No scheduling apps for sales? ‍

Yeah, it feels like we're finally heading in that direction. There's so much digital retailing firepower prequalifying/research happening now it seems like inspection >> test drive >> F&I >> delivery could be a really pleasant dealership experience if executed right.

I think it's important this can either happen in-app or on the dealer's website. Right now dealer sites are just marketing tools but I think they'll become better integrated with the sales process, ex: trade offers, as well as uploading any documents required for pre-sales.
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No scheduling apps for sales? ‍

Related: My pilot store just got a bad review. Shopper makes appt with rep, the next day they drive 2 hrs, land in the store, the store is packed, they wait 45 mins to find someone else bought the car.

Store is super busy (going to break a 10yr sales record).

Takeaway: Appointment system needs to be 'VIN aware' and communicate to all parties.

THIS IS EASY FOR AI TO DO.

Why You Should NOT Link To Social Media Sites

it would be fun to try and build out a website, built correctly, to see how it would do against all the others.

This is similar to what Ben Hadley and Kyle Mountsier did for www.koons.com?

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kLhOq4WllA


They did the whole "start from scratch" idea and built Koons a headless site that loads with lightning speed.

It might be good to get an update on this project from Jeff or Alex.

Hadley & Mountsier said they had made advancements the last time they were interviewed on Refresh Friday and mentioned they were possibly going to bring their load time developments more into the mainstream ... and potentially make it available to already established platforms. I'm curious if that's still in the works.

Also, it would be cool to hear from someone at Koons discussing how they've gone about maintaining the site -- a headless site can't be maintained and modified by just any old hack. Is Koons handling this themselves with an on-staff developer or is the Hadley/Mountsier staff maintaining the site for them?
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No scheduling apps for sales? ‍

Thank you, I'll see if this works.

Last time we tried adding a dynamic link like this, we ran into an issue where VinSolutions was encoding each URL with their own link structure, which ended up breaking the URL.
@Alex Snyder — didn't you run into the same issue with FrikinTech early on? How did you work around it?
We had to build an entire Chrome browser plugin to remove Vinsolution's bug. We haven't needed our plugin in a while, so they may have fixed it.

No scheduling apps for sales? ‍

Tesla lets customers schedule a test drive based on live appointment availability, and then they schedule another appointment for vehicle pickup or delivery based on available timeslots.

Even though most dealers don’t have a coverage or sales appointment capacity issue, what would a more formalized calendly-like appointment booking process do to appointment set and show rates?

Yea, that was mainly our experience. My wife bought a Model 3 in December last year, but we know the GM at the Tesla location by us, so things were tweaked a bit.

But I was impressed with the delivery experience, app integration, and overall process. They've polished it to remove whatever friction they can. I think that last part is long overdue for dealers. I think the delivery took us all of 20 minutes. We got there, all docs prepared, we inspected the car and signed. They had the car ready with a bow on it. We had a trade, they didn't even look at it. Tesla quotes wholesale for trades, so I think they just ship them right to auction.

I don't think my wife will buy a car any other way again. It's not a deal breaker for me, but I definitely walked away thinking about what can be tightened up and how.

No scheduling apps for sales? ‍

You make a great point, and I think this will become a lot more important in the coming years as more of a "sales operations" tool. Right now the flow might be lead comes in, BDC schedules appointment, sales floor takes it. In the future, it might be more direct; lead comes in pre-qualified, with a timeframe, car(s) to view are selected, porters are dispatched to have vehicle ready and conditioned by appointment, customer info already in the system and numbers already prepared. Customers aren't coming in to look, they're coming in to close. The whole process can tighten, and allows more time for sales people to deliver a vehicle and improve customer sat scores.
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No scheduling apps for sales? ‍

Thank you, I'll see if this works.

Last time we tried adding a dynamic link like this, we ran into an issue where VinSolutions was encoding each URL with their own link structure, which ended up breaking the URL.
@Alex Snyder — didn't you run into the same issue with FrikinTech early on? How did you work around it?
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My New Adventure - Al West Nissan

<customer hat on> You did a great job of coming across as a human and not a dirty manager at a dealership. I especially like your comment about your wife saying it was good. And no mention of buying the $99 Sentra :rofl:

25% Tariff Official Thread

You beat me to this thread by minutes, Brian!

Here's the dilly on the March 12th tariffs:
  • Steel and aluminum imports: 25% tariff.
  • All Chinese imports: 20% tariff.
Hearing this will increase vehicle pricing $300 to $500 per car.

The next round hits April 2nd:
  • Mexican and Candian imports: 25% tariff.
  • Reciprocal tariffs back at us: 25% tariff.
Could be another increase of $3,000 per car.

