Author: SM

A lot of dealerships devote too much of their focus on attracting new customers whereas an equal amount of time should be invested into generating repeat business from existing customers and building up loyalty. Not only can this contribute massively to the revenue of your dealership, but the more loyal these customers are to your dealership, the higher the chance of them leaving positive reviews, giving you more auto leads, and telling their friends and family about you. This, in turn, can bring in new customers. In this article, we take a look at some of the best ways you can start marketing your dealership to generate repeat business for your dealership and increase loyalty with your brand at the same time. 

Offer Incentives

Your existing customers will come back to you if they feel they are being rewarded for their loyalty. Otherwise, what’s the point? For some examples of how to create great customer service for your company, you could check here and build customer loyalty quickly. Aside from your excellent customer service, if they are being charged or getting the same package as a new customer for example with no additional benefits for their loyalty then, what is the point indeed! Instead, why not reward repeat customers for coming back to you. As an example, for an annual service provide a 10% discount? Or if they’re after a new set of tires why not offer them 4 for the price of 3? The savings may not be astronomical but the gesture of providing them with these incentives as an existing customer goes a long way.

Complimentary Services 

No matter what industry you’re involved in, a customer always loves getting that something extra for free. And your auto dealership shouldn’t be any exception to this golden rule. So if customers are coming back to you why not give them that little something extra to thank them for their loyalty? Not only to increase the likelihood of them coming back again in the future but also to reward them for choosing you over your competitors. For example, when someone comes to buy a car from you, if they come back to you for your annual service why not throw in a free valet to ensure their car is sparkling clean upon returning it to them?

Reassure the Customer That They Know What They’re Getting 

When finally delivering a vehicle to your customer, reassure them about the deal they’re getting and ensure they’re happy. Give them a thorough recap of everything that is involved in the price that they’ve paid, most importantly the parts of their package that are ‘added value’ for their custom or available to them in the future for their loyalty or recommendations. This includes any future annual services that are included in the price and gives them a breakdown of the payment. This is also the opportune time to ask them if they have any questions about aspects of the sale/aftercare such as the warranty. This reassures the customer that you don’t just complete the sale and disappear and will encourage them to do business with you in the future. 

Take Care and Caution With Servicing 

If your dealership offers other services in addition to buying and selling cars, this is a great area to make a real impression on the customer. When the customer hands over their vehicle to you they are trusting you to take care of it when performing any repairs or servicing. A great way to maximize the chances of them coming back to you in the future is to make them put their trust in you as a dealership and consider you to be the right choice. There are a number of ways to ensure that their car is as protected as possible when performing repairs or upgrades.

One such way is by using protective items such as disposable plastic car seat covers, gear shift covers, and steering wheel covers. These items ensure that if you’re performing any work on a customer’s car, any mess that is made as a result of the work won’t spoil any of the car’s interior. If you are using these types of products to protect your vehicle whilst carrying out a repair or service you should tell your customer when they bring their vehicle in for the work. Demonstrate to them before they leave their car with you that you will take the utmost care in performing the repair or service and you even use these protective products to protect their vehicle, giving them peace of mind and confidence in your dealership before you commence the work. 

This maximizes the chances of them returning to you for future work or vehicle purchases as well as the likelihood they will write a positive review about you and tell friends or family members about the quality of the service they’ve received from you. For high-quality automotive protective products, consider visiting the following URL: https://mbrmarketing.com/service-department/steering-wheel-and-seat-covers which is the website of MBR Marketing, one of the leading suppliers of auto dealer products in the United States.

Stay in Touch With Your Customers

Another way to demonstrate to your customers that your dealership doesn’t just forget about them after a sale has been completed is to keep in touch. It also reinforces their recognition of your brand. You could consider hiring a customer service virtual assistant, a person who you only employ when you need to, who can assist with administrative tasks. For instance, they could work only a couple of days a week, spending time following up on customers and asking for feedback. This would make them feel heard and cared for, and more likely to return to your business. Other ways to keep in touch include asking for a review after they’ve purchased a vehicle or service from you. Another nice touch is to provide them with a courtesy email on their birthday or anniversary of their first purchase to show them that they’re a valued customer and remind them of your excellent customer service and attention to detail.

