conversations with dealers

[SGT]

There is a high employee turnover rate at most dealerships. When times get tight they are a little more focused on where to tighten the belt, so vendor services is a hot spot. As stated thats business as usual unfortunately. All I can suggest is grow roots, get to know everyone so when they boot your direct contact everyone else will be familar with you. Also try to follow the individual that left as you may be able to aquire another account. That has happened to us on a couple of ocassions and we still kept our other accounts that person left.

[harrellbenjamin]

The way I approach all Dealers is that I am here to save them money and cut down on their overhead.If its getting cold out I tell them lets fix them before they freeze and crack out.If its hot I tell them lets fix them before the heat gets them and cracks out a winshield.I also sell them on the cosmetic value for having a vehicle that you dont have to make excuses for..but then ,Im a saleman...................

[starstruck]

In general, most general managers and sales managers at dealerships are pompus arses! There are a few exceptions but most aren't even worth the effort it takes to try to chit chat with.

[GlassStarz]

Dealerships would rather deal with as few Venors as they can Another reason to ad

[harrellbenjamin]

Originally Posted by starstruck

In general, most general managers and sales managers at dealerships are pompus arses! There are a few exceptions but most aren't even worth the effort it takes to try to chit chat with.

Its just part of the business.$$$$ This is where a lot of techs fall short.When they run into a little oppisition or attitude they just tuck their tail and run.If you dont have the attitude that you are just as valuable as they are when you walk in the door some guys just get eaten up LOL..The ones that can overcome the different personalities and attitudes will be the ones that always have work.Just smile and take their money.That is the best revenge .....

[GlassStarz]

If you dont understand the car buisness they may come off that way the reality is they are busy and the last thing they want is some new vendor. I find they all want to deal with as few as possible so if you can do several things for them you are more attractive. I was in Sales in Dealerships for 20+ yrs everything from Salesman to Sales Mgr evry place is different and finding thier hot button quickly is important. I have heard some her in the past complain about service depts. You need to remember no real money is made in most sales departments they are self supporting and the real profits are usually made in the Service areas. They need to profit from everything they touch they call you in for a customer repair you charge them $35 and of course they charge the customer more why wouldnt they make a markup on sub work?
As far as the sales dept you have to earn the buisness and when you get in do a good job and stay out of the way they have stuff going on and you are low man on the tottem pole. Dealerships can be a profit center for outside vendors and someone who doesnt try to understand how things work there will miss out on a lot of cash.

[harrellbenjamin]

Another thing understand is if a tech vendor that do's multiple things is on the lot doing just one of them they can and will do the job that you go in there for .Example : If you have a lot that you have serviced for years and do just W/Shield repairs if a tech is there doing t/up or paint work/interiors ETC and also do's glass he will take what is there in most cases.Its the easiest upsell there is to tell a Mgr."hey how about letting me do a 1st class job on your windshields "? the reply is always "hey I did not know you did them?" go ahead!" and I always do.He might and probably wont turn you away ,you will just find that you are doing very few repairs.

[starstruck]

Originally Posted by harrellbenjamin

Its just part of the business.$$$$ This is where a lot of techs fall short.When they run into a little oppisition or attitude they just tuck their tail and run.If you dont have the attitude that you are just as valuable as they are when you walk in the door some guys just get eaten up LOL..The ones that can overcome the different personalities and attitudes will be the ones that always have work.Just smile and take their money.That is the best revenge .....

Yeah, you're right. Just walk in like you own the place and take them by storm! Let that GM know that you are as valuable as he is! LOL When he laughs at you and tells you that he doesn't need you, don't take no for an answer. Stand your ground! LOL

[GlassStarz]

Thats where Sales ability comes in they apreciate a good sales pitch and a guy who is thourough Sound positive and dosnt accept no. Sharks and Hyenas eat the weak if you are not strong in your attitude and prepared they dont have time. I walk the lot at a new place make a list and when I aproach them I already have an idea of what they need If I saw a bunch of chips I tell em something as simple as "You know with all of those chips when the sun hits em things are going to crack if I fix what is there and it saves you the cost of one windshield you are ahead of the game" Hard to argue with I also do paint repair if I see a bunch of chipped vehicles I offer to do one as a sample After they see the difference anyone can see the advantage the same thing for Headlights Do one let em look at the difference then cut em a good deal for what is there again hard to argue the benifit. The secret to doing buisness at a Dealership is to prove to them you have value and that you will make thier job easier. Dealerships have big bags of Money buried in them you just need to know how and where to dig for it

[harrellbenjamin]

Originally Posted by starstruck

Yeah, you're right. Just walk in like you own the place and take them by storm! Let that GM know that you are as valuable as he is! LOL When he laughs at you and tells you that he doesn't need you, don't take no for an answer. Stand your ground! LOL

Sorry ,its hard for me to relate to the lack of confidence and "I cant do it or it wont work here""attitudes.If you dont have a good opinion of yourself its just going to reflect in the way you do business.JMHO Some might be more comfortable in a different situation too ,but if you cant handle a very little roadblock such as an ignorant manager you might want to do a gut check.If you walk out your door every morning and not think that you are just as important as any one else you deal with it may be a long hard trip for some..................As far as telling a GM you are just as good as you are???The way you present yourself will do that for him.The more I charge them the more they respect me LOL........................The more you can do well for that GM the more respect he will have because you can help him in just about anything he needs done.If this was easy everyone would be doing it...................