DealersEdge Professional Forums

Hi everyone,

I would like to know what everyone thinks about front counter accessory displays? We are doing a quarterly update and it being winter I had some thoughts as too what I should be displaying. I would also like to throw in some performance parts for some flair. I would just like some personal suggestions and inputs from others. (Ford Dealer)

Thanks, and Happy New Year Everyone!

Display everything . It really depends on how much space you have . It needs to be clean, organized, customer friendly, priced, and everybody needs to be involved. I would have video cameras recording the area nonstop. I don't expect much theft from customers but you will have it and you'll need to know who it is. The key is the customers have to be able to pick it up feel it.

Displays are not the forte of most parts managers or parts department employees. The best displays I've ever had were done by other staff in the dealership. I suggest looking at the men and women on the sales floor and the office for artistic talent to help you with this. I have also found outside vendors can be very helpful. Some will even supply and install shelving and wall racks if you let them display and sell their products.

I'm also impressed by the fact that you change your displays quarterly. What I said display everything I even pull out the obsolete runningboards. They look great on display, and I am able to bill them to advertising so they're off inventory as well .

Displays and eye candy have a lot in common. Those items that are frequently impulse purchases are best shown near our in a display case under the counter. The key is visibility.

This is my current display if you want some ideas.

And 2 wheels on my wheel display in the showroom with a black and chrome wheel.

Sadly, GM is really in the accessory business. Their pricing is so exorbitant that closing a sale is difficult. After out remodel, it was stressed to us by GM that we must have an accessory display. Well, 2 years later, I still have 10k invested in displays that have generated less than 1500 in sales. I have yet to sell a set of wheels. I have sold one set of running boards at 10% above cost to keep the customer from getting aftermarket.

GM needs to change their focus. I am tired of hearing "sell more tires and accessories!" How about, you all focus on making the parts I NEED more readily available?

GM's pricing on accessories is NOT designed to sell them AFTER the customer has purchased a car or truck.
They want the SALES department to sell them so the price can be rolled into the monthly payment of the
vehicle. $600.00 plus labor for assist steps amortized over a 60 or 72 month loan is pennies.

Hey there everyone, thank you all very much for your input, its great to hear from all of you. Currently we are in the phase of ideas too put up on the display, the problems that I keep receiving are from both my parts manager, and his higher ups. for one, they do not want to put in the money to place these items where they may get stolen in that event. and that they do not want to put forth the money too purchase new items to display only. I am trying to show them the benefits of aftermarket premium accessories and the OEM, the dance is just getting too complicated to go around the room with for one lonely parts counter person. I am trying to no avail and it is putting a big dent in my moral