Dealer phone call leads to lunch chat
In my first editor’s note in this space, I wrote that I loved getting reader feedback and hearing from dealers.
That’s why I was so happy to pick up my phone and hear from Bob Bannerman, the dealer principal who runs Bannerman Chrysler Dodge Jeep from North York, Ont. just north of Toronto.
Bob wasn’t happy with a story we published in our weekly e-newsletter about a company offering an online service for car buyers in Canada called www.unhaggle.com. “We don’t haggle!” said Bannerman. He said he didn’t think dealers should use the service, and questioned why we would promote it in the magazine that advocates for car dealers.
I started to explain why we published the article, and that we weren’t promoting the service one way or the other, but he stopped me short, and instead invited me to his dealership to talk with him in person. It was a friendly conversation, but I got the sense that he’d rather have his conversations face to face.
We arranged a date, and I headed down there one rainy day and I visited his store, (nicely laid out, friendly staff, great location) and then we grabbed lunch at one his favourite local eateries.
Bob is an interesting guy with a long history in the business. Over lunch he told me about his experiences, and his different hobbies including his training in competitive swimming that takes him overseas to Europe for competition. Like many auto dealers I’ve met, he was full of zest for life, had a positive attitude and was fun to be around. He also didn’t pull any punches when it came to voicing his opinions.
Apart from just discussing the newsletter story, we talked about the industry, the fierce competition in his local market, Chrysler’s remarkable rebound and other issues. It was a great learning experience for me, and he agreed to take part in future interviews or just to bounce ideas off him from time to time. I will take him up on that offer.
Across Canada, dealers have important milestones to recognize, special contributions to be noted, and amazing stories to tell. While I can’t get out to have lunch with each of you, (without blowing our travel budget!) I won’t hesitate to get out of the offices and into the stores to gain a better perspective on what’s happening in the trenches.
So I invite you to give me a call, send me an email or drop by our offices if you find yourself inside the building of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association in Markham, Ont. We are on the first floor, working for you.
And Bob, I really enjoyed our conversation, and the next lunch is on me!