-----------------------------

Aside from cost increases, this may lead to layoffs at manufacturing facilities. Don't be surprised by fewer new car incentives and less vehicle availability. It could be a short-term blessing for dealers who get to charge MSRP+.

Some companies may go out of business if adoptions are not made quickly. When new cars were hard to get, advertising companies struggled. It is possible that an OEM or two declares bankruptcy.

Do Customers Really Want Electric Vehicles?

They want electric vehicles. However, a lot of customers don't know that they want an electric vehicle. For example, the Mercedes GLB-Class is a popular model because it's reasonably priced and looks the part. A lot of GLB shoppers don't even know an electric EQB exists! When they find out that they could get an electric version and possibly some free charging credits, then it's an easy switch to that model. It's the same vehicle so there's a good chance they'll go with the one that's slightly easier to maintain.

Why are so many aging on Mercedes dealers' lots? @Jeff Kershner - how are the EVs moving at your store? How do the older buyers feel about them?

Uncle Joe's Makeover Diary 2.0

Better response by salesperson (responds in a tone with excitement and positivity), "Perfect, let's look at times that work for you and we'll make sure everyone is ready to appraise your trade, the car is pulled up and ready to drive, and we get you out of here in a reasonable time for you to enjoy that drive back.

Great work Danno.
I'm working on 'Long Distance as a Merchandising theme'. Merchandising done right, sets up the rep's discussions.

My fav so far needs some wordsmithing: "Coming from Afar? Schedule Your VIP Appointment"

Here's the themes for the 1st pass:

Reassurance-Focused CTAs:​

  • "Worth the Drive: We Make Long-Distance Shopping Easy"
  • "2-Hour Drive? We'll Save You 2 Hours In-Store"
  • "Distance Doesn't Matter, Your Experience Does"
  • "We Respect Your Travel Time - Everything Ready When You Arrive"

Convenience-Focused CTAs:​

  • "Long Drive? Short Visit: Ready-to-Go Process for Distant Shoppers"
  • "Remote Shoppers Welcome: Pre-Arranged Test Drives"
  • "One Trip, All Done: Streamlined Process for Distance Buyers"
  • "Your Time is Valuable: We'll Handle the Paperwork Before You Arrive"

Excitement/Value-Focused CTAs:​

  • "Make Your Journey Count: Exclusive Benefits for Distance Shoppers"
  • "The Perfect Drive Home: In Your New Car"
  • "Turn Your Trip into a Celebration: Drive Home in Style"
  • "Travel Once, Enjoy for Years: Worth Every Mile"

Action-Oriented CTAs:​

  • "Coming from Afar? Schedule Your VIP Appointment"
  • "Reserve Your Ready-to-Test Vehicle Now"
  • "Traveling to Us? Let's Prepare Everything in Advance"
  • "Click to Schedule Your Distance-Buyer Priority Service"
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What Cool Sh*t Can I Do with AI Right Now? (share your AI jobs!)

Well, running a dealership isn’t easy anymore. It's not like the old days ...

100% Made with AI. AI written content has a structure, a 'signature narrative' that triggers my spidey sense. Its like the AI gen images, they were badd ass when they 1st came out, but, they all have a similar look or style.

What Cool Sh*t Can I Do with AI Right Now? (share your AI jobs!)

Example of a GSM needing help, his notes in the prompt look like this:
" I am preparing for our monday am sales meeting. The sales team struggling with technical features of new Jeep hybrid models, need something that explains benefits in customer terms, should include common objections and responses, prefer interactive format that sales team can use during downtime."

This is what the Prompt Builder output looks like:​

Output:
Act as an Automotive Sales Training Specialist with deep knowledge of the latest Jeep hybrid models.

I need an interactive training resource for our sales team that:

1. Translates the technical features of new Jeep hybrid models into clear customer benefits and value statements
2. Organizes information into practical talking points for different customer types
3. Addresses the most common customer objections with effective responses
4. Is formatted as an interactive Q&A guide that sales team members can easily reference during downtime

Our team struggles with the technical aspects, so please focus on simple, compelling language that connects features to customer priorities like cost savings, environmental impact, performance, and convenience.

Make the content interactive by creating scenarios or customer personas the team can role-play with.
This is to be copy/pasted into AI.

The Output looks like this: (its quite comprehensive)

JEEP HYBRID MODELS: SALES TRAINING GUIDE

• PART 1: TRANSLATING TECHNICAL FEATURES INTO CUSTOMER BENEFITS

KEY TECHNICAL FEATURES & THEIR CUSTOMER BENEFITS​

1. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Technology
  • Technical Feature: Combines electric motor with conventional engine
  • Customer Benefit: "You get the best of both worlds - electric power for daily commuting without range anxiety. Many customers drive for weeks without visiting a gas station for their regular commutes."
2. Electric-Only Range (20-30 miles depending on model)
  • Technical Feature: Can drive on electric power only for limited range
  • Customer Benefit: "Your daily commute can be completely gas-free. The average American drives less than 30 miles daily, so you could potentially use zero gas for your weekday driving."
3. Regenerative Braking System
  • Technical Feature: Recaptures energy during braking to recharge battery
  • Customer Benefit: "Every time you slow down, you're actually generating electricity to extend your range. It's like getting free miles with each stop."

