In fifth grade I scratched my name in a desk and had to buy a new desk for school; it was $93.  My grandfather picked me up every Saturday and I washed cars at our BMW store until that desk was paid off.  My punishment launched a desire to make money and eventually led to a career at my family’s business.  That was in 1989.

Checkered Flag has been unbelievably good to me.  It taught me the value of money, how to work smart/be organized, and showed me the key to success is staying successful.  It will always be a part of my life – it is in my DNA.

I am excited to say that I am going to continue my automotive education at a new learning institution.  I will miss Virginia Beach, my friends, my family, and Checkered Flag (even though we’ll still be very close).  However, the excitement of getting to know a new place, new group of people, and taking a big career turn is going to be a lot of fun!

I am thrilled to say I am taking a job with Dealer.com in Burlington, Vermont!

To the DealerRefresh Community -
If I were staying on the dealer side I would not mention a move on DealerRefresh with a blog article, but since I’m going to the vendor side I thought transparency was best.  I want you all to know that I am not leaving DealerRefresh.  I will not become an advertising platform for Dealer.com either.  You will find me to be the same person I was before this move.  I will be happy to help anyone with their Dealer.com needs as things are brought up on DealerRefresh, but I promise not to solicit you.  I might ask for your advice from time to time though – I may need your help for a reality check on a project or two.

What will I be doing at Dealer.com?
I am going to help them put a dealer’s spin on things….and of course to take over the world!  They are creating a new position that allows me space to be creative and work with a number of different people.  The funny thing is, this isn’t a change at all.  9 years ago, when Checkered Flag asked me to answer some Honda leads, it was a leap of faith too….and the last 9 years have been quite rewarding.  I’m looking forward to doing some of the same things, but on a whole new level!

Cox Enterprises Inc. will sell a 25 percent interest in its AutoTrader.com unit to Providence Equity Partners.

This is a few days old now and I’m not sure of any immediate impact it could have, but figured some might want to know.

Cox will maintain majority ownership and operating control of AutoTrader.com, an online auto classifieds marketplace. Providence’s ownership will have no impact on day-to-day operations, but the private equity firm will get two seats on AutoTrader.com’s board of directors.

Is this what you wanted to hear?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CarFax launches new history impact tool

CENTREVILLE, Va. (April 30, 2010)

Carfax has enhanced its Vehicle History Reports with a new tool – the Carfax History Impact. Every used car has a unique history that differentiates its value from other like vehicles. By analyzing market pricing and millions of used car transactions, the Carfax History Impact reflects the amount consumers have adjusted a vehicle’s retail book value based on the information in Carfax Vehicle History Reports. Dealers are using this tool to better determine the right price for their cars.

“Before putting any car on our lot, it’s important for us to know what a customer might expect to pay for that car,” said John Donnelly of Findlay Automotive Group. “The Carfax History Impact gives a clear understanding of how information reported to Carfax adjusts the retail book value that our customers already use in their research. We’re confident that our vehicles are priced competitively in the market and we’re holding gross on each sale.”

Who has seen CARFAX’s NEW Price Calculator?

CarFax has apparently decided to take it upon themselves to determine how their own CarFax history report “should” effect the price of your dealers inventory.

Why even go there?

Stick to your core product CarFax – History Reports NOT Pricing!!

I can see me yanking CarFax off my website real soon.

Is it time to consider AutoCheck??

Carfax vs. AutoCheck

What do you guys & ladies think of this??

We also have a discussion over on the forum about this. Feel free to share your thoughts here and in the forums.

CarFax Car Values and their NEW Price Calculator

We’re jumping on the iPad bandwagon at DealerRefresh.  Why?  Well….why the hell not?  Why does a dog….anyway.  We’re on it, so now we’re going to have an article on it.  So there!

Jeff and I are still waiting on our 3G iPads to show up, but I’m too much of a geek to wait.  I picked up a WiFi one to tie me over.

Now that the early adopters have had theirs for a few days I’m reading a few things that are “de-ethered”.  The first one is from one of our friends at HomeNet:  Arnold Tijerina’s iPad review.  Brian Pasch’s iPad video explains his opinion on how the right apps will make sales more personal with the iPad.  And Joe Pistell is asking if the iPad is a gamechanger on the DealerRefresh forums.

Here’s my take: