All Discussions Tagged 'car' - DealerELITE.net2024-03-29T02:26:14Zhttps://www.dealerelite.net/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=car&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAccessories To Boost Motorcycle & Small Car Sales at Dealership?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-04-22:5283893:Topic:10305062020-04-22T14:18:52.120ZReynalda Lorhttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/ReynaldaLor
<p>Hello Everyone!</p>
<p>Due to lockdown and coronavirus pandemic, we saw a big decrease in our big vehicle sales, that's why my marketing team decided to focus more on small cars and motorcycles. Because there are more chances that customers could go with these small budget vehicles as compared to expensive big cars. Right now, we are planning to include <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/cars/nation/best-car-accessories-cool-gadgets-buy-right-now" rel="noopener" target="_blank">exciting…</a></p>
<p>Hello Everyone!</p>
<p>Due to lockdown and coronavirus pandemic, we saw a big decrease in our big vehicle sales, that's why my marketing team decided to focus more on small cars and motorcycles. Because there are more chances that customers could go with these small budget vehicles as compared to expensive big cars. Right now, we are planning to include <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/cars/nation/best-car-accessories-cool-gadgets-buy-right-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exciting accessories</a> with our motorcycles and small cars to engage more customers. </p>
<p>If we talk about motorcycle accessories, then we are willing to include fashionable gloves and <a href="https://motoprove.com/best-motorcycle-phone-mount" target="_blank" rel="noopener">phone mounts like this</a>. Yes, we are not investing a lot on accessories and just adding small gadgets to engage passionate motorcyclists to increase sales. Similarly, for cars, we are going to add air purifying bags, warmer or cooler for beverages etc. Few of our team members were saying that we should include a sleek navigation system, but it was expensive, and we are already facing lots of cuts in our incomes. We are Just conducting this risky venture to engage more clients.<br/><br/>What do you think is it a right strategy or what should we include or exclude from our list of accessories? You can also share your suggestions to increase sales. <br/><br/>Waiting for your responses. </p> AUTOREPRICE.COM – CARS SELLING MACHINE FOR DEALERS LAUNCHEDtag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-04-08:5283893:Topic:9888282020-04-08T17:39:11.528ZAli Khanhttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/AliKhan15
<p><a href="http://www.AutoReprice.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">www.AutoReprice.com</a> Dealer Concierge Team 501-444-2886 (Auto) build@autoreprice.com<br></br> April 7th, 2020<br></br> <strong><span class="font-size-5">AUTOREPRICE.COM – CARS SELLING MACHINE FOR DEALERS</span></strong><br></br> <span class="font-size-4"><strong>DEALERS GET UNLIMITED LEADS FOR THREE MONTHS UNIQUE PATENT-PENDING PRICING MODEL</strong></span><br></br>
[TOTOWA, NJ, APRIL 7TH, 2020] — : AutoReprice.com has announced the…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.AutoReprice.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.AutoReprice.com</a> Dealer Concierge Team 501-444-2886 (Auto) build@autoreprice.com<br/> April 7th, 2020<br/> <strong><span class="font-size-5">AUTOREPRICE.COM – CARS SELLING MACHINE FOR DEALERS</span></strong><br/>
<span class="font-size-4"><strong>DEALERS GET UNLIMITED LEADS FOR THREE MONTHS UNIQUE PATENT-PENDING PRICING MODEL</strong></span><br/>
[TOTOWA, NJ, APRIL 7TH, 2020] — : AutoReprice.com has announced the launch of its unique & patent pending pricing model to eliminate the inefficiencies from automotive buying and selling experience. Site allows the sellers mainly car dealers to list their inventories with pre- approved weekly discounts and get verified buyers. AutoReprice is quite different from all the other classified sites as dealers information is not shared on AutoReprice.com unless dealers want to share with a potential customer. This allows dealers to offer better discounts through this 3rd party site without impacting dealer’s own pricing on its own website or through a physical location. <br/>
AutoReprice.com is equipped with an aggressive social media marketing team and has infrastructure to promote the dealer inventory to much larger audience. Unlike classified sites, AutoReprice.com requires the buyers to pay a small deposit to reserve to inspect the vehicle which means that all the leads are genuine and verified. These leads do not require any further negotiation as buyers are obligated to buy the vehicle at the price for which they reserved it. Buyers get three days from the time they reserve a vehicle to perform inspection and have the option to cancel their reservation if they don’t feel comfortable for any reason e.g. dealers information was incorrect about vehicle or price was not correctly exhibited by the dealer. If buyers don’t buy the vehicle they reserved, buyers lose their deposit which compels them to go all the way with the transaction. <br/>
Buyers get better deals through AutoReprice.com and do not have to go through lengthy negotiations and other surprises which they usually face while walking into a dealership otherwise. AutoReprice.com gives them a respectful way to reserve the car at the advertised price and go to dealership with a confirmed price which buyers love. <br/>
AutoReprice.com is a win-win cars buying and selling experience for both consumers and sellers especially dealers. AutoReprice.com is offering aggressive packages to dealers as its introductory offer including three free months of verified leads. For additional information, please send email to build@autoreprice.com or call 501-444-2886 (Auto).</p> Multi Vehicle Sound Deadening Ideas?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-02-19:5283893:Topic:8421442020-02-19T14:36:59.853ZReynalda Lorhttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/ReynaldaLor
