Bil Schmidtknecht

Dealers that use an MPI when explaining a vehicle’s maintenance needs tend to have an increased $/CPRO average. Why not use a MPI when appraising a car to justify your trade value? That fake check is cute, but an MPI outlining adds and deduct is more impactful. #AppraiseMoreSellMore #AppraisalVelocity

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Pro tips for the 4 wheel auto traffic out there. When you see someone cut off a truck driver traveling down the interstate and that trucker backs off because he’s hauling 80K pounds, it’s not a open door for everyone else to squeeze in behind the original car it’s because in the event something happens and the car that cut the trucker off slams on their brakes the truck doesn’t kill the family that doesn’t know any better. The only thing that fatigues me the most is not the driving itself but rather the constant battle of saving every persons life that can’t be decent while driving. Granted I’m a newer driver in the trucking industry & I drive for a company that doesn’t have the best reputation out there but since their is apparently no literacy to train the public on how to share the road and or travel around heavy equipment here is your pro tips. #Thereisnoreasontobeana**ontheroad. Everyone wants their products in stock at their favorite stores and they want the homes built etc but no one can stand a semi truck on the road… #Ifyouboughtitatruckdriverbroughtit May not be a military brat fighting for your freedom but I do my best to play my part in keeping America moving In regards to swifts bad name I challenge any company out there to not only have the amount of trucks as we do but to also take a chance with putting new drivers on the road when no one else will and see how many incidents you have out there 🤷‍♂️. There will always be bad drivers or drivers that make mistakes, it’s just a matter of who’s name is on the truck when things happen. Anyways enough on my rant and I get nothing will change. Thanks for reading…

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There are many aspects to EVs that don't align with traditional auto transport. They weigh on average 20% more than standard vehicles. If they discharge or fall below operating charge, how do you get them off the trailer? Even if you have a charger at destination, you are still delaying the carrier from other deliveries. Some auto haul insurers are charging for an "EV' rider due to runaway fires. Shippers should absolutely expect to pay more to transport these.

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More examples of some Service & Parts Dept BDC campaigns you can run in a Fixed Operations BDC (continued). 6. First Service Due From Sold New/Used Vehicle Sales 7. Declined Services From Prior Closed Work Order. There are more, and these all should be segmentized based on channels and law on how you can connect each group of customers, but you get the idea of the value of a Service & Parts BDC. #Service-eBDC #ServiceDepartment #PartsDepartment #Dealership #ServiceBDC

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✅ My team and I specialize in transporting vehicles for dealerships and their customers. Premier dealerships across the country trust Team Alex because we provide the same high level of service that their customers expect. Many dealerships choose our team because we offer proprietary tools that make arranging and managing transports easier, allowing them to spend more time taking care of their customers. ✅ With Team Alex: ✅ Quoted Price – Locked in for 7 days 😡 No Annoying Sales Calls or Drop-Ins – We respect your time ✅ Live Chat Via Dedicated Texting – Average response time 60 Seconds Contact us today and see why so many dealers trust Team Alex with their transports.   Alex Lopez & Team-Alex Dealer Transport Specialists [[ LIVE CHAT ]] 📱 Text: 954-933-8329 ✅ Alex Lopez and Team Alex are independent agents of ShipYourCarNow LLC. To get the “Team Alex Experience,” contact us directly.   #automotive #automotiveindustry #carhaulers #onlinebusiness #onlineretail #dealership #dealerships #auctions #carshipping #fleet #fleetmanagement #fleetmanagers #shipyourcarnow ✅ Amazing Customer Service ✅ Informative Videos & Tips 🌐 QQLink - Personalized online transport tool 🌐 Direct Customer Referral - Via QQLink

