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Tom LaPointe
  • Male
  • Dunedin, FL
  • United States
  • CarChat24
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  • Joanne Wisnaskas
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  • DealerELITE

Tom LaPointe's Groups

Tom LaPointe's Discussions

VIDEO: 3 minutes of motivational quotes and photos

Started Feb 13 0 Replies

Something to get you over HUMP DAY :)Tom LaPointe CarChat24Interactive Media Manager / Industry Analyst727-638-0195Tom is an automotive writer and author with more than 15 years experience in…Continue

Tags: inspiration, motivation

How do you engage customers with social media?

Started Oct 23, 2012 0 Replies

I posted some quick tips for dealers on our blog at CarChat24, but I am curious to hear how dealers are using social media to create a TWO-WAY dialogue with customers... …Continue

Tags: network, customer, retention, media, social

FAKE AIRBAG - Free Carfax Link and List of Potential Vehicles

Started Oct 15, 2012 0 Replies

Reports continue to flow about the fake airbag situation, and I'm sure lawyers and risk managers will help clarify the exposure of dealerships, but here are a couple of quick links that may help you…Continue

Tags: management, legal, risk, service, AIRBAGS

 

Tom LaPointe's Page

Latest Activity

Tom LaPointe posted a blog post

How many leads and deals are OK to skip? Why 24/7 live chat makes perfect (dollars and) sense

Some say that a dealer doesn’t need overnight chat operators because some research shows that only 10 percent of dealership web traffic occurs between midnight and 8 am. They estimated that with a 3 percent chat rate that would extrapolate to only 15 chats per month with 5,000 visitors. Here’s why even if those figures are accurate, round-the-clock live chat is a wise dealership website…See More
15 hours ago
0 Comments
Joanne Wisnaskas and Tom LaPointe are now friends
Jun 12
Tom LaPointe commented on Rebecca Kon's blog post What is Live Chat's Purpose?
"No disrespect intended, but have you ever SOLD a car? or worked on a lot? There is a difference between being scripted and being a robot. The very best salespeople I have worked with (who earned consistent 6-figure incomes and retired with net…"
Jun 12
Tom LaPointe commented on Rebecca Kon's blog post What is Live Chat's Purpose?
"well-written, and well-executed scripts that have proven effective and are handled by highly-trained staff are a key to live chat success, AND in the best dealerships, every employee has some level of scripting, from the receptionist ("it would…"
Jun 10
Tom LaPointe replied to Jessica Heusinkveld's discussion A BDC that only does OUTBOUND calls?
"really? hey boss, I changed my mind. you don't need me or my team. hire this vendor and i'll hit the bricks. how does that help? kind of spammy"
Jun 10
Tom LaPointe replied to Chris Irwin's discussion Why Buy
"I don't think it could ever be any ONE thing, otherwise that dealer would be selling ALL the cars and all others would copy it. if there is one KEY, though, I think it would be RELATIONSHIP. . . and I see the relationship as a collection of…"
Jun 10
Tom LaPointe commented on Larry Bruce's blog post BDC, Call Center...BS...Call It What It Is!
"Good fundamentals here. I commend your workplace closing ratio... Mine wasn't that high... Takes a strong pro not to waste time with that and many (most) dealers don't train and develop pros. At www.CarChat24.com we believe the live chat…"
May 28
Tom LaPointe posted a status
"All @ CarChat24 send thoughts, prayers & deepest sympathy to all tornado victims in Oklahoma and elsewhere. Donate http://rdcrss.org/11URaYP"
May 21
0 Comments
Tom LaPointe commented on MANNY LUNA's blog post Yahoo confirms $1.1B purchase of Tumblr, “promises not to screw it up”
"First, I wonder how many tumblr employees just became millionnaires. Second, i think ts may be yahoo's last chance to avoid becoming as irrelevant as aol"
May 20
Tom LaPointe posted a blog post

PHOTO for a SMILE - George Carlin' wisdom of the road

Take a quick moment to laugh at this simplistic reality of most people on the road.Check out Jeff Sterns, CarChat24 VP of Sales and Business Development, at AutoCon 2013 in Las Vegas--------------------------------------------------------------------------Tom LaPointe CarChat24…See More
May 11
0 Comments
Tom LaPointe posted a status
"Going to Digital Dealer 14 and have Live Chat / Dealer Chat questions? See sales VP Jeff Sterns there http://bit.ly/108rB2L @JeffCarChat24"
May 7
0 Comments
Tom LaPointe posted a blog post

