Tracy Myers Named "Thought Leader Of Year"

Tracy Myers, known as The Nations Premier Automotive Solutions Provider, was recently honored by The National Academy of Best-Selling Authors as a 2011 PowerTalk Thought Leader of the Year.

Last weekend, Tracy Myers, The Nations Premier Automotive Solutions Provider, along with other leading business and marketing book authors, joined in Hollywood to attend the Best Sellers Summit and Awards Gala hosted by National Academy of Best-Selling Authors™. (NABSA)

The NABSA honored Tracy as one of fifteen thought leaders to deliver a PowerTalk at the event about what businesses and entrepreneurs can do to grow their business in the new economy. After the event, the members of the NABSA voted for their top three thought leaders for 2011 to receive the PowerTalk Thought Leader of the Year Award. Tracy Myers was chosen as one of these thought leaders for his expertise in small business marketing and branding solutions. The NABSA also honored international best-selling author of Brian Tracy with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The latest book by Myers, Pushing To The Front: Front Line Strategies From The World’s Leading Entrepreneurs was released and features top advice from leading entrepreneurs and marketing experts from across the globe. On the day of release, Pushing To The Front reached best-seller status in three separate Amazon.com categories. The book reached #6 in the Direct Marketing category, and was a top seller in both the Communications and Entrepreneurship categories.

To learn more about Tracy Myers, please visit http://www.TracyMyers.com

About Tracy Myers

Tracy Myers is a car dealership owner, author, speaker and entrepreneur. He recently celebrated the opening of his newest business, The Celebrity Academy in Charlotte, NC. The Academy teaches professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners how to get noticed, gain instant credibility, make millions and dominate their competition by building their Expert Brand.

Following these principles have helped Tracy gain enormous success at his own dealership, Frank Myers Auto Maxx. It was recently recognized as the Number One Small Businesses in NC by Business Leader Magazine, one of the top three dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal, and one of the Top 22 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine.

He graduated from the Certified Master Dealer program at Northwood University and was the youngest person to receive the National Quality Dealer Of The Year award, which is the highest obtainable honor in the used car industry.

He has provided guest commentary on the FOX Business Network and has also been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS & FOX affiliates across the country. He has also appeared on stages from coast to coast and is the author of several books, including the #1 Best-Sellers YOU Are The Brand, Stupid! and Uncle Frank Sez.

About The National Academy of Best-Selling Authors™:

The National Academy of Best Selling Authors™ was founded by two attorneys, JW Dicks, Esq. and Nick Nation, Esq. who are also best selling authors and represent authors and experts nationwide. Both of the attorneys are members of multiple organizations, associations and academies that recognize and honor the best in the business, and they thought a similar organization should be created for Best Selling authors who don’t always get recognition for their accomplishment. Authors themselves, they recognized that only a very limited number of books made the major New York Times Best Seller list and just like the awards shows put on by the entertainment-based organizations, they wanted to have more categories for authors to be accepted and recognized for their accomplishment. The National Academy of Best Selling Authors™ now honors authors from many of the leading independent best-seller lists.

To find out more about The National Academy of Best-Selling Authors™ visit http://www.academyofauthors.org/

The Brian Tracy Show To Premier Across The Country With Tracy Myers, Owner Of Frank Myers Auto Maxx

Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston Salem, has taped a segment as a guest on The Brian Tracy Show which will air on NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX affiliates across the country in the first quarter of 2011. In the interview, Myers discusses the secrets of the success of his dealership during a recession.

"I’m excited about being one of the first guests on the TV show of the legendary Brian Tracy," stated Mr. Myers. “When times get tough," Myers continued, "it is quite common for business owners to cling to what’s familiar, even if it’s losing them money. This is like grabbing an electric wire and instead of letting go we grip the wire tighter, causing further pain. We react with attachment rather than release. Even worse, we follow with behaviors like blame, denial, resistance and rationalization. The success of Frank Myers Auto Maxx during a time when other dealerships have been shutting their doors is a true blessing. I’m happy to share what I know with others.”

The interview with Mr. Myers will appear on The Brian Tracy Show when it premieres during the first quarter of 2011. The Brian Tracy Show will appear on NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX affiliates throughout the country.

About Brian Tracy: Brian Tracy is Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations.

Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined.

Brian Tracy has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 4,000,000 people in 4,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 40 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.

He has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.

He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.

He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.

Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting. He has conducted high level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.

He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents, and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in community and national affairs, and is the President of three companies headquartered in Solana Beach, California.

About Tracy Myers and Frank Myers Auto Maxx: The original Frank Myers Store was started more than 83 years ago by Frank Myers, the Great-Grandfather of the current owner Tracy Myers and the Grandfather of the previous owner, Franklin Myers. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Tracy was one of the first 100 Certified Master Dealers in the Nation, a NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was the youngest recipient ever to be honored with the highest available distinction in the used car industry…the National Quality Dealer award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was recently recognized as the #1 Small Business in NC by Business Leader Magazine, one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 10 Internet Auto Retailers in the Nation & one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the Co-Creator of the “Everybody Rides” program and author of the best selling book “Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer”, available at Amazon.com and better bookstores. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business “By the Book”. The dealership specializes in helping people find, qualify for and own the vehicle of their dreams with little or no money down…even with less than perfect credit. For more information on Frank Myers Auto Maxx, please visit their website at: http://www.frankmyersauto.com/

Uncle Frank sez: “You can’t lead others unless you have followed.”

Uncle Frank is always quick to point out that no member of the Boy Scouts has ever started out as an Eagle Scout and no member of the United States Military has ever started out as a general. They have to work their way up through the ranks and into those positions of leadership. They have to earn those titles through dedication and hard work.

They can only accomplish those positions once they have perfected the skill, endurance and perseverance it takes to follow. They have to spend time in the trenches – training, learning and perfecting multiple tasks before they can reach that rightful role of leadership.

There is a right of passage they must conquer for that caliber of leadership. They must serve their time in the vineyard. They must follow and become good followers in order to become great leaders.

Patton, McArthur and Schwartzkoff sure did. Then there were great men like Audie Murphy who were great followers who led so well that they earned the highest decorations attainable though they were not the highest-ranking leaders in their field.

We are all the same no matter what profession we are in – we have to follow first before we can lead. Shadowing someone else who has been in the business or being mentored by an expert in the field is highly recommended in any occupation.

Just as we have to crawl before we can walk and walk before we can run, we must also learn before we can teach and follow before we can lead.

Being a follower means learning, being trained and drawing knowledge from someone else and their experience. Why would any person turn down good advice based on prior experience? No smart person would. By following, you learn the ropes and see the possible pitfalls and can learn to dodge them instead of plummet into them.

There are many land mines in the business field, so it is best to follow someone who knows where they are. Then when it’s your turn to cross the field by yourself you’ll know where each land mine is buried and you can avoid them. It will save your life.

Be patient in learning to follow and you will be great in learning to lead. We have to do one before we can do the other. Follow the leader, and then you can lead the followers.