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>Our dealership always tries to use new tactics and include exciting features to engage more clients and this time, we are thinking to offer the sound deading feature for pre-owned vehicles. In this regard, we have purchased a variety of vehicles from the dealership-only auction and now, willing to buy sound deadening mats and other materials etc. </p>
<p>Usually, we use Dynamat, but after reading…</p>
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>Our dealership always tries to use new tactics and include exciting features to engage more clients and this time, we are thinking to offer the sound deading feature for pre-owned vehicles. In this regard, we have purchased a variety of vehicles from the dealership-only auction and now, willing to buy sound deadening mats and other materials etc. </p>
<p>Usually, we use Dynamat, but after reading <a href="https://soundproofempire.com/best-sound-deadening-for-the-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">car sound deadening material review</a> from here, we are thinking to include more brands like FatMat Self-Adhesive and Noico Car Sound Deadening Mat due to their easy application. Yes, we are not hiring experts in this, and probably, our dealership workers will perform this activity their own. <br/><br/>Do you think it will be the right strategy if we apply our own? Secondly, as we are going to apply deadening material on multi types of vehicles like trucks, SUV etc. so can you recommend any sound deadening material which will fit for all of them?<br/><br/>Waiting for your responses. <br/><br/></p>
<p><a href="https://images.mix.com/production/dd/32/dd325d24c9ad7a9b3e020e5cfa293899.jpeg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://images.mix.com/production/dd/32/dd325d24c9ad7a9b3e020e5cfa293899.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="531" height="398"/></a></p> Is Multi Car Insurance A Right Policy?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-01-29:5283893:Topic:8139812020-01-29T08:05:13.990ZReynalda Lorhttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/ReynaldaLor
<p>Greetings!<br></br><br></br>For few vehicles, our dealership decided to get insurance to avoid any losses that's why we are considering multi car insurance. However, when I talked with few friends and they have opinion that multi car insurance is more suitable for households? Do you think the same?<br></br><br></br>Actually, I am willing to get vehicle insurance from <a href="https://www.multiquotetime.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Multi Quote Time</a><span> and they will offer discount for insurance…</span></p>
<p>Greetings!<br/><br/>For few vehicles, our dealership decided to get insurance to avoid any losses that's why we are considering multi car insurance. However, when I talked with few friends and they have opinion that multi car insurance is more suitable for households? Do you think the same?<br/><br/>Actually, I am willing to get vehicle insurance from <a href="https://www.multiquotetime.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Multi Quote Time</a><span> and they will offer discount for insurance if we would take insurance for 2 or more than two vehicles under the same insurance policy. However, I am not much aware of the drawbacks and other issues related to multi quote insurance. So, it would be great if you come with some serious pieces of advice. <br/><br/>Similarly, we are also welcomed to share your own multi vehicle insurance in this regard.<br/><br/></span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://assets0.uswitch.com/s3/uswitch-wp-cms-assets/money/guides/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/multicar.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://assets0.uswitch.com/s3/uswitch-wp-cms-assets/money/guides/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/multicar.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="522" height="342"/></a></span></p> Things to Consider Before Getting Car Tyres in Winter?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2019-10-25:5283893:Topic:7433672019-10-25T14:39:01.976ZReynalda Lorhttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/ReynaldaLor
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>As winter is coming close and usually, a number of car owners complain about the tyres. In this regard, you need to understand that if you are living in snowy areas, then it's time to change the tyres. Here, I am going to share a few tips you must consider before buying winter tyres. <br></br> <br></br> First of all, you need to understand whether it is the right time to install winter tyres or not. In this regard, you should…</p>
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>As winter is coming close and usually, a number of car owners complain about the tyres. In this regard, you need to understand that if you are living in snowy areas, then it's time to change the tyres. Here, I am going to share a few tips you must consider before buying winter tyres. <br/> <br/> First of all, you need to understand whether it is the right time to install winter tyres or not. In this regard, you should <a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_average_yearly_temperature">analyze is the temperature</a> going down to 0 C, and whether your vehicle is requiring more turning assistance and grip? If yes, then, it is the right time to install winter tyres.