Ask for Reviews

A great way to discover customer insight and to improve your service is through reviews. Ask customers for feedback after they have purchased a vehicle from you or used one of your services. Ask them if they were happy with the service and what they weren’t happy with. This will not only identify areas for improvement but will also highlight areas where your dealership is currently meeting the customer’s needs. A great way to gain true feedback is also to incentivize the customer to provide a review through promotions or discounts as the more reviews you receive the better understanding you have of how your products and services are perceived by your customers.

Summary

If you have your own dealership you need to ensure you invest adequate time and resources into building your repeat business. Attracting a new customer is much harder than selling again to an existing customer who already knows you. Remember to communicate with your existing customers, make them feel special and rewarded for their loyalty and they will return time and time again potentially bringing friends or family members to your showroom as a direct result of your investment and interest in them.

Cars are incredibly complex machines but despite their durability, they also exhibit great delicateness. Aside from the inherent risks on the road and the damage that nature can do, time itself can wear away your car’s integrity. According to a recent survey, the average American spends approximately $400 every year repairing their car.

This amount can seem like a small but necessary expense, it won’t seem so trivial if you’re behind on rent or struggling to pay all the bills on time. The best way to avoid shelling out hundreds of dollars just to fix up your car is to take better care of it in the first place.

Below are eight maintenance tips that you should always keep and use if you want to keep your car in great condition without large expenses.

1. Get Car Cleaned Regularly

Small bits of food and lint may not seem like they can wreck your car, but debris and crumbs can attract vermin. Ants can destroy your upholstery bit by bit. Larger pieces of trash can attract more virulent vermin like cockroaches and rats.

If you want to keep your car from getting eaten and soiled by such pests, you should take your car to a professional cleaner regularly. Better yet, you can take your car to professional car detailers, like Auto Armour PFF.

1. Familiarize Yourself with Dashboard Lights

All cars, from the simplest of sedans to high-profile vehicles, have an array of complicated dashboard lights. Unfortunately, many car owners don’t see the point of learning the meaning behind these lights to their detriment.

When you buy your car, make sure to flip open the driver’s manual and familiarize yourself with the meaning behind them. They can tell you if your car is in danger of overheating, loss of fluid, and other conditions.

1. Change Fluids Frequently

Your car is like a living being and it requires plenty of fluid nourishment. Aside from gasoline, your car needs brake fluid, engine coolant, engine oil and radiator fluid, and many more. Always make sure that your car gets plenty of all of these fluids as they are vital to your car’s well-being. Check their levels regularly and clean out their valves and pipes to prevent blockages.

1. Mind the Weather

The weather outside can be frightful and even more terrifying, it can affect your car’s integrity. Driving your car through flood after flood, can soak its undercarriage and lead to rusting. Driving on snowy roads can deteriorate your hubcaps and wheel axles through exposure to road salts. Intense summer sunshine can bake your engine and make it overheat. Always gauge if the weather outside is worth endangering your car.

1. Rotate Tires

The tires of your car bear all the machine’s weight. If you don’t rotate your tires, all the weight remains on a particular tire. This can bend their rims and decrease their lifespan. Switch up the positions of your car’s tires by swapping them. For example, switch the positions of the left and right front tires with their equivalents in the rear.

1. Drive Responsibly

Aggressive driving can be the most dangerous thing you can do not only to your vehicle but to yourself. Your best-case scenario is that your aggressive driving ends with your car with a few minor dings and scratches. However, a truly bad accident can completely wipe out your vehicle which will cost many thousands of dollars. Always drive carefully and obey traffic laws to prevent your car from getting damaged.

1. Park Under Cover

The environment contains many things that can damage your vehicle. Intense temperatures can wreak havoc on the engine and internal mechanisms. Animals can scratch the exterior or crawl their way into the vehicle. Street parking is unacceptable over long periods for these reasons. Don’t leave your car parked out in the open if you can. Always look for cover when parking your car.

