As a female consumer I spent 17 years as a
single mother … and as a woman who knew nothing about servicing her vehicle! Not
only did I not know – I was overwhelmed with how to get the information to stop
my ignorance and to stop the frustration that I felt each and every time I
approached a dealership. I consider myself (as I'm sure many of you do as well)
to be a good listener, good communicator and good student. Yet, I continued in a
defensive mode (my attitude) rather than getting educated. Funnily enough, 7
years ago I was recruited as a manager into the Automotive Industry … spending
time in sales, as a GSM, and even a 1-year stint as Service Manager I continued
to see women enter the dealership defensively, aggressively, and often angrily.
Bad past experiences had created an ongoing problem – for the customer and the
staff trying to serve them. I promised myself that from my own experience(s) and
those observed first hand that I would structure, present and overcome some of
the problems with women's experiences with Dealerships and their
vehicles.
For the past 5 years I have held Women's Workshops regarding the How To(s) of purchasing, negotiating, and ultimately servicing your car. My analogy is definitely female focused: “Do you know a lot about servicing your car? How to repair it? When to have basic repairs done that extend the life of your vehicle? Raise your hands if you've worn HIGH-HEELS or LOVE SHOES? Have you been ANEMIC or known someone who's been ANEMIC? Have you ever worn or owned PANTIE-HOSE? How many here with a show of hands has used MASCARA, CONTACT LENSES or worn GLASSES? And how many have ever been accused of being INTUITIVE or EMOTIONAL? Well, based upon the response I'd say you have a huge - HUGE foundation for knowing more about your cars than you might believe. I'm going to teach you how those things tie into servicing or purchasing a vehicle!” The format is simple:
My premise is as follows: High-Heels = Tires, inflation, care, alignment; Pantie-Hose= filters, belts, pulleys; Anemia= oil, and other critical fluids, symptoms of over use; Mascara/Lenses/Glasses = headlamps, turn signals, wiper blades and arms; Emotion or Intuition= how to listen, note, and voice both what you feel as well as hear regarding your car (divide the car into 4 quadrants; and two sound levels – low and high).
I've loved teaching every class! The women laugh, learn, and leave feeling empowered, with knowledge, and a list of 4 simple questions that grows their knowledge with each and every visit. A group graduates knowing: How often to have oil changed; When to rotate tires and why; How to tell if oil has been changed; How to know how much air is required for specific tires; When to check air pressure; 225/18R17 – and what it means; and how to Handle less than satisfactory visits with your dealership and leave a satisfied and valued customer.
I stay true to my own motto Live long, Laugh hard, and Keep your Friends and Passions near!
Rita Anderson writes a column for Her Magazine titled ‘Reflections Through a Shattered Mirror' and travels to dealerships teaching and promoting women's marketing and other niche marketing. Rita Anderson Garrison lives in Sebring, Fl.; Mother of two adult children and Nana to one grandchild; she continues to speak to Women's Groups and Civic Organizations regarding the power that comes from "Why Walk When you Can Skip?". She specializes in Industrial Art and novelty Photography and may be contacted at ritalanderson@gmail.com or phone (863)214-5918