Morgan Hotze, Hyundai Business Coordinator
As promised, here is round two on my search to gain some insight inside the dealership. I have gone around to the 6 McCarthy locations asking some questions to women employees in hopes of getting some insight about women and dealerships. Here’s what these women had to say.
Q. Do you think you have any disadvantages being a woman in the car business?
Gretchen Jammiggeh, Sales Associate at McCarthy Chevrolet: “I have to be the best at what I do to compete with my male counterparts. My product knowledge, listening skills, and customer service skills allow me to listen to the customers concerns, wants and needs and land them on the proper vehicle.”
Mimi Srivisay, Used Car Assistant Manager: “Not any different from a male associate – just maybe a change of face and personality.”
Susie Self, Service Manager at McCarthy Blue Springs Nissan: “I have no negative comments or feelings towards being a women in the car dealership.”
Jammiggeh: “Sometimes it hurts you because they assume you don’t know the product as well as a man. And we know that’s just not true!”
Q. Do you help more men or women?
Srivisay : “Probably help more men.”
Jammiggeh: “I would love to say that I help more women. But, I help more men customers. There just seems to be more men that shop for cars.”
Self: “I focus entirely on my customers.”
Q. What are women looking for when they buy a car?
Jammiggeh: “Safety, security and reliability. And they want the best value for their money.”
Srivisay: “Women are broader-minded … thinking about space for family and options suitable on a car.”
Q. Have you had any interesting stories about being a woman in the car business?
Jammiggeh: “Yes, I had a male customer come in looking for a salesman. He wanted to look at a truck. I told him that I could help him with that. You could see that he was resistant. But after looking at the trucks and answering all of his questions and concerns, he purchased the truck from me. He also expressed to me how impressed he was of my knowledge of trucks. He did not expect it from a woman.”
Q. Would you recommend working in the car business to other women?
Jammiggeh: “I love my job! I find it exciting and very challenging. But, it does require a lot of time and dedication to it. So, if you have a family, it sometimes can be hard to create a balance between family and career … but I manage.”
Self: “I have a lot of energy – a big personality – I wouldn’t be able to work in an office. I need to be in the public, with people. My customers always have a big smile on their face when they leave.”
So guys and gals … do you agree of disagree with what these female employees are saying?
If you havn’t seen it yet, check out the first part of my interviews with McCarthy’s women employees.
Heather Benedict, Sales Associate at McCarthy Hyundai in Olathe
