Wondering if anyone has had any experience with "review removal companies" such as removebadreviews.com, your.reputation-guards.com, guaranteedremovals.com, feedbackclarity.com, etc... I am familiar with the google support dashboard and escalating reviews that go against guidelines/policy, but wanted to see if anyone has had any experiences (good or bad) with companies like this that "guarantee" removal. Or if you know of a company like these that you have dealt with and would recommend!

Appreciate your feedback!

Hi,

If anyone has had any experience in the car sales industry, please reply to this. I am trying to make a car buying app and I would like as much feedback and input as possible.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Car salesman
• Worked for a Dealership/Car Company
• If you have sold your car privately before
• If you have searched the internet for a new car/ currently are

I just have some questions and would like to bounce ideas with someone who may have more knowledge. I'd also like to discuss pricing.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I’m just 17 and I’m trying to do something with my skills, so I’d appreciate any help and advice from you.

Even if you don’t have experience, but you have a neat & unique idea(s), please let me know!

Happy Birthday DealerRefresh! What were you doing 19 years ago?

You wouldn't believe the horror stories I hear from friends and family about car shopping. But guess what? They're not the only ones. As a lifelong retailer, I've seen firsthand the internal circus creating such a frustrating customer experience. Here's a dirty little secret: a lot of the blame falls on lazy managers who simply don't care.



The Dropped Inquiry: A Buyer's First Sign of Trouble

Imagine you fill out an online inquiry, eager to learn more about a car. In this ideal world, a knowledgeable salesperson reaches out, ready to answer your questions. But more often than not, your inquiry falls into a black hole. Why? Because some sales managers just can't be bothered. They toss these leads to whoever is free, resulting in generic responses that dodge questions and push for an experience from 1975. It's a tactic straight out of the sales nightmare movies we’ve all seen, completely ignoring the fact that today's consumers research online and know a bad deal when they see one.



The Price is Wrong (But We Hope You Don't Notice)

Let's talk about that initial price you get quoted. There's a good chance it's inflated, a starting point for a lengthy negotiation that wastes everyone's time. This strategy relies on the outdated idea that customers are clueless. In reality, it's insulting. Thanks to the internet, we all know a fair price when we see it.



"Peeling You Off the Ceiling" Isn't a Thing Anymore

Remember that high-pressure sales tactic where they start with an outrageous price and slowly "come down" to something reasonable? Yeah, that died with disco. Yet, some dealerships cling to this strategy like a bad habit. Worse yet, they do it online and over the phone! Welcome back “Black Water…” It might have worked on your grandpa, but today's customer sees it for what it is: a transparent manipulation tactic.



Professionalism? Never Heard of Her

You'd expect salespeople at major dealerships to be professional, right? Wrong. Grammarly should be every salesperson's best friend, but some offers I've seen are riddled with errors. This carelessness reflects poorly on the entire dealership and destroys trust before the negotiation even begins. How can you feel confident buying a car from someone who can't be bothered to write a proper email?



Stuck in Slow Motion: The Deal That Never Gets Done

Remember the days when a salesperson could whip up a personalized offer in minutes? Apparently, those days are gone. Now, you might wait days for a simple quote, thanks to a system bogged down by outdated practices. Modern technology exists to streamline this process, but some dealerships just can't seem to embrace it.

The result? Frustrated customers who walk away, taking their business elsewhere.



A Former Salesperson's Plea: It's Time for Change

The car industry is stuck in the past. While customer expectations have evolved, the sales tactics haven't. People today are informed, busy, and expect transparency. Dealerships need to wake up and adapt.

A new model is emerging, and it's not just a shiny widget that everyone will soon lose interest in. It's a customer-centric sales approach built on efficiency, honesty, and respect. This is the only way to turn car buying from a dreaded chore into a positive experience. The industry has a choice: embrace change or get left behind. The future of car sales isn't on some dusty showroom floor; it's online, waiting for dealerships to catch up.

The unenlightened “manager” is a big part of the problem some stores experience. Another part is the has-been/never-was “guru” industry consultant… There’s proof of some of them being involved in financial crimes, fraud, and illegal narcotics, to name a few. Plus, some served time for their convictions of said crimes, and others dismissed the internet as “a passing fad…” The worst part is these people are still out there trying to ask dealers for money! More on them in an upcoming writing

Yesterday I demoed ACV MAX (formerly Max Digital). Seemed like a decent vAuto replacement. Wondering if anyone is on it/has tried it or if anyone has experienced/demoed a similar product that they were intrigued by.

