Comments on: Two changes necessary for stocking vehicles in today’s marketplace http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/ Used Car Market - A Guide for Success Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Joe Kirby http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-10424 Joe Kirby Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:41:22 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-10424 Dale, This discussion makes it all the more important to consider the 'tweak' to the software to filter out vehicles without fresh pricing, i.e. exclude vehicles listed online for over 45 days (or 30 that's open for discussion) at the same price. This way you are looking at the 'players' in the used car market, and not skewing numbers with dealers just throwing stuff out there and not managing it. You would typically see a lower price I believe and a quicker turn rate on most vehicles. It's the same thing as the traditional evaluation of a dealer's used car inventory where the consultant comes in and immediately excludes the 'dead' inventory that the UCM doesn't want to deal with and tells the dealer what kind of inventory he is really selling out of, excluding the dead inventory that should be marked down or wholesaled. Dale,
This discussion makes it all the more important to consider the ‘tweak’ to the software to filter out vehicles without fresh pricing, i.e. exclude vehicles listed online for over 45 days (or 30 that’s open for discussion) at the same price. This way you are looking at the ‘players’ in the used car market, and not skewing numbers with dealers just throwing stuff out there and not managing it. You would typically see a lower price I believe and a quicker turn rate on most vehicles. It’s the same thing as the traditional evaluation of a dealer’s used car inventory where the consultant comes in and immediately excludes the ‘dead’ inventory that the UCM doesn’t want to deal with and tells the dealer what kind of inventory he is really selling out of, excluding the dead inventory that should be marked down or wholesaled.

]]> By: Joe Kirby http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-19257 Joe Kirby Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:41:00 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-19257 Dale, This discussion makes it all the more important to consider the 'tweak' to the software to filter out vehicles without fresh pricing, i.e. exclude vehicles listed online for over 45 days (or 30 that's open for discussion) at the same price. This way you are looking at the 'players' in the used car market, and not skewing numbers with dealers just throwing stuff out there and not managing it. You would typically see a lower price I believe and a quicker turn rate on most vehicles. It's the same thing as the traditional evaluation of a dealer's used car inventory where the consultant comes in and immediately excludes the 'dead' inventory that the UCM doesn't want to deal with and tells the dealer what kind of inventory he is really selling out of, excluding the dead inventory that should be marked down or wholesaled. Dale,
This discussion makes it all the more important to consider the ‘tweak’ to the software to filter out vehicles without fresh pricing, i.e. exclude vehicles listed online for over 45 days (or 30 that’s open for discussion) at the same price. This way you are looking at the ‘players’ in the used car market, and not skewing numbers with dealers just throwing stuff out there and not managing it. You would typically see a lower price I believe and a quicker turn rate on most vehicles. It’s the same thing as the traditional evaluation of a dealer’s used car inventory where the consultant comes in and immediately excludes the ‘dead’ inventory that the UCM doesn’t want to deal with and tells the dealer what kind of inventory he is really selling out of, excluding the dead inventory that should be marked down or wholesaled.

]]> By: dpollak http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-10374 dpollak Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:01:09 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-10374 Scott, Thank you so much for your note. I’ve got quite a few of these inventory engineering departments starting all over the country. Yes, we will provide you with training, job descriptions and even proposed compensation programs if you’d like. I also want to network you with the other groups that are implementing the same strategy. There’s much to be learned from this type of exchange. I’m going to have your vAuto Performance Manager contact you to discuss training as well as Mandi Fang, who will help you network into this new community. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time if I can be of personal assistance. Congratulations on this important step. Scott,

Thank you so much for your note. I’ve got quite a few of these inventory engineering departments starting all over the country. Yes, we will provide you with training, job descriptions and even proposed compensation programs if you’d like. I also want to network you with the other groups that are implementing the same strategy. There’s much to be learned from this type of exchange. I’m going to have your vAuto Performance Manager contact you to discuss training as well as Mandi Fang, who will help you network into this new community. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time if I can be of personal assistance. Congratulations on this important step.

