[mose121]

Let's face it, if you're on an enthusiast forum you probably know more than what half of dealership employees do. Why? Because to that half it's just a job, they are making a living not getting paid to pursue something they are really passionate about. I could get through the check out line at the grocery store a hell of a lot faster if the person running the register was more passionate about being a cashier but we know that ain't happening. People gotta eat!

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by mose121

There's not enough time in the day for someone to do what you're asking. The job salary has nothing do do with how much you can physically do. Most dealer employees already work 50-60 hour weeks as it is just to try and keep up. Should we all work 80 hour weeks now? Haahaha, GTFOOH! By the way most of us don't get paid hourly, so we're already putting in a lot of hours with not much compensation for the extra time and effort.

I guess for me i dont see what i so hard about being a cars sales man. other than the stress of not selling enough cars. For BMW the cars pretty much sell themselves anyways.

sure BMW makes a lot of different models, but its not like they offer all the models in every region.

IMO a cars sales person should be able to handle any financial work, and know "enough" about the car line up to help 95% of the people who walk in. I am not going to expect them to know everything thing a enthusiast will know. this is the way its always been. its not hard to run a credit check, or build car/spec car, get a price of a car etc... its not hard, and if it is hard thats BMW`s fault. do you even need a college degree to be a sales guy ? honest question

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by mose121

Bmw has essentially created the need for these "geniuses" because they insist on building 27 million different models, all with unique options and features of their own. It's impossible for one sales person to keep up on every models tech, promos, finance programs and interest rates, etc for each individual model.

So... how is the "genius" different than the salesperson? Different IQ or what? is not one person as well?

Or we need to talk to the 3Series genius?

I understand your sarcasm, but, it is not impossible. It is very doable.
Finance programs and rates are communicated on a weekly basis, it can be done. Or leave it for the Finance Office. Just know the damn product.

[rolltidef32]

There was a Genius at my dealership here in Atlanta. Didn't interact with one, since, as has been said at nauseam, most of us are passionate about BMW and KNOW our cars. Hell, I'm a nerd for car stuff. All things BMW since I own one, and most things Porsche because I want one! Not many poseurs here at this site because we tend to run them off or they become intimidated at the fact that "these guys on here are for real with this @$#&!" Yes, we are.

However, for the uninitiated who just wants a luxury badge, or a good deal and does no research on their own; the Genius set up works. Sales guys are just that, they are there to make a deal, not explain the car to you. We ask them to, but they're just transactional. The Genius is theoretically, the car expert. I fear that often, this won't be the case as dealerships try to just make them into sales assistants. They are in a sense, but more meant to be product specialists.

[Ghetto2315]

My center employs 4 Geniuses. They are all car enthusiasts first and foremost. It disgusts me that some of the sales advisors here know less and less about the products that they are selling. That is why I implement a system to reward Geniuses for their work if the sale was greatly influenced by the Genius and not the sales Advisor. I am all for Future Retail because this business is becoming more and more customer service oriented.

[JUSTIN335]

Future Retail 2016:
1.) close Irvine BMW

End of list

[Vector Pilot]

Perhaps the Genius concept is for next generation of BMW's not the ones that are currently produced.

[parabola]

I don't think it's that hard to familiarize yourself with a product you are trying to sell, any product for that matter. People in these dealerships need to put some effort into it, I am sure they have access to training files, technical documents and internal books that explain those cars in more detail than your average buyer will know.
So calling an inline 6 engine a V6 would be a red flag in my book...this guy doesn't know what the fuck he is talking about and he wants to sell me a damn thing.
I also blame managers at these dealerships, they should train their staff better and maybe hire people who actually like cars, I am sure there are enough of them around.

[JSP///M4C]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Be nice if they would roll out new standards mandating that their service departments treat you like the asset you are and try to win your business rather than expecting it and treating you like scum.

Completely agree with this. I had a bad experience at my dealership back in November. You expect more from BMW. But, then being franchised, you never know what you are going to get when the techs service your car.

I did not get my car back in the condition it was left, and was treated like shit because I brought up legitimate concerns. Even my SA was appalled. Get the service departments together BMWUSA!

[Pyrat 2]

Hopefully their standards include not gouging the customers on new vehicle introductions. I had an invoice for a 1M from my dealer back in November 2010 with a negotiated price of sticker price. I was number 3 on the list at the dealer. Mysteriously when it was later announced that these were limited production I was moved to slot 4 (a 'mistake') and I never got the car. Dealers across the country were charging MSRP + lots of $s. In my case I ended up with nothing even though BMW of America offered me a press car when I showed them what happened.

Same thing happens on many of their new introductions. Right now I'm hearing horror stories on the i8. When the M3/M4 came out it was the same.

[shivaswrath]

How about minimum requirements for common sense for certain service advisors at BMW of Bridgewater?!�

[flyga3]

And what about including the "Enthusiast/VIP" area?

[LDSM]

Originally Posted by nike001

Bold: Our time is as valuable as yours. Why have a Genius go through the whole ordeal if you already know it all? Especially if you're just waiting for them to make a mistake.

