GMC Truck Month 2011

As you may remember from our previous post, March is GMC truck month!  Visit Lawrence Hall Abilene for our special THREE DAY blowout sale on all new 2011 Chevy and GMC 1500 crew cabs and extended cabs.  Our sales and finance staff can walk you through the best deal for you and get you into a brand new truck at incredible savings!  Remember, it's just three days so stop by soon!

Life is a Highway...

Spring break is officially upon us!  According to the news and probably because of the current state of our economy, many of you are planning road trips to accommodate your travel needs.  What is the most important aspect to consider when planning a roadtrip?  Music, of course.  With the help of www.jetpack.com, we've compiled a list of songs that will make your road trip fly by!

25. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi (4:11)
24. Runnin’ Down a Dream – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (4:23)
23. Already Gone – Eagles (4:18)
22. Drive My Car – Drive My Car (2:25)
21. Free Ride – Edgar Winter Group (3:17)
20. Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf (4:27)
19. Here I Go Again – Whitesnake (4:36)
18. Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham (3:11)
17. Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles (1:57)
16. Up Around the Bend – Creedence Clearwater Revival (2:41)
15. Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones (3:33)
14. Everyday Is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow (4:16)
13. I Can’t Drive 55 – Sammy Hagar (4:12)
12. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (4:29)
11. Take the Long Way Home – Supertramp (5:08)
10. Roam – The B-52′s (4:57)
9. Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac (3:38)
8. Baba O’Riley – The Who (5:08)
7. Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd (9:09)
6. Highway to Hell – AC/DC (3:28)
5. I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash (3:19)
4. On the Road Again – Willie Nelson (2:32)
3. Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf (3:30)
2. I Get Around – The Beach Boys (2:14)
1. Life Is a Highway – Rascal Flatts (4:37)

We have also gathered some helpful tips we've found online for you as you prepare to make some fun road memories this spring break:

·        Get your car checked before you go: Make sure that your car is in the best shape to handle all elements that come along with travel. By getting your car looked at before you go, you can save time, money and ensure the safety of all your travelers. Take the time to do this and you won’t regret it.

·        First aid/Car kit:  Make sure that you have an auto first aid kit made for readily available in your car. Regardless if your fellow road warriors are accident prone or not, it’s a good idea to have one.  From Band-Aids to motion sickness medicine to light sticks, these kits make you ready and able for any situation that may arise while you are on the road!  They are fairly inexpensive and won’t take up much room.

·        Hungry hippos: Even if you’re taking a short trip, it’s a good idea to pack some snacks: both perishable and non-perishable items. Even with smart phones and GPS systems, it's best to be prepared.

·        Don’t advertise your travels: With the popularity of facebook and other social media outlets, people are becoming increasing more likely and comfortable announcing their travel plans than ever before. Avoid doing this; when seemingly harmless information is put into the wrong hands, it’s no longer harmless.  Instead, wait to share the news of your travels when you get back and show off pictures and tell any memories you might have made.  This is the kind of information people want and should know about your travels.

Happy roadtripping!

Home Sweet Home:

This past weekend Lawrence Hall Abilene once again participated in the Abilene Home Builders “Home and Garden Expo” at the Abilene Civic Center!  We wanted to do things a bit differently this year and decided to have an overall theme for our booth and help people think about cars a little differently!  Here is how we go their attention: 

Yep, that’s right!  If you are lucky enough to retire at 65, you will finish your working years logging over 70,000 hours in a car.  Most people don’t realize how much time is actually spent in their car; it’s so important to find one that works for your lifestyle.  And THAT is what our sales staff is trained to do: find the best vehicle for your lifestyle, budget and future.   We feel strongly that people no longer view cars as a means to take them from point A to point B; there are now real personal needs that we must try and meet for our customers.  We don’t sell them a car; we provide them with a home away from home!

People appreciated our unique view this year and rewarded us with first place in the “Multiple Booth Space” category!  We wanted to give a big thanks to Mankin & Sons for provided our “garden bed” and other lovely plants for our space.  Visit their greenhouse and specialty shop at 4002 Nth First and their website at www.mankinandsons.com.

Texas Truck Month

Happy Texas Independence Day!  Did you know that it was this day in 1836 that the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed and Texas was officially broken from Mexico?  This day is actually an official holiday in the state of Texas!  Everyone knows that everything is bigger in Texas and we’re famous for our cowboys, our landscapes and our pickup trucks. That’s right: 14% of all pickups are here in Texas! Is it a coincidence that GMC choses this month to celebrate GMC Truck month?  As proud Texans…we think not! 

Visit www.lawrencehall.com to check out the amazing savings we have going on with our GMC pickups.  And check out www.state.tx.us for more information on this great state!

 

February Happenings.

February was another busy month for Lawrence Hall Abilene!  Besides meeting the auto needs of the Big Country, we celebrated, was active in our community and had the opportunity to be a part of some very cool stuff!

