Pros
- Working in a luxurious state of the art showroom, the biggest Audi showroom in Europe. - Company/Demo vehicle If you opt in to the demo scheme you get to drive a brand new Audi, however you have no choice in what vehicle you are given, those individuals deemed more popular by management will be given nicer cars. The scheme is also used by management as a tool to manipulate staff. Also worth noting, if your customer needs a courtesy car, they will force you to hand over your demo car, even if this means you have no means of transport, you are just expected to "get on with it". Finally, every employee must pay benefit in kind tax when opted in to a company vehicle, however at West London Audi they operate on an "averaging scheme", meaning all employees from sales executives to senior managers will all pay a fixed figure which is approx £450 each month, this is so the managers can drive top of the range models whilst most sales executive will drive vehicles such as A1/A3/Q3s.
Kontras
Culture - If you are looking for a warm, friendly working environment where colleagues and managers have your back and are genuinely supportive and happy for you, this is not the place for you. The atmosphere is completely toxic and full of jealous, bitter dinosaurs that cannot stand to see someone do well or sell a car. The moment you start selling a few cars, you will start receiving hate and be the victim of nasty comments made by spiteful colleagues. It's a dog eat dog environment where for the most part, you can trust no-one. Everyone's status and how they are seen as a human being is solely down to how ma h cars you have sold; respect is also measured in this fashion. There is absolutely no teamwork, and this culture is fueled by management. Managers are pompous and will belittle colleagues in morning meetings. Everyone is seen as a number, and there is a high pressure, unpleasant environment on most days. - Basic pay/ Commission Plan The basic salary for this day and age is absolutely diabolical. The commission plan is downgraded each year and the amount you earn for each car drastically decreases year upon year, despite Sytner making all time record profits. Depending on what team you are in, you can expect to earn next to nothing for selling a car. Hours - You must dedicate your entire life to his job, this Includes working every Saturday without fail. You are almost expected to stay late and complete any ongoing issues or outstanding enquiries. You are entitled to a one hour lunch break however actually taking this time is frowned upon, management and colleagues will make snide comments. If there is a sales event, you are usually told last minute and expected to work regardless if it is your day off or if you have plans, you are expected to drop everything and work, no excuses are tolerated. Sales process - Please understand, by far the most challenging part of this role, is not selling cars, but ensuring they are collected on time. It is your responsibility to ensure that all aspects of the car have been prepared and everything is ready for handover. 1 in 3 cars will go wrong or have issues, again it is your responsibility to then manage the after care process with the returning customer and ensure a solution is found, all whilst having absolutely no support from management. When you do ask for support you are told to find a solution.
