Real-Life Math
Sherry Linton sells automobiles. She says that auto salespeople
need to be good at calculations, but at her car lot -- as with
many others -- there are finance managers who handle the numbers.
"My
role is to find the right vehicle and agree to the price, then get the finance
office to complete all the financial paperwork," she says. "But, yes, some
places do it from start to finish and you would have to have a great grasp
on numbers. Some dealers also like to move numbers around to show more for
trades, a bigger discount, etc. So at times it can be a numbers game."
You're
a salesperson for an auto dealership that offers financing for customers.
You see a customer wandering through the new car section, so you venture out
to see if he needs any help.
After talking for awhile, you learn the
man is looking for a good family car. He says he can afford a down payment
of $2,000.
He's chosen a car worth $14,500 and wants to know if you'll
accept his down payment and allow him to finance the rest of the car.
Your
sales manager has told you a down payment must be at least 7 percent of the
purchase price of the car.
With a down payment of $2,000 on a $14,500
car, can you accept this customer's offer?