VIN Hunter Pro for the iPhone has CARFAX, Black Book and NADA

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Permalink Reply by Ken Hodgson on November 21, 2009 at 12:53pm

The screenshots look great. What a handy tool to have on the lot or on the block. I'd be very interested in beta testing.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on November 23, 2009 at 11:32pm

Ken,

If you'd like to participate please send me the Unique Device ID (UDID) for your phone. You can get this by starting up iTunes while your phone is connected to your computer. Click on the phone in iTunes, and then click on the serial number on the resultant page. You should now see the serial number replaced with the UDID. Copy and paste that value into an email to me at richardvinhunter.com. I'll send you the latest build. :)

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Alan Moore on November 23, 2009 at 10:16pm

This is awesome!

When my volume gets to the point that I'm at the auctions EVERY week, and a tool like this is more handy than a clipboard, a value guide, and my own gut instincts...I'll be in touch...

Any thoughts on adding more features, like AutoCheck, NICB stolen vehicle data (for purchasing from private owners), and maybe some form of total loss data check? Another nice add to something like this would be Manheim or equivalent Recent Auction Prices. You know, in case the 2003-2005 Neons drop by half value some month before it makes print.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on November 23, 2009 at 11:22pm

Thanks for your comments. I actually provide NICB reporting in the existing iPhone app. It's limited to 5 requests per day though, so I removed it for its limited utility from the current app. If it'd be useful even with that limitation I can add it back to the application.

My partnership with CARFAX prevents me adding AutoCheck to this app unfortunately. I'd love to have both, but I'm unable to do so apparently in a single application.

Manheim is on my list to work with after the app is released. I agree, Manheim data would be a great addition to the app.

Black Book data is updated daily, NADA data on a monthly basis. FYI

I'm really excited by the response I've gotten from dealers and my partners (CARFAX loves the app, and has bent over backwards to accommodate me). If it proves successful BlackBerry and Android versions won't be far behind.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Reimel on January 10, 2010 at 9:44am

I work for the largest wholesale car dealer in the country I use VIN Hunter to keep track of cars I am buying. I would love to try the Pro version I buy about 50 cars a week on the street it could be helpful. I have also downloaded Autoniq it is a similar product but lets you scan the VIN using the camera on the iPhone I did not sign up for there service though (they charge #100 a month) I do use the scanner then copy and past in to VIN hunter this is a feature you should look into adding it saves me a ton of time but its a pain to have to close and load a new ap.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on January 10, 2010 at 10:04am

Hello! VIN Hunter Pro has been submitted to the Apple App Store. I'm just waiting for Apple to approve it before it is available. VIN Hunter Pro is free in the app store, includes a barcode scanner, and the integrated VIN database.

VIN Hunter Pro has a subscription model similar to the service you're describing. The main reason is that I have to contract data access from each of the partners (CARFAX, Black Book, and NADA) and it is VERY expensive. Add on to that the cost of hosting, advertising, legal fees, support and minimum sales goals and it rapidly makes the whole thing a very real business. The whole process has been very eye opening. I used to wonder how people rated their app to be worth $100 a month, but now I know exactly why.

But I'm very proud of what VIN Hunter Pro has to offer; it's truly unique in the iPhone market. It's a completely native iPhone application that has been beta tested in the field on a day to day basis. There are car dealers that are using it right now as an essential part of their auction experience.

Just a few more days now! Go to VIN Hunter Pro's web site: http://www.vinhunterpro.com. If you'd like a free month's trial to the service shoot me an email at richard[at]vinhunterpro.com, I can give you a link that will give you access to the trial program once the app is live.

Attachments:

• Carfax_Highlights.png, 51 KB
• Black_Book_Pricing.png, 49 KB
• NADA_Pricing.png, 53 KB

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Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on January 10, 2010 at 10:14am

Here is the text that is going in the App Store for the application:

VIN Hunter Pro™ is a native iPhone/iPod Touch app that allows auto dealers to access CARFAX®, Black Book®, and NADA information from their device. Get the information needed to make purchasing decisions without the need to carry bulky guide books or dedicated devices. VIN Hunter Pro puts powerful vehicle research tools in the palm of your hand.

