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 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:53:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/images/royalflush/misc/rss.jpg DealerRefresh Automotive Technology Forums http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/ <![CDATA[Anybody Using KBB's CDMData Digital Lot Solution]]> http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f14/anybody-using-kbbs-cdmdata-digital-lot-solution-1194.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:03:13 GMT Just curious if anyone has any experience using KBB's CDMData Digital Lot Solution. If so, what did you like/dislike? Did you use the all in one camera/tablet to capture vehicle information and photos, etc? ]]> andwrig http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f14/anybody-using-kbbs-cdmdata-digital-lot-solution-1194.html Autotrader Fraud? http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f21/autotrader-fraud-1193.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:14:06 GMT I need to use up some of the Dealer Refresh knowledge base. A dealer in my area is pricing their vehicles with this disclaimer in the comments:

Seller's Description and Comments **Auto prices reflect a $1000 minimum trade and $500 cash down. ]]> Marketing Gripes Blake Arbogast http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f21/autotrader-fraud-1193.html Internet Sales Consultant, Toyota Dealer, Clinton NJ http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f47/internet-sales-consultant-toyota-dealer-clinton-nj-1192.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:50:20 GMT Hello,

Muller Toyota, a 19 time President's Award Winning dealer in Clinton NJ, is looking for an Internet Sales Consultant to join our team.

Preferably looking for someone with internet sales or auto sales experience.

Expected earnings to be over $40,000 per year, with lots of potential to do more.

This position pays both salary and commission - paid weekly.

This position is to nurture leads and turn them in to appointments. Once they visit our showroom, they get turned over to a salesperson to show the car and solidify the deal. You get paid for appointments that show and extra for deals made.

We are a dealership that has been in business for over 20 years. We have very little turnover, with salespeople that have tenures of 20 years. Our focus is on quality and customer service.

If this sounds like an opportunity you are interested in, please feel free to call me with any questions or to schedule an interview.

Clay Toporski
Internet Sales Manager
Muller Toyota
(908) 638-4100 ext. 445
www.mullertoyota.com ]]> Automotive Industry Jobs - For Hire MullerToyota http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f47/internet-sales-consultant-toyota-dealer-clinton-nj-1192.html Understanding Google http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/understanding-google-1191.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:33:37 GMT I would love to understand Google a little more. I have some knowledge, but I know there is more to learn.

What are some of the most basic " must know things " that a person / business needs to know about Google ?

What links or books can you provide to help read up on the effectiveness of Google ?

Is there something you stumbled upon that was a "ah ha" :light: moment with Google ? ]]> danoneil http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/understanding-google-1191.html <![CDATA[August 2010 Sales - How's it goin ?]]> http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/august-2010-sales-hows-goin-1190.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:04:20 GMT August is normally a great month in the automotive world. However, this August of 2010 has been a tough month. Our internet business has been strong, so I am happy about that. But stores sales are sluggish.

How's every one doing ? Same thing ? ]]> danoneil http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f5/august-2010-sales-hows-goin-1190.html Is SEO/PPC a Religion or a Cult? http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/search-engine-optimization-ppc-religion-cult-1189.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:23:48 GMT I’ve been watching many savvy automotive digital marketers dividing themselves into two camps. One side follows “Gurus” and seems to think the other side is inherently evil. The only path to salvation from this evil is by becoming part of the religion, part of the cult. Of course the “evil”... I’ve been watching many savvy automotive digital marketers dividing themselves into two camps. One side follows “Gurus” and seems to think the other side is inherently evil. The only path to salvation from this evil is by becoming part of the religion, part of the cult.

Of course the “evil” in this little analogy has to be the Third Party Lead Providers and the Classified Sites. The path to salvation is SEO or PPC or a combination of both. In the spirit of full disclosure, I need to state up front that I spent ten years helping build AutoTrader.com into the powerhouse it is today. We felt that were battling evil as well. Our evil was print. Dealers were spending huge sums of money on newspapers with zero accountability and no ability to track results or even page views. Dealers advertised in print simply because everyone else did it, and they felt they “had” to be in the paper.