Hey man,
I see you're a BMW genius so I hope you didn't take anything I said personally, maybe I'm looking at this wrong and you can clarify some misconceptions that I may have.

It's my understanding the BMW Geniuses are not sales people, they're only hired to answer peoples questions, once you decide to commit to purchasing a vehicle they will hand you off to a salesperson. Is this correct?

When I do decide to purchase a car, be it from a genius or from a traditional salesperson, will the same tried and true tactics of car sales apply, meaning is there a chance if my wife goes in and negotiates a car, she can end up paying $6,000-7,000 dollars more than me, for the same exact car, simply for not knowing how or wanting to negotiate?


What are your thoughts on the methods Tesla has been using to sell cars?
cheers

[SpencerMH]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Be nice if they would roll out new standards mandating that their service departments treat you like the asset you are and try to win your business rather than expecting it and treating you like scum.

Agreed, my local dealership is the #1 reason Id buy something else, Holman Lauderdale BMW provides a punishing experience. Crazy part is I drive 35 minutes to their sister dealership which still gouges parts pricing well above msrp but at least they're pleasant and treat you nicely as well in service as well as sales.

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by mosborn78108

My understanding is now all BMW dealerships are affiliated with BMW AG. BMW has pulled authorization from 3rd party new sales as of July 2014

I'm sorry but I don't understand this comment. Could you please explain?

[pooyab]

I applied as a Genius once and never got a response. And I'm will to bet that I know more about these BMWs than everyone else at that dealership.

[ssshake]

Originally Posted by nike001

I'm currently a Genius and I partake in many conversations with fellow enthusiasts who know their stuff too and I always get complimented on my knowledge. I also work with another Genius who is very knowledgeable, also meeting many other Genius's who are very knowledgable in their field as well.

Lol actually calls himself a genius.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Tracus

So... how is the "genius" different than the salesperson? Different IQ or what? is not one person as well?

I think the theory is a good one, but clearly they're fecking up the execution ...

That theory being that the salesperson needs to know the CUSTOMER and enough of the product to sell it, while the genius needs to know the PRODUCT to back up the sales team.

Example: a sales dude has 5 customers walk in at the same time with general questions. Triage time - the salesperson can focus in on the customer he feels most likely to buy now, while letting the genius focus on the general questions, and questions that maybe all 5 customers have. Everybody is happy.

Another example: a customer can't decide between a used E9x and a new 2er. The salesperson can focus in on the emotional aspects of the cars, while bringing in the genius to focus on the technical aspects.

I have no idea if any of this is true ... but it could be.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

I think the theory is a good one, but clearly they're fecking up the execution ...

That theory being that the salesperson needs to know the CUSTOMER and enough of the product to sell it, while the genius needs to know the PRODUCT to back up the sales team.

Example: a sales dude has 5 customers walk in at the same time with general questions. Triage time - the salesperson can focus in on the customer he feels most likely to buy now, while letting the genius focus on the general questions, and questions that maybe all 5 customers have. Everybody is happy.

Another example: a customer can't decide between a used E9x and a new 2er. The salesperson can focus in on the emotional aspects of the cars, while bringing in the genius to focus on the technical aspects.

I have no idea if any of this is true ... but it could be.

the genius is there for after the sale. a salesperson would never hand off a prospect to a genius for fear of another salesperson taking his up. the salesperson would talk the person into the car that he can get the most commission off of.

[fecurtis]

I don't know why people are bragging that they know more than BMW Geniuses. Congrats? We're enthusiasts, we know it because it's a hobby.

I'd imagine most of the questions they get are specific to actual features of the car, not it's technical stats.

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by bd5400

The BMW Genius thing is a novel idea, though I was a little put off when mine told me my car was a V6.
.

One of the biggest problems many dealerships have is incompetent CAs. Oh, some are very good and knowledgeable, but there is hardly consistency across the board. I mentioned in another thread that a CA who told me that she had come from years at Buick, seemed absolutely lost when I expressed interest in an F36 with specific equipment. She continued to figure out prices for an F32 xi even after I explained repeatedly what I wanted. I gave up and went to another dealer. Fancy showrooms will be nice, but the best thing BMW can do is not let any CA on the floor without serious training and testing.

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I don't know why people are bragging that they know more than BMW Geniuses. Congrats? We're enthusiasts, we know it because it's a hobby.

I'd imagine most of the questions they get are specific to actual features of the car, not it's technical stats.

By definition, a genius should know more about something than an enthusiast/hobbyist. Granted, there is a lot of hyperbole in this thread, but the experience BMW offers with this new class of employee should be something that even enthusiasts/hobbyists have to admit is worthwhile. Right now, it isn't.

Take nike001's comment earlier in the thread-

Originally Posted by nike001

Bold: Our time is as valuable as yours. Why have a Genius go through the whole ordeal if you already know it all? Especially if you're just waiting for them to make a mistake.

A BMW genius should not be showing up here rambling on about how his time is as valuable as a potential buyer. Flat out, it isn’t. A genius should be able to recognize when they are working with a BMW novice and an enthusiast/hobbyist and be able to adjust accordingly. That is value added.