| hondacuraworld |
Today, October 3rd 2005, marks Hondacuraworld's 5th anniversary!
When the Hondacuraworld idea was first implemented back in October of 2000, we envisioned something that would provide us with a few thousand dollars of extra sales per month, never imagining that we would grow to become Acura's number one accessories dealer in the United States from 104th place inside of a year. There have been bumps along the road (and still are upon occasion), but at the end of every day as I lock the doors I take pride in being able to say "I gave everything I had to give, and did the best job that I could do."
While I don't want this to sound like an acceptance speech at the Grammys (and it kinda does), I would like to publicly thank Ray Laks (the Boss), Pat Kelley (Comptroller), Ray Graf (Parts Director) and Jim Gillette (Fixed Operations Manager) for believing in me and giving me the latitude and freedom to do things as I see fit. You may never know how rare it is to find a dealership environment as is present here. Most dealer groups see something as becoming successful, and a half dozen other managers try to make it "more successful" and end up killing it. Thanks to those people for trusting me to do what I do :)
Funny as it is, there was a huge chance that internet selling for me would stop shortly after it started. I listed a few MDX internet auctions back in the first week of October 2000, and didn't get bids on any of them (more than likely because the vehicle hadn't come in for all but a few people). But I did manage to get one call, a man from NYC who needed a catalytic converter for his '90 Legend.
He said that he'd found me on the internet, and asked me if I could give him a good price. Excited as I was to finally get a sale, I gave him a great deal for that and a few other pieces totalling $1000. He agreed, gave me his credit card info and address, and I shipped the parts out to him the following Monday morning.
A couple of weeks passed, and I started to get some business from a few of the edmunds folks, and I get a call from my business office. The credit card given be had turned out to be stolen . It took me a few days of digging up notes, and I finally got in contact with the guy again, and he told me to perform acts that I believe are physically impossible, and that there was no way I'd ever find him. We had tried to contact the police, but we never did see the money. I was told that I'd have to stop internet sales that day. This is where my boss comes in.
Jim came to me shortly afterward and explained that he'd talked to the office staff, and told me to keep selling, that we were going to have new credit card machines installed with extra security measures instead. I remember him saying "we really might be able to make something out of this, and we'll never know if we stop now."
Today on an average Monday we ship 100-125 boxes out from e-business. We've covered all of the US and Canada, Guam, England, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Italy, Japan, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates. And growing.
Here's to the next five years! |
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| phins2rt |
Woohoo!!!
Congrats Tim!!!!
:7: :2party: :yesyes: :awais: |
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| dj-mdx2 |
Cheers! Here's to many more monthly specials!
P.S. I'm glad you didn't get burned by taking credit cards over the phone. |
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| socalJD |
Do I smell the perfect opportunity for a Special Annivesary Sale ???
C'mon Tim, I know you're just itching for a reason to reward all your loyal & long time customers !!! |
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| rogmandude |
Congrats Tim!!!
I know I have gotten great service on my orders from Tim and wouldnt buy them anywhere else..
Keep up the great work!!! |
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| ArtW |
Congrats Tim!
I appreciate your service and replies to inquiries.
ArtW |
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| ByeByeChrysler |
Congrats Tim!
:2party: |
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| vlam |
| This calls for a celebration.. Ok.. I am heading over to put in my order that I've been putting off for the past few weeks. |
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| crmsnidol |
I rank Hondacuraworld.com as high as any other service-oriented company I have EVER DEALT WITH including Disney, Amazon and Newegg.com. You and your group always make me feel like like I am the most important customer you have and never made to feel like I'm putting you out with a request or issue.
Thanks Tim and continued success to you and your team! |
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| pianoman41 |
| You can print out this thread and show it to your bosses so they can see how much trust you've developed with the Acura community. It's because of dealing with you personally on the phone that you've already got well over $1000 of my business and since I have two Acuras (my '05 MDX and my '02 TL-S) and plan to keep them for a while, we will be doing business for many years to come. You are the *only* place I go to for OEM stuff. |
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| msu79gt82 |
Congrats Tim and thanks for all you've done for this site and for me (I've ordered parts for three vehicles now - 2 MDXs and a TL-S). :cool: :1:
:7: :claphead: :18: :29: :7: |
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| vlam |
| Well just spoke to Tim to order my replacement bumper for the X. I should have ordered another one for the TL but I am still waiting to see how it work out with the insurance company. Talk about bad luck..Both silver Acura got rear-ended within the past 45 days. My next car is definitely going to be a Red one. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by crmsnidol
I rank Hondacuraworld.com as high as any other service-oriented company I have EVER DEALT WITH including Disney, Amazon and Newegg.com. You and your group always make me feel like like I am the most important customer you have and never made to feel like I'm putting you out with a request or issue.
Well said. :4: Totally agree though I have never used newegg. :) Congrats, Tim and thanks for the stuff ! |
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| cp_ssrebba |
gratz!!!
Good thing your boss trusted you.
Good thing that you took the chance and
made us all happy including your boss.
:) |
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| Warzau |
Congrats TIM!! I appreciate all the help you have given me and the forum and am glad that you are here and you are a valuable member.
Here's to another five years! |
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| hammermdx |
| Congrats Tim, you da man!!!!!:2party: |
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| laborlitigator |
| Congrats Tim! |
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| mdx99 |
Congradulation!!! Tim
Although I hadn't ordered as much as I could from you but you certainly got the right attitude as a good businessman, not those scumbag stealers that I had encountered in the past.
Good job!:) |
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| Collie |
Bravo Zulu to you Tim.
Much success in the next five years. I'm sure there will be something good to buy when I get back stateside form sunny Okinawa. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
Tim,
Congratulations!!! We appreciate your service all the way here in Hawaii. Yes and Alooooooooooha!!!:D |
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| XStatic |
Happy anniversary!
Stange purchase with that stolen card... |
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| laborlitigator |
Tim,
So where's the "1/2 off Five Year Anniversary Sale"? |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
Tim,
So where's the "1/2 off Five Year Anniversary Sale"?
Or at least $5 or %5 off everything or something similar :D |
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| Sooner in FL |
Hondacuraworld is by far the best internet sales site I have used.
Reasonable prices, cheap to free shipping, easy going, great folks.
I think I will order some weathermats for my 05 Honda Accord. The mats and sunshade fits like a glove for my 05 X.:7:
Keep up the good work and great customer services.
Tim you deserve a BIG FAT RAISE!!!! |
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| A2MDXer |
| Congrats, Tim. You set the bar high and then continue to raise it.:) |
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| HARDROCK |
| As as repeat customer, thanks Tim. Great prices and service! |
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| socalJD |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
Do I smell the perfect opportunity for a Special Annivesary Sale ???
C'mon Tim, I know you're just itching for a reason to reward all your loyal & long time customers !!!
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
Tim,
So where's the "1/2 off Five Year Anniversary Sale"?
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Or at least $5 or %5 off everything or something similar
Hmmm, must be ignoring us . . . at least I'm not the only opportunist on the board. Just looking for an excuse to spend more of my $$$ at HAW :D |
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| R-MDX |
Hondaworld has been a very helpful company to deal with. I wish more companies would be like them. My orders have shipped fast, been at great prices and well packaged. When I've called with questions, they get answered honestly and completely.
Congrats on your milestone and hopefully there will be many more to come.
Thanks for everything. |
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| texrb |
| Congratulations Tim & I applaud your Dealership personnel for believing in you :D You have provided the best prices & service I have seen over the last 5 years & have done so with integrity. Here's to many more successful years! |
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