Les Stumpf Ford

As the Internet director, I thought I would take a turn at blogging for the dealership.  Everyone that has submitted material so far has done an excellent job!  It’s has been fun to watch the different topics rolling in.  My favorite so far was to see the Quick Lane (who submitted last week) come together in a joint effort for their blog!  Picture 2 advisers and just about all of their techs trying to come up with some good material!  Check out their We Put The Quick In Quick Lane blog and you’ll agree they did awesome!

Our dealership has been growing in leaps and bounds from blogging to social networking!  In fact we reached 200 friends this week on one of our social media sites!  We are letting our customers know that they can find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and have been updating them regularly.  We also make it easy for our customers to stay connected by offering free wifi in our newly remodeled customer lounge.  Stop in and check it out and while you’re here, check in on Facebook!

My goal this year is to get our GSM, Frank Kautzer, to become a Facebook user!    It’s been quite the task trying to convince him to join.  I think the best part of our newly found online presence is watching all of the employees become aware of all of the new technologies that are out there and how to use them!  I’m pretty sure I have the best gig in town!  Our blog is updated weekly so check back often to see what each department is up to!

Teena Thurber
Internet Director

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February is upon us and it’s a fabulous time in the Quick Lane at Les Stumpf Ford!  We just hired another technician giving us a total of 10 employees to get service done on your vehicle!  With all of our technicians, plus our two service writers, we now have a combined total of 102 years of service experience.

We’ve been keeping busy during out tire sale that ends March 31st so if you haven’t had a chance to take advantage of this money saving sale, feel free to stop in.  Speaking of stopping in…did you know that you do not need an appointment when you visit our Quick Lane?  Most of our customers swing by when they have some free time to get their oil changed or other general maintenance repairs.

Did you you know that some of our services are free or included with other services?  We give a free mulitpoint inspection with all oil changes, free brake inspection with all tire rotations, and free battery test or tire inspection for just stopping in!

Next time you visit Les Stumpf Ford stop in our Quick Lane and say “Hi”!

Kelly Schillerstrom
Reuben Thompson

About the contributors:  This blog was a combined effort of your Quick Lane Advisors and technicians.  For a team of guys who were unsure how to “blog”, it looks like they did a great job!

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What a great “atta boy” one of our employees received!
The reason that I’m sending you this email is to inform you of how great of an experience that I had with your Under $10,000 Lot.  I wasn’t on the lot for more than 2 minutes and the gentleman came out to offer me some help…he was pleasant and not pushy.  I explained to him that I was looking for a car in the 6-8 thousand dollar range and I was looking at the Ford Focus that was sitting there.  I said that I wanted a manual tranny with those amount of miles and that price.  Well, he instantly pointed me to a Mazda Protege that was there with the same trannymiles and price…and I thought to myself what is this?  Another scheister trying to make some money?  I instantly went on the defense and said well I want to take the cars that I’m testing to a mechanic.  He assured me that the owner’s son personally checks out all the cars that come in himself and the sincerity in his voice stopped me dead in my tracks.  He expected me to argue some more, I could see that.  He was obviously taken back by the fact that I believed him.  I am a very good judge of character and can tell when someone is out to get me…believe that.  I’ve NEVER EVER felt sincerity from a ar salesman like that before.  After taking both cars out, I realized that this man just wanted to put me in the BEST car that he possibly could.  He obviously knew all the cars on that lot and the specifications that came with them cuz when I told him what I wanted he knew instantly where to point me.  The Protege that he pointed out was CLEARLY a superior car on the lot and to me and he could see that.  That man that helped me there was a no nonsense kind of dude and when he saw that I knew what I wanted he did not try to upsell me into anything I did not want or need and that led him to selling  car that day.  I can not emphasize how grateful I am to him as I was feeling hopeless after dealing with so many used car dealers and having to walk away from the cuz they were scam artists….starving scam artists.  THAT man was Don Thurber.  Give him a raise, he deserves it and I do NOT know him personally.  Because of him I have nothing bad to say about Les Stumpf and you have a customer for life…seriously…I LOVE MY LES STUMPF FORD…cheezy right?  but it’s true.  And furthermore, the man in the financing department in the first office did a miracle also.  Don’t know his name but he is a huge dude in his mid thirties, bald with a bubbly disposition.  You got some great people working there and you need to make sure that they stay there.  This dude pulled some strings and made it happen…I got a great price…then a warranty and a great interest rate for my credit.  I will not do anything to default on this loan that was given to me and this chance that I was given to have something nice and take care of it.  I cried on my way to work the next day cuz I was so grateful.  I don’t have time to talk about the hundred other ways that they made me feel comfortable there but you need to pass this message along to Frank Kautzer…”his team is doing a great job and he needs to keep allowing them to do what they do cuz I will always send people your way as it was the people who sold the car, not the system in which they work.”  If another person who was not so caring came at me with the same offer be it the best one out there for me or not I would’ve walked away cuz I am all about people and how they treat each other…model the other salesman in Don’s style and you will be better off.  Everyone just wants to feel safe and the people in your company did that.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Can’t say it enough!  Jesse D.  Fremont-WI

