DealersEdge Professional Forums

Our fixed ops club, here in the Portland, Or area, is considering bringing in a consultant of types, to help us all grow our business.

I was wondering if anybody has a company / person they feel is strong in the marketing of fixed ops. that they are using, or have used in the past.

Kind of a new idea for us, as a club, but we all feel we are not each others competition, but need to get some help in gorwing our business and working out some form of a group push for club members.

We had a couple of guys from AutoUniversity give a presentation at our last fixed ops group meeting.
Excellent presentation on methods for growing your retail buisness in both parts and service.
Ted Inchs and Tony Kernagis were the gentlmen that attended our meeting and the number is 800-344-4100 or www.autouniversity.com

I have ATCon (Automotive Concepts) come in once a year and perform a customer pay RO review to see what is being sold and what is being missed. We have been with this company for a while and it definitely has worked very well for us. They will come in, perform the review, contact local dealers for price comparison and show you and the owner how much you earned and better yet, how much you have MISSED!!! These guys are very thorough and my rep is an old service manager, so he really understands what type of stress it brings to get more business in the door. I have to tell you, they are not cheap, but they do an excellent job at increasing business. Our rep will spend about one week here, performing various tasks, but the one that I like the best is that he will stand at the service desk and just watch. He won't comment, try to upsell customers or anything like that. He will just watch. Then he will advise me on what his findings are and what is being missed as far as maintenance package opportunites that are going out the door. I am greedy. I want every customer to spend a lot of money here, but it comes down to having the right people on the desk. Wrong people, system doesn't work. Right people, everyone makes a pile of money. Aggressive sales is the key. No aggression, you might as well dump your money that is being spent on this company down the toilet because it won't work! It is imperative that your advisors can sell. Sell maintenance packages. Not just repairs.

I gave it a week before launching into a total shameless plug for DE. Don Tipton is our resident fixed ops expert and always willing to tackle new projects, such as a group effort. For the warranty side, there's always little ol' me. If you just want fixed ops ideas and growth plans from our editorial, I can work that into a discussion or meeting as well.

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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

Ok, looking back at my original post, my request was for a presentation to the Svc Mgr Club, not my store.

As a club, we are looking for some help in marketing, not productivity, not stall usage etc. We just thought it would be great to have someone a bit more experienced and or knowledgeable in marketing our service departments in the area.

Maybe something along the lines of what so many sales depts do with local marketing groups, pooling their moneies to have a greater impact etc.

My request was not for someone to come into my store, I already have that.

If you are still interested in having someone perform a Fixed Operations Marketing presentation for your Service Managers Club, I welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you. I perform about 200 Fixed Ops Marketing Presentations every year with OEM Area Zone Reps, Dealer Principals, General, Service and Parts Managers and technicians at both import and domestic dealers.

You are invited to visit my website at www.dealerautomatedsystems.com

Best Regards,
Steve LaPenta
Dealer Automated Systems, Inc
561-714-5071 www.dealerautomatedsystems.com


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And just how much is a classified ad on these boards? There appear to be many. Ya gotta love it AMERICA, the land of opportunity

just an observation

Besides this thread, I am not sure there are really any on the service board. Believe me, I control them when appropriate.

The Auto University plug was an honest recommendation, which was asked for, as was the one for AtCon (although a little off subject).

Steve's company I've known for a couple of years, if I didn't think he was one of the leaders in DMS optimization and could really contribute, I would have deleted his post. He does know what he's talking about.

And me ... well, it's my board. And it isn't like we charge for these meetings. We just enjoy getting in a room full of managers and talking about the problems and issues they are dealing with.

But I hope that helps a bit to know that someone is watching over the postings.

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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

Rob
This appears to be a good time to say thanks. This is a great place to get answers and share ideas. Thanks for all of your efforts and keeping things in check.