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AutoTrader.com Pricing???

TR,

You might get more response to your request if you let us know what is on your mind. For all I know you may be Lightnup's other alias hell bent on revenge against anyone that would leave the ranks. Once you're in the only way out is in a bag, right?

(Lighten up, Lightnup. only teasing)

Cheers.
 
Jeez...this post is still getting a lot of attention I guess. Just when I thought it was done, I come back and there are enough new comments to keep me reading for 30 min. I'd call that a hot topic.

Going back to the posts about Autotrader raising rates and having a common renewal date...I worked there for a few years and still have many friends who work there. When I asked about this rate increase/common renewal date, one Autotrader employee told me pretty much the same thing that Lightnup (aka Lighten Up) is saying. Autotrader is basically 'taking care of' their dealers who have been with them long-term. As far as forcing a common renewal date of 3/31/08, this makes sense from a business standpoint. For the dealers that are apparently getting hit with higher prices at that time, I would be mad as hell, but hey, if you want to be on Autotrader you have to pay what they ask for. Many of my clients have "downgraded" their Autotrader packages and are still seeing the same number of leads, so it's producing a better ROI with the cheaper package. (Note that I work primarily with independents).

Simon - I still think that internet marketing on Autotrader.com and Cars.com is a bargain, although as many have pointed out, for some dealers the money could be allocated differently for a better ROI. You may be one of those dealers.

Blanco - Definitely call Autotrader and get the rep in your store. Even if it's just stopping in to say hi, they should be showing their face.

TR - I would be happy to speak to you, but like others, I am curious what you're interested in speaking about. I've worked for both Autotrader.com and Trader Publishing.
 
All I can say is "Wow" after just having found this thread, it seems many of us are looking at our ROI from Autotrader with alot of vigilance these days. I wanted to ask if anyone else has noticed this disclaimer that Autotrader.com has recently place in numerous locations on it's activity reporting section of their back end tool?

† Autotrader.com strives to ensure the accuracy of our reporting and adheres to the Guidelines and Best Practices published by the standard-setting Internet Advertising Bureau. Despite our best efforts, the activities of data scrapers (which use automated "bots" to extract data from our website), coupled with technical complexity of measuring Internet traffic, sometimes make us less confident of our numbers than we would like to be. The numbers marked with an cross above may have been materially inflated by activity outside of our control. We are working to correct the situation, so that future reports will provide you with accurate data to help you drive your business.
 
Ben,

That is very interesting, but in ATC's defense (can you believe I'm going to stick-up for them?!!!) a lot of Internet statistics are not accurate. There are hundreds of reasons for this, and will probably continue to be this way until some sort of regulatory agency/system is put in place for the entire web.

As far as our vigilance toward ATC, they've earned it. Despite statistics not being accurate the money sure is! They charge more and we get less. They're the only vendor I've experienced this with, and they needed to be called out on it.
 
Does anyone remember or have they seen this?

AutoTrader.com
------------------------------------------------------------
January 29, 2008

At AutoTrader.com, our primary goal is to help grow your
business. We understand you have many choices when it comes to
advertising and AutoTrader.com strives to be the best place for
you to invest your dealership's hard earned dollars.

This year, we're making even more strides to create an engaging
consumer experience that will send more in-market shoppers to
your showroom. Our newly re-designed Search Results Page and
Vehicle Detail Page will give shoppers more important details on
your inventory and your dealership without having to look
anywhere else. I encourage you to talk to your local Advertising
Consultant about the exciting new innovations that have launched
in the first quarter of 2008.

2008 promises to be our best year yet. We have the best online
automotive partnerships in the industry including MSN Autos,
Edmunds.com, Univision.com, NADA Guides.com and now kbb.com.
We'll also continue our high powered marketing program that
includes advertising on the biggest networks, premier sports
sponsorships and a huge presence at the biggest auto shows.

In addition to innovations and exposure, you'll have market
intelligence to make sure that you have the edge in your area.
On top of it all, our award winning customer service provides
you with the support you need in person with your Advertising
Consultant and on the phone with your Dealer Concierge.

Your Advertising Consultant has probably shared with you that we
are moving to a single renewal date. We hope this will make your
budget planning process simpler and more in line with other
media. Starting on March 31st, 2008, your new monthly rate will
be $620. Please contact your local
Advertising Consultant or the District Manager for your area,
Mark Busby at (901) 299-8602 with any questions or
concerns.

I sincerely appreciate the business partnership we have enjoyed
thus far, and I am committed to making our partnership even more
beneficial to you in the future. Our team promises to bring you
the most effective, cost-efficient and innovative advertising
available. At AutoTrader.com we like to say "What We Do Works"
and we know that we can make it work for you.

Respectfully yours,

Bruce Jackson

Regional Director,
Dealer Sales AutoTrader.com
 
****************************************************************
Your Advertising Consultant has probably shared with you that we
are moving to a single renewal date. We hope this will make your
budget planning process simpler and more in line with other
media. Starting on March 31st, 2008, your new monthly rate will
be $620. Please contact your local
Advertising Consultant or the District Manager for your area,
Mark Busby at (901) 299-8602 with any questions or
concerns.
*******************************************************************

So has anyone confirmed with their AT rep that the new monthly rates is $620/month????
 
A similar situation occurred to us a couple years ago. They can't even manage to sent letters like this with the appropriate numbers involved! Why should I believe the statistics they provide us when they can't even send an accurate rubber stamp increase letter to the dealership? Why do we continue to pay them what we do? Please help me with this.