Overall, more effort went into training, which had an unexpected payoff: brainstorming of unique marketing and sales strategies.
Some benefited just by having time to think about their problems.
"What did it for me — the way in which I was able to find the path and processes — was that I started to spend more time at the store when the store was closed," said Wayne Siegel, dealer principal at Legend Auto Group in Amityville, N.Y. "I came in earlier."
Dealers sought help where they could find it. Chris Haydocy of Haydocy Automotive Group in Columbus, Ohio, reached out to his congresswoman, who vouched for the dealership as a crucial cornerstone to the neighborhood. Eventually, he got his loan extended.