According to WardsAuto, the four most popular car colors are black, white, gray, and silver, and comparatively, cars that are not one of those four colors can be worth hundreds or even thousands less. The reason is because American car buyers see those four colors as standard, classic colors and universally appreciated. More people want to buy a black or silver car than a bright neon blue or green vehicle, and this opinion is so widely held that last year, 70 percent of vehicles built were black, white gray, or silver.

Why should dealerships pay attention to car color trends? First of all, customers who come in looking for a trade-in need to have the proper expectations. If they bought a car with a specialized color, they should not expect to get as much for the trade-in. Second, dealerships need to remember these standard colors when reviewing their used car inventory. The majority of people want to buy cars that are one of these four colors, so while it is fine to have the odd red, green, or blue car in the mix, it is safer to have these four colors in the majority.

Want more tips and solutions for your dealership? Connect with Special Finance Group online through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and go to http:///www.specialfinancegroup.com to learn how Special Finance Group can give you the Complete Special Finance Solution.

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According to a recent article by Michael Gifford over on WardsAuto, several states have laws on the books that offer some protection for employees on social media. For example, it is against the law in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey for employers to require employees to disclose their Facebook account and login password. Employers can view an employee’s Facebook profile if it is openly available to the public, but if the employee has adjusted their privacy settings to hide this information, an employer cannot require an employee to show their Facebook page.

In Gifford’s article, he brings up a real-life example that shows these laws do allow for shades of grey. A hospital employee was suspended for posting disparaging comments on their Facebook page regarding a patient and the paramedics treating the patient. The hospital was taken to court, but ultimately the hospital was not found at fault because the hospital had not sought out the employee’s Facebook page. Another employee who had access to the Facebook profile saw the comment and brought it to the hospital’s attention.

Do you know what to do if an employee makes inappropriate comments online? If not, we recommend reading up on the Stored Communications Act and any other applicable state laws regarding employee social media rights. Keep in mind that many states have passed new laws addressing this issue, so if you have a potential problem with an employee, get all the facts first and don’t make any rash decisions. Dealerships can also avoid problems by establishing social media guidelines for employees and making sure that employees understand them.

Want more tips and solutions for your dealership? Connect with Special Finance Group online through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and go to http:///www.specialfinancegroup.com to learn how Special Finance Group can give you the Complete Special Finance Solution.

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