Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin

The Independent Dealer Podcast

Leisure EN ↓ 476 episodes

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"

Author

Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin

Episodes

#172 - Buckeye Dealership Consulting 03.06.2021 44:21

This week Shaun & Jason from Buckeye Dealership Consulting join us to talk Reinsurance. Retail dealers and BHPH dealers can benefit from owning their own insurance companies. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the businesses that support the podcast https://www.buckeyereinsura...

#171 - Rollercoaster Life of A Car Dealer 27.05.2021 30:24

A dealers life is full of ups and downs and sometimes straight sideways. Luke & Jeff vent this week about the many stresses of running a dealership. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.fac...

#170 - Auction Of The Future w Steve Jordan 20.05.2021 33:45

Steve Jordan joins us this week from his new post at KAR Global. Luke & Steve talk sourcing, auction inventory levels, and the future of wholesale buying. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://w...

#169 - Fixing The Mechanic Shortage w/ Michael Mole 13.05.2021 50:22

Only thing harder than finding a good car is finding a good technician. Michael shares with us tips on hiring, retaining and compensating top mechanics. Make your service department a place that attracts and grows top talent. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that su...

#168 - Two Is Better Than One??? w/ Dan Reel 06.05.2021 34:54

We make our annual check in with Dan Reel. Time for an update on location 2, how he is staffing both stores and where the heck is he getting cars from?!? Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Please subscribe, leave us a review,...

#167 - Bob Voltmann In The Drivers Seat Of NIADA 29.04.2021 33:19

The new CEO of NIADA joins us to talk about his strategic plan for the association. We also discuss strengthening state associations, the PAC and national convention.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Please subscribe,...

#166 - Your Employees All Want To Quit 22.04.2021 33:32

Only thing harder than finding good inventory is finding good employees. This week we talk tips on how to find and retain top talent at your dealership. Grow em or lose em! Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Please subscribe,...

#165 - The Future of NIADA Education with Larry Dixon 15.04.2021 32:35

NIADA's new VP of education joins us to talk about upcoming convention, and the associations renewed focus on education. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend. Connect...

#164 - Our Process For Vetting Your Vendors 08.04.2021 36:26

A 10 step process for picking a vendor. If your thinking of adding, switching or cancelling a vendor relationship be sure you are vetting them right. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and...

#163 - Notes from 20 Group 01.04.2021 31:08

Luke & Jeff share with us their action items from last weeks 20 group meeting. They cover sales process, referral source, data mining, back-end products and staffing issues. Enjoy! Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Pleas...

#162 - Dealers In The Music City 25.03.2021 22:50

Luke & Jeff hang out in Nashville this week for 20 group. Hear some of their take-aways from the week. Also, meet some fellow dealers Jim Ramsey and Steven & Kerri Watkins. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Support the sponsors that support us dealers: www. DealerRe.com Please su...

#161 - Rant: Gimmie Your Stimi, Work-Life Balance & Jeffs Suprise 18.03.2021 34:53

This week Luke and Jeff rant about stimulus money, work-life balance, book values and Jeff blindsides Luke with some news.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/indepen...

#160 - GPS Best Practices w Jake Frank 11.03.2021 46:51

We get to know Jake Frank CEO of Passtime and Pioneer in the GPS industry. We talk about the history of the GPS device and some best practice tips for dealers using or thinking of using trackers. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a frie...

#159 - Connecting Your Dealership To Wallstreet Money w/ Steve Burke 04.03.2021 48:46

The first ever auto loan crowd sourced securitization and what it means for the independent dealer. Agora Capital CEO Steve Burke joins us to explain that the heck it is and why its a game changer for the small dealer. What if your dealership had access to Wallstreet capital? Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@th...

#158 - Will The CFPB Come For Your Dealership w/ Shaun Peterson 25.02.2021 27:02

What is the agenda for the new administrations CFPB director. How can independent dealers protect themselves.  Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/independentautogroup...

#157 - Is Your Dealership A Target Of The CFPB w/ Dennis LeVine 18.02.2021 44:26

Will auto dealers and bhph operators be on the hit list for the new CFPB? What does the recent supreme court ruling on repossessions and bk filings mean? We get answers to these questions from Dennis LeVine of Kelley - Kronenberg. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave...

#156 - Inventory, Clubhouse & Scaling w/ Luke & Jeff 11.02.2021 35:15

This week we rant about some hot topics. Tax refunds, auction prices, physical conventions, state associations, stimulus money and when to scale your car lot. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend. Connect with us online: https://w...

#155 - What Happens to Your Dealership If You Die w Mark Burkholder 04.02.2021 40:15

What happens to your dealership if something happens to you? Do you have a plan in place to make sure your work and home families are taken care of. Contrary to popular belief us car dealers are not immortal. Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review, and shar...

#154 - The Vehicle History Report w Kirsten Von Busch 28.01.2021 37:16

Love them or hate them Vehicle History Reports are a powerful tool for your dealership. Kirsten from Experian Autocheck joins us this week to talk the ins and outs of VHR's. Learn why and how your dealership can use them to sell more cars and make more money. Please support those that support the podcast: www. Taxmax.com Use promo code “Podcast” for 25% off sign up Thank you for listening we hope...

#153 - Top 5 Tips for Dealerships SEO-SEM w Steve Neu 21.01.2021 52:45

Getting a grip on your dealerships SEO/SEM is not easy and knowing where to start is the first step. This episode Steve talks about us about his 5 top tips for getting your Google game amped up.  Please support those that support the podcast: www. Taxmax.com Use promo code “Podcast” for 25% off sign up Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www....

152 - Time to Plan Your Dealerships 2021 Roadmap 14.01.2021 39:13

This week join us for an online workshop to project your 2021 goals. Download the excel template from our website and follow along as we forecast the upcoming year. Setting and achieving your goals are key to moving your dealership forward! Please support those that support the podcast: www. Taxmax.com Use promo code “Podcast” for 25% off sign up Thank you for listening we hope you learned somethi...

#151 - The Financial Health of Your Dealership in 2020 w/ Jim Rhoads 07.01.2021 32:01

Jim Rhoads, owner of The Octane Group, joins us to talk about the KPI's that you should be looking at to see if your dealership came out of 2020 healthy. We talk about net profit as a percent of sales, the importance of having a DMS and or accounting software and many other ways to look back at your 2020 schedule.  Please support those that support the podcast: www. Taxmax.com Use promo code...

Welcome to 2021 and Seasons 3 01.01.2021 4:02

Welcome to season 3. Hope everyone is ready for a new year and new content. We are committed to continue the podcast and continue to bring you educational content all year. 

#150 - From 30k to 14 Million in 10 years w/ Harry Buchelly 31.12.2020 37:31

Harry has gone from 30k in the bank to a 14 million BHPH portfolio in 10 years with zero debt. As a Colombian immigrant he has worked hard and smart to get to where he is at today. An inspiring story from an excellent operator. Please support those that support the podcast: www. DealerRe.com www. Taxmax.com Use promo code “Podcast” for 25% off sign up Thank you for listening we hope you learned so...

#149 - How I Built This w/ Clint Wactor 24.12.2020 50:17

Clint Wactor has been a dealer since 89 and has some great wisdom to share with us. Please support those that support the podcast: www. DealerRe.com www. Taxmax.com Use promo code “Podcast” for 25% off sign up Thank you for listening we hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think. www.theindependentdealer.com Info@theindependentdealer.com Please subscribe, leave us a review and shar...