This is one of many upcoming posts about the changes occurring in the Automobile industry.

With all the buzz about change needed within the retail automotive business, there is more happening than people may realize.

One micro-trend I’ve noticed: Individuals and organizations reaching out to the public; Twitter is one creative method being used to build confidence, increase communication and simply listen to what consumers have to say.

The automobile industry needs some serious help. Here’s my short list of the Top 11 people you should be following on Twitter. They’re doing their part to bring about positive changes needed within the automobile industry.

• MissMotorMouth | Bright, enthusiastic car fanatic with a passion for making great things happen in the car business.
• TomWhitejr | Smart retail industry pro; customer focused & committed. You’ll learn a thing or two following Tom.
• BobinOregon | Bob clearly enjoys what he does - helping his customers find what they need; fresh views on the business.
  
• PaulRushing | Curious about what’s really going on behind the scenes in the car business? Paul will give you an earful…
  
• DealerRefresh| Sharp, experienced industry pro clearly in-tune with the dealer community offering great perspective…
• Teslamotors | Interesting tweets among a select few people; great topics discussed. And, I’m just a huge fan of the car.
• ScottMonty | Automotive Social Media whiz from Ford. Definitely doing his part. Great all around content.
• CarandDriver | If you love your car info, this is one of the best ways to stay current with industry news, pictures & videos.
• MichaelBanovsky | Entertaining and talented automotive writer/photographer/journalist.
• AnneHaynes | Marketing consultant helping dealers be more effective with their online efforts. (Plus, she’s really nice)
• AuctionDirect | Yea, that’s me. I’m the online guy for a fast growing retailer; trying to perfect the used car industry.

Who else can you add to this list?

The auto business needs major change. Its comforting to know that these people are pushing to make something happen. More are falling in line daily.

Thanks to Paul Rushing for contributing his personal accounts of the retail car business.

It’s all about the Benjamins…

The used car business is about money, just like all businesses are, and sometimes there are casualties. Customers, dealers and even salespeople lose.

I entered the business in 1990 fresh out of the Army and I thought it was the best job in the world.  Helping people get what they wanted and making a nice living in the process. Then something happened and changed my outlook.  It became all about the money until this happened.

I sold a young lady her first used car.  It was November of 1992 on a nice brisk day. 45 degrees in my part of the world.  She bought a 1990 Ford Escort, it had automatic transmission, cassette, tilt and cruise.  The perfect car for a young girl until…

March of 1993 when she thought the air conditioning was broke.  She called me on the phone to let me know of her problem.  I knew what the problem was when she called, the car never had an air condition system in it.  I told her to bring it in to the shop the next day, my day off, to have them look at it.

Down where I’m from, cars without air conditioning are not pleasurable.  Needless to say, she was not very happy when the service manager explained to her no air.

I got to meet a very upset young woman my next day at work.  She had tears in her eyes and was rightfully upset.  She was heart broken and so was I.  Now I had become emotionally attached to a problem that in the past did not matter to me.  I got paid, they got a car and all was good.

I gave her my used Ford Ranger to drive while I assured her everything would be ok.  It cost $500 to have aftermarket air installed and the dealer told me I dug my own hole - dig myself out of it.  My commission on the sale was $700. The dealer knew what I did when I sold it; took advantage of a young girl who was happy to be getting a car.

I never got my truck back.  I wound up selling that car a few months later and went into debt for another car and a ring.  In just a few short days “Ms. Escort” (my nickname for her) and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage.  Hindsight being 20/20, I’m glad that car didn’t have A/C.  If it did, I wouldn’t have had the last decade and a half.

Be rest assured though, it has cost me more money than a $500 aftermarket A/C…

Paul Rushing
912-266-1629
www.ismintraining.com
“Believer in all things possible”

Contact Me: LinkedinFacebookTwitter

Buying a new or a used car? Now? Are you crazy?

After everything that has happened over the past couple of months, a lot of people were considering running for the hills. The credit crunch, banks going out of business, brokerage firms collapsing - some were convinced these were the early signs of the Four Horsemen.

Traditional dealerships are doing everything they can to earn your business. A little late in my book. It shouldn’t have taken a panic induced state of fear for the automotive retail sector to sit up and take notice that they need to do things different to attract, sell to and retain their valuable customers.

When a car is purchased, whether its a new or a used car, its a major purchase for the customer; car dealers always need to make their customer feel they received the best deal. Unfortunately, when most customers leave a traditional dealership, they don’t feel this way.

Used car shoppers - take notice. The wholesale auction market continues to drop. Prices are falling - which should mean only one thing to you as a consumer: Lower retail rates. That is, if you do your research.   Even shoppers in areas notorious for high prices, high taxes and high gas prices, such as the Northeast are seeing lower prices. Consider the prices for a used Ford Explorer. The prices are so far below current Kelley Blue Book prices - several thousand dollars in many cases.

Some car dealerships see that as an opportunity for higher margins. Many more are paying closer attention to their local competition to ensure better prices.

Used car dealers need to understand the pain being felt by customers now. These big decisions are now considered even bigger - and carry even more importance than if they were buyers nine months ago.

Besides providing the lowest prices, the customer should expect an above average buying experience with superior post-sales customer service and attention.

You - as the car shopper - have every right to desire, and expect this type of behavior from a car dealership. Are you still trying to negotiate for the best deal? Are you settling on a second choice car and not getting exactly what you want? Are you getting a three day, 500-mile satisfaction guarantee. Most importantly, are you getting the lowest price in your market?  Some used car dealerships have already caught on.

Be smart during these difficult times. Find the best prices and drive away knowing you made the smartest buying decision.

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