Welcome to The Dealer Download, powered by RS&I.

The economic outlook heading into 2026 is not collapsing. It is complicated. And for Authorized Dealers, that distinction makes all the difference.

Inflation is still top of mind for consumers, even as price increases slow. Tariff uncertainty continues to ripple through supply chains. The Federal Reserve is signaling caution rather than confidence when it comes to future rate cuts. None of this screams crisis, but it does create hesitation. Buyers are not panicking. They are pausing.

That pause is not a problem. It is a signal.

In this episode of The Dealer Download, host Michael Shiverdecker unpacks why trust, clarity, and reliability are becoming the strongest growth drivers in an uncertain economy. The core message is clear. Customers are still buying, but they are far more intentional about who they buy from.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Inflation Still Feels Real to Consumers
  Even when inflation numbers cool, households feel the pressure through rent, groceries, insurance, and utilities. This episode explains why perception matters as much as data, and how that perception shapes buying decisions.

   

• How Economic Uncertainty Changes Buyer Behavior
  Tariffs, rate speculation, and mixed economic headlines do not stop spending altogether. They slow it down. Buyers take longer, ask more questions, and favor providers they trust to be transparent and consistent.

   

• Why Essential Services Keep Winning
  Wireless, fiber, connectivity, security, and smart home solutions are not discretionary purchases. They are foundational. When budgets tighten, customers protect what keeps their lives running, which is exactly where Authorized Dealers have an advantage.

   

• How Dealers Can Win Without Racing to the Bottom
  Slashing prices is not the answer. This episode outlines how expectation-setting, honest conversations, and reliability create long-term growth without sacrificing margins.

Welcome to The Dealer Download, powered by RS&I.

The economic picture heading into 2026 is not dramatic. It is nuanced. And for Authorized Dealers, that nuance matters.

CEO confidence is rising. Consumer sentiment just posted its first increase in months. On paper, that sounds like momentum. But hiring plans are cooling, household budgets still feel tight, and many buyers are cautious rather than carefree.

This is not a contradiction. It is a signal.

In this episode of The Dealer Download, host Michael Shiverdecker breaks down the latest insights from Axios, Reuters, Forbes, and the Federal Reserve to explain what these mixed economic signals really mean for RS&I Authorized Dealers. The takeaway is simple but powerful. Growth is still available, but only for dealers who understand how customers are thinking right now.

This episode is not about fear or recession panic. It is about reading the moment correctly and positioning your business to win while others hesitate.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Confidence Is Improving, But Commitment Is Cautious

  Executives are feeling more optimistic about the direction of the economy, yet many are holding back on hiring and expansion. That tells us something important. Confidence is returning, but caution remains.

• What a Cooling Labor Market Means for Buyers

  A softening labor market does not mean customers stop buying. It means they become more selective.

• Why Value and Reliability Win Right Now

  This episode highlights a critical shift in how customers define value. It is no longer about the lowest price or the longest feature list. It is about trust, uptime, and support.

Welcome to The Dealer Download, powered by RS&I.

Everywhere you look, trust is eroding — not because people are paranoid, but because the threats they face are evolving faster than their ability to keep up.
Porch piracy isn’t a petty annoyance anymore. Fake phone calls don’t sound fake. Alerts don’t always mean what they say. And retail crime is no longer a random occurrence. It’s coordinated, strategic, and increasingly bold.

In a world where deepfakes mimic real people, fake service reps show up at real front doors, and consumers question whether anything online is authentic, one thing becomes clear:
trust is now the most valuable currency a business can offer.

In this episode, host Michael Shiverdecker unpacks why the dealers who win in 2025 won’t be the ones selling the newest gadget — they’ll be the ones selling reliability, clarity, and confidence at a time when people crave it most.

