New car buying has come a long way from my parents shopping at Ronco
Rambler, where Pat would write a number on a notepad, using a pencil, both from
the pocket of his overalls. He had probably handed them some keys, and then
went back under a car, maybe even R-12, his race car. They had taken a test
drive, and being parents, were concerned about how much it would ultimately
cost, and was it really any better than their old trade in. No dickering per
se, as Pat was fair, and he understood them being a young family, and probably
already had a buyer for their trade in. No pressure, go to lunch, I’ll be here
to about 2, after all it was Saturday, and he closed early. But he would stay
late if needed, which my parents would never ask him to do, because he too had a
family. And so a short lunch was hastily eaten, and back they went, going to
the garage and finding Pat under R-12. They had decided to buy the new car, and
a half hour later, were driving home in it. No make ready, maybe a quick wash,
no F and I man trying to sell undercoating, Polyglycoat, or extra accessories.
They took the car, and Pat advised them next time up, stop by for an oil change,
no appointment needed. Go enjoy your new car, and they did, the buying process
from 50 years ago in small town America. They had bought a Rambler Classic, but
really had bought another classic, Pat.
It has been over 11 years since we bought our last new car, really a
truck. And there was some dickering, a test drive, with the salesman along,
after photocopying my license, and checking me for insurance. They ran my
credit, and when I found the one I wanted, we negotiated. I was shown
printouts, which no one really knows what they mean, and I warned them, if the F
and I guy tries to sell me anything, I’ll walk. Who greeted me promising he
wouldn’t, and he didn’t. Sale complete, except for the various phone calls,
about a survey, a CSI coming in the mail, and anything less than the best was a
failure. Seems they cared more about the survey than my being happy. And I
thought of guys like Pat, whose survey was what you would tell your friends,
your family, the friends at church, or your neighbor. “If you need a car or
truck go see Cal...”the ads for Worthington Dodge sang for decades, who would
stand on his head to make a deal. Pat just needed an OK, and a handshake, after
he washed his hands. And a card with his home number, if you had any questions
later when you got it home.
The other day I was looking up a car I had passed on the freeway. It
caught my eye, and I wondered about it. So Googling it, found prices, and
Truecar.com, a buying service. Who had pre-negotiated deals with dealers, a
buying service. So I priced one, the prices showed dealer cost, and what I
could get-below dealer cost. And then the e-mails and phone calls started, as
when I registered with Truecar, the dealers go my info. Suddenly the car buying
experience wasn’t so friendly, as they got more aggressive with each message
left. I was only looking, had no intention of buying. I told them that, they
didn’t listen. It reminded of one time when looking at a car, the new salesgirl
chastising me for not letting her complete her presentation. After I said I
was just looking. She had lost her place and was about to start over, when I
got in my car and left. And I thought to myself, if I need a car or truck, I
would go see Pat. And started riding motorcycles more, as in every chance I
could get. And soon formed the perfect relationship with Orange County Triumph,
eventually buying 14 bikes from them over the years. Who like Pat, gave me a
fair price, sometimes showing me the invoice, and when buying an Rmz450, two
weeks later a pop-up, and racing shirts showed up as a thank you, part of a
promotion that started after I had bought one, they just included me. Never one
request for a CSI score, there wouldn’t be a high enough score for them. I
dealt with Nate, and Mike, Todd, and Fabian...just like my parents had dealt
with Pat. Sadly they are gone, and although I know many friends who sell new
bikes, I will go to Mickey when ready, who will make a call, and the deal will
be set. We will have discussed what I want, and what I should pay, and the deal
will be done. Dealing with a guy who has dirt under his fingernails, probably
crawling out from under a race car, and the beat goes on.
I watch as people evangelize today. They are told to go out and witness,
rarely told to be a witness. Turn on Jesus, and tell the world about Him.
Invite people to church, don’t get involved one to one. Pass out tracts, and
then go home after arguing with someone, who isn’t saved, but knows more Bible
than you, feeling disappointed and beaten. Having done what you were told, just
not what the Bible tells you to do. And repeat next week, and as the crowd gets
smaller, hopefully get tuned into God, and be a witness, letting your life show
Christ in it. Sharing the Lord should not be like buying a car or even a
motorcycle. You don’t shop for the best deal. Yet many church hop, until
finding one they like, where they fit in. A friendly church, where they aren’t
pressured, or encouraged to read the Bible, pray, or even come to Christ. Feel
good about your God, He loves you, and never would say ask you to do anything
you don’t want to do. And excuse me while I puke, for this is not the way God
wants it, planned it, or ordains it. When you come to Christ, you change, God
doesn’t. You realize you are a sinner, and need Jesus. You may seek prayer,
ask questions, and be invited back. You are asked to pick up your cross, and
follow Jesus. And when you do, your testimony, and your witness help lead
others to Christ. It isn’t the tracts, the street witnessing, or the church
attendance that does it, the Holy Spirit has touched your heart, and you need
answers, and Jesus is the answer. No pressure, although it is the most
important decision you will ever make. And all the things that turned you off
about religion are not present with Jesus. It is personal, you are dealing with
a person, and they are there when needed. To guide, to answer question, to
encourage, and to pray. To stand with you, maybe getting down in the dirt with
you, under a car, or alongside the road when riding. One to one, the way Jesus
planned it, no buying process, or set way. And it can happen anywhere, it
doesn’t have to be in church. When you come to Jesus, you find you are the
church, the body of believers. And you want to tell your friends about Jesus,
but soon find out that the same way you came to Him, they must too. By the
spirit. No amount of excitement or arguing will change them, only Jesus can
change the heart. Like He did yours.
Car buying has become a chore, don’t let your evangelism become one. Be
yourself in Christ, let your light shine. People will notice, and then share
how Jesus changed your life. I still have a problem when someone comes up to me
and because I don’t fit the church mold, starts to witness to me, telling me how
I need Jesus. Asking me if I have heard of Him, “yes, for many years now.” And
then pressing a tract in my hand, like a business card. Some day I just might
follow up and call, curiosity. Well meaning, just lousy execution. Just be
yourself in Christ. We all need friends, and Jesus is our friend, what of that
don’t you get? Coming to Christ shouldn’t be like buying a car, no CSI scores
in heaven, pass/fail. Pass you’re there, fail you’re not.
As you go, share the gospel, and use words when needed. Goodness and
kindness are fruits of the spirit, not arguing or fighting. When is the last
time you listened to the words of someone lost, before launching into your
preplanned gospel? Show me love, that is what we all want. Only found in
Jesus. Let the spirit guide you into all understanding, it is His job. Today
is the day of salvation, let it be yours, or be an encouragement to others. No
salesman will call, let the spirit do that. He once called you....or has it
been so long you forgot?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com