Posts Tagged dealer plate
Award Winning Dealerships
Today’s automobile dealership is a complex business. Management faces daunting challenges to operate sales, finance, fixed assets, human resources, inventory and regulatory requirements successfully. Smart executives take advantage of an ever-increasing variety of products and services made available to them by suppliers specializing in specific areas of expertise such as sales training, finance, human resources, security, loss prevention, insurance, and specialty equipment.
Even with all of the energy now being devoted to keeping a dealership running smoothly there are still some areas of day to day operations for which the appropriate solution, product or consultant has not yet been found. One such area is the use and control of dealer demo tags, a statutory requirement in most states, and long regarded by most dealers as a problem without any good solution.
Efforts have been made over the years by individual dealers to govern demo tags in a variety of manners ranging from:
Furnishing every salesperson with an never ending supply of tags in order to ensure that the unavailability of a demo tag does not compromise the continuity of the communication established between a salesperson and their customer. This solution results in the dealership owning far more demo tags than necessary. The dealer incurs higher acquisition and insurance costs, greater management requirements and added liability exposure. These are issues that managers as well as financial and insurance consultants find troublesome.Requiring salespeople to sign demo tags out and in, which, while reducing the overall number of tags required (a plus for managers, financial and insurance people) interferes with the flow of the sale and requires the time and attention of an employee. Signing tags out and in takes time that should and could be used more productively. Further, this method, as many dealers are finding out when doing dealer tag inventory checks, is not a foolproof system for controlling use and access to dealer tags.
Some dealers believe that by charging a large deposit to the salesperson the tag will not be abused or lost. However, a large deposit virtually insures that a prompt lost or theft report, which limits the dealer’s liability, is less likely to be made. Until a report is made, the liability associated with that demo tag remains with the dealer and not the person using or possessing the tag. Prompt reporting of lost or stolen tags is a very big issue with insurance providers.
While the problem of demo tag control appears intractable, there are solutions. The solutions take the form of dealer demo tag control systems and there are a number of providers in the market today.
One such provider is M-Tech, a company that is specializing in dealer demo tag control systems. M-Tech manufactures and markets the Securitag System. This “Smart Box” has been solving demo tag access control problems for nearly twenty years.
M-Tech’s biggest supporters are the dealers, managers and salespeople using the product. It is gratifying to be given such a vote of confidence.
Who Needs Dealer Plate Control?
Posted by Bernard Boulé in Opinion on March 17th, 2009
I’ve just returned from what you might call a whirlwind tour of the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. A trip from the Canadian border to the southern part of Florida and back in 10 days. During that brief time I was able to visit with some of the automobile dealers along my route and I certainly saw the facilities of hundreds more. Some very impressive installations to be sure!
On a trip like this by car, in my case a very nice 4X4 crew cab pick-up truck (I prefer trucks), one has a lot of time to think. I spent that driving time thinking about you dealers and your need for dealer demo plate control. I looked at the beautiful stores knowing that they were at risk with every dealer demo plate that was out on the road because as in a line paraphrased from an insurance industry publication, “A demo plate represents the entire assets of the dealership when it is on the road.” I was also comforted by seeing many whose names were very familiar to me knowing that they were using a demo plate control system that significantly reduced their liability exposure. I wondered how I could convince each and every one of you, large and small, that you need to have some form of demo plate control for your own protection. Certainly, if you all decided to purchase the product that my company manufactures it would be very good for my business, but in the overall scheme of things if every dealership had some form of demo plate security and control system it would be even better for the automobile retail business.
Did you know that 70% of all money paid out by the insurers of automobile dealerships is directly related to claims arising from the use of demos? If something could be done to reduce the amount of money paid out by insurers, costs would surely come down as would risk. Well, something can be done. Every dealership, regardless of size, or location, regardless of state requirement or regulation, needs to implement some form of reliable, proven and effective dealer plate security and control system. There should be industry standards for such equipment. Industry experts should be working with state and national dealer associations and insurance industry consultants should establish these standards. With these standards in place, dealers could purchase dealer plate control systems and equipment with confidence, knowing that the system met at least minimum security and control requirements.