About The Author, Tracy E. Myers: The original Frank Myers Store was started more than 83 years ago by Frank Myers, the Great-Grandfather of the current owner Tracy Myers and the Grandfather of the previous owner, Franklin Myers. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Tracy was one of the first 100 Certified Master Dealers in the Nation, a NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was the youngest recipient ever to be honored with the highest available distinction in the used car industry…the National Quality Dealer award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was recently recognized as the #1 Small Buisness in NC by Business Leader Magazine, one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 10 Internet Auto Retailers in the Nation & one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the Co-Creator of the “Everybody Rides” program and author of the best selling book “Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer”, available at Amazon.com and better bookstores. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business “By the Book”. The dealership specializes in helping people find, qualify for and own the vehicle of their dreams with little or no money down…even with less than perfect credit. For more information on Frank Myers Auto Maxx, please visit their website at: http://www.frankmyersauto.com/

A Battle Is Brewin' At Frank Myers Auto

- NOTE: The following article will appear in NC Entrepreneur. Enjoy!

While McDonald’s continues to battle Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts for the title of “Coffee King”, a North Carolina entrepreneur throws his brew into the mix.

"The coffee war has begun and I’m ready for a battle,” says Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Group, a group of businesses based in Winston-Salem, NC. "It's been coming for a while."

To get consumers to wake up and smell his brand, Myers poured an estimated twelve-hundred 8-ounce cups of Uncle Frank’s World-Class Gourmet Coffee at its flagship store last month.

Tracy is vying for his fix of the coffee business, which is expected to reach about $19 billion in the next five years, according to sales tracker Mintel. Convenience store giant 7-Eleven boosted its coffee program last year with new flavors and resealable cups. Even beverage giant Coca-Cola launched Coca-Cola Blak, a Coke-and-coffee combination.

McDonald's, with 13,700 U.S. locations, also wants its share. "One of the primary ways people select where they buy coffee is location," says Mintel market analyst Bill Hulkower. "If it's faster and easier to get coffee at a McDonald's drive-through, then the Starbucks brand may not be as powerful."

But Myers is ready for the battle and even has a secret weapon. "Customers are demanding great coffee, something Starbucks has been doing right for 30 years," says Myers. "The biggest difference between their coffee experience and ours is the price. Their coffee can cost as much as $4.00 a cup while ours is 100% free. I think with the superior quality of our coffee and the big difference in price, I can turn Frank Myers into a destination for something other than cars."

At least one Starbucks fan is unlikely to make the switch. "I don't frequent Frank Myers Auto Maxx" says Darryl Brenner, 34, a day trader from Rural Hall, NC as he sipped a grande, three-shot, non-fat latte. "The fact they make good coffee isn't going to change that."

Myers said he will still try. Invitations distributed in Winston-Salem last weekend encouraged residents to visit the dealerships coffee bar for their free 8-ounce serving of the the gourmet coffee and, in return, receive a free car wash.

"When people ask us why we’re giving away free gourmet coffee, the answer is simple. It’s our way of saying thanks to the folks who have supported the Myers family over the past 82 years and also meeting new friends…building new relationships,” says Ashley Bennett, Family Ambassador for Frank Myers Auto Group.

Hulkower adds that other choices will influence decisions. "It will depend on whether people want an Egg McMuffin with their coffee, a cranberry muffin, a doughnut or a car."

Cystic Fibrosis Event Sponsored By Frank Myers Auto Maxx

Tens of Thousands of Walkers Seek to Raise $36 Million for Life-threatening Disease

Winston-Salem, NC: Family Ambassador for Frank Myers Auto Maxx, Nancy Davis, announced today that the Winston-Salem ,NC used car dealership will be a sponsor of GREAT STRIDES, a national walk benefiting critical cystic fibrosis research, education and care programs. GREAT STRIDES, now in its 22nd year, is the largest CF fund-raiser and seeks to raise $36 million nationwide in 2010.

Tens of thousands of walkers are expected to turn out at 550 walk sites nationwide from March to June. Some walks will coincide with National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May. The North Carolina Chapter will wal on April 24th, 2010 at Tanglewood Park at Pavillion #4 starting at 9am.

“GREAT STRIDES is crucial to our lifesaving efforts, and every walker who joins us makes a difference for people with cystic fibrosis,” said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the CF Foundation. “We are making tremendous progress in fighting this disease, and we are grateful for our volunteers and sponsors who are a vital part of this effort.”

“I am truly grateful to the CF Foundation for putting on the GREAT STRIDES event, my team members and our customers for their generosity and desire to help support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s mission,” said Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx. “This disease still takes many lives, but thanks to remarkable medical research, life expectancy continues to rise and people with cystic fibrosis are living longer than ever before.”

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects 30,000 adults and children in the United States. It causes life-threatening lung infections and serious digestive complications. More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the CF gene. Young people are lost every day to this disease.

With the support of the CF Foundation, there have been significant advances in cystic fibrosis research and care. The median survival age has improved from early childhood in the 1950s to almost 37 years today.

Nearly 90 cents of every dollar raised by the CF Foundation is available to fund CF research and care programs. GREAT STRIDES 2007 is sponsored nationally by American Airlines®, Gilead, Novartis and Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

To help fight CF, get involved in GREAT STRIDES by calling (800) FIGHT CF or visiting http://greatstrides.cff.org/.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation funds CF research, has more than 80 chapters and branch offices throughout the country, and supports and accredits a nationwide network of more than 115 CF care centers, which provide vital treatments and other CF resources to patients and families. For more information, visit http://www.cff.org/.

Tracy Myers is the owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC and he is commonly referred to as "The Automotive Transportation & Financial Expert". For a FREE copy of "8 Keys To A Better Car Deal", visit - http://www.frankmyersauto.com/

Tracy Myers Reflects Back on 17 Years at Frank Myers Auto Maxx

At least once a day, someone comes up to me and asks, "So...how's your Uncle?" Of course, they're not asking about my REAL Uncle. They're asking about the man that I've been referring to as "Uncle Frank" on televison commercials over the past 15 years. That man is my father, Frank Myers.

For the record, my father is alive and well. He's doing what he loves doing most; being an entrpreneur. I've truly never met anyone that liked the "thrill of conquering" a business model quite like my father does. He'll come up with a concept for a new business, brings it to life and makes it successful more times than not. Then he gets bored and moves on to the next challenge.

For those of you that don't know my "story", I'd like to share it with you. Not because it's that special but rather the misconceptions that revolve around it. Lots of folks assume that since my unofficial title is PHD (Pappa Had a Dealership), that I would have had an easy time getting into the used car business. Indeed, my father had big plans in store for me, only they meant working 60 hour weeks in the detail shop!

I was 15 years old when I first started working in my father's detail shop. I went away to college and spent my free time as a salesperson at a local Toyota dealership. If my father had known I was working for another car dealership other than his own, he wouldn't have been very happy to say the least. When I returned home years later, my father didn't do me any favors and offered me a position in the detail shop.