AutoTrader.com started by charging very little for the service. We were unproven. We had a relatively small number of eyeballs. The only way I could get a dealer to even speak with me was to mention that we were a sister company of Manheim Auctions. Manheim gave me a little credibility. Our parent company, Cox Enterprises, had deep pockets and the foresight to understand this was the future of classified advertising. They opened up the wallet and through an aggressive, cutting edge marketing campaign turned AutoTrader.com into a well-known national brand.

Consumers loved the ability to compare dealers and inventory side-by-side. Dealers were selling cars and before long they realized the internet was a much more efficient use of advertising dollars than print. As we became established and proven, rates went up. As we became a household name, traffic went up – lots. Was there some arrogance and hubris? I think the answer is yes. Were there growing pains? Could service sometimes have been better? Yes and yes.

To ATC’s credit they realized that dealers were getting angry. They stopped the rate increases (they haven’t had one in 3 years now) and increased the service. They are working at rebuilding trust.

Now here’s the question: Are they evil? Most dealers that I’ve dealt with have replaced their print advertising (in full or in part) with online classifieds. Even dealers on the most robust and aggressive programs are still spending only a fraction of what they used to spend on print. A full month of advertising on AutoTrader.com and Cars.com, combined, often costs less than what a single, one day, full page ad cost in many major dailies 10 years ago.

This is the “evil” the SEO cult is fighting. I’ve heard some folks state that if they just spent enough time on optimization and enough money on Gurus, they could dump the greedy classified sites. The problem is the consumers love the side-by-side comparison the classified sites offer. Until Google returns used car listings in an easy-to-sort “Shopping Results” format, consumers will continue to see Cars.com and AutoTrader.com as THE used car search engines.

Not all SEO/PPC advocates are part of the cult. Let me be clear: there are reputable SEO experts and many of them post here. There is a solid place for SEO and PPC campaigns, especially on new cars. A strong, well-designed SEO/PPC strategy can replace the new car leads many dealers are still purchasing from the third party lead brokers. I fully believe that a dealer needs a comprehensive online strategy that includes Classified Sites, SEO/PPC and Social Media. But I would strongly caution any dealer against putting all their eggs in one basket. It seems like the strongest, most successful dealers, are the ones that don't choose either camp, but rather work to achieve a good balance in their online marketing programs.

If I were a dealer and heard any guru tell me that if I spent enough time and money on his plan, I’d be saved from the evil classifieds, I’d be leery. In fact, if I heard anyone actually call themselves a guru, I’d run the other way.

The views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of any former, current or future employers or employees of mine. ]]> Ed Brooks http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/search-engine-optimization-ppc-religion-cult-1189.html Which vehicle marketing site do you find your best results? http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/vehicle-marketing-site-do-you-find-your-best-results-1188.html Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:07:24 GMT There are many places to promote your vehicles online...pick from Craigslist, eBay Motors, Autotrader, Vast, etc. Which site is your bread and butter? Which site gives you the best ROI? Any that are overrated? Have you shifted your focus to more social media sites like Facebook and Twitter? There are many places to promote your vehicles online...pick from Craigslist, eBay Motors, Autotrader, Vast, etc. Which site is your bread and butter? Which site gives you the best ROI? Any that are overrated? Have you shifted your focus to more social media sites like Facebook and Twitter? ]]> KoreyB http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/vehicle-marketing-site-do-you-find-your-best-results-1188.html Google Launches Realtime Search http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/google-launches-realtime-search-1187.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:48:17 GMT It seems very heavily Twitter/Facebook related, but if you're looking to keep an up to the minute pulse on things (and to waste away the rest of your day!):

http://www.google.com/realtime?esrch...ch::Experiment

dealerrefresh - Google Search= ]]> Chip Grueter http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/google-launches-realtime-search-1187.html Looking for a good Service Process http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f31/looking-good-service-process-1186.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:42:45 GMT I am wondering who has a good service process they would recomend. We are looking for a good process to work with the customer. Totally around the customer. Text and email process followup. I am wondering who has a good service process they would recomend. We are looking for a good process to work with the customer. Totally around the customer. Text and email process followup. ]]> Service Scheduling, Online Parts/Accessories Solutions mikemcguire http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f31/looking-good-service-process-1186.html Congratulations Dealer Refresh! http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/congratulations-dealer-refresh-1185.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:37:31 GMT To learn why, please watch this short video: Dealer Refresh Rocks! (http://www.screencast.com/t/YzRmN2Jh) To learn why, please watch this short video: Dealer Refresh Rocks! ]]> Off-Topic Jerry Thibeau http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/congratulations-dealer-refresh-1185.html <![CDATA[GM's eSummit 3.0 - you need to go!]]> http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/gms-esummit-3-0-you-need-go-1184.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:50:47 GMT I just got back from GM's eSummit 3.0 in Greensboro NC, the 2nd stop of their 14 stop tour. And if your a GM dealer, YOU NEED TO SIGN UP AND GO!

