This week has brought many things around, of which one was structuring things a bit more proficiently and economically. In that re-structuring, I have been considering all areas of expenditures, one of which I will go into with this post. It was my car. I wished to recognize someone that I found to be a "Go Giver" in a series of people that I wish to write about that I consider to be "Go Givers" 
I love my car….it has been my 4th Chrysler product!! As important, I have been actually able to do business with the “same dealership” 3 of the 4 transactions, not to mention 98% of my service has been performed at this one dealer with all of my vehicles.
It makes life really nice when you can depend on those relationships for such an important part of life - “your transportation”. I have driven out of my way to go there, as a result. I will be blogging about those important people in a few upcoming blogs.
I have written letters to the owner of the dealership & given American Express cards after the purchase & service of my present vehicle. I admit this was a rare occurrence....but it was because these two people truly went above & beyond with this vehicle.... more than the other three ones I have owned from their location. I knew at the end of the transaction the salesman didn’t make much, if any, commission, as I had researched it a bit, & the service representative has been consistent without fail. Regardless both of them went above & beyond because of their integrity & the "relationship". This Dealership that I will later write about in the future, & this paragraph is pertaining, is Massey Yardley Chrysler Plymouth in Plantation, FL.
I have to admit though that recently I have considered some more economic means - by adjusting both payment & fuel proficiency, which brought me to both Toyota & Hyundai dealers.
I emailed a number of dealers & researched customer feedback on other dealers. I feel it is safe to say for me, changing dealers is fairly scary….especially when I have been so blessed. Chrysler has one car that was of interest this year, but it didn't really fit I felt with our future needs. If I stayed with a Chrysler, then I would keep what I had presently.
The short of it, is the dealer in my present area is not as personable, & my dealer prior, well they are now about 60 miles away :(.
After leaving the new dealer, I decided to spontaneously stop in to visit one that I had emailed from the Hyundai list, as I have never driven a Hyundai. They have had several lease promotions going on that have been very interesting. "Leasing" is a consideration to stretch $$, or equate some “growth” time financially, into the present situation.
The person I had communicated with via email was Joel Chapman. I was so nervous going into see Joel…I am not sure why, but may be it is because I know too much about the way things operate & I have experienced the good, the bad, & even the “ugly”. I have the benefit of having an extended family member & a prior neighbor in the automotive business.....as well as several credit unions - so you hear the “inside” things that go on. Well knowing these things, make it difficult to be comfortable right away, until you get a feel for the person you are going to conduct business (I guess this is always true in any case...but when buying a car I feel especially a sense of caution)
I do research & I even had one salesman many years back, that slammed down a note pad & swore at me, "didn't I know he wasn't making any #@$! money? I even had bandages from my surgery & staples in my head, but he still yelled. When I picked up the car the store manager came out to give me my paperwork..... I felt terrible, but I bought at the advertised price, it is just he misquoted a multi CD player & then delivered a single one...really not my fault in that, but I still felt badly. Ever since, a bit apprehensive when I go in....but I have gone back...& now I felt it necessary to at least "explore" the options.
Here I was this Wednesday; I had a name, & had phoned ahead, so I was able to go straight in to see Joel. What an amazing surprise he was!! Joel made me feel immediately at home. We discussed the advertisement & he said don’t worry, whatever it is we will make you happy. I had a lady last night that got an upgrade of $2900 for a small portion ($200!). I said okay. While not 100% relaxed I was sensing no pressure. He went the keys to see what we could drive, as the car I had emailed & phoned about sold the night before… (Procrastination not in my favor). Well in fact when he returned the car we were to drive was also sold, & they had no more inventory on the lot (I did mentioned it was a GREAT promotion)!! I was appreciative that he was willing to take me out anyway & let me drive to see if I even liked the car. In hindsight of course he would, he was such a great person professionally!! I don't know why, but I wasn't surprised. I felt he was at ease & proficient just from the brief few emails & it was obvious he didn't need to pressure me, as he didn't need to he was busy enough before me, but you could tell that he still wanted me to be happy & learn a bit more.
While he was back & forth looking for keys, helping another customer that came in.... that their car was also sold, & getting the car brought up for us to drive there was a bit of time. I noticed the sales board. At the very top of the board was his name & his score Joel Chapman at the top of the list. I didn’t have any way to know this when I 1st came in that I would be dealing with the best of the best… J
Luck of the draw….or was it?? J
During our chats, Joel proceeded to find out a little about me, & give a little about himself. We compared notes that we were both born in Miami, which we both had grown up fairly close in regions (which ironically was close to the dealership); we had both had grandmothers in Atlanta. Both had friends that had worked for mutual corporations & both had worked in various industries. We even discussed if my birthday was close, as if it was, he wanted to make sure I could have one by then. He also said he sends cards out periodically & we discussed the various card programs out there & he said a magic statement that summed it up. He said, “No, I prefer not to do it that way, as it is not personal enough”. “I am kind of old fashioned like that with things & I will go & pick it out & sign & send it.” He said, “I send cards to people that may not ever buy a car from me, but because I want to & I am thinking of them”.
I smiled, as I knew that he would be like that, as he had been attentive the entire visit to what my goals were & even walked me out to my car.
The smile was because I knew, Joel Chapman - is a “Go-Giver” & while he wasn’t striving for himself, that managed to get him to the top of the board, almost effortlessly I bet.
I found out the following things about Joel Chapman that brief visit for an hour & a bit:
- Joel wasn’t afraid to be open with himself & share even his growing up or his resume (even though ……….I didn’t expect a resume with my car purchase)
- Joel was a “Pro” Bowler before he was sent to Vietnam, and would have been on a different level, ……….but didn’t want to go back into it once he returned from the war.
- Joel had worked for Bell South for over 30 years as an accountant, & has been a financial planner, ……….so he understood my concern with the figures & some other things that have impact for me.
Joel related to me on so many levels, that it would be difficult not to want to buy a car from him. ………
They ran out of inventory, or I don’t know where I would have been…(new car remorse possibly?) No, it wouldn't as Joel wouldn't be that type to place that upon me. It may be several weeks until they are able to replenish, so we will see? If I don’t, it will only be because I changed decisions on cars & needs....or in loyalty kept my car.
This story may be a bit longer than I would have written, but I needed to share the highlights for this “Go-Giver” story to lay the groundwork of where I was coming from before I got to this part of the journey.
My prior salesman is no longer selling cars….so I don’t feel that I am not being loyal to him…well except to my service manager. However, I think he would understand at this stage.
I have been blessed to have at least (4) “Go-Givers” in this one area of my life that has been such a necessity for my family & I. I will try to go into the others this week.
This blog was Joel’s blog - Joel gave more of himself in that little time than I see out of may be 1% of the people. This is why Joel is almost effortlessly at the top of his board, leading the pack. ((Well he made me feel it was effortlessly)
Joel Chapman may be found at Doral Hyundai - Miami, Florida. I encourage you to ask for him & share your story! www.doralhyundai.com
Joel is a “Go-Giver”…..and a bonus that he is selling one of top values as means for transportation in the auto industry.
Some minor things have had me occupied to keep me from blogging, but I wanted to give him a prompt recognition....I will try to make up time, as time permits.
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