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THE BROKERS AINT THE ONLY FOLKS MARGINALIZING 40-60% PROFITS ON RATES, HAVE YALL BEEN TO THE TRUCK DEALERSHIP LATELY? 80-90% OF PARTS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE X2 THE ORIGINAL PRICE OF SAME PRODUCT. DEALERSHIP ADD UNNECESSARY SHOP SUPPLIES N FEES THAT NON OF THIS CARRIERS CHALLENGE. MECHANICS NEED CARRIERS TO SURVIVE BUT YET THREAT CARRIERS LIKE THRASH, CHARGE RIDICULOUS RATES THAT NO ONE CAN QUESTION. TRUCK STOPS NEED CARRIERS TO SURVIVE BUT YET IMPOSE ILLEGAL TOWS, INFLATE THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE x2 AND PROBABLY CURSE YOU OUT FOR ASKING FOR INVOICE 🧾. SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS NEED CARRIERS TO BREATH BUT YET ABUSE THEM ON ALL LEVEL FROM 1st APPROACH. Ex, long waits to check in/out, unavailable or unhygienic comfort stations, ridiculous n unjustifiable claims, unpaid hours for mechanical n human labor during loading/unloading. Etc. TOW COMPANIES ARE HIGHWAY ROBBERS THAT SEES EVERY TRUCK BREAKDOWN AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A TRUCK. BY billing you $54000 for a 90miles tow of a 2003 truck that’s probably worth $18,000 SHOULD I REMIND YOU OF HOW THE LOAD-BOARDS MANIPULATE FRIEGHT RATES IN FAVOR OF THE BROKERS? Let’s not go there bcus ASK YOURSELVES WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO POST THE RATES CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING ON THE BOARDS SAME WAY THEY POST THE RATES CARRIERS ARE RUNNING A LOAD FOR. smh. CIVILIANS ALSO PREY ON CARRIERS, BY INTENTIONALLY ENGINEERING AN ACTS OF ACCIDENT IN OTHER TO GET THE HEAVY CHEQUES. THE FMCSA WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE SO CALLED INDUSTRY CARE LESS ABOUT CARRIERS GETTING PAID OR NOT. Bcus if they do, hw is it so easy for a broker to declare bankruptcy and 24hrs later the same broker is up and running with a different business name? TODAY, THE FMCSA CLAIMS THEY ARE PUSHING FOR THE SAFETY OF THE HIGHWAYS, REDUCTION OF CRASHES INJURIES OR FATALITY BY HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. I DOUBT VINN WHITE’S GOT 200MILES BENEATH HIS WAISTLINE, OR SUE LAWLESS EVER BACK UP A DOCK. NOR HAS BRENNA MARRON EVER EXPERIENCED WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A 50inches of snow FOR 5DAYS ON I80 BUT YET THEY ARE PUSHING FOR AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS. HEHEHE i laugh in Spanish. CARRIERS, O/O, TRUCK DRIVERS ARE BEING EXPLOITED AND NO ONE ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TRUCKERS THEY SAY ARE THE PILLAR OF THE COUNTRY ECONOMY BUT YET THE PILLAR IS MALNOURISHED AND UNCARED FOR. ANYWAYS IF YOU READ TILL THIS LENGTH, THANKS FOR BEING PART OF A BORED MAN THOUGHT WHO DROVE 859MILES EMPTY BACK HOME BCUS HE VALUES DIGNITY IN HIS HARD LABOR. Lastly pls ignore any typos bcus English is my second language and this was typed without spell checking. #saynotocheapfreight #owneroperator #freight #freightbroker #carrier #FMCSA #trucking #truck #truck driver #truckingindustry #kidfreight #cdldrivers #ltlfreight #loadboard

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Have you ever wondered what goes into Spec'ing a truck? Or why it takes so long for a salesperson to get back to you. First of all, what is Spec'ing? Specifying or defining the details of a project, product, or system. aka. choosing the components that go onto your truck order. Look at the attached photo. We have categories within sub categories within sub categories of components to choose from. Step 1. We choose all of the necessary components, and you (the customer) review and make your requests of component changes. Step 2. We discuss and decide what body type, and manufacturer we are going to use. I submit a request for a price quote, from the body builder, and we wait. Step 3. We find a transporter who is going to deliver your truck from the body builder, to the dealership. Wait for a freight quote. Step 4. We make a list of all of the add ons that we are going to install at the dealership before you take delivery. This could be chain hangers, headache rack, moose bumper, light bar, etc. Submit a request for a price quote to the Parts and Service department... and we wait. Step 5. We add all of the necessary expenses together, and submit the truck price to you, our very patient customer! If you think this sounds like alot.... you would be correct. However, the good news is you don't need to be an expert in truck components, or body manufacturers... That's my job! All you need to do is give me a call and say "I need a price on a Dump Truck. Make it automatic" and I'll do the rest!

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The article below regarding a “hired” vehicle is alarming - the hire company should be reviewed to determine how the “vehicle “ was determined to be “fit for purpose” and the hirer able to determine the CoR requirements for the load - I am not saying the “hire company” did not have systems in place but this example shows what should be done. As a PCBU what reasonable steps are you taking to ensure road safety.

