Latest activity

ryan.leslie · May 6, 2026

DM'd you @Brad Burlingham. I'm in the office this week and can grab an analyst. Let me know if I can help.

ryan.leslie · May 6, 2026

joe.pistell said:
did @Ryan Everson have a driver's license 21 yrs ago?

Not sure about that, but... THIS Ryan had hair!

Happy Birthday Refresh! Congrats to the two of you for the commitment to empowering and improving this incredible industry!

joe.pistell · May 5, 2026

Alex Snyder said:
It just keeps getting more shocking it has lasted this long.

did @Ryan Everson have a driver's license 21 yrs ago? :baby:

john.quinn · May 5, 2026

What? 21???? No way... Johnny is 21 this month!!!

Alex Snyder · May 5, 2026

We can finally drink… legally :cocktail:

Last year’s birthday was a shocker. It just keeps getting more shocking it has lasted this long. Very cool!!!

joe.pistell · May 5, 2026

Ryan Everson said:
I'll look down at the clock while Claude'ing and realize it's already 4am

STAND BACK 400 feet
mad scientist at work

Joe Pracher · May 5, 2026

kylewilliam said:
Hi everyone,

I’m exploring SEO services to improve my website’s visibility and search engine rankings. I’m particularly interested in providers who offer a comprehensive approach, including on-page optimization, keyword research, technical SEO, and quality backlink building.

I want to ensure the services are ethical and follow Google’s guidelines, avoiding any black-hat tactics that could harm my site. Has anyone had experience with trustworthy SEO companies or freelancers that deliver measurable results?

I’d love to hear about your experiences, recommendations, or tips for choosing the right SEO service without breaking the bank

OneKeel.ai | AI Solutions for Automotive Dealerships We built the first ever and only 24/7 Complete Full Stack SEO AI Army....GSEO Hub....As a Co-Founder....Happy to Walk Through GSEO HUB with you.

Screenshot 2026-05-05 at 10.08.11 AM.png

Brad Burlingham · May 4, 2026

Hi all, we are seeing VLA ads showing on display network once again and that means a ton of "fake" calls. I saw this happen to us at the end of last year, but its happening again. We discovered it happening at 5 of our dealerships and its happening across several vendors. IF you have access to your google ads account, you can look at pmax campaigns by channel. if you are showing on display network, its a waste of money.

Since google doesnt allow you to turn off display, you need to block certain sites (i'm not talking about the partner network) and rethink what you are optimizing for. If you are including click to call as one of your optimized events, this might be the culprit.

Anyone else having these issues and or have some hacks on preventing it. i hate google!

joe.pistell · May 2, 2026

Lots of pioneering dealers hang out here. Craft a pitch to this audience, link to your LI account or your resume or your past products/projects. Explain why your drawn to this space.

joe.pistell · May 2, 2026

joe.pistell said:
Today, I ask AI for a hard one: "Find me the 3 best Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE with under 15k"

One year later, I am surprised that no one has built a AI powered car shopping suite. (aka AI wrapper)

joe.pistell · May 2, 2026

Harrison Schneider said:
A solution I am proposing is an AI-driven solution

Take a number, get in line.

Harrison, sarcasm aside, you never worked in a store, you've never seen why it works and why it doesn't. TAKE YOUR AMAZING MIND and go find a dealer group (or a store) that is looking for an AI guru partner. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. What you build will likely scale.

p.s. Better models plus Meta prompting is creating a bottom up revolution.

p.p.s. SaaS has competition coming.

Alex Snyder · May 1, 2026

Harrison Schneider said:
I see. Would it be correct to say that inventory is the biggest frustration? Also, I am actively looking for people to network with that currently own or manage their own car dealership? This is why I am posting on this site, to connect with people who have experience and understand their day to day frustrations before I build anything. If you are interested, you can either reply to this or send me a direct message. I appreciate the connection and this goes out to anyone seeing this.

You are in the right spot. The only criticism I have is that you’re asking to be a bit spoon fed.

We have absolutely no idea what you are thinking and zero idea what you are capable of. This is an advanced community who will give you more feedback than anywhere else. It will give you actions to roll. It is on you to figure out how to unlock us for your cause.

