I had a family to provide for and things like their college tuition to come up with, I would have had to do something else.
When I was refering to an upswing, it was in comparison to what it was sixteen or seventeen years ago. Unit sales are now three to four times what they were then. What really tells the tale is the longevity of people in this business. I've been in it since '66. Most get in and last a few years, some may reach ten or fifteen years. They usually reach a point where they realise they are not getting anywhere financially or providing for a family has become an issue and that they can do far better in the car business or some other industry. 30K to 45K when you have two or three rug rats, need a bigger house, your car is dying and college and retirement are out there on the horizon, won't go too far. However, if this is really what you want to do with the rest of your life, then go for it. If it's just a dfferent job from what you have now, you may look back on it in a few years as time wasted, career wise.
Thanks for the info guys! I was considering McCunes Cycle World in Mansfield Oh. When I mentioned a career change I didnt mean that I wanted to find a job that I could stay at until retirement (who does that anymore?). I just need to switch directions because I am burnt out with my current job after 6 1/2 years. My two biggest concerns right now are being able to provide a steady income for the next 5 to 10 years and not dreading going to work. I absolutely love everything about motorcycles and would love to work in the industry. Any more info?
I guess this is a topic I cannot refuse to address, as I've been in the industry (at a dealership) for 15 years now. Mike's advise not to do it is a little extreme, but.....be careful. It's not terribly different from any other retail business in that you will work too many hours (most of which will rob you of your opportunity to ride....after all, weekends are the bussiest days of the week), and for too little money; selling cars will double the income of most motorcycle sales people. You also run the risk of burning out your passion for motorcycles, as although every single one of our 30+ employees owned motorcycles when they started here, few ride anymore at all. Turning your hobby into a livelyhood can be a double edged sword, as when you start looking at it as a livelyhood, it can become just that.....and your hobby is gone. It hasn't happened to me, but as those on this board who know me will attest....I'm not normal; Motorcycles are at the core of who I am, and an integral part of how I define myself. I can remember a day, almost ten years ago, when while laying in the middle of Pocono's banking with a completely shattered lower body, I found myself thinking that maybe the time had come when I give this shit up. I then realized that I wouldn't know who I am if my life didn't revolve around motorcycles, and having given up both my financial and my physical well being wasn't a choice....it was a need. Good luck.... :wink:
Good points Bob. My "don't do it'' is based upon his concern about provideing for his family. Working for half as much as a car salesman seems not to be the way to go. Over the years, I've seen many leave the bike business to improve their financial lot in life. Though they miss certain aspects of the motorcycle business, the compensation isn't one of them. A few years ago, a friend of mine with an excellent reputaion as a service manager at a car dealership tried to switch back to motorcycles which he started in in the late sixties. The compensation he was offered shocked him back to reality. If you choose to do it, it is essential to keep work and play seperate if you wish to continue enjoying bikes. My solution to maintaining my enjoyment of motorcycles was to keep a barrier in my brain and finances (not always successfully) that seperated my hobby from my business. I never for instance did things like group rides from my shop. To some this probably seemed unfriendly and unenthusiastic when it has actually been my way of maintaining my enthusiasm. Other than my years as a Reduc director and tech inspector, I did my best to keep my weekends and holidays for Maureen and my enjoyment of motorcycles.
I think ive got one final question before I stop by the dealer this week... how does the commission work? Do you get payed strictly based on bikes you sell or is it based in part on total dealer sales? Having to get payed only by the bikes I sell would scare the crap out of me.
I too was in a similar situation 18 yrs. ago. Had a BS degree in Criminology/Sociology. Looked at a bunch of probation officer, counsler, etc... jobs. Ended up being a sheriff's deputy for two years until I found an opening at a nearby fire dept. . Best decision I've ever made. Made $10k more than the sheriff's dept. the first year. Have worked/tested my way into an officers position after 14 yrs. I've just now started my 19th yr. and am planning on working about 8 more until I retire. Pay is second best in the state (Indiana), benefits are outstanding (deferred comp. matching 50%), insurance, union representation, etc..... Most of our runs are EMS (medical). Some fires, some hazmat spills, etc.... Lots of personal benefits to the job, yet you see some pretty horrific stuff at car wrecks and suicides. Fun atmosphere with the right group of guys to work with on a 24 hr. shift. Lots of continual training. Very rarely bored. Okay, so this isn't the dream motorcycle job you are looking for, but it is a very secure job (as long as you don't do anything stupid), good/great pay at the right dept., and with our shift schedule (every other day for three days, then four days off), you have plenty of time for a part-time job, motorcycle trips, whatever... Best wishes,
Oops, forgot to add that I worked part-time at a local mc dealership a few years ago. Great fun, some extra cash and an atmosphere that I enjoyed (bikes), but eventually had to quit due to family obligations. As a part-time employee, I made about $12/hr. in the parts/accessories dept., did a lot of bike demo and information stuff, but never got involved with writing up sales docs. and stuff.
A buddy and myself both had an article done on us since we apparently have "dream" jobs. One excellent point from him: No matter how "dreamy" the job, when it finally becomes your job it's a bit less "dreamy" and more of a job... Dream Jobs t