DealerRefresh Automotive Technology Forums http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/ The purpose of the support forums on DealerRefresh is to provide Automotive Dealers a place to discuss best practices and seek help in automotive sales, service, and parts technology. CRM, ILM, Inventory, Web Site Hosted platforms, DMS Integration, and search engine practices are a few of the items for dealership support on DealerRefresh. en Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:20:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/images/royalflush/misc/rss.jpg DealerRefresh Automotive Technology Forums http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/ Selling Cars with Facebook Connect http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/selling-cars-facebook-connect-801.html Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:03:26 GMT I know Facebook Fan Page Applications are the talk of the town right now but I'm interested in Facebook Connect implementations.

Has anyone seen innovative usage of Facebook Connect on Dealer sites / Inventory?

10 Great Implementations of Facebook Connect

10 Impressive New Implementations of Facebook Connect ]]> MattScalcione http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/selling-cars-facebook-connect-801.html Mark Bonfigli made me smile! http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/mark-bonfigli-made-me-smile-800.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:42:04 GMT Alex shut down the best flame war in YEARS before I could respond to Mark's levity (which really is good)

Dude, they need to let you folks out of Vermont more often. Is it booze? caffeine? That stuff you all smoke up in Burlington? There is a reason why the rest of New England lives in fear of "Green Platers"! :woot: ]]> Off-Topic Ed Brooks http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/mark-bonfigli-made-me-smile-800.html Cobalt LMCC Dealer Letter? http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/cobalt-lmcc-dealer-letter-799.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:07:15 GMT I just heard from a GM dealer that was using LMCC for ILM that GM sent him a letter today that said LMCC is no longer an approved vendor and that they will have to change. That sounds odd to me. Has anyone else heard the same thing? I would think that it would be for the new SFE format but that has... I just heard from a GM dealer that was using LMCC for ILM that GM sent him a letter today that said LMCC is no longer an approved vendor and that they will have to change. That sounds odd to me. Has anyone else heard the same thing? I would think that it would be for the new SFE format but that has not officially been launched yet. ]]> Shawn Morse http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/cobalt-lmcc-dealer-letter-799.html How to Add Inventory or Web Sites to your Facebook Fan Page http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/how-add-inventory-web-sites-your-facebook-fan-page-796.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:56:48 GMT Hi everyone, I thought my new blog post might be of interest to members of this forum. Enjoy! How to Add Inventory or Web Sites to Your Facebook Fan Page (http://bslashc.com/2010/02/28/how-to-add-your-inventory-to-your-facebook-fan-page-on-a-budget.aspx) Hi everyone,

I thought my new blog post might be of interest to members of this forum. Enjoy!

How to Add Inventory or Web Sites to Your Facebook Fan Page ]]> tijerin http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/how-add-inventory-web-sites-your-facebook-fan-page-796.html Vehicle Pricing http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f14/vehicle-pricing-795.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:33:10 GMT Any help out there is appreciated. I am looking to find a vendor to update my database of vin numbers with manufacture pricing after incentives. My ultimate goal is to download a database from a dealership and update it in-house with current manufacture pricing. Any suggestions on a vendor that... Any help out there is appreciated.

I am looking to find a vendor to update my database of vin numbers with manufacture pricing after incentives. My ultimate goal is to download a database from a dealership and update it in-house with current manufacture pricing. Any suggestions on a vendor that can do something like this? It is almost what black-book does but they can't do new vehicle pricing after incentives to show people their low monthly payment.

Hope I didn't confuse anyone. It's hard to write out. ]]> iceman101 http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f14/vehicle-pricing-795.html Future of TV, Cable, Satellite advertising http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/future-tv-cable-satellite-advertising-794.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:08:45 GMT A few weeks ago I turned a Mac Mini into my home entertainment hub and discovered the wonderful world of TV broadcasting through things like Hulu, Boxee, and Plex. In fact, I am enjoying streaming my TV shows so much that I am considering canceling Cable (huge savings for me). This has got me... A few weeks ago I turned a Mac Mini into my home entertainment hub and discovered the wonderful world of TV broadcasting through things like Hulu, Boxee, and Plex. In fact, I am enjoying streaming my TV shows so much that I am considering canceling Cable (huge savings for me).

