Pleasantly Surprised

letter to the editor by Annie Braithwaite published Jan 2008 in the Times Leader Newspaper "Used-car Place In Kingston Lauded"

Any woman who’s ever dealt with car mechanics or salesmen will relate to what I call the “John Wayne Little Lady” syndrome. Granted, in describing a mechanical problem with a realistic sound effect probably stirs ingratiating feelings in most logical/mechanical minded men, but I’m humiliated by the conciliatory pat on the head before being sent outside to play in the sandbox.

When a friend told me about the perfect Volkswagen Beetle glinting in the early winter sunshine at Lou’s Garage Used Car Sales on Pierce Street in Kingston, I summoned all my courage and, with black Lab Madi along for moral support, drove over to take a look. We were greeted by a trio of Italians: Lou, Chris and Mike, brothers who now share in their father Lou’s Used Car Sales, that’s been around since the fifties.

Lou’s Garage runs like a perfectly oiled piece of machinery. Lou II is the businessman/mechanic, Chris is the salesperson/mechanic and Mike is the detailer/mechanic, all three brothers working side by side in apparently perfect harmony.

Chris invited Madi and I into the back office and explained how some of the used cars sold at Lou’s Garage are purchased by the brothers at various auctions; some are trade-ins. We surfed the web together, searching for the perfect car for me, at the perfect price.

All the while, the Beetle outside on the lot seemed to call my name, and once I stated my interest in the vehicle, Chris set to work to figure out what it would take to make her mine.

I opted to sell my own car on EBay instead of trading it, and so the waiting game began: cleaning the car, taking the photographs, posting the listing, watching the bidding online, awaiting the clearance of the cashier’s check at the bank, and finally having the cash in hand.

For almost four weeks, the new car waited patiently on the Lou’s Garage lot, sporting a “hold” sticker which cost me a hundred dollar deposit. Every few days I’d call Chris with the latest EBay update, and every time we spoke, I was assured that he would hold the Beetle for as long as he could.

When Madi and I finally returned to hand over the bulging bank envelope, Lou II escorted us back to the office, again released the bungee cord holding the door open, and carefully went over all the paperwork. Even though I financed a portion of the purchase price, there was no need for me to go to the Bank. Lou’s Garage took care of all the other details as well, so there was no reason for me to visit an Inspection Station, a Notary or Auto Tag Office. We simply did it all right there, and within thirty minutes, Madi and I drove off the lot in our spotless, seamlessly running little car named “Olivia”, with a 60-day engine light, 6 month/6,000 mile power train warranty.

And I held on to my dignity through the entire transaction. Thank you to the Brothers who have restored my faith in the used car industry.