Why are Automotive Dealer Vendors and Consultants Possible Hypocrites?

[Jeff Kershner]

Social Networking - Automotive dealer vendors and consultants are not getting it.

Many of the technology/internet driven vendors and consultants are quick to tell dealers how they need to be where the consumers are. How consumers have changed and they need to know how to market themselves on the internet to today's consumers. The internet is where the consumers are! I'm not here to dispute that BUT rather I'd like to point out that it's obvious to me that most don't practice what they preach.

Case in point; DealerRefresh. Here is the perfect avenue for CEO's and top management of consultant firms, dealer website, CRM, ILM, 3rd Party Lead, etc. vendors to reach out to a targeted audience. The opportunity to participate, build relationships and give back to their consumers. But...the only time I usually hear from a vendor is when I call them on their game. However, they are always quick to lash out and defend themselves (which is fine, that's what it's all about, I guess).

I've even taken the time to profile several vendors (with more coming) but yet I have to keep reminding them to contribute something to their dealer website design profile page. So you tell me, how much sense does that make?

Maybe their just too afraid that someone is going to steal their ideas and silver bullets (haha)? Maybe they are to busy to communicate with us Internet Sales Managers. Maybe they find no real importance in us ISM's and DealerRefresh and it's all about the $$ for them.

Well, dealerrefresh.com is growing and rocking in thesearch engines. The traffic is abundant and very targeted. So if you think it's not worth your time, you may want to reconsider.

I do THANK ALL OF MY READERS, especially the one's participating, leaving your comments and feedback. I'll keep doing what I do; on the front line of this business (like many of DealerRefresh readers) and I'll keep posting about what I find interesting and relevant to Internet sales and marketing for automotive dealers.

 

[Andrew Salamone]

We ARE here.

As a company that has been around in this space for a long time (since 1995) but with a very, very small sales staff (4-5 depending who you ask, we realize that sites like yours are our best opportunity to get the word out to the early adopters who ultimately help influence the masses.

Our CarSpot Solo camera is one of the most innovative products for dealers selling online--and the key is simply making dealers aware of it.

I have just this week encouraged my staff (sales- and non-) to continue to find creative ways to get the word out and am glad that you are not only open to us utilizing DR, but are encouraging it.

Thank you for your time and efforts in maintaining DR (and calling us vendors out as you see fit!)

Andrew Salamone
CarSpot, President

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www.carsgofaster.com

 

[Ryan Gerardi]

Jeff, I sense a little angst, brother. But that is cool. You run a good thread and as industry grows closer to web2.0, this blog will be a player. Think about the fact that you have a 2-year foundation in this. That is something. Few in the industry have that. I look forward to reading your other recent post

 

[Ty Alvarez (blog)]

Hey Jeff
Many of us on the Black Book Online sales team read your articles and appreciate the information you and many of your fellow internet sales professional contribute to our development and industry knowledge. Dealerrefresh.com is a valuable resource for vendors and sales personnel and I personally refer all of my new clients and those I meet on the road to this site.

 

[Gilbert Chavez]

Jeff,

You have an excellent forum here, but the people you listed are not going to listen......yet. You have a powerful voice and a car guy mentality, which I very much appreciate. However, they are not going to listen until they have to. They have bigger fish to fry for now and your blog is not on their radar screen….yet.

In the vender world the ISM is insignificant because they don’t sign the contracts or the checks. The dealer and or the GM do, and that’s who they are going to cater to.

Being a car guy web guy like you, I feel your pain. You have a powerful tool and voice here, just keep swinging and you WILL chop down that tree.

BW,
Gilbert

 

[Andrew Salamone]

I've found that if we can convince the ISM of the merits of using our services, it makes the sales process go quicker--they can then go to bat for us to the powers that be. 9 times out of 10 we can help make an ISM more profitable which is really the only "sales" pitch we need to make.
--
Andrew Salamone
carsgofaster.com

 

[Andrew Salamone]

I've found that if we can convince the ISM of the merits of using our services, it makes the sales process go quicker--they can then go to bat for us to the powers that be. 9 times out of 10 we can help make an ISM more profitable which is really the only "sales" pitch we need to make.
--
Andrew Salamone
carsgofaster.com

 

[Andrew Salamone]

I've also found that postnig the same message twice is redundant? Sorry about that...

 

[Alex Snyder (blog)]

Funny Andrew. Welcome to the Internet, where double-clicking is not necessary ....I say this in a joking fashion. I'm probably going to accidentally hit that "post" button twice now.

Jeff,

There are more readers than participators. I was turned onto your site by Keith Latman of iMagicLabs, and have heard about it from other people such as Ken Lees from AutoMoBids. I don't recall ever seeing either post.

You've got a great thing going here, and it is going to grow and grow! As long as you continue to pay those TypePad bills on time the response will continue to blossom.

Thanks for doing what you do!

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Thanks Alex, Thanks Andrew, Gilbert, Ryan and everyone else for your postings. I know it's hard to get people commenting and truly appreciate you all. Gilbert I do agree with you but I also agree with Andrew. Yes it is the GM that signs the contracts at many dealers but it can be the ISM that can be the persuader. Many GM's don't even know what to consider and many times make the wrong decision based solely on $$ or Fancy Ads. Case in point; I was speaking to the General Manager of the local Honda dealer only to hear that he just signed up with BZ. I asked him why did he not consult with me before making a choice. He was sucked into the all the bling advertisements and the Top eCRM Dealers of 2006 advertisements. I guess that stuff really does work.