I’m ready to get to work on this to improve security and reduce risk all across the nation. It’s not a small job and will doubtless require a great deal of time and effort but I’m convinced that the result will be worth the effort. Dealers will be able to profit from reduced costs and improved efficiency. I fear it will take a long time to get the work of creating industry standards done so I would suggest that you not put off securing your plates while you wait for the standards to be established. Every dealer already knows what is required and with a little effort can verify the capabilities of the few offerings presently on the market. I would recommend that you check them all or seek the endorsement of a dealer you know who is using a product you are interested in. Who needs dealer demo plate control? You all do.
Use Dealer Plate Control to Ease Your Managers’ Workload
Posted by Bernard Boulé in Opinion on March 12th, 2009
Spring is right around the corner, I really wanted to be able to write something up beat and optimistic with some suggestions of how you can utilize better access control systems to improve efficiency, lighten work loads on managers, lower operating costs, reduce liability exposure and improve sales.
I just returned from a short road trip where I was able to meet and speak with many general managers and sales managers at several different locations. I am always amazed when I see how hectic their day is. At one point, I was in the managers office of a busy store along with four other people, all wanting to speak with him, all expecting him to solve some problem or approve some part of a negotiation or provide an answer to some question. We were all waiting while he was on the phone dealing with another situation. Does this scenario seem somehow familiar? Kind of like Déjà Vu all over again? You bet it does.
Easing the workload of a busy manager will allow the dealership to run more smoothly.
I was there to talk to him about Dealer Demo Plate Control since I had been told that it was his responsibility to ascertain that all demo tags at this dealership were properly accounted for. I wanted to explain to him how a good Demo Tag Access Control System could lighten his workload; that by installing and implementing a proven, client driven Access Control System such as “Securitag” from M-Tech a manager can reduce the number of tags required to operate the store efficiently through ‘controlled sharing’. Controlled Sharing is managed completely by the ACS (Access Control System) and the manager can visually appraise the status of the system and the disposition of the demo tags it controls at any time thereby knowing if any tags are lost or missing almost instantly. Being able to identify and report lost, missing or stolen tags belonging to the dealership in a timely manner is very important to the dealership, the dealership’s liability insurance provider and to law enforcement and public security authorities.
I waited for a break in the action and when he finally looked quizzically up at me as if to say ‘and what do you want?’ I did my very best to make my presentation as quickly and concisely as possible, it only takes about five minutes, but we were interrupted at least three times by people who had to speak to that manager about important dealership business matters. When the presentation was concluded, the manager thanked me, apologized for the interruptions and assured me he understood the advantages of having a Dealer Demo Tag Access Control System. I’m still working on that sale. I know that manager, like so many others, needs to reduce his workload. I know that the dealership, like every dealership, really needs the control and I know that a good Demo Tag Access Control System can fill both these needs. I wonder how long it will take, or what disaster will have to occur before owners and managers will make the decision to install an ACS to secure their Dealer Demo Tags and take some of the load off those busy managers?
Keys to a More Successful Dealership
Posted by Bernard Boulé in How To, Opinion on March 11th, 2009
How much longer will you continue to rely on the same security practices and procedures you used 15, 20 or more years ago to ensure the safety and security of your dealership? These measures, which at that time were probably sufficient, are likely to be seriously inadequate in today’s technologically advanced environment. Every dealership’s management realizes the need for various types of security equipment, practices and procedures in the dealership.
However, all security is not created equal. There are good security systems, practices and procedures and there are bad security measures. The good ones result in a smoother running, more productive, efficient, safe and secure place for your people to work. The bad ones only provide the appearance of the real thing while leaving your dealership exposed to an untold variety of potential hazards. The real danger is that you are relying on these bad security systems, practices and procedures to protect your business. A task they may be unable to perform.
Management has many responsibilities; one of them is to make certain that the assets of the business are properly protected. It’s up to you to test your current security systems to find out if they are actually working. Check each system to make sure it is fully functional and that it still meets your requirements. Review practices and procedures and if necessary make changes to bring them up to date. Often good security measures fail to meet objectives simply because your personnel have been allowed to settle into a comfortable routine. Routine is the enemy of security. It is your responsibility to make sure your personnel are aware of the importance of security at the dealership at all times.
