I rarely chime in on this or any site but there are a couple of comments on iMagicLab data policy that needed clarification. This is not an ad for us and I likely won't comment further after this post to avoid it appearing as a sales pitch.

When I founded iMagicLab we had no data policy and I was fond of saying "it's your data and we'll never restrict you from having it". Over the years we've had to change that policy for 2 reasons:

1. Security of data. When you export data from any system it contains customer information that is both sensitive and private. Having it in a nice little file on your computer opens your dealership and iMagicLab to huge lawsuits if something happens to it. My whole company is based on protecting your customers information and the risk of having it floating around is huge. Now, before it's said; I am not suggesting that the individual asking for data is not responsible but as with anything valuable our policy requires dealer principles to approve the release of their data to their employees. This releases iMagicLab of liability and insures that data is only in the hands of a trusted employee. Many times over the years I have heard about people bringing customer lists to new stores, we error on the side of caution.

2. Some dealers were not being honest. iMagicLab runs a month to month service with a one month notice requirement in the contract. Also in our Agreement is the explicit notice that NO full exports will be given if your account is not paid in full for what you owe us. Look, we're not ignorant to the fact that dealers hate paying for something they are not using and when a dealer has decided to leave us they usually are in a rush to get going on their new tool. Unfortunately this means that a few dishonest people ask for full exports of their full data before they cancel our service and then never pay their closing bill as they agreed to do when they signed up with us. We do our part in providing the service as per the Agreement and we deserve to be paid without chasing the few dishonest dealers who have ruined it for the vast majority of our customers who would never conceive of trying to do this to save a buck.

Let’s just be honest here, our data policies are strict and our accounting policies are tough. IF our dealers think through their needs and get the signature of their dealer principles it all flows just fine.

Let’s have a great 2010.

Keith
[email protected]

Scott we are hearing about added charges all the time for things just to function. There has been a big curve recently where Dealers are in fact using there CRM or ILM the way they should. The OEM's and DMS Data companies requirements to keep Dealers compliant and certified have really put a strain on some CRM-ILM's companies. With the loss of so many Dealers nationwide and added development cost many companies were not prepared for the added cost of additional development, hence passing a lot of changes on to the Dealer. If your looking for something extremely functional and priced fairly we would like an opportunity to talk. Look at www.DealerUps.com, call sales and we will call you.

We use Imagic for ILM and autobase for CRM. We are considering a move and know Imagic will be a problem holding our data hostage. We need an export each month for our e-newsletter and they make it nearly impossible! They claim to have a process but they torture us every month. I was considering moving my entire system to them ILM/CRM but won't do it based on their spotty tech support and draconian R&R like data policies not to mention my unsubstantiated concerns about where their company is headed. I don't know whether Latman got a raw deal or what but I just can't risk it.

Daily Gameplan has produced Sales & Follow-Up Systems since 1998 for the automotive industry. Recently, they came out with an online CRM that is only $20 per salesperson (plus a one time ULA of $299, $59 per individual.) There are also no contracts just month to month, which means you can cancel at anytime. Even if you use both the planners and the online, you're paying way less than the majority of CRMs out there for a comparable, if not better, product. Downfall? Although very inexpensive, the hardest part is getting your team to use them. If you can do that, you're golden.

This sounds simple but when our stores designed follow up processes we wanted to have a flexible best-in-class tool. We have been with www.SalesForce.com for two years now and love it. This SaaS gives our IT managers the ability to dictate business process defined by brand managers and department heads. The downside is our DMS (R&R) is so proprietary we have been forced to write our own API's with out their consent.

Steve other dealerships have had that issue after they have notified the current CRM provider that they are switching to a new vendor. Some times it is just hard to let go I guess.

Hi All,

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Alex, sorry for the late response. Yes, we need the data for the new CRM.

Oh! Well, if you've still got the rental car out, then you should still be paying for it.

Are you just trying to export your data to the new tool?

Alex thanks for the feed back but that it is not the case. We have not cancelled and we have no problem paying what we owe. We want to make sure there are no problems with the new CRM before we decide to cancell. I did not have any issues with the other CRM tools pull our data.

Steve - glad you finally posted! I am familiar with iMagicLab's data policy - it is just like many other companies I've worked with in the past. But, at the same time it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. It is kind of like taking a rental car out for the weekend and returning it on Tuesday - that rental car company is definitely going to charge you for the extra day.

By the way, I'm assuming from your post that you guys decided to cancel sometime in October - after the new billing cycle started. If that wasn't the case, then I apologize for my assumption.

P.S. I'm probably sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.