Alex Snyder · May 1, 2026

Harrison Schneider said:
When you say finding quality inventory is the biggest struggle, is it more about finding the right cars at the right price or more about competing with franchise dealers who have access to off lease vehicles and better auction relationships? Just want to better understand this pain point.

Yes

joe.pistell · Apr 30, 2026

Harrison Schneider said:
Something that runs completely in the background with zero behavior change required from the dealer or their staff

AI assistants will create behavior change from the dealer or their staff

john.quinn · Apr 29, 2026

RIF: The Playbook to Landing Your First CEO Gig

An advice column for tomorrow's automotive SaaS executives, by Brock Hammerstein, CEO of VelocirAuto Synergistics™

Friends, colleagues, fellow travelers on the journey from Series B to "strategic exit" —

It's me, Brock. Three-time CEO. Two-time LinkedIn Top Voice. My inbox has been overflowing with letters from junior executives asking the same question: "Brock, how do I become a CEO in this economy?" Pull up a chair. Let's get fit and focused.

Dear Brock,

I'm a VP at a dealer-tech SaaS company. I want to be CEO, but I don't have a track record of building anything. What do I do?

— Ambitious in Augusta

Dear Ambitious,

Building things is so 2019. Today's CEO doesn't build — today's CEO rightsizes. I haven't shipped a product since the Obama administration, but I've eliminated 11% of three different workforces, and the stock popped 7% each time. That's value creation, baby.

Here's your homework: take whatever your company does and announce you're doing 11% less of it. The number 11 is critical. 10% sounds calculated. 12% sounds desperate. 11% sounds like you ran the math. You did not run the math.

Dear Brock,

Our board wants us to "trim management layers." How do I frame that?

— Confused in Cary

Dear Confused,

The trick is to make eliminating managers sound like a gift to the people who remain. Try this:

"By flattening our management structure, we're empowering our individual contributors to own their outcomes, accelerate decision velocity, and operate with the agility of a true challenger brand. Our people have told us they want fewer barriers between them and the work. We're listening."

Translation: we fired the people who knew what was going on, and now everyone reports to a Slack channel.

Pro tip: ensure exactly 20% of eliminated roles are management. Any less and Wall Street thinks you're protecting your friends. Any more and your remaining managers update LinkedIn before lunch.

Dear Brock,

How do I announce layoffs without sounding like I'm announcing layoffs?

— Wordsmith in Wilmington

Dear Wordsmith,

Never say "layoffs." Here is the approved lexicon:

Fit and focus initiative (we fired people, and we're proud of the alliteration)
Operational excellence transformation (we fired people and hired McKinsey)
Driving long-term shareholder value (we fired people and announced a $90 million buyback the same afternoon)

That last one is my personal favorite. Nothing says "we had to make difficult decisions" quite like authorizing $90 million to buy back our own stock approximately 14 minutes after the WARN Act notices went out. The optics are immaculate.

Dear Brock,

Be honest. Did any of you actually plan for the post-COVID environment, or are you all just panicking in unison?

— Skeptic in Schaumburg

Dear Skeptic,

How dare you. We are executing with discipline against a dynamic macro environment.

Also yes.

Dear Brock,

What's the final step? How do I actually land the next CEO gig?

— Almost There in Austin

Dear Almost There,

Here's the secret nobody tells you. Once you've successfully "right-sized" a company into a smaller, sadder version of itself, you don't get fired. You get promoted to the search.

You'll receive a generous severance, a non-disparagement clause, and a glowing LinkedIn post from your board chair using the phrase "after a successful transformation, [Brock] has decided to pursue his next chapter." Within 60 days, a private equity firm will offer you a portfolio company that needs to be — wait for it — fit and focused.

The cycle continues. The buybacks compound. And somewhere, a Series B founder is reading this column and taking notes.

Godspeed, you magnificent disruptors.

— Brock

Brock Hammerstein is the CEO of VelocirAuto Synergistics™. He is currently between layoffs.

joe.pistell · Apr 29, 2026

awolniewitz said:
what do you wish someone had told you on day one?

RUN FAST AND DON'T LOOK BACK

Alex Snyder · Apr 29, 2026

Steve Roessler said:
Totally agree Alex and actually, you are supporting the message I am saying. LOL. You just gave 2 examples that add up to $5K/mth. There are other products that dealers can consolidate. So Bolt on all the products and if dealers spend 13K-15K but it's all "A la Carte" and DriveCentric is 10K, that's a winner for the store.

