Car Selling Secrets

Larry Moon Thompson joins Doug in the studio to tell stories about growing up on a family farm in Nebraska and how he started a 45 year radio career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined in studio by Sarah Sprinthall and Reverend Dana Fath Strande.  We talk about Dana's journey growing up Catholic in a small western Minnesota farm town and eventually becoming an Episcopalian Priest. Along the way, Tom gets some advice about how God works in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Bilski from North American bank and our Walser friend Tom Ryan Jr. join us for a rollicking episode where we talk about grift in the UAW, suing people who rear end Ferraris and the most dangerous banking investments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we discuss California's announcement banning the sale of gas powered cars in 15 years. We talk about Elon Musks announcemnt of 25K all electric cars with a 250 mile range in three years. Tom is shocked to learn that Telsa stock has risen from 80 dollars per share on January first to almost 400 dollars. Tire Carver calls in to plug what is probably the only garage in the state that works on Ferraris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congresswoman Angie Craig calls in while sitting in her car, looking at the Capitol in Washington. She talks about growing up in a single parent household, working her way through college and what led to her decision to run for Congress after a successful career in the private sector. She talks about what's right in Washington and also the challenges of working across the aisle.  We are pleasantly surprised to learn that the Jeep Rubicon she drives in the commercial is hers and was purchased at our partner store in Bloomington. In addition, her son bought a Subaru from Walser as well. Obviously, a woman with great automotive taste. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiffany Norton returns to a raucous episode where we talk about Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield and the dangers of bachelorette parties heckling musicians and stand-up comedians. Along the way Tiffany discusses poorly translated Japanese home market auto names. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined by Steve Hucovski, Steve is the owner of Sabre heating and air conditioning but his real passion is dirt track racing. He talks about how he got started and what it's like to drive a 900 horsepower car, full throttle, for an entire race. In addition, Tom tells the story of how a homeless dog gets adopted by a Hyundai dealer and becomes a media star with 150,000 followers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by Paul Walser. We start out with Paul talking about contracting Covid……what it was like and how he bounced back. We discuss his chairmanship of NADA (National Auto Dealers Association) and we make some murky predictions about the short term future of sales. We also talk about the value of the franchise system from the customer’s perspective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officer Dave returns and joins Tom and Doug in the studio. We discuss George Floyd, Keith Ellison and the defund the police movement. Officer Dave watched the body cam video and talked about possible prosecution problems.  It's not all grim though as KQ super fan Wendy calls in and sounds like she's the head of the commerce committee for Key West. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by Minnesota House of Representatives Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. We talk all things politics from the race in the 5th, Biden's likely VP pick and the possibility of legalization of marijuana in Minnesota. Tom decides to start the 'Shut Up" political party and contemplates a run for Governor. We went the entire show without mentioning automobiles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Ryan Jr. returns as a guest and we talk about the history of cars and the future of sales.  Who invented air conditioning, cruise control, airbags, the turbocharger, and how does a young man whose only previous job experience was Chili's sell 90 cars in one month?  You'll have to listen to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our famous guest, Antone Melton-Meaux had a conflict so Tom and Doug resort to actual car content including a Tesla that automatically stops at Burger King, a 1,400 horsepower Mustang and a list of cars that will disappear in 2020. A caller tells stories of working at a Lake Street used car lot as a 13 year old and the questionable practices of the day. We wrap up with a nostalgic tour of the old highway 12 from the Pearl Diver to Amalgamated mining. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by John Kriesel. John served in the Minnesota National Guard and lost both of his legs in Iraq as the result of an IED attack. He talks about how his life changed as a result and he started a career as an author, motivational speaker and politician. Tom tries hard to get him to announce a gubernatorial run on the air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare episode where we talk about cars. We field questions from listeners about the best time to buy a car, trading strategies and leasing vs buying. Officer Dave, Tire Carver and Wendi the super fan all call in and share stories of their first rides. Fun in the summer time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by Tiffany Norton. She's worked in TV and Radio in the twin cities for years. She talks about the beginning of her stand up career opening for Mr. Delightful (Dave Mordahl) and what it feels like to bomb. She also graduated with a degree in law enforcement to prepare for law school and weighs in on the current situation between the police and the communities they serve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by the CEO of North American Banking Company, Mike Bilski. It's an interesting discussion of how banking works including a lot of positives about banking regulations. We talk about the history of the FDIC, Federal reserve and the current level of the National debt. Mike also talks about how to start a bank; Step one, Raise 10 million dollars................................we never got past step one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by John Hines. Tom and John were room mates in the 70's at the start of their radio careers. Between the two of them they have over 90 years of broadcasting experience. It's a show devoted to radio stories and fun times in south Minneapolis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare episode where we discuss cars.  Tom and Doug are joined in studio by Rhett Dressel and Andy Swanson from Walser Hyundai. Rhett pulls into the top three first car stories relating the tale of a night time race without headlights that ends with a roll over. We discuss his transition from being a bar tender to selling cars and the ease of transitioning from being a server to sales professional.  We also talk about the really hot new Hyundai line up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare two guest episode this week. First we interview Bogi Lateiner who, after graduating college, decided to pursue a career in automotive repair and worked for 7 years as a BMW tech before starting her own repair business staffed predominately by women. In addition, she hosts a show on Motor Trend called All Girl Garage. We have an interesting discussion about the difficulty of hiring service technicians in general and women specifically. Our second guest is Michael Bryant, a partner in Bradshaw and Bryant. We attempt to entangle the legal ramifications of the Covid crisis, what it means to employers and employees alike.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by Mike McGowan. Mike's father started a landfill operation in the 60's that straddles I 35W in Burnsville. Coincidentally, the property abuts Walser Experienced autos and would have been a great site for the new Subaru Dealership. The problem is that despite following the state and federal rules, the state and more specifically the PCA has waged a multi-generational war against the family. We talk about a similar problem Walser faced with an arbitrary eminent domain issue forcing us to relocate from our Richfield campus to our current facilities in Bloomington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.