Why Used Car Reconditioning is The Single Most Important Thing when it Comes to Car Shopping
When shopping for a used car, everyone aims to find one that’s priced right and in excellent condition. However, comparing used cars can be challenging since each one is unique based on how previous owners drove and maintained them. The most crucial factor when browsing various used cars at a dealership is the reconditioning that prepared them for sale. This reconditioning process significantly affects the car’s condition, overall ownership cost, and future reliability. Therefore, a cheaper used car isn’t always the better deal. A properly reconditioned used car might cost more upfront but will save you significantly in the long run.
Used Car Reconditioning by the Numbers
Ding King’s Ding King Express makes it easier when customers bring in a well-maintained car for trade-in, as it requires minimal effort to prep for resale. However, most dealerships can’t sustain their used car inventory solely through trade-ins. Many acquire vehicles from wholesale auctions. Regardless of how they obtain their inventory, the reconditioning process is paramount for any dealership.
Many people are unaware of how significant reconditioning is for a dealership, whether it’s an independent used car lot or a new-car dealership with a used car division. Industry data reveals a striking increase in reconditioning spending over recent years. For instance, in 2018, new-car dealerships spent an average of $635,453 on reconditioning used cars, up from $288,479 in 2009. This surge in spending is partly due to shifts in the new car market.
With new car sales declining – the first quarter of 2019 saw sales dip below 3 million units for the first time in six years – more consumers are opting for used cars, driven by rising new car prices, which now average over $34,000. Consequently, these buyers expect their used cars to be as close to new as possible, fueling the need for higher-quality reconditioning.
Reconditioning vs. Detailing
Detailing is a crucial part of preparing a used car for sale, involving thorough cleaning and preserving the vehicle to make it look and feel almost new. However, detailing is just the final step in the reconditioning process, which encompasses extensive repairs and restorations. This can include headlight restoration, paint chip repairs, plastic trim restoration, fixing holes and tears in fabric, dent and ding repairs, vinyl and leather repairs, carpet rejuvenation, odor removal, and more, along with any necessary mechanical or cosmetic fixes to meet showroom standards.
Speed and Quality: The Pillars of Used Car Reconditioning
A car waiting for reconditioning is a car not available for sale, costing the dealership money. Therefore, dealerships strive to recondition vehicles swiftly to maintain fresh and marketable inventory. However, they must also ensure high-quality work to achieve the best prices and uphold their reputation for quality vehicles. Dealerships that ignore efficient reconditioning processes can take up to two weeks to get a car ready, which is far too long. Those who accelerate the process must avoid cutting corners to maintain quality. The industry metric, often referred to as recon-to-front-line time or time-to-market, significantly impacts gross profit margins and is a key focus for top dealerships.
Ding King Express Takes Reconditioning Seriously
Ding King Express prioritizes reconditioning above all to boost dealership profits and ensure customer satisfaction. We reduce the recon-to-front-line time to an impressive 2-3 days without compromising quality. Our dealerships typically maintain a recon turnaround time of three days, ensuring every vehicle is in excellent condition, meeting our high standards.
Some dealerships skimp on reconditioning, opting only for a quick detail job. At Ding King Express, every car is thoroughly reconditioned from top to bottom, inside and out. This commitment to quality is part of our promise to you.
Ding King Express’ comprehensive reconditioning efforts ensure that your inventory is top-notch, with fresh, thoroughly inspected, and reconditioned vehicles arriving regularly for sale.
We’re so confident in our reconditioning process that we offer a money-back guarantee on every car we recondition. This unique guarantee is just one of the many ways Ding King Express stands out from the competition.
Ready to Revolutionize Your Used Car Sales?
If you’re ready to elevate your used car sales and ensure your inventory is front-line ready in under 72 hours, contact us for a customized quote!
At Ding King Express, we’ve crafted an aggressive reconditioning service menu designed to boost revenue, profits, and customer satisfaction.
It’s a win-win strategy – the foundation of how we’ve expanded from one dealership to over 100 dealer groups over the past 31 years.
