CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921
912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
August 2, 2008
Happy Fish Day!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
"Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!"
Used Car Salesman
Part Four! Many parts to come!
If you have been reading my Used Car Salesman stories about my father you already know he did some pretty unusual as well as possible illegal things in regards to this business.
Well, you know the old saying, in my case especially when it came to fishing it was and a little bit of the used car business "like father like daughter!" I must share this story with you. However, I am going on the record as it could have allegedly happened or I could have just made it up! I will let you be the judge of that! No matter what you think this my readers is a good "story tell" for sure
Many years ago I decided to give the used car business a try. Lets get all this out of the way. My plan wasn't to sit on a used car lot, wait for customers to walk up, and try to sell them a car. I decided to get my sales a different way.
The first thing I did was to start a "word of mouth selling plan." This meant I would tell all of my friends that I was going to be handling and selling used cars. So therefore anyone that was in the purchasing a car mode I was there for them. This meant if you were looking for a particular car I could find it for you. This seemed to work out well, because as soon as I made mention that this was my plan lot of potential customers came forth. This all worked with my friends and then their friends. I was purchasing everything from sports cars to old stand by "clunkers" for my newly found customers.
One day while having a cool one an old friend, we will call her "Frances" happened by and we started talking. The conversation went from past, present, to future times. I told Frances that I was still fishing and now selling used cars. Once I made the statement of "selling used cars," she asked "what kind?" I simply remarked, "any kind that the customer purchasing wants!"
As Frances and I talked it became clear that she just might be in the market for a car, which was very good for me. After all I needed all of the customers that I could get, because without them "no sales." In this case, I had to smile knowing that I was picking up a customer by just sitting in one place and having a cold beer.
As we talked, Frances told me that she indeed was interested in purchasing a car. She didn't want a new one, just one that was somewhat dependable. The main thing she was looking for was what I called at the time a "land barge!" The meaning of a "land barge" is simple; at least after you hear it. It's a big car with a big engine. Back in the old days V-8's were very popular, because not only did they sound good, they were fast. After all a large car needed lots of power to get it going! I truly loved the "V-8" era.
I never really asked a customer while they needed a car, because in my world it was "rule of thumb!" It was needed for transportation and everyone wanted a good clean dependable car. The good news was that's what I was all about, which was finding good used cars. I liked to purchase used cars that had a little history. I especially liked those cars with one owner only. Heck, back in the old days, you could take a ride in the country and find used cars by the dozens. They would just be sitting in the front yard with a "for sale" sign. In my world this was where the term original "rode trip" first started. Heck, it added a whole new meaning to taking ride in the country! On these trips I got to meet the nicest people, drink the sweetest tea, and buy the best cars.
Now that I think about it I even brought some cars that weren't even for sale. When I saw a car that looked like it hadn't been used in a while, I would stop to make an inquiry. My other specialty was spotting new cars in the garage and the older ones just parked right by it. Back in the old days you could stop anywhere to ask questions, because it just seemed like the thing to do. Upon arriving at said location I introduced myself and told them exactly why I was there.
I know I am rambling again, but as you already know this is what I do best! At any rate, back to "Frances." She wanted a four-door land barge. I immediately asked if she minded if it had been re-titled. Frances remarked quickly, "I don't care!" And then she cursorily asked, "What the heck do you mean by that?" Here's my answer to this question: Some used cars when wrecked are declared "savage," which means supposedly un-repairable. However, some cars were savaged for other reasons not just damaged. With all this being said a different kind of business was derived from this situation. So therefore there were body shops that specialize in these sorts of repairs and then there were used car salesman that sold them. Now we are getting to where I came in. The main thing was the cars were great and probably fixed better than the others. The reason being is that most of the parts were either brand new or taken from another automobile that were only slightly used. My father used to say, "just like they put them together at the factory, which was one piece at a time!" The best news of all was the fact that you could purchase the said wreck on the cheap and then repair them with other parts purchased. The bottom line is that you could get any kind of car cheap! You might have to pay cash, but it was cheap not cheaply done!
It seems as write this I think of more information that I want to share with you. Some dealers re titled the car, but didn't tell the purchaser. We never did that. We were always up front with our customers. However, it really wasn't a big deal and I really don't know why they wanted to hide the fact unless they were trying to get top dollars for a savaged automobile. As with everything else banks wouldn't finance savage automobile so therefore car dealers with said circumstances just ordered a new title to be issued. One forest of trees covering up another! As time went on all was wise to everything. However, it never effected our small business of selling proclaimed savaged re-titled cars……
Now I it's time to get back to the story of exactly what happened when I delivered Frances her 4 door V-8 land barge, proclaimed savaged, untitled car directly to her door. That's another thing, since we didn't have a lot "as per say" all cars were delivered directly to the purchaser. Back then cash was indeed what sealed the deal!
As I drove up to her house, which was slap dab in the middle of downtown historical Savannah, I luckily found a close parking spot. After parking I stepped back to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything that she had requested. I went over my list, new belts, new hoses, new tires, recent oil change, new battery, basic check up, and boring hubcaps. The only thing I noticed as I walk off from the car was part of the headliner had started to fall. It wasn't a lot, but I would have to Frances about it. The reason being is because eventually it would have to be fixed, if not replaced! Some of these cars spend days uncovered before they make it into shop.
I knocked on the door, Frances answered, asked me in, and she then pointed to the couch. I sat down and Frances then handed me a cardboard box with $4,800.00 big ones inside. I said thanks, offered up the new bill of sale and the title transfer papers. These cars were never titled to me personally. So therefore new titles were always issued. After the paperwork was finish. I said, "Would you like to take the car for a spin?" She nodded, "No." As I handed her the keys, she said I don't plan on using it but one time. I look puzzled for sure, but still tried not too. I figured she was going to give it to someone. Wow, all I could think was, "great gift!"
Frances then got up and said, "Now let me show you what I do for a living." Frances came out of the bedroom with a pillowcase full of something. As she stood in front of me, Frances dumped what was in the case at my feet. Out on the floor bounced about 20 gallons bags of what she called "sensimillia!" I was so shocked I basically was speechless. There I stood with a cardboard box full of money and what looked like an orchard of big bagged up pot.
As I looked at the front door as well as the open curtains right in front of me I knew that any second cops and plain-clothes policemen would be come crashing in. After a few seconds not a thing happened. Before this shock was a minute old I was ready to get the heck out of there.
As I sat there wondering how the heck I was going to explain this, Frances started talking about locations and jobs. The car was prefect for this one time job that she had in mind. Something about running through cornfields picking the ripe ready mixed in bushes, something, something, and more something. At this point all I wanted to do was to get the heck out of dodge!
As soon as it was time to make my exit I happily did so. Once making it to the sidewalk still leery, I looked both ways for sure! I heard a voice over my shoulder saying, "when I'm finished with the car you want to sale it for me?" I turned and started walking backwards and replied, "Just give me a call!" After all I was a used car salesman!
Here's my line now bite my hook?
Captain Judy