<br/> <br/> Secondly, before finalizing the deal must check whether you selecting the right size of tyres. You can check the stamp on your tyre with the tyre size etc. or can also find a sticker on your vehicle's door frame. You can also explore the suitable tyre size for your car by adding all details of your car like model number, and car manufacturer name at <a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://alltyres365.co.uk/">this online tyres store</a>. <br/> <br/> By the same token, don't forget to check the peak mountain snowflake mark on the tyre. Yes, winter tyres must have this symbol that shows tyres can be used over ice and snow. Also, it will be great if you buy vehicle parts and tyres from a motor trader-insured vendor. You can <a href="https://www.insurancequotesni.co.uk/auto/traders-insurance-ni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read this</a> to explore everything about motor trader insurance and hopefully, it will be very beneficial for you. Indeed, motor traders that are dealing in selling or buying vehicle parts must have such insurances. <br/> <br/> Moreover, it is recommended by auto experts to always replace all of your 4 tyres with the new winter tyres. So, if you are thinking to replace the first two or last ones, then it would affect the performance of your vehicle. All in all, you should install all 4 new winter tyres to get excellent vehicle performance this winter. <br/> <br/> Always go with a good tyre brand and must check how much mileage different brands are offering. Mostly they can be used for three seasons, and after the winter season, you can also store these tyres in a cool, dry and dark place without the contact of oil, grease and petrol.<br/> <br/> I tried a few suggestions here about the purchase of quality winter tyres but if you want to add more, then you are welcome to share with us.<br/> <br/> Waiting for your responses. <br/> <br/> <a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://info.kaltire.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Severe-Service-Emblem.jpg"><img height="219" width="453" class="align-center" src="https://info.kaltire.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Severe-Service-Emblem.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x"/></a></p> Need Suggestion About Car Audio Systemtag:www.dealerelite.net,2019-10-23:5283893:Topic:7418542019-10-23T13:29:26.613ZReynalda Lorhttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/ReynaldaLor
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>We recently purchased more than 12 pre-owned Toyota cars from a dealer-only auction. Though the engine quality is good but now, we are looking for its audio up-gradation. To attract our buyers, we are willing to update the audio system of the cars like we are going to add stereo systems both Apple and Android ones, good subwoofers and speakers etc. Especially, we are willing to attract clients who love powered subwoofers. In this regard, our team is depending upon these…</p>
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>We recently purchased more than 12 pre-owned Toyota cars from a dealer-only auction. Though the engine quality is good but now, we are looking for its audio up-gradation. To attract our buyers, we are willing to update the audio system of the cars like we are going to add stereo systems both Apple and Android ones, good subwoofers and speakers etc. Especially, we are willing to attract clients who love powered subwoofers. In this regard, our team is depending upon these powered subs <a href="https://99carstereo.com/powered-car-subwoofers/">https://99carstereo.com/powered-car-subwoofers/</a> and shortlisted Rockville RWS12CA and Pioneer TS-WX1210A. Because these are good options if we would buy in bulk. What are your suggestions in this regard? What other subs we can consider?</p>
<p>Secondly, I am here to get more suggestions from you about the audio equipment. First of all, we are thinking to place used car audio gadgets. Do you think it would be a good idea? Secondly, do you think we would able to recover all the profits if we go with new audio equipment?</p>
<p>It would also great if you suggest reliable car audio brands.<br/> <br/> <a href="https://www.dynaudio.com/media/2138/_i7r4968.jpg?mode=max&width=580&height=292&format=jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://www.dynaudio.com/media/2138/_i7r4968.jpg?mode=max&width=580&height=292&format=jpg&profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p> Millennial Shoppers: A Risk-Reward Market?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2015-09-11:5283893:Topic:4626582015-09-11T13:46:54.723ZDerek Whitehttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/DerekWhite
<p>Many dealers see the Millennial market as the great wide open - untamed and unashamed. I would agree to some extent, but I see great opportunity as well. However, if you target them be prepared to provide value... lot's of it... and for FREE. <br></br> <br></br> The difficulty with Millennials is the plethora of channels available for them to convert off of. They lose interest fast when there is no compelling reason to engage the dealership. Having the right product with the right message at the…</p>
<p>Many dealers see the Millennial market as the great wide open - untamed and unashamed. I would agree to some extent, but I see great opportunity as well. However, if you target them be prepared to provide value... lot's of it... and for FREE. <br/> <br/> The difficulty with Millennials is the plethora of channels available for them to convert off of. They lose interest fast when there is no compelling reason to engage the dealership. Having the right product with the right message at the right time is only half the battle. Dealer websites must have what I call "conversion triggers" to be more effective at engaging their customers online. AutoSaver is conducting a case study with 2 large dealerships and testing various conversion triggers. So far, the results are very encouraging. I'll post results when the study completes. I would love to hear back from anybody that is having success with this growing market segment.</p>
<p></p> What's the Deal With TrueCar? One Salesman's Take On The Service That Seems To Be Everywheretag:www.dealerelite.net,2015-05-24:5283893:Topic:4552672015-05-24T01:17:03.851ZMike Elliotthttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/MikeElliott
