Modern Dealer: Business Development with Colin Thomas BDColin™ powered by Auto Pro™: Recent Episodes
Colin Thomas
Whether you are building a BDC from the ground up or you have a an existing BDC, Colin can analyze your sales process, make recommendations on how you can sell more cars, assess the sustainability of your team members, provide one-time or ongoing training, coaching and management both in a classroom group environment and one-on-one, help your BDM/BDD by installing tools and metrics to hold your team accountable, or have an open-house recruiting event for your sales floor or BDC, 708-RED-LINE. BDC Colin works with all NEW unit OEMs
Appointment-Driven Communications is the phone training, talk-track and email/voicemail best practices course for anyone who wants to have success in an Appointment Culture in their dealership. If you’re a car salesman and you want to sell more cars at higher grosses, then you must become proficient at setting appointments that show and buy. If that describes you, then this course was designed specifically for you. If you’re ready for more call / text BDC Colin 708-733-5463
Colin Thomas and Dominic Cergnul who both have extensive experience building and managing Business Development Center initiatives across the country discuss Quality VS quantity in the BDC and shifts in dealers BDCs over the past few years.
On todays podcast we have Tiffany Soucie-Howren, the COO and Co-Founder of MarkUps.Org. We discuss how the website evolved into the household name it’s become in just 6 months and some of the practices that dealers may be engaging in that may be putting them at risk of alienating their customers. If customer retention is important to you, you’re definitely going to want to check this one out!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode Richard Cunningham joins in to discuss the state of the union in automotive retail, implications of some of the proposed FTC regulations and Ethics in auto.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Have you ever listened to your sales calls and wondered why your people sound so terrible? It’s because you didn’t hire them based on their ability to communicate on the phone! This is an example of an outgoing greeting I use to ID BDC and Sales talent. Since 90% of appointments that set, show and deliver are set on the phone, it only makes sense to screen potential new hires based on their phone presence! There are some aspects of the job that are trainable but others are not. This technique has helped me identify thousands of A game players over the years while reducing wasted time meeting with folks who just don’t have what it takes to be rockstars on the phone! If you need people, process and more profitability, I can help … call/text 708-RED-LINE
See the Consent Order for KINGS AUTOSHOW INC. d/b/a BROOKLYN MITSUBISHI, KINGS AUTOSHOW II INC. d/b/a BROOKLYN MITSUBISHI PRE-OWNED, GRAND AUTO GROUP LLC d/b/a BROOKLYN VOLKSWAGEN, RUDY TREMINIO a/k/a “EL PATRONN,” and CHARALAMBOS N. CHARALAMBOUS HERE https://s3-prod.autonews.com/2022-07/Settlement%20Brooklyn%20Mitsubishi%20Volkswagen%2020220628.pdf?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D52739806001929455222642932425332030723%7CMCORGID%3D138FFF2554E6E7220A4C98C6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1658475570
In this episode we discuss a subreddit that demonstrates the serious denial about where our industry is heading. Call or text if I can help 708-RED-LINE
In a bulletin issued by the federal trade commission on June 23, 2022 the FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Junk Fees, Bait-and-Switch Tactics Plaguing Car Buyers As auto prices surge, agency launches rulemaking to protect consumers’ pocketbooks and level the playing field for honest dealers regarding: Ban bait-and-switch claims: The proposal would prohibit dealers from making a number of deceptive advertising claims to lure in prospective car buyers. This deal deception can include the cost of a vehicle or the terms of financing, the cost of any add-on products or services, whether financing terms are for a lease, the availability of any discounts or rebates, the actual availability of the vehicles being advertised, and whether a financing deal has been finalized, among other areas. Once in the door or on the hook, consumers face the fallout of false promises that don't pan out. Ban fraudulent junk fees: The proposal would prohibit dealers from charging consumers junk fees for fraudulent add-on products and services that provide no benefit to the consumer (including “nitrogen filled” tires that contain no more nitrogen than normal air). Ban surprise junk fees: The proposal would prohibit dealers from charging consumers for an add-on without their clear, written consent and would require dealers to inform consumers about the price of the car without any of optional add-ons. Require full upfront disclosure of costs and conditions: The proposal would require dealers to make key disclosures to consumers, including providing a true “offering price” for a vehicle that would be full price a consumer would pay, excluding only taxes and government fees. It would also require dealers to make disclosures about optional add-on fees, including their price and the fact that they are not required as a condition of purchasing or leasing the vehicle, along with disclosures to consumers with key information about financing terms. Access the full bulletin here https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/06/ftc-proposes-rule-ban-junk-fees-bait-switch-tactics-plaguing-car-buyers?fbclid=IwAR0fyI_swROjp0UXvPgy_Ml4rRxF8qrOvfQzRz5iZGNFU_mgn0Fxx7LVoMI&fs=e&s=cl
In this episode we dive into why dealers fail to capture lifetime customers, exploitative business practices that occur in many if not most dealers and other items that are severely overdue for discussion in our industry and have been well before the onset of Covid or the chip shortage.
