Leadpile’s Blog

We all know payday loans don’t exactly have the best image, however there are a need for them in certain situations. I came across this article on personalmoneystore.com, discussing a very interesting type of loan. This “automobile down payment loan” is said to be a loan that no credit check is performed, and there is no collateral securing this loan. However, after reading more about this, I thought this reminded me of a payday loan, but with a different name.

We all know lending requirements have gotten a lot more strict, however consumers still need to pay close attention to the specifics of any money they are getting. Don’t get me wrong, this is not necessarily a bad thing that consumers should not look at. However, maybe the key to getting a more positive image on the payday loan industry is to put different “names” on the loans. Leadpile will keep an eye out for any other names we identify as a payday loan.

Hyundai started the trend and now GM and Ford are jumping on the bandwagon. These automakers have rolled out new “job loss” protection plans for those looking to purchase a car. According to The Washington Post, “U.S. automobile sales are barely running above an annualized pace of 9 million this year. By comparison, car companies in recent years have sold 16 million to 17 million vehicles. Analysts say the sharp drop suggests that Americans have grown so reluctant to buy new cars that they are even holding back on replacing vehicles that have been in accidents or no longer run.” GM’s job loss plan would cover up to nine car payments of $500 each for customers who lose their jobs, and Ford is offering payments of up to $700 for 12 months.
I am not sure of the specific details of these plans and what sort of “criteria” they set, however this is a positive for those that were a little reluctant on buying a new car. With a little (or lot) of government help, and these sorts of plans being rolled out, maybe there is some chance the auto industry can get back on it’s feet????? Leadpile Lead Exchange is excited about the possibility that there might be some light at the end of this very loooooooong tunnel.

Here is the latest news on what is going on with the struggling auto industry.  Automakers are trying to get congress to approve a bailout for them, yet FORD has announced it does not need any help.  However, congress wants to add a stipluation in with this potential “deal”… that is a “car czar”.  This car czar would potentially be there to monitor every aspect of the money, evaluate the business relationships they have, and oversee everything else related to the industry.

So, what is a car czar and what is congress wanting this “person” to do?  According to NPR news, a few traits that is recommended is someone who knows industrial companies and can follow the money. Another person states the car czar must have financial smarts who is going to make decisions that are going to benefit Americans. However, is this something one person can truely take on? How about a committee that governs these future decisions that are made?
Leadpile Lead Exchange is definitely interested in this industry because we work a lot with the auto finance lead type. What happens in the automakers “world” affects our marketplace. We will be keeping an eye on what happens with the automakers and if they really decide to hire a car czar.

In past years, the internet did not play a big part in a company’s product sales.  Today, this is certainly not the case. The internet is a major player in generating revenue for all industries. Specifically, financial related websites are very popular for consumers to find out information and also purchase items. Leadpile Lead Exchange is no different. The highest demanded leads in our marketplace are financial related lead types. These are companies wanting to provide financial services to consumers looking for assistance.
The auto industry is also no different than our marketplace, and other companies generating business online. According to DMNews, internet generated car sales will rise from 5.1 millions in 2007 to 7.7 million in 2012. This means that auto makers, no matter what their future status is, need to be visible on the internet in order to generate car sales. This would mean that with the tight economy and not as many people out shopping for a car, auto makers must utilize search engines and SEO efforts to get the much needed attention of consumers. DMNews also stated that Nissan North America, Chrysler and GM have done the best with utilizing search marketing.
So does this also mean that those auto lead exchanges that are not focusing on any other lead type are suffering right now? My guess would be yes. Leadpile Lead Exchange is also feeling the effects of less consumers online looking for a new car, however that is why diversifying the lead types we generate is so very important. People are in dire need of other financial services besides just getting a new car, and we want to be able to help with that.

In recent news, GMAC announced it would only offer auto loans to consumers with a credit score of 700+. According to Reuters.com, GMAC is only wanting to extend credit to those with good credit, and is also saying it will be doing more shorter term loans. This is in direct response to the economy and what is happening to the auto industry. GMAC expects these changes to remain in place until the economy stabilizes. In addition to these changes that are affecting consumers, GMAC says, “it has increased the rate it charges car dealers for providing standard auto financing by 75 basis points.” Therefore, this is not only affecting the consumer who is getting the car, but also those that are selling the cars.
Leadpile Lead Exchange works a lot with auto finance and car purchase leads. Situations like this, in the lending world, are going to affect the average “joe” who buys a car. This is where the auto finance lead type could become more demanded because generally you are talking about consumers that don’t have the perfect credit like GMAC is wanting. These consumers still need funding and there are still options out there for them, even though their credit is not “perfect”. Those dealers being affected by the GMAC decision should look at joining our lead exchange. We have the ability to connect you with consumers that are looking for a car and want it now.

