New cars have all the signature marks of a commodity product: a 2020 black Corolla LE is the same regardless of the dealership you buy it from. While your experience at each dealership and the subsequent service may be different, the actual product is always the same. On the other hand, a 2016 pre-owned black Corolla LE is unique, as the mileage, condition, and history of that … [Read more...] about Modernize Your Website: Treat New Cars Like The Commodity Product They Are
customer experience
Service Waiters: The Overlooked Audience
When I enter a new showroom for the first time, it’s never long before I make my way over to the service waiting area. You can tell a lot about a dealership by their service waiting area, and I get a kick out of most of them. I remember the old school waiting areas that flaunted a circle of plastic chairs around a small television, and a table off to the side with an old … [Read more...] about Service Waiters: The Overlooked Audience
The Future of Auto Retail—A Future Perspective
What will be the business model and value of dealers in the future? In order to get a perspective on the future of auto retailing, we must first be clear on the definition and elements of retailing today and going forward. “Retail” is not merely the in-store experience or the physical presence of a brick-and-mortar dealership. It is more than just the online shopping … [Read more...] about The Future of Auto Retail—A Future Perspective
5 Ways to Put Reliability at the Center of Your Store’s Success
On the old classic TV show "Lassie," Timmy never fell down a well, contrary to popular belief. But viewers knew if Timmy did, he could rely on Lassie to get help. According to a J.D. Power conclusion based on a survey of 85,000 respondents, the #1 attribute car buyers look for in their next vehicle purchase is reliability. But what exactly do they mean? The dictionary … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Put Reliability at the Center of Your Store’s Success
With High Regard—What Buying a Mattress Taught Me About Customer Service at the Dealership
Recently, I set out on a quest for the perfect guest room mattress set. This mattress would be used around six weeks out of the year, mostly by our elderly parents when they visit. I had a decent budget, but I certainly didn’t want to spend more than a thousand dollars. As you can imagine, a name brand was crucial to field any potential commentary from the in-laws. I was a … [Read more...] about With High Regard—What Buying a Mattress Taught Me About Customer Service at the Dealership