When you’ve been in the auto business for almost 30 years, you learn to appreciate quality. Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Curt Richards has seen it all. From the sales floor to the finance department, as an Internet Manager, and most recently as a BDC Administrator, Curt oversees the operations of a business development center that supports sales, parts and service operations for 4 franchises. 

Choosing a Live Chat Provider was a No-Brainer

“Chat was first brought in by the manufacturer as part of an e-Commerce package. It was terrible. We just didn’t have the time to fully utilize it in-house,” says Richards, whose days are already packed with sales leads programs, incentive administration management, and direct sales support. It was time for the dealer group to upgrade – and they discovered a professionally managed chat partner in ActivEngage. 

30% Appointment Rate and 20% Closing Ratio

Two years after enlisting the help of ActivEngage’s fully managed live chat team, Curt can’tthink of anything bad to say about the service. “The ActivEngage Virtual Sales team studies our website, they know our promotions, and they are trained to have fluid conversations,” says Richards, confirming that ActivEngage sets walk-in appointments for 30% of all chats taken. Richards’ sales team at Fort Wayne is also able to close 19 - 20% of the chat appointments set.

“I speak with my Customer Success Manager about twice a month, and they have proven that I can expect nothing less than superior service from the ActivEngage team. There are no glitches or mishaps that aren’t immediately resolved,” Curt says. “You just can’t put a price tag on our relationship with ActivEngage and the service they provide to my stores.”

Curt Richards knows that car shoppers are now making purchase decisions almost entirely online. “From our standpoint, ActivEngage simply offers an extremely cost-effective solution. They’re a very valuable partner in our sales process. We can see the difference.”

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Would you like to be featured in an ActivEngage My Chat Story? Simply comment below and we'll get in touch with you right away! 

When you’ve been in the auto business for almost 30 years, you learn to appreciate quality. Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Curt Richards has seen it all. From the sales floor to the finance department, as an Internet Manager, and most recently as a BDC Administrator, Curt oversees the operations of a business development center that supports sales, parts and service operations for 4 franchises. 

Choosing a Live Chat Provider was a No-Brainer

“Chat was first brought in by the manufacturer as part of an e-Commerce package. It was terrible. We just didn’t have the time to fully utilize it in-house,” says Richards, whose days are already packed with sales leads programs, incentive administration management, and direct sales support. It was time for the dealer group to upgrade – and they discovered a professionally managed chat partner in ActivEngage. 

30% Appointment Rate and 20% Closing Ratio

Two years after enlisting the help of ActivEngage’s fully managed live chat team, Curt can’tthink of anything bad to say about the service. “The ActivEngage Virtual Sales team studies our website, they know our promotions, and they are trained to have fluid conversations,” says Richards, confirming that ActivEngage sets walk-in appointments for 30% of all chats taken. Richards’ sales team at Fort Wayne is also able to close 19 - 20% of the chat appointments set.

“I speak with my Customer Success Manager about twice a month, and they have proven that I can expect nothing less than superior service from the ActivEngage team. There are no glitches or mishaps that aren’t immediately resolved,” Curt says. “You just can’t put a price tag on our relationship with ActivEngage and the service they provide to my stores.”

Curt Richards knows that car shoppers are now making purchase decisions almost entirely online. “From our standpoint, ActivEngage simply offers an extremely cost-effective solution. They’re a very valuable partner in our sales process. We can see the difference.”

----

Would you like to be featured in an ActivEngage My Chat Story? Simply comment below and we'll get in touch with you right away! 

ActivEngage, the most trusted brand in automotive live chat brings the top ten blogs and news stories right to you! We monitor industry trends, current events, and the auto dealer community every week to bring you the top ten blogs and stories from around the globe. In this weekly edition-- ad blocking software, empowered employees, and Google+.

10.  Over ⅕ of People Use Ad Blocking Software

Based on data from 220 clients, PageFair found an average ad-blocking rate of 22.7%. It estimates that one of its “typical” clients, with a 25% block rate, loses about $500,000 a year due to ad blockers. Based on data from a small sample of clients, PageFair says ad blocking is growing at 43% every year.

9. Auto Dealers say the Darndest Things

This eBook was created to serve as a quick guide to be sure you are always creating a positive showroom experience that will turn into SALES!

8. Empowered Employees and Pizza: A Success Story

A simple act of generosity can create something very hard to find: a brand advocate.

7. The New Playing Field at the Dealership – Are You Playing?

Let’s face it: the customers that come to the dealership for information are most-certainly a dying breed.