I can't believe I'm considering this, but the local dealership has $50K MSRP Ariyas at $5,000 out the door through an 18-month one-pay lease through NMAC. It is down to $4,000 if your local power company has the extra EV rebate. Mine just gives $100/yr credit plus a free stage 2 charger.

If you have a Nissan store, it is worth checking to see if you can get an Ariya into some crazy lease setups.

The only reason I'm considering it is for the money.

When I recently set out to purchase a new car, I was starkly reminded of the vast chasm between the ease of digital browsing and the actual car-buying process. My career as a sales consultant had not prepared me for the frustrating reality faced by today's car buyers—a journey marred by outdated sales tactics, poor communication, and a startling lack of transparency.



The Illusion of Online Inquiry



The modern consumer might think that filling out an online inquiry would simplify the purchasing process, connecting them directly with knowledgeable sales consultants who are eager to sell. Unfortunately, the reality is often quite the opposite. Responses, if they come at all, typically dodge specific questions with generic sales pitches, completely ignoring the potential buyer’s needs. The prices quoted are frequently inflated as if the digital age of comparative shopping hadn’t made buyers more price-savvy.



Outdated Sales Tactics



The traditional car sales playbook involves setting an unrealistically high initial price followed by a prolonged negotiation, a process both tedious and transparently manipulative. I experienced this firsthand when inquiring about a new car. The initial lease offer was an outrageous sum per month— a figure more fitting for something James Bond would drive vs. what I was looking at. Over the next three weeks, the price mysteriously dropped by half per month after I showed disinterest. This outdated strategy not only wastes time but also insults the intelligence of the modern consumer. Not to mention “peeling him off the ceiling” was a tactic used by Oldsmobile Dealerships in the mid to late 1970’s and doesn’t actually work over the phone or on the web in 2024…



Lack of Professionalism and Expertise



During my recent experiences, I was astonished at the lack of professionalism among sales staff. The offers I received were riddled with spelling errors and grammatical mistakes, showing a disregard for basic business communication standards. This sloppiness, coupled with a blatant lack of product knowledge, erodes trust and confidence. How can a buyer feel secure in a major purchase when the sales team appears to lack fundamental education about what they are selling?



The Quick and the Dead: The Pace of Making Deals



Structuring a car deal and penciling an offer should be a swift and straightforward process. During my days as a sales consultant, even when we had to manually calculate different leasing options and rebates, we could produce three tailored offers within minutes. Today, customers are often told to wait days for a quote, a delay that is both unnecessary and counterproductive. Modern sales tools and CRM systems are designed to make these processes quicker than ever, yet dealerships cling to outdated practices that only serve to frustrate. Remember, TIME KILLS DEALS!



Personal Reflections as an Experienced Sales Consultant



Reflecting on my time as a sales consultant, I am struck by how the industry has stagnated while consumer expectations have evolved. Today’s buyers are informed, time-sensitive, and unwilling to tolerate the outdated and unenlightened sales tactics that were once commonplace. The industry needs to adapt by adopting more efficient, transparent, and customer-focused strategies that respect the buyer’s intelligence and time.



Bottom line, the automotive industry is at a crossroads. It can either continue with its antiquated ways or embrace a new paradigm that values transparency and efficiency. As someone who has been on both sides of this transaction, I advocate for a radical overhaul of car sales—a shift towards practices that prioritize the customer’s experience and foster long-term loyalty over short-term gains. Only then can we hope to restore dignity and respect to the car buying process, making it as enjoyable and straightforward as browsing for models online. If we don’t, then the Tesla model is coming and it’s not going to be pretty…

11 years later, I'm back in my happy place, back in the Lab building DISC stuff!
https://aimgroup.com/2022/08/30/pistell-resigns-as-cars-com-head-of-marketplace/

Stop by for strategy talks, prototypes and updates digging for new ways to sell MORE iron. In the spirit of the original Diary*, PLEASE challenge me and ask questions. It almost always stimulates new thoughts for me

*Uncle Joe's Diary 1.0 https://forum.dealerrefresh.com/threads/uncle-joes-make-over-diary.1683/

Interior photos vs. exterior photos -- which are more important?

I've noticed dealers seem to put a higher priority on exterior vehicle photos rather than interior photos. They're putting all of their exterior photos at the beginning of their scroller. I'm trying to understand why.

I recently purchased a vehicle and found myself buzzing through exterior photos just to examine the interior of the car.

Please give some opinions!

Has anyone heard about results with Amazon Auto? It's using A2Z Sync and is in beta testing with amazon employees where they can purchase online. I've heard several of the top 25 groups are in an advisory board. Anyone know anything more or conflicting with that?