1. Don’t Leave it Undriven

On the other hand, you may find yourself driving your car less and less for one reason or another. This can lead to your car remaining unused for weeks. This can destroy your car as surely as ramming it into a wall. If you must leave your car parked for long periods, occasionally start the engines and take it for a short drive to keep the engine and battery in good condition.

Cars are huge investments, and they are essential for getting to your job on time or safely transporting your loved ones. Taking the best care of it through sensible maintenance won’t just save you money, it will also make your whole life much easier.

Riding a motorcycle can be a fun and dangerous activity at the same time. It can be hazardous if the riders do not take the necessary precautions. There are essential gears that one is supposed to own once you purchase your motorcycle. The important of all is buying a helmet. Many fatalities that are happening around are because of the riders not wearing a helmet. Choosing the most suitable helmet can be a daunting activity due to the various helmets that are available. Several factors are available to help you in the decision-making process. The factors are essential if you are a new rider or an experienced rider. The ones that should be upfront are your safety, protection, and comfort. It can be tempting to put color, price, and color ahead of those dull safety features when buying a helmet. 

Type of Helmet

Always you should decide on the type of mask you want. There are various types’ helmets that you can choose from. They include full-face helmets, half helmets, motocross, modular and open face. For maximum safety, people recommend a full-face helmet as it encloses the whole face. Research reveals that the most affected area during a motorcycle crash is the chin. You will realize that full-face helmets are what most racers wear while on track. Some people may find wearing full-face suffocating, and if you are at a petrol station, you have to take them off on most occasions. They are the standard designs as they offer maximum protection during harsh weather conditions. 

Some of the individuals may prefer modular helmets. They like them because of their flexibility and adaptability. They argue that they can quickly flip them up when they are at the ATM, taking photos, or fueling without taking them off. They are also not suffocating as you can raise your chin to get fresh air when you are in slow-moving traffic. 

Some may prefer adventure helmets. They usually have a visor and peak. However, some individuals prefer to use goggles than visors. Motocross helmets are explicitly designed to be used off the road. They have a peak but no visor; hence are intended to be used with goggles. They have more open ventilation with foam ventilation in the chin.

Safety Standards and Right Fitting

There is some critical tip that you need to keep in mind. Expensive helmets do not mean safety, nor do cheap helmets mean they are safe. A plain-colored helmet will be more affordable to purchase compared to a helmet with some graphics. Every rider has different head shapes, and every helmet brand has another form. You should measure your head before purchasing your helmet. You can run your tape measure around the head just above your eyebrows and the pointy part at the back of your head. Experts recommend that you not buy helmets over the internet unless you have ever purchased that brand before. You should go to the stores and find those helmets that well fit you.

The tips mentioned above can guide you in deciding on choosing a suitable helmet. Accompanied with other factors like price and color but most important of all ensure safety and maximum protection.

Most individuals choose not to have a car payment, particularly if it would take four or even more months to accumulate off. If you have the funds, spending cash for a vehicle is usually a safer option than borrowing or leasing. Many who pay cash for cars lose much less time in the long term than those who make deposits so they escape different lender fees per month. 

Besides, unlike leasing, the customer purchases the vehicle completely rather than returning it to the car business at the end of the contract. Paying cash may be the only choice for consumers in some financial circumstances, including those lacking strong credit or a credit card.

Owning an automobile is a costly endeavor in and of itself. According to a AAA survey from 2014, the total cost of vehicle ownership is about $9,000 per year based on 15,000 miles driven. This covers all of the expenses involved with maintaining a vehicle running, such as compensation, licensing, repairs, and petrol. However, borrowing money on a house makes it much more costly.

Reasons to pay Cash for Cars

You’ll Save Money

It would be daunting to clear your bank account to purchase anything as costly as a nice vehicle while recognizing that inflation would be a concern from the start. Funding can sound more enticing at first, even if many customers end up paying more than their loan than the vehicle is worth. Overall, the only money you’re going to put away is the personal loan and possibly your exchange.

Most consumers don’t care much about the vehicle’s value at the end of the car loan because long as the car payment is reasonable. However, debt accumulates, and borrowing becomes a more costly proposition over time.

Determine What You Require in a Car.

