• Buying a car should be fun

    Posted on January 20th, 2011 by and currently 8 commenting.


    On August 16, 2010 I went from being out of the market for a new car to being in the market for a car in mere seconds. My beloved 2005  MINI Cooper (that was paid off) was totaled in an accident.

    One week later I started a five month journey that led me to my new car. When I say journey, I mean journey. I’ve driven my family, friends, co-workers crazy these last five months. I’ve test-driven several different MINI models. I’ve built the perfect MINI online. I’ve read message boards… I’ve made it painful.

    Nevertheless, I was lucky because I had a guide. During my initial visit in the Century MINI showroom, I met Lindsey Hill. Lindsey is a MINI owner first, and a car sales person second (MINI calls them MAs – Motoring Assistants). During the process, I almost forgot Lindsey has been an MA for only eight months.

    Lindsey calmly guided me through the process of ordering a one of a kind MINI. Actually, they’re all one of a kind. I think Lindsey was as excited about my MINI as I was.

    As fate would have it, my MINI arrived on US shores while I was out of town on business. I landed at GSP, my local airport, and was at my car dealer by 1PM. There was my car (Captain Jack) sitting up front, all shiny and new. I walked right up, opened the door and found a belly band wrapped around the steering wheel. It read “I am going home with my Dad Today!!”

    This belly band is part of MINI’s branding, but Lindsey made it personal. No change that, she turned a simple thing into a treasure. She turned it inside out and wrote a simple, fun message.

    It made me think, “Why?” One, Lindsey gives a darn. Two, her boss, the GM Stan Ashmore, gives her permission to build a relationship with their customers.

    MINI gives you all the tools to track and be engaged along the entire car buying process. However, Lindsey’s personal touch meant the most to me.

  • http://www.worthwhile.com Chris Rackley

    You know, I love meeting people like this. People who stand behind their products so much that they’re truly excited for your purchasing one — no to boost their commissions or stat lines, but because they truly believe you’re going to be better because of it.

    I think we all want to be like Lindsey, but it’s easy to get into ruts where we become much more self-focused in our profession. Good reminder, Geno. Thanks for posting.

  • http://TheArtOfMarketingYou.com marti garaughty

    hi Geno, I absolutely love this!!! I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about “It’s the little things” and this is such a perfect example. That personalized banner is so simple but so thoughtful, very cool. ;-) Enjoy your new baby!

  • http://brainsonfire.com Geno

    Chris, Marti thanks for leaving a comment. Marti I enjoyed your post about the little things. The little things are IMO the real word of mouth triggers.

  • http://tampacarsales.net Andres Garcia

    Geno,

    This is a great blog post and I must commend Lindsey for leaving such an impression on you. I have just re-entered the car business after a 7 year hiatus and have always found success by being the “anti-car salesman.” I built my own website (I consider myself a Virtual Real Estate Developer first) because I find that almost all dealerships are the same what makes the real difference is working with a smart, enthusiastic salesperson that truly cares about the client and not just making a fast buck.

    I strive to leave a similar impression on my clients that Lindsey has left on you. Again thanks for sharing its a great story. I’ll see you on Twitter! I’ll be looking out for your Tweets!!

    Andres Garcia
    @GeniusSEO_SMO on Twitter
    Tampa Nissan Sales Pro

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  • http://brainsonfire.com Geno

    Andres… thanks for stopping by. I actually have much respect for car sales People. Its the nature of the business that customers come in assuming the worst.

    Part of the reason I believe I had such a great experience is my frame of mind. I decided that I would enjoy the process, and I would have fun.

    See ya in twitterville.

  • http://www.victorymotorsales.com Leigh Trossbach

    Thanks for the awesome post. Looking forward to staying updated with your website.

    Kind Regards

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