Blog: Dermot Cole
Chrysler won't close Alaska dealerships
Published Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Detroit News reports that "Every state but Alaska is losing dealerships" in the cutbacks announced today by Chrysler.
The company plans to shut down 789 of about 3,200 dealers.
"The closings could throw as many as 40,000 people out of work nationwide," the newspaper said.
By the number of cars at Gene's you would think they were closing. Too bad, Genes seems to be a well run operation.
they seem to have half the car they used to, one of my friends who works there recently changed job positions
I went to Gene's once with full intentions of buying a Dodge Ram, couldn't get a salesperson to even give me the time of day. Been driving a Ford ever since.
Not surprised, Stan. Gene's has awful service! They dropped something on my car while it was being serviced and refused to pay for the damage. I don't trust them with my new car so I do all maintenance elsewhere. Such a shame they're still in business treating customers like that. We ran into the owner a few years ago and he was a snob and a half. I'll happily drive down to the states to buy a new car rather than give them my hard-earned cash.
I've heard nothing but bad about Gene's and am shocked they're not getting shut down, but being as they sell Dodge I've never had the need to go there.
OH CRIKEY leaving Genes open is a bad move for Chrysler. That dealership has to rank pretty high up on their list of BAD.
I will never EVER buy another car from them. Nor will they get any more money from me.
Dealerships like Genes have people at a disadvantage cause if you have a Chrysler product you have no choice but to use them. Therefore, you have to endure a way below standard service dept AND RUDE,RUDE,RUDE management! I have walked up to people on their lot and shared some of my experiences....(I have a paper trail for those experiences to back up anything I say and I keep it to the facts) from there if they buy they are at least buying informed!
I saw that Chrysler was going to close dealerships with bad customer service and thought, uh-oh! THAT'S got Fairbanks written all over it!
We recently bought a new car from Gene's and the experience was excellent. The salesman was knowledgeable, the finance process was super streamlined and the after-the-sale service was (and continues to be) very good. Gene's has attained the highest level of service, sales and performance that Chrysler has (5-Star)...and they have earned it. Gene's survived the cut list because they know how to treat customers well. As for the number of vehicles on the lot...those in business know that inventory eats up a lot of your bottom line. Very few people ever buy a car on the lot...they see a style that they like and have it built to their specifications. They don't need hundreds of vehicles sitting on their lot...that's just good business. Thanks to Gene's...keep up the good work.
Out of all the dealerships I've done business with Gene's is by far the best (along with Tip Top). The owner just has style, there's a difference.
Wow northland5 I'm glad you think so highly of Gene's. By the way, welcome to the blog, I see that this was your first post and that you just signed up today??
You can't please everyone! In a day and age where most people are always wanting something for nothing it is hard to make money! I would like to see if we could have one blog where the people around here could point out some good in things! Like the amount of donating Gene's does, the teams around town that they support, no one is saying anything about that! What about all of the customers that walk away happy! Repeat customers. It's not just Gene's that do a lot in this town, there is a ton of money that comes from the locally owned car dealerships sponsoring all the activities in this place. (I don't see Lithia in any of those) But forget that! Let’s close this place down because someone thinks the owner is a snob! Joe Dirtbag didn't have his car fixed in an hour, and heaven forbid he had to pay for the work done!
I have bought cars from both Seekins and Lithia and I can tell you that is no picnic either! It's just not like the old days when you were truly treated special, as you should be, when buying what will most likely be the second most expensive thing you purchase in your life other than your home!
Gotta start sometime Mr. gas.
My next car will probably be a Ford. I have a lot more respect for a company that can stand on its own two feet.
The bailout bandits; I've been a Chevy fan my whole life but really don't like what they're doing. Chrysler makes a nice product but not what I like to drive.
The only thing I can appreciate about buying locally is the support of your fellow citizens. The prices are about the same as buying in Seattle or Idaho and driving up the Alcan or shipping it by ferry.
I went to Gene's once with full intentions of buying a Dodge Ram, couldn't get a salesperson to even give me the time of day. Been driving a Ford ever since.
HERE HERE!
I bought a 2001 Dodge Durnag brnad new. It was my first new car purchase. I bought it from Anchorage Dodge becuase een though I was approved to bay ANYTHING on the lot at Gene's, when I walked in there with my wife, after 45 minutes never saw a salesman, never got a hello and Genes never got my sale. Also, their serive Dept was HORRIBLE. I loved my Durango, but could not stand to deal with Genes.
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