EP. 14 - How Dealerships Can Prepare for Black Friday with Automation

Speaker 1: Okay. So you know all those Black Friday car commercials? The ones that promise deals almost too good to be true.

Speaker 2: Right. Yeah.

Speaker 1: Those ones. Yeah. Well, we're gonna do a deep dive into how dealerships actually manage that whole thing today. We'll be looking at an article from MeasureOne.

Speaker 2: Oh, yeah. MeasureOne. A company that specializes in data solutions for the auto industry. They've got some really interesting insights into why the holidays—especially Black Friday—

Speaker 1: Yeah, Black Friday especially.

Speaker 2: —creates such a huge surge in car sales. It's really fascinating how they break down what dealerships are actually doing behind the scenes to prepare for it all.

Speaker 1: Yeah. You know, it's not just about snagging a good deal. It—

Speaker 2: Right. It’s kind of a whole psychological thing going on there too.

Speaker 1: Definitely. I mean, think about it. You've got those holiday bonuses hitting your bank account.

Speaker 2: Yeah. Exactly. And you're feeling maybe a little bit more generous than usual.

Speaker 1: And a little impulsive too.

Speaker 2: Oh, yeah. For sure. Plus, there’s kind of that end-of-year urge to, like—

Speaker 1: To make a big decision.

Speaker 2: Yeah. Like, I gotta do this before the year’s over.

Speaker 1: I know exactly what you mean.

Speaker 2: It’s almost like the perfect storm for buying a car.

Speaker 1: It really is. You’ve got that extra cash, you know, burning a hole in your pocket.

Speaker 2: Yeah. Plus, all those shiny new models are hitting the dealerships.

Speaker 1: Oh, and don’t forget all those crazy marketing campaigns.

Speaker 2: Oh, yes. They go all out with those special financing offers you never see any other time of year.

Speaker 1: Exactly. It’s like they’re designed to create—

Speaker 2: That’s a frenzy.

Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. A total frenzy.

Speaker 2: And all that demand can be a lot for dealerships to handle.

Speaker 1: For real. I mean, they've got tons of customers all wanting the best deal.

Speaker 2: Yeah, and to drive off in a new car, like, right away.

Speaker 1: As soon as possible.

Speaker 2: Yeah. So picture this—overwhelmed sales staff, mountains of paperwork, financing teams working overtime.

Speaker 1: It’s chaotic.

Speaker 2: Total chaos. But that’s actually where the really interesting part of this whole thing is, how dealerships are using automation.

Speaker 1: Oh, interesting.

Speaker 2: Not just to survive this Black Friday craziness but to actually do really well during it.

Speaker 1: So it's not just about speed.

Speaker 2: No. It’s about accuracy, efficiency—

Speaker 1: Mhmm.

Speaker 2: —and making sure everyone involved has a good experience. I’m starting to see why we call this a deep dive.

Speaker 1: Right. It's like there's this whole hidden world behind all those flashy car commercials.

Speaker 2: No, absolutely. I mean, think about what it would be like without automation.

Speaker 1: Oh, gosh. Long wait times, frustrated customers, probably even mistakes in the paperwork because everyone’s rushing.

Speaker 2: Nobody wants that.

Speaker 1: Definitely not. Automation helps dealerships avoid all that.

Speaker 2: Yeah, and makes the experience so much smoother. Which ultimately, I guess, makes everyone happier.

Speaker 1: Exactly. Everyone wins.

Speaker 2: Okay. So enough with the mystery. Let's get to the specifics. What kind of automation are we talking about?

Speaker 1: Okay, so one of the biggest game changers—

Speaker 2: Hit me with it.

Speaker 1: Automated auto insurance verification and updating.

Speaker 2: Okay, so that sounds pretty important.

Speaker 1: Oh, it’s huge because it gets rid of all those manual checks and delays. Which are even worse during a busy time like Black Friday.

Speaker 2: Exactly. So that means no more digging through files or waiting on hold with insurance companies.

Speaker 1: That sounds great for both the customer and the dealership.

Speaker 2: It really is a win-win.

Speaker 1: Mhmm. But it’s even more than that. Imagine this: the system instantly checks your insurance details against, like, a massive database.

