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Need Help With Auto Dealerships Customer (About Bad Reviews)

by AprilLemarr
9 replies
Hello Everyone,

A few days ago I applied for a position to post ads for used cars, I thought it would be a good fit because I know quite a bit about the internet and can help them. When I went in to talk to them I learned that you get a set amount ($100) after someone buys a car off from a lead you've sent to the car dealership.

Since then I've been doing some research on the car dealership and now I have mixed feelings about helping them sell cars. On Google Places they have a rating of 2.1 stars, but on Citysearch they have a 93% with 201 votes. They also seem to have had 31 complaints through BBB in the last 3 years, 15 of them being closed in the last 12 months.

I was just reading a thread on reputation management for an auto dealership and their company seems to get bad reviews because their dealership offers credit to people with bad credit.

When I was looking at the bad reviews for the auto dealer I want to help, there looks like one main issue - the cars break down quickly and then the car dealership won't help them. I can see more people leaving bad reviews if something goes wrong because it is such a huge purchase, but not sure if this is normal in the car industry.

Is the low rating normal for this industry? I checked Google Places for other dealerships and they range anywhere from 3.9 to 2.1 ratings. Although the 3.9 is a huge dealership compared to the other smaller dealerships that seem to get the lower ratings.

They also do not seem to have a website online.

Any tips or suggestions?
#auto #bad #customer #dealerships #questions #reviews
  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Originally Posted by AprilLemarr View Post

    Hello Everyone,

    They also do not seem to have a website online.

    Any tips or suggestions?
    Build a demo site and discuss a fb page with the Dealer. Also let them know about the poor reviews. If they can change thier current service situation, good reviews may result.
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  • Profile picture of the author AprilLemarr
    Thanks DWolfe. I will definitely make a demo site for them. Even if they don't want it I can use it to produce the leads that I need, plus then I will own the site and the tracking phone number.

    I will let them know about the poor reviews. I'm very curious what they say.

    Actually going to go talk to them today. The WarriorForum has tons of great ideas to help sell cars.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Bad reviews are common when it comes to buy here pay here places.

    The cars are over priced POS. But they have to price them high and charge high interest due to the customers they serve.

    It's hard to know if that is really bad or just mildly bad. The reason is that negative voices will always be more common. So you might be hearing from the 1% that didn't like it.

    Also if they are not including a warranty (which would make it cost more) the repair is on the customer. It's the reason that many buy here pay heres charge even more and include it. But the people buying these cars still often treat them like crap so it a lose lose for the dealership.

    Clearly buy here pay here places make money. But IMO not as much as they could by not servicing that demographic.

    As for the job I'm not sure I would want to be paid on sales when I am not selling. Sounds like a lot of work for a large referral bonus.

    You could get them loads of leads who never buy and not make a cent. You could bring them buyers and they would not credit you. In the long run I don't think it is worth it myself.
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author AprilLemarr
    Thank you Aaron. It does seem like a lot of work to then have it all depend on the sales person.

    I will definitely have to think more about if I'm willing to put that much energy into it -- especially since I have to make the appointment to the dealership too.
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by AprilLemarr View Post

      Thank you Aaron. It does seem like a lot of work to then have it all depend on the sales person.

      I will definitely have to think more about if I'm willing to put that much energy into it -- especially since I have to make the appointment to the dealership too.
      Don't think more. It's not worth it. It's only $100. If their customers don't trust them why would you?

      Of course if you like the idea of doing this I have an idea for you to test. This just came to me and I think it would be a fun test and not much time.

      1. Check craigslist by dealer.
      2. Go to the websites of the largest dealer who does not advertise on craigslist.
      3. Select one or more pieces of their inventory that are low priced and nice.
      4. Post them to craigslist listing their phone number and a note saying "Tell them April sent you."
      4a. If you would like you can get a call tracking number so you have a report to show them.
      5. Call dealership a few days later and ask to speak to the sales manager. Tell them you are April and ask if anyone had called in an mentioned you.
      6. If they have and they likely did you can explain what you did and offer the service to them.

      Not sure if it would work but it would get my attention if I was the sales manager. I would notice my guys all asking. "Who is April? I just had another up that told she told them to say she sent them from craigslist."

      They hopefully will find the ad(s) before you call.
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      Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author AprilLemarr
    Thank you Aaron. I really appreciate all of the insight you've provided - it helped me make a decision. :0)

    Great idea about the bigger dealership and the one I found has a higher review rating. :0) I could list some cars, but in my area listings have to have the dealership number. I will do a little research and see if I am able find out what it is. I bought a tracking number for something else, so might use it for this instead.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    I personally would not work with a company like that.

    Unless they hired me to consult on better business practices :-)

    We stay away from businesses that have too many bad reviews, unless they show us that they are trying to change and want our help to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    Remember that once you take them on as a client...

    You are connected to that business as well.

    When you add that to your portfolio, client list, testimonials etc, you might have other businesses that dont wanna work with you.
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  • Profile picture of the author AprilLemarr
    Thank you Dr Dan. I totally agree with not working with businesses that have bad reviews and do not want to change them.
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