One of the next things you can do is examine the method you use to manage your dealer demo plates. Dealer plates are one of your strongest selling tools and as such they should be readily available to personnel who need them. They should also be one of the main security concerns in any dealership. A dealer plate is more than just a piece of metal you get from the State. It represents the entire assets of your dealership when it is on the road. Should you trust everyone in your dealership with access to your demo plates 24 hours a day 7 days a week?
Does your current method of demo plate management provide you with the access control and security you require while keeping the number to demo plates at a minimum?
Does it allow you to follow the number of demonstrations given by your sales staff?
Does it keep sales persons from spending valuable time searching for lost or missing dealer plates?
Does it prevent them borrowing demo plates from other salespersons?
If the answer to these questions is NO then you need to change your current system.
A good dealer plate control system makes plates available to sales persons whenever they need them. They can stay focused on selling. This allows them to maintain the continuity of their presentation. A good presentation equals more sales. More sales equal larger profits. Remember sales people are trained to make sales. Their training probably does not include the course on ‘how to care for a dealer plate’. There are several dealer plate control systems available on the market today. Take the time to evaluate them before you make your selection and remember you are looking for a system that provides you with both security and access control. Function, not cost, should be the motivating factor in your selection.
Once you have checked everything and removed bad systems and procedures that didn’t provide your business with an adequate level of security and you have implemented good security systems, practices and procedures designed to handle the security requirements of your dealership today, you should be all set to move forward confidently. Some training will doubtless be required and any good security system will expose those most in need of this training. It is possible that it will also reveal the presence of persons on your staff who do not, or cannot, respect the rules and regulations in place. Under the previous systems and procedures it may have been possible for these individuals to remain unnoticed while taking advantage of your faith and trust. With a good system in place these individuals cannot remain invisible. It is security’s job to expose these problems. It is management’s job to decide how to handle the situations.
Good security systems, practices and procedures work invisibly in the foreground. If they do their job properly, no one even knows they are there. While the cost of good security is not insignificant, the cost of bad security or no security has the potential to be unlimited. The ultimate goal of every dealership is to sustain growth and operate profitably. The return on your investment in good security is assured as your dealership profits from increased sales by a more confident, efficient, focused and honest sales force working in a stable secure environment benefiting from lower overhead and reduced liability exposure. These are the keys to a more successful dealership.
Flexible Solutions for Dealer Plate Control
Multiple installation options provide a total solution.
Furnishing every salesperson with an never ending supply of tags in order to ensure that the unavailability of a dealer plate does not compromise the continuity of the communication established between a salesperson and their customer. This solution results in the dealership owning far more dealer plates than necessary. The dealer incurs higher acquisition and insurance costs, greater management requirements and added liability exposure. These are issues that managers as well as financial and insurance consultants find troublesome. Securitag eliminates all these problems.
Securitag Unit also available as WM-30
Requiring salespeople to sign dealer plates out and in, which, while reducing the overall number of tags required (a plus for managers, financial and insurance people) interferes with the flow of the sale and requires the time and attention of an employee. Signing tags out and in takes time that should and could be used more productively. Further, this method, as many dealers are finding out when doing dealer plate inventory checks, is not a foolproof system for controlling use and access to dealer plates. Securitag eliminates all these problems.
Charging a large deposit virtually insures that a prompt lost or theft report, which limits the dealer’s liability, is less likely to be made. Until a report is made, the liability associated with that dealer plate remains with the dealer and not the person using or possessing the tag. Prompt reporting of lost or stolen tags is a very big issue with insurance providers. Securitag eliminates all these problems.
The Securitag System has been solving dealer plate access control problems for over twenty years. 2,500 North American dealers agree – Securitag is the best way to control dealer plates.
Different plates on car lead to three weapons charges
Gabriel Berrios, 18, 300 block of Evans Avenue, Aurora, was charged with felonies possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school and aggravated unlawful use of weapon after an Aurora police officer noticed a dealer plate on the back and regular license plate on the front of a parked car, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said. Police said the car was parked illegally in the 200 block of Third Street, Aurora, at 8:40 p.m. Sunday. The officer then found a gun in the car. The gun had originally been stolen in 1993 from an Aurora address.
• Several shell casings were found in the 100 block of South Broadway at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Aurora police said. No one was injured and nothing was damaged, police said.
Source: Beacon News Online
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