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Have you ever met with a dealer and realized midway through the conversation that you didn’t actually know how they source most of their inventory?
With live wholesale‑vs‑retail data at your fingertips, that never happens again.
In this post you’ll learn:
- How Velocifi flags every VIN as wholesale or retail (and why that matters)
- Five ways to weave sourcing insights into a killer dealer pitch
- A two‑minute workflow for uncovering buying habits inside Velocifi
- FAQ on data accuracy, ethics, and ROI
How Velocifi Identifies Wholesale vs. Retail Units
Velocifi integrates directly with Mannheim, Adesa, and other major U.S. auctions. Every 24 hours it:
- Scrapes run‑lists and sale results across 50+ lanes.
- Matches VINs against each dealer’s on‑lot inventory.
- Labels the sale type:
- Wholesale – VIN appeared at auction, then surfaced on a dealer lot within days.
- Retail – VIN never showed up in wholesale channels, implying a trade‑in or consumer acquisition.
This “sale‑type” tag is live today and visible on both current inventory and 30‑day sold lists inside Velocifi.
Key stat: According to Cox Automotive, over 9 million units flowed through wholesale channels in 2024. Knowing which dealers rely most on auctions is a goldmine for F&I agents, lenders, and remarketers.
Why Auction & Wholesale Data Turns Cold Calls Warm
Dealer Scenario Insight You Gain Conversation Starter Heavy wholesale buyer Pays high buy fees & recon costs “You sourced 63 % of last month’s inventory at auction—ready to claw back that $34k in fees with a profit‑boosting coverage plan?” Shifting toward retail trades Improving margin, less recon “Your trade‑in ratio jumped 18 %—let’s align your VSC tiers to keep those older trades off your recon bill.” Buying many Grade‑3 vehicles Higher warranty claim risk “I noticed 42 % of your wholesale buys were CR‑3 trucks. Our high‑mileage VSC cuts claim severity by 22 % on those units.” Adding EVs via specialty lanes New tech, new risk profile “Those EV purchases last week are smart. Let’s talk battery‑specific coverage before they hit the lot.” Five Ways to Leverage Wholesale Insights
- Quantify Pain Points – Total up a dealer’s recent auction fees and frame your product as a margin recapture tool.
- Time Your Outreach – Call or email the morning after sale day, while new purchases are top‑of‑mind.
- Tailor Product Mix – Match VSC tiers to the age, mileage, and grade of vehicles they’re actually buying.
- De‑Risk Floorplan Portfolios – Lenders can set alerts for sudden spikes in lower‑grade wholesale buys.
- Offer Alternatives – Fleet or rental remarketers can approach auction‑heavy stores with direct‑to‑dealer inventory that eliminates buy fees.
Two‑Minute Workflow in Velocifi
Step Action Result 1. Select Territory Choose a state or 100‑mile radius. List of all dealers in travel zone. 2. Sort by Sale‑Type Mix View % of inventory flagged “Wholesale” in last 30 days. Instant read on buying habits. 3. Filter >50 % wholesale, CR ≤ 3, price $10k–$25k. Sweet‑spot list for high‑mileage VSC pitch. 4. Export & Outreach Pull contacts, prep fee‑savings calc. Personalized pitch ready in minutes. Common Questions
Is this data legal to use?
Yes. Auction sale results are public domain or subscription‑based. Velocifi aggregates and organizes them—no proprietary dealer info is exposed.
How accurate is the wholesale tag?
VIN‑level reconciliation hits >93 % accuracy within 48 hours of sale day—plenty reliable for prospecting and risk monitoring.
Won’t dealers feel spied on?
Most are impressed. Reps report dealers saying, “How did you know we bought those Chargers yesterday?”—then leaning in to hear the solution.
Ready to Turn Wholesale Intel into Actionable Pitches?
Stop guessing where dealers buy. See a live demo of Velocifi’s sale‑type insights and craft pitches that speak to their exact sourcing pain points.