]]> By: dpollak http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-19256 dpollak Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:01:00 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-19256 Scott, Thank you so much for your note. I’ve got quite a few of these inventory engineering departments starting all over the country. Yes, we will provide you with training, job descriptions and even proposed compensation programs if you’d like. I also want to network you with the other groups that are implementing the same strategy. There’s much to be learned from this type of exchange. I’m going to have your vAuto Performance Manager contact you to discuss training as well as Mandi Fang, who will help you network into this new community. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time if I can be of personal assistance. Congratulations on this important step. Scott,

Thank you so much for your note. I’ve got quite a few of these inventory engineering departments starting all over the country. Yes, we will provide you with training, job descriptions and even proposed compensation programs if you’d like. I also want to network you with the other groups that are implementing the same strategy. There’s much to be learned from this type of exchange. I’m going to have your vAuto Performance Manager contact you to discuss training as well as Mandi Fang, who will help you network into this new community. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time if I can be of personal assistance. Congratulations on this important step.

]]> By: Scott Wood http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-10369 Scott Wood Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:55:57 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-10369 Hi Dale - I work for Don Elliott's group and we've just committed to bring our used car marketing / inventory engineering under our SunStar Network umbrella. We now have responsibility for all Ecommerce and digital marketing for five dealerships and I, for one, am excited about adding this element. It's early in the game, but I want to learn all I can and develop the capability to offer our services to others. Your offer to train on the philosophy and technology is appreciated -- please count me in. Hi Dale -

I work for Don Elliott’s group and we’ve just committed to bring our used car marketing / inventory engineering under our SunStar Network umbrella. We now have responsibility for all Ecommerce and digital marketing for five dealerships and I, for one, am excited about adding this element. It’s early in the game, but I want to learn all I can and develop the capability to offer our services to others. Your offer to train on the philosophy and technology is appreciated — please count me in.

]]> By: Scott Wood http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-19255 Scott Wood Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:55:00 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-19255 Hi Dale - I work for Don Elliott's group and we've just committed to bring our used car marketing / inventory engineering under our SunStar Network umbrella. We now have responsibility for all Ecommerce and digital marketing for five dealerships and I, for one, am excited about adding this element. It's early in the game, but I want to learn all I can and develop the capability to offer our services to others. Your offer to train on the philosophy and technology is appreciated -- please count me in. Hi Dale -

I work for Don Elliott’s group and we’ve just committed to bring our used car marketing / inventory engineering under our SunStar Network umbrella. We now have responsibility for all Ecommerce and digital marketing for five dealerships and I, for one, am excited about adding this element. It’s early in the game, but I want to learn all I can and develop the capability to offer our services to others. Your offer to train on the philosophy and technology is appreciated — please count me in.

]]> By: Ben Gaggero http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-10142 Ben Gaggero Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:41:15 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-10142 I forgot to mention...I would be honored to become a student. I'm ready to climb under a wing of a fresh, intelligent mentor of this approach. It is time! Let the "dinosaurs" make history, we'll make the future. I forgot to mention…I would be honored to become a student. I’m ready to climb under a wing of a fresh, intelligent mentor of this approach. It is time! Let the “dinosaurs” make history, we’ll make the future.

]]> By: Ben Gaggero http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-19254 Ben Gaggero Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:41:00 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-19254 I forgot to mention...I would be honored to become a student. I'm ready to climb under a wing of a fresh, intelligent mentor of this approach. It is time! Let the "dinosaurs" make history, we'll make the future. I forgot to mention…I would be honored to become a student. I’m ready to climb under a wing of a fresh, intelligent mentor of this approach. It is time! Let the “dinosaurs” make history, we’ll make the future.

