It has been a while since last time I’ve updated this blog. . . I’ve changed my job back in April, so I have had less time to work on this page. . .

Anyways, today, I am not writing about my diecast collection.  It’s about my experience at a GM dealership, a day after GM announced that they are closing down 1,100 dealerships.

What was I doing at a GM dealership ?  To buy a brand new Cadillac Escalade ?  No.

I am currently looking for a used Mercedes wagon, and a listing on cars.com lead me to a GM dealership in Central NJ, coincidentally on a day after the GM’s announcement.  To be honest, I wouldn’t have gone there otherwise. . .

The visit was a depressing experience.  Not because salespersons were rude; in fact, they were very nice.  It’s because the beautifull showroom. . . was empty.

Have you EVER been to an auto dealership where there are no cars in the showroom ?  Can you imagine, what it feels like to be standing in a big auto dealership, where there are. . . no cars ?

I was never a big GM fan, and I will admit that. . .  But there is SOMETHING SEVERELY WRONG here.  For an auto enthusiast like myself, that was really, one of the most emotional, depressing experience I’ve had in a long time.

After a very nice gentleman accompanied me to a test drive, we came back to his desk at the empty dealership.  (The car, the used Mercedes, drove fine, but at this point, that’s irrelevant.)  Trying to make sure that I was being as polite and natural as possible, while making sure that I didn’t sound rude, I’ve quietly asked, “. . .so is the business kinda . . . quiet these days ?”

A tall, senior salesperson with white hair took a deep breath, and answered very quietly:

“You know CWK . . .  I’ll be honest with you. . .  It’s not like how it was used to be anymore. . .  we’ve been in this business for 30 years now. . . ”

Let’s just say that was one sad, depressing day, that I have not had in a long time. . .