Question. What makes 802 Honda different from other car dealerships? Answer. It’s our people!
Walking into 802 Honda is more like going over to a friendly neighbors house or a favorite aunt’s house than it is walking into a typical dealership. And the reason it’s that way is because of the amazing people we have working in our sales, parts and service departments.
Since it’s our people that make 802 Honda stand out from the crowd of auto dealer, we decided to start a weekly feature where we will shine the spotlight on an employee so you could get to know more about them. It’s our hope that through these features you will learn what drives them to deliver the best customer experience to you each time you visit 802 Honda.
It was difficult to pick just one employee to start with, but someone has to go first right? So this week we are going to feature Andy Talbert.
Q: Tell us about your family, what makes them special to you?
A: I married my wife Kristen 6 yrs ago. We have two sons: Azrael, age 5, and Malakai, age 3.
My wife is an incredibly dedicated, driven, and compassionate woman. She works in Heathcare Management as a Quality Improvement Facilitator and is a Certified Hypnobirthing Practitioner. Her passionate selflessness never ceases to amaze me, and I don’t doubt that she will change the face of maternity care in this country.
My son Azrael is the sweetest boy, and a wonderful big brother. He has a head for numbers and an understanding of language that surprises again and again. He plans on exploring space, and intends to voyage to Mars and beyond.
Malakai is such a special boy. His very presence lights up the room, and is something of a celebrity at his daycare center. He loves to play guitar, and is quite the performer. He is overflowing with affection, and has plenty of hugs and kisses to spread around.
Q: Do you own any pets? If so, what’s something awesome about them?
A: I have two cats, Plato and Brutus. They are 25 pounds apiece. While they are 8 yrs old, they behave like kittens and stubbornly refuse to act their age.
Q: It’s 11am on a Sunday, what are you doing?
A: Sundays are family day. We have dance parties, musical jam sessions, endless outdoor adventures (weather permitting!), and we love baking muffins & crackers.
Q: What is on your bucket list?
A: I want to see as much of Europe with my family as is possible. I’d also quite like to meet the members of Rush.
Q: What are you most passionate about?
A: Sustainable Agriculture. I feel that everyone can benefit from a home garden, most especially children. I think it’s important that they gain an understanding of food: where it comes from and how it grows.
Q: What are you hobbies?
A: I am a rock drummer. I love music, gardening, and cooking
Q: If you could learn one skill, what would you learn?
A: I’d love to learn to play guitar. Or the Piano.
Q: In your opinion what is the best movie or tv show ever created?
A: The Princess Bride.
Q: If you could travel somewhere right now, where would you go?
A: I’d like to take my wife back to Mexico and recreate our honeymoon.
Q: What is the best part of your day working at 802 Honda?
A: The best part of any day is helping a customer. Whether it’s helping them take delivery of the perfect vehicle, or just helping them figure out what their options are, there is no better feeling than shaking hands with a grateful customer.
Q: What were you doing before working for 802 Honda?
A: I was in foodservice, working behind the scenes in the kitchen.
Q: What do you remember most about your first day on the job at 802 Honda?
A: I remember feeling incredibly welcomed by the Sales Team. It was a truly different world for me, and they really helped me feel at home.
Q: How is 802 Honda different from other car dealerships?
A: It’s truly customer focused. No pressure, no smoke and mirrors, just honesty and transparency. We want to earn you business, but we also want to earn your trust.
Q: What is the funniest thing that has happened in the dealership since you started working here?
A: I’ve driven automatics for the past ten years, so when I started, I wasn’t very practiced driving a manual transmission. My first week, I was asked to go and gas up a new vehicle. I came back in, confused as to why the car wouldn’t start. A fellow associate asked if I remembered to depress the clutch. I had no idea it was a manual, and we all enjoyed a good laugh.
Q: What advice would you give to new car shoppers?
A: Come and talk to the friendly Sales Team here at 802 Honda. We’ll gladly answer your questions, and we’ll do it without the pressure and intensity that can make for an unpleasant car buying experience.
Q: What would you like customers to know before they come to 802 Honda?
A: I would want folks to know that we are here to help you. We are here to guide you, we are here to answer your questions. We are here to find the perfect vehicle for you. We are the new face of the Automotive Sales Consultant: No pressure, no tricks, we are here to put the customer first.
Andy goes the extra mile for his customers, even going so far as to climb into the trunk of a Honda Accord to demonstrate just how much space it has!
Q: Which 802 Honda staff member should would interview and feature next? Why?
A: Ben Toro. He was the first member of the 802 Honda team that I ever met: He greeted me at the door when I arrived for my interview, and was the first to greet me when I arrived on my first day. I think a lot of folks see his smiling face first when they walk through the door, so I think he’d be a great next interview. Plus, I’d love to watch him hen-peck his keyboard for hours trying to answer these questions.
Now that you’ve had a chance to learn more about Andy, why not stop by and say hello in person. You can find directions to 802 Honda here and Andy’s contact info on our dealership staff directory page.