Alex Snyder said:

Do you know any more about the new owners?

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Unfortunately, no - Charlie or Gary probably can though...

Jeff Kershner said:

Someone should SNAG that URL!

Ahhhh the good'ol days of #DSES. I agree @Ryan Everson it was one of the better conferences. Me and @ryan.leslie presented together at a few of them back in the day.

I used to follow Jarred on FB, but I don't get on much anymore.

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@Jeff Kershner - That's where we originally met! I always enjoyed DSES. I believe there were 13 of them and spoke at 10 of them. Good times, and I met so many incredible industry people that I'm thankful for and still have relationships with to this day! (@Alex Snyder included!)

Greg_Gifford said:

@csabatka1 has it 99% right... The only real change that needs to be made is that it's incorrect to do the schema to list departments on the home page. The home page should only be AutoDealer schema... the Service department schema should be on the man Service Department page, and the Parts schema should be on the Parts Department page.

Each GBP needs a unique phone number and unique URL. The primary GBP should link to the home page, the Service GBP to Service, and Parts GBP to parts. It's also incredibly important that the categories on each are unique - the main GBP should only have sales-related categories, the Parts GBP should only have parts categories, and Service GBP should only have service categories.

It's also important to connect with Google support or a vendor that knows what they're doing to get the service/parts GBPs "nested" under the primary profile. If it doesn't show the explicit nesting of departments, Google can sometimes get confused about which is the primary profile

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Our homepage is a group organization -> market organization ->autodealer. The site is a 3-dealer child site (city market) as part of Anderson Auto Group organization. We have 2 other market sites as well as a group site.

Organization (Anderson Auto Group)
└── Organization (Anderson of Lincoln)
├── AutoDealer (Ford South)
├── AutoDealer (Mazda)
└── AutoDealer (Ford North)

DealerInt said:

Since the Innovators and Visionaries are already bored with the photo booths... Given your such a vast experience in this space, what do you think they are playing with right now that actually has a real chance of surviving the 30-day reset and crossing the chasm?"

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1st, limit the focus to merchandising only. Sooo many ppl know what it is when they see it, few know how to identify it or define it.

Next, the innovators commit to experiments based on their understanding of the marketplace, they KNOW there is no data to support experimenting in new areas, they commit time and $$ to it because it's logical to them. Innovators intuitively understand Dr Clayton Christensen's "Jobs To Be Done" (JTBD) modeling. The 'see' shoppers trying to accomplish tasks that fuel confidence to make a decision.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CHASM... are the early majority, they're interested in new ideas but they need to see results (SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!). The chasm exists only if there is no proof of performance (i.e. no ROI).

DealerInt said:

Curious on your take: Do you think dealers are leaning so hard into these photo booths/AI tools because they're being sold on 'operational efficiency' and cost-cutting, or do they genuinely believe this sterile look is what modern buyers want?"

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Dealers are masters of getting sh*t done. They are the Sargent that leads their men to take that hill. They dont need or want a generals view of the battle field because their mission is so difficult to accomplish (they reset back to zero every 30 days).

They are franchise operators, they look to their peers to see what's working (or not).
The 'crossing the chasm' chart (by G. Moore) is the perfect model to see the car dealer universe.

SUMMARY:
THe innovator and early adoptor dealers enjoy innovating while their competitors are up to their armpits in trying to take the hill. As time passes, the 'early majority' dealers see what the early adoptiors are doing anf copy them. Then the late majority jump in.

Photo booths are in the late majority stage.
The Innovators are hanging with the Dealer Refresh crazies to see and talk about what's coming next.

DealerInt said:

I’ll offer a contrarian view here: Don't chase the studio look.

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Beat ya.

joe.pistell said:

This is how car shoppers see photo booth photos.

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Curious what you didn't like in the ones you tried.

csabatka1 said:

This is the biggest miss that all dealerships, SEO companies, and website vendors have with this, the Schema to tie it all together.

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Don't give away all the secret sauce @csabatka1 !

A freebie from us: From Negative Equity to Lifelong Loyalty - VehicleLyfe

It is a guide to keeping customers who are locked in their cars loyal to your dealership. Another way to phrase it is:

Nearly 30% of your database is underwater, and the average amount is over $7,200! How do you be the one who retains them for service and future purchases?

