I walked into Charlies Dodge of Fort Pierce FL not long ago and applied for a job.  Someone named Tim clapped me on the shoulder while I was still filling out info and said "be right with ya buddy".  I went through the interview process, got the job and went home happy.  I would finally make decent money.

 

I showed up early for training, I wanted to make a good impression.  The first class had me thinking I really lucked out.  At the end of the first class we were told there was a "small" fee for the class being taught by a specialized training company for the auto sales field.  Tim was a little dodgy about telling us what "small" is untill finally he said it was 599.00.  It was no worry though, the only way we could lose it was if we decided to leave on our own before 90 days.  It would be like getting an early tax return attached to a large paycheck.

 

Tims classes went for three days, then the dealership had one its own sales managers come up and teach a followup class.  We were repeatedly told about six figure incomes, and a good riddance to the 9 to 5 grind.  We were warned that auto sales wasnt for everyone, but again still no big deal, the sales manager would just happily shake our hand and give us our money back.  I finished class feeling positive about the job, I wanted to take it seriously.

 

The first day on the floor for our class had our only female leave her first shift early and never come back.  Days later we found out by way of laughter and jokes that she had been sexually harrassed into quiting.  A salesman was picking on her alot and finally said "you know you like it in the ass".  She was gone.

 

About two weeks on the floor went by and the sales managers started calling people into the office.  The people they called one by one would walk out the doors never to return.  I was nervous I was next, but when I was called in I was told I had alot of promise and that they wanted to keep me.  I felt bad for the other guys but at least they would get their salery and their training money to tide them over. 

 

Selling wasnt easy as it turned out.  I found it easy enough to get my customers wanting to buy, but near impossible to find people the bank wanted to allow to buy.  I kept my attitude positive and still made sure to be on time and on the ball for work.  Things could get better.

 

The only pay I was making was 400.00 per week for the first month, then 300.00 per week the second month.  The sales I made were all flat 100.00 that I had to split with an experienced salesman who helped show me the ropes.  The money was getting tight but things would get better, all I needed was a car with a good commission on it. 

 

Wednesday of last week rolled around and my good car hadnt happened yet.  The Co owner held a morning meeting and swore at everyone for failure to sell cars.  He threatened firing the new class if he didnt see change in a week.  We all left angry as he was blaming us for people the bank wont clear, and the fact that we were all lucky to get even one customer in a day. 

 

Thursday was another slow day, I got my turn, a kid wanting a 50,000.00 truck and no intention of discussing how he was going to pull it off.  Another day with no sale!    A classmate of mine seemed angry about something.  He was talking about the co owner blaming us all for the fact that they dont advertise much and the fact that the banks are done passing out cash.  I told him there was no worry, we get fired and get our salary and 599.00.  Enough to get us through to another job.  He shook his head and started to sound really angry, he had talked with the others who had been let go and they had been ripped off.  I didnt believe it and he insisted we were getting charged to get a job and not getting a penny back.  He started in about what Charlies would deserve for ripping people off like that.  He mentioned windshields, I joked "not a windshield left, Discount!.  Another joked that his being hispanic meant he could get his "homies" (this was a joke, he was no gang banger).  I joked back "tell the KKK theyre red communist Jews", we all laughed.  I was starting to get angry so I tried to leave the current conversation behind and start another one.  I mentioned I had a nice rifle collection and that I was afraid I would have to sell one off to a store or collecter to get by.  I mentioned one I could get 3200.00 for that I only paid 700.00 for several years ago.  The others were still going on about getting fired and losing their money.  The day went on with me getting nothing and I just hoped for a better Friday.

 

I showed up early for work like allways and started making calls, and preparing myself for the shift.  I was called into the sales office all the sudden where the owner, co owner, and two cops were waiting to greet me.  I was told that I had caused people to fear violence.  They said there was no known specific threat made against any specific person but people felt nervous.  I had been there for an hour and had 4 pleasent conversations allready so I wondered who.  They didnt say and told me I was fired and that they would be keeping my money.  The reason I was given was that there was a recent killing in Virginia Tech and that my owning firearms was a liability.  I stated I had high grade stuff I didnt make a habit of carrying around, but they insisted that there was no recourse.  I was to leave immediatly and never enter the property ever again.  I am not even to have my car serviced or pick up my last paycheck.  I of course pointed out that I had no violent intentions for anyone anywhere but they stated that my lack of violent intentions didnt matter.  The police joked about child molesters and Jeffery Dalmer to get my goose so I would get angry and have myself arrested but I held it together.  I cleaned out my desk while the patrolman kept trying to make me angry with Jeffery Dalmer remarks, but still I didnt say anything as disagreeing with a police officer is a felony.  On the way back to the car both cops were still trying to get my goose but I just walked fast to my car.  Out six hundred dollers, a job, the right to use my service coupons, and my last paycheck I can be arrested for trying to collect.  They will pay it if they feel like it but I doubt they will.

 

This is a nightmare.  I never threatened anyone, I never brought anything to work, I was never late, I got at least 80% of my customers in the door doing paperwork, I never had problems with co workers, I am guilty of being a sucker and buying a job.

 

If anyone else sees an ad for car salesman from this place burn the paper immediatly.  Do not enter as you will not pass go and you will not collect 200.00.  This is yet another greedy American employer scumbag ripping everyone in sight off so he can live life headache free and live on easy street while the people who work for him wonder how they will buy food. 

 

You customers might want to check under the seats and between them when looking at used vehicles.  Sale tags are often mysteriously finding their way out of sight.  Also check tire pressure after buying, the cure for flat tires is to often fill them back up with air.  The greedy owners cant be bothered to put a plug in even though they have a full service shop.  They arent selling many cars so the deals you get can be bettered on bigger more successful lots.

 

  This place is desperate enough rip employees off and definitly has no qualms about about declaring war on your finances too.  Dodge should stop doing business with them, an employees choice of hobbies is none of their business, shooting bambi last year doesnt mean Im going to wipe out the office and it definitly doesnt liken me to sicko Jeffery Dalmer.  Female employees should be allowed to do their jobs like anyone else too.  I wish this place never happened.  This is by far the most disgusting place of immoral business practice I have ever been to.