Speaker 2: Right. A huge database, and it flags any issues and can even update your policy if it needs to.

Speaker 1: Wow. All while you’re signing the paperwork.

Speaker 2: It’s like magic.

Speaker 1: It really is pretty amazing. I never realized how much technology went into something like verifying insurance.

Speaker 2: Right. And you said that was just one example.

Speaker 1: Oh, there’s more. Another big one is automated inventory management.

Speaker 2: Okay. What does that do?

Speaker 1: So that helps dealerships keep track of all their cars in real time.

Speaker 2: So they don’t have to go running around the lot?

Speaker 1: Exactly. They avoid those super awkward “oops, we’re out” situations.

Speaker 2: Oh, man. I can imagine how frustrating that would be, especially during Black Friday when everyone’s already stressed.

Speaker 1: Totally. And it’s not just about avoiding disappointment, right?

Speaker 2: Right. These systems can also help dealerships adjust their prices based on how popular a certain car is.

Speaker 1: Because that’s smart.

Speaker 2: Yeah. Make sure they’re staying competitive and making the most of their sales.

Speaker 1: So it’s not just knowing what’s on the lot. It’s about making smart decisions.

Speaker 2: Data-driven decisions in real time. That’s impressive.

Speaker 1: Okay. So what else is in this automation toolbox?

Speaker 2: Well, a lot of dealerships are using something called CRM and lead nurturing software.

Speaker 1: CRM lead nurturing. What is that?

Speaker 2: So it helps them build relationships with potential buyers—even people who aren’t ready to buy right now.

Speaker 1: Right. Even if they’re not ready to commit during the Black Friday rush.

Speaker 2: Exactly. So instead of just letting you walk out the door and hoping you’ll come back, they have the system to keep you engaged.

Speaker 1: Exactly. They can use the software to send you targeted offers.

Speaker 2: Like a reminder about that car you liked?

Speaker 1: Yeah. Maybe when there’s a special financing offer.

Speaker 2: That’s pretty smart. It’s all about building relationships and staying top of mind.

Speaker 1: Like planting seeds for future sales.

Speaker 2: That’s a good way to put it. But how does all of this tie back to Black Friday specifically?

Speaker 1: So it’s kind of a long game. Black Friday might be that initial spark that gets people interested, right?

Speaker 2: Right. But this automation helps dealerships nurture those leads and hopefully turn them into customers later on.

Speaker 1: Exactly. So they’re making the most of the Black Friday rush—

Speaker 2: Uh-huh.

Speaker 1: —but also thinking about the bigger picture.

Speaker 2: Right. It’s all happening behind the scenes, powered by this really sophisticated technology.

Speaker 1: It’s like a whole new way of doing business.

Speaker 2: It really is a whole new way to approach car sales. Very cool.

Speaker 1: Yeah. It really is a whole new world. And all this automation isn’t just about, you know, making things easier for the customer.

Speaker 2: Right. It actually has a huge impact on the sales teams too.

Speaker 1: Oh, yeah. I was just thinking about all that time they save by not having to, like, manually verify insurance or chase down paperwork.

Speaker 2: It frees up so much of their time.

Speaker 1: So they can focus on actually selling cars.

Speaker 2: Exactly. They can spend more time building relationships with customers, understanding what they need.

Speaker 1: And helping them find the right car.

Speaker 2: Right. It lets them be better salespeople.

Speaker 1: That makes sense. And there’s another really important aspect we haven’t talked about yet.

Speaker 2: Okay. What’s that?

Speaker 1: Compliance and risk management.

Speaker 2: Oh, now we’re getting to the serious stuff.

Speaker 1: Yeah. It’s important. You know, there’s a lot of sensitive data involved in buying a car.

Speaker 2: Like, what kind of stuff?

Speaker 1: Financial information, insurance details, personal identification.

Speaker 2: Oh, yeah. That’s a lot to keep track of.

Speaker 1: It is

Speaker 1: And automated processes help make sure all that data is handled correctly. Securely.

Speaker 2: Right. Securely, which really reduces the risk of errors or fraud. So it's like having a digital guardian angel watching over the whole process?

Speaker 1: Yeah. Kinda.

Speaker 2: It helps dealerships stay on the right side of all the regulations and protect themselves and their customers.

