Unfortunately the manufactures do not publish the build data on any brands that I know of except Mercedes Benz. I have been running an Inventory Management business for several years and we pride ourselves on providing our dealers with the best possible option information that is humanly possible. Yes there are those times when we just have no idea what option package a car or truck has installed but if you take enough pictures of the car, the online shopper will in most cases be able to see what options the car has. We take 25 to 35 pictures of every car and that really helps. I have been told by some of my dealers that customers commented on the number of photos and came from far distances to purchase a car because they were able to inteligently make an informed decision.
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Process for displaying Inventory?
- Thread starter Alex Snyder
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Great thread!
I would like to point out that really, there are only two major vin decoding companies out there. They both do a sufficient job. The actual problems are in two areas.
1) The software we use to obtain the information from the vin decoding company. Many times this info is passed through several software apps prior to being published i.e. DMS, IMS(HomeNet), then off for pricing analysis, then to the website or an online classified. The vin decoder may decode and be capable of sending 200 fields of info however, the software, DMS, IMS, website host etc. might only post 100 of those fields or less. Make sure the software apps that you use are capable of posting, at least, a majority options data.
Many times if a dealership requests alterations, as Jeff mentioned above with HomeNet making revisions to accomodate ADP, a software company will make the changes you need, don't be afraid to ask.
2) Data collection is still very much a hands on process. Usually this task is delegated to the vendor or individual responsible for producing the window stickers and taking photos.
A vendor should be familiar enough with their software to know fields/options that are not decoded and be sure to note those options in the appropriate places.
The responsibility of these vendors has gone from - photos, data collection and window stickers to - photos sometimes, data collection never, (most are completely dependent on decoders), and window stickers when you complain about not having any.
Hold these vendors to a higher standard, tell them what you want. If the vendor doesn't produce I'll bet there is another vendor out there that will and probably at a better price.
If you are doing photos, data collection and window stickers in-house, unless you have two cracker jack associates both on long contracts, find a vendor.
I would like to point out that really, there are only two major vin decoding companies out there. They both do a sufficient job. The actual problems are in two areas.
1) The software we use to obtain the information from the vin decoding company. Many times this info is passed through several software apps prior to being published i.e. DMS, IMS(HomeNet), then off for pricing analysis, then to the website or an online classified. The vin decoder may decode and be capable of sending 200 fields of info however, the software, DMS, IMS, website host etc. might only post 100 of those fields or less. Make sure the software apps that you use are capable of posting, at least, a majority options data.
Many times if a dealership requests alterations, as Jeff mentioned above with HomeNet making revisions to accomodate ADP, a software company will make the changes you need, don't be afraid to ask.
2) Data collection is still very much a hands on process. Usually this task is delegated to the vendor or individual responsible for producing the window stickers and taking photos.
A vendor should be familiar enough with their software to know fields/options that are not decoded and be sure to note those options in the appropriate places.
The responsibility of these vendors has gone from - photos, data collection and window stickers to - photos sometimes, data collection never, (most are completely dependent on decoders), and window stickers when you complain about not having any.
Hold these vendors to a higher standard, tell them what you want. If the vendor doesn't produce I'll bet there is another vendor out there that will and probably at a better price.
If you are doing photos, data collection and window stickers in-house, unless you have two cracker jack associates both on long contracts, find a vendor.
p.s.
I own a photos, data collection, window sticker company. So I'm not coming down on vendors but I have noticed a decline in standards over the years with competitors.
I own a photos, data collection, window sticker company. So I'm not coming down on vendors but I have noticed a decline in standards over the years with competitors.
Jeff, Maybe this is going off on a tangent but in regard to inventory and more to the point new is there a combination you would reccomend to revamp a site? I am interested in a combo for both polling and data, configurators, etc basically the whole inventory / display/ research piece. I am also curious as to who has the most or best / easist source of rebates and build data as well focus on new. As many of your pros can tell I am a "newbie so please go easy.
- May 1, 2005
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John, that's a lot of questions and a long conversation. Give me a direct call when you have the time.
I have had claims pay without submitting the disposal form. So, now I would like to go back and attach this form, how do you do that?
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