<p><span class="font-size-3">A couple of weeks ago a middle-aged woman came to my dealership to buy one of our best-selling Bel Canto sedans. Before coming in, she had gone online and gotten a price quote from TrueCar. TrueCar passed along her contact information to us along with the quote. When I looked at the quote, which TrueCar calls a "Price Report," I was amazed by the amount of information it showed and its accuracy. The price was broken down like this:…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">A couple of weeks ago a middle-aged woman came to my dealership to buy one of our best-selling Bel Canto sedans. Before coming in, she had gone online and gotten a price quote from TrueCar. TrueCar passed along her contact information to us along with the quote. When I looked at the quote, which TrueCar calls a "Price Report," I was amazed by the amount of information it showed and its accuracy. The price was broken down like this:</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">TrueCar Member Network Estimated Price: $24,019.00 <br/>Invoice Price: $23,899.00 <br/>+ Options: ($0.00) <br/>+ Regional Ad Fees ($0.00) <br/>+ Destination Fee ($820.00) <br/>+ Dealer Offset From Invoice (-$700.00) <br/>- Dealer Cash ($0.00) <br/>- Finance Cash ($0.00) <br/>- Customer Incentives ($0.00) <br/>- Program Incentives ($0.00) <br/>Minimum Estimated Savings = $1,696.00 Below MSRP</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">All you Rip Van Winkles who still believe in phony invoices or complain about the "lack of transparency" in car sales today need to snap out of your hundred-year sleep and take a look at a TrueCar Price Report. It's ALL there. Every bit of it, except for dealer holdback and, curiously enough, MSRP, or manufacturer's suggested retail price, but both are readily available elsewhere. This single e-mail from TrueCar provides the customer with <em>everything the dealer knows</em>. Which is truly remarkable if you think about it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">What exactly is TrueCar? Well, according to its website, <a href="http://www.truecar.com">www.truecar.com</a>, it is an "information provider." Founded in 2005, the California-based company collects pricing information on automobiles and passes it along to consumers at no charge.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">What's different about TrueCar is that the information it provides is based on real-world transactions, relayed by participating dealerships, and it's updated weekly, with manufacturer incentives checked daily. If you go to TrueCar's website you can put in your ZIP code and pull up a graph representing what others in your area have paid for the vehicle you want within the past few weeks, ranging from the lowest (which it calls the "Unusually Low Price") to the highest ("Above Market Price"). TrueCar will then provide you with a Price Report, which you can take to one of about 10,000 participating TrueCar Certified Dealerships across the country, thus eliminating the hassle of car buying.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">But TrueCar, like all third-party price providers, has it weaknesses. For one, what happens when consumers build a car online and get a Price Report from TrueCar only to find that the "virtual car" they've conjured up on the computer doesn't exist or isn't available in their area? Well, I've experienced it firsthand. The result is a great deal of frustration, and no deal.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The problems with my customer began when we discovered we didn't have the exact color and option package she wanted, and we had to explain to her that, generally speaking, special pricing like TrueCar's <em>is only good on vehicles that are currently in dealer inventory</em>. This is a common problem with quotes from third-party sources such as USAA or Edmunds. Even though it's usually stated on most of these websites that their price is only available on vehicles in stock, 99 percent of the consumers I deal with do not notice the disclaimer. My customer got very upset when she found out we couldn't get the exact vehicle she wanted from another dealership. To try to salvage a deal, we told her we would be happy to give her the TrueCar price on any vehicle in stock, and she agreed to take a look at our inventory.</span></p>
<div class="bq-Cntnr mtArticleBlockQuote"><blockquote class="bq"><h2><span class="font-size-3">How are we supposed to sell someone a car for less than we paid for it?</span></h2>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Unfortunately, the closest thing we had to what she wanted was a performance model, the Bel Canto GT, which had a price of $28,475 – about $2,775 higher than the vehicle she originally came in to buy. But my customer agreed to buy it if we could get our price "close to" the target price TrueCar had given her on the first vehicle. After I presented her with numbers based on TrueCar pricing for the GT model, she said we were "way off." According to her, we should be able to sell her our $28,475 car for $24,500. That's $500 above the original TrueCar quote and $3,975 below sticker price. And she wouldn't budge.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Keep in mind, the Bel Canto isn't chopped liver. It sells well, it's gotten great reviews and won many awards, and we have absolutely NO incentives on them. Zero rebates. Zero dealer cash. And exactly $1,004 of markup to play with. When I pointed all this out to my customer and showed her that TrueCar's Price Report confirmed what I was saying, she was unmoved. The highest she would go was $24,500. In exasperation, I asked her: "Ma'am, when you got this quote from TrueCar, did they explain how we were supposed to sell you a car for $3,000 less than we paid for it?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Long story short, we gave the customer our lowest price, which meant losing money, and she got angry and left. Later, she told my sales manager I had been rude and she would never buy a car from us -- ever. Several weeks later, this whole experience still plagues me. How are we supposed to sell someone a car for less than we paid for it? In what world does this make sense?