Used car salesmen don’t have the best reputation – maybe it’s the pushiness or that they seem to only be there to separate you from your money. But, most Americans do need a car at some point in their lives and we all have our preferences.
Via Twitter I’ve been following the social media activities of Auction Direct USA and got a chance to chat with Eric Miltsch IT-Web Director for Auction Direct USA about the business and the role social media plays in it. 
KK: What was the motivation behind starting Auction Direct USA and what do you do?
EM: Auction Direct USA was started in 2005 by a group of passionate automobile businessmen who loved the car business but not the current practices used to sell cars. We're changing the way people buy used cars by providing a fun, pressure-free, customer-driven buying atmosphere. Auction Direct USA is a business committed to revolutionizing and legitimizing the used car business through trust and openness. We are a used vehicle superstore that sells late-model, low-mileage quality used cars with low "Buy it Now" prices; every vehicle comes with a 3-Day/500-Mile money back satisfaction guarantee.
KK: How do you currently use social media to market, drive awareness?
EM: Auction Direct USA uses blogs (WhyBuyUsedCars.com), micro-blogging (Twitter, TweetandGreet.com, 12Seconds.tv) and social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube to build authority, confidence and drive traffic to AuctionDirectUSA.com
KK: What social media activities do you plan to or want to explore in the future?
EM: In the short-term, our Web site visitors will have the opportunity to discuss, rate and review individual vehicles on our Web site (think message boards – but cooler). Longer-term, I'd like to involve more video about our guests and their vehicles – run contests…fun stuff like that!
KK: In your opinion, why is social media important for small businesses?
EM: Social Media is so important – consumers have the best feedback and they're willing to share it if you enable them. Businesses need to understand how their customers are connected and how quickly they can help (or hurt) their business. The businesses listening to their customers are the businesses who will continue to thrive.