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Well, the numbers are in and we had one of the best years in used car sales in quite some time.  Several things contribute to this and I’ll touch on just a few. 

First, and I think foremost, we are a longstanding, family owned dealership. The stability of this dealership and commitment to the communityis second to none.  The Stumpf family has been serving the Fox Valley area for over 90 years, providing quality vehicles to generation after generation.

About the contributor- Dave Mertens is Les Stumpf Ford’s Used Car Manager. He will be a regular contributor to our blog.  Check back often to find out what is happening in the Used Car Department.

Another great reason is the Ford product.  Stop in and check out all the latest and greatest technology available in a car or truck today! Some of these vehicles have everything – including the Sync!

Also, we always have a great selection of used vehicles, being led by our Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles.  They come with a 6year/100k mile Factory Warranty and 3 years of oil changes, not to mention many other benefits.  Stop in and drive a 2010 Fusion, 2009 Escape or even a 2009 F150 4×4!!  You will get the peace of mind of factory warranty coverage with each of them!

So, stop by and see our sales team today…or better yet, contact usso we can warm it up for you, ….. brrrr…it’s cold out there!!!

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I am always shocked and amazed to hear customers talk about bi-weekly payments and how much money they save by paying their payments that way.  In all actuality you do save a little bit of interest by paying more frequently, but the real reason why you pay off the loan much sooner is this-  When you pay your payments monthly you pay 12 payments each year, let’s say of $500, so you pay $6000 total in that year.  Well, when you pay bi-weekly they take the $500 and cut it in half and you pay $250 twice a month right? …….WRONG!   There are almost always more than 4 weeks in a month.  Actually you have 26 bi-weekly payments since there are 52 weeks in a year.  Take 26 times the $250 and you get $6500.  So you actually are paying 13 monthly payments each year that way.  That my friend is how you pay off so much faster with bi-weekly payments.  It isn’t so much about the frequency, but the disciplined approach to paying more off faster…………….cool huh?

Brent Erickson
Business Manager

About the contributor- Brent has been with Stumpf Ford for 16 years.  Keep an eye out for more money saving tips in his blogs!

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Well Stumpf Ford customers, another year has come and gone and once again we start at Zero for the Year.  Thanks to every one of the customers that purchased a vehicle from us in 2011.  Hopefully you all had a good holiday season and are looking forward to a great 2012. I know our crew here at the dealership is!!!!

In 2011, we had 4 salespeople with 100 or more deliveries for the year.  John Larson with 100, Steve Haag with 111, Erick “Coach” Gafner with 130, and Gary Cyr with 168.  As a store we finished the year second in our zone with 811 new deliveries.  For used vehicles, we finished the year with 678. 