The five must haves for creating a successful automotive BDC. Contact Auto Pro USA at 708-RED-LINE
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This two-day virtual book-camp allows the team members in your store to learn with the industry’s top BDC trainer without ever leaving the comfort of their desk! The absolute best BDC training to be found in retail automotive with industry expert BDC Colin Thomas.
This course is suitable for any BDC Rep, Manager/Director, beginner or experienced. Beginners will learn the foundation of all successful operations, while experienced attendees will find additional opportunities and areas for improvement. This two-day course allows the team members and management in your store to learn with the industry’s top BDC trainer without ever leaving the comfort of their desk! Your Manager will also be equipped with accountability tools to manage the room by the hour as well as strategies to convert lost opportunities from their teams efforts into showroom traffic and sales. Your leader will learn how to install a live turn-over culture as well as a self generated referral culture among their team.
March 22nd & 23rd 2022
10:30 AM-12:30 PM EST/2:00-4:00 PM EST both days.
$1,295 per location/connection
See what others have said
“I attended the BDC workshop with Colin Thomas. It was very informative and helpful when dealing with difficult situations in the BDC” . – Mary Wilyat, BDC Manager
Video Testimony From Workshop
https://youtu.be/M2TKiSXOUqQ
Space is limited to ensure each participant gets individual attention and has opportunities to participate in real-time role playing. PM Colin to register or text “Register” to 708-RED-LINE please note a $295 processing fee applies to any withdraw from the boot camp https://www.linkedin.com/events/6899786813800865792
This two-day course allows the team members in your store to learn with the industry’s top BDC trainer without ever leaving the comfort of their desk! The absolute best BDC training to be found in the automotive industry with industry expert BDC Colin Thomas.
This course is suitable for any BDC Rep, Manager/Director, beginner or experienced. Beginners will learn the foundation of all successful operations, while experienced attendees will find additional opportunities and areas for improvement. This two-day course allows the team members and management in your store to learn with the industry’s top BDC trainer without ever leaving the comfort of their desk! Your Manager will also be equipped with accountability tools to manage the room by the hour as well as strategies to convert lost opportunities from their teams efforts into showroom traffic and sales. Your leader will learn how to install a live turn-over culture as well as a self generated referral culture among their team.
March 22nd & 23rd 2022
10:30 AM-12:30 PM EST/2:00-4:00 PM EST both days.
See what others have said
“I attended the BDC workshop with Colin Thomas. It was very informative and helpful when dealing with difficult situations in the BDC” . – Mary Wilyat, BDC Manager
Video Testimony From Workshop https://youtu.be/M2TKiSXOUqQ
Space is limited to ensure each participant gets individual attention and has opportunities to participate in real-time role playing. $1,295 Each Location/Connection PM Colin to register or text “Register” to 708-RED-LINE
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ford and GM warns dealers to end the practice of market adjustments threatening to further limit inventory
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Become a Paid Subscriber to unlock exclusive podcasts and get an unfair advantage: https://anchor.fm/colint/subscribe Whether you have your BDC, sales floor or a hybrid working leads and phone ups, BDC Colin can analyze your process, make recommendations on how you can sell more cars, assess the sustainability of your team members, provide one time or ongoing training and coaching both in a classroom group environment and one on one, help your BDM or BDD by installing tools and metrics to hold your team accountable, or have an open-house recruiting event for your sales floor or BDC, Call BDC Colin to schedule your onsite dates 708–733-5463 or 708-RED-LINE. BDC Colin works with all NEW unit OEMs. In today’s episode, we discuss why most Business Center initiatives fail.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Joe is your average dealer. He’s seemingly either unaware or doesn’t care about his customer experience and internet sales process. Maybe he “just wants to sell cars”. 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️