The Independent Dealer Podcast

Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin

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"

  1. #421 - The Auto Cave Model: Parts, Process, & Overcoming Margin Compression

    1D AGO

    #421 - The Auto Cave Model: Parts, Process, & Overcoming Margin Compression

    In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin tour The Auto Cave in Dallas, Texas with Mitchell Briggs — a buy here pay here operation built around a focused inventory strategy, an on-site parts yard, and a relentless pursuit of margin. If you have ever felt squeezed on recon costs, this episode will change the way you think about your buy box. What You'll Learn: Why zeroing in on Hyundai and Kia transforms shop efficiency and parts availability How to reverse-engineer a lower cost basis by buying cars with known problems How Mitchell generated nearly $20,000 in parts sales in a single month from cars he would have otherwise scrapped How The Auto Cave cut average recon costs by $650 per car — and what that means at 80-100 units a month How smaller dealers can apply this model without seven acres and 35 lifts Key Takeaways: Every make and model has a known common problem — buy it with that problem and fix it cheaper than anyone else Catalytic converters, door lock actuators, headlights, taillights, and engines are where the money hides in your scrap cars The BHPH dealer who masters the car side of the business wins on every layer: wholesale margin, retail margin, and APR Support the businesses that support the podcast: Buckeye Risk Services https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeye BlytzPay - https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpay Ituran GPS - https://theindependentdealer.com/ituran Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@independentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a dealer who is ready to stop leaving money in the junkyard.

    26 min
  2. #420: How Dealers Are Using AI to Automate Their Lot

    FEB 26

    #420: How Dealers Are Using AI to Automate Their Lot

    In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin dive into how AI is changing the way independent dealers run their day-to-day operations—from automating social media posts to handling leads without lifting a finger. They also get into the latest government pressure on the BHPH industry, what Elizabeth Warren's data request to NIADA actually means for dealers, and why market forces—not regulators—should be setting interest rates. What You'll Learn: - How Jeff automated his Google review responses and Facebook content using AI and Zapier - Why AI-powered lead conversations are setting appointments without customers ever knowing they're not talking to a human - The real limitations of AI bots—and what makes them frustrating vs. useful - What Elizabeth Warren's request to NIADA means (and why you probably don't need to panic) - Why capping auto loan interest rates would hurt the very customers regulators claim to protect - How market competition already regulates BHPH rates better than any government can - Why dealer conventions and industry education are your best protection against regulatory risk Key Takeaways: - Automate your review responses and social media posts with Zapier + ChatGPT—it's easier than you think - AI can handle inbound leads and set appointments, but only if it's built right - Good AI gets out of the way; bad AI runs customers in circles - If you're borrowing private capital, the government has no business telling you what to charge - Ignorance is not a defense—get educated at dealer conventions before regulators come knocking - Do it the right way and you have nothing to worry about This episode is a must-listen for any independent or BHPH dealer curious about using AI tools to save time, cut costs, and stay ahead—plus straight talk on the regulatory noise that keeps coming for our industry. Support the businesses that support the podcast: Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeye BlytzPay - Buy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpay Ituran GPS - GPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituran Follow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@independentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who's ready to put AI to work on their lot.

    33 min
  3. #08 - Monday Minute | Goal Setting Strategy for Auto Dealerships

    FEB 23

    #08 - Monday Minute | Goal Setting Strategy for Auto Dealerships

    Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Goal setting is the bridge between intention and execution. Without clear, measurable goals, your team drifts—chasing every shiny object instead of focusing on what really matters. In this episode, we break down how to set dealership goals that support your mission, create accountability, and drive real results.WHAT WE COVER:Why vague goals like "sell more cars" or "get better reviews" kill momentumThe power of specific, measurable goals (10 more units this month, 4.8-star rating)Short-term wins vs. long-term vision: How to balance both in your dealershipSetting 6-month goals that prove progress (sales targets, online reviews, financing process, follow-up systems)Defining your 3-5 year vision: more locations, digital sales, work-life balanceThe tracking systems that work: whiteboards, spreadsheets, and dashboardsWhy you adjust the PROCESS, not the goal (and how to do it monthly)ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:Set one short-term goal - Pick something specific for the next 6 months (measurable and tied to your mission)Define your long-term vision - Where do you want your dealership in 3-5 years? Write it downOutline the steps - What specific actions will get you there?Build your tracking system - Whiteboard, spreadsheet, or dashboard—pick what keeps goals visible dailySchedule monthly reviews - Track what's working, what's not, and adjust your processClarity creates accountability. Strong dealerships don't drift—they set goals, track progress, refine processes, and train their teams until they hit the target. This week, let's turn your intentions into execution.Be sure to review this week's Sunday newsletter at theindependentdealer.com, where the full theme and exercises are laid out to help you work through this with your team. If you're not subscribed yet, sign up now. Let's build this together.SPONSORED BY PODIUM: www.podium.com

