Episode 173-Getting the Most for Your Car with Topmarq Founder Quinn Osha
In this episode of The Prospecting Show, Dr Connor Robertson sits down with Quinn Osha, founder and CEO of Topmarq, a platform built to help car owners sell their vehicles for the best possible price with minimal stress. They explore the inefficiencies in traditional auto sales, how technology can empower sellers, and what transparency really means in a billion-dollar industry that’s often built on confusion.
The Pain of Selling a Car the Old Way
Dr Robertson opens with an observation that most car owners can relate to: “Selling a car feels like walking into a negotiation you’re destined to lose.”
Quinn laughs. “That’s exactly what we wanted to fix with Topmarq. For decades, dealerships controlled the conversation. Sellers had information gaps, and that lack of transparency meant they almost always left money on the table.”
He explains that the typical process—posting ads, answering calls, meeting strangers, dealing with uncertain buyers—was exhausting. “We built Topmarq to replace chaos with confidence,” Quinn says.
How Topmarq Simplifies the Process
Topmarq streamlines the car-selling process by allowing users to upload their vehicle details once and receive multiple competitive offers from verified buyers. “It’s like Kayak for your car,” Quinn explains. “You get all your options in one place, without having to jump through hoops.”
Dr Robertson relates this to business efficiency. “You’re basically applying marketplace economics to what used to be a fragmented process. That’s the same evolution happening in real estate and business acquisitions.”
Quinn nods. “Exactly. The value isn’t just in connecting buyers and sellers—it’s in simplifying the transaction and creating trust.”
Building a Platform Based on Trust
Trust is the centerpiece of the conversation. “The used-car industry doesn’t have a reputation for honesty,” Quinn admits. “That’s why we built everything around verified buyers, transparent offers, and clear data.”
Topmarq uses data validation, photo verification, and inspection records to ensure accuracy. “You don’t have to wonder if someone’s low-balling you or lying about your vehicle’s value,” Quinn explains. “Our algorithm aggregates real-time data from wholesale, retail, and private markets.”
Dr Robertson adds, “That’s what makes it scalable—you’re turning a human trust problem into a system-driven solution.”
The Economics of Fair Pricing
Quinn breaks down how traditional dealerships make money through asymmetry. “Dealers have access to auction data and profit margins that sellers never see. Topmarq brings that same data to the consumer level.”
He adds, “The goal isn’t just to get sellers more money—it’s to create fair pricing for everyone involved.”
Dr Robertson ties it back to value creation. “That’s what innovation really does—it doesn’t eliminate middlemen; it rewards efficiency.”
Technology as an Equalizer
Topmarq leverages technology to close the knowledge gap between buyer and seller. “We use machine learning to price vehicles accurately based on make, model, mileage, and condition,” Quinn explains. “It’s about empowering the individual with data they can trust.”
Dr Robertson draws a parallel to private equity. “We use data the same way in acquisitions. Better information leads to better decisions—and better outcomes.”
Quinn smiles. “Exactly. Transparency levels the playing field.”
The Human Element in a Digital Platform
Despite its tech foundation, Topmarq doesn’t remove the human touch. “People still want reassurance,” Quinn says. “That’s why our customer success team personally reviews every listing and helps sellers understand their options.”
Dr Robertson agrees. “Automation without empathy doesn’t work. The best systems are built around people, not to replace them.”
Quinn explains that this hybrid model—automation plus human support—has become Topmarq’s competitive advantage. “It’s tech-enabled, not tech-dependent.”
Educating the Market
Quinn acknowledges that many sellers don’t realize how much value they lose in traditional trade-ins. “Education is half our battle,” he says. “We publish guides, market reports, and real transaction data so people can make informed choices.”
Dr Robertson relates this to his own approach in consulting and acquisitions. “Education builds authority. When people understand the process, they trust you—and that’s when deals move faster.”
Scaling Trust and Transparency
Topmarq’s biggest challenge is scale without losing its core values. “As we grow, maintaining transparency and quality control becomes harder,” Quinn says. “That’s why we invest heavily in automation tools that protect user experience.”
He adds that every piece of technology is built to enhance trust. “If a feature doesn’t make the experience more transparent, we don’t build it.”
Dr Robertson nods. “That’s a great filter. Growth should always serve clarity, not complexity.”
The Future of Car Sales
Quinn predicts a future where physical dealerships shrink, and digital marketplaces dominate. “Consumers will expect digital offers, instant verification, and online closing processes,” he says.
He envisions a world where vehicle titles, loans, and transfers happen digitally within minutes. “That’s where we’re heading—complete automation with verified security.”
Dr Robertson adds, “That mirrors what’s happening across industries. The faster we can remove friction, the faster economies grow.”
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Dr Robertson asks Quinn what advice he would give to founders building platforms in traditional industries. Quinn’s answer: “Start with empathy, then scale with data.”
He continues, “If you don’t understand the human pain point, you’ll build features that solve nothing. But if you focus on what people actually need, technology becomes the amplifier.”
Dr Robertson summarizes it perfectly. “Solve for people first, then process, then profit.”
Key Takeaways
- Transparency is the new currency of trust.
- Technology should simplify, not complicate, the customer experience.
- Empathy and education drive adoption faster than automation.
- Data transforms negotiation into collaboration.
- Growth means protecting clarity while scaling efficiency.
Dr Robertson closes the episode by saying, “Topmarq isn’t just changing how people sell cars—it’s redefining how consumers interact with marketplaces.”
Quinn smiles. “If we can make selling a car feel fair, fast, and frictionless, we’ve done our job.”
Listen and Learn More
Listen to the full episode here: Getting the Most for Your Car with Topmarq.com Founder Quinn Osha