• 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

Design Studio: 1955-57 Chevy, Pt. 2

Last month, The Hog Ring Design Studio … [more] about Design Studio: 1955-57 Chevy, Pt. 2

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Fisher Auto Trim, Glass and Upholstery

Instead of Art, Let’s Make Some Money!

My name is Marc Fisher, owner of Auto Trim by … [more] about Instead of Art, Let’s Make Some Money!

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery News - Roy Keith Powell - Drew's Garage

Shop Profile: Roy Powell of Drew’s Garage

Master trimmer and long-time THR contributor … [more] about Shop Profile: Roy Powell of Drew’s Garage

Why Bentley Trimmers Use a Fork to Wrap Steering Wheels

Why Bentley Trimmers Use Forks to Wrap Steering Wheels

Bentley Motors equips its auto trimmers with … [more] about Why Bentley Trimmers Use Forks to Wrap Steering Wheels

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ish Jimenez - West Coast Customs

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 1

Ish Jimenez, master trimmer and former star … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 1

Is Auto Upholstery Under-Appreciated?

How often does this happen to you? A customer … [more] about Is Auto Upholstery Under-Appreciated?

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Choosing the Right Grommet for Long Lasting Performance
  • The Iran War and a Texas Plant Fire are Driving Foam Prices Higher
  • Register Now for the 2026 AAPEX Show
  • 2026 SEMA Show Registration Now Open
  • Keyston Bros Drops 10 New Carbon Fiber Vinyl Colors and They Pop

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