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Feedback On An Idea

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4K views 28 replies 18 participants last post by  Home Theater Guy 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I'm looking for some good feedback on an idea we are toying with at the dealership.

I would like your opinion on the following.

If you came into a dealership looking for your Dodge product and you were assigned to a "Dodge Team", who knew the history of Dodge and past vehicles, knew about the Challengers down to the chassis configuration and basically knew as much about these cars as members of the forum, would you be more inclined to purchase from this dealership instead of going to a conventional dealership where the salesman kind of knew the basics that they were taught on the brief FCA training courses?

Any sort of feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Andy
 
#2 ·
This is exactly what I look for in a dealership, a salesman who shows passion in what he's selling. That said, knowledge is power and sometimes that power can go to ones head. I could see a salesman become arrogant because of his knowledge and start to talk down to potential buyers because he thinks he knows more about the car than they do. I'm not saying this will absolutely happen but its a possibility and it would certainly turn me off to buying a car from him.

But yes if the salesman kept his head grounded I would, more than likely buy from him.
 
#3 ·
I would say yes. If you have a team who specializes in a specific vehicle and knew as much if not more than the customer then yes. Too many times have i been at a dealership or even just a store and know more about the product then the sales person. I think if they knew as much as say an avid forum type member then you have Strong bond of Trust which will make the relationship and sale that much easier. Plus then you have word of mouth and social media on your side.
 
#4 ·
I would LOVE to see this at my dealership and I would certainly be more apt to buy at this dealership if the price was very close...but just being honest with ya...if another dealership could get me what I wanted at a better price...well...you know the old saying about money talks...LOL While on this subject though...along with the knowledge you are talking about from the "team"...just as important to me is a sales staff that stays current on every small detail of what comes with what with what package and what each box checked on an order is for. Too many times I've found out after it was too late that something was available that I would have wanted if the folks at the dealership had known and told me about it.
 
#6 ·
I have dealt with a few salesmen in my time where it doesn't matter what they are actually selling. It's really kind of sad and disappointing. They are just selling. When I bought my car they did not know what the skip shift was. Nor did the mechanics when I brought it up, for that matter. You should definitely be knowledgeable about your product your asking for people to give you their money for. I see the salesmen at places when they are not busy all shooting the breeze just hanging out. Perfect time to learn about what you're selling.
 
#7 ·
Thanks guys,

this is the kind of feedback I was hoping to get.

I'm looking at training one Dodge Specialist from each team (6 teams) on the finer details on the product which FCA doesn't cover. I want them to be enthusiastic about what they are selling.

At the moment, I'm getting a little tired of hearing customers saying "well its just a Dodge", not realizing the impact Dodge has had in the US automotive market.

When I was selling I used to talk to customers forever on the finer details of the vehicle, such has the skip shift, how launch control works, the research behind the 2015 active exhaust. It seemed to be an easy sell from then on because the customer felt like they were getting an experience, not just a sale.

Where we are located, the concentration of JCDR dealers is huge, something like 21 dealers in 75 miles, so prices are usually around the same from us all. I want to give that little extra which will make people remember us.
 
#10 ·
Andy, what you are proposing can do nothing but good for your dealership. I have yet to meet a salesman from any of the dealerships that I have visited that knows more about the vehicles than I do. I'm sure a lot of us feel this way here. The one exception I have noticed is when my wife and I went to shop for a Cherokee, the salesman spent so much time going over operational tips for it!
 
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#11 ·
I hate to say it, but I'm usually looking at the bottom dollar from a dealership. That said, I would certainly buy local or from a dealership that had a lot of knowledge for a couple of hundred bucks more. As a rule, I know more about the car I'm buying than the person selling it to me. I've come to accept it I suppose.
 
#14 ·
For me that wouldn't make a difference at all, as I usually know more about the car I'm buying anyway. I also come armed with a lot of ammo so I know what I want and how much I'm willing to pay for it. Just give me a dude that'll work numbers for me.
 
