Recent Chevy Commercial/Web Site

[GXP Lover]

I can't help but notice a large automotive dealer in my area is advertising its web site is something like "the fastest, cheapest, easiest place to shop for your new Chevy". I know this area has a lot of sales people in it, so not really having thought too much about this, what do the sales people think about this advertising?

Does this say something about the current process of purchasing a vehicle if a dealer is advertising a service this way?

Should there be a change of some sort so the sales people still make an income but still have a "fast, cheap, easy" place to shop for the consumer?

How does this get divided? Could it be the next "up" and just get transfered around to the next sales person?

Anyway, just some questions about where this may lead and the process of it.

[ChebbySalesDept]

It will eventually catch up with them in lost profit. Salespeople will leave because they can't make any money. Dealers around them won't swap with them costing them deals.

A dealer that can only advertise "cheap" is destined for doom.

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by GXP Lover

I can't help but notice a large automotive dealer in my area is advertising its web site is something like "the fastest, cheapest, easiest place to shop for your new Chevy". I know this area has a lot of sales people in it, so not really having thought too much about this, what do the sales people think about this advertising?

Does this say something about the current process of purchasing a vehicle if a dealer is advertising a service this way?

Should there be a change of some sort so the sales people still make an income but still have a "fast, cheap, easy" place to shop for the consumer?

How does this get divided? Could it be the next "up" and just get transfered around to the next sales person?

Anyway, just some questions about where this may lead and the process of it.

Where are you located? I saw one here in Michigan like the one you describe. It even went so far as to mention "NO SALESPEOPLE" when buying on-line.

[FenwickHockey65]

I don't know, I use the website a lot whenever we look for new cars. I don't think it completely replaces the salesman though, while I was able to answer most of my parents' questions, we had to ask him about a few things as well.

[GXP Lover]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

Where are you located? I saw one here in Michigan like the one you describe. It even went so far as to mention "NO SALESPEOPLE" when buying on-line.

I'm in SE Michigan, same area.

It was a large established dealership so I don't think it has to worry about going out of business. I really don't know the details of this "offering" and was wondering if it was rotational for the sales people or what's happening. Is the fleet sales person the one reaping the benefits of this?

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by GXP Lover

I'm in SE Michigan, same area.

It was a large established dealership so I don't think it has to worry about going out of business. I really don't know the details of this "offering" and was wondering if it was rotational for the sales people or what's happening. Is the fleet sales person the one reaping the benefits of this?

More than likely its an internet sales division that is paid a salary as opposed to commision. I don't envy that person.

[pgill00]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

More than likely its an internet sales division that is paid a salary as opposed to commision. I don't envy that person.

Some customers see "cheapest" and some see "easiest". Some will pay a premium for a good experience but, in general, customers prefer that the sales person makes no money. Shopping for new customers is an expensive business with dealership/brand loyalty so low.

One of the issues we are having now is that we have loyal Chevy truck owners out of the truck market. Last January we sold 23 new crew cab trucks and this January it was 4. Those folks have never been loyal to a car company so it is easy to swing them around. Our new Malibu is amazing but we are not keeping 100% of our customers.

So as a salesperson, I do not mind advertising as the cheapest to get more opportunities to create loyal customers who eventually pay the premium to work with me.