AI use in Photo Background Removal

I saw a dealer who recently thought they could save some money by switching from their provider for backgrounds to a company who professes to do it all with Artificial Intelligence. Sometimes it makes sense to have some level of human intervention rather than just automating it. Setting it and forgetting it rarely works. We (Tru Images) doesn't engage in background removal as a profit center - we are agnostic to who the dealer chooses to use for that - but I hate to see something like this.




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My Rant about DealerInspire.

It’s frustrating when the tools exist but aren’t accessible. I’d prefer to save my patience with support for issues I absolutely cannot address myself.

Yea, it's more of an edge case, but part of the problem with DI is shared tenancy. AFAIK, it's not easy for inheritance in Wordpress for something like this (ex: a shortcode in your account supersedes the shared library). So ultimately you'd get your own shortcode for the specific functionality you're looking for. Is it possible to write your own, then DI can import that and place on your VDP page? This is probably something ChatGPT could do for you and even give instructions on how to deploy it.
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Auto Comply update to Cookie Consent

But - it's not really reducing your traffic, it's just limiting your measurement of the traffic.

If you use ComplyAuto, you have to be ok with the fact that you're going to destroy your ability to measure traffic and conversions - there's simply no way around it. Honestly, I don't get why dealers are using it - I get that something is required in California, but tons of dealers use it that don't have to - and now they're all upset that traffic appears to tank.
The sales team at complyauto is superb at instilling a feeling of terror in auto execs.

That’s the reason. That’s the whole reason.

Rate My Cold Email

"I'm 17 can I help you out" sounds like someone signed up for porno site.

Real Sus.


Also if you're going to hit up a dealership and engage them about their lack of social media engagement, make sure you have examples of success stories and a strong social presence on your own.


Someone hits me up to show how awesome they are at social media and then has 400 followers on IG, doesn't build credibility, IMO.

How We Sold 24+ Cars in 30 Days for FREE Using Facebook Marketplace (Interactive Guide)

Whats wrong with using one of the multiple FB posting services that list these things for you?

What's the best solution for answering FB chats quickly. It can't be a business account, so the pages listing are personal/individual and do not link up to any software to link with our CRMs.. (Possibly Zapier?)

AI Phone Skills Training?

This training, using the AI, phones sound good to go! I haven’t tried Test Track yet, but that role-play feature from Second Nature sounds as if it could really be useful. It is refreshing to see how these tools are useful in increasing efficiency in managing leads.The post is captivating my learning.
You don’t have to use ChatGPT to write *everything*, friend.

Hurricanes, Power Outages, EV's, and "I can handle a few days without power".

Great post, Richie! Sorry to hear about what you and your neighbors are going through, but glad to hear you all still have a roof over your heads.

I've been through plenty of long power outages, but never one in which gas stations ran out of fuel.

An EV charge lasts a while undriven. Long spells of extreme temperatures on both ends can impact it. Obviously, the most significant drain on the EV battery is driving it. It all depends :dunno:

If any charging stations have power, I can only imagine the wait time at those. It takes a few minutes to fill up a gas tank. It takes roughly 40 mins to fully charge at a stage 3 charger... 14 hours at stage 2... if you have something like a Nissan Ariya.

For those who have an EV as a second or third vehicle, the bigger issue is flooding. Sheriffs were warning their EV-owning community members to park their EVs away from the house during the storms. If the battery corrodes to the point of flames, that fire ain't going out. Fire departments employ special flame retarding blankets to smother EV fires with and usually have to tow them away on a flatbed while still "on fire." The fire department has to escort that flatbed to a place where the EV can continue to burn safely. Now imagine a burning EV parked somewhere the fire department and tow truck cannot get to anymore :eek3:
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AI Phone Skills Training?

I recently came across CallRevu's new AI phone training system "Test Track". I'm trying to get a trial set up but they apparently don't offer that at this point. They did send me this demo recording of the platform. Login to view embedded media View: https://callrevu.wistia.com/medias/rr664z5hqc


Is anyone using this already? Feedback? I'm also reviewing products that we may be able to manage on our own like Sales Training Software: Upskill with AI Role-Play - Second Nature Check their site out and use the demo under Resources > Free Simulations. There is one where you upload your website and the AI starts talking like a vehicle shopper while it hits you with objections. It kicked my butt LOL! Either way, has anyone run with something in the area of AI phone training and what is your experience so far? I plan on demoing multiple options as I can see this also enhancing our outbound phone skills for Internet lead handling as well.

Rate My Cold Email

IMO, use dealer's IG images to trigger them into deeper consideration


Subject: I’m 17, Can I Help Out?
Body:
Hi Mr. (NAME)!

I saw videos posted by your (DEALERSHIP/COMPANY) about your (CARS/SERVICE) but your videos should be getting much more likes and views, especially with (NUMBER) followers.
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I’m 17 years old, and I understand SM better than most people. I can help strengthen your presence on SM and grow your following/views.
(I’m also certified in Marketing, and I’ve been a car enthusiast my entire life.)

There’s a YouTube link down below, if you want to check out a playlist of some of my work.

