Lakeside Chevrolet is All About Customer Satisfaction
Photographer / Tim Hare
Lakeside Chevrolet, a 175-car lot in northern Warsaw, has served several notable individuals from across the nation.
Weve had professional basketball players come in to have their vans worked on, says General Sales Manager Michael Kuhn. Ben Higgins from The Bachelor flew into the airport behind the store, and we loaned him an Explorer van for the day so that he could cruise around while he was on the show.
The five-star business is known around town for providing friendly and excellent service.
Customer service to me means that theyre going to come back, Kuhn says. Its not selling the customer one car, its knowing that if we take care of them right on their very first car, then well end up selling them seven or eight cars. Since Ive been here, Ive seen multiple customers buy multiple vehicles.
As a lifelong Chevy fan, Kuhn has been working his dream job at the business for the last nine years.
When I took this job, the biggest enticing part of the job was Chevrolet, he says. My dad was always a big Chevy guy, and my grandpa was too. Growing up, Ive owned probably 60 Chevrolets. I love them. The product is great.
Working for a locally owned company is a huge plus, too.
Its not owned by some big company out of town, Kuhn says. Its literally from a local guy. Its always been local – locally owned, locally operated. Theres a good quality product at a good price.
One of the goals of the Lakeside Chevrolet team is to give back to the community, especially to the Warsaw Community High School Tigers basketball team. They also go the extra mile to help deserving individuals – customers in particular – when the opportunity arrives. They often do this by engaging in seemingly small opportunities that have a big impact.
There are a lot of little things that we do throughout the year – any way we can help, Kuhn says.
One way the staff does this is by giving discounts to local heroes including educators, first responders and members of the military. A similar discount is available for college students.
There are so many different discounts that we can offer, Kuhn says. Its not something Lakeside does, its something that Chevrolet does. We put [the discounts] on our website because we want everyone to know up front that were trying to get them the best deal possible.
The dealership offers a variety of makes and models.
We have everything in stock, and we can get anything too, Kuhn says.
Everyone at Lakeside Chevrolet tries to go beyond the call of duty when it comes to taking care of customers, whether its Vice President of Operations Chad Probst, Owner Tom Schilling, or anyone else on the team.
We want to make Warsaw happy and provide good customer service, Kuhn says. Were pretty well known in the area for the condition of our vehicles.
Safety is their first priority. Before any car goes up for sale, it gets a 172-point inspection onsite. Anything that doesnt pass gets sent to auction.
The reconditioning of our used vehicles can be pretty strict, but our customers like that, Kuhn says. They like coming onto the lot knowing they wont look at a car that maybe isnt in the condition they were expecting.
Each car is kept as clean as it is safe.
All of our used vehicles get sanitized, Kuhn says. Also, we install Pulse. Its a pulsating rear brake light thats just a safety light. Its to prevent rear collisions.
From the moment someone walks onto the lot, the sales team is eager to help them find exactly what theyre looking for.
Their main goal is to get the hot spots – what the customer is wanting, Kuhn says. If its safety, if its performance, if its convenience, if its luxury, were tailoring it to whatever the customer wants.
Customers can also buy a car from the comfort of their own living room. On the companys website, a customer can find a car, customize terms and get their credit application approved.
We have whats called Shop, Click, Drive, Kuhn says. They just e-sign and we can deliver the car right to their house.
One of the Lakeside Chevrolet teams goals is to keep customers happy and safe, even after they drive off the lot. One way they do this is by offering automobiles warranty with good coverage.
The team is also willing to take anything as a trade-in.
The weirdest thing I think weve ever taken as a trade-in was a picnic table, Kuhn says. If anyone is shopping for a car and they have anything to trade, well take it. Well work with them.
The services offered at the business range from typical oil changes and tire replacement to specialty services. In the collision center, walk-ins are welcome.
We do free estimates in the collision center any time, Kuhn says. No appointment is needed – just come right over.
Kuhns primary objective is to treat each person who walks onto the lot as though they are the companys most valuable customer. Meeting a client in town always gives him great satisfaction.
Thats pretty awesome, he says. I know theyre in a safe, reliable vehicle.
Lakeside Chevrolet is located at 427 Chevy Way in Warsaw. View their local lender options or shop online at lakesidechevy.com. To speak to a salesperson, call 574- 306-0495. Schedule an appointment to get your vehicle serviced by calling 574-306-0504.