</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">When TrueCar first started out, it caused a great deal of apprehension in the car industry. Its advertising was built around the goal of providing consumers with "the lowest price." To those of us in sales, that means taking money out of our pockets. Maybe even putting us out of business. Since then, however, TrueCar has shifted its emphasis and now its slogan is "Never overpay." Which sounds a little nicer, and suggests that maybe dealerships are entitled to some profit. But whether the goal is providing the lowest price or protecting consumers from overpaying, I think the biggest problem many of us in the car business have with TrueCar – or AutoTrader, Edmunds "True Market Value," USAA, or any other similar service -- is the idea that a third party can dictate what we should sell our products for.Let me put it this way. Suppose you had a little artistic talent, and you liked working in clay, so you saved your money and opened up a little shop down on Main Street, selling pottery. You're pretty successful, and then, one day, some guy sets up shop across the street from you, and his whole gig is telling people they're overpaying for your pots and what they should really be paying is X, not Y. How would you feel?</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I defy anyone to find any other industry where a company's actual costs and incentives are as well known, or as clearly spelled out, as they are in car sales. Buying a boat? Go online and try to find out how much the dealer paid for it. Good luck. There is no such thing as "TrueBoat." Same with motorcycles. Want to know how much profit the dealer is making on that Harley-Davidson Street Glide or what the last guy paid for one? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You won't find that kind of information on "TrueMotorcycle" because it doesn't exist.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Only in the realm of car sales is accurate, comprehensive, up-to-date information readily available for public consumption, and <strong>only in car sales is it accepted practice for a company to exist solely for the purpose of telling consumers what they should pay for another company's products</strong>. And, get this -- they even charge the company selling the products money for cutting their prices! Again, kind of mind-boggling.</span></p>
<div class="bq-Cntnr mtArticleBlockQuote"><blockquote class="bq"><h2><span class="font-size-3">It's a fact: TrueCar makes dealerships money, or it wouldn't be so successful.</span></h2>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p><span class="font-size-3">But there's a reason car dealerships pay for TrueCar's services. It's because TrueCar is the No. 1 provider for car dealerships all across the United States. One general sales manager I interviewed said this: "I love TrueCar. When TrueCar customers come in they're ready to buy, and TrueCar cuts out all the back and forth. Most of the time dealerships take two or three hours negotiating and still end up at the TrueCar price anyway, so this just cuts out the hassle and makes things easier for everyone." It's a fact: TrueCar makes dealerships money, or it wouldn't be so successful.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">If you ask TrueCar, it will say that its mission is to "make the car-buying process simple, fair and fun." Strangely enough, that's my goal, too. And I can certainly see how TrueCar makes the car buying process fair . . . for consumers. But is it fair for lowly little salespeople like myself? I'm not so sure about that. Basically, what third-party pricing means for me is, no matter how well I know my product, no matter how good a presentation I give you, no matter how well I treat you or exceed your expectations, <em>you'll still only pay me what TrueCar has told you to pay me</em>. Which completely robs me of any motivation I have to learn my product, give you a good presentation, build value, treat you well, or exceed your expectations. For me, you're a "mini deal."</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">You're the smallest commission I can make. So my goal will be to get you in and out as quickly as possible. Or, you've been convinced that I can do the impossible -- sell you a car for a huge loss -- which only wastes everyone's time. Is this fair to anyone?</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">To me, this isn't the how free market system should work, and in the long run it may not benefit the consumer. Of course, TrueCar would probably disagree with my assessment and say, "We're not setting ourselves up as price dictators. We're simply collecting data and informing the consumer of what others in their area are paying so they don't overpay." I tried to get TrueCar's side of the debate from executives, but they declined to be interviewed.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">But let's face it. The reason companies like TrueCar exist is that we in the car business have, over the past 60 years or so, destroyed the public's faith in us. We have unintentionally made the process of buying a car so difficult, so stressful, and so loathsome that people will actually <em>pay someone else to do it for them</em>. Until that changes, companies like TrueCar will continue to thrive -- and our prices will continue to be determined not by how good a product we offer or how well we do our jobs, but by third parties whom people trust more than they do us.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.motortrend.com/1505_car_salesman_confidential_whats_the_deal_with_truecar.html" target="_blank">Article from Motor Trend's Blog</a></p> Just What Does a Car Salesman DO, Anyway?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2015-03-26:5283893:Topic:4505212015-03-26T12:15:27.515ZMike Elliotthttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/MikeElliott
