Meet our Bibra Lake sales team members:

There’s nothing like having a good contrast of people within an organisation - and it certainly couldn’t be greater than what we have in our sales team at Bibra Lake at the moment.

We have Michael Shemeld, the Branch Sales Manager, Darren Beugelaar our Fleet Sales Consultant, Mark Harvey our truck Sales Consultant and Paul O'Leary our ute Sales Consultant.  

Michael has been with us since 2011 and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he knows this industry really well, and if there was ever a person for a beginner to model himself on, it’s this man.

By contrast we have Mark who previously worked with the banquet department of an hotel.

Mark has been with us for six months and so the first question: ‘how are you finding it’, had to be asked.

Mark says he is enjoying it which he adds has come as a bit of a surprise.

‘I have to admit I was tentative in getting into this, but I like variety, so I thought it was worth a go,’ he said.

‘Just about everything I had heard about what happens in vehicle sales is totally different to what happens here.

‘There is no question about ethical behaviour. We work to a high standard’.

Mark says the biggest challenge he has had is learning the details of the various models and of course the mechanical technicalities. It’s a far cry from working on banquets.

‘One thing I do know is that if I don’t know the answer to a customer’s question, go ask someone. The good thing is that everyone has been ready to help me, so I’ve been able to pick things up fairly easily. If a client throws questions at me that I have no hope of knowing with my limited experience - it helps the learning process’.

Mark says he has met some really interesting people which has added to the enjoyment of the job.

‘The ready-made and trade-pack models have been in great demand and the good thing is that as I get to know customer needs,  I’m able to recommend  vehicles to meet  their needs and come out of it with a happy  customer  - and the feeling that I’ve just done a good job of helping someone.

It's very satisfying’.

In some ways Michael had a similar start in the industry to Mark. His introduction to sales was also in joining Majors.

Michael previously worked as a machinery operator.

‘I became fed up with the way the organisation was being run, so I took up a suggestion from a friend – joined Major Motors as a trainee salesperson and have never looked back, he said.

‘It is a job you live – it takes a lot of time, you’re always on the go, but every sale you make with a client is different and you become quite involved at times with your clients’ businesses to ensure they’re getting what they need.

‘Since I’ve been here, I have had quite a lot of repeat customers – coming in for their second or third vehicle.  That in itself is rewarding because they wouldn’t come back if you had given them a bad deal - or their truck or ute they had bought hadn’t delivered’.

Michael added that as he had not been in sales before, like Mark, he did not bring any bad habits from other sales teams.

‘I was taught by people such as Daniel Pearce and others to focus on doing the right thing by the client and that’s the message I’m giving Mark, who I should add, is  catching on to the  world of trucks very well – he’s doing better than what our expectations were for just six months,’ he said.

And how has Covid 19 affected truck sales?

‘We had one month when things were lean, but thanks to the Government’s attractive tax write-off scheme and other incentives, the year has been a busy one’.

Michael has three children, a boy aged eight and twin girls aged six years who keep him well occupied as an aside from trucks and utes.

On the ute side of our team, there has been a buzz of excitement!

The excitement has been generated by the release of the new model D-Max which according to the sales team who handle the sales of the D-Max and MU-X, 2021 has begun fantastically.

To say the least it has been exciting for Darren Beugelaar and Paul O’Leary as they are both new to motor vehicle sales.

Darren is handling fleet sales.

He has four months of motor vehicle selling under his belt, having joined Majors in November last year and though it is a big change from his previous position, he says it is something he is enjoying immensely.

His previous role was in the oil and gas industry - 10 years as a commercial manager handling contracts so corporate sales negotiation is not new to him, in fact it could be said that he has a definite expertise in ascertaining the needs of an organisation and putting together packages that more than meet their requirements.

Darren says his last job came to an end partly due to the Covid 19 virus and it was through a friend that he was introduced to Major’s principals, Bob and Dan Pearce.

‘Whilst I have to say it was all very new and the pace has been fast to say the least, as I’ve had to get up to speed very quickly, it has been exciting. Demand for the new D-Max is outstripping supply at the moment which is a good situation to be in’ he said.

‘And with the refreshed MU-X coming out later this year I really couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the industry.’

‘Having a great product to present to clients gives you great faith in what you’re doing.’

When he is away from the world of motor vehicles, Darren says he has a great family life – a lovely wife and three adult children – a son and two daughters.

Does he play any sport or have hobbies? – ‘my family is my main hobby, enjoying time down south together as much as possible with all that the southwest of Western Australia has to offer’…so all up life is pretty darned good.

And we have Paul who the moment you speak with him, you know where he is from – Ireland, the land of green.

He hails from the beautiful city of Cork.

Paul and his partner have been in Australia just on a year and he too is new to the selling of motor vehicles, though in the past, he adds, they have been a big part of his life.

Sounds like he might be a bit of a rev head as he says: ’I was born into cars, I’ve sold quite a few and modified several so joining Majors as a Sales Consultant in selling the D-Max has been fantastic for me’.

Paul handled the sale of 24 vehicles in February, so it is pretty understandable why he is excited with his role.

‘I have had to learn a lot, but the company is great, and I really enjoy talking with people so I’m really happy to be here.

On top of that Paul is nothing short of being delighted to be away from the weather of Ireland. He loves the WA climate and the beaches - and fortuitously so does his good lady so they’ve settled in extremely well to their new life.

We see a great future for our team. They’re quality people, keen to do their best for their clients which with quality vehicles is a great combination to have.