Speaker 1: Exactly. That's huge, especially these days with all the data breaches you hear about.

Speaker 2: It's a big deal. And it’s not just about avoiding penalties either. It's about building trust with customers.

Speaker 1: Right. When people know their information is being handled responsibly, they feel more confident about doing business with that dealership.

Speaker 2: It seems like automation is a win for everyone.

Speaker 1: It really is. The customer, the sales team, the dealership—everybody wins. And speaking of wins, the MeasureOne article we were looking at before actually gives a specific example—

Speaker 2: Oh, yeah?

Speaker 1: —of how their automated insurance verification solution really streamlines the whole Black Friday process.

Speaker 2: Okay, tell me more. How does it work?

Speaker 1: So it integrates with the dealership's existing systems. So it's not like a separate thing they have to learn.

Speaker 2: Exactly. It's all connected.

Speaker 1: Yeah. And it provides instant verification and policy updates. So no more waiting around.

Speaker 2: Right. Faster approvals, less hassle.

Speaker 1: Yeah. A smoother experience for everyone. So it's not just about having a great tool; it’s about having a tool that actually works well within the dealership system.

Speaker 2: That's a really good point. You don’t want to add more complexity to an already crazy process.

Speaker 1: Exactly.

Speaker 2: Okay. So let’s zoom out for a second.

Speaker 1: Okay.

Speaker 2: What's the main thing you want our listeners to take away from all of this?

Speaker 1: I think the big takeaway is that automation isn't just a nice-to-have anymore for car dealerships. It's essential. It's a necessity.

Speaker 2: Mhmm.

Speaker 1: Especially if they want to not just get through Black Friday but really make the most of it.

Speaker 2: Yeah. And it's not just about keeping up with the competition either.

Speaker 1: Right. It’s about creating a better experience for everyone involved.

Speaker 2: For customers and for the employees. You know, what's really striking me is that this isn't just about technology.

Speaker 1: What do you mean?

Speaker 2: It’s about strategy.

Speaker 1: Oh, that's a really interesting way to think about it.

Speaker 2: Dealerships need to be smart about how they use automation to get the most out of it.

Speaker 1: Right. It’s like having a fancy new tool, but you need to know how to use it properly.

Speaker 2: Exactly. And the dealerships that figure that out are gonna be the ones that really succeed—the ones that stand out from the crowd.

Speaker 1: Exactly. They're the ones who are gonna win in the long run.

Speaker 2: So next time you see one of those Black Friday car commercials—

Speaker 1: You know the ones?

Speaker 2: Yeah. Promising those crazy deals.

Speaker 1: Yeah.

Speaker 2: Just remember—there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you might think.

Speaker 1: Right. It’s not just flashy sales pitches. That's all that automation we were talking about, working hard to make those deals happen.

Speaker 2: Yeah. It’s like this invisible force driving the whole thing. The whole Black Friday car sales machine.

Speaker 1: And it’s only gonna get more important as time goes on.

Speaker 2: I bet so, which actually raises a pretty interesting question for our listeners.

Speaker 1: Okay. I like where this is going.

Speaker 2: Does all this automation, you know, make buying a car less personal?

Speaker 1: Yeah. Does it take away from that human element of the experience?

Speaker 2: That’s a good question.

Speaker 1: Or does it actually make things better—

Speaker 2: Mhmm.

Speaker 1: —by making the whole process smoother and more efficient?

Speaker 2: Something to think about, for sure. Maybe the best car-buying experiences are the ones that find a good balance—

Speaker 1: Between technology and that personal touch.

Speaker 2: Yeah. That sweet spot where everyone feels good about the process.

Speaker 1: I think you're right. Well, that about wraps up our deep dive into the world of Black Friday car sales and automation.

Speaker 2: It's been fun.

Speaker 1: Yeah. We covered a lot of ground today—from the psychology of Black Friday shopping to all the challenges dealerships face—

Speaker 2: And, of course, how automation is changing everything.

Speaker 1: Hopefully, our listeners learned a thing or two—

Speaker 2: About how technology is shaping the car-buying experience.

Speaker 1: Yeah. Especially during one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us, everyone, and until next time—

Speaker 1: Happy shopping.

Speaker 2: And drive safely.