For this Meet Us Monday, we'd like you to meet Gene Pike, Sales Consultant at Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln.
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Have you done business with Gene? Want to learn more? LEAVE YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BELOW!
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Question 1: What is your role at Sioux Falls Ford, and how long have you been working here?
Gene: I was hired here in October of 1987, back when the dealership was known as Ben Hur Ford. I started in finance, then I was a sales manager for a few years during the mid 90s. I realized that I really missed the customer interaction, so I moved back to my current position as a sales consultant.
Question 2: How has Sioux Falls Ford changed in the last 27 years?
Gene: We've only changed for the better. One of the most notable changes came in 1995. We switched from the old vehicle pricing model – one that most dealerships still use today – to what we call a Best Price program. It means that we always have our best price in the window on every vehicle on our lot. No negotiating needed. No hassle.
Question 3: What's so great about the Best Price system? Why does it work so well?
Gene: For starters, our customers will always get the lowest price that we can offer. We watch the markets closely and make sure to give each of our vehicles the most competitive price possible. Second, buying a car at Sioux Falls Ford is a very stress-free experience. Not only do we focus on giving you the best possible price, but we also focus on long-term relationships. We want to keep you around for your whole life, so we take extra good care of our customers. Third, the Best Price program is part of our Nice brand. We have wonderful company values at Sioux Falls Ford, and those values really shine through in our Best Price, Nice Care and Nice+ programs. We're not just selling cars here. We're building solutions and relationships that last.
Question 4: Speaking of lasting relationships, you've been serving several customers throughout a span of nearly three decades. What's the secret?
Gene: I've been very fortunate to meet some great people in this building. There's one family that travels to Sioux Falls Ford from the Slayton, Minn., area – a dad, his kids, uncles and aunts – I've helped them find more than 100 vehicles. I think the secret is to not have secrets. We take a very honest and open approach to our sales here. Our customers are the type that don't appreciate smoke and mirrors, and neither do we. We just try to be the best that we can be. I personally really enjoy finding solutions for my customers. I feel like I'm really helping them out, and that's why they come back. Our sales team works very hard to earn that kind of trust.
Question 5: What do you like to do in your free time?
Gene: My wife and I have three wonderful kids. One of whom [Kevin Pike] is also a salesperson at our pre-owned vehicle location on E 10th. When I'm not at the dealership, I like to go camping with my family at Lake Madison. I tow our camper up there with my F-350 Platinum. When we're not camping or spending time with the kids, I'm usually on my bicycle. My wife and I have been involved with the MS 150 bike ride for the past 16 years raising money for MS research, and we have been a part of The Dakota Chapter of the Livestrong Organization, which is instrumental in raising money to fund the search for a cure for cancer. I have a real passion for that as I am a cancer survivor myself.
____
Have you done business with Gene? Want to learn more? LEAVE YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BELOW!
__________
Have you done business with Gene? Want to learn more? LEAVE YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BELOW!
__________
Question 1: What is your role at Sioux Falls Ford, and how long have you been working here?
Gene: I was hired here in October of 1987, back when the dealership was known as Ben Hur Ford. I started in finance, then I was a sales manager for a few years during the mid 90s. I realized that I really missed the customer interaction, so I moved back to my current position as a sales consultant.
Question 2: How has Sioux Falls Ford changed in the last 27 years?
Gene: We've only changed for the better. One of the most notable changes came in 1995. We switched from the old vehicle pricing model – one that most dealerships still use today – to what we call a Best Price program. It means that we always have our best price in the window on every vehicle on our lot. No negotiating needed. No hassle.
Question 3: What's so great about the Best Price system? Why does it work so well?
Gene: For starters, our customers will always get the lowest price that we can offer. We watch the markets closely and make sure to give each of our vehicles the most competitive price possible. Second, buying a car at Sioux Falls Ford is a very stress-free experience. Not only do we focus on giving you the best possible price, but we also focus on long-term relationships. We want to keep you around for your whole life, so we take extra good care of our customers. Third, the Best Price program is part of our Nice brand. We have wonderful company values at Sioux Falls Ford, and those values really shine through in our Best Price, Nice Care and Nice+ programs. We're not just selling cars here. We're building solutions and relationships that last.
Question 4: Speaking of lasting relationships, you've been serving several customers throughout a span of nearly three decades. What's the secret?
Gene: I've been very fortunate to meet some great people in this building. There's one family that travels to Sioux Falls Ford from the Slayton, Minn., area – a dad, his kids, uncles and aunts – I've helped them find more than 100 vehicles. I think the secret is to not have secrets. We take a very honest and open approach to our sales here. Our customers are the type that don't appreciate smoke and mirrors, and neither do we. We just try to be the best that we can be. I personally really enjoy finding solutions for my customers. I feel like I'm really helping them out, and that's why they come back. Our sales team works very hard to earn that kind of trust.
Question 5: What do you like to do in your free time?
Gene: My wife and I have three wonderful kids. One of whom [Kevin Pike] is also a salesperson at our pre-owned vehicle location on E 10th. When I'm not at the dealership, I like to go camping with my family at Lake Madison. I tow our camper up there with my F-350 Platinum. When we're not camping or spending time with the kids, I'm usually on my bicycle. My wife and I have been involved with the MS 150 bike ride for the past 16 years raising money for MS research, and we have been a part of The Dakota Chapter of the Livestrong Organization, which is instrumental in raising money to fund the search for a cure for cancer. I have a real passion for that as I am a cancer survivor myself.
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Have you done business with Gene? Want to learn more? LEAVE YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BELOW!