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Two trucks both ours. In a conversation with Lida 📸 Hakobyan she mentioned she thought I was an owner operator. Now, we don’t own a fleet but we do have six trucks and four trailers. Despite the current landscape we’re banking on getting another trailer. It makes you feel a special type of way when step back you see these units. I’m sure as an owner operator there is a sense of pride and admiration when you get take a step back at look at your equipment. Not many get the opportunity or even desire for more. I don’t blame them. It’s a tough business through and through, but there is a bit more love than hate in this relationship. We have invested an insane amount of labor, money, and time into our operation. Sometimes it feels like it’s not even worth it. Every time I kill that same thought in my head. No matter how tough you can count on one thing. We will keep on trucking. We are small but mighty and growing every day. That being said we have two trucks partially free. We mainly run long hauls and freuquently have our capacity down in #Laredo #Texas. We have spent quite a bit of time in #Utah #Nevada #Idaho #Montana #Oregon #Washington and of course #Arizona these past few months. We are always on the lookout for more business. Preferably coming out of Laredo. That’s not to say we won’t go just about anywhere if the pay is right. So don’t hesitate and reach out for all your flatbed needs🤝 #trucking #logistics #flatbed #longhauls

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💥 Does Your Dealership Department Have a “USP?” 💥 Most of the posts and articles I write are directed toward dealership senior managers or toward managers within specific departments. My content today is directed at all dealership department managers…or, rather, to those department managers who have a major sales responsibility. And guess what? Once again, I’m going to talk about what’s NOT happening that SHOULD BE happening in your department. I am surprised by how few dealership departments have developed a “unique selling proposition (USP)” to market their products or services! And I’m alarmed by the puzzled looks that I get from managers when I ask, “Do you have a USP for your department, and if so, what is it?” Many dealership managers have never heard of a USP and certainly don’t know what it is. So, let’s start by defining USP. A unique selling proposition is any aspect (or set of aspects) that differentiates your business from similar businesses. Your USP should tell the prospect, “Buy this product or service from us, and you will receive this specific benefit.” The proposition should be perceived to be “unique”…one that the competition either cannot offer, does not offer (or offers but doesn’t talk about). Your USP statement(s) must be easy to communicate and to understand. Let’s look at a few examples: 1. New Vehicles: “We will not knowingly be undersold!” 2. Mechanical Service: “Factory trained technicians, factory authorized parts, fast and convenient service, and competitive prices. We care about you and your vehicle!” 3. Used Vehicles: “At XYZ Motors, Peace of Mind is Standard Equipment on every pre-owned vehicle we sell! · Rigorous 75-Point Inspection & Reconditioning · Free CarFax inspection report · 3-Day ‘no questions asked’ return policy · 30-Day unconditional exchange policy · Everyday low True Market prices” The key is to identify what is UNIQUE about your dealership department. Define what separates your store from the next one; tell the story – what are you projecting to the buying public? Let them know why they should be choosing to do business with you. So how do you tell people what your USP is? Any way you can! · Web-based information · Point-of-sale materials · “Why buy here?” Evidence jackets · USP Included in all advertising formats · Sell the USP – not just the product or service Do you have a strong departmental USP that you’re willing to share? Do you have an effective method of communicating your USP? If so, I’d like to hear about it!

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CAR SALESMAN Who’s your neighbor? Sales is a tough tough job. Many drop in without experience, but not many lack hunger. Today, dealers are stressed more than ever to keep numbers up - and that is the result of many, many variables within the store and with the manufacturer. So it’s not just sales training, it’s dealership dynamics training. The thing managers have to realize and consider is - this is your connection, your conduit to your most valuable customer. So it’s not just about the sale, it’s about helping and supporting your sales staff to be ambassadors. How do they create a presence at elementary school? At Little League. At the car wash. How do they embed themselves in the community as the knowledge leader, as the ‘go to’ guy when it’s car-buying time - how do they permeate through friendship, through social environments to be top of mind? Yes sales tactics are important. Sales process and dynamics should be foundational. But there’s more - and the answer to the questions above is: Personal Brand. At LinkedIn Executive we’re claiming that spot. We’re disrupting, we’re planting our flag in the sand. In development is the most comprehensive, most dynamic personal program delivered to car salesmen ever. Ever. And who better? With four decades branding the most influential executives and most successful companies on earth - LinkedIn Executive is the class of the field. Please stay tuned - more, much more to come. Be you, Chris Power-Gomez founder David Cathy Mathew Steven Joel Kyle Rothschild & Co Lodi Jason Dr. Stephan Tommy Donnie Lex Nancy Herbert Alyson Michael Michael Fred Lou Tony Justin Sandy Colleen Bill Brian Paul #carsales #brand #jobseekers #LinkedInExecutive #linkedin #personalbrand

