Aikido and the Car Guy

Signs Signs Everywhere Signs

Signs Signs Everywhere are Signs is still a good song.  And with sound of jack hammers ringing in my ears I think the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is part of the construction crew still working away on our little portion of the dealership.  The used car department has been compressed into this little sort of cave, the only remainder of the original Toyota showroom that is still in use.  It's pretty dingy in here.

The big news today is we, finally, have the new sign.  And it really is awsome.  It looked great during daylight today but I had to come back tonight to see it lit up.  The pics probably don't do it justice but now, at last, we look like a brand new store.

Next door the new car crew live like kings. They can't see out the front of their building due to the size of the new sign, like the song says, "Blockin' out the scenery".  Persevere men.  Stiff upper lip and all.

The service department is new and clean and sparkly.  Our new digs will be worth the wait.  I wonder if there are any bats in here.

Homichek's Law

I have often said that someday I would compile the Car business version of Murphy's Laws.  In my head the list was always Murphy's Laws of th Car Business.  Today, as I thought about my first post on the subject I decided that this wouldn't do.

I have met many characters in this business.  Lots of 'em.  And many of the Laws can be attributed to them.  And I am sure that in most cases, the Law did not originate with any particular person and even if it did, I can't remember whom I first heard invoke the thing.

There is no, real, Homichek.  He is a composite of the Car Lot Sages I have met over twenty plus years.  He is, in my mind, a wise man and a wise ass.  Many of these bits of wisdom are interchangeable with other industries.  Most, that are focused at the customer, can be reversed and aimed squarely and accurately back at the business I am in.  So don't get mad.  Stay centered and relax.  A first Law follows.

How do you know if a customer is lying?... Their lips are moving.

If you have a suggestion for additions to Homichek's Laws, post a comment or email me.