I’d love to hear back and work with you.
Have an Amazing Rest of Your Day,
(MY NAME)

#RefreshFriday Strikes, AI, War, Sincro, Elections- What does it mean for the car biz?

Theme 5: Consumer Behavior and Dealer-Vendor Relationships

9. Consumer Behavior Amid Rising Gas Prices: Opportunities for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Timestamp: 17:00 – 25:00

Analyze how increasing gas prices are influencing consumer purchasing decisions, leading to a shift towards fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles. Highlight the opportunities this presents for automotive retailers to adjust their inventory and marketing strategies to meet changing demands.

10. Building Strong Dealer-Vendor Relationships: The Key to Sustained Success

Timestamp: 50:00 – 1:18:00

Highlight the importance of robust relationships between automotive dealers and SAAS vendors. Share best practices for maintaining long-term partnerships, ensuring excellent support and service, and leveraging these relationships to enhance dealership operations and customer satisfaction.

#RefreshFriday Strikes, AI, War, Sincro, Elections- What does it mean for the car biz?

Theme 4: Electric Vehicles (EVs)

7. Rising Insurance Costs for EVs: A Barrier to Electric Vehicle Adoption?

Timestamp: 29:00 – 33:00

Explore how higher insurance premiums for hybrid and electric vehicles are affecting consumer decisions. Discuss the underlying reasons for increased costs, such as repair expenses and battery-related risks, and what this means for the future of EV sales.

8. The Future of Electric Vehicles: Incentives, Challenges, and Market Shifts

Timestamp: 25:00 – 35:00

Provide an in-depth look at the evolving EV market, including government incentives, consumer demand, and manufacturer strategies. Analyze why some OEMs are revising their electric vehicle goals and what this means for automotive retailers and consumers alike.

#RefreshFriday Strikes, AI, War, Sincro, Elections- What does it mean for the car biz?

Theme 3: Disruptive Technology

5. AI in Automotive Sales: Revolutionizing Dealership Operations or Just a Passing Trend?

Timestamp: 57:09 – 1:17:00

Investigate the role of artificial intelligence in automotive sales, highlighting its potential to streamline lead management and customer interactions. Discuss the current limitations, cost-benefit analysis, and future prospects of AI integration in dealerships.

6. Workforce Automation in Dealerships: Balancing Efficiency and Employment

Timestamp: 57:09 – 1:17:00

Discuss the trend of automating roles within automotive dealerships using AI and other technologies. Evaluate the benefits of increased efficiency and cost savings against the challenges of workforce reduction and the importance of maintaining high-quality customer interactions.

#RefreshFriday Strikes, AI, War, Sincro, Elections- What does it mean for the car biz?

Theme 2: Macro News

3. Navigating Strikes and Supply Chain Disruptions: Strategies for Automotive Dealerships

Timestamp: 12:00 – 18:00

Examine the recent strike impacts on automotive dealerships, including supply chain bottlenecks and inventory management. Offer practical advice for retailers on stocking essential parts and preparing for potential future disruptions to maintain operations and customer satisfaction.

4. Global Supply Chain Woes: How Port Strikes and Geopolitical Tensions Are Shaping Auto Retail

Timestamp: 18:00 – 20:00

Assess the impact of international port strikes and geopolitical issues, such as those in the Suez Canal region, on the automotive supply chain. Offer strategies for dealerships to mitigate delays and maintain inventory levels amid global uncertainties.

#RefreshFriday Strikes, AI, War, Sincro, Elections- What does it mean for the car biz?

Theme 1: Car Dealer's Competition

1. Carvana's Rollercoaster Ride: Can It Sustain Its Position in Auto Retail?

Timestamp: 0:00 – 2:30

Explore the financial struggles of Carvana, including its debt load and profitability challenges. This article delves into whether Carvana can pivot its business model to include service centers and other profit centers to ensure long-term viability in the competitive auto retail landscape.

2. The Call Center Conundrum: Is the Online-Only Model Failing Automotive Retailers?

Timestamp: 6:53 – 9:33

Analyze the effectiveness of Carvana's online-only sales approach versus traditional dealership models. Discuss the reliance on call centers, customer engagement challenges, and the low percentage of online sales conversions, providing insights into what automotive retailers can learn from Carvana's experience.

Hurricane Helene impacted dealers - Free safety assessment from Comply

Comply just reached out to make sure the DealerRefresh community knew they can take advantage of a Free safety check after Hurricane Helene hit your store.

Comply Auto said:
Due to the massive impact Hurricane Helene has had on dealerships throughout the Southeast, ComplyAuto wants to help them recover as soon as possible. FEMA recommends a safety assessment after disasters and we're offering any dealership impacted by Helene a completely FREE remote safety assessment from one of our safety experts.

They can sign up here: Free Safety Inspection Post-Hurricane Helene

There are no strings attached. They do not need to sign up for our solutions or sign a contract. We will schedule the assessment and perform as soon as they are ready at no charge.

We want to get the word out to as many dealers as possible and so we're reaching out to our partners and colleagues to share as wide as possible.

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