Off Topic & Everything Else

Ted Gaines outlines eight key automotive industry trends dealerships should monitor in 2019, including the decline of sedans, rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, AI integration, subscription models, and growing used vehicle markets. The post suggests that despite 2018's volatility, the industry is stabilizing with clearer directional trends emerging. The focus is primarily on technological advancement and shifting consumer preferences toward alternative powertrains and vehicle ownership models.

# Summary A GM dealer asks whether other dealerships are participating in GM's 2019 SFE (Sales Force Effectiveness) program, expressing concerns about its structure including delayed objective disclosure, non-binding payout examples, and reduced consultant incentives following the elimination of career builders. The post seeks input from other dealers on whether the program's unclear terms and diminished sales incentives make it worth adopting.

Jeff Kershner is offering to facilitate the sale of automotive-related domain names on behalf of a friend, listing eight URLs including branded invoice and test drive domains for major manufacturers like Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, and Honda. He also invites other forum members to post unused domains they're willing to sell. The thread appears to be a marketplace listing for potentially valuable industry-specific web addresses that dealers or vendors might purchase for business purposes.

# Summary Automotive industry professionals share their unexpected creative hobbies outside of work, ranging from woodworking and furniture-making to abstract painting, show cattle breeding, fly rod building, and ultramarathon running. The thread showcases the diverse skill sets and passions within the DealerRefresh community, with particular enthusiasm around Alex Snyder's impressive custom furniture business that transforms storm-damaged trees into high-quality desks and other pieces. The recurring theme is a shared appreciation for hands-on craftsmanship, sustainability, and the satisfaction of creating tangible, quality products outside their professional lives.

Alex Snyder initiates a discussion requesting automotive professionals to identify data standardization problems they face across dealership systems, such as mismatched inventory feeds, inconsistent lead data formatting, and unsearchable chat transcripts. Dan Sayer responds by noting that industry leaders have already begun conversations about standardized data formats like ADF/XML, suggesting movement toward solving these integration issues. The thread appears designed to crowdsource a list of industry pain points that could inform formal standardization efforts.

A dealer seeks a recommendation for an auto dealer bond provider, noting that his previous employer secured a $100k bond for under $500 but he cannot recall the vendor. The post is a straightforward request for referrals from other DealerRefresh members who may have experience with competitively priced bonding companies for independent dealership startups.

Rick Buffkin sought help disabling Facebook Messenger notifications for certain admins on his dealership's business page after launching marketplace listings resulted in all admins receiving message alerts. Ryan Everson provided a solution involving the notification settings accessible via the three-dot menu, which Rick confirmed works on the mobile app, though it appears unavailable on desktop.

# Summary Dealers discuss early warning signs of a downturn in the automotive sales cycle, citing rising interest rates, used car prices, and gas prices as indicators that the strong sales period (measured by SAAR—Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate) is ending. The consensus is that dealerships should prepare by shifting focus toward service departments and maximizing fixed cost absorption, as softer sales are already being reported across various markets. One dealer notes the structural risk created by extended loan terms (60+ months) leaving buyers in negative equity, which could further dampen future sales.

# Summary Alex Snyder reflects on how automotive technology markets experienced major consolidation and standardization between 1998-2005 (websites, CRMs, dealer management systems), and argues the industry is entering another 20-year cycle where current tech solutions will be disrupted and replaced. Zhendrix asks whether the shift will be fundamental technological change or primarily new service/delivery models, and Snyder responds that meaningful innovation often comes from elegant combinations of existing technologies rather than entirely new inventions, using the iPhone as an example of disruptive potential.

Members of the DealerRefresh community share whether they're attending Digital Dealer 25, with several confirming attendance while others express skepticism about the conference's value and ROI. Key discussion points include specific presenters and technologies of interest (particularly website providers and CRM tools), with vendors raising concerns about booth costs and dealer attendance justifying the expense. The overall takeaway suggests Digital Dealer remains a mixed investment for both dealers and vendors, with some finding value in networking and learning while others question whether the event delivers meaningful business results.

