Archive for December, 2011
True Car and ZAG – Cyber Bandits or Good for the Business? Automotive Marketing
Posted by Ralph Paglia in Automotive Digital Marketing, Automotive Retail Management, Automotive Sales, Car Dealers, TrueCar - ZAG on December 29, 2011
True Car and ZAG – Cyber Bandits or Good for the Business?
Jim Ziegler Guidance: Ten Areas We Need to Concentrate on to Bring This Monster to It’s Knees…
1. Government investigation of ALL Data Aggregators taking consumer information from dealers’ DMS. Sadly enough, dealers who do business with TrueCar are exposed to liability charges. Cut off all access to unecessary data, no matter who takes it from the dealers DMS and make it illegal to “resell identifiable consumer data” and “transactional data”.
2. If anyone takes financial transactional data, they expose the dealer that allowed it to violations, especially if it is passed on to other vendors or shared.
3. Educate Consumers to what they’re doing with their information…
a. You buy a car from a dealer, do you really want your personal information, and maybe
even your financial information, passed along and sold and shared by “God knows who?”
b. These People Charge the Dealer $300 which the dealers have to build into the deal
c. Your Privacy and the Security of your Information could theoretically compromise your identity if you do business a company that takes data from the dealership.
4. Educate Investors and potential investors they could possibly be mislead if anyone is telling them this is a safe investment because of all of the dealers pushing back, associations pushing back, and government regulators in many states coming after TrueCar’s business model as NOT compliant, in some cases they’re saying it is Not Legal.
5. AMEX, USAA and all of their affiliates do not want the bad consumer relations this push back is creating with their members and customers.
6. Cancel your dealership’s Affilation with TrueCar. Tell people with certificates YOU don’t honor TrueCar and you feel the company is NOT reputable. Educate consumers as to perceived data exposure if they buy from a TrueCar dealer.
7. Make the dealers selling at huge losses take all of those deals. Big problem right now is too many Nissan Dealers and others are taking huge losers to get the factory money. The TrueCar reverse-auction business model will continually push those numbers down until the factory money is non-existent. Consumers need to hear from many dealers, “We don’t do TrueCar”
8. Keep calling your National and State Dealer Associations demanding they get involved and stay involved… No excuses.
9. Get the Manufacturers into the game. If GM, Ford, Toyota, and other majors change the rules about how we advertise and do business to protect the dealers, we can cut off their ability to set pricing. So keep it up at every dealer meeting. Call your Dealer Council Members and protest to your factory reps.
Tell the manufacturers, if they want showroom and facility improvements, we need the ability to make fair profits.
10. Tell everyone you know. Educate other dealers and industry people. Watch the Painter interviews…I believe this the first time a vendor has publicly announced they intend to bring down the dealers and hijack our business, taking our profits and starving us out with our own data. Painter has said manufacturers and dealers should bankrupt and he, in his God-like way” will control distribution.
When their Yahoo Deal kicks in we need to stand firm and “Just Say No” we don’t honor TrueCar deals.
via Automotive Digital Marketing Professional Community.
TrueCar Insider Information – Automotive Digital Marketing Professional Community
Posted by Ralph Paglia in Automotive Digital Marketing, Automotive Retail Management, Automotive Sales, Car Dealers, TrueCar - ZAG on December 17, 2011
It seems to me that the real problem that dealers should have with TrueCar/ZAG is not as much the disclosure of transaction prices in the now infamous bell shaped curve at TrueCar.com, but instead, the insidiousness of trying to predict who will buy a car from a dealer ANYWAYS and then charge that dealership $300 for a vehicle sale that TrueCar did not actually facilitate. I said to Scott Painter during our phone call that if he is successful in enrolling 10,000 dealers he will have in fact implemented a tax on every new vehicle sold for $300 that TrueCar collects. Three dealers in each geographic area that TrueCar defines, and the leads go to the dealer that would have been most likely to sell that car even if TrueCar was not involved… Paying for sales a dealership would have made anyways!!!
How Dealers United works – Automotive Dealership Cost Control
Posted by Ralph Paglia in Automotive Digital Marketing, Automotive Retail Management, Car Dealers, CRM, Email Marketing, eNewsletter, Social Marketing on December 13, 2011
When considering the Dealers United value proposition, there are at least two important points to identify and evaluate:
1. What is the problem being solved?
2. Who are the principals and can they be relied upon to deliver?
In the case of Dealers United, the problem the company seeks to solve is fairly easy to understand, it is simply one of economics and purchasing power… Large buying groups have the economic clout to drive lower costs, while individual businesses are relegated to serving the quest for higher gross margins by the supplier. Dealers United will give the single point and smaller privately owned groups the ability to access mega-group buying power.
