2013 F&Idol Finalists Revealed
The winners of the five categories are now in the running for the overall F&Idol award, which will be handed out at the 2013 F&I Conference and Expo.
TORRANCE, Calif. — Results for the 2013 F&Idol contest are in. And for the first time in the contest’s three-year history, a single contestant took three out of the five categories.
There were other firsts for the IAS-sponsored F&Idol contest. For the first time, four out of the five categories were won by contestants employed by the same dealer group. This year’s contest also boasted a female winner in four out of the five categories.
In July, readers of F&I and Showroom magazine were asked to submit their best on-camera pitch in the following categories: Vehicle Service Contract, Tire & Wheel, Key Replacement, F&I Product for Lease Customers and an open category.
Video entries had to be less than five minutes long, and show the producer handling at least two customer objections. Submission were reviewed by a panel of seven judges, including Bob Corbin of IAS, F&I and Showroom’s Gregory Arroyo and Mad Marv Eleazer, F&I trainer Rick McCormick of Reahard & Associates, Great Lakes Companies’ Steve Veldkamp, Reynolds and Reynolds Co.’s Terry O’Loughlin, and United Development Systems’ Randy Crisorio.
The following are this year’s category winners:
• Vehicle Service Contract: Stephanie Cooper, Timbrook Automotive, Cumberland, Md.
• Tire & Wheel (Tie): Candy Serra and Jeremey Johnston, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, Mich.
• Key Replacement: Candy Serra, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, Mich.
• F&I Product for Lease Customers: Candy Serra, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, Mich.
• Other Category: Jeremey Johnston, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, Mich.
These three finalists are now in the running for the overall F&Idol award, which, for the first time, will be decided by attendees of the 2013 F&I Conference and Expo. During a special lunchtime ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 12 p.m., attendees will be asked to review and vote on the best F&I presentation. The winner will be named shortly after the votes are cast.
The F&I Conference is one of three shows being hosted at Industry Summit 2013, which is being held at the Paris Las Vegas hotel Sept. 16-18. For more information, visit www.industrysummit.com.
More F&I
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey
Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic
EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.
Read More →
The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales
There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.
Read More →
Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →
Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life
Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.
Read More →
Focus on the Opening
F&I managers must learn as much as possible about their customers, starting before they walk into their offices. The bulk of today’s consumers expect that, and good results will follow.
Read More →