Does anyone here know any private jet salesmen? | FerrariChat

Does anyone here know any private jet salesmen?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by perks1337, Aug 24, 2006.

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  1. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT
    A buddy of mine was offered a job selling private jets, he just doesn't know all that much about the industry. Is it a good business to get into?
     
  2. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    I know one. Who is he thinking about working for?
     
  3. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sure, I know lots of them.

    Is it a good industry to get into? That depends a great deal on which company you are talking about and how good a salesman your friend is.

    Now, if he's been offered a sales job at Gulfstream, by all means take it! OTOH, if he's been offered a job by one of the start-up VLJ manufacturers, he may want to think on it.

    If it's selling used aircraft, that depends on the company and the deal he's offered, as well as his sales ability.

    Does he have any aviation industry experience? All of the successful salesmen I know have aviation experience, either as pilots or mechanics.
     
  4. wrecktech

    wrecktech Formula Junior

    Jun 4, 2004
    368
    Fort Wayne, Indiana

    Gentry doesn't count.
     
  5. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT
    I guess he can't mention the name of the company, it's "confidental", but from I grasped, the company is similar to netjets... http://www.netjets.com/default.asp

    It was either selling high-end commerical RE or this... He is a bit indecisive at the moment...

    On average, what are some requirements vs. other sales positions, and what are some average salaries?
     
  6. chitown dave

    chitown dave Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2005
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    Interesting first post. Your friend was offered a job selling multi-million dollar equipment and doesn't have any experience?

    I find that quite hard to believe. Most salesman work for large aviation concerns (FBOs) and have extensive experience in aviation. I bought my last plane (Piper Turbo Arrow) from a former Navy A-6 driver.

    As far as the VLJ (very light jet) comment there is currently a grand total of one - the Eclipse 500 - which is sold by the factory and has been a huge hit with a 2 year waiting list. If you could get a piece of that action (which you can't) you would be golden.

    The Cessna Mustang and the HondaJet will not be certified for a few years and will also be sold by the company.
     
  7. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Bah, you guys beat me to it.
     
  8. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT
    I understand where you are coming from but I am not making this up. I assumed that some people on this board would know more about this topic than me... Thanks for the imput
     
  9. xto

    xto Karting

    Mar 20, 2006
    227
    You are a little behind in your facts. The Cessna Mustang will be certified this December, 2006 with first deliveries in Jan 2007. They have presold about 270 aircraft.
     
  10. chitown dave

    chitown dave Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2005
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    Indeed I am.
    See what happens when you stop playing with airplanes?
     
  11. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    I was thinking the same thing. But I guess there's a side to this we don't know.
     
  12. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    You know I cant think of a company, other than entertainment or government, that keeps that it even offered a job a secret.

    Leaning towards BS right now too.

    Oh and my contact is my an ex gf. I dont even know much about Gentry. (Sad for an F-Chat cop, huh?)
     
  13. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT
    You guys are right, I am trying to make up this story up b/c I want to impress you guys... hmmmm, I have been a memeber for what a year and I've never posted anything and all of a sudden, I come out of my shell and start lying about something random occupation?? I don't think so...

    As far as keeping it private, what would you do if you were interested in the same profession and found out which company (granted there a few I am sure) is hiring? My other buddy who has works there would be recieving about 2500 applications.

    Cheers
     
  14. chitown dave

    chitown dave Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2005
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    Well sorry if we upset you but it just doesn't sound plausible. People who are interested in buying these things just are not going to waste their time with someone who doesn't know when the last TBO was done or what a hot section is.

    And if you have another friend already in the business I suggest you ask him - he would know.
     
  15. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT
    I wanted an unbiased opinion. Thank you guys for the imput, I am in agreeance with all of you that is why I am asking. It almost seems too good to be true... Hey, I guess we shall see what happens...
     
  16. chitown dave

    chitown dave Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2005
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    Perks- nice of you to take it that way - I really didn't mean any bad will. I hope the best for you and your friends and I mean that.

    It's hard enough finding a car salesman that knows anything about cars - I've got a million stories, the last being a Corvette salesman who didn't know they had an F1 style gearbox.