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="http://blogs.motortrend.com/car_salesman_confidential_this_is_the_job.html" target="_blank">From the Series: Car Salesman Confidential</a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">One thing I knew, back before the editors of Motor Trend were kind enough to allow me to do this blog, was that if “Car Salesman Confidential” was to be a success it could not be a monologue. It had to be a dialogue. A dialogue between salespeople and ‘civilians.’…</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="http://blogs.motortrend.com/car_salesman_confidential_this_is_the_job.html" target="_blank">From the Series: Car Salesman Confidential</a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">One thing I knew, back before the editors of Motor Trend were kind enough to allow me to do this blog, was that if “Car Salesman Confidential” was to be a success it could not be a monologue. It had to be a dialogue. A dialogue between salespeople and ‘civilians.’ It couldn’t be a place where a salesman sat on a pedestal, pontificating about his profession. It had to be a place where there was give and take, and salespeople could learn about the way our customers perceive us, and regular people could learn about the inner workings of the car business. I knew I wanted to engage the readers in the comments section in a way that doesn’t happen very often, and I knew that if I did I would probably learn as much from them as they did from me. And I was right about that. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">What I did not expect, however, was the number of people who view my job as totally unnecessary. One reader recently posed a question that I think perfectly sums up this attitude when he asked “Just what does a salesman DO?”</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Well, if I had to sum it all up in one sentence, it would be this: <b>car salesmen make car sales happen.</b> </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Without car salesmen, there would be no car sales. Period. Or very few of them. Because the sale of a single car often seems as drawn out and difficult as giving birth to a child. It’s no coincidence that they call it “New Car Delivery.” If you’ve ever had any children you know what I mean. Some of them come out easy . . . and some of them involve six hours of blood, toil, tears, sweat-- and prayer. Most of the time it’s somewhere in between. But all of them require enough effort that my job is not only necessary, it is essential. So, think of me as your doctor. Or your midwife, if you prefer. I may not have a PHD after my name, but I’ve gone through this process enough times to guide you through it successfully. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">So what does a salesman do? Well, first, I’m your <b>Guide and Time Saver. </b>Want to know where the used cars are? No need to hunt all over. I ‘ll show you. Need to know how much your trade is worth? No problem, I’ll get my Used Car Manager to do a professional appraisal. Trying to figure out what happens next, now that we’ve agreed on price? I’ll tell you exactly how the process works, and how long it should take. Looking for a good place to get some Thai food after you get out of here on a Saturday night? I’ll tell you where to go -- even tell you what’s good on their menu. Heck, I’ll even show you where the restroom and the changing station is. It’s all part of my job. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Second, I’m your <b>Consultant.</b> I would say maybe 5% of my customers walk through the door knowing exactly what they want and drive home in it. The other 95% need my assistance. Out of that 95%, maybe half have a pretty good idea of what they want and can afford . . . but the other half doesn’t have a clue what they want or can afford. It takes someone like me to help them figure it out for them by asking the right questions. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Surprised? If you’re the average Motor Trend reader I bet you’re very surprised. Writing for MT is like writing for a magazine aimed at Olympic athletes. It’s difficult to make Olympic athletes understand that most people don’t run a hundred meters in under 10 seconds, excel at trap shooting, or have the ability to pull off a triple Axel in figure skating. They can do it, they think. Why can’t everybody? But most people are not trained Olympians when it comes to buying cars. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Third, I’m an <b>Information Collector.</b> There are a thousand little pieces of information that must be collected for any car deal. Can’t find your insurance card? I’ll help you dig through your glovebox. Still can’t find it? No problem. I’ll put you on the phone with an agent, give them the VIN of the car you’re buying, and tell them where to send a current card. A lot of this information goes on the credit application. Don’t know how much you gross on a monthly basis? I’ll help you figure it out. Can’t remember the address of your current employer? I’ll look it up for you on line. Again, if you’re an Olympian none of these things may seem terribly difficult. But for many they’re daunting tasks. I’m also a <b>Teacher.</b> A great deal of my time is spent educating the consumer. Looking at vans? I can tell you the differences between the LX, EX, EXL, EXL with Navigation, Touring, and Touring Elite. How much more do I have to spend to go from an EX to EXL? I know exactly. How many airbags does it have? I can tell you, and show you where they are. I can recite the IIHS safety ratings on each of my vehicles, and how they were rated in each category. Trying to stay below $350 a month? I can tell you up front that the $32,910 Screamin’ Red Super Behemoth you’re drooling over is not a candidate -- unless you have $17,000 to put down. Thinking of leasing for the first time? I can tell you how leasing works, and what the potential pitfalls are. Confused by terms like “negative equity,” or wanting to know how we’ll handle the payoff on your trade? I ‘ll explain it. If you’re a first time buyer I can tell what you’ll need to get approved. And if you’re a car guy and want to know if the car you’re looking at has a rear multilink suspension, I can tell you that, too. