Germain Mazda of Columbus

There's a lot to go into car shopping, I've learned. There's a lot to go into car shopping, I've learned. Make, model, fuel efficiency, style, budget, family size, average commutes, insurance policie There's a lot to go into car shopping, I've learned. Make, model, fuel efficiency, style, budget, family size, average commutes, insurance policies, tags, titles... I mean, the list can be daunting, intimidating, and frankly... overwhelming. You finally find the car of your dreams, right... and you feel as if the weight has been lifted...but NOW.... You've got to deal with "the dealership." The dreaded sales guy and the pushy sales manager. Are they going to beat me up? What if I don't know how to "haggle?" Are they going to give me a fair deal on my trade? Is the sales guy gonna pin me in a corner and force me to put pen to paper? Am I going to look dumb? I mean... I'm sure you ALL know/have experienced some horrific car-buying stories. So, lemme tell you about Germain Mazda (too much to read? Skip to the bottom!) I make an appointment (because Google tells me so). I get this guy named "Lew" on the phone. I immediately think... Short for Louis? Louie? Hmmm... I tell him I want a Mazda CX-5 AWD with a moonroof in black and I ask, "do you have one on the lot?" He says he does and it's parked right up front. Now, I know this as well, because I've already spent the last week casing out the dealership (because Google told me to). I won't be intimidated by some "Lew" so I take my mom for backup. Side note ladies... If you're going to take some muscle and support into a dealership with you...make sure they don't fall in love with the sales associate. When YOU'RE the one buying the car... And the sales guy and your mom gang up on YOU...it makes ya feel a certain way! :) So, we wait by the car while Lew grabs the keys. I've got a list of questions ready in a cheap black pleather notebook (cause Google told me to be prepared). You won't get over on me tricksy dealership guy!!! We hop in...and bless this dude's heart-- he has a cold. Coughing, sniffling, trying to keep his voice up. I'm glaring over at him suspiciously while my mom is trying to medicate him with musinex, Tylenol and any other home remedy she can think of. Hottie Tottie anyone? So, here I am... Off down Cherry Bottom. This baby SVU (SPOILER ALERT: as my friends now call it) drives like a dream. Better than a dream. Like... A dream inside of a dream. Like, seven levels deep, Inception type of dream. I'm whipping, I'm whirling...my mom is getting giddy, but you know, I'm a potential car buyer....gotta keep my composure...because if I appear to want it too much, the evil sales manager will bulldoze me during the final negotiations. Ya know... cause that's what Google said. How's Lew doing right now? Still sick... But super patient and calm. I'm not only having my way with the car, but I'm having my way with him as we'll. He's not pushy. He's not asking those annoying, pointed close questions. I don't feel entrapped. I feel confident. I feel in control. I feel...good. And lemme tell you... When Google has you geared up for a disaster, someone like Lew comes through and blows that search engine, "things to do when you're buying a new car" out of the water... It's a relief!!! I get back to the dealership. Uh-oh. I know what happens now. Lew asks me if I'd like some water or coffee. Nun-huh, Lew... I'm onto you, now! You won't wear me down with coffee and water! Offer me a steak dinner and I'll be impressed! We sit down... I ask him some more Google questions. He answers them openly and honestly. I tell him I'm also looking at a Jeep for x, y, z personal reasons. He agrees with my initial, and positive impression, of Jeep...but knows from the test drive that fuel efficiency is a major priority of mine. Lemme tell you... He looked up his competitors model, gave me a sheet of paper, and showed me the annual fuel cost difference in good ol' fashioned plain English. And he did it without berating a competitor, and without coming off as THAT "I know better than you do," guy. We talk some more... And eventually the evil sales manager approaches. Oh, yea baby.... I'm prepared. Google has me fully armed for this encounter. I'm ready! Who comes out but this cool, well dressed and phenomenally spoken guy named Sonny. NO! Remember! This is the ultimate bad guy! He just wants to make bank in the back office (finance department) off of the final deal. BEWARE. You know how movie theaters make nothing at the box, so they overcharge like crazy in the concessions to make business? No? You never wondered why popcorn was $50 a box? Well, now you do... My first job was at a Regal Cinemas. So anyways... according to google... this is the same thing. Dealerships make a "meh" amount on the car itself...but carry their bank though the financing. I look over some numbers, consider everything, and decide to leave... Cause let's face it... Google told me never to buy the car the first visit. I toss all night. I pray all night. How will tomorrow go? Will they give me a good deal on my trade (Saturn Vue btw: RIP Saturn... They really were a tremendous company and I miss them dearly.) Will they try to bet me up? Are they going to hold me hostage all day trying to make this deal? Oh, Google...what do I do? I come in the next morning... Lew's still sick, but is as friendly, accommodating and as sweet as ever. He has such a phenomenal sense of customer service and communication. He remembered random pieces of conversation from the night before, he didn't exert any pressure whatsoever... And though with his years of experience in this industry, he never once insulted by pride by acknowledging my ignorance, and he never...not once... Tried to "sell" me the car. I understand the illusion of sales, I work in sales now...but as a potential buyer, I never once felt pressured. Lew was a good guy. Google pegged him wrong. After we agree on something quite fair, I get ushered into the back room to deal with the dreaded sales manager. He promises "full disclosure." Yea, buddy... Whatever-- I'll put that statement to the test. Yeap-- he passed. With flying colors. Are you blessed enough to work a job you love? My mom always said, "work the job you love, and you never work a day in your life." Have you ever witnessed someone sincerely happy at work? Dude-- I was so overly impressed and humbled by this guy's dedication to this dealership, to his team and to the ominous "Mr. Germain." You can tell, ya know?. I was already in the box...and he made it a point to express his appreciation to both his supervisors and his staff. I mean, I hope y'all got him something for Boss' Day, today! Yeesh! So, I walk out, and Lew's waiting on me. They got my new baby polished, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I've got my keys. Lew gives me the new owner orientation. He hugs me and tell me "thank you." I could have cried on him...but I was running late for a wedding in Indiana... And lemme tell you, the car OWNED 70 West. The End Honest points though for those who hate fluffy narratives: 1. The Dealership has only been up 6 months or so. They're still in the process of staffing and making their mark. Service isn't open on Saturday's yet, but you get free car washes. The team is well organized, meshes well, and they seem to have a lot of fun. Between the Mazda owning college kid who will chat you up about Lost to the AWESOME receptionist who will tell you she's feeling "mean as a snake...," you're gonna have a good time. 2. When the sales manager tells you he's going to give you "full disclosure," take that to the bank. Ask questions. Lots of questions. Ask the same question twice and switch a word or two around. He's patient, informative and relatable. I left that room knowing EXACTLY what was going on. My only suggestion: know what type of warranty/coverage you're looking for prior! 3. This was my first car buying experience. Now, yes...I'm elated to be apart of the Mazda Family and the Zoom-Zoom clan...but lemme tell you... When I go to buy my next car (whereever/whatever it is)....if my experience, service and sense of value isn't executed in the EXACT same manner in which I received from Lew... They're not getting my business. End of story. The bar has been set too high. Thanks for reading! Disclosure: I still love Google!!!! More

