Pros
Let me start by saying that I did receive a better opportunity at another company, and am no longer working at Grappone. However, I have nothing but good things to say!! Grappone Automotive Group is an amazing company to work for. The owner, Amanda, is a fourth generation, hands-on owner who is in touch with her team and her guests. Amanda routinely can be seen playing the piano in the Toyota dealership, or walking through the other dealerships playing the banjo, asking how everyone is doing. It's just a really cool thing to know that Grappone has an owner that isn't hiding in an office. Truly a family business with family values. The group's mission statement, to "serve our teammates, guests, and community, with kindness, integrity, and respect" rings true every day and it's a great feeling to be able to live it every day. Grappone has chosen to change the way they do business and display a fair, negotiation-free, price on every vehicle that they sell. They also offer a two negotiation-free trade values, one of which is an offer to purchase from a Team Leader at Grappone, and the second is from AutoTrader.com, an independent site. These numbers are Actual Cash Values of the vehicles, and Grappone will buy for that price, even if you don't buy a car from them. None of that "over-allow" or "under-allow" on the trade. When they say negotiation free, they mean negotiation free. Zero Negotiation, not even a stick of gum "thrown into the deal". Because of this, your job as a Product Specialist, is simply to help the guest find the right car for them. You don't work on commission here, so there's no incentive for you to sell a guest the car you want to sell them, rather, you have the freedom to find whichever car they want to buy. It's very refreshing. Grappone is a small company with about 315 employees, so the scope of benefits is sometimes less, and cost of benefits is higher than, say, a Fortune 500 Company. With that being said, the benefit package is competitive. Amanda and her family put a lot of importance on offering good benefits and family security. Here's a quick list of benefits: -Health/Dental/Vision -401(k) with 100% company match on up to 2% -Discounts on vehicles, service, parts, and accessories -Paid Vacation and Holidays -Fitness reimbursement and onsite equipment -Tuition Assistance If you are a Product Specialist ("Sales and Leasing Consultant" in the "old" car business), you will get an extremely fair pay plan. And a 40 hour work week. It features an hourly guaranteed wage similar to what you get as a Specialist at an Apple Store that is yours to keep. You do not need to pay it back, ever. No draw on future commission nonsense. You also get paid a flat rate per vehicle that you sell, and you get paid for selling accessories, and various Finance and Insurance Products. Your weekly pay is the higher amount of A) what you make selling cars (flat + product + accessories) or B) The Hourly Guarantee. Super fair, lets you pay your bills even if you have a bad month, and stress-free.
Cons
Because Grappone has greatly challenged the "car buying status quo", and there aren't many (any?) other dealerships in the United States doing what they are doing, to the extent that they are doing it, there are no models to look at for guidance for training, coaching, etc. So initial training, ongoing training, etc. is lacking. The company is working on the issue though, and there's no doubt in my mind that they will come up with a solve better than anywhere. Other things that come with being a pioneer make the environment tough sometimes...lots of ambiguity, but the job is rewarding because ultimately, you get to serve the guests and work on their terms.