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">I’m not saying consumers are stupid. They’re not. Most people don’t know the answers to the questions above because it’s not their job. And it’s not their hobby, either. They’re too busy working and living and doing things with their families to know everything there is to know about cars, and the car buying process. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Next, I’m your <b>Intermediary,</b> or liason. The way the typical car dealership works, the ultimate power rests in a handful of men who sit at the big desk behind that curtain over there and give salespeople the “numbers.” There are a lot of pros and cons to this system, but for now, that’s the way it works at most dealerships. That puts me, your salesperson, in a peculiar position. In this curious kind of relationship I am both your adversary and your advocate. My job is to fight for the dealership and my commission . . . but I am also there to fight for you. Every salesperson knows that in order to make a deal the customer’s needs have to be met. If my attitude was “It’s my way or the highway,” or I went for a “Win/Lose” and not a “Win/Win” every time I’d never sell another car. So if I know all we need to do to make a deal is cut our price another $500, I ‘ll beat up my sales manager until he gives me another five hundred bucks. You may never see it, but your salesman fights for you in countless ways behind the scenes. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">I’m your <b>Entertainer.</b> While you sit there for 4 1/2 hours waiting to go into Finance, I will sit there with you, regaling you with stories of my first marriage, swapping lies about fishing, talking football, NASCAR, or why the United States should never have gone into Iraq -- whatever you want to talk about. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">Finally, I’m your <b>Customer Service Representative.</b> This is one of the key aspects of my job, and the thing that is most likely to disappear if we ever do away with “glass and bricks” dealerships and go to completely on line sales. As a salesman, there are a lot of things I’m expected to do for my customers. Flying in from out of town to buy that Tootsie Pop Orange Avalanche you saw on line? I’ll pick you up at the airport. Can’t pair up your phone after six tries? No problem, I’ll do it for you. At the tire store getting new tires and they can’t find the key for your wheel locks? Call me and I’ll tell you exactly where to find it. Need someone to help you transfer eight years of accumulated junk from your old car to your new one? I’m happy to help. Having trouble getting your HomeLink system to work with your garage door? I’ll drive out to your house and do it for you. Try getting “Bob,” the guy in the call center in New Delhi, to do that! </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">I get paid for none of this. I do it because it’s my job, and I want to keep you as a customer. It’s called Customer Service, and it’s absolutely vital to any business’s success. When you lack the human connection that only a real, live salesperson can provide, Customer Service suffers every time. </span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-3">These are but a few of the many things I do. Some of the other roles I perform but don’t have time to touch on: babysitter, career counselor, detailer, dog catcher (when your Cocker Spaniel gets loose in the parking lot), driving instructor, picture taker, and so on. I’m sure our readers can come up with more. Thanks for reading!</span></p> Non-Confrontational Buying You Don't Have to Slay The Evil Dragon to Buy a Cartag:www.dealerelite.net,2015-03-06:5283893:Topic:4477022015-03-06T02:19:55.040ZMike Elliotthttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/MikeElliott
<p><span class="font-size-3">When you have nothing else to do one day, go down to your local library or bookstore and browse through the section where they keep the books on how to buy cars. You'll be amazed at how many there are.Here are some of the titles you may find:</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">You'll be amazed at how many there are.Here are some of the titles you may find:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="font-size-3">"How to Buy a Car Without Getting</span> Cheated…</li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font-size-3">When you have nothing else to do one day, go down to your local library or bookstore and browse through the section where they keep the books on how to buy cars. You'll be amazed at how many there are.Here are some of the titles you may find:</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">You'll be amazed at how many there are.Here are some of the titles you may find:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="font-size-3">"How to Buy a Car Without Getting</span> Cheated<span class="font-size-3">"</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-3">"Car Buying Revealed: How to Buy a Car and Not Get Taken for a</span> Ride<span class="font-size-3">"</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-3">"How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Ripped</span> Off<span class="font-size-3">"</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-3">"Inside the Minds of Car Dealers: How to Buy Your Next Car Without Fear."</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-3">"How to Buy a Car: Your Step-by-Step Guide</span> in <span class="font-size-3">Buying a Car Without Getting Ripped Off."</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Or, go online and do a search for articles and websites on car buying.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Believe me, there's no shortage of experts offering advice out there. "How To Turn the Tables on the Car Dealers." "Don't Get Taken Every Time." "Car Shopping on the Offensive: 8 Aggressive Buying Tactics." "10 Things Your Car Salesman Won't Tell You." And so on.