This has got me thinking a lot about the future of television. Right now it is the king of traditional advertising, but I am starting to think its days are numbered. What do you guys think?

By the way, here is my Mac Mini project: Mac Mini as Home Entertainment Hub Photographic Expeditions of Alex Snyder if you need further clarification of what the future could be. ]]> Off-Topic Alex Snyder http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/future-tv-cable-satellite-advertising-794.html eLead vs. VinSolutions for ILM? http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/elead-vs-vinsolutions-ilm-793.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:40:14 GMT Any opinions? We're choosing between eLead and VinSolutions for an ILM tool.

As ususal, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. ]]> Off-Topic madtownart http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/elead-vs-vinsolutions-ilm-793.html Question about getting leads through text messaging http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f48/question-about-getting-leads-through-text-messaging-792.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:36:31 GMT My dealership is interested in receiving leads via text messaging. For example, we can have a mailer piece that says "if interested text 4532". Then our BDC receives the lead so that they can get in touch with the customer. Something like that. Does anybody know anything about this or have some idea about how it works? How it would be done? What we'd have to do to set it up? Obviously many companies do things similar to this, so there's definitely a way. Thanks for any help! ]]> SEO Bootcamp (Orlando, Feb 2010) Autofair Honda http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f48/question-about-getting-leads-through-text-messaging-792.html Off Site Call Centers as your BDC http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/off-site-call-centers-your-bdc-791.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:47:49 GMT Anyone using as off site call center as the main calls for you sales department? We recently addded a CRM company that has an a call center and I often wonder if this would be a better option for the dealership? As our dealer group grows I consider possibly converting our smaller sized BDC to a... Anyone using as off site call center as the main calls for you sales department? We recently addded a CRM company that has an a call center and I often wonder if this would be a better option for the dealership?
As our dealer group grows I consider possibly converting our smaller sized BDC to a service/CSI department and outsource the sales calls. Anybody want to share experiences? :ltbulb: ]]> lfinney http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/off-site-call-centers-your-bdc-791.html GM Accessories Digital Solution http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f31/gm-accessories-digital-solution-787.html Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:28:47 GMT powered by dealertrack / chrome / vehattire.

Oh yeah baby, tons of hands in this pot. Everyone wants to prove to GM that they can make the internet fun right now and GM is lapping it up. I'm so glad its cheap!

I have actually managed to get this tool to a mildly functional level and I know there are many other dealerships that are using this to much more success, but man did anyone think of the end users when it was designed? I mean the real end users. The salesmen who don't use computers, the parts people who don't use computers much, the service people who don't use computers much.. You see where I'm going with this ;)

My current procedure is:
1) Salesperson shows the web portal to customer around the time of sale
2) customer buys something that day and it gets added into financing
3) salesperson has to fill out a custom form I created with customer name, vehicle VIN, paint needed yes/no, etc... You know, stuff that might actually be useful when the parts manager orders the stuff.
4) Parts manager orders the stuff and notifies the service appointment coordinator.
5) Appointment coordinator call the customer (usually next day since many deals get finalized at night) and schedule a time to come in for their accessory installation
6) Everyone (hopefully) gets paid! YAY!

I've already sent off a huge list of changes I'd like to see to the customer portal on our website. That was back in January. A representative from Dealer Track and Chrome came out to talk to me at the dealership and I thought stuff was going to happen. Hey maybe it still is and there's just a lot of QA needs doing!

That being said, I'm going to have a list twice as long for the back end tool through globalconnect. Even if nothing ever changes, at least I'll get to write a big list!

What has your experiences been with using this tool? Do you have a process that actually works well unlike mine?