    4 min
  4. #419 - Brandon Pagano's Turnaround: Staff, Profit & What's Working Now

    FEB 19

    #419 - Brandon Pagano's Turnaround: Staff, Profit & What's Working Now

    In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin welcome back Brandon Pagano for his third check-in—tracking 20 months of real growth, challenges, and transformation at his independent dealership. Brandon shares honest insights on what's working, what's not, and how he built his best year yet. What You'll Learn: How Brandon achieved a "10/10 year" in profitability and growth Strategies for getting out of floor plan financing and reducing interest costs Real talk on staffing challenges and finding the right team How to balance family hardships while running a dealership The importance of tracking goals and adjusting processes (not the goals) Why focusing on profit per unit matters more than volume Key Takeaways from Brandon's Journey: Build capital reserves to eliminate floor plan dependency Hire slow, fire fast—especially in your service department Set clear, measurable goals and track them relentlessly Adjust your processes to hit goals, don't adjust the goals themselves Use property equity as potential capital for inventory growth Stay consistent even through personal and business challenges This episode is perfect for dealers who want to see what real, sustainable growth looks like over time—complete with the setbacks, wins, and hard lessons learned along the way. Support the businesses that support the podcast: Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeye BlytzPay - Buy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpay Ituran GPS - GPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituran Follow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@independentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who's building something real.

    48 min
  5. #07 - Monday Minute | Core Values for Car Dealerships

    FEB 16

    #07 - Monday Minute | Core Values for Car Dealerships

    Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Your core values shouldn't just be words on a poster—they should guide how your team shows up when deals get tight, customers get frustrated, and decisions cost you in the short term. In this episode, we break down how to define core values for your car dealership that actually shape your culture and customer experience.WHAT WE COVER:Why most dealership core values fail (and how to make yours stick)The personal reflection every dealer owner must do: What matters most to YOU?How to narrow down your values to the critical three (if everything's a priority, nothing is)Real scenarios to test your values: flat tires, challenging credit, and daily interactionsThe difference between policies and principles—and why values must be lived, not listedBuilding team alignment so "What Would [Your Name] Do?" becomes second natureACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:Brainstorm your values - Write down everything that comes to mind: honesty, transparency, community, reliability, quality, customer serviceNarrow to three - Pick the core principles that have actually helped you succeed (and saved you when things went wrong)Define applications - For each value, describe what it looks like in action at your dealershipTest scenarios - Walk through real situations with your team to ensure values guide decisions, not just sound goodThis isn't about creating wall art. It's about building standards that guide every customer interaction, even when no one's watching. Core values give your team clarity on how to make the right call—every single time.Be sure to review this week's Sunday newsletter at TheIndependentDealer.com, where the full theme and exercises are laid out to help you work through this with your team. If you're not subscribed yet, sign up now. Let's build this together.SPONSORED BY PODIUM: www.podium.com

    4 min
  6. #418 - Tax Season Sales Tips for Car Dealers

    FEB 12

    #418 - Tax Season Sales Tips for Car Dealers

    In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin break down essential strategies for maximizing tax season sales at your dealership. Tax season is your biggest opportunity of the year—but only if you execute properly. What You'll Learn: How to mine your database for approved-but-not-delivered customers Why increasing down payments during tax season creates better deals Collection strategies to maximize cash flow when customers have money Smart inventory management to avoid running out of stock The importance of maintaining processes even when you're slammed 6 Tax Season Tips: Mine your database for previous approvals and conditions Tighten up and increase down payment requirements Aggressively collect on your portfolio when customers have cash Plan inventory ahead to avoid running out of cars Manage cash flow carefully during high-volume sales periods Don't let volume break your processes and best practices This isn't just about selling more cars during tax season—it's about selling BETTER cars to BETTER customers while improving your cash position. Support the businesses that support the podcast: Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeye BlytzPay - Buy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpay Ituran GPS - GPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituran Follow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@independentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who needs to maximize their tax season results.

    28 min
4.9
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

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"

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