I worked my way up the ladder through every aspect of the used motor vehicle industry. 5 years ago, at the age of 34, I bough the family car dealership and sold almost 1,400 vehicles in my first year.

Fast forward to 2009 and I still love this business as much as I did the day I sold my first car. Of course, it's easy to be happy when the dealership has posted a 99% increase over 2008. It saddens me that lots of quality dealers that I consider friends and mentors were forced out of business due to the struggling economy. My dad is still my biggest supporter as well as my biggest critic. I find a lot of humor in the fact that he says he hates the internet, even though he uses it daily in all of his own businesses.

Regardless of our differences, there is one thing we can both agree on that took us way too long to realize. If we put God and family before the dealership, then the dealership will always prosper with a lot of hard work and prayer.

Merry Christmas!

PS: The photo above is of me (on the left) and my dad (on the right) in 1994 the day after I had sold my first car at the dealership. This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad.

Automotive Transportation and Financing Expert Tracy Myers To Speak At Executive Mastermind Meeting

Winston Salem, NC - The Floridays Resort in Orlando, Florida will be host 2009 Rat Pack Executive Mastermind Meeting on November 8th - 10th. Tracy Myers, Automotive Transportation & Financing Expert, is scheduled to address attendees at the exclusive invitation only event

Mr. Myers is scheduled to speak on Monday November 9th at 2:45 pm and will be debuting his presentation called "How Ticking Off Your Competition Can Create Significant Financial Opportunity For Your Dealership In Less Than 90 Days."

Celebrating its continued growth, these meetings have been growing in popularity due to its focus on cutting edge marketing strategies to help car dealers become more effective and profitable in challenging markets. This year, dozens of dealers from across the country are attending the meetings to learn from the industry experts assembled for this exciting two day event.

The Rich Dealers' Executive Meetings are hosted by Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller who are the nation's leading experts on attracting customers and the founders of Gravitational Marketing. They provide entrepreneurs, business owners and sales people with simple ideas, tools, strategies and tips for naturally attracting customers and closing sales without having to perform manual sales labor like cold calling, prospecting or begging for business.

Mr. Myers will be encouraging attendees to consider several new strategies needed to stand out from the competition in their marketplace.

Automotive professionals who would like to be considered for an exclusive membership into the Rich Dealers' Executive Mastermind Meeting, visit http://www.gravitationalmarketing.com/.

If you are interested in reading more about Tracy Myers or Frank Myers Auto Maxx, you can visit their website at http://www.frankmyersauto.com/.

Tom Hopkins Influences Owner of Winston-Salem, NC Car Dealership (Frank Myers Auto Maxx)

I remember 1994 like it was yesterday...I was a young car salesman and I thought I knew everything. Selling a whopping 8 cars a month at the family auto dealership with no wife, no kids and a handful of bills made me feel like the King of the World!

However, as anyone that has had a successful career in automotive sales knows, the proverbial light bulb had yet to go off. I didn't get "it" and hadn't yet realized that I wanted "it".

It is my humble opinion that anyone that sells, has sold, or has attempted to sell cars fall into one of three categories.

The first category is the person that will never get "it". While professional sales is a learned skill, the folks that fall into this first category just doesn't comprehend the art form and probably never will. These poor souls should have never been hired in the first place.

The second category of people are the ones that frustrate me the most. They are the ones that get "it" but choose not to do anything with "it". Whether because of laziness, personal problems or just a better-than-that attitude, these people tend to be cancers that will pollute the rest of your staff if you're not careful.

The third category is the one that I fell into. The people in category three are the ones that always perform OK or above average. However, something will strike a chord with them one day and they will get "it". When that day occurs, they automatically get hungry to learn more and strive to do better each day. They'll go from 8-9 car months to 12-15 car months in what seems like overnight. That day for me was the day that I attended the Tom Hopkins Boot Camp in Tampa, Florida.

I first met Tom Hopkins at a Success seminar in Winston-Salem, NC. His approach to sales and word tracks intrigued me. After the seminar, I went to Toms' table, put my name on his mailing list and bought his classic book "How To Master The Art of Selling". The book blew my mind! I had never heard things said the way Tom taught me to say them. It didn't take me but a few days to finish the book and, needless to say, I was hooked as a fan for life.

The next week, I received an invitation in the mail to attend Tom Hopkins' Boot Camp in Tampa, Florida. Since I was as broke as a convict, I begged my dad for the money. My dad, who always wanted to teach me one of life's many lessons, agreed to loan me the money (YES...he made me pay it back with INTEREST! If I remember correctly, he even made me do a payroll deduct). Thanks for the loan AND the lesson, Dad.

So I was off to Tampa...scared of what was ahead but still very excited about the opportunity to learn more from Tom. Looking back on those 3 days, they were the beginning of my love for the almost lost art of sales. I vividly remember not being able to sleep due to my mind racing a hundred miles an hour. The thoughts of how dangerous I was gonna be when I got back made me feel strangely confident...like I was "the man"! LOL. And I loved it!

The look on my young face in the picture above says it all. I was grinning from ear to ear because I was actually excited about...*GASP-CHOKE*...learning?! 15 years later, my wish it that I can be a mentor that fills my employees and other Sales Professionals with the enthusiasm to learn about the art of selling just like Tom Hopkins did for me.

And, just in case you are wondering, I STILL know The Champions Creed by heart:

"I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed.
And the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep trying." by Tom Hopkins

How NOT To Get Ripped Off When Buying A Used Car

It's no secret that used car dealers have an unshakable reputation for shady deals, dishonest stunts, dirty tricks, tom foolery, shenanigans, and other undesirable actions that you should prefer never to have to deal with.

Fortunately, not all used car dealers are guilty of these dreaded sins. There truly are a group of committed, ethical, honest, good, and professional independent car dealers out there who are truly looking out for your best interest.

Unfortunately, a few bad apples have spoiled the business for those of us who run a tight ship and an honest operation.

Because there are a few bad apples out there, my personal advice to you is to arm yourself with as much information as possible about the scams the dishonest dealers try to pull so you can spot them a mile away and run down the street to another dealer who really deserves your business.

The problem is in knowing how to spot the bad dealers and in being able to identify their tricks and scams.

So I've listed the most common scams the bad guys like to pull so you can be on the look out.

Now you'll know - when you see one of these games being played, run the other direction! The Add-On Dance: Paint Sealant, Rust-Proofing, & Fabric Sealant.

Once you've found the car you love, spent hours researching your options, taken the vehicle for a test drive, inspected the vehicle, negotiated for a fair price, applied for and obtained financing you'll find yourself staring at a dotted line at the end of several pages of fine print.

Most likely you'll be exhausted and worn down and ready to get out of the dealership and on with your life.

This is where dishonest dealerships will extract the last few dollars you have left in your bank account. And these last few dollars often represent a hefty chunk of their profits.

You see buried in the pile of paperwork will be a few lines that mention one or a combination of paint sealant, rust-proofing, or fabric sealant.

These add-ons can range anywhere from $200 up to $1000.

When performed legitimately, these add-ons can extend the value and life of your vehicle.
But all too often, the add-ons are "added on" without your permission.

