In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

btrflygrl Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:30 AM

In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

HI All....I need to lean on the shoulders of my friends right now and need you to let me know what you would do if you were in my and DH shoes....

Background info: Moved to GA, DH left his retail Mgr position to sell cars b/c they would not transfer him. He's been doing ok, actually making less than what he was pulling in back in NY but we're still making our bills and such.

His dilemma: he has the chance to go back to being a Mgr. down here as a re-hire. he doesn't know what to do: stick with selling cars (not a lifetime thing) or go back to retail to gain the opportunity to go back to school and get his degree. He feels that selling cars is not challenging him to be a better person (hence to going back to school and maybe seminary)

With the store, the $$ is steady and guaranteed, good benefits, a discount, selling something he loves (video games), vacation and sick time, the hours are a tad worse, he's got the holiday season. With selling cars: the potential for a lot of $$ is there, but no guarantee. If he takes time off, he loses money by not being there to sell cars.

What would you do?

julz33 Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:31 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

What is he happier doing?
I would go back tp the store, especially if you are trying to get a house

Sassyz75 Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:32 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

I would say the store... it would give y'all more stability

shawl Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:33 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

It sounds like most of the positives are in the retail position, with a smaller chance of more money (but, I expect, a larger chance of less money???) in the car sales position. Given that you are just starting your lives together, and the retail position also offers more opportunities for advancement, I would go for that. But, ultimately, the two of you have to decide what will make you happiest!

Jax430 Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:33 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

It sounds to me like you listed a lot more positives for going back to the retail position, aside from the bad hours at times. Based on what you told us, I would go back to the retail position - it sounds like it's more stable, and has more possibilities for the future.

Is there anything specific about his job selling cars that is making it difficult for him to decide what to do?

don424 Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:33 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

honestly, it doesn;t sound like a tough decision at all. From what you say, it saounds like the retail mgr thing is the way to go

Lisa Rose Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:34 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Personally, I would stick with the steady job...retail. Even though the hours around the holidays suck...at least you know there is a steady salary coming in. With car sales...you never know.

good Luck!

nov04LIbride Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:35 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Posted by julz33

What is he happier doing?
I would go back tp the store, especially if you are trying to get a house

I agree! Especially if you are even thinking of in the future, stability is really important. Any time my FH even mentioned changing to sales positions that were partly based on commission I told him how worried I would be--what if there is a bad year? What if the economy does not improve and people aren't buying as many cars?

btrflygrl Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:36 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

He comes home very happy when he sells a car, but has some gripes about this person or that person doing something dumb or pissing him off.

He was very tired back in NY when he finally came home at 10pm and the same gripes about customers.

But his ultimate goal is to go back to school.

I forgot about our income for a house! Thanks guys....we're also going to be starting a family soon, so steady $$ is going to be a good thing.

He also gets free stuff (albeit they are video game related tee shirts and such)

wc0143 Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:37 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

I'm with Julie on what would make him happier? I honestly believe when you actually have options, that is a very important criteria.

I'd also be a bit ticked off at the old company that they wouldn't transfer and now are willing to re-hire. ***? Are they bridging his time (if that matters as far as vacation, bene's, etc)?

Chloegirl Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:37 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Sounds like the store has more stability. That would be my choice since you are also thinking about starting a family soon.

Plus the option for schooling may be a plus too if he decides to further his education.

WinterBride2005 Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:38 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

I would take the rehire position as a manager. It's a steady income w/ benefits. It sounds like the only bad thing is the hours but that is adaptable. The best thing is that he loves doing it.. which says a lot!!

What is DH leaning towards?

hbradio Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:39 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

I would go with the store - its more stabile and it sounds like hes much happier there. Good luck!

btrflygrl Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:39 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Posted by wc0143

I'm with Julie on what would make him happier? I honestly believe when you actually have options, that is a very important criteria.

I'd also be a bit ticked off at the old company that they wouldn't transfer and now are willing to re-hire. ***? Are they bridging his time (if that matters as far as vacation, bene's, etc)?

The one District Mgr was being a jerk...the DM down here was more than willing to take him back...makes his job easier with new stores opening...he doesn't have to train!!!

I think legally, he has 90 days to come back and they have to give him his old salary. He doesn't take much time off, so his usual 2 weeks would be normal....it was turned over in April, so he'd have all his vacation time anyways.

eogara Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:47 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

If his ultimate goal is to go back to school and the retail position would help him do that, I think the decision is clear. Although it may not make him happiest right now, the ends justifies the means and he will ultimately be happier than sellling cars.

KerrC Posted: Sep 01, 2004 09:54 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

I would go back to retail. Steady paycheck and flexible hours.

Good Luck!

Bebalina Posted: Sep 01, 2004 10:11 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Posted by nov04LIbride

Posted by julz33

What is he happier doing?
I would go back tp the store, especially if you are trying to get a house

I agree! Especially if you are even thinking of in the future, stability is really important. Any time my FH even mentioned changing to sales positions that were partly based on commission I told him how worried I would be--what if there is a bad year? What if the economy does not improve and people aren't buying as many cars?

i agree....

suven Posted: Sep 01, 2004 10:12 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Posted by btrflygrl

He feels that selling cars is not challenging him to be a better person (hence to going back to school and maybe seminary)

What would you do?

THIS is why I say that he should stop selling cars. Right now in my career, I feel the EXACT same way. And, I am doing VERY well, but I still do not feel challenged or like this job is making me be a better person...

So, I think that even if he sold all of the cars in the world, it still does not seem like that will create happiness for him.

My vote: go back to retail and pursue a degree!

Xelindrya Posted: Sep 01, 2004 10:13 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

I say go back retail
You asked for our thoughts.

Retail offers oppurtunities for other jobs down the line. You can only get so many oppurtunties as a car salesmen after a while. He's still close enough (timewise) from his old 'career' that there's very little slack. But if years go by and he wants to look for job in retail again it's sort of like 'Well 2 years ago I used to manage a retail shop' sounds a little harsh compared to 'I used to manage a retail job, but unfortunately had to leave when I relocated'

I say retail. More future possibilities.

HearzBellz Posted: Sep 01, 2004 10:17 AM

Re: In all seriousness...What would you do in our situation..Advice needed (long)

Anything that can help facilitate going back to school is a good choice, as far as I am concerned.

The auto industry is very stressful & very unstable...DH works for a dealership & people are constantly on eggshells about making their quotas & keeping their jobs.

I say if he can do something he has an interest in, go back to school and make steady money, then he's got it made