This isn't about fear tactics or hype. It’s about meeting customers exactly where they are and giving them a sense of control in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable. And for RS&I Authorized Dealers, that shift represents one of the strongest business opportunities in years.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why trust is now the most powerful sales tool
  
  Customers don’t just want products that work — they want providers who won’t disappear when something goes wrong.
  Michael breaks down how distrust in online systems, service providers, and automated alerts has created a massive appetite for credible, local experts.

• How rising security concerns are reshaping customer priorities
  From porch piracy to digital impersonation scams, people aren’t just worried about burglary anymore.
  
  
• Why “selling safety” beats selling features every time

Welcome to The Dealer Download, powered by RS&I.

Package thieves aren't just hitting doorsteps anymore. They're getting bolder, smarter, and more organized. Deepfake scams are wiping out bank accounts before victims even realize they've been fooled. Retail crime rings are operating like Fortune 500 companies. And across the country, trust in safety, security, and even reality itself is breaking down fast.

In this episode, host Michael Shiverdecker cuts through the noise and shows you exactly why home security has gone from nice-to-have to absolutely essential. And more importantly, why this moment is a massive opportunity for RS&I Authorized Dealers who know how to position protection as premium service, not just another product.

This isn't fear-mongering. It's pattern recognition. And dealers who understand what's driving this shift can build serious, sustainable income by solving the problem customers are actually losing sleep over.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How porch piracy became a nationwide epidemic
  It's not just holiday season anymore. Package theft is year-round, organized, and escalating. Michael breaks down why this crime is surging and what it means for how customers think about home security.

   

• Why criminal activity is getting more physical and more strategic
  Retail theft isn't shoplifting. It's coordinated, often violent, and backed by networks that operate across state lines. Customers see this happening and they're rethinking what safety even means.

   

• How deepfake technology is destroying trust faster than anyone predicted
  Scammers are using AI to clone voices, fake video calls, and convince people to send money to criminals they think are family members. Trust in digital communication is collapsing, and it's changing how people protect themselves.

   

• Why customers now expect prevention, not just evidence
  Recording a crime after it happens isn't enough anymore. People want systems that stop threats before they escalate. Dealers who understand this shift can sell smarter, more profitable solutions.

   

• How home security shifted from optional upgrade to non-negotiable necessity
  Security used to be about peace of mind. Now it's about survival. Michael explains how the psychology of safety has changed and why that changes everything about how you sell.

   

• What it means to position protection as a premium service
  Commodity pricing kills margins. But when you sell confidence, credibility, and real protection, customers will pay more because the value is undeniable. You'll learn exactly how to make that shift.

   

• Where the biggest dealer growth opportunities are hiding right now
  This isn't just about doorbells and cameras. It's about becoming the trusted advisor who helps families, small businesses, and entire communities feel safe again. That's where the real income lives.

Welcome to The Dealer Download, powered by RS&I.

One viral comment can change everything. In this episode, host Michael Shiverdecker breaks down the brand crisis Campbell’s is facing after a senior executive’s remarks went viral and why this moment matters to every RS&I Authorized Dealer.

This is not really about soup. It is about how trust is built, how it collapses, and how quickly a single moment can reshape the story customers believe about a brand. Dealers who understand this can protect their credibility, strengthen their customer relationships, and avoid mistakes that damage income and reputation.

Below is what you will walk away with in this episode.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How one public moment can rewrite a brand’s identity overnight
  A single quote did more damage than any marketing campaign can fix. Michael explains how quickly narratives shift and why customers react emotionally long before they seek out facts.

• Why customers do not separate individuals from the brands
  Most people do not follow corporate structures. They assume any public-facing voice represents the entire company. Dealers must understand how their words shape the brand they sell.

• How your reputation directly impacts your income
  Trust is the most valuable currency for RS&I dealers. Once it slips, referrals, renewals, and new sales are directly affected. You will learn why consistency and professionalism matter at every turn.

• What to do when you personally disagree with a brand you represent
  Disagreements are normal. Going public with them is not. This episode shows you how to handle concerns privately, where your influence is strongest and where you avoid unnecessary damage.