• 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
  • Albright's Supply
  • Keyston Bros
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Hyde Leather
  • MasterTech Expo 2026

THR Favorites

Nissan Answers ‘Do Not Resew’ Inquiries

Earlier this year, we reported on Nissan’s … [more] about Nissan Answers ‘Do Not Resew’ Inquiries

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Custom Headliner

10 Cool Custom Headliners on Instagram

For many auto upholstery shops, headliner … [more] about 10 Cool Custom Headliners on Instagram

The Problem With DIY Upholstery

Ever have a customer come to your shop with a … [more] about The Problem With DIY Upholstery

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

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 3

The third and final installment of our … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 3

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Sculpt Garage

Shop Profile: Brent Davison of Sculpt Garage

Sculpt Garage has only been in business for … [more] about Shop Profile: Brent Davison of Sculpt Garage

The Hog Ring - 3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

Auto upholstery shops that generate a lot of … [more] about 3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Choosing the Right Grommet for Long Lasting Performance
  • The Foam and Adhesives Industry’s Biggest Event Returns in June
  • A Porsche Master Upholsterer is Retiring After 40 Years
  • Trimmer James Bechtel Dies at 84
  • The Iran War and a Texas Plant Fire are Driving Foam Prices Higher

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