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Notice a common theme here?</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The theme is … they (we) are out to get you.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Practically every book and magazine article I've read on buying cars in the past 30 years is based on the assumption that the car dealer is trying to rip off buyers. This underlying assumption leads to unnecessary stress, conflict, wasted time and energy, and disappointment on the part of the customer and salesperson. Often, the result is total failure. Total failure is defined here as the customer walking out of a dealership without the car he or she wants and the dealership missing out on a sale.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">By now you may be saying to yourself, "But Mark, surely you're not suggesting that car dealerships aren't out to rip us off, are you?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting. While there are some real crooks out there—and, in future posts, I'll show you how to spot them—the vast majority of dealerships in America aren't out to rip you off. (I'll give you a few moments to pick yourself up off the floor and crawl back to the keyboard before we continue.)</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The goal of every car dealership is not to rip people off, but to make a profit. There is a difference.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The purpose of every business is to make a profit. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That's the whole point of being in business. If you're not making a profit, there's no point in doing it. Back in the day, they used to call this the American Way. It's the foundation of our entire economic system.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">And yet, the very first thing some of the books teach you is it's wrong for a dealership to make a profit. It's every consumer's duty to go in there and deprive the dealership of its last penny by getting them to sell you a car at cost or, better yet, below cost.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">"Turn the tables on the dealer!" the experts command. Go in there and "beat the salesman at his own game!" Out-lie and out-trick and outsmart them!</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">No wonder people hate buying cars! Who wants to spend a whole afternoon, or an entire day, wrestling with a salesman over money? I know I don't, because a lot of 'em sweat pretty badly and wear cheap cologne.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">This kind of "beat 'em at their own game" approach is a prescription for conflict. It also breeds frustration and might not even lead to a better price.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Consider this: The average consumer buys five to 10 cars in a lifetime. The average salesman sells 10 to 12 cars per month. In one year, I've sold well over a hundred cars. Over the past 10 years, I've sold close to 2,000. The idea that you're going to "beat" the pro at his own game is naive. It's sort of like thinking that reading a couple of articles on boxing qualifies you to step into the ring with Mike Tyson. This kind of well-intentioned but bad advice is unfair to the consumer. And it just makes everybody's life harder.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">There is another way. Car buying need not be an adversarial process, in which a "well-armed" consumer dukes it out with a lying, conniving car salesman. You don't have to go in there and fight to the death for a good deal. All you have to do is know what's possible … and ask for it. Don't ask for the impossible; that will only lead to disappointment and frustration. Learn what's possible and ask for it, and you'll find that it's ridiculously easy to buy a car.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Now, I'm not saying that people in the car business are angels. No, no. There are some real snakes in the car business, folks who would step over their own mothers to sell a car (after first knocking her down). The old advice of caveat emptor, or buyer beware, still applies. But, things are changing for the better in our industry, and people like me in dealerships near you are doing everything they can to help the car business become more transparent and more honest. I know, because I hear from them all the time.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Here's the bottom line …Every car I've ever sold involved some sort of compromise. The customer gave up a little of what they wanted, but got a good car at a price they could afford. The dealership didn't make all the money they wanted, but in the end they made a sale and gained a new customer. Everybody won.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Doesn't this approach make more sense than trying to become an overnight ninja and slay the evil car lord in his lair?</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">In Car Salesman Confidential, I'll try to help you understand the world of car sales, explain why salespeople do what they do, and show you what's realistic and attainable—without a black belt in Kar Fu. My goal is to take the stress out of buying a car and put back some of the joy, because getting a new car should be a joyful occasion.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">My philosophy is, if you go in with the right attitude, accept the basic premise that the dealer has to make a profit on you — but not a killing — and you're willing to compromise a little, in the end you'll have the car you want at the price you want without all the headaches.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.motortrend.com/1410_car_salesman_confidential_non_confrontational_buying.html" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12pt;">Link to the Original Article</a></p>