Mat C 77 Posted July 11, 2017 Hiya, Just after everyones thoughts on this. I've bene approached ( as a specially selected dealer, yeah right! ) by the AA to see if I want to go with their approved by programme. Basically I pay them £235 + VAT a month to sign up to a 12 month contract. I agree as a dealer to abide by their commandments ( which we already do anyway ) BUT we get a wall plaque, I can use their logo on my website and I can give 12 months free AA cover with each car. The idea is that customer confidence in the AA associated with my company and drives more sales. My partner thinks its a good idea whereas I think £235 a month is quite a bit and not sure i'll get my return on investment. Anyone had any success with this, I guess its down to how much you milk it, using their logo on Autotrader & website and adding it into the Advert blurb ( that no one actually reads ) oh and I get all my stock on their AA cars website too, Just after everyones 10p worth..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 702 Posted July 11, 2017 Sounds good to me,providing you have their assurance that they will not dish out special dealer status to nearbye dealers in the next 12 months ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ocsltd 133 Posted July 11, 2017 They approached me a while ago, I did consider it briefly, but then realised that it was just another company trying to fleece me of my hard earned. As I'm very fussy with my stock, I like to think my customers have confidence in me and my business, without the need for an AA logo. From the outside looking in Mat, you seem to be shifting them very well already, so not sure it would bring anymore business....? Just my 2p worth.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted July 11, 2017 They offered it to me last year, I didn't want to sign up for a year and didn't think it represented great value personally so left it. Not AA's fault but I think you or anyone would be better chucking £250 at Facebook or social media. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mat C 77 Posted July 11, 2017 These are my thoughts. I spend £££ on advertising ( still with AT too ) so another £235 to essentially use someone else's logo seems a lot, if it was £100 i probably would have signed up there and then. Im not sure its going to get me £3k extra profit a year to break even with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justina3 518 Posted July 11, 2017 Not for me had the RAC offer a similar scheme last week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted July 11, 2017 Waste of money in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whitestone679231 113 Posted July 11, 2017 I have been with them a few years now, originally V-Cars then AA cars, I pay £155+VAT a month, for that I list all cars (60) on there website and customers can have free AA membership plus all that AA dealer promise stuff, I have sold from it but not enough and it will probably the next to go in an advertising cull. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trident 24 Posted July 11, 2017 Crikey, havent heard of the AA in ages, so no i wouldn't be interested, as someone has already said, just another company after a piece of pie, appealing to your ego with a wall plaque....huuummm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattGM 12 Posted July 11, 2017 6 hours ago, Ocsltd said: They approached me a while ago, I did consider it briefly, but then realised that it was just another company trying to fleece me of my hard earned. As I'm very fussy with my stock, I like to think my customers have confidence in me and my business, without the need for an AA logo. From the outside looking in Mat, you seem to be shifting them very well already, so not sure it would bring anymore business....? Just my 2p worth.... Absolutely this, in my opinion. Also, the 12 months cover with them is almost certainly going to be the boggo standard roadside cover. Looks good in the handover pack yes, but let's be honest, most people have this level of cover anyway, and many get it free with their current account. I wouldn't be paying money to advertise another company, with the only real benefit of being able to piggy back off their brand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted July 11, 2017 They should be paying you for advertising not you paying them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
have a word with the wife 299 Posted July 11, 2017 you specialise so theres no need for a outside company to give you approval. you already know your product inside out. as for breakdown cover, you could offer this as a separate sweetener, to just tip them over into buying your product, which would cost less than £35 from a well known name. the wall plaque is quite tempting though how big is it ? is it metal or plastic ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted July 11, 2017 I see it differently, not necessarily rightly though. If you advertise brake down cover as a benefit, surely you are advertising your cars could potentially fail. I wouldn't advertise failure in any way at all....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
have a word with the wife 299 Posted July 11, 2017 1 minute ago, Arfur Dealy said: I see it differently, not necessarily rightly though. If you advertise brake down cover as a benefit, surely you are advertising your cars could potentially fail. I wouldn't advertise failure in any way at all....... Your right ! unfortunatley this is what the punters think ! should be offered as a ball breaker to a unsure punter at negotiation point ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted July 11, 2017 ive got a plaque from the aa too only thing is i cant find it its under the empties somewhere Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted July 11, 2017 1 hour ago, have a word with the wife said: Your right ! unfortunatley this is what the punters think ! should be offered as a ball breaker to a unsure punter at negotiation point ! Agreed. First lesson in sales don't advertise a negative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrC 142 Posted July 11, 2017 £3384 PA.. Yeah right! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 702 Posted July 12, 2017 Sorry guys,but I still disagree.I would try to milk and embellish this to death.I would make myself a 5 star AA retail dealer and put a perspex sign above the entrance.I would have it on our website,invoices,compliment slips and get number plate frames made up.I would have a large plaque made with exaggerated wording and get a fake photo made up of me receiving the award from someone looking like a well known do gooder at some big audience AA event to lmpress punters in the sales office.I would try and adapt the phone system so callers would hear something like....Albert Smith Car Sales are extremely proud to have been awarded Special Dealer Status from the AA for customer care.We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many loyal customers who recommended us for this prestigious award......etc etc.........I am onto this now...! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted July 12, 2017 1 hour ago, trade vet said: Sorry guys,but I still disagree.I would try to milk and embellish this to death.I would make myself a 5 star AA retail dealer and put a perspex sign above the entrance.I would have it on our website,invoices,compliment slips and get number plate frames made up.I would have a large plaque made with exaggerated wording and get a fake photo made up of me receiving the award from someone looking like a well known do gooder at some big audience AA event to lmpress punters in the sales office.I would try and adapt the phone system so callers would hear something like....Albert Smith Car Sales are extremely proud to have been awarded Special Dealer Status from the AA for customer care.We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many loyal customers who recommended us for this prestigious award......etc etc.........I am onto this now...! ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CJ Underhill 34 Posted July 12, 2017 to me it means nothing.... I know the biggest Con man who has got RAC backed scheme To me its like the "Good garage" scheme.... means nothing, as anyone can be on it aslong as you pay 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrC 142 Posted July 12, 2017 3 hours ago, trade vet said: Sorry guys,but I still disagree.I would try to milk and embellish this to death.I would make myself a 5 star AA retail dealer and put a perspex sign above the entrance.I would have it on our website,invoices,compliment slips and get number plate frames made up.I would have a large plaque made with exaggerated wording and get a fake photo made up of me receiving the award from someone looking like a well known do gooder at some big audience AA event to lmpress punters in the sales office.I would try and adapt the phone system so callers would hear something like....Albert Smith Car Sales are extremely proud to have been awarded Special Dealer Status from the AA for customer care.We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many loyal customers who recommended us for this prestigious award......etc etc.........I am onto this now...! Give me a grand and I will make you a shiny AA badge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted July 12, 2017 2 hours ago, CJ Underhill said: to me it means nothing.... I know the biggest Con man who has got RAC backed scheme To me its like the "Good garage" scheme.... means nothing, as anyone can be on it aslong as you pay cock on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
