[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

I mean, it's not that bad. But, there are days when I work 9-7 just sitting on my rear end doing nothing. Idk about you guys, but I hate sitting and not doing anything. Drives me insane.

A lot of the salesmen I work with have been in the car business since the late 70s-80s. That era was the time when you were making bank selling cars. No internet, no window stickers. You could tell the customers whatever you wanted. It was easy to make 100k+/year during that time. Now you're lucky to touch 80k even as a manager.

I'm at the point where I have to get out of this business. It's just eating me alive. Sales really doesn't require any kind of skill. Just need to know how to talk to people. I had one of my managers walk up to me and ask me wth I am doing in this business at the age of 25? I was shocked because you never hear a manager tell his salesmen that kind of stuff. He was like, "You're only 25 man. You have so much life left in you. Don't let your life rot away in the car industry". Mind you, this guy is probably in his mid 30s

If you enjoy Sales, look at a Company called Thermofisher. They have sales reps all over the world. Primarily they sell medical equipment to hospitals, doctors, etc. My brother has been with them over 20 years now and is the New England Sales rep. People that are good at Sales can make HUGE money here. My brother started with one account, supplying medical grade rats to a research lab, and today his biggest account is a little company you may have heard of, Pfizer.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Probably not as bad of a grind if you don’t need the money and are doing it for purpose and to be productive.

That's what I would be doing. I am passionate about the cars, I know more about them than 80% of the sales people and I feel I would come across as compelling to buyers. I'd still like to make a buck though while I am having my "retirement fun job".

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

That's what I would be doing. I am passionate about the cars, I know more about them than 80% of the sales people and I feel I would come across as compelling to buyers. I'd still like to make a buck though while I am having my "retirement fun job".

A very good friend of mine worked for the nearby Lexus dealer after he retired from a highly regarded consumer products company where we both worked. He was able to work part time and enjoyed it for a few years before becoming officially retired. This was in the 90's and I'm sure that things have changed since then. But he has good memories of it.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

That's what I would be doing. I am passionate about the cars, I know more about them than 80% of the sales people and I feel I would come across as compelling to buyers. I'd still like to make a buck though while I am having my "retirement fun job".

It’s among the list of things I think I’d find interest in, in “retirement”. The list:

Teaching a high school intro Econ/business class

Selling BMW’s

Something in the “recovery” realm (I don’t drink)

But I may just end up working in my current job late into my 70’s. I’m a partner in an investment firm. You can start to make your own hours in this business, once you get to that point. Especially if you’re willing to pay out of your own pocket for support folks to take on some of your day to day.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

If you enjoy Sales, look at a Company called Thermofisher. They have sales reps all over the world. Primarily they sell medical equipment to hospitals, doctors, etc. My brother has been with them over 20 years now and is the New England Sales rep. People that are good at Sales can make HUGE money here. My brother started with one account, supplying medical grade rats to a research lab, and today his biggest account is a little company you may have heard of, Pfizer.

Ha I have been a customer of Thermo Fisher for almost two decades and that made me laugh. I have so many thoughts on Thermo Fisher... but yeah I suppose in the right position you could make good money.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by ahakanc90

Not an auction but I think this one is a good deal in case anyone is looking for an m550i:

https://www.toyotaofmanchesternh.com...3bk04ncj76041/

Ooh I would have seriously pursued this one back when I was in the market. My top choice exterior color and all the packages I want, but my bottom choice interior color...oh well, there's always something amiss.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Ooh I would have seriously pursued this one back when I was in the market. My top choice exterior color and all the packages I want, but my bottom choice interior color...oh well, there's always something amiss.

That’s a pretty car. You could get this car however you like it. Pretty and classy or more dark and aggressive. I was trying to split the difference but never found it - dark gray or black with a caramel or tartufo interior. Ended up with CQM on black nappa and now I love it.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Ha I have been a customer of Thermo Fisher for almost two decades and that made me laugh. I have so many thoughts on Thermo Fisher... but yeah I suppose in the right position you could make good money.