4. 4xe Powertrain with Combined 375 horsepower
  • Technical Feature: Combined gas/electric power output
  • Customer Benefit: "This hybrid actually delivers MORE power than the standard gas model. You'll feel that instant electric torque when climbing hills or merging onto highways."

5. 470 lb-ft of Torque
  • Technical Feature: Measurement of rotational force
  • Customer Benefit: "That exceptional torque gives you incredible off-road capability and towing power. Electric motors deliver their maximum torque instantly, giving you better response than traditional engines."

6. Selectable E-Save Mode
  • Technical Feature: Preserves battery charge for later use
  • Customer Benefit: "You control when to use your electric power. Heading to a national park or off-road trail? Save your battery power for silent, emissions-free nature experiences."

7. Electric Mode for Off-Roading
  • Technical Feature: Can use electric-only power in off-road situations
  • Customer Benefit: "Imagine exploring nature in near silence, hearing the birds and streams instead of an engine. Electric power also delivers precise torque control for technical off-road challenges."

8. Federal Tax Credits (up to $7,500 depending on model)
  • Technical Feature: Government incentives for PHEV vehicles
  • Customer Benefit: "Your actual cost of ownership is significantly lower than the sticker price, making this premium technology more affordable than it appears."

PART 2: CUSTOMER PERSONAS AND TALKING POINTS​


THE ECO-CONSCIOUS ADVENTURER​


Profile: Environmentally aware but still wants off-road capability

Key Talking Points:
  • "The 4xe lets you reduce your carbon footprint without compromising on adventure capability"
  • "Silent, emissions-free trail riding preserves the natural environments you love to explore"
  • "Regenerative braking means that challenging off-road descents actually recharge your battery"

THE TECH ENTHUSIAST​


Profile: Values innovation and cutting-edge features

Key Talking Points:
  • "The smartphone app lets you monitor charging, pre-condition the cabin, and track your efficiency"
  • "The power management system automatically optimizes between electric and gas power for maximum efficiency"
  • "The touchscreen displays real-time energy flow so you can see exactly how the hybrid system is working"

THE PRACTICAL COMMUTER​


Profile: Focused on cost savings and everyday practicality

Key Talking Points:
  • "Your daily commute could be completely gas-free, saving you hundreds annually at the pump"
  • "Home charging costs approximately $1-2 for a full charge, compared to $10-15 for the equivalent gas"
  • "Maintenance costs are lower since the gas engine runs less, with extended oil change intervals"
  • "The battery warranty provides 10 years/100,000 miles of peace of mind"

THE PERFORMANCE SEEKER​


Profile: Prioritizes driving experience and capability

Key Talking Points:
  • "The electric motor delivers instant torque for quicker acceleration than the standard gas model"
  • "You'll feel that immediate response when merging onto highways or passing"
  • "The electric power actually enhances off-road capability with precise torque control"
  • "The hybrid system adds weight low in the chassis, improving stability on challenging terrain"

PART 3: ADDRESSING COMMON OBJECTIONS​


OBJECTION: "Hybrid vehicles aren't really built for off-roading"​


Response: "Actually, the 4xe models maintain the same Trail Rated capability as their gas counterparts. The battery is fully sealed and protected, and the electric motor gives you even more precise torque control for technical off-road situations. Plus, imagine exploring nature in near silence—it's a completely new way to experience the outdoors."


OBJECTION: "I'm concerned about battery life and replacement costs"​


Response: "Jeep provides a comprehensive warranty specifically for the hybrid components—10 years or 100,000 miles. The battery is designed to maintain performance throughout the vehicle's life with normal use. And remember, with less strain on the gas engine, you'll likely see extended life for traditional components too."


OBJECTION: "I don't have anywhere to charge it"​


Response: "The beauty of a plug-in hybrid is its flexibility. While charging gives you the maximum benefit, the vehicle drives perfectly fine without ever plugging in—just like a conventional hybrid. That said, charging is easier than many people think. You can use a standard household outlet for overnight charging, and public charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly. Many workplaces, shopping centers, and parking garages now offer charging stations."


