Lankford Pontiac Buick GMC has been the supporting dealer behind GM Parts House for almost 3 years. In May, Lankford was dealt a wind down letter and was notified by General Motors that they would lose their franchise after 53 years of being in the family.

Within the last few years Lankford had done everything GM had asked them to do. They relocated the business, designed the building according to the way GM wanted it done, and built a multi-million dollar facility as asked by the General on the lot picked by the General.

After doing all of that, they are losing the franchise. Since Pontiac will be gone at the end of 2010 and due to the fact that there is a Cadillac and Hummer and another Chevrolet dealership within only a 5 mile or so radius, they were the easy target.

Lankford went through the appeal process and was being reconsidered by GM. Then GM went into bankruptcy and when they came out of bankruptcy it was a different story. The Lankford’s still couldn’t get any straight answers, but at the same time there was nothing other than the letter that they had received to wind down. Part of going forward with the new GM the Lankford’s had to sign a new contract and agree to wind down by the end of 2010. GM also put a spin on it and figured out how to kill the dealers off early. They took away the ability to order cars. Since a new multi-million dollar facility was built, we would obviously need new cars to survive. The Lankford’s decided that we shouldn’t delay what was coming and take their pay-off early so everyone could start new. Lankford would like to close at the end of September.

GM Parts House is owned by me so that isn’t the end of my business. I currently have several offers to move my business to another place of business. When something like this happens, it is a good time to make some changes so I will take advantage of this and speak with each of them and decide where the best home is for my customers.

As of today, 9/11, I will stop orders from being taken on the site so that I may take care of all of the customers who’ve ordered from me up to this point and not leave anyone hanging until I reopen. The Lankford’s and I are people with morals and we agree that we will fulfill our obligations with our customers together and then we’ll go our separate ways.

So to cut to the chase, I’ve stopped taking orders today. You can call me next week for things that I have in inventory as we are going to get rid of the inventory at this establishment. I can still order parts, but choose not to so that I can take care of every order I’ve taken. Call it a buffer, if you will.

Within the next week I should know the new place that GM Parts House will be operating from and I will have to concentrate on setting up shop at that location. I look forward to taking more orders on October 1st and I will more than likely be doing pre-orders before then, with extra discounts.

Please, if we have unfinished business currently, I’d like to wrap it up and make sure that no stone is unturned and that every customer is taken care of properly. Of course, if there are any issues that come up while we’re on hiatus, I will take care of them when GM Parts House reopens.

So, if I haven’t been myself lately, or I haven’t been getting back to you as fast as normal, replying to emails as fast as normal, returning phone calls fast enough, you can see why. Please contact me if you need me for anything.

 

Sorry to hear a great dealership is going away.

Thank goodness you and your enterprise are staying with us. Best of luck in the move, Gene!

 

Thank you for the words of encouragement. You have been a customer of mine for a very long time. I appreciate the patronage, the friendship and the support.

 

Good luck Gene
you always got me my stuff when i needed it. Hope things work out for you.

I am having a nightmare of a time getting radio bezels to modify from my local Chevy dealer. We have a dealer here who just rebuilt his dealership last year dumping ALOT of money into it and now it sets empty.


Maybe they should be offering the cash for clunkers dollars to the owners of the dealerships instead.

 

Hope it works out Gene and you're back up and running quickly.

You're the #1 goto guy for a lot of us on the forum when looking for OEM GM parts.

 

Gene,

Good luck setting up the new enterprise. Let us know when your up and running again.

 

Best of luck to all involved

 

Like they say, you can't keep a good man down. This can only be a sign that things will be bigger and better. Gene is a survivor and will be back on top in no time. Good luck on the hunt and the eventual new home.

 

It's a shame to see it happen to Lankford after they have invested so much to comply with GM. Being in business myself, I know it is not easy to let go of everything that you have built your life around.

Gene, as I am sad for Lankford, at the same time I am glad for you even though I know moving yet again after the last time you did is not going to be an easy task. I know you go an extra mile for us everytime and if you need us, we will be there for you. I will continue to be your repeated customer once you settle down. You will be in my thoughts and prayers

All of a sudden I remembered our business conversation and my first order with you back in 2006 after moving from Fred Beans right before you started at Lankford

 

Hope your business continues to prosper Gene....

 

Things always change. You are the best parts person here for sure and we all know it. When your business gets going again, we're there with you as always. Don't worry, you've got friends here!

 

"Part of going forward with the new GM the Lankford’s had to sign a new contract and agree to wind down by the end of 2010. GM also put a spin on it and figured out how to kill the dealers off early. They took away the ability to order cars. Since a new multi-million dollar facility was built, we would obviously need new cars to survive."

That is truly vile. If that is the kind of loyalty the new GM extends to its long-time dealer partners, Government Motors may not get much loyalty from me, a lifelong customer.


However, as others have said here and in other CF posts, Gene -- you are the best -- and your loyal friends and customers will follow you wherever you may go!

 

Sorry to hear that Gene

Good to see that business ethics are not dead.

You know you have a strong customer base here and you'll get support from the Forum as you reestablish your business

Hope the transition goes well.

 

Good Luck Gene, Thank you so much you have been so great to deal with and I will be ordering more from you when you get everything worked out.
Nick

 

I will make this a sticky so we don't get inundated with..Where is Gene Culley threads.

Best of luck Gene you have always treated me well I look forward to your 'I'm back" thread.

 

I'm so disappointed in GM for treating their Dealers like enemies. What has business become in this fine country of ours?

 

good luck Gene, always a pleasure doing business with you !

 

I hope the move goes smoothly. I recommend you to all my friends and hope to do so for many years to come.

Good Luck and Thank You

 

Good luck

 

Good people are forever, business is born to change, you will succeed. Best of luck and hope to see you back.