A Plea From a Chrystler Dealer, Family and Provider
May 20th, 2009 Posted in General Parenting
This post is a little off topic from my parenting discussions. However, I read this letter and it made me cringe to think that what we own can be taken away from us in a heartbeat. Hopefully this will remind us of the importance of a true free economic market and give us the motivation to stand up for those who have been wronged.
This letter was published in a local Florida newspaper about a profitable Dodge dealer who was told he’s not allowed to run his own business anymore.
Letter from a Dodge dealer
letter to the editor
My name is George C. Joseph. I am the sole owner of Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu, a family owned and operated business in Melbourne, Florida. My family bought and paid for this automobile franchise 35 years ago in 1974. I am the second generation to manage this business.
We currently employ 50+ people and before the economic slowdown we employed over 70 local people. We are active in the community and the local chamber of commerce. We deal with several dozen local vendors on a day to day basis and many more during a month. All depend on our business for part of their livelihood. We are financially strong with great respect in the market place and community. We have strong local presence and stability.
I work every day the store is open, nine to ten hours a day. I know most of our customers and all our employees. Sunshine Dodge is my life.
On Thursday, May 14, 2009 I was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we purchased, will be taken away from my family on June 9, 2009 without compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to them. My new vehicle inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3 million dollars. This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no factory incentives beyond June 9, 2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new Dodge as “new,” nor will we be able to do any warranty service work. Additionally, my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000.) is virtually worthless without the ability to perform warranty service. There is no offer from Chrysler to buy back the vehicles or parts inventory.
Our facility was recently totally renovated at Chrysler’s insistence, incurring a multi-million dollar debt in the form of a mortgage at Sun Trust Bank.
HOW IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN THIS HAPPEN?
THIS IS A PRIVATE BUSINESS NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY
This is beyond imagination! My business is being stolen from me through NO FAULT OF OUR OWN. We did NOTHING wrong.
This atrocity will most likely force my family into bankruptcy. This will also cause our 50+ employees to be unemployed. How will they provide for their families? This is a total economic disaster.
HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?
I beseech your help, and look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Sincerely,
George C. Joseph
President & Owner
Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu
Before you ask, yes, this guy is legitimate:
SUNSHINE DODGE INC 840 SO HARBOR CITY BLVD 41373 DT
MELBOURNE, FL 32901-1999
GEORGE C JOSEPH
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3 Responses to “A Plea From a Chrystler Dealer, Family and Provider”
By me on May 20, 2009
Not to be a wiseguy, but this gentleman bought a franchise with a failing company that makes cars no one wants, and which is now going bankrupt.
Working nine to five like the rest of us wasn’t good enough for him, so he got bank loans and loans from Daddy and Grandpa and he rolled the dice. He lost. When a corporation fails, its franchises fail.
Am I supposed to feel sorry for him? I doubt his kids will go hungry. I feel sorry for his workers. I am enraged and disgusted by a government that interfered in the free market and shoveled money at failing auto makers that should have been allowed to go bankrupt thirty years ago. But George C. Joseph, himself? I’m sorry, but I can’t summon up any pity for him at all.
By The Rogue Parent on May 21, 2009
This post was not intended to give pity to George C. Joseph. The reason I wanted to share this was that the free market didn’t decide that his cars were unwanted. He was a profitable dealer who was providing a valuable service. If he wasn’t making money, he would have made the decision himself to either close shop or change the manufacturer flag that he was flying. That the government comes in (with the open arms of Chrysler) and determines who gets to have a business and who doesn’t is concerning to say the least for all businesses.
You don’t have to feel pity for this guy, but the fact that the free market didn’t make the choice should be of grave concern to everyone.
By George Barbarow on Jun 9, 2009
This franchise was purchased in 1974 when Chrysler products were almost always out front with inovative changes.
To suggest that he is at fault for joining a losing company is ludicrous.
Apparently the critic who has no sympathy did not see the 1974 date.