And by the time you get to the paperwork, you're so tired of the whole process that you don't pay close enough attention to notice them.

In some cases, the additional services are not even performed.

For instance, you'll pay $500 for paint sealant when all the dealer did was wax the car.

That's not a good deal.

Or you'll pay $700 for fabric sealant just for the prep department to spray $30 worth of ScotchgardTM on the seats.

Even worse, you may pay for rust-proofing that was included in the factory paint job. You could have - and should have - received it for free.

Of course, car dealers are running businesses just like any other.

All dealers deserve to earn an honest profit - and valuable add-ons can be a win-win situation for the customer and the dealer.

But the add-ons should be clearly explained - and their benefits should be obvious - so that you, the buyer, can make up your own mind about whether or not to purchase the add-ons.

If you think you may be interested in any of these protectant add-ons, I encourage you to research the third party options before hand and compare those options to what the dealer is offering.

If it's a fair value, go for it. But don't pay any dealer $600 extra to spray your seats or wax your car.

To avoid being ripped off by this scam, be certain to carefully read all of the paperwork - like by line - and point any additional items you didn't agree to.

If you do see add-ons you didn't agree to, or feel like you're being forced to make a decision, this should be a red flag that the dealership or salesperson you're working with is not as honest as they need to be.

It might be time to reconsider.

Bump & Grind

This little gem is a classic "negotiating" tactic used in car dealerships across the country and probably the world.

It goes something like this:
You finally find the vehicle you're looking for and you decide to make an offer.

In your mind the offer is a little low - but still seems fair. You're willing to move a little bit, but don't want to show your cards.

So you present your offer to the salesperson. He shakes is head and explains that he's on your side, of course, but he thinks he might get fired if he went to his manager with your offer.

He goes on to ponder the situation and decides that if you would just increase your offer by a little bit - maybe $200 - he thinks he could take it to his manager.

Being the reasonable person you are you agree to increase your offer by $200. Heck, you were willing to pay a little more anyway.

That's BUMP #1

Now comes the grind.

The salesperson disappears for 10 minutes or so. He says he's going to go talk to his manager.

In my experience, this means he's going to take a coffee break, a restroom break, a TV break, or a smoke break. He may talk to his manager, but it will most likely be to tell a joke or talk about last night.

All the while, you're sitting there believing he's in the office "grinding" away for your benefit trying to work out the best price.

You may even think to yourself that you're a great negotiator and really have these guys working for your business.

Think again.

A few minutes go by and he comes back to where you're waiting.

"Ahh shucks," he says. "I thought $200 would do it, but I guess I was being a little optimistic, it's gotta be more like $500 or the boss won't even consider it."

At this point you have so much invested that you're no longer willing to walk away. So you agree. Maybe you even split the difference.

There's BUMP #2.

This game can continue round after round through the price negotiation, to the trade appraisal, to the credit approval, to the add-ons.

In the end, much like a casino, the house always wins.

When you spot the bump and grind routine going on, that's a sure bet that you'll wind up paying more than you wanted to.

Here's how you can avoid the bump and grind scam.

For starters, you may want to indicate the fact that you're wise to typical car dealer games.

Explain that you don't think they're THAT kind of dealer, but that you'll be on the look out nevertheless.

Another surefire way to end the bump and grind cycle is to negotiate directly with the sales manager.

By doing that, you'll effectively shut down their negotiating engine and they'll be forced to deal with old fashioned face to face selling.

That's what you deserve.

Bad Credit Scam

After you've found the car and the price has been negotiated, you'll usually enter the credit approval phase.

This is where you complete a loan application which is forwarded to the finance department for approval.

These days, approval can be rapid. And smart, honest dealers develop strong, valuable relationships with lenders locally and nationally in order to provide their customers with the most elegant financing choices available.

But the dirty bird dealers use the finance process as another way to squeeze more dollars out of your bank account.

Here's how it works:
The salesperson returns with your application looking all disheveled and frustrated.

She explains that your credit wasn't exactly as good as they thought it would be - and that they weren't able to obtain financing through their preferred source.

Your heart sinks and face turns red. You're embarrassed. And you're worried that you may have wasted all of this time and now you won't be able to be approved.

Perhaps the salesperson even tells you that she's not sure they'll be able to get you approved.

This is a point of minor desperation for most people.

Then you start to explain your virtues to the sales person. That you pay all your bills on time, how this must be some sort of a mix up or a mistake.

She tells you she's going to have one last conversation with the finance manager to see what can be done. She's going to "go to bat for you."

Now back to the coffee or smoke break.

In the meantime, you're sweating bullets and wondering how you screwed up your credit. At this point you're just hoping you can get approved.

10 more minutes and back she comes.

This time with a smile on her face.

"Great news!" she exclaims. "I pushed my finance manager and made him call in a favor with another bank and he's able to get your loan approved!"

Relief.

What she didn't tell you was that the interest rate is 2 points higher than it should be.

In many cases, bad dealers will misrepresent your ability to be properly financed - for instance, if you have A credit, they'll tell you that you have B credit, if you have B credit, they'll tell you C.

They'll use this as an excuse to mark up your interest rate to above competitive levels. But after the stunt, you feel lucky just to get approved at all - so you'll take the loan no matter what. It's all emotional.

Then you pay the price over the life of the loan through a higher interest rate than you could have been approved for.

Once again, car dealers deserve to make money for the service they provide. But you don't deserve to pay an erroneously marked up interest rate.

Here's how you beat this scam:
Get a copy of your credit report before you begin shopping for a car. I recommend you get a copy from Equifax, Transunion, & Experian.

Have a solid understanding of your credit score and what it means so that you won't have the wool pulled over your eyes.

Consider getting a rate quote from your bank or credit union to use as a comparison at the dealership.

A savvy dealer can often beat the rate of your bank or credit union - but a dishonest dealer will convince you that you need to pay much more.

Use a comparative rate as a benchmark.

Extended Warranty Scam
Once you're settling all of the details and signing all of the paperwork, you'll likely be presented an opportunity to purchase an extended service agreement or warranty.

On a new car this extended warranty takes over once the manufacturer's warranty expires.
One a used car, this will begin the moment you take ownership of the vehicle, or when any remaining manufacturer's warranty expires - whichever comes first.

The dishonest dealer will apply extreme pressure to convince you to purchase the warranty.

You'll be scared into purchasing the warranty. Told that you have to make up your mind on the spot or you'll lose your chance to get a warranty.

They may tell you the bank requires you to purchase the coverage.

When you're buying a car, the last thing you want to think about is future problems, so it's easy to get emotionally wrapped up in this warranty scam.

The truth of the matter is that you have 30 days after your purchase the vehicle to add on an extended service agreement. And the dealership isn't the only place to get an extended warranty.

There are other options available to you - both on the internet and through your car insurance company and potentially your bank.

The dirtiest dealers will tack this warranty on to the deal without telling you about it. And of course most people fail to read the fine print, so they miss it, and get suckered into buying something they didn't need or want.

