Most people think a hat trick in the car business is selling three cars in a day. Not this one. This is the story of the time I had a tree fall on my demo, threw up on a customer's test drive, and got a ticket for no dealer plate all in roughly 12 hours.
Looking back, I used to think my GM was a total Hardo. But as I've gotten older, I've realized I WAS the problem. Sorry Ted.
It started like most of my Friday nights. I was 23, wrapping up a 10-hour shift around 7pm, we closed at 6, but my finance manager moved at the pace of a tired slug, and I think most of us can relate to that. I was ready to get out and meet my friends who were already at the bars.
Quick context, at this store if you averaged more than 10 cars a month you got a company demo. Not a used car either. A brand-new car, which is honestly wild if you think about it. Those days are long gone. But I was having a good month and seized my opportunity to grab a Fusion Limited. Back when people still drove sedans. My request was granted only because of the color, Tectonic Silver. Except it wasn't silver. It was GEEZER GOLD.
For Context
So, like most Friday nights we went out, stayed out too late, and someone who was not me drove the demo back to my place and we all crashed. (Am I passed the statute of limitations on that one?)
And like most Saturday mornings I was the only one dragging myself up early, doing my best to look like a functioning human being for the morning sales meeting.
Except this time, I walked outside and there was a massive tree branch sitting directly on top of the Fusion. I genuinely thought I was still drunk. I stood there with one eye closed just staring at it. GREATTTT. Just what I needed.
I moved the branch off the car it had broken the sunroof in the process, so now there's a gaping hole and glass everywhere, got in and started my 15-minute commute to work.
I wish I kept the picture of it but this is the closest version of it I could find.
About halfway there I see blue lights behind me.
The officer hit me with the classic "Son, do you know why I pulled you over today?"
I said "Nope." I still laugh at that by the way.
Turns out I had no license plate on the back. Quick context, our dealer plates were screwed onto magnets so you could swap them car to car without a screwdriver. And honestly 8 out of 10 times when I left in a demo or a test drive vehicle there was no plate on it. This was not my first warning. So, I got the ticket.
I pulled into the dealership and had to walk into my GM's office before 8:45am and explain all of this. You can imagine how that went. Thankfully it was short because I had an early morning appointment…saved by the bell.
Well. Sort of.
So, I'm on this test drive with a husband and wife who were REALLY pushing this car to its limits. Hitting the brakes hard, checking the alignment, the whole thing. My stomach was not keeping up.
As we're pulling back into the dealership I couldn't hold it anymore. I had to go. Right there in the backseat, head out the door, before the car even stopped.
And who's standing right there in the fire lane to greet us? Yep. Ol' Teddy. The look on his face could have ended me.
Thankfully they bought the car. Because I don't think I'd have made it another week there if they didn't.
Oh, and the dealership ended up eating the cost of the totaled demo. Apparently, a tree falling on your car is an "Act of God" and nobody's at fault.
Ted probably disagreed.
Say your seven Hail Mary’s and forgive us for the four squares we presented. DM me for any good ones you’d like to share for next week.
This Weeks Insight: CarEdge is launching a new credential for dealers who earn an A rating on the Dealer Transparency Index, a way to publicly badge the stores that actually treat buyers straight.
CarEdge.com