I am a car guy trying to figure all this stuff out, I manage our website and our BDC, I have Facebook and Twitter accounts for the dealership and I read Digital Dealer and the forums here like all of you. But I am not a tech geek and it gets overwhelming trying to understand how the hell all this stuff is evolving! Well, after going to eSummit I quickly realized I better become a digital marketing geek, and real quick!

Here is what you need to do so you don’t come back like I did thinking "I wish I had taken more people"! You need to have 2 people at a minimum go. I would highly recommend your GM or Dealer go, actually send both, no excuse for them to miss this, there is a ton of info and you need top down buy in on this if your going to be successful. If you are reading this, it means you need to go and make sure the internet manager goes. You need a sales manager to go, they need to hear this so they know why you are doing what you are when it comes to digital marketing. Then you need your service manager to go or fixed ops director, there is very valuable stuff just in the first session that you will want them to hear.

It is divided into two sections, sales and service, here is the agenda https://esummit3.com/schedule/32 . I attended the first service meeting, and it was very informative, my used car manager attended the first sales meeting, and he said I really missed out on not being in that. I skipped the last two of the service to go to the sales. So you can see, you need your key people for sales and service to go!

Todd Smith of Active Engage talked about Social Media and Emerging Technology, it was great, and it is overwhelming what is going on today, it is well worth hearing him talk! The other speakers are great as well! I wish I could have attended each session, but there is no way.

The vendor expo they put on was great too, of course its all the vendors that GM is pushing and contracted with so its no Digital Dealer conference, but there were a lot there. AutoTrader, Black Book, CSSR and Aspen, Active Engage, Cars.com, eBay, Dealer Socket and Ben from there was great to talk with, and many more that you will want info on. And of course Cobalt is there.

If you want to know what is going on and what the future will be with regards to digital marketing in sales and service, you need to go. Plus they gave us ice cream, who says no to ice cream!

Also, does anyone have info yet on if there will be a spring Digital Dealer Conference and where and when? ]]> Eley Duke http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f43/gms-esummit-3-0-you-need-go-1184.html Maybe a dealership can explain this http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/maybe-dealership-can-explain-1183.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:36:19 GMT Hey noobie here, I was in car sales for about 6 years doing both internet and floor sales. While doing internet sales it was normal for me to return emails within an hour of a response or lead. Right now I am trying to buy a pre-owned Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, I think I have sent in 4-5... Hey noobie here,

I was in car sales for about 6 years doing both internet and floor sales. While doing internet sales it was normal for me to return emails within an hour of a response or lead. Right now I am trying to buy a pre-owned Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, I think I have sent in 4-5 leads to dealership with no response and I physically went to a dealer and they seem to take 5-6 hours to respond or they wait until the next day. I have cash in hand and cannot believe how almost impossible it is to find someone that wants to sell me a car.