Customization options, product kits, and high-end trim tiers are where manufacturers earn cash. Meanwhile, dealers benefit from providing products and repair contracts that connect you to their service center. A salesman may persuade you to buy a car that has more choices than you wanted or that comes to seat cushions and grippy tires that were added later.

Such add-ons may only cost a few bucks more per quarter over the next 60 months, but they may add value to the property more on the average sticker price. Any cash offer should be worried about this. It’s also an important consideration when deciding whether you need some all SUV when a simpler and more gas front-wheel-drive sedan or luxury sedan would suffice.

Paying in cash entitles you to printable coupons.

There are a few aspects that owning the car outright that will result in extra savings. Personal vendors, for instance, often market their cars for significantly less than what retailers ask for them. In some other examples, dealers may be able to go cheaper with a used automobile to even get rid of it so they don’t have to buy it. Funding is nearly often more difficult for a used vehicle. 

So that you can pay cash, you still have more choices so you can conveniently pick among private sales and vendors. Discounts from the auto dealer or supplier can get forfeited for those who borrow by their preferred lender or community bank.

Avoid Loan Repayments

The most apparent benefit of spending cash on a vehicle is that you save making payments. For instance, if you borrow a used automobile for about $12,000 at an interest rate slightly below 6% for 60 months, you would end up spending about $15,000 at the end of the loan. 

The greater the loan term, the higher the rate level, and the higher the vehicle price, the more you will end up spending in the end. And if the interest rate is less than 1%, the additional sum on each dollar borrowed adds up.

Enhances Your Credit Score

Cash payments are also a great way to boost budgeting skills. Most financial institutions take into account the fact that the majority of people have loans. When paying for a credit or debit card, loan, or personal loan, not making a car payment indicates that you do have less debt and therefore not prone to be default risk.

If You Do Have Your Cash, Here’s How to Pay Cash for the car at Car Dealer.

If you’re spending cash for just a car out of your bank account from some origin, bring a refund check. Many car dealers wouldn’t want to take individual deposits, and you certainly don’t want to cart a stack of cash around you.

A safe idea is to speak with the boss to inform them that you’ll be making payments and determine the right means of payment. Any dealer can take credit cards based on the cost. It’s better whether the card has little interest or gets connected to a loyalty scheme, such as frequent flier miles. Nonetheless, owing to the fees involved with the purchase, it is typically a losing proposition for the dealership.

Will You Tell the Supplier That You’re just a Cash Purchaser?

While some auto dealers can be cold to cash customers, wise dealers realize that if they handle the consumer well, it usually means a quick sell and positive ratings. It also ensures that there is no chance of the transaction going through in the finance manager due to the purchaser’s credit ratings.

Conclusion

The first step has always been to ensure that you depart with the word. Don’t leave in your new car without it. The primary way to be cautious about is any vehicle in which the driver does not have all of the required documentation. And if there are valid grounds for losing documents, there are far too many dangers. The owner may simply apply for a missing title or change the title on the paperwork.

A DMV is an ideal place to make the platform for cash trading. You’ll be in a public location and will double-check if all is in order. Normally, you can pay in cash or a cash register check. You may also meet at a market to deposit the trade if you prefer the above choice.

Right now, only one out of three aftermarket auto parts businesses use e-commerce as part of their business strategy. This is problematic, as consumers are gravitating more and more toward online shopping. If you want to gain a competitive edge, your brick-and-mortar store isn’t enough.

As history has shown, running a successful e-commerce business for auto parts depends on two key factors: convenience and trust. Nail these two factors, and you’ll be well-positioned for e-commerce success.

Convenience

E-commerce for automotives must be convenient for customers. If they experience any roadblocks to making a purchase, they’ll soon try a different e-store or drive down the road to their local dealer.

It’s therefore important that your sales team are consistent in their approach to customers and you can ensure this by creating a sales playbook of the knowledge and tools necessary for easy sales. It can help to make sure that you have clear strategies, processes and tangible examples to help you and your team manage any sales situation or scenario.

For a business owner who’s probably more passionate about spark plugs than web marketing, consider outsourcing certain tasks to an expert to ensure a seamless customer experience.

