Dover, please don't take this personally, because I don't know you and how you try to sell cars.
The problem is that in most cases, the salesman does not know the product, the available options, and the pricing, and it shows.
Here is how I think it should work:
1. Know your product. My salesman had no idea what the cup holder was or how to adjust the outside mirrors of a Crossfire. This is part of your job, and there is no excuse for this lax attitude.
2. If I have decided on a car that is on the lot, as soon as we have finished the test drive, you should receive the price that the dealer says is what he needs to close the sale, including your commission. You have to have that information, or your business will not last very long. Stop the silly back and forth to the "Manager's Office". It makes you look silly and just plain stupid. You are not fighting for me, and we know it. As you said, you are there to make a living for yourself. Why do you think so many people want to by-pass you and go directly to the manager?
3. The process takes entirely too long, and you usually have very uncomfortable seats in your little cubicle. If you simply came in to the room and said, here is the sticker price, here is the very best price we can quote to you today, and here are the manufacturer incentives. That should take just a few minutes. Then the only real dealing would be on the trade-in value. Then we should sign off, and leave the delaership while you prepare the vehicle and all the paperwork. I could never imagine my customers sitting around while I print out contracts and sales agreements. Give me a time when it is all ready, and I will come back, sign my name 50 times, and leave happy with my new car! And you might actually get some referrals from me, instead of you begging me to fill out the questionaire with all "superior" checks in the blocks!!!!
In my opinion, car dealerships brought this on themselves. They are still using sales techniques from the 1950's. Wake up! It is the 21st century, so start acting like it.