AI can sound very confident and still be wrong. Use it as an assistant that you're onboarding, not a final solution. Always double check the facts before you act on them.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

AI is powerful, but it’s not perfect. Don’t treat every output as absolute truth. Do your research, stay curious, and remember: there are no real AI experts yet, especially AI itself! 

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

2025 is nearly over, and that means the WTF?! Christmas Special is here! We want to say thank you to our community, our loyal audience, and everyone who has shared this journey with us throughout the year.

In this episode, we look back at the major events that shaped the automotive industry in 2025. We talk about what we learned, the obstacles the industry faced, and some of the most impactful conversations we had on the show. We also dive into the rapid rise of AI, its flaws, and a few unforgettable moments, including the time AI described Russell as a murderer! 

We revisit our favorite guest conversations and the lessons they brought with them. We talk honestly about the challenges the industry dealt with this year, and we reflect on some of the most inspiring personal stories we heard, stories of people in automotive who have overcome poverty, addiction, and adversity to build successful and meaningful careers.

And we have a special announcement. We’re finally nearing completion on a project we’ve been working on for a long time, and we’re excited to share that it’s expected to be finished in 2026!
As we close out the year, join us for a thoughtful, honest, and entertaining wrap-up of 2025 and come along as we look ahead to what’s coming in 2026.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Scott Armstrong doesn’t earn a dollar unless he saves you money or brings new revenue into your dealership. His approach is simple: real partnership over transactional vendor relationships. When you win, he wins and that’s the foundation of every engagement he takes on.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Loyalty reward programs in automotive are overdue for modernization. Drawing from his experience in the fuel industry, a space that perfected customer loyalty, Scott Armstrong explains how dealerships can build reward programs that truly drive retention and repeat business.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

The volatility of cryptocurrency can make dealers hesitant to accept it as payment. Scott Armstrong breaks down how to remove the fear, reduce the risk, and safely integrate crypto into your dealership’s payment options.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Surcharges, upsells, debit card fees - processors love them, but they rarely benefit the dealership or the customer. Scott Armstrong breaks down why these fees are pushed so hard and what you can do to protect your profitability and your customers.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Nickel-and-dime upsells are costing you trust and revenue. Scott Armstrong breaks down how to NOT rub your customers the wrong way!

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Carvana and Amazon mastered one-click buying and the auto industry is next. Scott Armstrong explains what this shift means for dealers.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

High surcharges can push customers away fast. Scott Armstrong explains why today’s choices might come back to haunt dealerships in five years.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Scott Armstrong explains the actual mechanisms processors use to "lower your costs" and why it's ultimately terrible for building lasting relationships with clients.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Think you understand payment processing? Think again.

In this episode, Russell and Charity get a full education from Scott Armstrong - Co-Founder of DealerCharge - who’s on a mission to revolutionize dealership payments.

For 20+ years, the financial tech world has evolved at lightning speed... but dealerships? Still stuck using outdated systems, paying unnecessary fees, and giving up control of their own terminals.

That ends today.

Scott breaks down what dealers actually have the power to control (hint: WAY more than you think!) - and how to stop relying on third parties who profit every time a card gets swiped.
In this episode we cover:

• What you can REALLY control in payment processing
• How dealers are getting hit with hidden fees at every swipe
• Why passing processing costs to customers doesn’t actually save you money
• How to use F&I to generate revenue without overcharging
• Taking back control of your terminals — and your costs
• Integrating payment solutions with your DMS & inventory
• Creating loyalty & rewards programs that actually work
• And how DealerCharge is giving power back to the dealership

If you’ve ever wondered why payment processing is so expensive or how to stop bleeding money at the terminal, this episode is your wake-up call.

Join us and finally take control of your dealership’s payment system.

Your bottom line will thank you.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad shares a bit about the cars he drives, including his bZ4X electric - and he loves it!

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad puts politics aside to break down whether EVs will actually hurt the car business or open new opportunities for dealers who adapt.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing 
Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad shares one of his biggest failures: supporting 60+ nonprofits at once and losing the depth of connection that truly mattered. His lesson? Fewer relationships, deeper impact.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad explains why email marketing and direct mail are far from dead and why his customers still expect them alongside newer digital tactics.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad went from one full-time job to two, until he cut the waste and focused only on the work he loves. Here’s the mindset shift that changed everything.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad cut $20K per month in ad spend by shifting away from Google Ads and doubling down on SEO. Here’s how he did it.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad reveals how simple word-of-mouth momentum and the Dare to Compare strategy helped make it happen.

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

Tony Thorstad breaks down how a properly documented merchandising process allows anyone on the team to step in and execute it. When the steps are clear, the work becomes consistent, efficient, and easy to replicate. No bottlenecks, no guessing. 

Global Dealer Solutions offers a network of high-performance providers while remaining product agnostic. Knowing which tools to deploy makes a big difference. Having a trusted adviser; priceless. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. https://calendly.com/don-278. 

BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HERE 
www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/@fixedopsmarketing

Get watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts: 
www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf

Join Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!
#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations