Pandemic Sales

Ok so we are not even into the spring of 2020, and the world has flipped 180 degrees. New buzz words:
"Social Distancing" used to be respecting personal space, but know breaking that is taboo.
"Self Isolation" stay home, binge watch TV and apparently back bread, Sour dough if you are a rock star
"wash your Hands" this shouldn't be new, but we act like we never did this before..why not?

These were the star the other terms came and went real fast.
"Elbow bump", this was in place of a hand shake but this was a week one, then it hit the Taboo
"Shelter-in-place", this was the predecessor to the Self Isolation, I kind of liked it better felt homey, lest depressing.

I work in the Auto sales industry, usually cut throat, every man for them selves, circling the showroom like Sharks with blood in the water. Then we all get the layoff, showrooms closed. Dealerships are deemed essential, but everything has bee allocated to online. Test drives are a punishable offence and the governing body is looking for those who break this rule.

I am lucky to have been a early call back, but the change is crazy, as everything is done remotely we have become a sales team, working to get each deal over the curb as a group, a small group but still.  We are sanitizing cars, manning the switchboard, sending out videos, Zoom conferencing with the customers, taking them on virtual test drives via the phone. whatever it takes. I have noticed that I no longer come home from work stressed, or feeling anxious. Customers are happy, and feel that we are doing the best to keep them safe.

Obviously things are very slow, as most people are laid off, working from home, and being very careful with thier money. (the saving up for Toilet paper has come to an end)  and there is not that adrenaline rush of trying to nail, 3 or 4 deals down in a shift.

The part I do miss is the face to face time which is not existence, and well it should be. I am a firm believer in doing what we can to flatten the curve, but I am also a realist and understand that our economy can't withstand this drain and lack of productivity as a nation for long. I don't know the answer, and am glad I am not responsible for having to come up with a solution.

Sadly the government is in a lose lose situation. People are going to suffer, either health wise and or financially.  As a nation we need to be patient, understanding and forgiving. Take a second before you react, don't jump to conclusions, don't be judgmental. Smile tell a joke, try to pay it forward when and if you can. Say thank you to the grocery clerk, bus driver, police officer, and Hospital staff. Slow down appreciate what you have, enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

I hope most things get back to normal, but I hope our appreciation for others stays with us.

the new Normal

Well, I guess my great idea of creating a blog, embracing the Road, visiting the small towns on the back roads of Ontario, went to hell in a hand basket.  I am no Covidiot, I cut my travel out, self isolated, social distanced and accept the new normal. (That should be all the 2020 buzz words).

Like most of the world, I was laid off, even though my industry is considered essential,(people do need cars) the amount of business is just not there to support a Sales team. I am very lucky to have been called back after a month of layoff.

My first day off layoff I realized the road trips, were off the table. Can you imagine just pulling into a small town, you would be viewed, appropriately , like a zombie apocalypse just started to invade. So I planned my hike the Hamilton Conservation system of trails, do them all, I was Stoked.

Day two all trails, conservation were closed. Mostly due to the thousands who went to thew local waterfalls ignoring all rules of the day.  So I will take my hiking to the water fronts and maybe invade the gold course perimeters with the dogs.

Day three, golf courses and most parks are closed. WTF. So I joined the ranks of home bakers, making endless loafs of bread, baguettes, sour dough, rolls buns.

Day 4 cant find flour, or yeast for sale. Toilet paper sold out, really who needs 400 rolls of TP. (side note there was a guy in England, hoarded over 400 rolls, thought he would get rich, but crisis seems over, through stores rationing, now he wants to return 400 rolls, store said no) Binge watch, I guess.

Day 5 okay so I am done Ozark, done Tiger King. It is cloudy and rainy, dogs are hiding from me, my wife (who is still going to work each day) is hiding from me. I decide that soft pants to be my fashion, and shaving who shaves during a pandemic.

Day 6 its a weekend, and I am losing my mind, We decide to go on the search for the elusive TP, 5 stops found 8 rolls. We should be good.

Week 2, a couple nice days I decide to meet my sister in the parking lot of a local Cafe, support the small business. We kept distance but it was a taste of a social life.  Zoom entered my life, things are going to be all right. Slo-pitch league on hold Soccer League on hold, but a least I can Zoom together with my Poker friends and play our monthly game on a online Poker site. Lots of fun.