#15 ·
That is a good question.
I definitely would be more incline to buy products from the dealership if they had the knowledge as you mentioned.
When I purchased my Scat Pack from the dealership, the salesman had no clue what options it came with or what grade of fuel was recommended. I believe if a team like you mentioned was implemented I would shop right here at the dealership instead of driving to Phoenix or San Diego to buy after market accessories.
 
#18 ·
I enjoy going to a dealership where the staff knows about the car and are enthusiast's themselves, it is very refreshing. My current Challenger came from such a dealership, when the employees seem to actually enjoy and know about the vehicles they are selling it's a major bonus.
 
#20 ·
I agree, the dealership where I purchased my car is very mod friendly in fact they are happy to install super chargers and various other mods. The owners drag race as do many of their employees and it just makes for a better sales experience when you feel you are talking to other knowledgeable folks.
 
#21 ·
a salesman who uses disparagement to sell his product is just as bad as a salesman who thinks he knows it all and gets into a pis@#@G contest with the customer.
 
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#22 ·
You are right on both counts. I never knocked my competition because that would be unprofessional and insulting to the customer who's considering purchasing it. I just showed him or her either through test drives, product presentations or literature from that manufacture that showed where what I had to sell was better suited for his or her needs. If my competition was better at some aspect I would freely admit it. I'd let him or her Come to their own conclusions. Any sales person who would get into an argument with a potential client is an idiot.
 
#23 ·
I think everyone should know as much as you can going to buy. That said, if I do find a question, I feel someone selling the product should know, it's a minus to the salesmen and dealership when they can't answer me. I just feel you should not be hocking a product you cannot intelligently speak about. Some of that blame absolutely falls on the dealership. They are failing to ensure that their employees have all the tools they SHOULD have to do their job effectively. That talks to pride in your dealership. It's one of the things that can set you apart from the others. Then, obviously good customer follow up, service. The salesmen/women are the front line at a dealership. Customer will begin his/her opinion of the dealership with initial contact, which happens with the sales person. I will never again go to the dealership where I bought my car. Inept salesperson. Service dept. who were not knowledgeable about my car, plus would leave you standing without so much of an aknowldgement that you were even in the building. The service manager himself drove my car. Witnessed the problem. I left my car. He called me days later saying that he and others drove it again with no problems. WHAT??? So there are many things dealerships can do to boost their image with customers, over and above a good price. Knowledgeable sales people is one of them, but its the first one realized by a potential buyer.
 
#25 ·
We endeavor to do just what you said. Bill, it is too bad that the majority of dealer principals do not have the same mindset you do. The automobile sales and service Industry as a whole would have a much better reputation, that is for sure.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Some great points here everyone, thank you.

Right now, I make a point of seeing every single Challenger/Charger customer when they come in.

Its more for my own sanity than anything else, I love talking about them and customers love hearing about them.

Even if they are just shopping around, it should be an experience for them.

I'm also in the process of sorting the mod side of things.

We have good companies around here, one of my Scat Pack customers was sent straight to a shop to have pistons dropped in and a supercharger added.

I'm also looking at doing things like having Westbury JCDR catch cans and things like that.

When we used to have the Hemi Shop, the place was chaos with people coming in and having their cars modified :)
 
#28 ·
Very good points Bill! I must say I had a very nice salesman who left me with a great impression. When I started looking at Challengers at the dealership, I met my eventual salesman. He was polite, and important to me.....NOT pushy, or trying to sell me something that I wasn't even interested in. I went back and talked to him several times, looking at the Challengers they had on the lot. Finally, the day I went back with the intention to buy, I indicated that I really wanted something a little different than the one on the lot. Instead of arguing with me, or trying to sell me something I didn't want, he immediately said no problem, we can order anything you want! That sold me right there! He listened to me and made the sale that day!
 
#29 ·
Yes, Andy, having the experts on your team will differentiate your dealership from others for sure. As you know, not all of the configurations that are available for these cars are available online through the Dodge tool. Having a set of experts that can help experienced and non-experienced buyers would only lead to more satisfaction in the customer experience.
 
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