The Independent Dealer Podcast

The Independent Dealer Podcast

Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin

Updated about 5 hours ago
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A podcast for Independent Used Car Dealers to get help on how to improve their dealerships and their life. As current used car dealers, Luke and Jeff find the best advice from industry experts and other successful dealers. If you want to learn and grow your business with like minded used car dealers tune in each week. "Dealers Helping Dealers"

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Episodes (480)

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#54 - Dan Reel - Opening A Second Location

Dan Reel joins us again to talk about his adventure into opening a second location. Its been a long, well thought out decision to expand from where he is now into a larger market. Hope this helps all dealers that are thinking of expanding. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E54 Oct 31, 2019 25 min

#54 - MM - Best Lead Is Under Your Finger Tips

The best place to get a hot lead is your CRM. Sell to those you have already sold to. Get referrals from them, be their hero and create super fans. Watch the leads come rolling in.

S1E54 Oct 28, 2019 2 min

#53 - Work On It, Not In It

Luke and Jeff share their thoughts on how we can focus on what is really important at our dealerships. How do we keep from getting caught up working IN our businesses when we should be working ON our business.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E53 Oct 24, 2019 36 min

#52 MM - Who’s Educating You

Get educated.

S1E52 Oct 21, 2019 3 min

#51 - Time To Line - NABD2019

Luke's presentation on how to get your vehicles to the front line faster. Inventory turn is so important to a car dealer. Inefficiency and "lot rot" can kill a dealers net profits. Understand what your daily cost is to hold a car in inventory. Enjoy! Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E51 Oct 17, 2019 40 min

#50 - NABD 2019 - Expo Hall Mashup

Join us as we interview 5 vendors from the 2019 National Association of Buy Here Pay Here Dealers convention in Chicago. These are products that we think are new and innovative and just might be of use to you.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E50 Oct 14, 2019 19 min

#49 - Matt McMurray - Fixed Operations

Matt is the owner of Campus Automotive a 30 employee full service repair shop. He shares with us his tips and tricks for running a successful modern repair facility. Fixed operations can be a major profit center for your dealership if you treat it like an independent business.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E49 Oct 10, 2019 44 min

#48 - Monday Minute - BHPH Aint Car Sales

This week is NABD in chicago. Be sure you get educated on how to run a successful BHPH if youre new or even if your seasoned. Look forward to some notes and highlights from the week.

S1E48 Oct 07, 2019 1 min

#47 - Gordon Tormolen - National Policy Conference 2019

Gordon joins us from DC where National Policy week is happening. He and 230 other independent dealers are making the rounds to clean up government and educate our legislators on why Independent Dealers need to be heard.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealerThank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E47 Oct 03, 2019 26 min

#46 - Monday Minute - Get Involved

Have a great week and join your local association. Get involved!

S1E46 Sep 30, 2019 3 min

#45 - Part 2 - Variable Expenses

We continue our discussion on expenses. What does it cost you to sell a car? What are your fixed expenses regardless of how many cars you sell each month. Plan and budget for fixed expenses.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E45 Sep 26, 2019 39 min

#44 - Monday Minute - Consistancy is the name of the game.

Be consistent. Plan and schedule. Execute on that plan! Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E44 Sep 24, 2019 3 min

#43 - Fixed vs Variable Expenses

Luke and Jeff discuss the difference between fixed and variable expenses at your dealership and why you should know the difference. Its very important to track your costs and know what it cost you to sell 5 cars or 50.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E43 Sep 19, 2019 42 min

#42 - Monday Minute - Know your #'s!

If you dont know your numbers, you dont know nothin'! Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E42 Sep 15, 2019 1 min

#41 - O'Hara Howard - Wholesaler Relationships

This week we meet O'Hara Howard and find out why we all need to have relationships with local wholesalers.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E40 Sep 12, 2019 36 min

#40 - Monday Minute - Staff Size

Got too many employees or not enough? Both answers are right

S1E41 Sep 10, 2019 6 min

#39 - Nick Markosian - Lease Here Pay Here

Nick is the owner of 3 LHPH locations. He shares with us why he does leasing and why it might be smart for you also. This is a great episode if you have ever wondered how lease here pay here works. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E39 Sep 05, 2019 56 min

#38 - Monday Minute - Digital Dealer 2019 Vendor Highlights

Short interviews with 3 vendors that stuck out to me as i walked to halls of Digital Dealer 2019. If you want to know more about them reach out. Webbuy.com Gubagoo.com carsaver.com Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E38 Sep 02, 2019 6 min

#37 - Mark Weida - Lessons From A Lifetime In The Auto Industry

Mark shares with us his story and insights from a lifetime in the auto industry. From new car store GM to independent operator, Mark has seen and done it all. Listen in and learn from those that have gone before us. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E37 Aug 29, 2019 19 min

#36 - Monday Minute - CIADA Part 2

Here is part 2 of Luke & Marshall presenting at CIADA 2019. They wrap it up with a plead for us to make a plan and take action.    Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E36 Aug 26, 2019 14 min

#35 CIADA Presentation - Part 1

This week we get to listen in on the first half of Luke and Marshall Zoerner presenting at CIADA 2019. They share with us some great info about training and making sure our staff knows ours sales process. Be sure to tune in next week for part 2. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E35 Aug 22, 2019 65 min

#34 - Monday Minute - Deceptive Pricing Practices

Lately it seems more dealers have been trying to game how they price their cars. DONT DO IT! Be an honest dealer and the customers will find you.   Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E34 Aug 19, 2019 7 min

#33 - Bert Straub - The Ins & Outs of Being a CAC Dealer

Bert is uniquely qualified to educate us on the skills it takes to be a successful partner with Credit Acceptance Corp. In this episode we talk about who should be on this program, what inventory you need to stock and how to know if you're being profitable. If you have ever wondered if the CAC program might be right for your dealership this interview will answer your questions. Enjoy.   Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E33 Aug 15, 2019 41 min

#32 - Monday Minute - Rental Car Rant

Luke will share with us his warning on the rental car business. Be smart and check your state laws before you get in too deep. 

S1E32 Aug 12, 2019 9 min

#31 - Marshall Zoerner - Why We Train Our Staff

Marshall joins us this week to talk about his process for training his staff. The 3 types of meetings and how to make sure your staff gets the education they need to succeed.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. [email protected] Please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup https://www.facebook.com/jlukegodwin https://www.facebook.com/sendtojeffw Listen to all our episodes on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer

S1E31 Aug 08, 2019 34 min