With all the demand for autos to become more eco-friendly, high performance AND attractive looking, Tesla Motors feels like they have what people are maybe looking for. This high demanded car is the Tesla Roadster. The battery operated car is a 2 seater sports car that you can customize fully. Unfortunately, the price tag is not affordable to most consumers at $109,000. According to their website, there is a 12 month wait to get one built. Their goal is to roll out a 4 door sedan at around $60, 000, which is much higher then the GM’s sedan (Volt)they will be rolling out in 2010. GM is estimating the cost of their battery operated sedan to be around $40,000. I will say there is a very interesting fact about the chairman of Tesla Motors, and that is that he was the co-founder of Paypal. Time will tell if this Silicon Valley start-up can get the auto world headed in the right direction towards a more eco-friendly world.
Leadpile Lead Exchange generates a lot of auto finance leads. Unfortunately, I am not sure we are going to come across advertisers/dealers in our marketplace able to provide this new beauty…..yet. However, we do welcome any company able to generate auto finance leads!

Now might be the time to go out and get your new GM auto. According to MSNBC, the employee discount promotion will not be extended past the end of this month. If you are wanting any type of GM, now would be the time to go out and get it and save some money! The discount was saving some consumers anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars on that new car. This promotion has been going on since mid August, however sales are still down from the year before. Fortunately, it has allowed GM to have less of a “slump” compared to Ford and Chrysler.
If you are a consumer who is wanting to get that new auto NOW.. Let Leadpile connect you with dealerships in your area. Go to my loan and debt website to get matched up with an auto dealer.
If you are a publisher or advertiser, we would love to work with you here at Leadpile Auto Lead Exchange to connect consumers with dealership near them!

Companies in all industries are experiencing the pressure of having to come up with new ways to get consumers attention. Online lead generation has been a tool for helping companies find consumers needing a new home, a new car, or various types of loans. However, with the economy the way it is now, companies are working on trying to attract online customers to “new” types of products.
Gone are the days of focusing all your marketing efforts on high profit margin items such as home sales, new car sales and other high price ticket items. According to leadmarketwatch,“The time between major purchases is growing larger due to market pressures as well as improved quality and higher prices. Therefore, marketers need to capture the client in between purchases and it is through micro-needs like chrome wheels, new tires, paint jobs, etc.” This means that companies such as GM are focusing on bringing in leads of consumers wanting new tires and accessories, versus getting the new car. This is also in line with Leadpile Lead Exchange and the need for lead types such as car warranty, car refinance, and home security system leads that are becoming more and more in demand. Service providers could be the ones reaping the rewards of the slower economy… don’t buy a new car or house… fix up the one you already have!

“Customer Service is a function of how well an organization is able to constantly and consistently exceed the needs of the customer.”    

I had to go shopping for a new car this week and went to 2 different known dealerships in town. One I had never been to before and one I had been to many times.

We started out at a Chevy dealership because of an ad that I saw in the paper that read “Employee Pricing on all new cars.” I thought I could look at the new cars, see what I qualify for and then if I needed to get a used car. I told them the model that I wanted to see then proceeded to look at 4 different makes and models of car that I really did not want and they were all used. The salesman had decided to show us all used cars even though I told them about the ad and what I wanted. We left that lot and went down the road to a Dodge dealer.

At the Dodge dealer I told the salesman exaclty which model I wanted and we went straight for the ones that were on the lot. They were the new 2009 models and I liked them all except the color. They had 1 used car in the color I liked, decent miles and was in excelent condition so I ended up getting that one.

If the salesman at the Chevy dealer would have just shown me what I wanted I may have ended up getting one of the used cars, who knows. He made a decision to show me what he wanted to show me and not what I wanted to see. He called a couple days later and I informed him that I bought another car that same night down the street. He wished me luck and I did the same. Now I know that I should just stick with who gives me great service everytime we go there and don’t try using someone else because they advertise a good looking deal.

We here at Leadpile strive to make your experiences with us easy and enjoyable and do what we can to keep you coming back again and again.  I believe that we at Leadpile have the Best Customer Service you can find!