]]> By: Ben Gaggero http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-10141 Ben Gaggero Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:29:44 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-10141 So true. ALOT TO SAY ON THIS TOPIC...I've been in the NorthWest car business since 1990. The product that moves brings all the dough (everywhere)and the product that is less desirable is even getting attention. Fleet remarketted vehicles are edgier and more expensive. Pay more, get less, and the banks aren't advancing as much... What now? Inventory Engineer...yep... I've been a buyer for 10+ years travelling and expecting to come home with an awesome mix of money-makers every time I leave. Frustration sets in and you either come home with nothing or you just bought cars that don't sell because "you ripped em". What's a "rip"? Definately NOT something that sits and collects dust and days in stock. It seems to me that everyone is experiencing the short-falls of this market and availability. As soon as we as a Dealer took a closer look at what was and is actually turning, making solid profits and where it was available, the job of stocking was much easier!!! We compiled a buylist via vauto and found that this inventory is readily available on-line. Got online and paid top dollar for the right mix. WE EXPLODED WITH VOLUME. Profits were lighter than expected, but "profits and volume" neverless. I helped streamline the on-line searching and purchasing process to the point of eliminating my position. I guess you could call my position eliminated and replaced with an "Inventory Engineer". It saves payroll huge amounts, saves on travel expenses, and enguages under-performing, high paid positions. As much as I dont want to admit the facts, Used car managers are going away. No doubt, Inventory Engineers with current, factual information are the future. So true. ALOT TO SAY ON THIS TOPIC…I’ve been in the NorthWest car business since 1990. The product that moves brings all the dough (everywhere)and the product that is less desirable is even getting attention. Fleet remarketted vehicles are edgier and more expensive. Pay more, get less, and the banks aren’t advancing as much… What now? Inventory Engineer…yep… I’ve been a buyer for 10+ years travelling and expecting to come home with an awesome mix of money-makers every time I leave. Frustration sets in and you either come home with nothing or you just bought cars that don’t sell because “you ripped em”. What’s a “rip”? Definately NOT something that sits and collects dust and days in stock. It seems to me that everyone is experiencing the short-falls of this market and availability. As soon as we as a Dealer took a closer look at what was and is actually turning, making solid profits and where it was available, the job of stocking was much easier!!! We compiled a buylist via vauto and found that this inventory is readily available on-line. Got online and paid top dollar for the right mix. WE EXPLODED WITH VOLUME. Profits were lighter than expected, but “profits and volume” neverless. I helped streamline the on-line searching and purchasing process to the point of eliminating my position. I guess you could call my position eliminated and replaced with an “Inventory Engineer”. It saves payroll huge amounts, saves on travel expenses, and enguages under-performing, high paid positions. As much as I dont want to admit the facts, Used car managers are going away. No doubt, Inventory Engineers with current, factual information are the future.

]]> By: Ben Gaggero http://www.dalepollak.com/2009/07/27/stocking-vehicles-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-19253 Ben Gaggero Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:29:00 +0000 http://www.dalepollak.com/?p=379#comment-19253 So true. ALOT TO SAY ON THIS TOPIC...I've been in the NorthWest car business since 1990. The product that moves brings all the dough (everywhere)and the product that is less desirable is even getting attention. Fleet remarketted vehicles are edgier and more expensive. Pay more, get less, and the banks aren't advancing as much... What now? Inventory Engineer...yep... I've been a buyer for 10+ years travelling and expecting to come home with an awesome mix of money-makers every time I leave. Frustration sets in and you either come home with nothing or you just bought cars that don't sell because "you ripped em". What's a "rip"? Definately NOT something that sits and collects dust and days in stock. It seems to me that everyone is experiencing the short-falls of this market and availability. As soon as we as a Dealer took a closer look at what was and is actually turning, making solid profits and where it was available, the job of stocking was much easier!!! We compiled a buylist via vauto and found that this inventory is readily available on-line. Got online and paid top dollar for the right mix. WE EXPLODED WITH VOLUME. Profits were lighter than expected, but "profits and volume" neverless. I helped streamline the on-line searching and purchasing process to the point of eliminating my position. I guess you could call my position eliminated and replaced with an "Inventory Engineer". It saves payroll huge amounts, saves on travel expenses, and enguages under-performing, high paid positions. As much as I dont want to admit the facts, Used car managers are going away. No doubt, Inventory Engineers with current, factual information are the future. So true. ALOT TO SAY ON THIS TOPIC…I’ve been in the NorthWest car business since 1990. The product that moves brings all the dough (everywhere)and the product that is less desirable is even getting attention. Fleet remarketted vehicles are edgier and more expensive. Pay more, get less, and the banks aren’t advancing as much… What now? Inventory Engineer…yep… I’ve been a buyer for 10+ years travelling and expecting to come home with an awesome mix of money-makers every time I leave. Frustration sets in and you either come home with nothing or you just bought cars that don’t sell because “you ripped em”. What’s a “rip”? Definately NOT something that sits and collects dust and days in stock. It seems to me that everyone is experiencing the short-falls of this market and availability. As soon as we as a Dealer took a closer look at what was and is actually turning, making solid profits and where it was available, the job of stocking was much easier!!! We compiled a buylist via vauto and found that this inventory is readily available on-line. Got online and paid top dollar for the right mix. WE EXPLODED WITH VOLUME. Profits were lighter than expected, but “profits and volume” neverless. I helped streamline the on-line searching and purchasing process to the point of eliminating my position. I guess you could call my position eliminated and replaced with an “Inventory Engineer”. It saves payroll huge amounts, saves on travel expenses, and enguages under-performing, high paid positions. As much as I dont want to admit the facts, Used car managers are going away. No doubt, Inventory Engineers with current, factual information are the future.

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