One might question why as a guy on Long Island, I am going an hour and a half over the bridge to New Jersey to lease my new Volvos. One lady, Tina Bilokin, that's why, Many years, and leases ago, I had vigorously looked to lease a new Volvo on Long Island and was getting very frustrated with the manner at which I was treated by dealers more local to me. They did not look to provide what I wanted at what I reasonably wanted to pay, but rather just wished me to take what they wanted, not my preference. I have been a vintage Volvo enthusiast through the Volvo Club of America for many years and some of the dealer personnel knew me but that did not matter. These dealers, I have learned, have refined their creative ability to add fees to the customer's costs, some of which even their salesmen could not explain with a straight face. In my search, I went on the Volvo Cars website, to learn about options and features. Through computer cookies my info was forwarded to Tina, then the internet sales manager at another NJ Volvo dealer. She has contacted me. At the time, I tactfully responded that I did not have any interest in driving an hour and a half for a car. Her response was that I should think about it, that she had never lost a deal for price. the next day, after more local dealer responses that were nothing of interest, I relented and responded to her. She asked me to explain what I was looking for and what I had in mind for price. She got back to me within 20 minutes, that she had what I wanted, she provided its window sticker, It had more in options then I had asked for and her price was less than I expected. She asked when I wanted to pick it up, by credit was approved within minutes over the phone, and the greatest thing, when I went to pick it up, exactly what she told me was exactly what I was asked to sign for,,Not one buck more, no upsell,, nothing like Long Island. When I went to pick up the car, I should explain, as an "old school" car guy, at the risk of sounding misogynistic, the tendency is to think that I would know more about the cars then some lady. I learned very quickly, within minutes, not to underestimate Tina. She may look like she just stepped out of Cosmo, but she knows these cars. She is the consummate professional. She made it her business to not only know these cars but also to get to know her customers, and their likes and wants. Since then, I have been through a list of leases, for myself, daughter and friends. She would stay on top of it and tactfully remind me of when each lease was due. She , each time, would ask what was wanted, and each time, come up with a deal you could not refuse. One of my co-workers was stressed out when her lease was due during the time in Covid when cars were not available, and prices had gone nuts. Not for Tina, she came up with a choice for this lady at a bargain price, far less then offered her locally.. She too drove to NJ,,,, Unheard of,,maybe elsewhere, not for Tina.... now you ask, how does this get to Open Road,,Tina has more recently been promoted from sales manger at another dealership to the general manager at Open Road, now at the helm of the whole dealer's operations. My daughter's lease was due shortly, Tina asked what she wanted. She came through again,,the car's sticker was over $6k more then the prior. My daughter's color preference included a new hard to find one. Tina said they had one , on display on their showroom floor, but it was my daughter's if she wanted it. She helped us get added rebates. My daughter was on a tight scedule to get there and Tina accommodated that too...and connected me with Sean of her sales team, a real gentleman I might add, as well as her Finance specialist, and again, everything was delivered as promised,,,, Who does this ,,Tina,,if you have any interest in Volvo Sales, Leasing, Repairs or parts, reach out to Tina and she will get things in motion and connect you with one of her team,,,I truly believe you will be satisfied
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