Years ago you had to physically go by the dealership to see what cars they had available. A quick drive by and you had a good idea of the inventory, but it required you to go into the dealer.
Over time dealers began marketing their inventory in the newspapers and trade magazines. You could see what inventory they had without leaving the comfort of our own home. You could shop in your pajamas if you wanted to. Then, if you were interested, you could call into the dealer and speak with a sales person.
There were some limitations to all of these. You could not physically see the vehicle. Dealers sometimes would not give you the information you were requesting.
Then came the Internet . . .
The Internet allowed you to search through dealer's inventory, see photos, get price quotes, and schedule service conveniently. It also gave you the ability to check information through various third party websites.
This had one serious limitation. It wasn't portable, that is unless you have a cumbersome laptop with wireless connectivity to haul around with you.
Then comes the digital age of cell phones . . .
Everyone these days has a cell phone. More and more people are communicating by calling and text messaging than ever before. That leads to new ways of getting information. Websites and applications are readily available on your hand held devices. You can take them wherever you go. (That is if you have coverage.)
At Markley Motors we have always been ahead of the curve, as far as technological advances are concerned. We started our Internet department, before many other dealerhsips thought of the Internet as an option for doing business. Now, we are on the cutting edge of technology--Text Messaging.
TEXT MESSAGING:
Business application of text messaging is becoming more prevalent in America today. In Europe, text message marketing has been going on for over ten years. Recently, text message campaigns are a huge success. Take American Idol as an example. Their main voting structure is set up on text messaging.
TEXT MESSAGE VEHICLE INFORMATION:
Now, we are the first dealer in Fort Collins to provide Text Message Vehicle Information readily available on your cell phone or PDA device - all without having to have Internet connectivity. You can browse our inventory and download information on individual vehicles, wherever you go.
This new feature has many advantages for our customers. It gives them the ability to search our inventory and download vehicle photos, usually in less than 90 seconds. Then, if the customer wishes, they can initiate a non-threatening two-way conversation with a sales professional.
COLORADO BLUE LAWS:
The Colorado State Blue Law requires Automotive Dealers to be closed on Sunday. This is an advantage and disadvantage for consumers. The advantage is, the customer can shop and wander through the dealership inventory without having to be hounded by a sales person. The disadvantage is, unless the vehicles are labeled, consumers can not get information on specific vehicles--let alone, take the information with them.
CHECK OUT OUR MOBILE SOLUTION:
At Markley Motors, our vehicles are clearly marked with text codes that allows shoppers to browse the inventory, on Sundays and after-hours, and text the code on the vehicle to download vehicle make, model, price and photos instantly. All of our media will include text codes that will allow our customer to access our inventory--anytime--anywhere--anyplace.
HOW IT WORKS:
The process is simple. Text MARKLEY to 37483 which is the numerical code for (DRIVE).
- Start a new text message session on your cell phone.
- Type 37483 in (to) section or save 37483 in your contacts.
- In your message type: MARKLEY
- Then hit send.
- Now you can search by make and model through our inventory.
- Start a new text message session on your cell phone.
- Type 37483 in (to) section or save 37483 in your contacts.
- In your message type the code displayed on the sticker on the windshield of the car, or the code in the ad. (This will be an 8 digit alpha/numerical code.)
- Then hit send.
- Now you will get specific info on that individual vehicle.
- Next you will be asked if you want to download photos. If you reply A, 3 photos will be sent to your phone.
- Next you will be asked if you would like to get more information on the vehicle and speak to the seller. Reply B.
If you are shopping our website:
- Click on the specific vehicle you are interested in.
- Find the button, Put this vehicle in your pocket.
- Click on it.
- Type in your cell phone #
- Hit submit.
- You will get that vehicle information sent to your cell phone.
Written and posted by Tim Northburg - Sales / Internet Manager
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