Like Andrew, I try to look at the trade appraisal tools as a customer instead of a lead-hungry dealer. I've used Black Book, KBB, basic trade appraisal forms and I have yet to find one that doesn't set the stage for an argument before ever seeing the customer.
I've been wanting to see something different. I wish vAuto would take me up on a suggestion I've had for them for a while. Dale loves it when we talk about it, but I'm not sure why he won't do it
Here is what I want from vAuto:
vAuto looks at cars all over the place and has an unbelievable amount of data based on what is in the market. Using that data there could be a CSS-encodable plug-in for our websites. We could market this plug-in as "Trade Analysis" or something like that. Instead of giving the customer an appraisal on their car, I would like to see vAuto return the results of how many cars like theirs are currently in the market. The dealer would default the radius based on whatever circle the dealer wants to draw around the dealership's zip code, but the customer would have the ability to change the mileage radius and zip code. As the mileage radius changes, the number of cars in the market changes along with another key feature: the number of days it is currently taking for that car to sell. Of course, the customer would have the ability to plug in the car they're interested in buying as well. This is where it could be a little bit of an issue for the dealer, but easy enough to sell around.
Then, to solicit a lead, the system would ask the customer if they would like the information emailed to them and have a representative contact them to better explain that data. Maybe have a few more pieces from the vAuto war chest available for the email.
There are other variables I'd like to see as well, but I think you get the overall jist of what I'm after.
Essentially, this is a way to keep the customer on my website while providing data they would see as a service to them. We're not giving them a number for their trade, but we would be soliciting a lead to explain market demand (instead of a fight over the trade value) and ask them what day and time they'd like to schedule a professional trade appraisal.
Although you may not get as many leads as Black Book or KBB will (wrongfully in my opinion) get you, I see this as a win for the dealer and the customer.
If any vAuto customers see this as something they'd like too, please help me push Dale.