Paragon Auto Transport is the number one auto shipping company in Houston, Texas. We offer door to door and fully insured service to and from Houston,TX , as well as every other city in Texas. If you are shipping  a car to Dallas or moving a truck to Austin , Paragon Transport is the car carrier for you. Our open auto shipping service is perfect for cars, trucks, and even ATVs that need to be transported to Texas. Paragon Transport also offers shipping for some freight , like machinery,…

That question often depends on who you ask.  Salespeople will talk about the dealer up the street or across town who is absolutely giving the cars away.  F&I will talk about lenders who seem to favor other dealers and cost them deals.  Managers will discuss factory incentives, advertising, and the like.  But is that what we're really up against?

 

After 33 years in the business and over 15,000 salespeople and managers trained, I think there's more to competition than we…

Hello Dealer Elite Members......

It looks like Auto Trader needs money much like Facebook did a while ago, and you know how that has gone so far!

As I travel around the country ans work with dealers on maximizing leads, traffic and driving more sales I have noticed more and more that dealerships are looking for "FREE" or low cost ways to promote their vehicles. Sites like Craigs's List and kijiji (Ebay), are currently changing the online marketing…

January 1979 I sold my first car at a small dealership in North Jersey.  Since then, a lot has happened.  I've personally trained over 15,000 sales professionals, written 10 books, spoken literally around the world, and now work with top dealers to fill their sales needs.  I have seen and participated in three "worst ever" downturns in our industry.  Each has taught me lessons on how to deal with the struggles and what to improve on as business gets better.  There was one lesson…

     All this technology is becoming very popular around and among dealers.  Sales people can pull up apps and show customers all the details about a particular car in stock.  Customers can shop and research before they get to the dealership, and an Internet staff can track web visits and initiate contact with potential customers.  All at the speed of light.

     Thanks to the innovation of Steve Jobs and Apple, we can "i-anything" we want.  But there is one important ingredient to…

Customer’s taste in accessories not within budget? This will help...

When presented with a prospect, one of your first questions will be: “What are you looking for in your new car?” From there you’ll narrow down the type of vehicle, make, model, and a list of features. Features on a vehicle used to not carry much…

Addy's Harbor Dodge in Myrtle Beach, SC has just jumped into the top 5 of all Dodge dealers in the US.  It just shows that having the right programs, the best managers and top sales people, will make great things happen.  We are pleased at this great dealer's success and even more thankful that we have been along for the entire ride.



When we first came to Addy's they had 8 sales people and were doing average numbers.  Rod Ricciardi had just become the GM and brought with him a…

In the February 28, 2012, issue of Up to Speed, I discussed the changing role of used vehicle managementand the overwhelming number of responsibilities that have become part of that function today. Although dealership managers must be accountable for all of the 30 regular responsibilities mentioned in that…

Car Accessories Sales Best Practices

Featured Automotive Accessory: Window Tint

Window tint has always been a popular car accessory not just for the look that it adds to the car but also for vehicle value protection and health and comfort of passengers. Here is a word track to point out the benefits of adding window tint…

As we reach the mid year time, many of us make decisions.  Some even make commitments to change certain aspects of their life and their profession.  Unfortunately, far too many change absolutely nothing because they believe that their career is subject to the mercy of the markets.  They boast about how they were a top producer during the market high points, and continue doing the same things they did when customers simply showed up with checkbooks in hand.

     Case in point.  A good…

Over the last ten years, anyone who has not witnessed dramatic changes in the used vehicle arena must have his head in the sand. Why is it then that so many franchised new vehicle dealers have thus far failed to effectively adjust to these changes? So that you understand what I’m talking about, I’ll just mention two of these impactful changes:  (1) the growth of the Internet as a marketing source; and, (2) the advantages available through inventory optimization technology. Even the language…

Studies show that the average salesperson is into negotiations within 3 minutes of saying hello.  Three minutes and they're talking numbers and hoping to close a deal.  What's amazing is, I heard that exact statistic when I went to my first sales training seminar in 1980.  So, nothing has really changed in over 30 years. 

Think about it this way.  Some of you have been reading my articles since I began.  That being the case, could you send me a check for $1,000?  You've received…

You arrive at your dealership and notice that the outside is appearing a bit drab.  To fit with the brand and the neighborhood, you determine that a great paint job would do wonders for the entire building.  So, you make the decision.  Here are your choices:

• You call the top commercial painters in the area and get an estimate.
• You hire a couple of college kids give them a truck to pick up paint and turn them loose.
• You pull your managers off the desk and other…

Just because your store is one of the more popular brands, that doesn't mean you are guaranteed success.  Having the right sign up is no promise that customers will beat down your doors.  And the  right ads or killer Internet presence still doesn't make profitability a sure thing.  Without a key ingredient, even the best of the best will fail.

  …

Over the last ten years, anyone who has not witnessed dramatic changes in the used vehicle arena must have his head in the sand. Why is it then that so many franchised new vehicle dealers have thus far failed to effectively adjust to these changes? So that you understand what I’m talking about, I’ll just mention two of these impactful changes:  (1) the growth of the Internet as a marketing source; and, (2) the advantages available through inventory optimization technology. Even the language…

I used to be a product demonstrator for Soda Stream last spring in 2011 and I had fun talking about the product and meeting every skeptical question dead on with a great answer. Soda Stream is a product where you make your own seltzer with compressed CO2 and add soda and seltzer flavors. I just started up again this Saturday, March 17 2012 and fell right back into the old routine and was just as knowledgeable and…

Auto dealers eager to boost website conversion and Internet leads are increasingly using dealer …

Beta has started on the new CarChat24 dealer chat software.....should have dealers live and chatting by next week :-). Still time to get in on the Beta and the Free use of our Premium pro 5 operator version! Click below if you want to get started :-)

https://carchat24.centercode.com/signup/default.html?sid={FB387DAB-7AB9-4418-A7D8-4D0D07BFF9DE}&cid={35C9274A-7C48-4A20-B437-BD39CA771134}