Here's how to avoid this scam:
First of all, carefully read all of your paperwork to make sure you're not agreeing to anything you don't "agree" to.

Once you know the car you want, consider getting some competitive quotes from the Internet.
Print these out and bring them to the dealership with you.

In many cases the dealership will be able to offer you a lower price - and still make a decent profit - so they'll be happy.

And if you've done you're homework ahead of time, you'll be certain not to pay 2 or 3 times too much for a warranty.

Life Insurance Scam
There you are, sitting in the finance office, dotting I's and crossing T's, barely paying attention.

The finance manager slips in a Credit Life Insurance Policy.

"It's standard," he explains. "It's simply to protect your family in the case that you pass away before this loan is paid off."

True. This policy will pay off your loan for you if you kick the bucket before you kick the loan. That could be a good thing for your family if you're not otherwise insured.

But it's not standard, and it's not for everyone.

My major point about Credit Life Insurance is that that it must be your choice to include it or not.

You should request a full presentation of the features and benefits of the policy and talk it over with your family, taking your existing insurance coverage into consideration, before making a decision.

Under no circumstance should this be snuck in or presented as a mandatory item.
It's up to you.

Keys On The Roof
You may have heard a similar story before. It's no wives tail - this really happens.

You come into the dealership with your existing vehicle to have it appraised for trade in.

An hour goes by and you still haven't gotten your keys back.

Eventually, you're ready to leave - perhaps you haven't struck a deal on the car you want.

The sales person explains that the guy who has your keys is at lunch and won't be back for an hour. And his office is locked. So you can't leave yet. "Why not test-drive another car?"

This is just a cheesy excuse to keep you around the dealership longer.

They know that the more time you invest, the more committed you become, and the more likely you are to agree to terms you aren't really comfortable with.

In the most extreme cases, people have virtually been held hostage at dealerships for hours on end waiting to get their keys back.

A lot of "car guys" laugh about this sort of thing, but it shouldn't happen at any respectable dealership.

Here's how to keep this from happening to you:

Bring two sets of keys to your vehicle.

If you get into a bad situation, get in your car and drive away. Call the police and tell them that the dealership tried to steal your car. You'll get your keys back in no time flat.

Another variation of this trick is for them to request your driver's license before letting you take a test drive.

Then, when you want to leave, they can't find it, etc.

Solution: make photocopies of your driver's license and only give them the photocopy. That way it's impossible for them to hold you hostage.

A Final Thought On Scams
I've included these common scams and ways to avoid them. Of course, there are many other scams - but these are the most common - and by learning about these scams, you'll be able to spot the others a mile away.

I would like to point out, however, that the most effective way to avoid these scams all together is to find a reputable, ethical, honest dealer whom you trust and can depend on.

Someone who has proven their commitment to your well-being and satisfaction. Someone who stands up for what is right and demonstrates an unwavering sense of consumer concern.

There's bound to be at least one dealer in your town who fits these criteria.

Look for someone who presents them self as an expert in the car business and a consumer-minded person.

If you're looking for someone you can trust in your town, feel free to contact me personally for a recommendation.

Tracy Myers is commonly referred to as "The Automotive Transportation & Financial Expert & has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. He also the owner of Frank Myers Auto Group which includes Frank Myers Auto Maxx, Credit Quick, Worldwide Vehicle Protection Plan & Triad Car Credit. Tracy is a Certified Master Dealer, an NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was named the National Quality Dealer of the Year by the NIADA, which is the highest obtainable recognition available in the automotive industry. He was recognized as one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailer in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal, one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in NC by Triad Business Leader Magazine (coming in at number 22) & was inducted into the 2009 class of The Triad Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

Author Links
Blog URL:
http://frankmyersautomaxx.blogspot.com/
Business URL:
http://www.frankmyersauto.com/, http://xtremesatisfactionteam.blogspot.com/

Business/Social Networking Links
FaceBook URL:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tracy-Myers/740718781
MySpace URL:
http://www.myspace.com/frankmyersauto
Twitter URL:
http://twitter.com/myersauto
Recommended Paperbacks

Car Buying Secrets Exposed - The Dirty Little Tricks of a Used Car Dealer Author:Tracy E. Myers; CMD with Jimmy Vee & Travis Miller

Frank Myers Auto Maxx - "Why You Aren't Driving The Car You Want To Drive/Part 3

Why You Aren’t Driving The Car You Want To Drive: Part 3

The Third Problem Keeping You From Your Dream Car: Credit

An estimated 70% of Americans have bad credit. Don’t be embarrassed. Good things happen to bad people.

Most people with bad credit incorrectly ASSUME they can’t buy a car. Perhaps they’ve been turned down in the past. But bad credit isn’t enough to keep a professional, caring, and courteous dealership from placing you into the proper vehicle you and your family deserve.

A savvy dealer with appropriate experience and relationships will be able to connect you with a number of different financing sources and options regardless of your credit situation.

So if you’ve had credit problems in the past or have been turned down before, don’t let that be a deterrent.

If you have concerns about your credit, call a few dealerships and ask to speak with a special financing specialist. Arrange an appointment for you to come to the dealership and speak with that person about your situation and discuss potential options.

The Fourth Problem Keeping You From Your Dream Car: Down Payment

In today’s fragile marketplace, many lenders like to see as much as a 33% down payment…even with good credit.

You may have looked at the cost of vehicles today and thought, “I can’t afford a $3,300 down payment for that $10,000 car I want.”

Don’t sweat it. Neither can most people.

Fact is, there are many finance programs available which allow you to make only the first monthly payment plus pay for taxes, tags and title documentation fees at the time of purchase – or in some case – put no money down.

You need to work with professional, courteous, and caring dealership personnel who can help carefully place you with an appropriate finance program to meet your needs.

Coming Next Month: “Why You Aren’t Driving The Car You Want To Drive: Part 4”

About The Author: Tracy Myers has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Get a copy of his FREE report “8 Keys To A Better Car Deal” at: www.commoncarscams.com/myers

Tracy Myers Named To Triad Hall Of Fame

January 22, 2009 - Business Leader Media is proud to announce the 2008 inductees into the Triad Hall of Fame. Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, and 23 other North Carolina Business Leaders/Entrepreneurs will be honored along with the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner at a ceremony on February 17, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Hotel - Greensboro Airport and will be featured in the February 2009 issue of Business Leader magazine.

All Your Holiday Shopping Free? Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC Offers To "Payoff Christmas"

All Your Holiday Shopping Free?

Holiday Shopping Spree: Retail Experiment Could Mean Free Christmas For Some Folks

Good Investment: Buy A Car, Payoff Christmas

by J.A. Venezio
Special / Retail Press Newswide

Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx is at it again. This Winston-Salem car dealer is always dreaming up new ways to stimulate business and help local residents drive a nicer, newer, more fuel-efficient vehicle but this time he may have gone too far.

It's a marketing experiment that could go horribly wrong and potentially cause Tracy financial distress but he is willing to roll the dice for the good of the economy, community and his business.