OBJECTION: "Hybrids cost too much compared to regular models"​


Response: "It's important to look at total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. When you factor in the federal tax credit of up to $7,500, potential state incentives, fuel savings over time, and potentially higher resale value, many customers find the hybrid becomes the more economical choice over a 3-5 year period. Would you like to see a cost comparison specific to your driving habits?"


OBJECTION: "I'm worried about its reliability since it's new technology"​


Response: "Hybrid technology has actually been proven in millions of vehicles over more than two decades. Jeep specifically engineered the 4xe system for durability in extreme conditions—it's been tested in Death Valley heat, Arctic cold, and challenging off-road conditions. The electrical components are sealed against water and debris, allowing for the same 30-inch water fording capability as gas models. That's why Jeep backs it with such a comprehensive warranty."


PART 4: INTERACTIVE Q&A SCENARIOS​


SCENARIO 1: THE CURIOUS FIRST-TIMER​


Customer: "I've never driven a hybrid before. How different does it feel?"


Response: "Many customers are surprised by how familiar it feels, just with some notable improvements. The acceleration is actually more responsive thanks to the instant torque from the electric motor. The transition between electric and gas power is so smooth most people don't notice it. The biggest difference you'll notice is how quiet it is in electric mode, and how infrequently you'll stop for gas. Would you like to take a test drive to experience it yourself?"


Follow-up Question: "Do I have to do anything special when driving it?"


Response: "Not at all! You drive it just like any other Jeep. The vehicle automatically manages the power sources for optimal efficiency. There are some simple selectable modes if you want more control—E-Save to preserve battery charge, Electric for zero-emissions driving, and Hybrid for the best combination of performance and efficiency. But even without touching those, the vehicle will run perfectly."


SCENARIO 2: THE BUDGET-CONSCIOUS SHOPPER​


Customer: "I like the idea of saving on gas, but can you show me the actual numbers?"


Response: "Absolutely. Let's personalize this to your situation. About how many miles do you drive daily, and what's your current vehicle's MPG?"


[After customer responds with 25 miles daily and 20 MPG]


Response: "Perfect. With a fully charged 4xe, you could potentially drive those 25 miles entirely on electric power, which costs about $1-2 in electricity at home. With your current vehicle at 20 MPG, you're using about 1.25 gallons daily, which at today's prices is around $4-5. That's a savings of roughly $3-4 per day, or about $750-1,000 annually just on your daily commute. Add in the federal tax credit of up to $7,500, and your break-even point comes much faster than you might expect. Would you like me to show you our payment options with these savings factored in?"


SCENARIO 3: THE OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIAST​


Customer: "I do a lot of trail riding. How does the hybrid system hold up off-road?"


Response: "The 4xe models are fully Trail Rated with the same capabilities as their gas counterparts. In fact, the hybrid system offers some unique advantages off-road. The electric motor delivers 100% of its torque instantly, giving you precise control for technical obstacles. The battery is fully sealed and protected, maintaining the same ground clearance and water fording ability. And one of my favorite features—you can run in electric mode on the trail, experiencing nature in near silence without disturbing wildlife. Many off-road parks are even installing charging stations at trailheads now. Would you like to see some of the specific off-road specs?"


PART 5: ROLE-PLAY EXERCISE​


Instructions: Practice these scenarios with a colleague. Take turns playing the customer and sales consultant. After each role-play, discuss:
  • Which benefits resonated most with this customer type?
  • Were technical features explained in simple, relatable terms?
  • How could the presentation be even more compelling?



This training resource provides your sales team with clear, benefit-focused language for explaining Jeep hybrid technology without getting lost in technical jargon. The structure allows for quick reference during downtime, and the scenarios provide practical conversation models. The focus throughout is on connecting features to the customer priorities you mentioned: cost savings, environmental impact, performance, and convenience.

What Cool Sh*t Can I Do with AI Right Now? (share your AI jobs!)

Uncle Joe's Prompt Builder :unclejoe:

Important: think of AI as your personal assistant. You create a communication doc for your AI Assistant to do a task, this doc is called a 'Prompt" Your assistant needs good instructions, you need a good prompt.

The text box below is a prompt you are to paste into any AI, then, replace the text below MY NOTES: with your notes and PB will create a prompt for you (yup, Uncle Joe is creating a prompt to help you build a prompt).

Copy/Paste into AI:
You are a Prompt Wizard who transforms messy thoughts into powerful AI prompts.

Below are my rough notes or ideas. Please:

1. Identify the core goal or question I'm trying to address
2. Extract the essential information while filtering out the noise
3. Determine the best AI role/expertise needed to help me
4. Create a clear, focused prompt that will get me excellent AI responses

MY NOTES:
[Your thoughts here - just write freely, don't worry about organization]

The refined prompt should be concise, well-structured, and ready to copy and paste into an AI chat. If my notes are missing any critical details, please let me know

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