Customer Service Done Right!.

OK, in the interest of full disclosure--this is not our actual new car. I thought Toyota's photo was better than anything I could take--look at that green grass and those puffy white clouds!

I want to give kudos to World Toyota and Tony Koonts for their excellent customer service. We went first to the Toyota dealer in Marietta because it was closer to us and we were just out to look. I'd not been in the Prius, though I did think it was a car I was interested in. Being an in-town realtor who actually lives the in-town lifestyle I wanted to continue to make a statement about taking up fewer resources and space (the Mini did great on the space, good on the resources, but not great BTW.) We were not up against any deadlines to purchase a replacement car for Winston, but we did want to look in case I found out that I didn't like the Prius and we were going to have to start back at the beginning.

So, because I don't like to be misled in my line of work, I extend the courtesy to others in their work. I told the sales person at the Marietta Toyota dealer that we were just looking and that it was quite possible that we would use a buying service through our credit union but that I would appreciate any time he was willing to give us so that we could learn about the car. He got the keys, let us look inside the car but balked at a test drive. His comment "I don't get paid by the hour." Okey-dokey. I thanked him for his time and left.

Tim convinced me to go to the another dealership off of Peachtree Industrial. I really didn't want to go, but we did. World Toyota welcomed us in and found us a sales associate. I told this guy, Tony, the same things I told the first guy. However, Tony chose to actualy engage us and told us about the Prius, suggested that the touring package would be too stiff for the in-town world of potholes and metal plates, let us go for a test drive and was just generally helpful without being rushed or forceful.

Tim and I liked Tony's approach so much that after lunch we decided that if World Toyota could give us the price we were looking for and the trade in value for Winston that we knew was fair we would try to buy a new Prius. Long story short, after scrambling to locate a car that fit our needs (correct finish package, interior color, acceptable exterior color,) World Toyota made it happen for us!

Now doesn't that guy in Marietta wish he had gone the extra mile for us?????

The End of an Era

When we purchased Winston, our Electric Blue Mini Cooper S, all we knew is that we were seriously downsizing to in-town, condo life. As part of a conscious effort to make less of a "footprint" on this earth, we gave up the SUV which was part of life in either Dallas, TX (everything is big in TX) or out in the country where it took 40 minutes to get to the nearest Mall! Tim only needed to get to the airport (hurray for the Marta train!) for his work and didn't need a car. Laura was volunteering and exploring her new hometown and didn't need much of a car. Shopping was simple--If it didn't fit in the Mini, it probably wouldn't fit into the condo, either.

So when Laura went to Real Estate school, people asked if I could be a Realtor with a two door car. Nowhere in the official Realtor handbook did it say that you needed four doors to do the job, so we decided to play it by ear. Since the Mini was a relatively unfamiliar car (other than from the movie "The Italian Job,") my Clients were more than game to hop on in! Above is the picture of Winston at my first listing--the Norcross home of Paul and Sarah which I sold for them in a record 13 days!

Meeting Clients at off-site locations was easy--just look for the bright blue Mini with the roof rack. People would see me driving around town, and know it was their friend and Realtor. I'll rather miss that part of having Winston.

Hard to believe, but it's been nearly 4 years with Winston and it was time to make some tough choices--keep him, trade him in for a new Mini, or try something else. It wasn't easy, but this past weekend we decided that the time had come to grow up--at least to four doors! We now have the next best car for in-town living, and the best one for a Realtor who wants to be "green" and still get noticed--The Toyota Prius. The stated mileage for in-town driving is 60 mpg!!!! Fewer trips to the gas station for sure. Much quieter (almost scary quiet while using the battery power only.) Looks a bit futuristic on the outside--and wait 'til you see the inside. There's no key in the ignition to start it! There's a computer to talk to when I get lonely. There's a built-in navigation system for when I find myself with extra time in unknown territory and want to locate stores to make the best use of my time between appointments (practical stores only, of course!)

I'll keep you updated on what name we find for this new car. It's bright white, a color I thought I'd never own in a car, but which I actually like as it turns out. BTW, if you've been considering a Prius, they are offering discounts which are very unusual and so they are getting hard to find again. If you can find one you like, you can get a great deal! And think what you'll save in gas!!!