http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/ The Sweeny Report takes you into the murky world of local, state and national politics. Political Editor Chuck Sweeny will try to de-mystify things for you -- once he figures it out himself, that is. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:26:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.4 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/#comment-2340 Jim Kelly Sat, 30 May 2009 16:48:15 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/#comment-2340 Don't forget Recht-Froelich, prior to Bachrodt, and the Studebaker dealership near the Jefferson st. bridge. My grandmother pointed out the Packard dealership (IIRC on N. Winnebago st.) which was used as a temporary morgue when the flu epidemic hit camp Grant in 1918. Don’t forget Recht-Froelich, prior to Bachrodt, and the Studebaker dealership near the Jefferson st. bridge. My grandmother pointed out the Packard dealership (IIRC on N. Winnebago st.) which was used as a temporary morgue when the flu epidemic hit camp Grant in 1918.

]]> http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/#comment-2314 Roger Sat, 16 May 2009 18:22:49 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/#comment-2314 I think closing dealerships is all about reducing competition which will make prices higher. The consumer gets screwed again. I think closing dealerships is all about reducing competition which will make prices higher. The consumer gets screwed again.

]]> http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/#comment-2313 Dan Shiroda Sat, 16 May 2009 16:34:22 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2009/05/16/strandquist-last-of-the-west-side-downtown-new-car-dealers-loses-franchise/#comment-2313 I would submit that most of these LOCAL dealerships have been running a tighter ship than the manufacturers; just all around better business people. And this is their reward. I would be looking to poke a finger in the eye sockets of Chrysler & GM by courting another brand, which unfortunately would have to be a foreign brand, and selling them. They don't seem to comprehend that these dealerships have a loyal following that relates more to them (the dealership) than it does the brand that they sell. Provide the customer a good product along with a fair price and superior service, and you'll have customer for life. The manufacturers can't sell their products without the local dealers they just cut. I guess they'll just have to learn this lesson the hard way. I would submit that most of these LOCAL dealerships have been running a tighter ship than the manufacturers; just all around better business people. And this is their reward. I would be looking to poke a finger in the eye sockets of Chrysler & GM by courting another brand, which unfortunately would have to be a foreign brand, and selling them. They don’t seem to comprehend that these dealerships have a loyal following that relates more to them (the dealership) than it does the brand that they sell. Provide the customer a good product along with a fair price and superior service, and you’ll have customer for life. The manufacturers can’t sell their products without the local dealers they just cut. I guess they’ll just have to learn this lesson the hard way.

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