Wal-Mart Totals Customer’s Car, Local Dealership Saves The Day

Mike Locklear, Salesperson, 1AND2 Automotive

Two weeks ago, Dallas resident Roberta Slang took her SUV into Wal-Mart for an oil change. When she returned, she found that her vehicle had been totaled. There are conflicting news articles on what exactly happened between the vehicle falling from a lift or being run into a wall by a technician. Regardless, these events effectively put Mrs. Slang’s floral delivery business on hold while Wal-Mart and their insurance company sorted the situation out. On August 28, the insurance company presented Mrs. Slang with a settlement offer of $3,200. According to Mrs. Slang, this amount isn’t enough to replace the 1998 Ford Expedition with 173,000 miles as she reports comparable vehicles being sold in the $4,500-$6,000 range. In addition, initially the insurance company promised to pay for car rental expenses during the investigation but is now advising that it’s unclear on who should pay and how much.

1And2 Automotive, an independent and family-owned dealership located in Dallas, Texas, heard about this customer’s plight when it happened two weeks ago. When it was reported Thursday that the customer was only going to receive $3,200 and wouldn’t be able to replace her vehicle which could affect her livelihood, dealership owner Dave Kost, decided to do something about it. DrivingSales News reached out to Mr. Kost for comment.

Dave Kost, Dealer Principal, 1AND2 Automotive

“About 2 weeks ago I saw/read a story about a lady who took her SUV to Wal-Mart for an oil change. The car fell of the lift and was totaled. They told her what happened, but didn’t give her a rental or anything. They were letting “insurance sort it out.” Yesterday, I saw that they finally decided to pay her, but she was having a hard time finding a replacement for her 1998 Expedition with the money she got from [Wal-Mart’s] insurance. She owns a floral business, and delivers flowers with her SUV.  She has basically been out of business for 2 weeks. We happened to have an Expedition in stock, and I instantly thought, “Why don’t we just give it to her?” I had my salesman track her down, and let her know we would be giving her an Expedition that was even a little nicer than what she had before. She was so excited she couldn’t believe it.”

Mr. Kost invited Mrs. Slang down to the dealership and sold her a 1998 Ford Expedition for $1.00 which they promptly gave back to her. And don’t think that they requested the insurance money. According to Mr. Kost, “She gets to keep that $3,200. [I] hope she puts it to good use.”

The public is constantly barraged with negativity in regards to car dealerships. It’s always great when dealerships prove that not only do they care about their community but also not afraid to take action to right a wrong.