I'm going to visit another local Chevy shop, as I heard they have a radically different method where they have a dedicated accessory saleswoman who handles the whole process soup to nuts. I can certainly see the value in that considering the complexity of the system, but I'd love to actually get it to where everyone can use it and use it well. Something that's FUN. Its the most fun part of the sale IMO. ]]> Service Scheduling, Online Parts/Accessories Solutions ghen http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f31/gm-accessories-digital-solution-787.html Dont try to do this online! http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/dont-try-do-online-785.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:46:09 GMT According to Money Magazine:

Don't try to do this online - Comparison shopping for cars (3) - Money Magazine

One more:

Don't try to do this online - Buying a car (6) - Money Magazine

:oops: ]]> Off-Topic Stefan http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/dont-try-do-online-785.html ResponseLogix Seeks Account Managers http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f47/responselogix-seeks-account-managers-783.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:34:28 GMT Anyone know of intelligent, ambitious and service-oriented types who might be interested in joining us at ResponseLogix? We’re looking for Account Managers in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and St. Louis. Our 400 signed dealers (and the thousands we plan to sign)... Anyone know of intelligent, ambitious and service-oriented types who might be interested in joining us at ResponseLogix? We’re looking for Account Managers in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and St. Louis. Our 400 signed dealers (and the thousands we plan to sign) need great, experienced AM’s to provide ongoing support and help them learn how to take full advantage of what we do. Ideas? Please call Steve Pace, VP Sales at ResponseLogix at 408.829.0873 or email him at space@responselogix.com ]]> Automotive Industry Jobs - For Hire CatherineEdwards http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f47/responselogix-seeks-account-managers-783.html CRM Comparison and Integration with ADP DMS http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/crm-comparison-integration-adp-dms-782.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:26:41 GMT We are in our final contract year with our current CRM vendor and are taking a look at our options. We have narrowed the search to the top four rated CRM's on http://www.drivingsales.com/ratings/categories/crm-variable-ops - those being:
  • AutoBase - AutoBase CRM
  • CAR-Research - CAR-XRM
  • Dealer Socket - DealerSocket CRM
  • VinSolutions - VinSolutions MotoSnap CRM
The basic question here is which of them does the best job of integrating with the ADP DMS?

If I could hear from users of these products and the ADP DMS system first, before the various vendors add their comments, it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Ed Shaffer ]]> eddyshaf http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/crm-comparison-integration-adp-dms-782.html Newbie ISM needs lots of advice! http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/newbie-ism-needs-lots-advice-781.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:30:55 GMT I was recently tasked with taking over our new car "internet department". We are a smaller franchise dealer. We've got Chevy, GMC and Buick. We sell about 450 new cars per year and about 600 used. We have a 15 mile proximity to a metro market with a population of 300,000 (Madison, WI) but we're rural. We get about 90 new car leads per month. My job is to organize and develop the department. Right now its me just responding to leads. No ILM tool, I'm tasked with finding one. Our General Manager's computer literacy level is less than novice and no, I'm not exagerating. Management basically knows nothing about internet sales.

I've been in the business for 21 years. I've got sales, used car manager and F&I experience.

I have a couple of questions:

1. I'm still getting paid like a sales person. How do ISM's get paid? I know it's generally salary + commission. What kind of compensation should I be askng for? My thoughts are at least $2k + comm.

2. I got a list of ILM tools from our SFE facilitator. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

3. General guidance and advice is welcomed.

Thanks in advance! ]]> Off-Topic madtownart http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/newbie-ism-needs-lots-advice-781.html Polling inventory from ADP vs Reynolds all wholesale showing up online... http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f44/polling-inventory-adp-vs-reynolds-all-wholesale-showing-up-online-778.html Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:41:56 GMT When polling inventory for lot service what do you guys using ADP do so the wholesale cars don't show up? I know in Reynolds there are status codes for wholesale, retail, demos, etc. but ADP seems to have in stock and not in stock. Some of my Dealers use accounting codes but some are stuck on manual entry because they don't want the wholesale stuff online. I think waiting for the photo guy to show up before the car is online at all is foolish in this day and age.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Mark ]]> Automotive Products not listed here AutoArchitech http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f44/polling-inventory-adp-vs-reynolds-all-wholesale-showing-up-online-778.html