How do I hand over my wrap shop’s relationships with local dealerships?

Dealership work usually rests on trust in a person. Begin by writing a one-page profile for each dealership: who orders, who approves, how quickly they expect proofs, how they pay, and which jobs go wrong. Add the soft detail, such as which manager likes a phone call and which prefers text. This is the part a buyer cannot learn from invoices.

Next, introduce the buyer in person. A joint visit or a delivery together carries more weight than an email announcement. Bring a sample of recent work and let the buyer ask the contact about upcoming vehicles. Do this with your best accounts first, and let the buyer see you vouching for the shop’s quality, not selling the business.

Finally, agree on how long you will stay involved, and put it in writing with your lawyer. Decide who answers a dealer’s call during the changeover. Keep the buyer in every thread until the contact starts calling the new owner first. Your accountant can advise how any payment tied to the handover should be structured. Expect some dealers to test the new owner with a rush job or a complaint, and prepare the buyer for it so the first impression is a good one.

Key takeaways

• Write a short profile of each dealership contact, including how they like to be reached.
• Introduce the buyer in person, starting with your best accounts.
• Agree in writing how long you will stay available after closing.