It does not matter if you are selling Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, or even Honda parts. Having a selection of specific parts such as ford parts canada does for each manufacturer. This will give you the edge over your competition by giving your customers the convenience to shop for the specific part or by the manufacturer.

Choose the Right Selling Platform

If you’ll only be offering a limited range or specialize in very niche parts, consider selling via a platform like Amazon or eBay. You’ll make a smaller profit on your parts but the bulk of the work will be done for you.

If you’d like to sell a large range of parts or wish to build a strong brand image, consider launching your own online store like conquest auto parts with the powerful automotive eCommerce platform. This option requires more work at the start, but the earnings and relationship you maintain with your customers will be 100% yours from the get-go.

This will heavily depend on your business model, but you have to keep your long-term business goals in mind. While it’s always possible to expand your offering, it’s best to accommodate any big moves early on as part of your growth strategy.

Create Keyword-Rich Content

Once you create your online store, you need to make it easy for customers to find you. Auto parts customers usually know what they’re looking for and search by the part name along with the make and/or model of their car. You will need to fill your website with content that specifies these details to help you appear higher in internet search results.

Keep in mind that content should also be full of useful information and not fillers. Describe your products in detail in a way that helps your customers make their buying decision. Things like compatibility with certain makes and models, alternative SKUs, and installation instructions may accommodate your visitor and turn them into a buyer.

Establish Simple Product Filters

After a customer lands on your site, guide them quickly and effortlessly to the parts that they need. Most e-commerce for auto parts sites offer a product filter with any or all the following categories:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Trim
• Engine
• Fuel

When the customer clicks on the part that they want, they’ll be interested in the features and benefits of the product. Make sure you list all compatible vehicles on the product page, along with warranty details and an accurate, professional product image.

Make Myriad Payment Options Available

Ultimately, the goal of your e-commerce site is to convert web traffic into sales. In order to finalize the sale, you’ll need to partner with an authoritative processor like Unicorn Payment to set up secure, affordable, PCI-compliant payment solutions.

Some of the best merchant providers will allow you to provide a variety of payment options to customers all around the world. Look for a provider that offers all of the currencies that your customers use as well as alternative payment options like Apple Pay and even cryptocurrencies. 

Offer Expedited Shipping

Ideally, e-commerce for auto parts caters to all kinds of people—from the local mechanic who’s servicing a luxury BMW to a young college student who’s been tied up at home with a flat. Whichever sector you choose as your primary market, the reality is that the customer will need their parts quickly. 

To fulfill delivery expectations and reduce delays, research the third-party shippers in your area and ask about overnight and expedited delivery options. You’ll also need to pack the parts securely, so have plenty of boxes and bubble wrap on hand.

Trust

For better or for worse, e-commerce for auto parts has suffered greatly when it comes to trust. The high number of auto-parts traders that deal in stolen, secondhand, and faulty goods has forced genuine dealers to raise the bar as far as proving that their parts are authentic.

Describe Your Inventory Accurately 

To build trust with your customers, make sure that you describe your inventory accurately:

• Is the produce made by an OEM (original equipment manufacturer), third-party manufacturer, or produced in your own aftermarket facility?
• Which vehicles is it compatible with? Which parts can it replace?
• What kind of warranty is available?
• Do you cover return shipping?

Stay in Touch 

Provide constant confirmation messages, such as when a customer completes a purchase when their order is shipped, and when delivery is confirmed (tracking numbers are a must). You can also offer shipping insurance for added assurance. 

To further build trust with your customers, consider adding an automatic email follow-up to request reviews for products purchased. Glowing reviews from satisfied customers go a long way towards raising sales!

Provide Reliable Customer Support 

Even with a detailed product filter, you’ll still have customers who need more assistance or prefer to talk with a customer representative. More importantly, customers want to know that there’s someone on the other side who can answer their questions and quell their concerns.

If you don’t have a staff member who can be available throughout the day for answering messaging, calls, emails, and web forms, consider adding a chatbot to the site or your WhatsApp business account (if you have one) for a more guided and supported experience. You can look for a Website or WhatsApp chatbot builder to develop one at an affordable price. Just make sure to follow up promptly with real human support.

