Great question this week from a dealer in the team. They wanted to know if there was a way to transfer a registered preferred customer from another dealer.
Let’s discuss how AMSOIL dealers benefit from protected account status and what can and cannot be done with currently registered AMSOIL customers.
While AMSOIL Dealers do not have territories, all current registered AMSOIL Dealers received “protected account status” for all currently registered Dealers, Preferred Customers, Commercial Accounts and Retail on the Shelf (ROTS) Accounts. The beauty of a system like this compared to having a territory is that AMSOIL Dealers can work their business anywhere in the USA and Canada as well as online. When a dealer registers one of the above type of customers, no other dealer is allowed to work with said account.
AMSOIL has created a great document to help you understand how the account protection status works.
Initial Contact Guidelines for Registering Dealers, Preferred Customers and Accounts
Here is a paragraph that explains the time limits for each type of registered customer.
Before pursuing a prospect as an AMSOIL Dealer, Preferred Customer or account, ensure the customer is eligible and unprotected. This means they are not currently active Dealers, Preferred Customers or accounts. An active account is one that is registered or has made a purchase within the last 15 months, while an active Dealer or Preferred Customer is one who is registered or who has been registered at some time over the past 12 months.
Another question that was asked by the dealer is can the current registered customers ever switch dealers?
As you can see by the above paragraph, one year after a preferred customer or dealership expires they are then removed from protected status and can be registered by another servicing dealer. Likewise with a Commercial or ROTS account, after 15 months without an order the account loses it’s protected status.
Beware, dealers approaching currently registered customers should do so with caution. As clearly stated in the Initial Contact Guidelines for Registering Dealers, Preferred Customers and Accounts, AMSOIL can and will take disciplinary actions against any dealer violating the rules. Actions include warnings, return of commissions, $100-$500 fines, and even termination of dealership.
If you have a question regarding account protection, working with a customer or account you think might be protected or just have a question, it would be advised to contact the AMSOIL Dealer Sales Department and your Regional Sales Manager.
