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Edmunds "Hackathon"

20 messages,  Last post on Mar 06, 2013 at 6:25 AM

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Messages Page 3 of 3

#14 of 20 Re: Edmunds "Hackathon" [fezo] by luckmt3

Sep 24, 2012 (10:26 pm)

Replying to: fezo (Sep 20, 2012 10:56 am)
Hi Fezo,
 
I think you make some great points, the level of service and test driving is very different depending on the dealer and the salesperson that you deal with. My family owns and operates a Toyota car dealership and although some of our sales consultants do a great job offering a non-confrontational test drive it is stressed to the sales consultants that the single most important factor in the customer's experience at our car dealership is the test drive. This is the time when the customer goes from being rational to being emotional about the vehicle. Therefore, some sales consultants try to be overly talkative and put on the sales pitch strong during the test drive.
 
I think there is a balance between customer service and salesmanship and that boundary is dependent on the sales consultant being able to empathize with the customer. Each customer desires a different level of explanation and customer service. After going to ARC Test Drive and seeing their business idea about a non-confrontation test drive where customers test drive vehicles on their own, I think this is a great option for some customers. The customers that do not want all of the information to be sold to them. It is great for the do-it-yourself shopper that is internet savy and would prefer to get their own information from their own source. However, the product information is best known by the sales consultants at the car dealerships and there are many customers that go to the car dealerships to be guided through the process and to get the most in depth product information.
 
Question to arctestdrive, how do you plan on offering the customer the same experience or a comparable experience to the car dealerships without having the product specialists that car dealerships have? And, at what point in the buying cycle are you targeting customers?
 
Thanks,
Michael

#15 of 20 I have to admit... by andre1969

Oct 24, 2012 (5:40 pm)

my last vehicle purchase was pretty painless.
 
About a month ago, I bought a new, leftover 2012 Ram Hemi. I was quoted an internet price of $17,499, which seemed too good to be true. Once I got in there, it turns out they threw every concievable incentive on to get to that price, some of which I didn't qualify for, and that price didn't include shipping, which was another $995.
 
But, after a bit of back and forth, I got the truck for $20,751 out the door. They gave me $1300 for my uncle's poorly-aging '97 Silverado, so it ended up being his truck plus $19,451. And I got them to throw in a third key fob and a sliding rear window.
 
Overall, I'm pretty happy, and would definitely consider this dealership again the next time I want a vehicle.
 
Now, I'll confess that I didn't do much research. I knew what style truck I wanted...a fairly strippo regular cab, 8-foot bed model. I'll admit that I'm a bit pig-headed in that I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford, but I'd rather have a Mopar than a GM. So, I didn't do any cross-shopping.
 
But, a month and a day later, and I'm still happy. I figure if the buyer's remorse hasn't kicked in yet, it's not going to.

#16 of 20 Re: I have to admit... [andre1969] by michaell

Oct 25, 2012 (6:25 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Oct 24, 2012 5:40 pm)
But, a month and a day later, and I'm still happy. I figure if the buyer's remorse hasn't kicked in yet, it's not going to.
 
Have you made your first payment yet?
 
 

#17 of 20 Re: I have to admit... [michaell] by andre1969

Oct 25, 2012 (7:47 am)

Replying to: michaell (Oct 25, 2012 6:25 am)
Yup...first "official" payment is due on November 7, but I made it on October 15. I also made a few extra big-chunk payments, and have the principal down to about $9100. I'm going to keep at it, and plan on having it paid off by March 2013.
 
I have a feeling Chase Financial won't be too happy.

#18 of 20 Keep it simple (for customers) by victor23

Nov 05, 2012 (4:20 pm)

1. Remove haggling from the process altogether. Transparent fixed prices. Make it "Macy's-like" or "Walmart-like": regular price, sale price, clearance price.
2. Customization limited by only technical feasibility (for those who would like "made-to-order"). I mean, so that I don't need to buy V6/AWD/moonroof in order to get, say, heated mirrors or automatic headlights.
3. Enable the option to buy directly from the manufacturer online, without contacting any particular dealer.
 
I would be much surprised if there are many buyers who disagreed.

#19 of 20 Hackomotive 2013 by KarenS HOST

Feb 01, 2013 (12:59 pm)

You've shared your ideas. Here's a chance to make it happen and win some big bucks!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcRENHGwbTE
 
http://www.hackomotive.com/

#20 of 20 results are in by steve_ HOST

Mar 06, 2013 (6:25 am)

"The two 1st-place teams are Tegrity and My Motive.
 
Tegrity's idea demystifies and humanizes the auto salesperson, giving he or she "a reputation and an identity" in order to create trust and loyalty.
 
My Motive matches the car shopper to a salesperson via attributes and expertise such as truck specialist or green-car specialist to improve rapport and to create higher customer satisfaction at the point of sale."
 
2013 Hackomotive Winners Focus on Building Trust in Car-Buying Experience

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