Carver Twins - Moments
MIAMI Charlie Carver, long time car salesman at Vance Ford Lincoln dealership in Miami, is hanging up his hat to retire after 20 years of service.Carver says he has sold a total of 2,022 cars up until his last day on New Years Eve.Before selling cars, Carver worked with semi-tractor trailers.I grew up in the trucking industry, Carver said. I was in the service field running shops and maintaining 18 wheelers.Carver said he got involved in the car industry by luck and started working at a dealership in Joplin in 1990.I just fell into it, Carver said. I started out at Gus Shaffer Ford in Joplin and ended up here at Vance Ford.At Gus Shaffer, Carver sold cars for five years then accepted a job at Vance Ford in 1995, where he has stayed for approximately 20 years.Its been a good experience, Carver said. Ive enjoyed it.Throughout the decades, Carver said that cars have changed dramatically, whether it comes to body styles or accessories.The cars are a lot more hi-tech than what it was in the "90s, Carver said. Theyre more computerized. The older cars, you could recognize it and know what it was. Today, cars look the same. They all have the same shape and body style.Carver said he tries to give the rookie salesman advice and that the customer is their main priority.I try to tell the new salesman to treat the customers right, Carver said. Everyones different and you have to treat them all different. As long as you treat them right and be fair with them, you will have a repeat customer.Carver is not only a car salesman, but a car enthusiast, as well.He has numerous antique model cars that he has been restoring and collecting over the years.Ive got a 1917 International, a 1939 International, a 1947 International and a 1955 Ford," he said. "I always grew up with the International cars. My whole working career, I started out with International Harvesters and spent a lot of years working on International trucks."For several years, Carvers 1917 International was featured in Miami parades.I was in the parade for about 12 years, Carver said. I used to pull a float with it and would decorate it all up.Colleagues and employees of Vance Ford stopped by Carvers desk on Thursday to wish him well and to have a happy retirement.Carvers a joy to be around, Vance Ford owner John Vance said. He does bank runs everyday, tag office runs and he sells cars while hes out doing it.Page 2 of 2 - A crowd of colleagues gathered outside of Carvers office to present him with a gift for his service and dedication to the dealership.In our appreciation for all that youve done for us, we present you with this gift, Vance said. A Citizens Satellite watch. Youll never have to set time again.The watch was a symbolic gift to Carver because the watch he currently wears was given to him after selling 1,000 cars at Vance Ford.John Vance has known Carver for more than 10 years and said that he will be irreplaceable.I can honestly say that there has never been a disappointing time that I regretted knowing him or regretted his friendship, Vance said. Hes done a great job of promoting our business and promoting the city of Miami.Colleague and good friend Khristi Andrade, office manager, said that Carver was like a father figure to her.I call him Pops, Andrade said. He does all of my running for me, and hes very well known in the community. Hes going to be greatly missed.
Source: http://www.miamiok.com/article/20160102/BUSINESS/160109961