"I’ve been lying in bed for days trying to come up a way to help Triad residents get a sweet deal on a nicer, newer vehicle -- the gift most people really wanted but didn't get -- and help them with their Santa-sized sack of holiday bills at the same time," said Tracy. "I can remember several years where I looked at my statement after the holidays and said… 'I SPENT HOW MUCH???' It's never fun."

Myers's idea is a bold one that many local residents could benefit greatly from.

"I’ve been able to work it out so that if you bring in all your holiday receipts, I’ll be able to give you the full amount you paid to buy gifts for your friends and family off the price of a nicer, newer vehicle…one that’s Dealer Certified and comes with a free lifetime warranty and an iron-clad money back guarantee" explains Myers.

He continued by saying, "In essence, I’ll be paying everyone back for their holiday gift giving and helping them get the gift they really wanted but didn’t get… the Certified car, truck, van or SUV they’ve been dreaming of."

Of course many would say that a deal like this is just a gimmick or car dealer shell game. But Myers counters this by adding three very real conditions to his offer.

"This isn't a free-for-all, pardon the pun. It's not just some marketing bull. I really am testing this experiment and because it's for real, I have to put some conditions on the offer," warns Myers.

After this reporter investigated the three conditions it was clear that this was a legitimate offer by a local retailer who is truly trying to help families of the Triad during a challenging time that most people are trying to make the best of.

The three conditions for what Myers calls his Super Sweet, Free Christmas Experiment are as follows:

1) You must have the receipts for the gifts that you bought. A credit card or bank printout or statement will also do to show the amount you spent on others for holiday gifts.

2) You must describe the worst gift you’ve ever received. Myers plans on making a top ten list of the worst holiday gifts his customers have ever gotten and publishing it as part of next year's promotion for the event. That is only if the experiment is a success.

3) You must be willing to tell someone else about the offer. Myers says that between the slow holiday season, his personal holiday shopping and the current economic conditions, marketing dollars are in short supply. This condition is his way of spreading the word without huge expense and is part of what is allowing him to make such a generous offer.

Another condition that I uncovered by asking some tough questions was that the Christmas payoff offer was only good up to $4,000.00 in gift purchases. Not a bad number by any means but there is a cap.

Myers and I also discussed the economy and tightening credit.

"Many people who have been told they have credit issues are frozen. They think they can't upgrade their vehicle or do anything right now? That simply isn’t the case. Things are tougher but I have great financing relationships with both local and national lenders that cater to eager buyers in all kinds of credit situations. And because I'm an automotive finance expert I can still help families who need and want a nicer, newer vehicle," said Myers.

Myers had much to say on this topic but his main message was not to let the fear and uncertainty of what's going on keep you from living your life.

Finally I asked if Myers thought that this experiment would be a success and if we'd be likely to see it again next year.

Myers responded confidently, "I'll pay off all your holiday gifts with a big fat discount off the purchase price of a nicer, newer, more fuel-efficient vehicle. I'm really trying to come up with creative ways to help people be excited about the car they drive and save money at the same time. And of course sell a few additional cars in these tough times. It's a win-win."

Myers says the Experiment will last until January 30th at 5PM. After that he must pull the Super Sweet, Free Christmas payoff offer all together and review the results of the experiment.

J.A. Venezio is a frequent contributor to the Retail Press Newswide. Tracy Myers is commonly referred to as "The Automotive Transportation & Financial Expert". Tracy Myers lives in Lewisville, North Carolina with his wife Lorna and their 2 children. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. He is the owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC. Tracy is a Certified Master Dealer, an NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was named the National Quality Dealer of the Year by the NIADA. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailer in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal & one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in NC by Triad Business Leader Magazine (coming in at number 22). Tracy is also the author of the book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com and at any Frank Myers Auto Maxx location. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business "By the Book". Join Frank Myers Auto Maxx on MySpace HERE!

Lasting Legacy

Here is a great business profile that was written about Frank Myers Auto Maxx for Winston-Salem Business magazine. Click here and enjoy!

Silver Lining: Triad Residents Save Thousands This Holiday Season Thanks To Bad Economy

Silver Lining: Triad Residents Save Thousands This Holiday Season Thanks To Bad Economy

Dealership-wide price slashing finds budget-cutting consumers buying vehicles at half off.

by J.A. Venezio
Special / Retail Press Newswide

Undoubtedly, you've felt some effects of the looming economic problems already at home, at work or in your business. For many Americans, this holiday season will be "leaner" than usual because of tightening wallets. But it's not all bad news. In fact, many Triad residents are poised to put the best gift of all under the tree this year and save thousands of dollars in the process.

According to Tracy Myers, a nationally recognized transportation advisor and owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, 2008 has been the worst year in the car business in 20 years. "Normally, by this time of the year, car dealers are wrapping up the year and counting their profit. Not this year. We need to do something drastic this month to even consider making a profit for the year."

For years, retail automotive dealers have depended on the summer months to make a profitable year. But due to a stumbling economy and rising gas prices in the summer, retail sales plunged dramatically. "The problem is, people still want or need a better, more reliable, nicer, newer automobile. But they've been too scared to make an investment in the vehicle they would prefer to drive," said Myers.

The result is slumping sales and profits for dealers, but in the case of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, it's actually good news for consumers. "After being in the car business for as long as I have, you've seen it all," explained Tracy. "You survive by coming up with unique and creative solutions to lessen the blow to your business and to over-deliver like crazy to your clients."

The "solution" Tracy is referring to in this case is a special event going on through the month of December, where virtually every vehicle at Frank Myers Auto Maxx will be marked "Half Off." Your name conceded, "This late in the year, a discount this substantial is the only thing we can do to move the aging inventory out of our dealership and try not to wind up with a loss for the year."

This offer couldn't come at a better time for many Triad residents who have been neglecting their desire for a better vehicle due to tightening budgets. "A vehicle can actually be quite a practical gift for the whole family. It's the gift that keeps on giving for years to come. You can get a car or van or SUV that's more fuel efficient than what you're driving right now, has lower maintenance costs, may have a warranty, is more reliable…and on top of all that it's more fun and exciting to drive a nicer, newer vehicle. When you think about it, this is a gift the whole family can enjoy, and it can actually help you save money in the long run by lowering your transportation costs. And buying a car at 'Half Off' is a great way to make your money go a lot farther. It's both a practical and exciting gift for yourself or your family," said Tracy.

When asked how the company could possibly sell vehicles for "Half Off", Tracy Myers explained that all pre-owned vehicles are acquired at some basic cost from the auction, or from a private party trade-in. Then the dealer invests money in reconditioning the vehicle to like-new status. Finally, the dealer tacks on his profit, which represents the money the dealership makes when you buy a car from them. "What we're doing is slashing that markup, our profit, right in half. This is unprecedented, unheard of, but it's just about the only thing I can imagine that would turn things around. Plus, at the same time, we'll help a lot of people get a great, practical gift for the family and save thousands in the process."

