AutoKnerd Saturday Dispatch

Turning Third Wheels Into Secret Allies at the Desk

Andrew Sardone
September 20, 2025

🟢 Saturday Starter:

Who really closes the deal?

Spoiler: sometimes it’s not you. When the “silent passenger” speaks up, the deal balance shifts.

👉 [Download the Third Wheel Cue Card]

Truth Bomb 💣

80% of deals wobble when a third wheel (spouse, parent, buddy) enters the conversation. They’ve got influence, but you’ve got tools.

EP57 shows you how to keep the influencer included and the customer confident.

ICYMI

Now Playing: EP57 —The Third Wheel

This week’s episode arms you with:

Scripts to acknowledge the influencer without confrontation
Do/Don’t checklist for staying in control at the desk
A reflection drill that turns distractions into confidence wins

🎯 Free Tool: 👉 [Grab the Third Wheel Cue Card]

(Insert tool thumbnail image — 1-page printable preview, clickable to download.)

UP NEXT THIS WEEK:

AutoKnerd Podcast EP58: EV Reality Check

Next week we go current: What’s going on in the world of EVs.

From Nissan canceling the Ariya to Rivian scaling down costs, we’ll unpack how today’s EV turbulence is shaping customer trust — and how to use that lesson on your own sales floor.

🎉Beta Test Invitation📢

We’re opening the door for AutoKnerd Pro + Elite Beta Testers:

Pro (Consultant Edition): Workbooks, practice logs, scenarios, rubrics.
Elite (Manager Edition): Full coaching packets, tracking sheets, Saturday Meeting Guides.

AutoKnerd History Lesson

Weird & Awesome from Automotive History

Honda’s “CVCC Engine” (1973)

while the Big Three scrambled to meet new emissions laws, Honda quietly solved it with a brilliantly simple combustion chamber design.

Customers didn’t just buy the car, they bought trust in the proof.

Lesson: Just like the third wheel today, outside forces test credibility. Win by showing evidence, not just arguing specs

Today’s Mission: Tame the Third Wheel

Print the Third Wheel Cue Card.
Roleplay with a teammate as the influencer.
Use acknowledgment + redirect scripts to keep control.

✅ Mission Complete if both customer and influencer feel included without you losing authority.

Andrew Sign-off

Third wheels don’t derail deals, poor handling does. Prove you can make everyone feel heard, and the sale will stay on track.

— Andrew Sardone

AutoKnerd, out. 🤘😝

AutoKnerd Saturday Dispatch

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