How to increase ROI with Auto Dealership Live Chat Support Software

Research indicates that buyers will only visit about three dealerships IN PERSON before taking delivery of their new car, but they may shop dozens online. How do you make sure your store is one of the few they visit? Connect with them using a live chat support software solution 24 hours a day, seven days a…See More
Apr 28
0 Comments
Tom LaPointe posted a status
""Did Ford or Toyota model sell most last year? Focus & Corolla duke it out. Increase leads with live website chat. http://ning.it/112orvb""
Apr 17
0 Comments
Tom LaPointe and DealerELITE are now friends
Apr 17
Tom LaPointe posted a status
"VIDEO: Awesome Ferrari F50 rally and showdown - KRAZEEE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PQ4VGMDMQU"
Apr 14
0 Comments
Tom LaPointe replied to Mauro Andres's discussion So I have this info from my FB Page. Now What?
"It's kind of like putting your name on the side of a racecar or sponsoring a wine festival - if you don't leverage it with other tie-ins, you won't get dramatic results. BUT, if you use it for a 'deal of the week' - sales,…"
Apr 13

Profile Information

Which best describes you?
Vendor Partner
What company do you work for (or own)?
CarChat24
What is your current position within your organization?
Interactive Media Manager
What is your company website?
http://www.CarChat24.com
What is your Facebook page/URL?
http://www.facebook.com/tom.lapointe
What is your LinkedIn page/URL?
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomlapointe
How did you specifically hear about dealerELITE? If referred, who?
referred by Shereef Moawad
Not everyone gets approved for DealerELITE. To maintain the integrity of DealerELITE, tell us what you will have to offer once a dealerELITE member?
I am a true 'car guy' at heart. I am an automotive writer and author (MODERN SPORT CARS - Barnes & Noble) with extensive experience in sales, service, and CSI initiatives for dealer groups for well over a decade. My car business experience, as well as a passionate work and leadership ethic sharpened Marine Corps at Johns Hopkins University give me a unique ability to thrive in virtually any situation.

The grandson of an automotive factory worker, I grew up in Michigan near the Motor City and finished high school in Nevada. I spent seven years in the Marine Corps as a writer and editor, winning many awards for photography, writing and editing. In addition to my work with in the auto industry, I am an automotive book author and freelance automotive writer for several publications.

What led me to the auto industry is simply this: I love cars. I have raced stock cars and sports cars and competed in Land Rover off-road competitions in Vermont and Colorado. He has worked as a pit official for the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, and a pit crewman for Indy car and a Hooters Pro Cup stock car races. He has served as a manager of both sales and service for one the largest luxury car groups in the world.

Tom LaPointe's Blog

How many leads and deals are OK to skip? Why 24/7 live chat makes perfect (dollars and) sense

Posted on June 18, 2013 at 2:51pm 0 Comments

Some say that a dealer doesn’t need overnight chat operators because some research shows that only 10 percent of dealership web traffic occurs between midnight and 8 am. They estimated that with a 3 percent chat rate that would extrapolate to only 15 chats per month with 5,000 visitors. Here’s why even if those figures are accurate,…

Continue

PHOTO for a SMILE - George Carlin' wisdom of the road

Posted on May 11, 2013 at 12:53am 0 Comments

Take a quick moment to laugh at this simplistic reality of most people on the road.

Check out Jeff…
Continue

How to increase ROI with Auto Dealership Live Chat Support Software

Posted on April 28, 2013 at 1:34pm 0 Comments

Research indicates that buyers will only visit about three dealerships IN PERSON before taking delivery of their new car, but they may shop dozens online. How do you make sure your store is one of the few they visit? Connect with them using a live chat support…

Continue

5 Must-read books for aspiring salespeople

Posted on March 23, 2013 at 3:00am 0 Comments

Each year thousands of new-hires sit through a dealer’s orientation and basic skills class to learn how to sell cars. In many cases that is the full extent of focused training they will receive in a career that will be an exception if it passes the 6-month mark.  Even the ones who survive are likely to end up with one year of experience many times, rather than…

Continue

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At 7:27pm on September 19, 2012, David Long said…

Welcome my brother!

 
 
 

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