When I got in the car business shortly after college in 1993, I had no idea about what went on at a dealership on a day to day basis.  I knew people went there for service and oil changes, but had no idea how many cars get sold or that you could even finance a car at the dealership.  Well let’s put it this way, I was in for a surprise.  Now this was back in 1993 and my memory is not that good, so I only have recent history to refer back to.  As you can see from the above info, we did stay pretty busy.  That being said, we didn’t get every deal we worked so we have room for improvement and training. 

On 1/9/2012, Ford was here to train on the new 2013 Taurus!!!!  We should see them in the spring of this year along with a new Escape this summer and a new Fusion in late summer-early fall.

 Once again, thanks for the business in 2011!!!!

 Mike Northam
New Car Sales Manager

About the contributor-Mike Northam, New Car Sales Manager, has been with Stumpf Ford for 13 years.  He is originally from Illinois but we still like him!

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As we wrap up our 90th year in business, Les Stumpf Ford would like to take a minute to say ““thank you”” to our customers! It’’s because of you that we are still here and be assured that we will be here for years to come to serve you and your families. Let our story remind you why you’’ll Love your Les Stumpf Ford!

It has taken Stumpf Ford three-quarters of a century to build our present public image. Founded in 1921 by John H. Stumpf and John F. Hartzheim, Stumpf Ford has a philosophy that the public is entitled to the best service possible in satisfying its transportation needs.

On December 13, 1921, Calumet Motor Company opened for business in Darboy. During that winter, customers hauled their “Horseless Carriages” with a team of horses into the shop for repair. The following spring, the founding partners moved the business by horse and sleigh to Sherwood, where they started the auto sales and service business of Stumpf-Hartzheim Company. The partners worked with car franchises including Chevrolet, Nash, Packard, Dodge and Plymouth.

The firm dissolved partnership on May 13, 1942, and John Stumpf continued the business. At the end of World War II, he built a new facility in Sherwood and took on the Ford franchise. His son, Les, took over management of the business in 1956.

John Stumpf envisioned the dynamic growth and progress experienced by the Fox Valley. He was not only a business leader, but also worked hard at establishing High Cliff State Park in Calumet County Park. He retained an active interest in his family dealership and his community until his death in 1982 at the age of 92. (His original partner followed him in death exactly 24 hours later.)

From Sherwood, Stumpf Ford moved first to a new facility in Kaukauna in 1969, and then to its present dealership in Appleton in 1972. The Company opened a second Ford dealership in Neenah in 1986, Neenah Menasha Ford. In 1997, that store was sold to an employee. The exclusive Ford heavy-duty truck facility, L& S Truck Center opened in Appleton in 1989 allowing the West College Avenue dealership to be dedicated to the sales and service of cars and light trucks.

Today, we are proud to begin our third generation with the automotive industry and our philosophy remains as it was originally founded. Les Stumpf as Chairman and Corey Stumpf as President still lead this company in providing total customer satisfaction through employees who provide reliable, courteous, and ethical service to our customers.

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If you are looking for a new car or a new to you, used car, we have you covered.

Our Vehicle specials are updated regularly with great deals that are designed to help save you money. If you do not see a vehicle here that you are looking for, please contact us so that we may further assist you in the search for your perfect new vehicle.

Current new vehicle specials!
Current pre-owned vehicle specials!
Exciting new factory incentives!

We also offer a wide range of car repairs and service updates including general repairs and maintenance, factory recalls and warranty service on all models. Whether you need an oil change, transmission service, brakes, or even a complete engine overhaul, we have you covered. Use our handy schedule service form to set up an appointment and one of our service advisors will contact you shortly.

If you have a specific question on anything, please use our handy contact us form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please add our new blog to your favorites so you can check back from time to time and keep up with all of our new vehicle specials we always have online.

Sincerely,
You’re local #1 dealer

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