A family-owned used car dealership in Sylvania Township plans to celebrate 25 years in business with a monthlong series of events and special deals.
Joe’s Autos started as a small dealership in 1990 with an inventory of seven cars and has grown into a three-acre property with about 50 cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs on the lot.
“We’ve always done the same thing, which is customer service, over the top, almost ridiculous, really,” said Adam Smidi, owner of Joe’s Autos. “Bending over backward. No matter what we always go over the top.”
The dealership at 3538 N. Holland Sylvania Rd. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. With every purchase in August, customers will be entered into a drawing for a free 1995 Saturn SL1 with a retail price of $2,999.
Every customer who takes a test drive is eligible to win free auto details, free oil changes for a year, $500 in Joe’s Cash, and gift certificates to restaurants among other prizes. Each weekend will feature a DJ and a grill full of hot dogs.
Mr. Smidi, 32, took over the business from his father, Joe Smidi, in 2006 and has continued the legacy that his father, the founder of the dealership, started 25 years ago.
Adam said he remembers his father getting calls on his cell phone after hours from customers whose cars had broken down. Even though it may have been months since the customer bought the car from the dealership, Joe would pick them up late at night, and sometimes he would even lend them his car.
“Seeing that over and over again, at first, it was like, ‘Man, should we really be doing this?’ But then I finally realized why he does it and what it has led to, which is 25 years of business,” Mr. Smidi said.
Most cars on the lot at Joe’s Autos are eight to 10 years old with a price of about $5,000. While Mr. Smidi said he tried selling higher end cars at one point, he learned that it was best to stay in that price range.
“We stick to what we’ve done for 25 years, which was that vehicle that is right in the $5,000 price range,” Mr. Smidi said. “It’s a niche that I think we have figured out better than anyone. I found out quick that I don’t want to compete with all the big boys on Central Avenue. They have that market figured out. I’ll let them fight it out for those customers. For the other customers, they can come to me.”
Joe Smidi, 65, said he still comes by the dealership almost every day and that he is proud that Joe’s Autos is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“Twenty-five years went like two years,” he said. “I know I’m retired, but I’m kind of doing the same thing I did before. I’m up and around. I like this kind of work. I’ve done many different things in my life, but this is the best.”
Contact Brian Buckey at: bbuckey@theblade.com or 419-376-9414.
First Published August 4, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