Bankrate.com just released the top 10 selling cars for 2008.  The hottest and most popular automobiles: 

• #10 – The Chevrolet Cobalt.  Listing price $14,217. Sold to date 114,250 vehicles.  Runs at about 25-30 mpg.  
• #9  -  Ford Focus. Listing price $15,363. Sold to date 123,449 cars. Average 28mpg
• #8  -  Chevrolet Impala. Listing price $21,348. Sold to date 138,952.  MPG depends on the cylinder of the vehicle.  Your looking at anywhere between 17-23mpg depending on the version
• #7 – Chevrolet Silverado (light duty). First truck on the top ten.. Listing price$25,921. Sold to date 148,046. They average 11-16mpg. 
• #6  - Nissan Altima.   Listing price $22,798. Sold to date 158,006.  Average 22-26mpg.  
• #5  - We are half way down the list . Introducing the Ford F Series (light duty). Nice to see another truck on the board.  Listing price $22,798.  Sold to date 164,828.  10-16mpg.  Wow, get ready to spend your money on gas with this type of mpg!
• #4  - Toyota Corolla.  Listing price $17,122.  Sold to date 169,868.  25-30mpg.  Nice!
• #3  - And now the top three!  Honda Civic! I’m not surprised to see this bad boy on the list.  Listing price $19,114.  Sold to date 204,961.  The MPG is great with whopping 28-42mpg. 
• #2  - Honda Accord.  Listing price $25,859. Sold to date 227,874.  Save some cash with this beauty 25-34mpg.
• Finally, what we have all been waiting for .  #1 best selling auto for 2008!  You ready?  Announcing the most popular car around, the TOYOTA CAMRY.  Listing price $22,859.  Sold an amazing 228,874 cars this year.  Take a vacation with the money you will save on gas with 23-34mpg.

Surprised to only see 2 trucks in the top ten?  I think not.  Overall car sales are down 10% this year compared to last year.  Leadpile Lead Exchange deals a lot with the Auto Finance vertical and the volume of leads coming through our system is slightly down also, however we are expecting it to turn around any day now!
There you have it, the top 10 autos for 2008!

General Motor Corp. is introducing the new Chevrolet Volt in 2010 and has a waiting list of over 33,000 prospective buyers for this new battery powered car.   Many buyers for this vehicle are from California, Texas, Illinois and Michigan.  Yes, many Americans are facing high gas pricing in these states.  

Its estimated to cost about $31,261 which is less than the $40,000 GM said would cost to generate the car equipped with a massive lithium-ion battery pack.  

The new Chevrolet Volt will be able to run 40 miles on lithium-ion  battery and can easily be recharged at a standard outlet. 

GM showed off a concept version of the Volt in January 2007 but has retooled the look of the vehicle significantly since then.  

What do you think of this new vehicle?   Are you on the waiting list as a potential buyer?  What other neat features do you anticipate this car having?  I wonder what the lifespan is for the battery? 

I love the style, what do you think! Hot Car? Or Two thumbs down?

Insurance leads can be so targeted.  I’m starting to think its an actual sign up versus just the contact.  Everyone needs insurance, for your car, health, life, and even home.  But the criteria that’s required can be a bit hectic.  In my view all you really need is a contact that is interested, find a solution to helping that client.  Provide a service to consumers looking for insurance. 

Lets talk about car insurance for a minute.  If I can give you ten people that are truly interested in getting insurance for their car does it really matter what make and model? Are advertisers just being choosy where they can make more money or all in all, is it about helping the consumer find the services he/she needs? Let’s bring up health insurance.  Everyone needs health insurance.  When people are going online and they need an agent to assist them with more information so that a comfort zone can be built and they can understand what type of health insurance would work best for them? Is that a bad lead? No, I think not!

A lead, everyone has a different definition.  The true definition is simply a consumer that is interested in the product or service and need your help! So are leads with name, phone numbers, email, and address in a lead exchange a bad lead.  For a lesser price I actually think its a steal! Be thrilled that you can actually talk to someone on the phone. Its better than picking up the yellow pages and aiming at getting yelled at.  Contact is all you need, cross sale, offer a relative of theirs that service as well, make a quality impression that the consumer will tell their friend how helpful you were.  A lead is only as strong as the person working it!

Let’s really look into insurance, we all need it and its a necessity.  Its a healthy part of life.