AE Magazine is proud to present our contributing authors for the month of June: Joe Verde, Tom Hopkins, Jim Ganther, Gerry Gould, Jeff Dodson and Ron Martin.

AE Magazine offers a unique blend of industry articles geared toward independent agents, small-business news, automotive industry news, reports and other cutting-edge topics affecting the success of today’s GA industry professional. Its channels provide case studies, profiles, ideas, business solutions and industry trends in multiple areas including Guest Editorial, A View from the Top, Industry, F&I, Sales, Strategy, Legal and Technology.

Repeat Customers Increase Close Rates, Decrease Dealer Expenses

By: Joe Verde

Wouldn't it be great to have a solid previous customer base about now? Wouldn't it be great if all of those customers you've sold to in the past who are ready to trade today would come back in to see you? Your lot would be filled with traffic, and the best part, repeat customer traffic … Read More »

Closing Is Sweet Success

By: Tom Hopkins

In the selling profession, closing is the winning score, the bottom line, the name of the game, the cutting edge, the point of it all. You may do everything else right up to the point of closing, but if you can’t ask for the business and wait for the client to answer, you’ll never do … Read More »

Red Flags Rule Made Simple

By: Jim Ganther

The Red Flags Rule went into effect on January 1, 2008. Its "enforcement date" – meaning the date FTC enforcement against dealerships becomes possible – has been postponed several times and is currently slated for December 31, 2010. The slippage surrounding the enforcement date has led many in the industry to the false conclusion that the … Read More »

Creating an Implementation Plan for Improved Performance

By: Gerry Gould

Do you have an image of your dealer’s potential that your dealer never seems quite able to achieve? Are you having performance issues at stores where they pay little or no attention to your recommendation? When was the last time you visited a store after discussing a specific procedure, policy or process only to find … Read More »

Capitalizing on Service Drive Customers

By: Jeff Dodson

There has been a noticeable push to sell service contracts from the service department in the last 12 months, but for this effort to work, it is important to remember that service drive success is not about the products you sell, but rather the process you put in place. J.D. Power and Associates says service drive… Read More »

A Consumer Product Safety Commission for Dealers? What if…?

By: Ron Martin

On April 14, I saw an NADA alert to dealers that made me stop and think "What if?" The subject of the alert was "Auto Financing May Be at Risk." My initial thought was "What are they talking about!?" Then I began to contemplate whether this was possible. Even though the idea of dealer-assisted financing going totally … Read More »