[JoePistell]

IS THE CONCEPT COMING ACROSS?
I need a fresh set of eyes to give me feedback on a feature I've built called "My Garage". My gut is telling me that I am missing the mark.


My Garage Background:
It's a simple concept, its a place to save vehicles you like. Lots of sites have it. Cookie based, no login required. I've offered an upgrade where they can get an email if:

• the price drops,
• if its sold,
• if one arrives that is similar to the one they've picked
• and more..

Please give it a look, all ideas & criticisms are welcome: Used 2008 GMC Yukon Denali For Sale Near Syracuse NY

note:
If this unit is sold (and the link no longer works), see any vehicle detail page.

[Jerry Thibeau]

Joe, I checked out your garage and it's an awesome concept, but I could not figure out how to use it in the brief moment I was on there. I made a video for you.

2009-12-17_1245

[JoePistell]

Jerry,

Appreciate your videoing the process. Here is where it broke down. In the video, your name appears on "My Garage" page. This means your already been thru the My Garage sign up process and have a MY Garage accnt. To start fresh, go back to "MY Garage", Find & Click the "log out" and start all over again. If you can't find the log out button, thats good, I am here for feedback!

Let's try again...
After you log out and go back to the front page, lets create a Real World Shopping Scenerio. Shop for a SUV. Say you like the 2008 Ford Edge. Find a 08 Ford Edge, you want AWD and you want to make sure it has a CD player, then save you like it, try to save it in "MY Garage".

After that is done...

Say you like the Saturn Vue also (why in hell didn't Penske resuce them!??!!), find a 08 Saturn Vue, see if it has a Remote Keyless Entry, then try to save it in "MY Garage".

I am looking for a clear view of how intutitve it is (or isnt), if you hit the wall while using it THAT IS GOOD NEWS TO ME.

thnx

[Jerry Thibeau]

I've got it now. I've got a couple of vehicles parked in my garage. Don't you be putting any clunkers in there on me. I still think you should add a feature that let's me pick my perfect vehicle and you notify me when it comes in.

Here's the video: My_Garage

[JoePistell]

hahaha Jerry, thnx for trying, you almost got it, but you didin't read what I wrote!!

• Log out of My Garage (and don't log back in ;-)

Think like a shopper on a mission

• Shop for a 2008 Ford Edge
• Make sure it has AWD and a CD Player
• Put the Ford Edge in MyGarage

next

• Shop for 08 Saturn Vue
• Make sure it has Remote Keyless Entry
• Put the Saturn Vue in MyGarage

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you see the offer to UPGRADE the MyGarage?
2. Is the offer easy to read and comprehend?
3. Do the UPGRADE features have a strong hook for the shopper?
4. Is the sign up button easy to spot?

[JoePistell]

Here is a MyGarage with lots of cars in it

Virtual Garage | Your Member Area (click log in)
user: NovemberCicero
passw: NovemberCicero

Lots of stuff going on...
Price Drops,
Units Sold
Alerts

[Jerry Thibeau]

Joe,

I just got notified in am e-mail that several people are looking at cars in my garage. Please tell them to stop!

[AutoArchitech]

If you want to see how it works across dealerships, not just one dealer, it has been live here for about a year
Baltimobiles | Baltimore Car Dealers. One Big Search.

[JoePistell]

Originally Posted by AutoArchitech

If you want to see how it works across dealerships, not just one dealer, it has been live here for about a year
Baltimobiles | Baltimore Car Dealers. One Big Search.

Nice lookin' site!

[JoePistell]

Originally Posted by AutoArchitech

If you want to see how it works across dealerships, not just one dealer, it has been live here for about a year
Baltimobiles | Baltimore Car Dealers. One Big Search.

AA,
The HomeNet Virtual Garage(VG) was borne from my site design work with HomeNet. (HomeNet's team is the best!!!!)

The VG is a cookie based system with no lead collection form or any interaction with the inventory data. (no price drop email, not sold email, etc...) VG is helpful shopping tool, but it is a very scaled down version of MyGarage. As I recall, you were one of the first subscribers to get VG! I recall you got VG right while were upto our armpits in getting the bugs out. Matt must have accidently posted the features of the interactive MyGarage, instead of the VG.

Take a look at your VG page: Baltimobiles | Virtual Garage All the interactive features on the page are not part of the HomeNet Virtual Garage. For example, you have no form to collect contact info. See: The Used Car King, New York | Member Registration

There is a mountain of programming to have the VG do all of the interactive stuff, I am not sure what HomeNet has planned with this upgrade to the VG.