We agree on most things, Steve. I certainly agree that you're a good salesman

Regarding our back-and-forth in this thread, I think you're adjusting my statement to fit your worldview. I'll distill it into something simpler: no solution fits every need.

If you have the expertise, stitch together solutions that make you more powerful. If you don't have the expertise, buy the bundle.

Alex Snyder · Apr 29, 2026

Steve Roessler said:
Lastly, plugging in solutions is not a solution. It's a "Bandaid". Diagnose the issue and solve it with what's available.

Good point on Tekion, but I have to take issue with "plugging solutions is not a solution." It most certainly is a solution! In many cases, features of a specific product are not as robust as its main competencies.

Take AI follow-up as an example. I might be spending around $2,500/mo. for VinSolutions. If I wanted to fund a BDC to handle all my internet leads, I'd be looking at an additional $15,000/mo. + benefits and management overhead to staff it (assuming 3 people are enough). Or I can supplement my CRM and sales team with something like Hammer or Impel for around $1,500-$3,000/mo.

Yes, DriveCentric offers AI follow-up, but from some bills I've seen, that's a lot more money than stitching things together as provided in the example. Granted, that is a smart option if it is in the budget.

Or, take CDPs. CRMs should be doing that work, but none do.

Equity Mining... CRMs try to do it, but they don't do it well, and you get better solutions like AutomotiveMastermind. And damn, do dealers pay a lot for that one :eek3:

I can go on and on and on. I do recognize that your job is to sell DriveCentric CRM, but it should be stated that each system has its strengths and its weaknesses need to be supplemented where the dealer feels strongly about those weaknesses.

Alex Snyder · Apr 29, 2026

More good ones (outside of the orignial intent of this thread), but focused less on "inside the business":

https://www.spglobal.com/automotive-insights/en/blogs/2025/10/automotive-industry-glossary-and-metrics

Industry Terminology

.

help.dominiondms.com

https://www.edmunds.com/glossary/

Glossary of Terms

Car terms: defined!

www.caranddriver.com

https://www.autonationusa.com/research/automotive-glossary

Alex Snyder · Apr 29, 2026

for @awolniewitz

ryan.leslie · Apr 29, 2026

awolniewitz said:
Hey DealerRefresh -

I'm Alex Wolniewitz. I've spent my entire career inside auto, and I believe relationships > transactions.

I've joined Jeff and Alex to help bring DealerRefresh to the next generation.

Quick context on why I'm here: I believe this community is pure: always free, generous, and a 20-year legacy of people helping people because they want to, not because they can make a buck.

I want to keep building on that.

DealerRefresh has always skewed technical, which is a strength. But it also means that people just getting started or those who just got promoted don't always have a place.

So our first project is an on-ramp. The kind of place where someone can ask what a pack is, or what kind of dog's a bird dog.

So here's my question for the people who've been around: what do you wish someone had told you on day one?

Honored to be here. You'll see me around. I look forward to hearing your story.

954-249-9547. Text me anytime.

Welcome Alex!

I love what you are doing here. I have encouraged many colleagues over the years to visit and learn from this community. The search bar is great, but WOW, there is a ton of content to sort through. Those years of content seem to be a blessing and a curse for new folks. Let me give an example.

I had the honor of representing the earliest player in the Reputation Management game here in the forums from 2010-2015. I wrote extensively on best practices and review generation strategy. Many of those pioneering concepts have stood the test of time, but a few of the specific tactics and best practices are no longer relevant, and worse, some are now violations of TOS. Did you know that you are no longer allowed to ask a reviewer to include your name in the review? That is a TOS update from earlier this year that was table stakes best practice... until it wasn't.

The point is that the wealth of knowledge here specific to tactics and best practices, is best viewed as timebound, and that seems to be difficult to preserve and balance with current advice.

Man, I fully support your mission, I sure hope this comment isn't perceived as negative. If I can do anything at all to assist you, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Alex Snyder · Apr 29, 2026

john.quinn said:
No -- not a thing. Ever.

