Watch Those Car Guys

WATCH THOSE

CAR GUYS

Eve used an apple...these guys used steel

"Watch Those Car Guys" provides a window into the hectic, fast-moving and free-wheeling world of the automobile business during the post-war period. The absence of standardized factory prices for automobiles provided the dealer with the opportunity to manipulate prices in order to confuse customers. Quick sales by any manner were the primary objective. The pre-war practice of providing good service at fair prices for the purpose of repeat business was all but gone.

Marty Stein is transformed from a respectful college sophomore into a devious automobile dealer. The greed and irresponsibility in his life parallels the practices evolving in the automobile business. His fifteen-year journey from a college sophomore to a felon leaves behind a wake that contains scores of deceived and disgruntled customers, a lover who almost dies from a bungled abortion, a son he may never see and the suicide of a trusting friend that was to a large extent Marty's fault.

The story revolves around the author's experiences and observations covering a period of thirty years in the automobile business. He wishes to stress that these experiences were not those gained at a single dealership, but rather the result of having worked in dealerships representing all of the Big Three automakers and in two used car lots. During that time, he worked as a porter, mechanic, warranty manager and salesman. As a result, he was well positioned to observe the people, products, and practices of every aspect of the automobile business.