It’s not very often that us automotive professionals step out of the driver’s seat and land in the passenger seat — buying a vehicle like a regular old dealership customer, that is! I recently found myself in the automotive retail passenger seat after an unfortunate accident this summer, and I had to fight off anxiety thinking of purchasing a new vehicle in the current automotive market.
I instantly began thinking of the inventory and chip delays, slow service due to labor shortages and all the other worst-case scenarios we try to prepare our readers for in this publication. But, believe it or not, I ended up finding myself pleasantly surprised by my car-buying experience in 2022.
After a couple of unimpressive phone calls with salespeople at other dealerships, I spoke to the team over at Campbell Chevrolet in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and was so impressed with the operation, they won my business. Like many modern-day buyers, I already knew the exact vehicle I wanted — a 2023 Chevy Suburban — and didn’t need to spend hours on the lot test-driving and hearing about different vehicles. I was beyond pleased to find Campbell Chevrolet had digital processes in place to make the buying process quicker and more convenient. I worked the deal through calls and texts and eventually gave most of my important information to my salesperson over the phone, so when it was time to come pick up my vehicle, all I had to do was sign a couple documents and then I was out the door with my keys in hand.
Of course, this document signing wouldn’t take place for a couple weeks after my initial inquiry with the dealership, there still is an inventory shortage going on, after all. So, although I had to wait some time to drive off with my car, Campbell was extremely transparent through the whole process, which is really all I could have asked for. While I drove off the lot without a certain chip, it was communicated to me that I can visit the store to have it installed as soon as it arrives. The dealership threw in a free year of carwashes with my purchase, so it won’t be hard to get me back again anyway.
Overall, this experience made me feel hopeful for the current state and future of our industry … it’s not all doom and gloom, huh? Plus, it was a treat to connect with our target audience (dealers!) in an organic way — I even learned that the owner of Campbell Chevrolet, Joe Campbell, is a U.S. veteran. You might see Joe in next month’s issue of AutoSuccess as one of our Veterans & Vehicles honorees. He definitely has my vote!
For now, I am still waiting on my chip, but I am patiently waiting and mostly just thankful the process went much smoother than I could ever have imagined.
Thanks Campbell Chevrolet!
