All in pricing
Does it really make sense for the industry? I was having a conversation with my brother-in-law a few weeks back and although he knows what I do, he asked me if I would describe myself as working in the automobile …
Category: Columns
The fine art of F&I sales
In this installment of the Canadian auto dealer and Harris/Decima Research project, we asked Canadians about their experiences in the business office with finance and insurance products Whether you call it the business office, F&I (or even still “the box”) …
Are you ready to follow the lead?
Internet tracking tools let you keep your message in front of shoppers I often get asked, “How do you retarget” a customer?” A customer interested in your dealership may find your website through a search, or might decide to visit …
Your customer is king
They come in all shapes and sizes — but you need to treat them all like royalty In this regular feature, a customer service specialist will teach you how to masterfully handle difficult customer disputes that arise in your dealership. …
A need for speed
MEET CANADIAN RACECAR STAR JAMES HINCHCLIFFE Canadian James Hinchcliffe dropped out of university to pursue a racing career. And it paid off. The race car driver is on track to win his first IZOD IndyCar Series in his No. 27 …
Beware the grim reaper
The battle over who is responsible for disposing of your used car A few months ago I briefly touched on a concept as part of a larger issue which was the focus of my column at the time. Given what …
Six tips for social media success
Fixed ops can shine in social media marketing efforts It was just a few years ago that traditional advertising was king of the kingdom. You could blast your message to the masses and inevitably someone would hear it. Direct mail …
What do customers care about the most?
Brands and price trump dealership experience for Canadian car buyers With this installment in Canadian auto dealer, Harris/Decima research project, we asked customers about what most influences their purchase decision. When a customer walks into your showroom, more than ever …
How long can you fly on automated pilot?
AUTOMATED TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES ARE WONDERFUL. BUT WE ARE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS There have been some interesting articles recently about aircraft crashes caused because pilots are relying so heavily on technology to keep the plane in the air. When …
Is your dealership unique?
DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT ALL ALIKE AND SHOULD NOT BE MANAGED IN THE SAME WAY Traditionally, management systems used by dealers are organized by departments, reinforcing somewhat of a silo approach. Human resources are also managed by department. Dealer financial statements …
Drive foot traffic with smartphones
LOCATION-BASED SERVICES HELP TO ENGAGE CUSTOMERS, CREATE LOYALTY AND DRIVE FOOT TRAFFIC Fun and free, these tools are growing rapidly in popularity among individuals and businesses. Overall awareness of location-based services has reached 56 per cent of U.S.-based cell phone …
Canadian consumers ill-informed about vehicle safety systems
SURVEY SHOWS SAFETY TECHNOLOGY MIGHT PROVIDE FALSE CONFIDENCE Canadian drivers consider safety a high priority when making new-vehicle purchase decisions, according to a recent study by Canada’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF). Those polled — a total of 2,506 Canadian …