Sweets for the sweets!   

To celebrate Valentine's Day, the lovely ladies of Lawrence Hall Abilene were given a beautiful rose and a giant heart shaped lollipop!  Special thanks to Larry Hall and Mankin & Sons! Visit their website for more information:  http://www.mankinandsons.com/ 

Lawrence Hall Abilene once again had a change to mingle with audience members before the "Beauty & the Beast" performance of the "Best of Broadway Series,"  and showed off the all new Cadillac SRX and a sweet new Chevrolet Camaro.

  

"The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council is thrilled to have the support of Lawrence Hall Abilene as a sponsor for the 2010-2011 Abilene Broadway Series.  Our community always benefits when progress through partnerships, such as this one, happen. It's a win-win."

--Kaysha Kosman, Marketing Director, Abilene Cultural Affairs Council 

The Farm, Ranch and Wildlife Expo came to town and we got to see some old friends and meet a lot of new ones.  We showed off pictures of our Lawrence Hall Abilene with their game and, of course, handed out our legendary peanuts.  The Abilene Chamber of Commerce put on a great show this year and we were happy to be a part of it! 

The end of the month led us to a photo shoot with Steve Butman and Jakob Moore!  Be on the lookout for their tremendous work in our advertising, promotions and events!

Lawrence Hall Abilene is excited for the upcoming events in March!  Follow this blog for upcoming events and “like” us on Facebook for more information.

To Lease or Not to Lease...

That is the question.

When shopping for a new vehicle, people often ponder the question: Should I buy or should I lease?  For each consumer, the answer is different.  It's important to be informed and make the best decision based on your situation.  For example, here are some common advantages of leasing  your new vehicle:

• Reduced monthly payments
• Less amount needed for down payment
• Lower repair costs
• Only pay sales tax on portion of vehicle
• Drive newer and better cars for less

Take this month's Lawrence Hall Abilene's Cadillac lease special:

With approved financing, you can lease a CTS for only $345 a month with $1,900 down plus tax, title and license. This type of lease allows a customer to get into a fantastic luxury car with little money upfront and a very cost-friendly monthly payment. 

Take a good look at what you want out of your car for the next few years; know your finances and establish exactly what you want to pay to get your vehicle.  Stop by anytime to visit one of our knowledgable Finance Specialists to help you process your finance information: http://www.lawrencehall.com/Department-Finance.aspx

For more information on buying vs. leasing, click on this helpful link:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/05/042105.asp

Febuary 14th: Love it or leave it?

Depending on your opinion of Valentine's Day, today is either an exciting day, a nauseating day...or just another day.  At any rate, we wanted to, in the very least, acknowledge this day for people who find value in this day!  For a collective history of Valentine's Day, click here.

On what some people find to be the most romantic day of the year, Lawrence Hall Abilene presents some of our favorite all time romantic movie quotes:

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like? If it's with him, go. Go! I lost you once, I think I can do it again. If I thought that's what you really wanted. But don't you take the easy way out."
**Noah to Allie in "The Notebook"

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle in your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
**Harry to Sally in "When Harry Met Sally"

"Here's looking at you, kid."
**Rick to Ilsa in "Casablanca"

"Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me... it brought me to you ... You must do me this honor, Rose. Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise."
--Jack to Rose in "Titanic"

Pride & Prejudice"
"...If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love ... I love ... I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
--Darcy to Elizabeth in "Pride & Prejudice"

Whatever your favorite line may be, here's to hoping you find the right words for your love today! 

Preventative Maintenance.

Most everyone who has owned a car has undoubtedly had to pay for some unexpected repairs. The best way to stay ahead of costly car repairs?  Two words:  preventative maintenance.  Lawrence Hall Abilene  offers a free multi-point vehicle inspection to do just that.  See our own Rick McWhirter, Lawrence Hall Abilene Shop Foreman, explain what a multi-point inspection is and how important it can be the the health of your vehicle:

Preventative maintenance is simply the most effective way a car owner can take control and prevent expensive repairs.  Visit Lawrence Hall Abilene today to make sure the health of your car is in good hands.

Lawrence Hall Difference.

I've already spoken on this blog about how happy I am to work at a place like Lawrence Hall and how impressed I am that everyone truly works together to make each customers experience the best it can be.  Apparently I am not the only one who has noticed...

"Dear Mr. Hall,

You are to be complimented for having the most customer friendly business in Abilene.  Over the past 20 years I've had the pleasure of purchasing 4 vehicles from your new and used car departments.  Each time I was treated with the utmost respect and yours sales staff and finance staff went out of their way to make my experience pleasant and satisfying.

Today I had the pleasure of dealing again with your parts and service department.  My clicker had died on my 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer I purchased at the end of June, 2010.  I wish I had the names of your staff that assisted me that day, but I don't.  They all went out of their way to be sure the clicker was dead before selling me a new one and programming it to my car.