The Takeaway

Branching out into e-commerce for auto parts is a smart move in a digitalized world. To make sure your online venture is a success, decide which products you’ll sell online, hire a web expert to build (and/or run) your site, make the process easy for customers, and build trust with well-described, guaranteed products. 

Soon, you could find yourself enjoying a thriving online business with happy customers and growing profits.

The months of March and April are always exciting for motorsport fans. Typically around this time, the NASCAR season is in full swing and both Formula One and IndyCar are on the cusp of starting.

This year is no different — even amidst the pandemic. Matter of fact, Formula One’s first race of the year, the Bahrain Grand Prix, gets underway on Sunday, March 28. It’s the opening competition of a 23-race slate that takes the season all the way through December. 

It’s only preseason, but we could be in for a doozy of an F1 season. There’s a lot to look forward to and while we wait for the Bahrain Grand Prix, let’s countdown the top storylines:

Hamilton’s History Chase 

As usual, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton. During the offseason, he was embroiled in on-again, off-again talks with Mercedes on a new contract. The two finally settled on a new deal in February, but a surprise for most, it was only a one-year contract. 

We’ll likely see this contract drama play out again at season’s end, but by then, Hamilton might have extra bargaining power as the undisputed greatest Formula One driver of all time. We mean, he already has a strong case, but another Drivers Championship in 2021 would be his eighth — breaking a tie with Michael Schumacher for most ever.  

Another milestone in Hamilton’s sights is 100 wins. No F1 driver has ever hit the century mark in Grand Prix victories, and Hamilton is currently at 95. Hamilton is heavily favored to accomplish both feats in 2021, but it’s not like he doesn’t have stiff competition nipping at his heels….

Red Bull Primed To Shake Up The Pecking Order

Without a doubt, the biggest challenger to Hamilton’s throne is Max Verstappen. He is 13 years the junior of Hamilton, which sets up the classic storyline of the king vs. the heir apparent. Can Verstappen spoil Hamilton’s pursuit of history?

If the preseason tests that transpired in Bahrain are any indication, Verstappen and the rest of Red Bull Racing certainly have potential in the spoiler role. The RB16B, the team’s newly-revealed F1 challenger, performed like a thing of beauty during the trials. Heck, Verstappen even ran the fastest lap with a blazing time of one minute and 28.96 seconds.

Also worth noting that during the same preseason tests, Mercedes struggled immensely. In fact, the squad racked up the least mileage out of all the teams. Most pundits shrugged off the early struggles — this is Mercedes, after all, winners of seven straight Constructor’s Championships — but momentum definitely felt to be on Red Bull’s side. 

One more thing that Red Bull Racing has going for them is a new addition — Sergio Perez. Competing for Racing Point a year ago, where he placed fourth in the final standings, Red Bull lured him away to team up with Verstappen in 2021. It’s a dynamic pairing that even Hamilton said could create a “battle we’ve not seen in some time.” 

Welcome Aston Martin

Speaking of Racing Point, they are no more. Instead, the race team has been renamed to Aston Martin, which will be competing as a constructor for the first time since 1960. 

Its newest F1 car, the AMR21, left a lot to be desired at the Bahrain pre-trials, akin to Mercedes. Issues with the gearbox, turbo, and electricals meant that Aston Martin’s car sat idly, accumulating the second-to-last laps of all teams. 

The car troubles also gave Aston Martin’s top driver — Sebastian Vettel — all of a meager 117 laps to practice. Over the offseason, Vettel, a four-time Drivers’ Championship winner, jumped ship from Ferrari to the newly-minted Aston Martin. 

The two teams are polar opposites from one another. Ferrari deployed a high-rake concept, whereas Aston Martin has only recently switched to low rake. Vettel himself even admitted the difference would be a “steep learning curve.” Tack on the preseason struggles in Bahrain and Vettel could be due for an especially slow start to the season. 

Like we said before, brace yourself for a doozy of a Formula One year. All bets are off once things get going at the Bahrain Grand Prix.