I searched for months online trying to find that dealership that had what I wanted because I was worried about all those horror stories you hear about "bully" and "pushy" salesman. I wanted to go in dealership that had what I wanted because I was worried about all those horror stories you hear about "bully" and "pushy" salesman. I wanted to go in and talk them into the best offer for me. When I found Germain Mazda I didn't expect the service they offered, I was completely blown away like I was a friend. Tim and Sonny worked with me and my budget to get the best monthly payment that was right for me. More

What distinguishes Germain Mazda compared to its peers within a two mile radius is a single precious quality we should all hold dear; honor. Germain Mazda is an honorable dealership in its interaction to within a two mile radius is a single precious quality we should all hold dear; honor. Germain Mazda is an honorable dealership in its interaction to the general public that refuses to take advantage of the customer. Please don't get confused courtesy with honor. A thief can smile in your face and be courteous. A dealership that exemplifies honor is a dealership whose core is genuine and driven to to do right by the customer, that was my experience. The way that translates to you and I; no bait and switch tactics, no steering you into what you don't want, no sales person trying to convince the customer doesn't know what they are talking about after figuring out what is best for the family situation. Another way to look at it is to ask yourself the question, if you sent your daughter or mother to Germain Mazda alone to purchase a vehicle, how would they fare? I can answer in the affirmative from first hand experience I would trust this team with my mother or sister. They would fare exceptionally well because they get it, these people hold themselves accountable. This type of positive reinforcement underscores the honorable process you can expect in purchasing a Mazda vehicle. In my opinion, this type of dealership deserves your best consideration in purchasing a vehicle because the caliber of professionals assembled under one roof are rare in my buying experiences from six different dealerships over a 30 year period of time. No one has told me this, but it seems to me Germain Mazda has such good chemistry as a team they very well may be hand picked from the best of the best. When you find a dealership with these qualities, best to patronize the dealership and integrate the products and services into the family. Its all about the people. We all know plenty of dealerships have interesting product but the employees could care less. Who wants to pursue an interesting product but the people who work with you for remedy at the dealership are questionable? My point here is that people make up the experience to the buying public. Germain has managed to assemble a talented team of professionals aligned with great product that translates into the best and highest traditions of becoming a car owner. Germain Mazda gives good reason adding to sound judgement it makes all the sense in the world to patronize this particular dealership for generations. It is for these reasons why you owe it to yourself to purchase a vehicle from Germain Mazda. Love, A Happy 2012 Mazda 3 owner More