Lets put it this way, he's had bonuses that were bigger than my entire miltary annual salary. And they've also given him thousands of stock as well. Once you're higher up in the food chain, It pays out. They take care of those who make them money. Thermo owns a Suite at fenway and I've been a few times.
It's unreal.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

Lets put it this way, he's had bonuses that were bigger than my entire miltary annual salary. And they've also given him thousands of stock as well. Once you're higher up in the food chain, It pays out. They take care of those who make them money. Thermo owns a Suite at fenway and I've been a few times.
It's unreal.

Big Pharma Mark, nothing new here. Strong revenue producers get paid big bucks in most industries, but Biotech and Healthcare are off the charts (as is health insurance). Even in Financial Services and Telecom (where I have spent my entire career), seven figure bonuses per year aren't uncommon for top producers.

Just wait until I get on the sales floor of a BMW dealership - $$$$$$

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by NGT2

It’s among the list of things I think I’d find interest in, in “retirement”. The list: ......Selling BMW’s......

Actually that's what I did. Ever since I was a teenager I wanted to work at a car dealer. When I was doing some private equity work I toyed with putting together a small roll up of an automotive nature. But when I talked to the chairman of an accounting firm who audited dealers, he warned me not to get into the car dealer business. He said, "If you don't grow up in the business, they will steal you blind". I retired somewhat early and decided I would try selling BMWs. Had a friend who owned a bunch of dealerships and he let me join one of his BMW sales groups for a learning experience. Didn't really like some of the folks I was working with there so after six months I joined a local dealer that was five minutes from my house. Worked there for 7 years. Didn't make any money to speak of (certainly not compared to running companies and consulting) but I ended up making a lot of friends and had a really good time, and I still stop in regularly. Ironically the dealership, a very good one owned by the same family since 1934, had a used car manager who was stealing from them and the general manager was taking a cut of his action. So my accountant friend's advice was prescient. I helped in a small way for the dealer to get rid of them. Fully retired in 2014 and have enjoyed the complete lack of responsibility ever since. --Bob

[Bob in IL]

When I retired (in 2004) I had some ideas of what I'd like to do on a part time basis once I settled into retirement. As the weeks and months went by, I decided that "hey, this life isn't bad". Long story short, after 20 years it's been great and I'm grateful that I've been able to do it and live very comfortably. It's different for everybody but just one guys experience.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

When I retired (in 2004) I had some ideas of what I'd like to do on a part time basis once I settled into retirement. As the weeks and months went by, I decided that "hey, this life isn't bad". Long story short, after 20 years it's been great and I'm grateful that I've been able to do it and live very comfortably. It's different for everybody but just one guys experience.

When you say "do it" I presume you didn't take action on your ideas and ended up doing nothing and liking it?

I am about 12 years from retirement, but I took a two year sabbatical from 2016-2018 and I had no problem doing nothing and filling up my day!

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

When you say "do it" I presume you didn't take action on your ideas and ended up doing nothing and liking it?

I am about 12 years from retirement, but I took a two year sabbatical from 2016-2018 and I had no problem doing nothing and filling up my day!

Correct, I didn't take any action on doing nothing, and like you, I'm happy and content doing nothing - Or rather doing whatever I like. Coincidentally, two very close friends of mine retired from the same company 4 and 6 years after me and followed the same path as I did. When the financial crises hit in '08 and '09 I was sure that financially I screwed up big time retiring when I did. Fortunately, I was well invested and came through it OK.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

Lets put it this way, he's had bonuses that were bigger than my entire miltary annual salary. And they've also given him thousands of stock as well. Once you're higher up in the food chain, It pays out. They take care of those who make them money. Thermo owns a Suite at fenway and I've been a few times.
It's unreal.

