As the DEALER advocate magazine, DEALER
welcomes your letters, and after verification will run them signed or
unsigned. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
Send To:
DEALER magazine
1116 W. 7th Street
PMB 239 Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 388-1800 ext. 203
Fax (931) 388-4881 e-mail: mroscoe@dealeronline.com
convince our dealer group to revamp their Web site to be more consumer-friendly. When I read about Bergstrom Automotive Online, I wanted to see the site firsthand. Well, I have been trying all day long to get http://www.bergstrom.com and consistently have been told that the page is unavailable. Since I have had no problems with other sites I have been trying to reach, I must believe there is a problem with bergstrom.com. I might suggest that if you are going to highlight someone's Web site that you make darn sure that the site is operating properly. Guess I can't use them as an example of how we could improve our web site!
Regards,
Gordon Bird
Suburban Collection
Our mistake, the actual URL is www.bergstromauto.com. Somehow the "auto" part was left out of our text. It was accurate in the graphic depiction of their home page, however, but I still must plead mea culpa.
Mike Roscoe
Mike Roscoe,
I had this thought about what Ford is doing with the Internet
and Auto Collection. It occurred to me that it is a lot like Bill Clinton
starting a war to cover up the impeachment and Monica. If the public and Wall
Street is distracted by these new initiatives they will pay much less attention
to the bigger problems of quality and durability. Let's face it, Ford has
recalled twice as many cars this year as they will build. If Jac Nasser can
keep the focus off these problems by making waves in other areas then it could
have a positive effect on SHAREHOLDER VALUE. Also the dealers are focusing
on the new initiatives rather than the cuts in labor times and other cost
transfers. It makes it easy for Ford to get by with little things now that
will cost us all a lot
down the road. While these new programs are dangerous to the future of Ford franchises, it is quite possible that they will fail like so many other programs, but not before they irreparably harm the value of our franchises. I hate to think about the next downturn, but when it comes Ford may find out that the public is more concerned about quality and durability than a cute Web site.
name withheld upon request
Dave Anderson,
Thanks for the great article on "The Nine Differences
Between Pretenders and Pros." I told all my managers to throw out every
book they have on management and read this article every single month. It
truly defines what it takes in this business to make it work and gives instant
clarity to the skills that are required for success. Thanks.
Rick LaGaffe
General Manager
Capitol Cadillac
Lansing, MI
Mike Roscoe,
One of our dealer members has asked us to reprint your
"Dealer Undercover" article, "GM Dealer Buyout" from the
December issue of DEALER magazine. Consider this my request for your permission
to reprint it in the SDADA report. Thank you.
South Dakota
Automobile Dealers Association
Reprint away!
Mike Roscoe
Mike,
I commend you on pulling together astute individuals
on marketplace issues every month! It is by far the best portfolio of automotive
substantive information out!
Michael Baker,
VP Bob Baker Auto Group
Dear Mr. Ziegler,
I am writing to you to get your viewpoint on Ford's
(Orlando Region) and Priceline.com's recent selling agreement. Either through
Ford's web site or Priceline.com's, a customer can ask for a quote on a vehicle.
Our problem is FORD sends the quote via fax to the franchised dealer in the
customer's area. The dealer has two hours to respond and after that it is
sent to all dealers in the area. Since Ford says infringement on your franchise
agreement is OK after a two-hour waiting period, we should open satellite
lots in all of the major cities that surround us. Have affidavits signed that
require the customer to visit the other dealer first, wait two hours and then
we can sell them something. By the way, I have found that all Internet customers
want are the hot products for nothing. They never ask for quotes on "hand
shakers" or non-sellers.
3rd generation Ford dealer
name withheld upon request
Dear Mr. Roscoe,
I have been reading your magazine for some time now
and have been quite impressed with the overall content. I have been particularly
interested in the Digital Dealer section as I have been trying to
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