The acquisition of used vehicles hasn't only been about the inventory. While technology and automation have streamlined many aspects of this process, one prominent challenge remains: staffing. Dealers across the US and Canada have voiced the need for dedicated and skilled team members who can navigate the complexities of vehicle acquisition effectively.
The heart of this challenge lies in the balance between technology and human expertise. While automated systems can aid in listing management and prospective lead identification, the nuanced task of making offers and closing deals often requires the human touch. This is where the Managed Buyer Program steps in—a solution designed to empower dealerships with professional buyers who specialize in handling end-to-end acquisitions directly from private sellers.
The Roll of Skilled Resources in Acquisitions
A dealership's acquisition strategy can often hinge on the expertise and dedication of its staff. Day-to-day responsibilities for General Managers, GSMs, or Used Car Managers can be overwhelming, often leaving little room for the intricate tasks involved in acquisitions. The success rate for dealers attempting to manage this through existing staff is limited. It becomes evident that without specialized roles, departments dedicated to acquisitions can struggle with high rejection rates and the complexities of managing deals, detracting from overall success.
Introducing the Managed Buyer Program
To address these challenges, VAN's Managed Buyer Program offers a strategic solution. The program provides dealerships with a dedicated, trained buyer whose sole focus is acquiring vehicles from private sellers. This approach ensures a consistent supply of inventory AND frees up existing staff to concentrate on their primary responsibilities, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Key Features of the Managed Buyer Program include:
- Dedicated Buyer: VAN hires, trains, and manages a professional buyer for your dealership, with the goal of acquiring a minimum of 10 vehicles per month. This dedicated resource allows dealerships to access profitable inventory without auction fees or transportation costs.
- End-to-End Seller Management: From outreach to offers and scheduling, the program covers all aspects of seller management. Sellers arrive at the dealership with pre-agreed offers, streamlining the transaction process.
- Backup Support: Ensuring continuity, a backup buyer is available to step in if your dedicated buyer is unavailable, maintaining the flow of acquisitions.
- Tools and Valuation: Utilizing trusted valuation tools like CarMax MaxOffer or AccuTrade, the Managed Buyer Program ensures competitive, market-aligned pricing, preventing seller turnover to competitors like CarMax or Carvana.
Realizing the Benefits
By investing in specialized acquisition staffing through the Managed Buyer Program, dealerships can build more profitable and efficient acquisition strategies. This approach not only reduces the burden on existing staff but also cultivates stronger seller relationships, fostering long-term loyalty and generating more referrals.
Embracing strategic staffing solutions like the Managed Buyer Program will position dealerships for success. By integrating skilled human resources with advanced technology, dealerships can enhance their inventory strategies and meet the demands of the market more effectively.
For dealers looking to innovate and streamline their acquisition processes, the Managed Buyer Program offers a forward-thinking solution that combines the best of both worlds—human expertise and technological efficiency.
Ready to optimize your dealership's buying and selling strategies? Contact VEHICLE ACQUISITION NETWORK for expert guidance and to achieve better outcomes.
