F&Idol Deadline Extended
F&I and Showroom announced today that it has extended the deadline to enter the F&Idol contest to Wednesday, Aug. 15.
F&I and Showroom magazine and Innovative Aftermarket Systems have extended the deadline to enter the F&Idol contest. F&I managers who want to participate must submit their entries by Wednesday, Aug. 15.
The contest will select the best F&I performances in five categories. Four of those categories include Vehicle Service Contracts, GAP, Tire and Wheel, and Key Replacement. Added this year was an “Other” category, which allows F&I managers to submit a video entry for whatever F&I product they choose.
Category winners for this roleplaying contest will receive a $1,000 cash prize, free airfare, hotel accommodations at the Paris Las Vegas and a free pass to the Industry Summit 2012 (Scheduled for Sept. 10-12 in Las Vegas), where they’ll be honored during a special ceremony. One winner will then be named the grand prize winner and the recipient of the 2012 F&Idol trophy.
The overall winner, which is selected by readers of F&I and Showroom magazine via an online vote, also will receive an additional check for $2,500. He or she will also be profiled in the magazine’s October 2012 issue.
Last year, readers selected Greg Paul “GP” Anderson’s video entry as the overall winner. The F&I manager for Park Rapids, Minn.-based Thielen Motors also took the top spot in the GAP category, bringing his total cash winnings to $3,500.
Video entries must be five minutes or less, include at least one fictional/stand-in customer in a staged transaction, and show a minimum of two objection-handling techniques.
Entries can be recorded using an iPhone, Android phone, Flip video camera, iPad, Webcam or any other recording device. Videos can then be uploaded to the contest site at www.fandidol.com.
More F&I

How AI-Powered Coaching Is Transforming F&I Performance
See how AI-powered coaching can turn F&I customer conversations into actionable insights that support compliance, performance and profitability
Read More →
Sell Value, Build Trust
In this video, Trent White explains why selling on value, not fear, builds lasting customer trust, reduces cancellations, and drives long-term success.
Read More →
F&I Sales Give Dealers First-Half Lift
Product business shored up total profits to avoid an overall revenue tanking as product penetrations held steady, StoneEagle reported.
Read More →
Targeted Training Drives Results
Today’s technology, instead of threatening F&I managers, can actually make them better, according to an industry veteran who’s watched market setbacks roil the unprepared.
Read More →
Double the Change, Double the Chance
When an F&I manager gets a customer refusal, it’s a wise move to tweak more than one thing in the product offering.
Read More →
Just Do It
F&I managers need training, but instead of resisting application or expecting perfection, they should improve by simply acting on what they learn.
Read More →
Dealer Lender Preferences Revealed
When lenders provide consistent, fast service, their overall satisfaction scores with dealers greatly improve, according to JD Power research.
Read More →
Leading with Purpose
In this video, Trent White explains how understanding your people’s 'why' is a key leadership responsibility of F&I professionals and how that mindset drives dealership engagement, trust and performance.
Read More →
Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products
The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.
Read More →
Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →