conversations with dealers

[jasonsresin]

this may seem a little silly, but my question is what do you guys talk to dealers about, and what do you avoid talking about.

i am constantly trying to build rapport with my dealers so my employee and i often think of stuff to talk to the dealers with for a min before we jump into asking for our work. football, their hobbies, a few of ours seem to do good. how do you guys build your relationships. i also have thought about having a big bash at a sports bar with a few managers from different dealers getting them together and showing our appreciation for their business. hopefully all would be civil , the idea went over well with most of them.

also, is there anything you avoid talking about, like "how's business?" during a slow time. i sometimes worry that will make them realize they don't want to spend money on me.

in my opinion, this job we have is at least as much a sales gig as it is repairs. you have to sell yourself and it's your relationship with specific dealers, especially used car managers, that gets you your work.
what do you all think?

[starstruck]

No real answer to this question. Just be friendly and talk to them about whatever comes naturally. You can't preplan stuff like that and seem truly personable.

[GlassStarz]

Its like picking up girls one line works with one but not another this is why I promote learning to sell it helps you get a imeadiate read on a person and lead them in the dirrection you want

[chips1144]

Just Be Yourself, it all takes Time, it cant be rushed, you cant be their best friends overnight.

I Never talk religion or politics, it can be trouble if your opinons differ, and it puts me in a bad mood anyway... hahahaaaaaaa...

[chips1144]

I do agree with your point about Hows Business, I try not to ask that question just incase things are bad, if they bring it up thats different, I always look to be positive, Funnily enough most times I talk about our Crappy weather.

[Blind Squirrel]

Someone said, 90% of success is just showing up.

In 8 years in this business, I've built my account base by providing the best service by being there and letting them know that their windshield repair issues are taken care of.

I may be the exact opposite of you because I've never socialized with any of my fleet customers. So, how can anyone say it's an "essential"? I guess it's all about who you are and how comfortable you are with yourself. Please don't take this the wrong way, as we don't know anything about each other, but I discovered a few years back that the only person I ever have to worry about "liking me" is me.

I know that I'm committed to giving the best service possible and that's all that matters to me. When I made the committment to start this business, I took this oath, that I would focus all my energy on that aspect and that NO PERSON, NO COMPANY, NO SITUATION that I encounter will make me or break me.

[chips1144]

Great reply Blind squirrel.

Just so you know Jason Ive never been out drinking with any of my accounts, I keep it purely business.

[t4k]

Same here guys. I have been in this business for 6 years and you make the most friends and influence the most people by doing a great job and being honest. Your integrity is worth more than a few drinks at a pub.

T4K

[jasonsresin]

good pointers. sometimes i feel so grateful, and so much like i need their business i want to keep them on my side, so when something comes up, like their higher ups want to save money by booting me or trying to lower my rates, they'll stick up for me. i seem to have a constant fear of losing accounts cause stuff pops up every other month where one managers leaves or dealers want to save money or i just got in as a plan b guy and now they consolidate. i haven't had any big losses lately, but i often do a little marketing to make contacts to try to keep a good base of dealers. i do have one other guy with me to help keep busy.

things just slowed down at one dealer, so i'm not doing much work there, but "just visiting" really. at one dealer a new gm came in, and i no longer do "dealer must remove" protective mats for him. things like that pop up and i wish my sales manager had fought for me but he didn't. anyways, i still get repairs and hopefully will make up for it with a carpet dye here and there but these are the things i run into. am i the only one dwelling on this kind of thing?

[chips1144]

That sounds like busines as normal to me, be reliable, do a great job and price fairly, thats all you can do, no matter how good you are you cant control the outcome, be the best you can be and hopefully most will stick with you.