6. Made-for-Web Video Remakes the TV Landscape

Viewers don’t seem to make huge distinctions between TV and made-for-web video ads. A January 2013 Starcom study found that US internet users had similar attitudes toward ads during traditional TV and original streaming content.

5. Google+ Said to Top Twitter in Mobile App Popularity Around the World

Despite having a highly engaged mobile user base, Twitter falls behind Google+ in mobile application popularity around the world, according to a recent study from GlobalWebIndex

4. American Auto Earnings Show Signs of Beating Best of 90s

The 17 percent surge in U.S. auto sales last month pushed the annual rate to a pre-recession, boom-time level. Even more significant, Detroit automakers are reaping profits not seen since the turn of the century

3. Gone in 90 Seconds: America’s Quickest Selling Cars

U.S. consumers bought cars more briskly in August than they have in six years, according to a batch of sales data released yesterday. Low-interest rates, gathering momentum in consumer confidence, and pent-up demand are combining to fuel the gains. Check out the list.

2. Kia’s Hip-Hop Hamsters Are a Branding Bargain

Kia’s latest hamster ad video went viral, in part because Kia is careful to post its videos on the Web long before they air elsewhere. This is the kind of social fuel that a lot of car companies and their advertising shops fail to accomplish. It’s interesting enough to see Jennifer Lopez tool around her old neighborhood in a little Fiat (F:IM), but it’s not necessarily the type of thing one might e-mail to a friend or post on Twitter. Ditto for Clint Eastwood growling about Detroit.

1. What DOES the Fox Say?

Norwegian group Ylvis finally answers the question that your old See 'N Say never could. We all know that cows go moo. Dogs go woof. Fish go blub. But what does the fox say? These two Scandinavians try several of their best onomatopoeic guesses before a CGI-animated fox schools them both. The video is almost beyond words - imagine Old MacDonald having a nightmare about a Flaming Lips concert - so you'll need to see for yourself. Watch (and love) every minute of it.

_

Did we miss anything important? Like our top ten blogs this week? Leave us a comment below! Or if you really can’t wait for your automotive fix, follow @activengage on Twitter for daily updates on auto industry news!

ActivEngage, the most trusted brand in automotive live chat brings the top ten blogs and news stories right to you! We monitor industry trends, current events, and the auto dealer community every week to bring you the top ten blogs and stories from around the globe. In this weekly edition-- ad blocking software, empowered employees, and Google+.

10.  Over ⅕ of People Use Ad Blocking Software

Based on data from 220 clients, PageFair found an average ad-blocking rate of 22.7%. It estimates that one of its “typical” clients, with a 25% block rate, loses about $500,000 a year due to ad blockers. Based on data from a small sample of clients, PageFair says ad blocking is growing at 43% every year.

9. Auto Dealers say the Darndest Things

This eBook was created to serve as a quick guide to be sure you are always creating a positive showroom experience that will turn into SALES!

8. Empowered Employees and Pizza: A Success Story

A simple act of generosity can create something very hard to find: a brand advocate.

7. The New Playing Field at the Dealership – Are You Playing?

Let’s face it: the customers that come to the dealership for information are most-certainly a dying breed.

6. Made-for-Web Video Remakes the TV Landscape

Viewers don’t seem to make huge distinctions between TV and made-for-web video ads. A January 2013 Starcom study found that US internet users had similar attitudes toward ads during traditional TV and original streaming content.

5. Google+ Said to Top Twitter in Mobile App Popularity Around the World

Despite having a highly engaged mobile user base, Twitter falls behind Google+ in mobile application popularity around the world, according to a recent study from GlobalWebIndex

4. American Auto Earnings Show Signs of Beating Best of 90s

The 17 percent surge in U.S. auto sales last month pushed the annual rate to a pre-recession, boom-time level. Even more significant, Detroit automakers are reaping profits not seen since the turn of the century

3. Gone in 90 Seconds: America’s Quickest Selling Cars

U.S. consumers bought cars more briskly in August than they have in six years, according to a batch of sales data released yesterday. Low-interest rates, gathering momentum in consumer confidence, and pent-up demand are combining to fuel the gains. Check out the list.