can someone shine some light on this for me, its kinda blowing my mind! :cry: ]]> Off-Topic showoff3civic http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/maybe-dealership-can-explain-1183.html Dealers Beware of Dealer Rater! http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f21/dealers-beware-dealer-rater-1182.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:19:15 GMT Dealer Rater a website set up to provide the online shopper a voice about how we do business. In this ever growing sector of the internet, online reputation can play a key role when it comes to the consumer making a decision to buy a vehicle from that dealer. So this site can be a good thing or a... Dealer Rater a website set up to provide the online shopper a voice about how we do business. In this ever growing sector of the internet, online reputation can play a key role when it comes to the consumer making a decision to buy a vehicle from that dealer. So this site can be a good thing or a bad thing for your dealership. But keep in mind you don't have a choice. Dealer Rater has almost every dealer posted in the entire United States, a force to be reckoned with. So unless you ask for positive feedback, the only feedback you will get is when consumers are upset with your dealership. Now this is the business model, they will offer to you "Certified Dealer" status for a low monthly fee and this gives the dealership arbitration rights to correct a problem if and when a consumer decides to leave negative feedback. Not a bad thing, we do want to keep our "Reviews Page" and our ratings up. Now what you need to be aware off. Your reviews page has a advertising box to the left of the reviews where Dealer Rater runs ads by Google on a rotation basis. I just so happened to inquire about that Box and they requested additional money for it. We just started with this endeavor so we decided to hold off for the time being. About day after my inquiry, the ad department alerted me that another dealership was interested in the box ad, Again we did not move on it, we were new to this and choose to wait again. 2 weeks later an ad appeared with a link to my competitions website on my Reviews page. OK, we made the mistake and didn't take advantage of this opportunity, however sticking your competition on your reviews page is somewhat of an insult. I don't have a problem with this type of advertising, but it should be offered as a rotating banner similar to Auto Trader or Cars.com.
This Post is a heads up for all dealers. I already confronted Dealer Rater about this and they said it's their advertising policy. It seemed to me that they went and asked my competition about the spot after we turned it down and they took it. Kudos to them... But we still feel it's wrong. We felt like we were hijacked so the speak. Take this or we will offer it to someone else!

So if you are a Certified Dealer with Dealer Rater and you have your competitions ad on your Reviews Page, DE-CERTIFY your dealership so we can send a message to Dealer Rater and maybe they will start selling the Certification Status as a package deal. Just an opinion and a warning..... ]]> Marketing Gripes tnt383 http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f21/dealers-beware-dealer-rater-1182.html The History Of The Internet. When Did you hop on? http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/history-internet-when-did-you-hop-1181.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:20:25 GMT The History Of The Internet (http://www.onlinemba.com/blog/internet-history/) Image: http://onlinemba.com.s3.amazonaws.com/internet-history.jpg (http://onlinemba.com.s3.amazonaws.com/internet-history.jpg) The History Of The Internet

]]> Off-Topic JoePistell http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f40/history-internet-when-did-you-hop-1181.html Pre-Owned Super Center Seeks Talented People To Join Our Team http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f47/pre-owned-super-center-seeks-talented-people-join-our-team-1180.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:37:47 GMT Canada's leader of pre-owned automobile sales, H. Grégoire, employs over 600 people and generates more than 400 indirect jobs. After a successful first year in the U.S., H Greg Auto Auction, in Hallandale Beach, FL, we are expanding our operation and opening a SuperCenter in the Doral area. The H Greg car buying experience allows our customers the opportunity to shop for quality, pre-owned vehicles via our customer-friendly sales process with low, no-haggle prices.

Open Positions:
Receptionist
Sales
Internet Sales / Business Development Center

To join our SUCCESSFUL H Greg Vehicle Research Concierge Team, you will be required to work with customers through each and every step of the sales process.

The steps to our process include:
- Communicating to customers what makes H Greg Auto Auction unique
- Interviewing customers to determine their needs and wants
- Presenting our vehicles
- Taking test drives
- Processing transaction paperwork
- Following up with potential customers

What will it take to become a SUCCESSFUL H Greg Vehicle Research Concierge?
- A strong ability to work with and relate to all types of customers and to earn their respect
- Self-motivation and a burning desire to be the very best!
- Strong customer focus!
- A strong belief in our Company! Our Vehicle Research Concierge Team takes pride in presenting our vehicles, and are always dedicated to finding the right vehicle for every customer.
- A strong ability to find solutions to sales challenges
- Exceptional speaking and active-listening skills
- Good computer skills
- A PASSION FOR SELLING in a Team oriented environment!

- A valid drivers license is required.
- Ability to drive a manual transmission or a willingness to learn is also important!
- Bi-lingual speakers preferred.


Showroom Address:
8505 NW 12th Street
Doral, FL 33126

Please email your resume to:
lothianc@hgregusa.com
Attached Images
File Type: jpg headquarter.jpg (48.0 KB)
]]> Automotive Industry Jobs - For Hire clothian http://forum.dealerrefresh.com/f47/pre-owned-super-center-seeks-talented-people-join-our-team-1180.html