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Me: "Is it a single axle or tandem bucket truck?" Customer: "It's a tandem for sure." My gut told me to ask for some pictures and specifications. As the images loaded, I zoomed in and there it was: A single axle, plain as day! This reminded me of the importance of always asking for pictures or better yet seeing the truck in person. Always trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to request more info and visuals. Because sometimes, what's stated verbally can differ greatly from the actual product design and capabilities, like a tandem versus single axle setup for forestry bucket trucks. #1SOURCE #CTOS ~~~ 🤔 Agree? Disagree? 🔁 Reshare if you feel this.

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FLAT RATE DEBATE - Part 1 Flat rate is only an issue because we failed to train our technicians on how to properly diagnose and repair a vehicle in the allotted time. The gap between technicians that can truly diagnose vehicles and those that just skated through the OEM training is a huge problem. Dealerships that didn’t put any emphasis on training because they didn’t want to cover the expense or miss the tech turning hours while in training is the cause of it. There are many “paper techs” in the industry that got the certificate but not the know how. They likely leaned on a more experienced technician in the shop to do their post tests for them. Dealers tasking the most unqualified management to oversee the most valuable department in the dealership has led us here. So why are we blaming flat rate? Because we have a generation of technicians uncertain of their abilities, intimidated by technology they’ve not been trained on, and management that can’t see beyond the numbers enough to build people. By design, if flat rate went away, dealers would crumble because each job is worth a certain amount of labor time x a certain labor rate that equals a certain labor total which has to pay the tech as well as cover overhead expenses. 30%-40% of every dollar is to pay the tech, the rest is eaten up by overhead expense. A dealer is lucky if there’s 10% of every dollar left. Human nature is our biggest adversary when it comes to salary / hourly. Production requirements would need to be in place which would get the same negative feedback from technicians. Production incentives aren’t the key as we live in a generation less motivated by money than any other generation I’ve ever seen. Everyone would want $100,000/year salary. Where does the dealer capture that $$ from? Why is it that the technician feels like there shouldn’t be requirements? Like the technician has no responsibility for the success of the department? Every occupation has guidelines and requirements at all levels but the automotive technician of today feels they shouldn’t have any. The design of flat rate won’t change unless we can begin charging customers straight time and the OEMs start paying straight time. “Ma’am / Sir, we have an initial service charge of $200 to diagnose the vehicle. Once diagnosed it’ll be $200 per hour that your vehicle is in the stall, plus parts, shop supplies, and tax. Sign here please.” Marcus Aman 🚘 🔑📍 smartlot will definitely play a role in that straight time scenario ^^ “Love people more than you love cars” ASOTU | More Than Cars ✅ Hire Properly ✅ Train Passionately ✅ Lead Perpetually #servicemanagement #servicedepartment #leadservant #thisiswhatwedo #hireproperly #trainpassionately #leadperpetually #automotiveindustry #fixedops #thisishowwedoit #lovepeoplemore #guestexperience #technicians #automotivetechnician #mopar #mechanic #servicetechnician

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Great reminder about the importance of tire safety! It's crucial to regularly check our tires for any signs of tread separation, sidewall splits, or exposed material. These issues not only put drivers at risk but can also lead to severe accidents. Ensuring our tires are properly inflated, not overloaded, and evenly worn can prevent many of these problems. Let's all stay vigilant and keep safety a top priority on the road! 🚗🔧🚦

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That’s Not Heavy Duty – Or Is It? On our podcast this week we talked about how some truckers want to be able to customize their trucks with lighting or tinting despite local laws. Others feel that the laws are there for a reason and they should comply. What do you think? Should truckers be able to do what they want with their trucks and deal with the small fines if they occur? Should law enforcement back off on customized lighting? Tell me what you think in the comments! If you haven't yet, follow The Heavy Duty Parts Report presented by the Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation so you never miss out on great conversations that empower heavy-duty people. 🎧 #law #custom #truck #truckdriver

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Always the disruptor... Sometimes the HARD BRUTAL TRUTHS need to be told. Dealers need to know these facts as times are changing fast and if they don't adapt it's going to get ugly. Getting back to basic isn't about retraining the steps to the sale it's about getting back to the foundation and redesigning the future from the foundation. By utilizing today's tech with the wisdom of relational sales we will develop new pathways to success while empowering our teams to lead us into the future. The new normal is the great reset. The business model of the past is not that of the future. Change is inevitable.

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