    It's just that I do not see how someone without any experience in turbine equipment can expect to sell anything. The guys responsible for buying these things know their s@#* and your friend just won't be able to answer.

    It ain't selling houses where any idiot can let you walk in and look at it.

    well you were asking for unbiased opinions...
     
  17. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    If he's selling fractional shares, and not for NetJets, then it's most likely FlexJet, Flight Options, or Citation Shares. Or one of the small fractionals, I suppose.

    That's a very different deal from actually selling airplanes-- what you are really selling is a service. If he's a good salesman and has a finance background, he might be able to do okay. Other than Netjets, and possibly CitationShares, I don't think the other companies have been selling all that well, however.

    As for the VLJ companies, it's true that Eclipse and the Citation Mustang should do well-- although in the case of Eclipse, I'd say it's not necessarily a given. But, there are many, many start-ups in that business as well, many with shaky financing and questionable products. That's who I was talking about.

    And, being an Eclipse salesman might not be the best gig, anyway-- when is the next position you could sell? IIRC, most of those companies only pay your commission when the aircraft is delivered.
     
  18. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT

    Tell me how you really feel!! JK haha
    Truthfully, that is the response I was looking for... Thanks for the info.
     
  19. perks1337

    perks1337 Rookie

    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    CT

    Roger, this is true. They are starting to sell aircrafts as well as services, it seems as though the demand is there...
     
  20. MAHOOL

    MAHOOL Formula Junior

    May 24, 2004
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    anyone have links to these small jets, eclipse, citation.....thanks
     
  21. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    I think your friend is a pathelogical liar, that or you are your friend in which case you're a schizophrenic pathelogical liar. ;)

    But really, he has no to little previous experience in this industry and these people are offering him a job selling private jets? If I owned a company selling private jets I would want my salesman to know these jets inside/out and have previous experience with aircraft in some form of fashion or another. Sounds like b/s to me.
     
  22. prohydro

    prohydro Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2001
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    Redmond, WA
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    Christian
    I don't thinki it's that unrealistic that his friend could get an offer to sell fractional jet shares. Like another poster said, he's not selling the actual jet. Ocean of difference. I don't think your average fractional jet buyer is going to be asking NetJets about turbine time and the last hydraulic service, but instead about whether they can bring their dog on board or how many strippers the plane will hold.

    Heck, I when I bought our condo my mortgage was done through a friend of the RE Agent. He was one of the top lenders at Citibank, and 2 years ago owned an upperclass gym. He said he learned what he needed to, the rest is just personality.
     
  23. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

    Jan 5, 2006
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    If your friend has no knowledge or passion about aircraft, I can't see him being successful in aircraft sales. I would say the exact same thing about HE real estate. Discriminating buyers want knowledgeable salespeople, not someone who's going to have to "check on that and get back with them."
     
  24. Market Mover

    Market Mover Formula Junior

    Aug 25, 2006
    292
    Glastonbury CT
    A lot of times aircraft sales basically consists of locating the aircraft a client is interested in. Not too many companies carry a large inventory of new and used a/c.. If they were to work for a large company with locations throughout the US or the world they might just act as a local/regional rep who would basically act as a middleman--still a quality job, but the expertise in aircraft would not be needed. Just locate it or help in the sale. I do not know too many private jet owners that fly themselves so they know nothing more than how many seats the plane has and what color the stripes on the outside are.. I doubt they even know the tail number and what airports they can fly into.. I can totally see a non experienced, professional, personable guy doing well in this position. keep us informed.
     
  25. DallasGuy

    DallasGuy Formula Junior

    Oct 29, 2002
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    Chris F
    I think that is actually the point that many others have made. The people with the checkbook may not know all the details but the guys that work for them and advise on the decision know their stuff inside and out.

    Anyone that already has a plane probably has a flight department or at least a captain that will spearhead the effort to find the next plane. Every corporate pilot I have met is the equivalent of a "gearhead" with planes. I can't imagine they would want to interface with a salesman who does not know the subject when there are so many out there who do.
     

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