AutoKnerd Dispatch – Saturday Edition (EP51 Early Release) w/New Tool Drop

You Weren’t Supposed to Hear This Yet...

Author

Andrew Sardone
August 02, 2025

Saturday Starter!

Every consultant knows that customers don’t always say exactly what they mean.

Sometimes they’re hiding fear.
Sometimes it’s about control.
Sometimes? It’s just defense.
The consultant who hears what’s beneath the words?
That’s the one who earns the trust - and the deal.
Podcast Episode 51 (early drop)

Why Customers Lie (And What They’re Really Telling You)

Yeah, this one dropped early.
But since you’re here — enjoy the exclusive early listen.
This episode digs into the psychology behind customer fibs, stalls, and half‑truths.
You’ll learn:

  • Why “I’m just looking” almost never means just looking

  • How fear and control shape the way customers answer your questions

  • The cues that reveal the real story behind their words

  • How to turn “defense mode” into a trust‑building moment

Nexts Weeks Show EP50

Coming Next Thursday: EP50: The Trust Equation

Trust isn’t just a vibe — it’s a formula.
And if you don’t solve it, your deal collapses.
In EP50, we’re breaking down the math of trust with humor, hard stats, and proven tactics that turn maybe into yes.
You’ll learn:

  • The 3 hidden variables in every trust equation

  • Why empathy multiplies confidence faster than any close

  • How to stop losing deals to “I need to think about it”

  • A mindset shift that makes customers want to buy from you

🔑 Get ready — this one’s a game‑changer
Tool Drop:

The First Impressions Generator

Results of the “Old School Meet-N-Greet”

Your first five minutes with a customer set the tone for the entire deal.
Nail those minutes, and you’re halfway to the close before you even touch the driver’s seat.
This quick‑hit one‑sheet gives you:

  • 3 openers that create instant credibility

  • The body language moves that lower customer defenses

  • A simple trust‑building framework you can apply today

AutoKnerd Pro Tip

The 7‑Second Rule

Research shows that customers form a first impression of you in just 7 seconds.
That’s before they hear about features, finance, or even set foot in the driver’s seat.
Here’s the kicker:
If that impression is positive, your closing odds jump by more than 60%.
If it’s negative? You’ll spend the whole deal digging out of a hole.
So remember: every handshake, smile, and eye contact moment is either building the deal…or breaking it.
AutoKnerd History Lesson

This Week in Automotive History

On July 31, 1928, Walter Chrysler pulled off the deal of the decade:

He acquired the Dodge Brothers Company for $170 million — instantly supercharging Chrysler’s production capacity and setting the stage for Plymouth and DeSoto to join the lineup.

Without Dodge, Chrysler would never have broken into the Big Three.

Takeaway for today’s sales floor: Big wins don’t always come from starting fresh — sometimes they come from recognizing value and seizing the right opportunity.

The original Dodge Brother emblem used from roughly 1914 - 1939

That’s it for this week.

Every customer who steps on your lot today is carrying two things:

a need they hope you’ll solve,

and a doubt you’ll care enough to solve it.

Prove them wrong about the doubt,

and you’ll never be wrong about the deal.

Go lead with care — and the numbers will follow.

— Andrew Sardone

AutoKnerd, out.