Dan Read

As some of you know, I’ve been putting together a guide to becoming a car dealer – published every month in Car Dealer Magazine – aimed at people who are new to the game and need a leg up. That’s why I’ve been contacting many of you, asking for your expert advice, which has formed the backbone of each article. So thanks to everyone who’s contributed so far. In the next article I’m covering sales techniques and I’m after your help again. So if you have any words of wisdom related to the points below, I’d love to hear from you... Opening hours Weekdays 9-5? Same on weekends? Is it better to open 11am-7pm than 9-5? Or are physical opening hours less important with email/mobile/live chat options which basically mean you’re open 24/7? Sales techniques Is there still a place for charm and persuasion? Or do people simply want facts, information and straight talking? What are your top sales tips – it could be anything from converting a browser into a buyer, or upselling additional products. Appearance and branding Do you invest in design/branding? Something that works across your website and physical forecourt? Kerb appeal. How do you make your forecourt attractive? Big signage, lots of stickers, or something subtler? Do you use special stationery suppliers such as motaprint? Or do you rely more on your website and advertising to pull people in? How do you get online customers into your showroom? Balloons and bunting. Opening the boots of cars. Do these old tricks still work? Personal appearance. Throw out the sheepskin jacket?!

Ha, just some good, old-fashioned PR in the article I'm afraid. Love to hear those stories if you fancy sharing a couple and have a few spare mins. Thanks Umesh, much appreciated, you're a gentleman as ever!

Calling all car dealers! As some of you already know, I’ve been putting together a guide to becoming a car dealer – published every month in the magazine – aimed at people who are new to the game and could use a little help as they get started. That’s why I’ve been contacting many of you, asking for your expert advice, which has formed the backbone of each article. It’s a cutthroat world out there, but I’ve found a brilliant sense of community among dealers who are prepared to share their wisdom with the next generation, as well as promoting a very positive, professional image of the industry. And I need your help again… For the next piece I want to hear your horror stories – from terrible test drives to nightmare customers to unshiftable stock and deals gone wrong. What was your worst experience as a car dealer? How did it happen? And most importantly, what have you learned from it? If you’d like to be featured, send me a message by 26 Feb, either on here or to my email address – danread83@gmail.com – and I'll call you for a quick chat. Thank you to everyone who’s helped so far and I hope to talk to more of you soon. Dan Read Writer – ‘So You Wanna Be a Car Dealer’

Calling all car dealers! As some of you already know, I’ve been putting together a guide to becoming a car dealer – published every month in the magazine – aimed at people who are new to the game and could use a little help as they get started. That’s why I’ve been contacting many of you, asking for your expert advice, which has formed the backbone of each article. It’s a cutthroat world out there, but I’ve found a brilliant sense of community among dealers who are prepared to share their wisdom with the next generation, as well as promoting a very positive, professional image of the industry. And I need your help again… For the next piece I want to hear your horror stories – from terrible test drives to nightmare customers to unshiftable stock and deals gone wrong. What was your worst experience as a car dealer? How did it happen? And most importantly, what have you learned from it? If you’d like to be featured, send me a message by 26 Feb, either on here or to my email address – danread83@gmail.com – and I'll call you for a quick chat. Thank you to everyone who’s helped so far and I hope to talk to more of you soon. Dan Read Writer – ‘So You Wanna Be a Car Dealer’