Merchant Spotlight: Car Dealer Depot

Q: Why did you decide to launch a store focused on automotive-specific products and services?

Joe Hess: I have been in the automotive industry most of my career. I worked at AutoNation ($20 billion owner of dealerships Nationwide) as Director of Purchasing for the entire company so I was familiar with the products and services automotive retailers require and an ecommerce business seemed like an efficient sales channel.

Q: In what ways have you seen your products directly affect car dealerships?

Joe: We strive to help dealers increase profits by reducing acquisition costs on the products needed to run their businesses. Our products help them merchandise and maintain their inventory, promote sales events, brand their business, and keep backend functions running smoothly.

Q: How have car dealerships been effected by the recent recession? In what ways does your store help lower costs for dealerships?

Joe: The automotive industry as a whole has suffered the last several years. From the manufacturers right down to the retailers in our local communities who not only provide jobs but support the local economy through taxes and charitable contributions - everyone has seen their respective incomes reduced from the recession. Because of our scale and efficient business model Car Dealer Depot is able to offer very competitive pricing which converts to increased profit.

Q: Can you tell us a little more about your Spend Managment Solutions program?

Joe: Our spend management program offers ownership groups with ten or more stores the ability to control both hard and soft costs through the application of technology on their purchasing procedures however formal or informal they may be. We offer consolidated reports illustrating spending patterns, the ability to implement business rules complete with budgeting and approval routing, and the ability to consolidate your spend across all your stores.

Q: Which products have been the most popular among your customers? Why do you think this is so?

Joe: Our more successful product categories help retailers with merchandising inventory, and promoting sales events which include products that highlight a vehicles attributes, products which draw attention to the store/sales event/inventory, and products which keep the inventory looking its best. We believe the success of these products is directly tied to the selling of vehicles which is what everyone in the industry wants more of right now.

Q: How does your online store fit the needs of car dealerships moreso than other potential retailers?

Joe: We offer the largest selection of automotive specific products at very competitive prices in one location, so we are essentially one stop shopping hence the name Car Dealer Depot.

Q: What dealership departments are your products applicable to?

Joe: All of them, from Sales and Service to Finance and Accounting.

Q: Where would you like to see change or growth in CarDealerDepot.com in the near future?

Joe: We will continue to add relevant product categories and look forward to earning more business from automotive retailers Nationwide.

Q: What else can you tell us about Car Dealer Depot?

Joe: The Car Dealer Depot team has been serving dealerships across the Country for over 10 years, both Franchise and Independents, and will continue doing so for many years to come.