You can enter the vehicle’s VIN using the keyboard or with the built-in barcode scanner. VIN Hunter Pro’s integrated VIN decoder means you’ll have access to vital information on each vehicle on the fly. Once the vehicle has been added to the system you can use your Internet connection to access CARFAX reports as well as Black Book and NADA values. Email your entire list or a single vehicle, all from one interface.

Accessing data from VIN Hunter Pro’s partners requires a subscription to the VIN Hunter Pro web service (http://www.vinhunterpro.com). Your subscription can give you access to a rich set of tools, based on the package you select:

* The ability to purchase and view CARFAX reports directly from the application. This requires an active CARFAX account.

* View Black Book® values, either from any entered VIN or by using the "drill down" capability that allows access without a VIN. Black Book® values are updated daily.

* View NADA vehicle values, either by entering the VIN or using the year, make, model, and body style to “drill down” to the vehicle in question. NADA values are updated once a month.

VIN Hunter Pro can replace the armful of guides and books you carry with you to the auction. Be able to determine the value of a trade-in vehicle in the field. It's a must-have app for all types of automotive industry professionals.

VIN Hunter Pro Features:
* Real-time Barcode scanner
* Built-in VIN Decoder database
* Add a photo and notes to a vehicle
* Specialized VIN keyboard speeds data entry
* Email your list or a single vehicle

Subscribers can:
* Access CARFAX®, Black Book®, and NADA data with proper plan
* Select accessories and mileage to automatically adjust values
* Purchase and view CARFAX reports directly in the application
* Include CARFAX dealer report link, Black Book, and NADA values in email

CARFAX® Vehicle History Reports™ are available on all used cars and light trucks model year 1981 or later. The CARFAX database contains over 6 billion records from more than 20,000 data sources. Some types of information that a CARFAX Report may include are:
- Title information, including salvaged or junked titles
- Flood damage history
- Total loss accident history
- Odometer readings
- Lemon history
- Number of owners
- Accident indicators, such as airbag deployments
- State emissions inspection results
- Service records
- Vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)

Please visit www.carfaxonline.com for more information.

Black Book® is widely known within the automotive and financial industries for publishing a family of highly respected electronic and printed vehicle valuation guides. For more than 55 years, Black Book’s time-tested methodology has ensured reliable market driven information that is Timely, Independent & Accurate™. Since its very beginning, Black Book has constantly innovated to meet the needs of an evolving automotive marketplace.

NADA has long been the recognized authority for supplying the most market-reflective used vehicle valuation data available. To project our vehicle values, NADA’s editorial team collects and analyzes over half a million auto-related transactions per month, including both wholesale and retail sales. This data is derived from automobile manufacturers, new and used car dealers and over 165 auctions nationwide.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph Paglia on January 10, 2010 at 1:11pm

I use this app on my iPhone and rated it 5 stars...

Now, do the ADM Community a big favor... Click on this link to take a quick 4 multiple choice question survey that will assist your ADM Community Admin team to better guide the community's content creation and seek out what you want to see:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AutomotiveBlogs

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Permalink Reply by Bruce L. Roffey on January 10, 2010 at 9:04pm

I cannot find vin hunter pro in the app store....

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Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on January 11, 2010 at 12:16am

Nope, not yet. Still waiting on Apple to approve it. It's in the process of review so hopefully not much longer now. This is a project that's been four months in the works and I'm anxious to see it live. :) I'll make an announcement when it's actually up and live in the store.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Anderson on January 11, 2010 at 11:52am

I'm a long time lurker and registered just to post in this thread. While this app looks cool, it's not unique. Others, such as GigglePop and Autoniq (plus Laser Appraiser, which is VERY expensive) have been out there a while. I used GigglePop for years and they're good people. I've been using Autoniq for several months and love it. Autoniq has an approved VIN Scanner in the iPhone and Android stores. And they support CARFAX and AutoCheck, plus all the pricing guides. I use a Droid phone on Verizon's network, which works great (I started with an iPhone but I hate AT&T). However, more competition is always good.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Watson on January 11, 2010 at 9:59pm

Yeah GigglePop and Laser Appraiser have been around forever.

Black Book and some others also have their own programs you can use directly as well.

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