Introduction
Howdy, to my national and international readers! I hope each of you is doing well, by God's grace! That is my written prayer. Here in these parts, our outside temperature gauge is showing about 95F, on a mostly sunny day. It's a scorcher. I'm glad that I am not loading baled hay in a wagon today! I did that enough, in my teenage years.
In my June 7, 2022, article, I had stated, in the introduction:
As a quick aside, our car hunt saga (mentioned in the introduction to my Monday, May 30, 2022, article) is over! On the anniversary of D-Day, we completed the purchase of our new, 'ol car. Our “long-suffering” '08 Honda Civic was replaced by a new, to us, car. In a few days, I plan to write and publish an article, on the details.
I am writing and publishing the article on the details today.
Temporal life includes moments in time that make lasting memories. Some memories are not pleasant, such as the passing of a loved one. Some are pleasant, such as graduation, marriage, and so forth.
How does car buying rate as a moment in time? It can vary. I have unpleasant and pleasant car buying memories.
Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I enjoyed a car purchase experience that will be a lasting and pleasant memory! This article is to recommend Lance Cunningham Ford (865-317-6211) – for car purchases and for service after the sale!
The gentleman, whose name that I mention, in my following remarks, has given me approval to mention him by name. I am honored to do so!
Purchase Experience
I had searched Lance Cunningham Ford's website, among several other websites, for pre-owned sedans. I had seen the 2012 Nissan Sentra SR on Lance Cunningham Ford's website.
As an aside, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I plan, Lord willing, to pay in full a substantial principal balance later this year. We, therefore, had to limit our funds, to purchase a pre-owned sedan, to fit our plan. We hope, in the Lord, to be debt free, later this year.
On Tuesday, 5/31/2022, I called Lance Cunningham Ford and reached Travis Thomas, salesman. We conversed well. Travis emailed me his live video of the 2012 Nissan Sentra! His “going the extra mile” effort impressed me! The car would be ready for our viewing, after some detail work was done.
On Friday, 6/3/2022, Travis called, as he promised, to state that the detail work was done. I had planned to call him the next day, to set the time that Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I would arrive to inspect the car.
On the morning of 6/4/2022, I had delayed my call to Travis, as I explored a few other online automobile search options. Travis called me – which I appreciated. He was not, and never was, “pushy.” His call was just to touch base on the plans, since I'd not called him yet.
On that Saturday afternoon, my wife and I enjoyed about three hours, at Lance Cunningham Ford! We met Travis Thomas and an outstanding Sales Manager. The Sales Manager and I are of the same generation. Travis is a younger man. Our rapport with those men was excellent! The Sales Manager and I, being in the same generation, talked as brothers, as if we had known each other for years. Travis and I talked as good friends. They interacted with us professionally and personally.
After the test drive, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman gave her “thumbs up,” for the purchase. (That was important, since she will drive the car mostly!) The price negotiation started. I was prepared. I had a printout with my typed notes on it. (Hey, Sales Manager, thanks for telling me how impressed you were, with my detailed notes!) The negotiation was a mutual agreement. There was no “used car salesman” type games. It was straight forward and fair, with several points of courtesy and humor interjected! The “price was right.” We “made a deal.” Since we had driven to Lance Cunningham Ford in my 2006 Nissan Frontier, we made a down payment, on the 2012 Nissan Sentra.
Monday, June 6, 2022, was the anniversary of D-Day. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I drove our “long-suffering” 2008 Honda Civic to Lance Cunningham Ford. (Wouldn't you know that the air conditioner cooled all the way there! The A/C hadn't been doing that!) We finalized the trade-in of our Civic for the Sentra. That was easy. All the routine paperwork signing did not take that long. We fully understood all the details. There were no “hidden surprises.”
Photograph by Travis Thomas, using Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's “smart” phone.
Travis Thomas took the above photograph, using Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's “smart” phone. Our “long-suffering” 2008 Honda Civic is on the left. Our 2012 Nissan Sentra SR is on the right. Who are those folks in the middle? Wait! I know! They are Mr. and Mrs. Appalachian Irishman – very satisfied Lance Cunningham Ford customers!
Service After the Sale Experience
During our 6/4/2022 inspection of our 2012 Nissan Sentra, I had noticed that the tires needed to be rotated, from back to front. On Friday, 6/10/2022, I drove our newly purchased sedan back to Lance Cunningham Ford, for a scheduled tire rotation, balance, and alignment check.
The Christian young man, in the service department, provided professional and personal service. I got to know him, when we had opportunities to converse. He knows that God will be the unseen presence in his home. After the service was completed, as I prepared to leave, I asked him, “Who will be the unseen presence in your home?” He replied, instantly, “God will be.” The wedding date for his fiancée and he was upcoming, in a few more days. This young man and his bride will include God, as the guiding source, in their home!
By the way, the cost, for the rotation, balance, and alignment, was very reasonable. We may take up the young man's suggestion, to select Lance Cunningham Ford, for routine oil changes and service! Who knows? I may come with her! I hope to see the young man again.
Conclusion
I hope to keep in touch with Travis Thomas, the Service Manager, and the Christian young man. They are each welcome to come by to visit or to hike House Mountain with me!
Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I met several other employees of Lance Cunningham Ford. On 6/10/2022, I met and conversed with more employees. Without mentioning them by name, the two receptionists are fine and Christian ladies. The “too tall” young lady, who provided the “sign here and here” sales transaction service, on 6/6/2022, appreciated my sense of humor! The “sign here and here” part was professional and personal. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, on 6/4/2022, became reacquainted with a young man, who had been one of her students. He is a salesman and appears to be “turning right and going straight” in life! I hope that they keep in touch! We met other staff and sales representatives. To a person, each one was congenial and friendly.
I believe that Lance Cunningham Ford, as led by their General Manager, knows how to build a team of professional and personable employees. I do not care for “car commercials,” on radio or TV, as they are often unrefined and insulting. The Lance Cunningham Ford commercials have never been crass. They have class. The jingle runs through my mind, at times, with a lasting memory of a pleasant moment in time!
Travis Thomas and Lance Cunningham Ford both have my written permission, here and now, to share this article -- as published, without redaction, on any media format -- to benefit him and that fine company. I want to freely share our memory of our purchase and service after the sale experiences.
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