I recently took over a private cap dealer who owns six different OEM's. Currently we have three different CRM tools we are using. We are centralizing the whole out-fit and streamlining all of our vendors. After much debate and research we chose to go with Dealer Peak, as they customize and specialize in multi top dealers. While we are in the transitional stage we have dropped AVV and will be dropping IcarMagic. One thing that I have learned is be careful who you choose. Some CRM vendors hold your data HOSTAGE (IcarMagic)forcing you to make an extra payment before they will let you do a full export of YOUR data. Even if you have not cancelled. I was blown away on how they feel they have the right to make us pay up front for our data. Even if the bill is current or even if it has never been deliquent etc... Not a good pratice

Vinsolution is an industry-leading developer of Internet-based customer relations management (CRM) and Internet lead management (ILM) software, VinSolutions provides 24/7 dealership sales and marketing information to their clients anywhere Internet access is available. In addition to CRM, ILM and inventory management products, VinSolutions builds custom dealership Web sites, uploads inventory photos, offers their clients quality training and consulting services, as well as valuable customer support. VinSolutions is GM, Ford, Chrysler, Audi and Subaru certified and has working relationships, alliances and integrations with several automotive software service providers such as CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, AutoSoft, Inc., Autodata, RouteOne and DealerTrack.

www.vinsolutions.com or [email protected]

The beauty of a CRM company that has developed modules is they can help the independents. We have Pre-owned Dealers on DealerUps today. They start out simple and grow with there business. Companies are out there, you just have to weed thru the ones that are nothing more than outlook.

Anybody familar with a crm/ilm for independent dealers on a budget? Joe Verde's system is at the top of my list right now considering we only have 2 sales people. Any other choices?

Since purchasing DealerUps in April we have purposely modulated our system. We do feel we have one of the stronger ILM's because we include Inventory and DMS Integration. We also provide automated schedules that are a must to stay in front of the Consumer long term. DealerUps also announced the 1st fully integrated Mobile piece this week.

I have used AVV Webcontrol for about 6 years at two different dealerships. This program is easy to use and extremely functional. I had evaluated quite a few ILM/CRM programs in the past and found AVV to be the most conprehensible. This is a web based program that is easy to use and access.

Our company offers a web based contact management system called Leads PDQ. It was developed primarily for the automotive industry, but can be modified to accommodate other products / industries. It has been tested at various dealerships with encouraging results.

As part of the next phase of the development process, we are offering free use of the system to automotive sales professionals. If you are interested in a free trial, please visit www.leadspdq.com. All we ask in return is that you provide periodic feedback so that we can continue to develop and improve the system.

Thanks for your consideration!

There are many CRM products in the market and there are many dealers that use them. But as a customer I have a simple question to ask. Why is it when I speak to a car salesperson inquiring about my next car purchase, they fail to take my name , my phone number or ask me for an appointment 9 out of 10 times. As a frustrated customer and accountant by profession I have developed a inexpensive simple to use tool that guarantees 100% that for each customers call or internet inquiry that a name , phone and appointment is made. If you what to turn those frustrated customers into happy purchasing customers then send me an email for free demo. Andrew Riolo [email protected]

check out prospect manager out of detroit, this app with the edge application blows adp, reynolds out of the water and its cheap

Ty
Imagic is not the only ILM that will let you know the second an email has been opened, without the recepient even knowing it. VinSolutions has that feature as well as hundreds of others. I agree Imagic is a great system but for an entire store application you need ILM and CRM.

I have use Imagiclabs ILM for over 3 years now and no only do I find it the easiest tool to use, it's the most affective. Its the only tool out there that lets me know if a customer even opens the email Ive sent them. Do you know how much time that saves me? The product is bold and stands out by allow the full color ebrochures and videos to be sent. The system by passes spam filters so the customer is actually getting the emails. Most other ILM product do not have this feature. I bet you didnt even know that with other tools, most of your emails are going right into the customers spam box because you got the lead from a 3rd party source and the customers email doesn't know who you are. For my money, about $500 a month for the ILM, it pays for itself. If your trying to do internet with a CRM, your missing the boat.

Alex Jefferson
I would be happy to give you a list of VinSolutions references from around the country. You might be suprised at some of the names on the list. I know there are a lot of Imagic fans on this site but i challenge anyone to look at both systems side by side. I agree Imagic has a good tool but I really believe that VinSolutions is more complete and can do everything outside of your DMS including Inventory Management, Desking with OEM incentive integration, and Websites.

I can say that the support team has been very helpful in correcting any startup problems some have described here. I have called whenever something pops up and causes problems. They have fixed it or gave me the solution to work with the system. The To-Dos is what most sales people need to organize the day to sell cars, other wise it wouldn't get done. When skipped I have only seen them marked incomplete and the new schedule appears. I like the system and have just starting to integrate the show room floor traffic with the new module. Rock on Dealersocket.

Please throw our name on your list... SmartWeb CRM. We offer a wide variety of Dealer Web Solutions including: Websites, CRM, DealerChats(tm) and custom advertising portal sites. As well as SEO/SEM, phone tracking and custom shopping carts. There is really nothing we have not done or could not handle. We are mostly off the radar but we have been in this business since 1998. We are located just outside Sacramento California. I am the CTO/head developer etc. and I enjoy the challenge of making our dealers happy. Please contact us for a list of refernces. Thanks!