2. Kia’s Hip-Hop Hamsters Are a Branding Bargain

Kia’s latest hamster ad video went viral, in part because Kia is careful to post its videos on the Web long before they air elsewhere. This is the kind of social fuel that a lot of car companies and their advertising shops fail to accomplish. It’s interesting enough to see Jennifer Lopez tool around her old neighborhood in a little Fiat (F:IM), but it’s not necessarily the type of thing one might e-mail to a friend or post on Twitter. Ditto for Clint Eastwood growling about Detroit.

1. What DOES the Fox Say?

Norwegian group Ylvis finally answers the question that your old See 'N Say never could. We all know that cows go moo. Dogs go woof. Fish go blub. But what does the fox say? These two Scandinavians try several of their best onomatopoeic guesses before a CGI-animated fox schools them both. The video is almost beyond words - imagine Old MacDonald having a nightmare about a Flaming Lips concert - so you'll need to see for yourself. Watch (and love) every minute of it.

_

Did we miss anything important? Like our top ten blogs this week? Leave us a comment below! Or if you really can’t wait for your automotive fix, follow @activengage on Twitter for daily updates on auto industry news!

How to Provide the Most Positive Digital Showroom Experience

Car buyers are spending more time online shopping for a car than ever before! According to a Polk Study, internet usage has increased significantly, with ¾ of buyers indicating they used the Internet in their car-shopping process--up from 71% in 2011.

Since your shoppers are spending more time online, why are you alienating them on your digital showroom with confusing banner ads, dreadful vehicle walk-arounds, and lousy emails?

You only have seconds, literally a blink of an eye, to impress your shoppers once they hit your site or check their email! That’s why we created this eBook, Auto Dealers Say the Darndest Things, to serve as a quick guide to  creating an always positive digital showroom experience.

You’ll learn valuable tips such as:

• How to film a proper video walk-around

• What makes your banner ads confusing

• How to create the perfect email headline

• and much, much more!

Don’t hesitate to download your COMPLIMENTARY eBook today and save yourself from saying the darndest things!

How to Provide the Most Positive Digital Showroom Experience

Car buyers are spending more time online shopping for a car than ever before! According to a Polk Study, internet usage has increased significantly, with ¾ of buyers indicating they used the Internet in their car-shopping process--up from 71% in 2011.

Since your shoppers are spending more time online, why are you alienating them on your digital showroom with confusing banner ads, dreadful vehicle walk-arounds, and lousy emails?

You only have seconds, literally a blink of an eye, to impress your shoppers once they hit your site or check their email! That’s why we created this eBook, Auto Dealers Say the Darndest Things, to serve as a quick guide to  creating an always positive digital showroom experience.

You’ll learn valuable tips such as:

• How to film a proper video walk-around

• What makes your banner ads confusing

• How to create the perfect email headline

• and much, much more!

Don’t hesitate to download your COMPLIMENTARY eBook today and save yourself from saying the darndest things!

ActivEngage, the most trusted brand in automotive live chat brings the top ten blogs and news stories right to you! We monitor industry trends, current events, and the auto dealer community every week to bring you the top ten blogs and stories from around the globe. In this weekly edition-- Sharknado, Gmail, and a royal baby.

10. Royal Baby Named George Alexander Louis

The royal baby is named for his great-great-grandfather George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II. Louis comes from Prince Philip's uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who also was close to grandfather Prince Charles.

9. The Five Things We Can Learn From Sharknado

According to The Independent, Sharknado saw 5,000 tweets per minute with 318,232 tweets by over 100,000 tweeters; and that’s just while it aired. There are now over 14 million results on Google for Sharknado. Celebrities were joining in and people who would’ve ignored this cut-rate gorefest were clamoring for a rerun.

8. Did Google Just Hide Your Dealership’s Emails?

As you may or may not know, Google introduced a new feature to their web-based Gmail interface. Tabs.

7. Are You Professional?

You want to build rapport with me? Take your tie off roll up your sleeves and show me your forearm tattoos that the GM has asked you to hide all these years.

6. Mapping Your Customers

Maps are a fantastic tool in customer science and these days they’re very accessible to all sizes of dealership.  Maps are useful because they provide ANOTHER perspective on the customer relationship.  It’s quite remarkable what new actionable insights are derived by looking at map data and this article examines some of the ways dealers can put maps to work.

5. Impala Tops Sedans in Consumer Reports

The first American sedan in 20 years to earn Consumer Reports' top score is the Chevrolet Impala.

4. Lincoln Memorial Vandalized

According to NBC Washington, green paint was splattered inside the chamber of the memorial, on Lincoln and on the floor around it.

