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By Rebecca Sippel
Veteran salesman Sam Moun and newcomer Nick Whitworth have been named O’Daniel Automart Mazda’s Salesmen of the Year for 2017.
While this year marks Moun’s 11th time being named salesman of the year (Wow! What a streak!), Whitworth has received the title after only one full-year at O’Daniel Automart Mazda.
Whitworth revealed he owes part of his success to his unconventional approach to selling cars: don’t try to sell them.
“I don’t try to sell anything,” Whitworth said. “I know that sounds odd, but what I mean is—cars sell themselves. My one and only goal with every client I meet is to help them solve their problem. That could be needing a bigger vehicle, needing better gas mileage, trying to lower a payment, etcetera. I want to know what your goal is and my mission is to help you achieve it.”
Whitworth told us the best advice he can offer for getting a great deal on a vehicle is to do research and to choose a trustworthy sales professional with good reviews, who is DealerRater certified.
Moun maintains a simpler approach to getting a good deal. Be nice to the salesman.
“If the customer is kind, the salesman will work extra hard to get them the best deal,” Moun said.
Both salesmen believe their honesty has played a large role in their business success.
Moun’s mission is to be different than the typical, pushy salesman. He is honest and down to earth and takes the time to connect with every customer to ensure they can get their perfect vehicle.
Similarly, Whitworth tries to be honest with people and connect with them as friends. He makes a commitment to treat potential buyers as clients rather than customers.
Whitworth said he hopes to erase the negative rumor that car salesmen are "out to get people."
“The car sales industry is transcending itself,” Whitworth said. “Most of us in the industry today are hardworking, honest people. Give us an opportunity to help you achieve your goals, and don’t just assume we’re what the media portrays.”
Both salesmen hope to improve and grow their business in the coming year. While Moun aims to grow his book of business by 10 percent, Whitworth hopes for a repeat title as sales professional of the year.