Myers is expecting a great turn out in the last month of the year. "I'm prepared to bring on additional sales and service staff to help the customers who respond to this offer and to ensure an enjoyable shopping experience and a speedy process. I want our clients to be assured that we're ready for them---each and every one of them!"

In discussing the Frank Myers Auto Maxx sale inventory, which is valued at over $1,000,000, dealership staff has assured that the vehicles included in this offer will be the popular makes and models, the cars, trucks, vans and SUVs that people actually want to drive. "Not only will we be offering our clients a fine selection of the specific vehicles they envy like Hondas, Nissans, & Toyotas, but we'll also stock a wide array from small, ultra-compact cars to larger, tougher trucks and SUVs."

Tracy Myers has even planned some unannounced "bonus" offerings to "sweeten the pot" for his clients. When pressed further, he hinted at even deeper price cuts on some specific vehicles and special gifts for anyone taking a test drive during December…such as $300 in free gas.

Considering the beating that most dealerships have taken during this toughest of years as a result of wide spread economic challenges, Tracy Myers has still found a way to smile in the face of adversity, a trait he's developed during his 15 years at the helm of Frank Myers Auto Maxx. "Instead of just calling this a Half Off sale, I'm going to call it the Don't Get Scrooged This Christmas Half Off Sale," Tracy Myers concluded, chuckling.

Local Car Dealer Offers Triad Residents TREATS In A TRICKY Economy

We've all heard the bad new from talking heads on

TV. But at Frank Myers Auto Maxx we're having

a Not-So-Scary Economy Test Drive Event because

now is the best time to upgrade your vehicle.

Local Car Dealer Offers Triad Residents TREATS In A TRICKY Economy

Tracy Myers says, “It’s prime time for some good news for a change!”

Triad - Are you frightened by current economic conditions? Are you terrified by what you’re hearing on the news and reading on the Internet? Have the “experts” scared the bejesus out of you?



Well before you pull your money out of the bank and stick it under your mattress or build an underground bomb shelter in your back yard or plan an escape to a more “normal country”… read this important information.



My name is Tracy Myers and I’ve been listening to the same news and reading the same doomsday reports in the media too. And some of it is concerning. The economy may not as strong as it was a few years ago… But don’t fear … The boogieman is NOT coming to get us all.



I’m here to say that you don’t have to hide under your covers. Things are going to be all right. Markets correct themselves and downs are always followed by ups. Every problem brings opportunity, innovation and growth. And things are starting to look up already! We’ve just seen a healthy increase in the GDP and fuel costs are consistently going down. We’ve even seen a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.



So to celebrate America’s greatness and the amazing opportunity and new frontier that lies before us, I’m having the Not-So-Scary Economy Test Drive Event all through the month of October at Frank Myers Auto Maxx.



Why am I doing this? Because I believe that the bad news just makes things worse. And people in the Traid need some good news for a change. I believe that now is the time, now is the best time to do something for yourself that you’ll really enjoy.



My Not-So-Scary Economy Test Drive Event is about helping you overcome the fear of the new economy and allow you to get back to your normal life. I want to give you a feeling of safety, security and happiness and help you feel good about your position in life and proud to be part of this exciting time in our history.



How can I do this?
Check out what I’ve put together just for you.
►If driving your old car one more day sends shivers up your spine then drag that scary old thing down here. We’ll get you out of it and into the new or pre-owned, fuel-efficient vehicle you’ve been wanting but have been afraid to make the move on.
►Is your credit is a little frightening? Have you been turned down in the past and been treated like an apparition…invisible and unimportant? Maybe you haven’t tried to upgrade your vehicle because you’ve heard about bad loans, tightening credit restrictions and disappearing special finance programs. Are you nervous you’ll be turned away and embarrassed?



Fear not my friend. Things are good here at Frank Myers Auto Maxx. Because of my Not-So-Scary Credit Check and Approval Plan as long as you have a steady job and between $200 to $300 dollars to prove you have upfront cash you could be treated to a newer, nicer vehicle today.



And the banks and finance companies I work with offer straightforward, fixed rate loans with no trickery. All this so you can conquer your fear of past credit problems and get out of the scary old car you hate.



Exactly What You’ve Asked For!
By talking to my customers I’ve found that what makes these uncertain times so dreadful is that you have to tip-toe around, hide out in the shadows and wait to get the things you need and want… like a high quality, fuel efficient vehicle.
The two big reasons my customers have waited to come in and give us the chance to help them get the vehicle they’ve always wanted are:
1. their credit
2. their current vehicle payment
Thanks to my Not-So-Scary Credit Check and Approval Plan your credit won’t be an issue here and consider your old car history no matter how frightening it is. We’ll get you out of it and upgrade you to a vehicle that’s the envy of the neighborhood. It’s my Not-So-Scary Economy Test Drive Event where you get to test drive the car you’ve always wanted and drive it home regardless of your current vehicle payment, past credit problems or the current economy.



Test drives are absolutely free with zero risk, no obligation and 100% VIP treatment.
Not-So-Scary Economy Test Drive Event … going on right now! So hurry in and visit us today or call on the phone to set your Free Test Drive Appointment today at 336.767.3432 in Winston-Salem or 336.882.6000 in High Point.



When you come in this week you can register to win a 4-foot mountain of Trick-Or-Treat Candy. And I’ll have plenty of candy around all month for you and the kids to enjoy while you’re here!

The 5 Reasons You Aren't Driving The Car You Want To Drive

In my career, I have observed that there are only 5 reasons why people aren’t driving the vehicle they want to drive. For most people, only 1 or 2 of the reasons apply to their situation.

I feel that my role as a car dealer is to be committed to helping people just like you overcome whichever of the 5 roadblocks are standing in your way.

I know, I know. You think it sounds too simple. Just 5 things? That’s right. And when you break the problem down into little pieces like I have for you here, you see that whatever the problem is preventing you from getting the car you want is not really as big as it initially seemed.

The five reasons, in no particular order, are: Price, Payment, Credit, Down Payment, Trade. These 5 problems can remain problems if left up to the wrong dealership. Some salespeople and sales managers – in fact, some entire dealerships - are only interested in the slam-bam deals that don’t require effort, concentration, or skill. Some people in the industry are only interested in banging you over the head with the highest possible profit in the least amount of time.

But when you find the right dealer, you will find the opposite to be true. You can complete your transaction in a professional environment and be taken care of by a caring person who is less concerned with the profit from your purchase and more concerned about earning a customer for life. When choosing a dealer, always go with the expert. A dealer who is an expert has a lot of education and information that he gives freely with no expectations in returns.

About The Author - Tracy Myers has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. He is the author of "Eight Keys to a Better Car Deal" and the best selling book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed - The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com. Tracy is a Christian business owner whose goal is to run his business "By The Book." Read his blog @ http://www.frankmyersautomaxx.blogspot.com/ or contact the Author by email: tracy@frankmyersauto.com

Dealer of the Year Award - 2008

Sarasota, Fla - Automotive retailer, Tracy Myers of Frank Myers Automotive, has been named a Leedom and Associates, LLC Dealer of the Year.

