DealersEdge Professional Forums

We are a Chevy only store. Our area has been hit hard by the economic climate. Traffic in all departments is off. We are trying to think of something / anything that would drive people into our store.

Have you tried anything lately that worked?

i am doing this now .. printed off a list of owners that need recall work done .. use the internet to get phone numbers and start calling and scheduling.. will up sell on some not all .. but it is work ..

make sure you have parts to cover what you schedule ..

paul

I just did a direct mail piece. They are all numbered pieces. There are three $1000.00 gas cards going to the three customers that have the matching numbers. This hopefully will drive sales floor traffic as well as service. The insurance on the gas cards cost was $350.00. So far, so good.

Call customers who have some type of warranty (factory, extended, CP) which will expire in the next 30 days.

Offer to perform a free inspection of the items covered by the warranty to make sure they are in good condition.

A free thorough vehicle inspection should find a fair amount of maintenance and repair.

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Tom Ham
AutomotiveManagementNetwork.com

Be very careful with soliciting customers to come in for inspections to look for warranty work. Many manufacturers frown on this form of "fishing" for warranty work.

Upselling warranty with the general is definitely a no no.

We always get traffic going with a $9.95 oil change coupon sent to customers absent over 6 months. It's a chance but at least the customer is in the door. Up selling can be a challenge based on service history but It's worth a shot!

We're having good luck with "welcome home" post cards that we give out to local apartment complexes and the chamber of commerce (they give out welcome baskets to new people). It's a $10 off coupon for an LOF and also gives a quick introduction to the dealership. It lets customers know that we service all vehicles, not just the makes we sell. It's a good way to get our foot in the door. I get the post cards for $76 per 1000 from printsmadeeasy.com.

[This message has been edited by spacielacie (edited 08-19-2008).]

You do not want to do a "warranty" inspection, but work your recall lists, every vehicle out of warranty should be getting a complimentary inspection when it is presented for the correction of a recall.

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Bert