So, the real question is really one of do you trust and have confidence in the leadership of Dealers United? I (for one) have dealt with Jesse Biter for several years and have found him to be smart, trustworthy and a man of good conscience with strong business ethics and a sense of morality that is based on simple “Right or Wrong” dynamics, rather than being guided by selfish reasons or greed. Do I trust Jesse Biter? Yes, I do…
In my professional opinion, there is no reason why every independently owned dealership and smaller dealer group in America should NOT join Dealers United, and many valid reasons why they should. Use the links provided to watch the Dealers United video…
Autobytel, Dealix, Edmunds, KBB – Automotive Digital Marketing Professional Community
Posted by Ralph Paglia in Automotive Digital Marketing, Automotive Retail Management, Automotive Sales, Car Dealers, CRM, Email Marketing on December 8, 2011
Dear Autobytel, Dealix, Edmunds, KBB
Jerry Thibeau – Early Monday morning I start receiving e-mails from third party lead providers thanking me for submitting my information. The e-mails were on the same vehicles I shopped on TrueCar. Coincidence, I think not! Now here is where it gets interesting, my data had been corrected to reflect my current e-mail, and my current phone number. I also started receiving phone calls from dealers. I am guessing my information could have been taken was from the DMS of the dealership where I last purchased my Infiniti. My questions to you, where did my lead originate from and how did you get my information?
The Probability of Accountability – Automotive CRM
Posted by Ralph Paglia in Automotive Digital Marketing, Automotive Retail Management, Automotive Sales, Car Dealers, CRM on December 5, 2011
The Probability of Accountability
Joe Webb “reveals” the hidden truth behind the BS that masquerades as a CRM installation in most USA based car dealerships… This article could have also been titled “The PROBLEM Of Accountability”. I can attest to the fact that what Joe observed is something I have seen on far too many occasions in dealerships I was assigned to visit for CRM installation purposes back when I worked for The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, but is also a painful reality of what we see up to this day. These sorts of false accountability systems were destructive 8 years ago, and remain destructive to this day.
The good news is that most BDC’s and slightly fewer Internet Sales Teams do not engage in such shenanigans because they do not have the luxury of putting their names on deals that they did not bring into the dealership (for the most part).
The bad news is that regardless of the systems you put in place, employees will usually figure out a way to game the system… For example, the nonsense I see of dealers blocking access to Facebook only results in the use of smartphones for this purpose and their employees bringing in their own laptops. In other words, technology does not prevent or provide accountability as much as it gives owners and managers a false sense of security that policies are being followed.
Use the link provided in order to read the actual article written by Joe Webb…
Playing Keep Away – Joe Webb Video
Posted by Ralph Paglia in Automotive Digital Marketing, Car Dealers, Humor, ZMOT on December 3, 2011
JOE WEBB VIDEO: Another funny and insight producing video vignette by Joe Webb that shines a light on one of the many ways digital marketing ignorant people in car dealerships chase away many thousands of dollars in gross profit and dozens of units sold each month… You gotta watch this clip! Use the links provided.
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Automotive Marketing Professional Community Blogs- One Small Step Is a Good Start to a Long JourneyIt’s a sad fact that current recall repair compliance rates are so abysmal. Most dealers know it., the Feds know it, state governments know it, and the manufacturers know it. Resolving this recall crisis starts with a notification. But, people simply don’t read recall notices, they discard them as junk mail. For those that do read them, a second problem p […]Chris Miller
- Are you Ignoring Your Most Valuable Point of Customer Contact?These days, customer experience is a vital part of the car buying process. And, the first part of that experience is your dealership’s appearance in the eyes of your customers, both on and offline. Sadly, I see far too many lots that are poorly presented – they look terrible. I’m sure you have seen them and know what I mean – dirty, poorly-presented inventor […]John Wingle
- How Psychometric tests are helpful in determining a candidate’s role and performanceWhat are psychometric tests? Every company goes through a lengthy process to hire their employees. Recruitment process consists of various rounds of interviews, group discussions, tests, and other methods of assessing employee’s overall skills and abilities. One of the methods of testing is psychometric test which is a test measuring your mental ability. It […]Jitender Sharma
- The Future of Marketing could be VoiceIn the old days, if consumers wanted to buy a product or find specials, they turned to the Sunday paper, the radio, or simply visited their local store. Then, the Internet appeared, and everything changed. It became incredibly easy for consumers to find information and, at the same time, gave marketers more ways to push their messages to consumers. But now i […]Steve White
- The Link Between Electronic MPIs and Unsold ServiceOn average, dealers capture just half of the necessary service work that needs to be performed on vehicles that come into their service lanes. This is a big leakage point that has a direct impact on service revenue. It also offers tremendous untapped potential. In addition to acquiring new service customers, it’s important to focus on maximizing service po […]Scot Eisenfelder
- Equifax Reveals Additional Auto Consumer Credit InsightsCustomized searches, understanding buying power & pre-approvals can move the sales needle Pre-approvals and credit checks remain a critical component of the automotive shopping process. Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX), a global information solutions company, unveiled additional analysis in its ongoing study of consumer credit and shopping trends. The goal is t […]John Sternal