Oh yeah I fully believe that, especially higher up. Thermo has been on an acquisition spree the last 15 years and they acquired a lot of very good companies with outstanding products. However, their instrumentation engineering has gone downhill during that period (taken on too much? Trying to reinvent products?), so much so that in my field there is some equipment for which we say "stay away from Thermo!". Anyway, I found it amusing because Thermo removed a lot of the upcoming competition from the market through acquisitions, has ridiculously overpriced products but customers sometimes have nowhere else to go, and of course are raking in the $ and handing out big payouts to their sales folks.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

Correct, I didn't take any action on doing nothing, and like you, I'm happy and content doing nothing - Or rather doing whatever I like. Coincidentally, two very close friends of mine retired from the same company 4 and 6 years after me and followed the same path as I did. When the financial crises hit in '08 and '09 I was sure that financially I screwed up big time retiring when I did. Fortunately, I was well invested and came through it OK.

Good for you! Almost all of our clients came through it great, too. Same with Covid crash and 2022 crash.

The key is to STAY invested. The only clients that got harmed long term were the ones that INSISTED on reducing stock exposure when things had already crashed.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Good for you! Almost all of our clients came through it great, too. Same with Covid crash and 2022 crash.

The key is to STAY invested. The only clients that got harmed long term were the ones that INSISTED on reducing stock exposure when things had already crashed.

Good advice on staying invested. I'm sure your clients appreciated the advice. My financial advisor did a lot of hand holding during '08-'09. I'd been retired for 4-5 years when it hit so was a bit more comfortable with staying invested (although I had my moments). The Covid and 2022 crashes were a bit easier to handle after experiencing '08 & "09.

[Joe-BMW33]

Buy, hold and diversify. It is a philosophy that works for every investment vehicle (including real estate)if you can afford stay invested. In down markets, don’t look at your portfolio. Prime example, there is no worse feeling than putting new money in the market and immediately losing value. Much easier to see gains disappear. This was me during COVID where bonuses were big and the market ate up 30-40% almost immediately. I stopped looking and now look at the market.

[Joe-BMW33]

$91,500 for this, crazy for a 21-year old car, but an example of how coveted the 5-series is. I really think the M550 and M5 are going to carry some weight in 10+ years. BMW's shift to ugly EV and PHEV's is going to drive the value of our last all ICE V8's. This would have broke $100,000 if it had caramel interior, but otherwise, maybe the most desired and rare color - Imola.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-m5-220/

While we are at it and discussing Porsche's in another thread, this sucker didn't even sell at $411,000 with a sticker of $287,000 and under 1,000 miles, pretty much a brand new car. Sport Classics are an allocation and you just can't order one. This one was clearly someone flipping.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ort-classic-7/

[Joe-BMW33]

Chappers 71

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1992-bmw-m5-32/

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Chappers 71

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1992-bmw-m5-32/

Yeah nice, I didn’t see a price but it’ll most likely need a fair amount spent to get it ‘right’.
I had a ‘leak’ with the self levelling rear suspension on mine…cost around £2500 ($3,300) to get it fixed. That was in 2000, would be around £4,600 in todays money ($6,100)

I loved mine back in the day but wouldn’t want one to live with one nowadays

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yeah nice, I didn’t see a price but it’ll most likely need a fair amount spent to get it ‘right’.
I had a ‘leak’ with the self levelling rear suspension on mine…cost around £2500 ($3,300) to get it fixed. That was in 2000, would be around £4,600 in todays money ($6,100)

I loved mine back in the day but wouldn’t want one to live with one nowadays

Oh owning a classic BMW is an expensive venture, ask me how I know. This is an auction site (Bring a Trailer). The founders of the website are BMW enthusiasts and the cars on this site are usually rare, classic or exotic. I thought of you when I saw this because I know you love the E34.

Most E34 M5’s I have seen have had the self leveling suspension removed, probably for the reasons you stated. It’s problematic and expensive to fix.

Keep an eye on it for fun. Auction has 6 days to go.

[Joe-BMW33]

M5 Comp - a little beat up (no PPF - stone chips and wheel rash), but I bet this goes for a very favorable price or it doesn't meet the reserve.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2019-bmw-m5-29/