Silence is not always golden

Puttingtogether the data needed to compile theMoney ManagementTop 100 dealer’s survey is not always a simple task. As such, it is not something all dealer groups are prepared to do.

From past experience with the survey, three reasons exist for dealer groups not responding and therefore not having a place in the rankings.

Firstly, the dealer group has chosen not to respond because it deemed the information necessary was too sensitive to supply outside the group.

Secondly, the group was not interested in being involved or was unsure of what being involved entailed and so did not partake.

These first two points are also evident in some of the responses which came back with information in some sections listed as unknown or not disclosed.

Thirdly, the dealer, for whatever reason, felt that it fell outside the scope of the Top 100 dealer’s survey.

This may go some way to explaining why some dealers may not be present in the final table as it appears in this edition.

In previous years, the Top 100 has also carried the names of those groups who have consciously chosen not to participate. However, due to the extended nature of the survey this year, with over 700 questionnaires sent out (see page 21), that proved impractical.

Nonetheless,Money Managementwould like to thank The Tom Collins Consultancy and Rainmaker Information for providing the research for this year’s survey and look forward to working with them in 2002.

We also extend sincere thanks to all the dealer groups who were involved in the survey, especially to those who have done so since the inaugural survey in 1999 and to those smaller groups who, despite participating, fell outside the rankings.

We understand the nature of the data requested can be sensitive and also time consuming to gather and relay back to the research houses. However, only through the ongoing participation of dealer groups canMoney Managementcreate an industry snapshot which is unique in its scope and coverage, and of lasting benefit to its readers.