BBQ, free gas cards part of car dealership’s anniversary celebration

For the City Times

Clark Collins thinks buying a car should make sense.

Collins, owner of AutoSense in Plover, said the business is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Friday and Saturday.

“Business has been good,” Collins said, who added the company has been “growing steady every month”.

“We started with three employees, now we’ve got six,” he added. “We’re getting a ton of good reviews online, which is awesome.”

Collins, a 20-year-veteran of car sales, says the company is holding a special anniversary celebration on Fri., June 24 from 12 PM to 6 PM and Sat., June 25 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The company will offer hamburgers and brats during an outdoor barbecue, and offer free gas cards for anyone who test drives a car on those days.

Collins also said the company is offering low interest rates to thank customers for a successful first year.

The business has done its share of community service over the past year, according to Collins, having worked with the Boys and Girls Club, and reaching out to Portage Co. Health and Human Services to provide child seat safety education. The business has also donated gift cards for local fundraising events.

Over the past year, Collins said it has been customer service and a good reputation that continues driving customers — some of whom have returned for a second vehicle.

“Our sales guys get paid per vehicle, no matter what vehicle they sell it’s the same, but the only way they get a bonus is if we get a good review,” Collins said. “We go beyond what the other guy does. It’s an old-fashioned way of doing business that never should have left.”

Collins said it’s a business philosophy that’s working — he’s turning over about 90 percent of his inventory every month.

“A lot of times if there’s something we don’t have that you want, we can probably find it,” he said. “We just want to keep people coming through the door and show them what we provide.”

AutoSense is located at 1745 Park Ave. in Plover. For more information, find them on Facebook or call (715) 544-1571.