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January 18, 2010
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Dealer Still Selling After 60 Years By Emily Caswell
Rush - Dated Material
NEWARK, OHIO – If it has four wheels – and in some cases two – chances are Bob Thompson has sold it. A Model-T Ford, a Germanmade Porsche, dump trucks, pick-up trucks, antique motorcycles, Lincolns with 12-cylinder motors and even a 1937 Buick ambulance have made Thompson’s list of unique sales. But it seems only natural that Thompson would have such a long list, given that at the age of 90, he’s now been in the car business for 60 years. While some might consider 90 a bit old to still be working a day job, Thompson, who’s never missed a day of work and has only taken a vacation -which was a whopping four days wouldn’t have it any other way. So what’s kept him in the business so long? “Money – I enjoy making and spending it,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of good times selling vehicles over the years.” Those good times began when Thompson took a job at Bob’s
Used Cars in his hometown of Newark, Ohio, where he still lives. The job combined his two loves – cars and talking with people. He and business partner Bill Targett opened T and T Motors in September 1949. “Bill did paint and body work on cars before we went into business together,” Thompson said. “It was a good match. He could make minor repairs to clean up vehicles and we both sold them.” Through the years Thompson changed business partners, eventually going into business for himself. His operation moved three times and he opened and closed a second store. Today, he runs the business with his son Larry. And while partners and locations have changed, not much about Thompson’s role in his dealership has. “I still go to the car auctions, to the office every day and enjoy talking with customers or the occasional old friends that stop in to see how things are going,” he said. And besides money, Thompson said it’s those friends and customers that have been a bright spot in his career. “The people I’ve met that became good friends over the years,” he said, “have been a highlight. Though today, it seems more of them are in the grave yard. I’ve had a lot of fun buying and selling cars.” It’s his honesty, he says, that has made him successful where other car salesman have failed. “I’ve always been honest with people and if I know of a problem with a car, I will tell the customer,” said Thompson. “The biggest asset of any used car lot is your reputation. Treat people fairly and they will remember and recommend you to their friends and family. That’s where
STILL GOING: Bob Thompson has outlasted Red Crown Gasoline and other icons of the days when he started in the used-car business, shortly after World War II.
our slogan came from - ‘Buy where Dad bought.’” Son Larry agrees. “My father is one of those good old guys in the used car lot business,” said Larry. “He is honest and straightforward with all that know him. He does not fit the stereotype of a used car salesman. I am sure it’s this quality that has kept him in the business when others have failed.” Despite his success, Thompson has seen slow times like any other car dealer. “I’ve seen a few of those times throughout the years,” he said. Still, he has stuck with the business. “No matter what the times bring you must stay with it.
When the customer asks a question, you must have an answer whether it’s right or wrong,” he said. “That was a lesson taught to me years ago by an old car salesman.” Larry noticed that drive even as a young child. “He has a great work ethic and doesn’t know the meaning of a sick day,” he said. “Dad’s workday was long and we’re talking 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a one-hour or less supper break to spend with the family as I was growing up. He’s still the first one in the office every day.” Being in the industry for 60 years, it’s no doubt that Thompson has seen a lot of changes. “The shear number of usedcar lots that exist now versus
when I first started are probably the biggest change,” he said. “In 1949 there were only around five individually owned used car lots, myself included, in Newark. “However, today there are used car lots all over the city. A lot of them come and go with the hard times. The older dealerships seem to weather the times better. To my knowledge, I am the oldest continuous running used car lot in Licking County.” And it’s the older dealers, at least in Thompson’s case, that seem to continue to succeed – something he’s not giving up any time soon. “No retirement plans,” he said. “I am going to die on the job.”
IN THIS ISSUE • Unemployment continues to hold back used-car sales. – Page 3
• Transportation companies keep metal moving. – Page 8
• Auctions sign on with the new NAAA arbitration policy. – Page 4
• Scam artists attempt a new way to steal vehicles. – Page 10