- Tests: A Backbone of Recruitment ProcedureIn this present time, many companies have started introducing the concepts that they have never adopted in their entire business history. More and more firms are getting much influenced by the pre-employment tests. They are making sure that they get the best filtered talent in their business, which is not a wrong thought. When you know that your employees ar […]Jitender Sharma
- WAYS TO BEAT STRESSMost college students know how interesting and at the same time demanding it is to be a student. From making new friends, keeping up with social life to learning new topics on different subjects, completing a lot of assignment within a short time frame, working and schooling, etc. Due to so many educational, social, and mental activities, it is common for s […]Anna Roberts
- Top Performing Segments During May Based on Shopper InterestLuxury Performance SUV/CUV: +34% **Led the way in growth in May 2018 and interest was 10% higher than May 2017 Compact Performance: +18% Luxury Coupe: +15% Luxury Performance: +15% Luxury Performance Sedan: +14% Share of Interest percentage increases compared with previous month Reasons Why Interest in Luxury Sports Cars is Falling Compared with Luxury […]John Sternal
- Be ‘in the Know’ About Your Women Buyers & MarketshareWomen buy from dealers they trust, and what better way to build trust than to be an invaluable resource for everything women want to know about buying and owning cars? Women-Drivers.com is the thought-leader in the auto industry, using evidence-based data from women’s behaviors and experiences. The company analyzes this information and produces action steps […]Anne Fleming
- How to Maximize Your CPO InvestmentAre the headaches associated with bringing vehicles up to certified pre-owned (CPO) program standards worth it? For dealers, there’s certainly more work, money and time involved with finding, reconditioning and certifying vehicles for CPO programs. On the surface, it may seem like the higher margins don’t really justify the higher cost of reconditioning an […]Bill Wittenmyer
- Bad credit loans: a brief introductionThis mode of loan is one of the fastest and easiest way available for taking a loan. Bad credit loans are intended for people who have bad credit and who need a short loan before the payday. The bad credit loans are also called unsecured personal loans, cash advance loans, etc. These loans are meant for borrowing small amounts, and these loans are not availa […]Haris Saeed
- Highest Declines in 16 WeeksWelcome to this week's edition of Black Book Market Insights, with in-depth analysis of used car and truck valuation trends and insights straight from the auction lanes. Click here to download the full report. This week’s Black Book Market Insights report shows where car values in particular showed some of their highest value declines in the last four m […]Black Book
- Equifax and Oplogic Stop Synthetic Identity Fraud at Michigan DealershipCRM driver’s license scan and advanced analytics reduce unwanted threats, even before the test drive Criminals are becoming more creative in their approach to commit synthetic ID fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 1.7 percent of identity fraud complaints indicated that auto loans or leases had been generated fraudulently1, up from 0.8 percent […]John Sternal
- Main Features of Fuel Testing and AnalysisFuel laboratories are highly-specialised facilities that test a diverse range of fuels for quality and consistency, including the RDE fuels used in vehicle testing. Testing and analyzing fuels is important for adhering to regulatory standards and to check for any signs of contamination when necessary. Detailed analysis can be useful when troubleshooting a […]tony croose
- Dealership Marketing Audit: Homepage to SRP Click-through RateCar shoppers should have a simple path to your website's SRPs. Your homepage should offer that streamlined process. Is there a way I can tell if my homepage is driving people to my inventory? Yes, and you already have the data. Just roll up the sleeves to conduct an audit of your homepage-to-SRP click-through rate in Google Analytics. We did this very t […]Dane Saville
- Auto/Mate Announces DMS Integration with Vitu, Helping Dealers Streamline Tax, Title and Registration ProcessesAlbany, NY – June 18, 2018 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems has integrated its dealership management system (DMS) with Vitu, Motor Vehicle Software Corporation’s (MVSC) market-leading national electronic tax, title and registration platform for automotive dealerships (known as “DMVdesk” in California). Through its integration program, Open/Mate, Auto/Mate cus […]Mike Esposito
- When Batman Decides a Recall Isn’t EnoughIn 2014, due to safety concerns, Toyota issued a recall notice for a power inverter on its popular Toyota Prius. Nothing abnormal. But for the fact that, even after the recall was fixed, customers continued coming in with issues – hundreds of them – and that’s when Roger Hogan’s dealership decided enough was enough. According to an article on thedrive.com, h […]Chris Miller
- Drive Sold-to-Service ConvertsAlmost half of a dealership’s sales customers never return for their first service appointment – that’s a hefty chunk of a dealer’s lifetime service potential! What causes this pattern in car buyers, and how can you channel more of them from your showroom to your service lane? AutoLoop surveyed our subscribed dealers and their customers, and we discovered vi […]Doug Van Sach
- Car Insurance - How to Find the Best PlanFinding inexpensive automobile insurance on the internet might seem incredibly simple. Nearly every website claims it has the best rates available. Clearly this can’t be true. It can be practically impossible for the average car owner to compare plan against plan to know if they’re getting the best possible value for the money spent. Do you invest the hou […]Rahul Paul
- One Small Step Is a Good Start to a Long Journey
