Newsletter

December 2011

Customer Satisfaction


For a company to achieve success it needs three basic elements – products people want to buy, a great team of dedicated employees and the support of its local community.  York's of Houlton always knew it had the first two things in place, and they truly appreciate the people of Aroostook County and surrounding areas for adding the third important element that has helped us become the thriving dealership you see today.

We know there are plenty of dealerships where you could buy your vehicle and a number of different places you could have it serviced.  However, there is a difference between dealerships, and it is important for you to know what we think sets us apart.

Since Gerard York purchased the Ralph L. Berry Co. and re-named it York Ford it has continued to flourish.  We have been proud members of this community for over forty years.  We also have many long-term employees which means York's of Houlton attracts the best in every department, and you can count on our professionals being there down the road.

Our Tire and Auto Center is the best in the area.  The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) as well as Ford and Toyota, certify our service technicians.  This certification means they have received all the latest training in order to correctly diagnose and service your vehicle.  We also offer early-bird drop-off service, and keep Saturday hours to help accommodate your busy schedule.  And if you don't want to wait at the dealership for your car, just hop on the York's of Houlton shuttle and we will take you where you need to go.

Our Body Shop is the most modern auto body repair facility in northern Maine.  If you are ever involved in an auto accident, you can rest assured you will get friendly, efficient and professional service.  We have top-notch technicians who care about your vehicle.  Our Body Shop technicians have years of experience in making vehicles as good as new.  In addition, we have switched to environmentally friendly waterborne basecoat paint.

We offer the latest, greatest cars, trucks and SUVs from Ford and Toyota; manufacturers you can trust for dependability, innovation, style and value.  But we also know that our customers enjoy our old-fashioned values that include a no-pressure sales approach and the best in customer satisfaction and service.  Whether you are looking for a new car, pre-owned car, or need vehicle maintenance, York's of Houlton is the ideal place to go.

You have a variety of options when it comes to buying and maintaining your vehicle.  Thank you for choosing York's of Houlton and giving us your business.  Please stop by and see us again soon, a warm welcome always awaits you.



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In-House News: Christmas Party

The annual company Christmas party was held on December 3rd and was well attended by employees and their guests.  Every year we try to do something a little different and this year we had the biggest attendance ever.

The event was held here at the dealership and was catered by Reggie Dow – and it was delicious!  We also had live entertainment by Murfy's Law – and they were great to listen and dance to.  Everyone had a great time and it was truly a fun evening.

Each year employees who have reached a five-year plateau are presented with certificates of appreciation for their loyalty, dedication and contribution to the success of the company.  This years honorees were:

Emily Gardner – 5 years
Gary Smith – 5 years
Corey Sirois – 5 years
Jason Clayton – 5 years
Emily Homchuck – 5 years
Carlene McNally – 10 years
Paul Austin – 10 years

Yorks of Houlton In House NewsYorks of Houlton In House News

Yorks of Houlton In House NewsYorks of Houlton In House NewsYorks of Houlton In House NewsYorks of Houlton In House News



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Employee of the Month


Every month at York's of Houlton, the Management Team selects an individual for Employee of the Month. The employee is typically selected because they consistently turn in a stellar performance every month and deserve to be recognized for their hard work. Our employees are an important part of our business, for without our people nothing gets done! It is their dedication and diligence to quality and the day-to-day effort to keep everything moving that allows us to enjoy our reputation as a great place to do business.

Congratulations to Emily Homchuck, Employee of the Month for October.  Emily works in the Finance & Insurance office and performs a number of vital functions.  These include reviewing and confirming the agreed-upon sales figures, preparing salespeople to confer with customers about needed services or products, consulting with customers to determine their wants and needs, obtaining credit approval and preparing delivery documentation.  These are only a few of the tasks involved in Emily's job, all of which are carried out efficiently and cheerfully.  Emily always performs her job duties to the highest standards and is truly deserving of the Employee of the Month award.

Congratulations also go out to Mike Brown, Employee of the Month for November.  Since joining the Parts Department in May, Mike has proved himself to be not only knowledgeable about the parts business, but, also a dedicated team player.  Mike willingly takes on extra hours to help out whenever the Parts Department gets particularly busy.  He is always friendly and works hard to make sure that the technicians, as well as the walk in customers get the right part the first time.  Mike's work ethic and upbeat personality have made him a tremendous asset in the Parts Department and being named Employee of the Month is a well-deserved honor.



Pictured: Emily Homchuck, Michael Brown

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Product Information: 2012 Toyota Camry


With each day bringing new advancements to the way we live and work, shouldn't your car be advanced too?  Meet the reinvented 2012 Toyota Camry, the car designed to fit you and your 21st century lifestyle.  You're no doubt familiar with Camry; it's America's best-selling car.  And over the past 25 years, it's become the standard for quality.  In fact, 90% of all Camrys sold in the last 15 years are still on the road.