We are a small, rural dealer in Northeast Missouri and do not have the infrastructure or equipment to do long-distance deliveries (yet). We deliver vehicles, but usually no more than 300 miles in one direction. We are fortunate to at least have a small airport close to us, so people do fly in from time-to-time. We do a decent job of selling to out-of-market customers, but I know that this is only going to continue to grow. I know that there are companies out there that will do customer drop-offs, but I'm wondering if anyone has a platform where they not only deliver the vehicle but also provide a quality delivery like the guest would get at the dealership.

How can a salesperson honestly think by being rude to you, you will sign up with them/ their company?

I had a sales representative, John Bowman, from Milestone Marketing all me today, a Monday at 8:53am. He asked if I was in charge of our dealerships digital marketing. I said that I was. He said " great, I know I am calling you out of the blue, but we have this great product that will help you." I said thanks, but I am not interested. He pushes on, saying how he's helped dozens of dealerships just like me, and it would benefit me to schedule a short demo with him. I said again, "No thanks, I am not interested. Our digital marketing performs very well and I am not looking to change anything at this time."

He then says " Wow, you must have the nephew of someone important doing it for you then." I said "Nope, but for comments like that we will never do business with your company thanks. "

I get they have a job to do, but that definitely isn't the way to do it. I couldn't tell you the number of reps I have spoken to over the years trying to sell our dealerhsip something. If we are in the market to change something, I will listen. If we aren't, I let them know. I am not about to waste my time or thiers. Most are very nice and will usually ask if they can send me some info to look over when I have some time and to keep them in mind for the future. I am okay with that and have gone back to those emails when things change and will call them up. Then you have reps like this guy.

Are we still pretending that "unlock the [dealer name] price" is a treasure trove hidden on a dealership website? It’s 2024, and the cat is well out of the bag: most often, the price you see online is the price you get. Yet, the charade continues. Customers click through hoops hoping to reveal a special sales price, only to find it layered with conditional discounts—OEM Loyalty Cash, Military Savings, or OEM Finance cash—that may not apply to them at all. And let's not forget about those additional freight charges and miscellaneous fees that magically appear later in the process.



Dealerships persist with this model of “competitive” pricing, but is this method really serving its purpose, or is it backfiring? In an age where every consumer carries a powerful research tool in their pocket, deceptive pricing strategies are not just frustrating—they're downright insulting.



Yet Dealers continue to clutter their vehicle display pages (VDP) with numerous calls to action. "Call us," "email us," "chat now," "unlock price," "schedule a test drive"—but is this abundance truly necessary? The cluttered approach can overwhelm and confuse rather than facilitate a smoother transaction. Has any thought been given to simplifying the customer’s journey? More isn't always better. Sometimes, it's just more.



Besides competitive pricing, what else are dealerships doing to genuinely stand out? Sure, there are the perennial "customer promises," free oil changes (shop fees and supplies not included), and complimentary car washes. But in the grand scheme, what value do these perks actually hold if the fundamental experience is flawed?



With customer testimonials and exposés on platforms like TikTok (trust me, if you haven’t seen one yet take a moment and look) becoming more prevalent, the old tricks are becoming less effective. These videos aren't just viral moments; they are testimonials of the widespread dissatisfaction with the car buying process. The modern customer’s patience for pricing games is wearing thin. And whether or not everything in the videos is true, perception is unfortunately reality.



Truly, there’s no need to play games to be profitable. Transparency isn't just good ethics—it's good business. As the industry stands at this crossroads, it’s time for a shift towards genuine simplicity and honesty in how we sell cars. Wouldn't it be refreshing not to worry about a customer’s dealership experience going viral for all the wrong reasons? The automotive industry has the tools and the technology to offer straightforward, fair pricing—it just needs the will to steer in that direction.

There are more cracks in the EV world. Charging stations are a big deal for EV owners who want to take longer drives or run errands near charging stations. Tesla is the leader in charging stations, so for them to pull back is quite the sign.

As showroom traffic slowly drops and customer habits change, your sales team’s phone skills are becoming more important than ever for maximizing revenue and hitting monthly sales goals. Customer service, in-person appointments, long-term loyalty, and higher sales and service engagement are all critical benefits you’re relying on your team’s phone skills to deliver.

The average customer spends about eighteen minutes on any given customer service call, and a whopping 97% say a business’s customer service impacts their brand loyalty. Clearly, your team’s phone skills have to be top-notch. With so much on the line, how can you get the most out of your training investment?