Alex Snyder reflects on the historical roots of car sales, drawing from his grandfather's transition from running a department store to founding a dealership in 1964, and questions whether modern car salespeople are fundamentally "horse traders" following timeless sales principles rather than true retailers. A commenter recommends a book on the history of personal transportation sales, suggesting that despite decades of change in retail, car selling methods remain surprisingly similar to practices from the 1950s-60s. The thread explores the idea that car dealership sales tactics may be rooted in much older trading traditions rather than modern retail philosophy.

A user begins discussing company culture and its impact on business success, but the thread quickly pivots when another member questions whether the original post is copied content. Moderators clarify that DealerRefresh intentionally cross-posts between their blog and forum for SEO purposes, resolving the confusion. The key takeaway is that the substantive discussion of culture was derailed by a procedural misunderstanding about content sourcing.

Alexander Lau promotes SiriusXM's dealer programs, which offer free satellite radio trials for customers and complimentary music for dealership use at no cost. The post includes a link to the dealer program portal and references a promotional sweepstakes (80s Cruise giveaway). The key takeaway is that dealers can leverage these free SiriusXM offerings as a customer incentive with no financial investment required.

# Summary A CDK dealer noticed an unusually high number of trackers (up to 80) on their CDK website compared to competing platforms, including an Amazon Associates tracker, and asked if other dealers experienced the same issue. Community members suggested the trackers likely stem from third-party vendor scripts and affiliate programs rather than malicious CDK activity, with one expert identifying Google Tag Manager as a probable source and recommending its removal to resolve the issue.

# Summary The thread discusses an article analyzing why most "Uber for X" startups failed despite initial hype and funding, with the key insight being that supply-side economics—not demand—is the critical factor determining success. The analysis uses rideshare as a counterexample, noting that Uber's model works because drivers can work flexible hours and generate consistent demand, creating better unit economics than most other service categories attempted by copycat startups. The thread explores why acquiring and retaining service providers becomes prohibitively expensive and difficult for most "Uber for X" businesses compared to the rideshare model.

Scott Eager asks whether job seekers in automotive sales should pursue traditional resume submission or take a more direct approach by visiting dealerships in person to introduce themselves to hiring managers. Experienced dealers confirm that personal initiative and face-to-face introductions are valued in the industry, with one respondent emphasizing that professional appearance (grooming, business attire) is essential when making such visits. The consensus is that dropping by dealerships to network directly is not only appropriate but actually preferred over relying solely on online job boards.

Christine Plunkett reflects on losing her passion for car sales despite having an enviable job, then reconnects with the privilege of selling vehicles using only personality and training while leveraging company resources she doesn't pay for. She identifies gratitude as the key factor that originally made her excel and kept her engaged in the role. The thread explores how remembering appreciation for the opportunity itself—rather than taking it for granted—can be a powerful antidote to burnout in sales.

A finance director at an independent dealership seeks recommendations for auto financing programs beyond their current Ally partnership. The only substantive response advises using DealerTrack or RouteOne to identify lenders operating in their state, while cautioning that lender performance varies significantly by dealership type (franchise vs. independent) and volume, making peer comparisons unreliable.

A dealership near Cleveland has gained attention for serving exceptionally high-quality coffee, apparently from Ospina Coffee. The post includes a press release and product links highlighting this unexpected offering at an automotive dealership.

# Summary A new member named Bauer Palmer introduces himself as a 26-year-old computer engineer from Oklahoma with two children, expressing enthusiasm about joining the forum and sharing knowledge. Another member, Alex Snyder, immediately questions whether Bauer actually works in the automotive industry and expresses skepticism about the authenticity of his introduction post, suggesting it may contain red flags typical of spam or fake accounts.

# Summary Joe Pistell identifies a gap in car classified websites: the inability to filter vehicles by specific safety features like automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning, which he sees as crucial for protecting his new family and elderly father. While he lists several advanced safety systems from Consumer Reports as desirable search attributes, the thread receives minimal engagement with only a joking response suggesting Subaru as a safety-focused brand.