In a letter to the auto auction industry shared Monday, ServNet executive director John Brasher offered an emphatic counterpoint to criticism of the industry’s handling of COVID-19.
Brasher said he is proud of how the industry has adapted historically to such crises and sea-changes as Sept. 11 and the Great Recession, and he expressed the same sentiment regarding the industry’s response to the pandemic.
The letter comes less than a week after KAR Global chief executive officer Jim Hallett shared his concerns about the return of in-person auto auction sales with cars running through lanes, urging the industry to take greater responsibility for safety amid COVID-19.
Hallett contends the auto auction industry has been “irresponsible,” even “reckless” at times, in how sales are being handled amid COVID-19.
While Brasher’s letter did not specifically mention these comments, it offered a decidedly different point of view.
“Some are critical and ashamed of how our industry has handled the COVID-19 nightmare,” Brasher said. “While I believe that everyone may look back and perhaps see some things they would have done differently, I can say that I am proud of how the independent auction community and ServNet have responded.
“The ServNet auction owners’ response has not been hasty, rash or simply driven by business-centric concerns. Our owners are the same ones in the lanes every week with lifelong customers, team members and even family members who mean a great deal more to them than profits, risk or reward,” he said. “No, for our owners and our managers it is not a matter of risk/responsibility; it is a matter of personal, familial commitment.”
Brasher then expanded on that.
“The illness or death of a coworker or customer means more to our auction owners than it does to any other manager/officer/CEO in this industry. They are not acting out of calculated risk,” he said. “They are acting and operating out of a deeply personal commitment and love for their business, coworkers (not employees, but coworkers — because they actually work side by side with them), and lifelong friends and customers.”
He said auction partners are vital to their customers “now more than ever,” calling them the “lifeblood” for dealers. Brasher stressed the necessity of auctions “safely doing what we do” to help dealers survive financially, as well.
“If one of these dealers or coworkers gets sick or, heaven-forbid, loses their life over contracting an illness at one of our facilities, this means something to auction owners personally, not just as a financial liability,” Brasher said. “It means something more to them because they know the spouses and other family members of the folks involved, and they have known them personally for years. If anyone thinks that they would do anything to compromise the health and safety of these family members (not just customers, employees, or ‘stakeholders’) then they don’t know ServNet auction owners.”
Brasher says the ServNet auctions’ response around the pandemic has been motivated by “commitment and love.” He also emphasized how the operators of ServNet auctions take a boots-on-the-ground view, having been involved in the day-to-day operations of an auction.
“They are personally scouring the latest and best information and statistics on the pandemic. They are personally consulting with experienced professionals. They are personally working with all parties involved to establish policies to ensure the safety of those who walk through the doors of the auction. They are personally working closely with local government agencies and law enforcement to ensure the established plans are in line with public edicts and policies,” Brasher said.
“Then, they are there, at the auction, personally, to observe, watch, listen and see firsthand how these policies are applied, adopted and practiced by coworkers and customers alike. They are there to constantly evaluate and make changes as needed — sometimes right on the spot. And then they do at all over again. Every day. Every week. Every month.”
He also touched on how all this has changed operations within the ServNet auctions.
“This process has led to numerous large and small changes in ServNet Auction lanes and offices. This process is making it possible for their coworkers to be at work and support their households,” Brasher said. “This process is enabling enabled small and large customers to keep working buying and selling cars. And this process is ongoing, leading to more and wiser changes on a weekly basis
“It is incredible what I have observed these auctions do, and I am proud of them all.”
Source : AutoFinanceNews
