How OPE Dealers Tackle the Pre-Season Rush: Insights from our Community

As an outdoor power equipment dealer, you know the pre-season rush is no joke. Customers are flooding in, eager to get their equipment serviced and ready before peak season hits. The challenge? Managing this surge efficiently while keeping your service bays moving, your sales floor stocked, and your customers happy. 

If you wait until the last minute, you risk lost sales, frustrated customers, and an overwhelmed team. But with the right approach, the pre-season can be your dealership’s most profitable and well-oiled time of year. 

In our recent Dealer’s Edge session, OPE dealers shared their best strategies for tackling the pre-season rush head-on. From inventory planning to service efficiency, these real-world insights from your peers can help you stay ahead, maximize profits, and keep customers coming back.   

 

Stock Smart: Get Ahead on Inventory 

Few things are more frustrating than turning away a customer because you’re out of stock. The key to a successful pre-season is anticipating demand and having the right products on hand before customers start walking through the door.  

Here are some tips our OPE dealers shared: 

• Analyze past sales trends – Look at last year’s data to determine which units, parts, and accessories were in high demand. If certain models flew off the shelves, be proactive in stocking up. 

• Plan for supply chain delays – Manufacturers often face backlogs, especially in peak seasons. Placing your orders early ensures you’re not left scrambling when customers are ready to buy. 

• Use your DMS for inventory management – A dealership management system (DMS) can help you track sales history, set reorder alerts, and avoid overstocking slow-moving items while ensuring high-demand products are available. 

• Don’t forget parts & accessories – Customers coming in for service will likely need blades, belts, filters, and oils. Stocking up now means higher ticket sales per visit. 

 

Fine-Tune Your Service Department 

A backlogged service department can bring your entire operation to a halt. To keep up with demand and avoid overwhelming your team, our OPE dealers suggested these steps: 

1. Schedule early service appointments – Encourage customers to book tune-ups before peak season by offering early-bird discounts.
2. Optimize technician workflow – Ensure techs have clear assignments and easy access to commonly used parts.
3. Hire seasonal help – Bringing in extra hands for simple prep work frees up skilled techs for more complex jobs.
4. Keep customers informed – Use automated text or email updates to reduce service inquiries and improve communication. 

 

Pricing & Promotions: Get It Right 

When it comes to pre-season pricing, the right strategy can boost sales without sacrificing profitability. Here are some proven and effective strategies our OPE dealers discussed during the session: 

Bundle services for higher ticket sales – Combine maintenance services into discounted packages, such as “Tune-Up + Blade Sharpening + Oil Change.” 

Implement tiered pricing – Charge premium pricing for expedited service while offering a standard rate for those willing to wait. 

Move old inventory strategically – Last season’s models taking up space? Offer limited-time discounts to clear them out. 

Market your promotions – Use social media, email campaigns, and in-store signage to spread the word about pre-season deals. 

 

Streamline Customer Experience 

A great customer experience during peak season means faster transactions, shorter wait times, and smoother operations. Our OPE dealers provided these suggestions to ensure the best service for their clients: 

Offer online scheduling – Allow customers to book service appointments online, reducing phone call overload, with the help of intuitive and user-friendly tools such as TargetCRM. 

Speed up checkout – Digital invoicing and contactless payment options keep lines moving. 

Train staff for peak hours – Assign roles strategically: one team member for greeting customers, another handling phone calls, and dedicated staff on the sales floor. 

Consider a drop-off zone – A self-check-in option for service customers helps ease congestion. 

Join Us Next Time 

The pre-season rush doesn’t have to be chaotic. With smart inventory planning, a well-prepared service team, strategic promotions, and streamlined customer experience, you can turn the busiest time of the year into the most profitable one. 

Thank you to all who participated in this Dealer’s Edge session, we meet every other week on Fridays at 11AM EST! 

Let’s continue to support each other and grow stronger together in the OPE industry.