Marcus-SanDiego
07-05-2011, 08:17 AM
For those of you who do not know, my pal, Jon Shafer (founder of Bimmerfest), has returned back to the BMW dealer scene.
Jon, after 17 years in the business, left the BMW dealer biz in 2003 (to pursue a master's degree). He spent the next 7 years working in his new career -- as a marriage and family therapist. His departure in 2003 was our loss.
Jon, as the general sales manager of Cutter Motors (now called BMW Santa Barbara), pioneered the "Internet Special" back in the day. He was a trendsetter. While other dealers were busy gouging the crap out of customers (during one of the great technology bull runs in the stock market), Jon figured out that his dealership could still make money by offering BMWs at small margins (to the dealer) while providing exceptional customer service. Ultimately, a deal would be made and the customer would take delivery at the dealership. It was an event, too. Ask ZHPMafia.com member, Jeff (jvr826), about it. Maybe he'll chime in and give us an anecdote or two about it.
Anyhow, I'm pleased that Jon -- who never quite shook the BMW bug, even after he became a marriage therapist -- has decided to return back to his roots. The guy is the best sales guy I've ever met in the BMW business. What's more, he's a loyal guy who doesn't forget a name.
I make it a point to go to Bimmerfest every year -- just so that I can shake Jon's hand. He's one of the really good guys in the business.
In Jon's new role, he will serve as the Internet Sales Manager for BMW Santa Barbara (http://www.bmwsantabarbara.com/). It's a perfect fit.
If you're in the market for a new BMW, I recommend that you give Jon a call at BMW Santa Barbara. And this note: you don't have to live in the Santa Barbara area to strike a deal with Jon. He can make a deal regardless of your locale.
Welcome back to the business, Jon!
Jon, after 17 years in the business, left the BMW dealer biz in 2003 (to pursue a master's degree). He spent the next 7 years working in his new career -- as a marriage and family therapist. His departure in 2003 was our loss.
Jon, as the general sales manager of Cutter Motors (now called BMW Santa Barbara), pioneered the "Internet Special" back in the day. He was a trendsetter. While other dealers were busy gouging the crap out of customers (during one of the great technology bull runs in the stock market), Jon figured out that his dealership could still make money by offering BMWs at small margins (to the dealer) while providing exceptional customer service. Ultimately, a deal would be made and the customer would take delivery at the dealership. It was an event, too. Ask ZHPMafia.com member, Jeff (jvr826), about it. Maybe he'll chime in and give us an anecdote or two about it.
Anyhow, I'm pleased that Jon -- who never quite shook the BMW bug, even after he became a marriage therapist -- has decided to return back to his roots. The guy is the best sales guy I've ever met in the BMW business. What's more, he's a loyal guy who doesn't forget a name.
I make it a point to go to Bimmerfest every year -- just so that I can shake Jon's hand. He's one of the really good guys in the business.
In Jon's new role, he will serve as the Internet Sales Manager for BMW Santa Barbara (http://www.bmwsantabarbara.com/). It's a perfect fit.
If you're in the market for a new BMW, I recommend that you give Jon a call at BMW Santa Barbara. And this note: you don't have to live in the Santa Barbara area to strike a deal with Jon. He can make a deal regardless of your locale.
Welcome back to the business, Jon!