DR Exclusive Invite:
I need a few dealers to beta test this new VDP Audit Machine we're building.

Our team will audit the 20 OLDEST VDPs in your inventory at no charge. What I want in return is your time to discuss what we found and your honest feedback.

With a 5% VDP error rate we 'should' find only 1 of the 20 VDPs with a major error. Its likely that we'll find a 4-6 of the VDPs missing 1 or more missing medium valued features (i.e. "locking console storage")

Send me an email at [email protected], I'll get back to you.

Below is a sample of the VDP audit.

Take a look at the "MODEL COMPLEXITY" bar chart.



To the uneducated shopper, they are unaware that 2022 F250's are built in 6 different trims AND there are 34 unique styles. The MSRPs start at $40,000 and go up to $90,000.

TAKEAWAY:
If you have a stuffed up ride and if you DONT merchandising the shit out of it, then only your smartest shoppers will know that that VIN is loaded. ADVANTAGE: SHOPPER.

A great day is when our VDP Audit can't find anything wrong.
p.s. Missing Key Features in Yellow are "non-standard" features (i.e. optionally installed features)

Below, we isolate the missing $upgrades only:

### High-Value Factory Omissions ($MSRP Impact)
The following premium upgrades are confirmed on the build sheet but are missing from the VDP features list or incorrectly described:

* Equipment Group 502A High ($4,050): The VDP lists a base Lariat; this is the high-spec "High" series.
* 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Engine ($2,075): Listing mentions generic "EcoBoost"; missing the specific high-output 400HP variant.
* Power Deployable Running Boards ($1,300): A visible premium convenience feature completely absent from the listing.
* B&O Unleashed 18-Speaker System ($850): Current VDP lists the standard 8-speaker B&O system, missing the superior Unleashed upgrade.
* Trailer Tow Package ($900): Specific towing capability is omitted from the feature list.
* 360-Degree Camera ($850): A high-demand safety system confirmed on the build sheet but missing from the VDP.
* 20" Chrome-Like PVD Wheels: Listing incorrectly identifies these as standard 18" wheels.
* Extended Range Fuel Tank: The 36-gallon (136L) tank is a major utility selling point missing from the listing.

We, as an industry, think that aged units need discounts.
Aged units problems can begin at birth, and this F150 is an example.



THink about it... The sales reps need help selling this truck too. The leads on this f150 are likley to be VERY unproductive.

I contend the quality of the VDP experience directly connects to the closing ratio.

Example:
84 day old F150 Lariat, LOADED with $9000 of options—HOW MANY OF THEM ARE INVISIBLE?


CPO Gray 2023 Ford F-150 Lariat for Sale in Liverpool, NY | 1FTFW1E81PFC94481 | Davidson Ford of Clay

### AutoMagic Audit: All Omitted Items Confirmed on Build Sheet

* Equipment Group 502A High Package
* Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0
* Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
* B&O Unleashed 18-Speaker Sound System
* 360-Degree Camera System
* Power Deployable Running Boards
* Trailer Tow Package
* 136 Litre / 36 Gallon Extended Range Fuel Tank
* 20" Chrome-Like PVD Aluminum Wheels
* Adaptive LED Projector Headlamps with Dynamic Bending
* Power Tilting/Telescoping Steering Column with Memory
* Heated Rear Seats
* Wireless Charging Pad
* Connected Built-In Navigation (3-Year Trial Included)
* Intersection Assist
* Evasive Steering Assist
* SecuriCode External Keypad
* Rain-Sensing Wipers
* Auto-Dimming Driver Side Mirror
* Power Folding Side Mirrors

Over $10,000 in omitted factory options

I spent last summer driving between Boston and Burlington a lot. 3.5 hours each way.

Starlink is on the roof of my car and I was constantly on Zoom calls and Teams meetings. It was a great way to stay connected, and made the drive less monotonous.

Although I am not a fan of including temporary tech into long term vehicles, I enjoy being connected while on the road. BUT - it is my personal choice to connect Starlink and my phone. I don’t want it in my car’s operating system.

Eric Miltsch said:

I believe they were sold about a year ago.

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Do you know any more about the new owners?