Without a doubt, bringing in a phone mystery shopper is the fastest and most effective way to get real-world feedback and training tips that directly translate to increased sales and repeat business. If you’re not leveraging mystery shopping at your dealerships, here are seven reasons why it’s time to change your strategy.

1. ADDRESS NEEDS AND CLOSE DEALS​

Customers who initiate a phone call are known as “high-intent” customers, meaning they’re already interested in a purchase and are looking to move down your sales funnel. Your sales team’s job is to identify what they want as quickly as possible and give them the answers they need to close the deal.

However, a few missteps here or there on a call can be the difference between a win and a loss. By mimicking a real customer interaction, a phone mystery shopper can identify areas where a salesperson is leaving revenue opportunities on the table and generate tips that will benefit your entire team.

2. KEEP CUSTOMERS COMING BACK​

Customers who use an outside source for service and financing are much more likely to shop somewhere else when they look for their next car. One of the easiest ways to build loyalty is by connecting buyers with in-house service and financing options, and the best opportunity to do that is during those early sales calls.

A phone mystery shopper makes sure that your team never forgets to include all the deals and benefits your dealership offers and highlights these areas in your phone scripts. Not only does that make the most of your existing revenue streams, but it ensures that you’ll have more repeat customers down the line.

3. GET AN ACCURATE LOOK AT YOUR TEAM’S SKILLS​

One of the hardest aspects of a GM’s job is evaluating skills in the workplace. The problem is, it’s not as simple as just standing over someone’s shoulder and taking notes. Every boss knows employees don’t behave the same when they know they’re being watched, and the observer effect ruins the evaluation.

Mystery shopping finds out how your team is actually performing—not what they do when they’re nervous or trying to impress you. Those real interactions are what affect sales, and a phone mystery shopper will find out exactly what’s going on under the hood.

4. COMPARE TO THE COMPETITION​

A phone mystery shopper doesn’t just look at your business. They can (and should) evaluate your competitors as well. That will allow your training partner to find key areas you can take advantage of as well as places you need to improve.

5. IMPROVE COMPLIANCE​

When it comes to company policy and legal regulations, you simply cannot afford to operate outside the margins. A phone mystery shopper confirms your team’s compliance with these non-negotiable items. There’s nothing worse for a customer than getting conflicting information when it comes to issues like financing and product information. If they’re confused, or worse, don’t trust you, they’ll definitely hit the road.

6. STAY ON TOP OF CUSTOMER TRENDS​

Customer habits and priorities change over time—especially in the automotive industry—and staying on top of it all usually requires a dedicated training partner who keeps you up to speed on the latest facts and figures.

As your team adapts, a phone mystery shopper can track how well new information is being retained and how effectively it’s being delivered. After all, learning takes time, and a few follow-up mystery shops are often all it takes to drill down on the most important details. The faster your people get comfortable, the sooner it will translate to a boost in sales.

7. DRIVE APPOINTMENT RATES​

Internet car and truck purchases are increasing, but only account for 3% of overall sales. The overwhelming proportion of customers still prefer to buy cars from real people, and with showroom traffic falling, that puts more pressure than ever on your team’s phone skills to bring customers to your door.

Unfortunately, the average dealership only converts about 20% of phone calls into appointments, and it’s often for one simple reason: your team forgets to ask! By using well-designed phone scripts focusing on appointment setting, the top dealerships are hitting rates of at least 60% if not higher.

One of the most important benefits a phone mystery shopper delivers is an evaluation of your team’s effectiveness in booking these appointments. Once you see where you’re falling short, you can get this major KPI up to where it should be.

CONNECT WITH A WINNING PHONE MYSTERY SHOPPER​

Here at Phone Ninjas, phone training and mystery shopping are our bread and butter. Our clients routinely see their in-person appointment rates from phone traffic triple or even quadruple. It’s just one of the many aspects we work on with all our clients to build their business and bury the competition.

Our training program is a complete system that supports your team from beginning to end. We start with a mystery shopper to get a baseline of your phone performance. Then, our VP of Training, Mike Hoyser, conducts an initial training session with your entire team. Finally, our Phone Ninjas go to work, coaching your employees in individual sessions on a weekly or monthly basis.

Once the training is complete, we send in a phone mystery shopper to evaluate your team’s skills and highlight areas for improvement. With the results in hand, we follow up with shopped employees with further coaching to make sure they’ve mastered every detail.

To find out what Phone Ninjas can do for your dealership, reach out today for a free demo and two free mystery shops. We can’t wait to meet you and start training your team for success!