Having had two careers in the customer service field and having taught customer service skills, I appreciate good service when it is given.  Whatever your philosophy has been for your employees is evident with every experience I have with your company.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Colette McCloskey"

Special thanks to Colette for taking the time to write to us on her experience and allowing us to post her letter, in its entirety.   Visit http://www.lawrencehall.com/ to see our service department information and check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/lawrencehallabilene

Cabin Fever?

I'm sure most of you Big Country and Abilene residents have been couped up in the house these last few days because of this frightful weather!  Between school closings, business closings and late starts, you've probably spent a lot more time at home and are looking for fun things to do to keep you, and if you have little ones, occupied.  Check out this fun list below to keep the kids happy and you sane.  Happy snow day!

• Build a fort:  Make it as simple as throwing a blanket over a card table, chairs or old boxes from the garage or as elaborate as building one with wood and nails!
• Bring the snow inside:  It may be too cold for the kids to enjoy this snow, so why not fill up the bathtub with snow for them to play with?  Easy clean up, the kids stay warm and you don't have to worry about hypothermia for your little ones.
• Make snow candy:  Mix one cup of molasses (can substitute maple syrup if you use slightly more brown sugar) with 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and stir over medium heat until the mixture reaches about 245 degrees.  Pour over snow, let it harden and enjoy!
• How to Make Snow Ice Cream:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Ar-Zbn9TI 

Winter-not so-Wonderland.

Abilene and our surrounding communities have not had too much bad and wintery weather these past few months.  Here in West Texas we just haven’t had much to complain about!  But tomorrow's winter weather advisory will leave a lot to be desired when we're driving all around Abilene.  Check out these helpful tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

With this weather, school closings and late starts are inevitable.  Check websites like www.KTXS.com or www.bigcountryhomepage.com  for information.  If you have a smart phone, Big Country Homepage has an app for easier and faster updates, right to your phone.  Check it out here:  http://bit.ly/hrcYyd 

As always, drive carefully and be safe! 

January Events for Lawrence Hall Abilene

This past January, Lawrence Hall Abilene had some fun community opportunities.  Several of our employees worked the phones for the West Texas Rehab Center Telethon.  Calling people for 3 hours in the middle of the week can seem daunting to just about everyone, but our employees agreed across the board that it was very rewarding.  The telethon was an outstanding success and we are happy to have been a part of it!  For more info, click here:  http://bit.ly/gxMf4x   

"Working the West Texas Rehab Telethon really reaffirmed to me that there are people out there who are willing to provide hope and encouragement for others.  It was such a great experience.” 

--Mika, Service Department, Lawrence Hall Abilene

We also supported one of our Lawrence Hall family members as she competed in the Hendrick Home for Children’s “Dancing with the Abilene Stars” at the Civic Center.  Our own Shea Woodard took home the biggest prize of the night, raising the most amount of money out of all contestants to bring home the trophy.  We are so proud of our Shea Shea! 

Check out our facebook page for more pictures:  www.facebook.com/lawrencehallabilene 

As a sponsor of the "Best of Broadway Series," Lawrence Hall Abilene was able to mingle with audience members before "The Aluminum Show" and show off the all new Cadillac SRX.

  

"The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council is thrilled to have the support of Lawrence Hall Abilene as a sponsor for the 2010-2011 Abilene Broadway Series.  Our community always benefits when progress through partnerships, such as this one, happen. It's a win-win."

--Kaysha Kosman, Marketing Director, Abilene Cultural Affairs Council 

Lawrence Hall Abilene is excited for the upcoming events in February!  Follow this blog for upcoming events and “like” us on Facebook for more information.

Everytime a bell rings...

An angel gets its wings.

You’ve probably heard it on the first day of every place you’ve ever worked:  “You’ll love it.  We’re just like family around here.”  At some places you have worked, that statement probably rang true.  Others?  Well, maybe not.

My name is Trish and I’ve had the great fortune of working at Lawrence Hall Abilene for the last couple months and I can honestly say it sounds like a bell tower in this dealership.  I’m talking bells everywhere, people.  I’m constantly surprised at the genuine loyalty and care that each employee has for one another.  There is such a commitment to teamwork and a true dedication to reaching our ultimate goals:  exceeding the needs of every customer, making a positive impact in the Big Country area we serve and helping each other do the best job possible.

I look forward to sharing, with all of you, stories of our ultimate goals within this blog.  We’ll also have guest bloggers, handy tips on just about everything from how to change your windshield wipers, to how to make sure your credit is in top shape to purchase the car of your dreams.  Follow us and see just want LHAbilene means to Abilene and the Big Country.

Check out this video from our Thanksgiving 2010 celebration on our facebook page to give you some more insight into the Lawrence Hall family.

http://on.fb.me/fwTK5r