Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Autoconnect and Gary Cafik– a Great Way to Go

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Today’s Blog Post


Autoconnect and Gary Cafik– a Great Way to Go

“Hi Murray, Its Gary Cafik at Autoconnect. Is 2 PM okay? Your vehicle is ready.”

I think that was the best news I have heard for years! Gary, the young man that led us through the process of buying our ‘new’ 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid, was calling to tell me that we could pick up our new vehicle.

Wow! Was I excited!

This adventure started much earlier this year when our faithful old 1996 Nissan Quest van started its final approach for Car Heaven. I have written about my struggles in a few earlier posts.

I had no idea what we were going to do with the new reality of retirement and a fixed income. You don’t just squeeze a few more bucks out of the already stretched budget. That little extra that was always there under the great umbrella of Employment – isn’t there anymore. What is there are tax bills that may go up again, power bills that are going up as well, and food cost that are rising again. The only thing that goes down is my head at night when it hits the pillow.

When the Nissan Quest died that fateful day we needed a miracle.

Now I should explain something else that puts more pressure in my life. Actually there are two things that are the greatest stressors over all these years. And having moved so many times – these two stand out the most.

The first one is finding a good barber. The second one is finding a good car dealership, and in particular, a good person to buy from.

“That is crazy!” you say.

Nope – not for me. Having a full head of hair and being 67 years old, out in public a lot, I cannot look like some of the clients that I have worked with just out of prison!

Second - A car salesman?
I also am a man that was raised in a car culture, with a father that was a mechanic. And the most important thing my dad taught me was “car stuff”. By the time I was 16 ½ years old, I had taken a car apart and put it back together, restoring a 1925 Model T Ford.

And I think that my dad also placed a fear in my life of “car salesmen”. Like it is almost a paranoia of sorts causing me to answer in strange ways when one of those cagy dudes at a car dealership asks me, “Can I help you?” My automatic response is, “Nope, just looking.” (looking over your cars and looking YOU over!)

Over the years of driving and buying many vehicles I have met a lot of what my dad called, “Shysters”. These are guys that are sitting there just waiting to screw you when they can. Remember I am the son of mechanic that repaired cars after people bought them. I know all the stories about ‘salesmen’.

Arriving in Peterborough, 1998, I needed another vehicle that fateful December day when our little bomb died. Again, it had served us very well but it was dead. Putting more money into an already overworked little car was crazy. Fixing it was six car payments on a newer one.

That day I met a salesman that I could trust. Elvin was a great guy to work with. I knew him from another contact and he treated us well – very well.

Now some more background…
A few months before Christmas this year a young couple that are close to us had stopped by for a short visit. Some mention was made of the old Van. They wanted to show us their new vehicle that they had purchased and told us of the great salesman that they had helped them.

My wife knows my aversion to car sales people. She asked Jessika and George what the man’s name was and where the dealership was. Quickly she wrote down, “Gary – at Autoconnect – 705-749-2002” – and placed that on our cupboard door.

Jessika and George were very happy with their new van. They told us how great Gary was. I was impressed by what I heard and saw.

When the van died, my wife suggested, “I think we should go see Gary, the guy that Jessika suggested. Maybe he could find something for us?”

Instead we didn’t go… too busy.. not ready yet for the emotional meeting with a new car salesman… lots of reasons I guess.

Now most of you now that I am a minister and that I pray about stuff that I do. Unemployed by not working in a church doesn’t mean that I don’t have the same Boss. Every day I talk to my Boss – His name is “God”. I trust his judgement on everything. I try my best to follow his leading in all that I do. At times he will nudge me to do something – right now!

The day it happened…
It was Saturday, February 5, 2011, that we were buying gas. I just finished and placed the cap on the tank and the nudge came. “Why not drive over to some car lots and take a look?” It was my Boss calling/speaking.

I hopped in the car and told my wife, “We need to look at some cars today to see what is happening now.”

We drove around one lot… nothing that caught our eye. Oh there were beautiful cars there… but not something that made any sense. Then we went to the next lot… nothing again. Nice cars. No salesmen… and it didn’t seem right.

As we pulled into the next small lot, beside the “Enterprise” Rental, (the place I rent all the vehicles from for my “Government of Canada trips”) – there were about six used vehicles sitting there, washed and clean and ready to go. They were too big for us and most were trucks.

Just a little further… at the end of the row… was a smaller, green coloured Saturn Hybrid Vue, with 2007 on the license plate. I stopped and looked. I told my wife, “I need to ask about that one.” Together we walked around the small van. The doors were open so we sat inside of it. Whoa! Then I did the next dangerous thing… I walked into the small office to ask about the vehicle.

Gary introduced himself and invited us to take it for a ride. We did.

It was too good to be true. Quiet inside, handled beautifully, and you can see everywhere. Up higher and with a clear view of everything – this was a “Wow Car”! This was a vehicle that was perfect in everyway. I couldn’t believe it.

I am sure that moment the Saturn was smiling too.

Gary apologized that it was not clean, he had just received it the day before and hadn’t the opportunity to clean it up. It had been used in some dusty areas from the look of it. But there was not a scratch on it. Gary showed us the “Car Proof” fact sheet on it. No accidents and it never has been stolen – no Police reports.

At that point we had progressed, from the drive around the lot stage to asking price. As Gary spoke to us, my wife asked him is he had sold Jessika and George their van. He beamed, “Yes I did!” He knew them well. When my wife told him that she had his name on her cupboard at home… he grinned.

I can tell you now… that Gary Cafik made us an offer that we could not refuse. The deal was done.

J.C. Penny, the great business man once said, “Every great business is built on friendship”.

Gary Cafik must instinctually know that, but he is way too young to know who or what “J.C. Penny” was all about!

I can highly recommend Gary to you. I trust him. He will help you in ways that are amazing. Jessika and George were right! He is a great guy.

When I stopped by with some paper work for Gary on Monday, he told me, “I forgot to tell you, there is a little something extra for you, this vehicle comes with a complete set of summer tires as well.”

I want to say a big thank you to Gary Cafik, and his boss at Autoconnect. We are satisfied customers that are about to tell the whole world that they can shop where you are! (Take a look at the Link to Autoconnect or below)

And finally I thank my Boss, he was the one that led us in that day… at just the right moment.

One more thing… Gary only works every other Saturday… and the Feb 9th was his day to be there. God knows all about Gary and me. WOW!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/  

Resource
Autoconnect – 985 Clonsilla Ave, Peterborough, Ont. K9J 5Y7
Gary Cafik – Bus 705-749-2002 Cell 705-872-6472

http://autoconnectsales.autotrader.ca/index.htm?q=auto+connect+sales+%26+leasing&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIE_en

Through WheelsOnline
http://www.wheelsonline.ca/item_list.asp?action=dealer&dc=acl

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