In creating the reinvented 2012 Toyota Camry, every facet of the previous model's interior was pored over in search of even the subtlest ways to enhance what was already a remarkable driving experience.  This unwavering search for ways to improve on a car of such legendary quality may seem like overkill to some, but it's precisely this approach that has made Camry America's best-selling car.

Available with a wide array of innovative technologies, the 2012 Camry is taking transportation in a bold direction.  In addition to available navigation, its multimedia systems offer such highlights as standard Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, available advanced voice-recognition and Entune, a new feature integrated with select Toyota models that allows drivers to access popular mobile phone apps and data services.  With all this, you won't just drive Camry, you'll connect with it.

Whether you're talking about interior space or noise levels, volume has a lot to do with driving comfort.  In crafting the reinvented 2012 Camry,  Toyota engineers found a variety of ingenious ways to add interior volume where it matters most, without increasing the external dimensions of the vehicle.  They also reduced the volume of exterior noise entering the cabin.  In these ways and more, the engineers were able to improve on what was already a remarkably comfortable vehicle.  And that speaks volumes.

Over the past 25 years, Camry has won the loyalty of millions with its unique blend of efficiency, features, value and reliability.  Now, with the 2012 Camry Hybrid LE delivering an estimated 43 city/39 highway/41 combined mpg, it's more than just economical, it's one to the most fuel-efficient sedans in its class.  Plus, it achieves all that while producing 200hp.  Time to add even more Americans to its legion of enthusiasts – though gas station owners may be less than thrilled.

As somebody once said, there is safety in numbers.  That's why every 2012 Camry comes with a comprehensive airbag system that offers an impressive ten airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, and both driver and front passenger knee airbags – all standard equipment.

York's of Houlton would love to assist you with your next vehicle.  If you haven't driven the 2012 Toyota Camry,  stop by for a test drive.  After all, that's really the best way to get to know a vehicle.  And you can get to know us better, too.  We're dedicated to serving you now and in the future.  Whether you're seeking a new or used vehicle, Toyota custom accessories, or convenient maintenance and service, we're here for you.  Let us prove it.



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Safe Side: Driving Safety

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. For more information on winter driving, the association offers the How to Go on Ice and Snow brochure, available through most AAA offices. Contact your local AAA representative for more information.

AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:

Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.

Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

Make certain your tires are properly inflated.

Never mix radial tires with other tire types.

Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.

Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).

Always look and steer where you want to go.

Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.

Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.

Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.

Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA's telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.

If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.

Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.

Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.

Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.

Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.

If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.



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Tech Tips for Driving in the Snow


Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.

Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.



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A Message from Jerry York



Brother Dick and I take turns writing these articles in the monthly York Times email newsletter that goes out to nearly 8000 people in our market area (by the way, email addresses we collect from prospects and customers are NEVER shared with any third party).

This month, I'm going to let our customers do most of the talking:  The following comments came directly from service satisfaction postcards that are left in customer's vehicles:

    "Angie was awesome"

"Excellent communications – was completed ahead of schedule.  Appreciate the car wash"

"I would also like to comment that your bathroom was very clean and smelled really good"

"Well done – as usual"

" I was completely satisfied with the service at York's of Houlton"

"Always a pleasure doing business with the friendly folks at York's!"

"Excellent, courteous, friendly service"

" The people in the service dept are excellent and accommodating"

" Came in for an oil change.  It was quick and the staff was friendly"

"York's always super cleans the car before we leave.  Also, whatever questions I have they take the time to help me"

"Thanks for your guy's wonderful hospitality and maintenance.  Well appreciated 100%"

" My car was picked up at Houlton Regional Hospital and returned.  Great service"

"Love, Love, Love this place!"


… and the comments below are from customers who have recently purchased a vehicle:
      
"They do a good job...very helpful and very hospitable"
 
"[The sales experience] was perfect"
 
"Nothing to improve...everything was great!"

"David was always right there for us!"
 
"Nothing to improve...we would absolutely recommend York's!"
 
"This is car number two from York's...very courteous and knowledgeable...that's why I came back...Good Job!"
 
"We were very happy...we had a problem at first, but they took it back for repairs and we were given a loaner...very satisfied"

"Michael was wonderful!"

"[The experience] was very nice. I enjoy working with York's... I went elsewhere in years past and I'm back to stay!"

So as we approach the end of this year, I want to say thank you to all our customers for your business, and for your comments.  On behalf of the 59 people who work at York's, we pledge to continue to try and make your every experience at York's of Houlton a pleasant one.



Pictured: Jerry York