Comments on: Why are Automotive Dealer Vendors and Consultants Possible Hypocrites?

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:00:00 +0000

Here’s a bigger hypocricy – my fellow ISM’s and directors!

I’ve seen adwords campaign stats for things like dealership crm tools, bdc software, etc,… hardly anyone ever searches for these.

We make a living off the fact that people go to the net to do their research prior to making purchasing decisions. We preach this day and night to our dealers. Yet we seem to rely on magazine ads, articles, and reps visiting/calling us when it comes to our own decisions regarding vendors.

By: Link Robertson

Link Robertson — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:25:30 +0000

Jeff,

This is my first post on your site. I like the collection of information you are cataloging. I agree that the vendors need to participate more in discussion boards. If they have an article about to be published (in Digital Dealer for example), this board would be a good opportunity to promote it. In addition to my title of Finance Director, I am the “unofficial” Internet Sales Manager also. My store is a medium volume luxury new car franchise and I am involved in everything related to our website, seo, and lead generation. It would be nice to see more vendor participation.

Good Job on the site!
http://www.AutoFinanceInsider.com

By: yotixon

yotixon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:23:32 +0000

Sorry for that:( but my kids need to eat.

By: Jock Schowalter

Jock Schowalter — Wed, 16 May 2007 23:32:27 +0000

Jeff,
I think your site is a great resource and I encourage our clients from the ISM to the Owner to read it. Yes, vendors need to pay attention to the guys that write the checks, but we (as in DealerPeak) understand that it is the forward thinking foot soldiers that get the job done and they have done much to bring dealers up to speed in the use of technology. The innovators at the sales level will be the GM’s and Owners of the dealerships in the future.

By: Sean V. Bradley

Sean V. Bradley — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:32:48 +0000

Jeff,

I can see how this can be exasperating for you. I can’t comment on other vendors or consultants but I will share with you my opinion…
I do see tremendous value to what you have to offer and I support you completely as a matter of fact when ever I do a training or consulting contract I ALWAYS inform my clients about Dealer Refresh and even take them onto the site myself. However I don’t have a lot of time to be active on your site. …But, you brought up a very good point. These ISMs are my target audience and they need information. I am not worried about anybody stealing my ideas or information. I was an Internet manager for 5 years before I launched Dealer Synergy over 3 years ago. I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I will be making a valiant effort to be active on your site. As a matter of fact we spoke recently about me writing an exclusive article for Dealer Refresh… Pick the Topic and it will be my pleasure to put something powerful together for you and all of your readers.

By: Brian Hoecht

Brian Hoecht — Thu, 03 May 2007 18:14:58 +0000

Well scratch that theory on vendors not being into blogging.

Nor contributing. You know what I mean Jeff.

Some change is incremental and gradual. Other is quantum, unexpected and dramatic. To quote Arthur C. Clarke “The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”

Don’t get so wrapped up in “busy” that you miss “important” when it comes knocking. Man I’d like to upload a photo here. I have a classic one to share.

By: Alex Snyder

Alex Snyder — Wed, 02 May 2007 22:53:53 +0000

“Top eCRM Dealers of 2006 advertisements…” I think it is time Jeff.

By: Jeff Kershner

Jeff Kershner — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:15:08 +0000

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.

By: Alex Snyder

Alex Snyder — Tue, 01 May 2007 22:42:22 +0000

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!

By: Andrew Salamone

Andrew Salamone — Tue, 01 May 2007 21:28:56 +0000

I’ve also found that postnig the same message twice is redundant? Sorry about that…