3. Spain Train Crash Kills at least 80

A train derailed in Northwest Spain on Wednesday, killing at least 80 people and injured over 100 more. The crash was said to be one of Europe's worst train accidents.

2. 20 Ridiculous Questions Regular People Ask Google

When we have questions — from daily curiosities to deepest doubts — Google has answers.

1. TGIF: Funny Facts about the Owl

Through brilliant and insightful narration, we learn a couple of things about the owl.

_

Did we miss anything important? Like our top ten blogs this week? Leave us a comment below! Or if you really can’t wait for your automotive fix, follow @activengage on Twitter for daily updates on auto industry news!

ActivEngage, the most trusted brand in automotive live chat brings the top ten blogs and news stories right to you! We monitor industry trends, current events, and the auto dealer community every week to bring you the top ten blogs and stories from around the globe. In this weekly edition-- Sharknado, Gmail, and a royal baby.

10. Royal Baby Named George Alexander Louis

The royal baby is named for his great-great-grandfather George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II. Louis comes from Prince Philip's uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who also was close to grandfather Prince Charles.

9. The Five Things We Can Learn From Sharknado

According to The Independent, Sharknado saw 5,000 tweets per minute with 318,232 tweets by over 100,000 tweeters; and that’s just while it aired. There are now over 14 million results on Google for Sharknado. Celebrities were joining in and people who would’ve ignored this cut-rate gorefest were clamoring for a rerun.

8. Did Google Just Hide Your Dealership’s Emails?

As you may or may not know, Google introduced a new feature to their web-based Gmail interface. Tabs.

7. Are You Professional?

You want to build rapport with me? Take your tie off roll up your sleeves and show me your forearm tattoos that the GM has asked you to hide all these years.

6. Mapping Your Customers

Maps are a fantastic tool in customer science and these days they’re very accessible to all sizes of dealership.  Maps are useful because they provide ANOTHER perspective on the customer relationship.  It’s quite remarkable what new actionable insights are derived by looking at map data and this article examines some of the ways dealers can put maps to work.

5. Impala Tops Sedans in Consumer Reports

The first American sedan in 20 years to earn Consumer Reports' top score is the Chevrolet Impala.

4. Lincoln Memorial Vandalized

According to NBC Washington, green paint was splattered inside the chamber of the memorial, on Lincoln and on the floor around it.

3. Spain Train Crash Kills at least 80

A train derailed in Northwest Spain on Wednesday, killing at least 80 people and injured over 100 more. The crash was said to be one of Europe's worst train accidents.

2. 20 Ridiculous Questions Regular People Ask Google

When we have questions — from daily curiosities to deepest doubts — Google has answers.

1. TGIF: Funny Facts about the Owl

Through brilliant and insightful narration, we learn a couple of things about the owl.

_

Did we miss anything important? Like our top ten blogs this week? Leave us a comment below! Or if you really can’t wait for your automotive fix, follow @activengage on Twitter for daily updates on auto industry news!

I’ve written many blogs on the topic of mobile friendly websites, emails, and all around marketing, yet I’ve noticed that most dealerships are not mobile ready. Smartphone usage has surged past 50% while Tablet ownership hit 25% just in the past year. This trend is not slowing down anytime soon either, it’s quickly accelerating.

Customers can access your website from anywhere—they might visit at home, at work, at a store, or anywhere in between. Knowing your audience is crucial and to help determine the best strategy for your dealership, I’ve created this eBook.

You’ll learn:

• How to properly set up a website tt-friendly

• The best methods for sending emails to mobile and tablet users

• And much more!

  Don't get left behind! Make your digital showroom standout on the mobile screen! Download your complimentary eBook now!   

---

For more automotive industry updates and live chat tips, follow @activengage on Twitter! 

I’ve written many blogs on the topic of mobile friendly websites, emails, and all around marketing, yet I’ve noticed that most dealerships are not mobile ready. Smartphone usage has surged past 50% while Tablet ownership hit 25% just in the past year. This trend is not slowing down anytime soon either, it’s quickly accelerating.

Customers can access your website from anywhere—they might visit at home, at work, at a store, or anywhere in between. Knowing your audience is crucial and to help determine the best strategy for your dealership, I’ve created this eBook.

You’ll learn:

• How to properly set up a website tt-friendly

• The best methods for sending emails to mobile and tablet users

• And much more!

  Don't get left behind! Make your digital showroom standout on the mobile screen! Download your complimentary eBook now!   

---

For more automotive industry updates and live chat tips, follow @activengage on Twitter!