The reality is that bugs get introduced when making changes/improvements/upgrades. Those usually get fixed quickly.

Software is alive... it gets injuries, ages, fixed-up, killed-off, reborn. Sometimes it gets stronger, sometimes it gets weaker. If you're not directly, have your manager stay actively engaged with Support.

One thing that isn't spoken about, but we all know... software is handcuffed to the technology they are originally built on. Without a complete overhaul, parts of the system are stuck in the time when it was launched. DMS systems are the most obvious example of this, but VinSolutions lives by this rule too.

Matt Watson was the CTO of VinSolutions, and what he did was fairly brilliant. Although I doubt he understood it at the time. He stitched things together faster than the database could keep up. His goal was to implement every feature request a dealer asked for and then publicize it. He got a lot of attention on the system this way, and they sold it to Cox for a hefty payday... hence, brilliant.

During my Cox employment days, I was told that Dell makes a "super server" that only like 6 companies purchase. Most of them are doing supercomputing tasks such as weapons systems. And one company that purchases it is running a CRM. I may not be entirely accurate in that statement, as I heard it secondhand, but it was definitely the cherry on top of all the battles we had with Matt Watson's spam here on DealerRefresh. And it still makes me laugh :lol:

Tekion is the freshest CRM on the market with a respectable user base. DriveCentric before them.

The downside of CRM development is feature chasing. It is brutal! Every dealer wants specific features from their last CRM, and they bog down innovation with these requests. Because of this, new CRMs are not just dealing with the regular bugs on new technology, but also the race to implement features that maybe 5% of users will actually use. It slows the introduction of new systems to the market.

Anyway, VinSolutions has matured under Cox's ownership. It will never be a tidy little system, and it will never be innovative against newer tech. Many dealers find it a solid solution for their needs, but most use a CRM as a paperwork tool, end-of-month email spammer, lead-answering system, and sometimes as a workflow engine. If you're looking for more, I would suggest using other solutions to plug the gaps.

Tallcool1 · Apr 28, 2026

I wish what I had been told is that some things work because of the people and not the "thing". Some people can and do make anything work.

I wish that someone had told me that technology in and of itself is nothing without a strong, people driven, process to back it up. The process is more important than the technology.

I wish that someone had explained (in the kink of curse word injected plain English that I understand) that data based decisions are very dangerous when the data pool is small.

I am excited about this On Ramp idea. I have always tried to grab any of these types of new members when I see them. This is better than what I have tried to do. These new members need a dedicated library that they can reference.

Thanks for doing this. It will be valuable and I will try to pitch in as best I can.

Alex Snyder · Apr 28, 2026

We're stoked to be working with Alex (Alejandro) to make DealerRefresh a place where your newbie, fresh sales manager, or old owner who just wants a quick answer can get in. You all have been the tip of the spear, and that won't change. It is time for some of the older/wiser folks in here to spread some simpler wisdom.

Alex helped build a different community and has brought his talents to assist us in this endeavor. There is a lot to do!

Let me get some quick things out of the way:

Are we expanding to generate more revenue? No.
Do we want to do more for our loved industry? Yes!
Do we feel for the people who just got started? Absolutely.
Were we new to a job or role at some point? Duh.
How much wisdom does this community have? An insane F ton!
Who can benefit from this wisdom? Everyone who isn't on the tip of the spear.

Alex Snyder · Apr 28, 2026

I showed this version of his store to @Jeff Kershner the other day, and he responded: "I have never looked at my DMS like this." It got me thinking that DMS are these silos we stick data into, but don't do much to pull it out. And I don't see many ways to put the silos together: making F&I data work with RO data, for example.

This is an example (real data, but anonymized) of how we are finding ways to activate your DMS data. It begins with bringing "stale" customers back to life.

Latest activity

Latest activity

RIF: The Playbook to Landing Your First CEO Gig​

An advice column for tomorrow's automotive SaaS executives, by Brock Hammerstein, CEO of VelocirAuto Synergistics™​

​

RUN FAST AND DON'T LOOK BACK​

Filter

RIF: The Playbook to Landing Your First CEO Gig

An advice column for tomorrow's automotive SaaS executives, by Brock Hammerstein, CEO of VelocirAuto Synergistics™

RUN FAST AND DON'T LOOK BACK