Dealer Groups

George Hopkinson - 5 posts

2010-03-25 09:16:26

Thanks for the reply Mike and Im sure what you say is true, Im obviously not a member of one of the groups you mention.
I must say that I am surprised at the lack of reponse to this though, whilst I dont want to mention group names etc or get into any sort of mud slinging I was hoping that dealers would have something to say on thew subject and that groups would at least try and defend themselves if they thought my comments were unjust.

AndyWhyte - 37 posts

2010-03-25 13:53:29

I think the best way of identifying a dealer groups worth to a dealer is to speak to members of dealer groups. I see both sides of the coin. This week I've seen a dealer who has left his dealer group as he felt he they offered nothing. But I've also met a dealer who strongly feels that his dealer group are hugely important to his business.

They were 2 different dealers in 2 different groups.

Red Pen - 8 posts

2010-03-26 12:35:34

Sorry about delayed response, only just caught up with the latest events on here.

From my own expereinces i find that dealer groups may benefit the larger dealer with as Mike suggested networking. Although how much of the talk is put into action is debatable or at least it isn't passed through the chain to smaller dealers.

I personally find that the everyday smaller dealer hasn't the time or resources to attend these events and it is these dealers who receive very little.

To George - i must agree i believe i must be in the same or very similar dealer group to yourself. At least at present any way!

For me i want to see materials that produce results from Dealer Groups and at present i don't even get the materials let alone the results!

I think the promises of change from dealer groups is to liittle to late for me.

whizzo - 2 posts

2010-03-26 18:18:39

I don't suppose any of you would care to name names? No....I thought not. Maybe even Dealer Support wouldn't allow it but it would be very helpful to both dealers looking to move or join a group for the first time and to manufacturers who need to make decisions with ever shrinking marketing support funds.

George Hopkinson - 5 posts

2010-03-28 17:09:38

As I said in my original post (where is it in the thread BTW?) I dont see the point in mud slinging if you arent happy with your group, however if anyone is in a good progressive buying group who have helped them beat the recession then please do name them. Im sure they wont mind and that was the point of the original post.
Naming names isnt the point Whizzo!....................nice name by the way.

AndyWhyte - 37 posts

2010-03-30 09:33:18

The original thread is 3rd down on the forum George. Mike started his own topic to reply to yours instead of replying inside your thread. :)

michael.morgan - 2 posts

2010-03-30 22:35:32

All
I suppose it depends on why you join a group - is it Purchasing, marketing, own brand, networking etc etc - me personally I joined in the 90s for purchasing many years on its about all I mentioned above, with probably load more reasons but importantantly the fact is the support to INDEPENDANT DEALERS and fighting their corner.
It is quite easy I think for Dealer Groups to lose sight of what dealers want as I notice more and more groups having less meetings so are unable to network, dealers are unable to network with each other and feel many groups, that George mentions may have lost touch with the people on the coal face so to speak and probably the reason he has started this string.
I also think you must ask on what basis you joined was it on how much you get out or is it more on how much you put in, are you reliant on the dealer group coming up with all the ideas ?, I can only speak of my group where I have the ability to speak with both large and small dealers at the same time and using what great ideas I am told and apply them, or bounce to the head office marketing / purchasing team likewise something that HQ will come up with, can be applied in a swift way into my market in the way I want.
I believe each Independent Dealer should be in a group and don’t see how they can survive perhaps unless you are huge but even then there is % points to be gained, perhaps you should be in a group like mine (bias Maybe) it’s a CO-OP owned by its members and run by its members and any ££ surplus is for my bottom line not some executive in HQ, I could go on and on.
My final thought is the fact that I am INDEPENDENT I fear the UK market as it is driven year on year by the wholesalers, to the extent that we are now so reliant on them, and they are creating their own in house DEALER GROUPS, so they have more control of your business and can put more on their bottom line against putting into an Independent Group putting in my case on my bottom line.
Michael Morgan – Nemo Group Member