Car Dealership Guy Podcast Simons, Ellis, and Toothman on Used Car Acquisition | Daily Dealer Live
Feb 11, 2026
Scott Simons, dealer who rebuilt a store through disciplined used-car strategies and community focus. John Ellis, founder of Agile Auto, builder of an intelligence platform for dealer-specific acquisition playbooks. JR Toothman, multi-store owner focused on data-driven daily buying plans. They discuss using market intelligence and daily buy plans, moving off auctions toward direct buys, and scaling used-vehicle operations with discipline.
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Leverage Networked Inventory Sourcing
- Use social media and your personal network to source inventory directly from other dealers and owners.
- Negotiate with upfitters or partners to secure allocations instead of relying on brokers or auctions.
Acquisition Before Retail
- Prioritize acquisition intelligence before retail execution to control turn and profit.
- Acquisition-focused platforms convert market and dealer data into daily buy plans and playbooks.
Rapid Used Volume Ramp
- Scott moved used sales from 16 to 38 units within months by applying disciplined acquisition changes.
- He projects 50–55 and aims for 100 as he builds buying capacity and operations.