Paul Meijer Why Dealers Need Dealervendormatch.com
Transcript
Kelly : Why don’t you just go ahead and break down the concept for dealer vendor match.com? What gave you the idea to build it out? And why is a site like this important for both dealers and vendors alike? n
nPaul : All right, that’s a lot to unpack. But let’s start with the first part of the luggage. For years, customers have been asking for a better way to buy cars. And while a couple of stores listened to those cries, and actually responded, and have done very well for themselves with it, the majority have not, just as in relationships, we’ve evolved back in the day used to go to a bar to meet your significant other or a club. n
nNow, it seems that we’re always working, there’s such a limit on time that I met my wife on a dating site, as have a lot of people that I know- met their significant others on dating sites. Why? Because they’re too busy. You know, nobody has time to go spend a few hours to hang out at a club. And it’s the same thing in business today. You know, there’s so many vendors that come through the door, that they don’t have time, or the bandwidth to talk to all of them. n
nSo I figured I met my wife on the dating site, I was able to create a profile, set my preferences and do a specific search for exactly who I was looking for, when and how I was looking for her. And when I found her, the one I was able to reach out, initiate contact, started to banter back and forth. And here I am about to celebrate my 10 year wedding anniversary, because it was so easy and transparent online to find exactly what I want. As the dealership vendors come in, by the hundreds. I mean, I challenge you sometimes just go to a dealership, stand in the corner, and you can spot the vendor walking in, each and every one. We may think we look different, we sound different but to the dealers, we’re all the same, and they can spot them a mile away.n
n So we’re all familiar with, u201coh, did you have an appointment?u201d Or, u201cif you have some stuff you want to leave behind? They’ll call you.u201d Now, Kelly, when does that call back typically come. Because it’s the fifth of never, that’s when they call back. You’ve been dismissed. Or even better yet, when you call and you go into the voicemail that nobody monitors for you get the email address that goes nowhere. It’s very frustrating. So by giving dealers a place where they can (no charge) browse for the types of technologies and vendors they want on their terms. If they like what they see, or they see somebody that provides value and actually addresses a problem that they’re experiencing, they can simply click the call or click the email and initiate contact with that vendor. n
nToo many times a vendor will come in, and they’re all excited and jacked about their product. And they start the information dump without even knowing if that dealer has a problem. So the wall goes up immediately. And they’re out but yet they repeat this cycle month after month after month. I’d say the average company probably spends $150,000 or more to put a rep on the road that travels for business Monday through Friday between company cars, salary, benefits, bonuses, hotels, meals, all that easily $150,000.n
nThey spend money to have a salesperson go back, time after time, after time. You make an appointment. You think you’re good. You get there after driving an hour and a half, only to find out. u201cOh, man, that guy’s here again.u201d u201cHey, listen, I’m Kelly. I’m terribly sorry. But the factory just showed up and I’m not going to be able to meet with you. I’m not blowing you off. So can you come back next month?u201d n
nWow, I didn’t get blown off. I’m going back next month. And next month you show up to drive that same hour and a half to get there. Oh, there’s that guy again. u201cHey, listen, I hate to do this. I’m really sorry. But I have a problem with a customer that just came into my office so I can’t meet with you today. Can you come back?u201d And the cycle just goes on and on and on. But this makes it easier for them to be able to find what they need the way they need it when they need it.n
nPaul : All right, that’s a lot to unpack. But let’s start with the first part of the luggage. For years, customers have been asking for a better way to buy cars. And while a couple of stores listened to those cries, and actually responded, and have done very well for themselves with it, the majority have not, just as in relationships, we’ve evolved back in the day used to go to a bar to meet your significant other or a club. n
nNow, it seems that we’re always working, there’s such a limit on time that I met my wife on a dating site, as have a lot of people that I know- met their significant others on dating sites. Why? Because they’re too busy. You know, nobody has time to go spend a few hours to hang out at a club. And it’s the same thing in business today. You know, there’s so many vendors that come through the door, that they don’t have time, or the bandwidth to talk to all of them. n
nSo I figured I met my wife on the dating site, I was able to create a profile, set my preferences and do a specific search for exactly who I was looking for, when and how I was looking for her. And when I found her, the one I was able to reach out, initiate contact, started to banter back and forth. And here I am about to celebrate my 10 year wedding anniversary, because it was so easy and transparent online to find exactly what I want. As the dealership vendors come in, by the hundreds. I mean, I challenge you sometimes just go to a dealership, stand in the corner, and you can spot the vendor walking in, each and every one. We may think we look different, we sound different but to the dealers, we’re all the same, and they can spot them a mile away.n
n So we’re all familiar with, u201coh, did you have an appointment?u201d Or, u201cif you have some stuff you want to leave behind? They’ll call you.u201d Now, Kelly, when does that call back typically come. Because it’s the fifth of never, that’s when they call back. You’ve been dismissed. Or even better yet, when you call and you go into the voicemail that nobody monitors for you get the email address that goes nowhere. It’s very frustrating. So by giving dealers a place where they can (no charge) browse for the types of technologies and vendors they want on their terms. If they like what they see, or they see somebody that provides value and actually addresses a problem that they’re experiencing, they can simply click the call or click the email and initiate contact with that vendor. n
nToo many times a vendor will come in, and they’re all excited and jacked about their product. And they start the information dump without even knowing if that dealer has a problem. So the wall goes up immediately. And they’re out but yet they repeat this cycle month after month after month. I’d say the average company probably spends $150,000 or more to put a rep on the road that travels for business Monday through Friday between company cars, salary, benefits, bonuses, hotels, meals, all that easily $150,000.n
nThey spend money to have a salesperson go back, time after time, after time. You make an appointment. You think you’re good. You get there after driving an hour and a half, only to find out. u201cOh, man, that guy’s here again.u201d u201cHey, listen, I’m Kelly. I’m terribly sorry. But the factory just showed up and I’m not going to be able to meet with you. I’m not blowing you off. So can you come back next month?u201d n
nWow, I didn’t get blown off. I’m going back next month. And next month you show up to drive that same hour and a half to get there. Oh, there’s that guy again. u201cHey, listen, I hate to do this. I’m really sorry. But I have a problem with a customer that just came into my office so I can’t meet with you today. Can you come back?u201d And the cycle just goes on and on and on. But this makes it easier for them to be able to find what they need the way they need it when they need it.n