TTT
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I just wanted to let members know about my experience at Galpin Ford (Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley). Galpin was for many years the #1 Dealer in the US by virtually all metrics, and I think can be considered #1 by several metrics still but there are a couple other newer megadealers that can also make the claim in recent years. My review is probably less about Galpin and specifically about the VIP Sales Manager who worked with me again for the third time last weekend on my Lightning, Neil Stone.
The other sales people there may or may not be as good, no idea. While I'm not a VIP, I somehow found my way into Neil's list when I ordered my Mach E and Lightning last year, and even though I'm neither Hollywood elite nor a member of the Lakers, he kept me on. Moreover he agreed to take on some of my friends when I had referrals who also wanted to order Mach E's after hearing about me getting mine. If you call the dealership in advance and speaks with him first, you can often get on his list if it seems like it will be a good experience for both of you.
I think the reason Neil does the VIPs for Galpin is that he is genuinely committed to making his customers happy in a way that I have not seen before, starting with honesty and integrity. Throughout the process I felt like I was working with a family member who had been at the dealership for years. He was honest about the process, how long it would take, what he could promise with regard to dealer fees etc. and how I could get a better deal if I made a point of doing this or that homework in advance.
In the last year we have purchased a Maverick, Mach E, and the Lighting from Neil. He's been great - has kept us informed and has had all of the paperwork as ready as possible when we showed up. He never hands us off to a Finance Manager who tries to upsell us packages or extras. The brochures are available and in the chatting as hes's copying drivers licenses etc he's already figured out through normal polite conversation that we aren't likely to want those items so its not an issue.
The Maverick purchase included my 18 year old so as a c0-purchaser to help him build some credit. Because he was signing legal documents Neil made a pointof explaining the entire process and what each form was and the implications clearly and efficiently before my son signed each one with me, the way you'd expect his uncle to do it if he was doing the transaction.
When Neil follows up, he's not checking a box, he's making sure he's helping to solve any problems and get answers to questions. After 3 vehicles in a row we of course had our share of questions, issues that needed to be addressed by service, and tracking of replacement parts or accessories - Neil has always been the tip of the spear to make sure everything was going as planned and that all of my questions were answered.
The same has been true for my two friends who got their Mach e's this summer through Neil as well. I'm writing this because he went above and beyond to make sure he did everything he could to make sure I was satisfied, to the point that if I actually didn't thank him publicly I'd feel like a schmuck.
If your looking for your Ford guy (technically he sells anything in the Galpin family of cars), you can't do any better than calling Neil to get started. Beyond that, Galpin is doing the rest of the job right, I just haven't had to deal with them very much given that Neil has treated me like family.
The other sales people there may or may not be as good, no idea. While I'm not a VIP, I somehow found my way into Neil's list when I ordered my Mach E and Lightning last year, and even though I'm neither Hollywood elite nor a member of the Lakers, he kept me on. Moreover he agreed to take on some of my friends when I had referrals who also wanted to order Mach E's after hearing about me getting mine. If you call the dealership in advance and speaks with him first, you can often get on his list if it seems like it will be a good experience for both of you.
I think the reason Neil does the VIPs for Galpin is that he is genuinely committed to making his customers happy in a way that I have not seen before, starting with honesty and integrity. Throughout the process I felt like I was working with a family member who had been at the dealership for years. He was honest about the process, how long it would take, what he could promise with regard to dealer fees etc. and how I could get a better deal if I made a point of doing this or that homework in advance.
In the last year we have purchased a Maverick, Mach E, and the Lighting from Neil. He's been great - has kept us informed and has had all of the paperwork as ready as possible when we showed up. He never hands us off to a Finance Manager who tries to upsell us packages or extras. The brochures are available and in the chatting as hes's copying drivers licenses etc he's already figured out through normal polite conversation that we aren't likely to want those items so its not an issue.
The Maverick purchase included my 18 year old so as a c0-purchaser to help him build some credit. Because he was signing legal documents Neil made a pointof explaining the entire process and what each form was and the implications clearly and efficiently before my son signed each one with me, the way you'd expect his uncle to do it if he was doing the transaction.
When Neil follows up, he's not checking a box, he's making sure he's helping to solve any problems and get answers to questions. After 3 vehicles in a row we of course had our share of questions, issues that needed to be addressed by service, and tracking of replacement parts or accessories - Neil has always been the tip of the spear to make sure everything was going as planned and that all of my questions were answered.
The same has been true for my two friends who got their Mach e's this summer through Neil as well. I'm writing this because he went above and beyond to make sure he did everything he could to make sure I was satisfied, to the point that if I actually didn't thank him publicly I'd feel like a schmuck.
If your looking for your Ford guy (technically he sells anything in the Galpin family of cars), you can't do any better than calling Neil to get started. Beyond that, Galpin is doing the rest of the job right, I just haven't had to deal with them very much given that Neil has treated me like family.
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