• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

How to Sell Your Services to Car Dealers

November 17, 2021 By Nadeem

The Hog Ring - How to Sell Your Services to Car Dealers

Many trim shops, especially those that primarily operate as installers or restylers, can make a lot of money selling products and services to car dealers. But landing a dealership account isn’t easy.

To help, the SEMA Professional Restyling Organization (PRO) recently published an 82-page sales training manual offering tips and tricks to attract and keep dealership accounts.

“It can be challenging to convince dealers to incorporate accessory programs into their businesses. Installers and restylers must have more than a strong sales approach, top-quality workmanship and a positive rapport. They must understand the inner workings of a dealership and be able to explain how the program will benefit the dealer,” SEMA PRO says.

“To help restylers, trimmers and accessory retailers build a more successful dealer-direct sales strategy, the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has a ‘Sales Training Manual’ that includes vital information on how to work with dealers.”

The manual covers a lot of ground, including:

  • Tips on selling dealer-direct
  • How to structure a sale and the rules of sales success
  • Refining negotiating skills
  • The importance of product knowledge
  • How to build your company’s brand
  • Identifying your target audience
  • Marketing tools and resources

For SEMA PRO members, the manual is free in digital format and only $25 in hard copy. Nonmembers pay $149.95, but well worth the price if you plan to expand your business to dealerships. To get a copy, click here.

Related Stories:

  • What You Need to Know About Fleet Work
  • There’s Big Money in Muscle Car Interiors
  • Instead of Art, Let’s Make Some Money!

Filed Under: Archive, Better Business

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • MasterTech Expo 2026
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • Albright's Supply
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Douglass Interior Products

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Design Studio - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Design Studio: 1967-69 Camaro

The popularity and timeless design of the … [more] about Design Studio: 1967-69 Camaro

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Racing Seat Design Studio

Design Studio: Racing Style Bucket Seats

Once strictly a product of the aftermarket, … [more] about Design Studio: Racing Style Bucket Seats

The Hog Ring - Sid Chavers Honors Shops with Stitch of Excellence Award

Sid Chavers Honors Trimmers with an Award

Sid Chavers is a legend in the craft of auto … [more] about Sid Chavers Honors Trimmers with an Award

Auto Upholstery

No Limits with Programmable Sewing

We feature a lot of unique pleat designs on … [more] about No Limits with Programmable Sewing

The Hog Ring - The Shop Features Interview with Bux Customs

Bux Customs: ‘We’ve grown from each build’

Chris McClintock of Bux Customs is a rising … [more] about Bux Customs: ‘We’ve grown from each build’

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Tandy Super Skiver

The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Unwilling to drop big bucks on a leather … [more] about The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Keyston Bros Drops 10 New Carbon Fiber Vinyl Colors and They Pop
  • Trimmer Michael Andrew Piccolo Dies at 67
  • 2026 SEMA Show Registration Opens May 4
  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in