The Myers family, including current owner/operator Tracy Myers, has been serving the Triad for more than 82 years.

Each year Leedom and Associates, a Sarasota, Fla. - based automotive retail consultancy names the best automotive retailers in the country. This industry accounts for tens of millions of consumer sales every year and more than $200 billion in retail sales. "Dealers such as Tracy Myers of Frank Myers Automotive epitomize what is truly right with the automotive retail marketplace," said Chris Leedom, president of Leedom and Associates. "There are millions of Americans who depend on dealers such as these to get to work and to take care of so many daily tasks. Without such automotive retailers, many Americans would be hard-pressed to secure the mobility that is such an integral facet of our culture."

Tracy Myers is commonly referred to as "The Automotive Transportation & Financial Expert". Tracy Myers lives in Lewisville, North Carolina with his wife Lorna and their 2 children. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. He is the owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx (Winston-Salem & High Point, NC) and Uncle Frank's Auto Approval Center (Winston-Salem). Tracy is a Certified Master Dealer, an NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was named the National Quality Dealer of the Year by the NIADA. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailer in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal & one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in NC by Triad Business Leader Magazine (coming in at number 22). Tracy is also the author of the book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com and at any Frank Myers Auto Maxx location. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business "By the Book".

The Leedom group helps dealers improve their operational performance so that they may better serve their customers and ultimately the communities in which they, too, are residents. "These nominations are based on operational performance, improvement and the general efficiency of the dealership's business operations," Leedom said. "Also, intangibles such as leadership, respect in the community, goal setting, perseverance and tenacity are taken into account."

Tracy has earned the respect of his peers, he added. "We compared his operation with other dealerships nationwide and he is truly one of the best in the United States," Leedom said.

For more information about Frank Myers Automotive contact Avery Britt at 336-831-0646. For more information about the awards program contact Peter A. Salinas with Leedom and Associates at 800-966-8783.

"Who Is To Blame For High Gas Prices?"

A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports says that motorists are feeling the pain at the pump, and it is impacting their lifestyles and shaping future car buying habits. The "Auto Pulse" survey revealed some very interesting answers.In his explanation, Jeff Bartlett, Deputy Editor Online, Autos, said "With fuel prices and the upcoming presidential election dominating headlines, we thought it would be interesting to see how these issues intersect." So, Consumer Reports researchers conducted a random, nationwide telephone survey of nearly 900 adults aged 18 years or older who drive and whose household owns at least one vehicle. Their responses were quite interesting: In fact, 77 percent of the respondents blame the Government's failure to implement an effective energy policy; 75 percent blame the oil companies; and 70 percent blame the foreign oil makers.

When asked how to fix these high prices, consumers enthusiastically suggested a range of solutions. Among their answers, 90 percent advise increased support for alternative energy development, 84 percent would negotiate lower prices with oil-exporting nations, and 83 percent would encourage conservation through tax incentives, alternative transportation. While the results of the survey to be quite interesting, the comments made in the corresponding blog are the most intriguing. On this page, we have an opportunity to read more than just prefabricated answers and statistics; we are given an opportunity to share in their true opinions, which range from quite astute, to perhaps a bit fanatical. Regardless of their perspective, many of their responses are actually quite educational. One mother shared her perspective. "Amy's" defense of SUV's and two-car families is certainly understandable, when she says "With 3 children in car seats, I require a larger vehicle. I wanted a more fuel efficient vehicle, but that wasn't an option in the American made market at the time. I try to walk or ride my bike, but most stores are now closing that were within the distances I can go with 3 children in tow. I'm doing my part by planning ahead to try and get all my errands done in one circuit when I do need to drive.""Master D" blames our lifestyle, when he says "Congressional pandering to special interests of all types, increased demand from China and India, inadequate support for research on fossil, nuclear and alternative energy, restrictions on oil/gas exploration and generally lack of astute leadership."

One of the most responses was posted by "Ken," who scathingly says "Have your cake and eat it too. Low taxes big benefits. Gas guzzling SUV and cheap gas. Americans are like a bunch of spoiled rotten children whose mommy and daddy never say no. Now they're all crying their little eye's out becuase they can't afford their dredit card lifestyles anymore. Hopfully Uncle Ming and Uncle Achmed will finally get us to wake up before it's too late." Don't hold back there, Kenny!The broad range of responses on this page will have you enthusiastically nodding your head in some places, and angry in others. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree, they are all enlightening. Who do you think is to blame for our high gas prices? And do you have suggestions of your own about how to solve the problem?

About The Author of "Musings From The Maxx": Tracy Myers lives in Lewisville, North Carolina with his wife Lorna and their 2 children. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. He is the owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx (Winston-Salem & High Point, NC) and Uncle Frank's Auto Approval Center (Winston-Salem). Tracy is a Certified Master Dealer, an NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was named the National Quality Dealer of the Year by the NIADA. He was recently recognized as on of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailer in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine and one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the author of the book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com and at any Frank Myers Auto Maxx location. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business "By the Book".For more information, please visit frankmyersauto.com

The color that drives you …

Red: You’re assertive (or aggressive) and strong.

Yellow: It screams “Look at me!” — which is why you don’t see it on family sedans. It’s for sporty SUVs and expensive sports cars, in which it also says, “I’m so rich I don’t care what you think” (example, a $50,370 Corvette convertible).

Orange: You’re on top of the trends. Orange (in many variations) was a key new color in 2003. GM has “sunset orange metallic” pickups; Mercedes-Benz offers a “paprika metallic” C-Class sports coupe.

Silver: You ooze class. The No. 1 car color (it passed white for the first time in 2001), silver represents speed, power and success — which is why it’s the favorite color of baby boomers (ages 38 to 56).

White: A longtime favorite and the color of rental cars. People under 65 in a white car like to blend in. For the elderly, white harks back to the elegance and wealth of the 1920s.

Black: Power/aggression sums it up. The top choice for ages 24 to 37 and one of the top colors targeted by thieves (along with red).

Blue (medium or dark): You’re conservative, middle of the road. Blue always seems to be No. 5 or 6 on lists of the top 10 car colors.

Green (medium or dark): See blue, above, and add a touch of environmentalism.
Of course, people also buy cars with function in mind, but we all like to look good while doing our chores.

About The Author of "Musings From The Maxx": Tracy Myers lives in Lewisville, North Carolina with his wife Lorna and their 2 children. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. He is the owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx (Winston-Salem & High Point, NC) and Uncle Frank's Auto Approval Center (Winston-Salem). Tracy is a Certified Master Dealer, an NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was named the National Quality Dealer of the Year by the NIADA. He was recently recognized as on of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailer in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine and one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the author of the book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com and at any Frank Myers Auto Maxx location. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business "By the Book".
For more information, please visit frankmyersauto.com

Frank Myers Auto Named To Top 100 Businesses List

June of 2008 - It's always a great day here at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, but today is extra special because we were named one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in North Carolina! This prestigious distinction was given to us by Business Leader Media magazine. To make the news even sweeter, we came in at number 22. A great day indeed!