As the weeks go by there are Many funny news tidbits, especially from our Southern Neighbours. first Kellyanne  wonders why were so unprepared as it is not like this is Covid 1? And Trumps commentary of disinfecting our insides. Setting up SNL for a least the next couple of years worth of material.

I truly miss, Baseball, March Madness, hockey and Basketball playoffs. I have resorted to Major League fishing, and Corn hole Championships (they are repeats but I don't know the results)

I make fun of my situation but the reality for me is I realize how lucky I truly am. For the friends and family, the support system I have. For me this isolation period has shown me that we can get by with a lot less, but also makes me hurt for those who have to struggle with isolation, lack of necessities, and lack of support on a regular basis. So we should all consider giving some time, or money to help local charities and food banks.

I was going to write this post about how the Car Sales business has changed but that will be for a later time . Stay Save, pay it forward, and enjoy what you have.

Buying a vehicle in the social distancing era...

Buying a car in the new covid-19 society

We all still need to get around, and with the current climate in society we need to practice social distancing to the best of our ability, so what happens if we need the new ride to get around or we just want something different to lighten are moods. I am not a car fanatic but driving the right car for me (a Jeep Wrangler) makes me feel better, it becomes an extension of your personality. So maybe this is the right time to get into something that is perfect for you.

So how can you buy a car, and remain socially responsible? I work at Johnston Jeep Chrysler, on Hamilton Mountain. We are set up with a very up to date pricing on our web site, pre-owned vehicles follow a market pricing strategy which we monitor the prices to ensure they are priced well to attract attention (low)

-So you can choose a vehicle you like, can contact us. We can do a video walk around for you hitting the points that are pertinent to you. I am happy to help you shop over the phone just like I would help if you were on the lot.

-Face time video calling and we can walk the lot together.

-I will take a test drive with you as my video companion. Or we can bring the vehicle to you to test drive.

-Online credit apps, are on our web site, we have financing for conventional or people with some credit challenges.

-Trade in can be appraised with pretty good accuracy virtually, or we can come and look at you car no problem

-Paper work, and can be emailed, video conferencing, face-time with our business office, no problem.

-Car can be dropped off at your home.

We would love to see you, but we understand each individuals need for distancing.

We are taking extra care in cleaning and have reduced our hours, but we are always here to help

I would love to earn your business, but my first concern is that everyone stay safe give a little distance. Get outside and enjoy life

Pandemic ....

Well 2020 you have been a bitch so far.

Covid-19, which started off as the Corona Virus, is sucking the life out of the planet. I am a positive person but in these past week that has been hard.

I am still going to work, as we are open, very slow but we are open. I have been putting out some videos on purchasing a new vehicle, with limited contact. Virtual, test drive, appraisal of trades online, and other shopping tools.

The real steps towards being positive, where despite the cool weather the sun was out so I put the soft top on the Jeep ready for summer and top down driving. Of course overnight it snowed a little, but I am ready for Spring/Summer to come full force at any time.

I haven't been hitting the road for long drive, because everything is closed. I do head to the local conservation with the dogs, at least once a day. Social Distancing at it's best. (my dogs refuse to adhere to any distancing with other dogs, just saying). I am not concerned for myself, other than my precariously low toilet paper situation, but there  is fear of transmitting anything to someone who has a compromised immune system.

we try to cope with what is happening with Humour, there is no disrespect meant, just a coping mechanism. I do want to take a minute to say Thanks.

Thanks to front line hospital staff
Thanks to Grocery store workers
Thanks first responders
Thanks to public transit workers,
Thanks to every one who faces the public every day, but keep doing what they are doing to keep things moving as normally as possible
Thanks to employers who let workers work from home, stay at home.
Thanks to those who are self-isolating in an effort to control this
Thanks to the Government who are telling people to remain calm

We are a great Province, Country World if we all stick together we will get through this and we will be better, more understanding, more compassionate, and able to relate better when we see someone in need

I will return to writing about fu

n stuff soon.  Nils

Cheaper Jeeper Youtube page 

https://cheaperjeepertv.com/about/

check out my friend Dino's page it is worth the visit 

Winter Camping is the Best...

Missed it this year, but a night or two in the winter in Algonquin park is the best way to clear your head. No food tastes better than the meal cooked out doors over the fire after a long day hiking. Hiking the Mizzy Lake Trail in knee high snow took close to six hours....which with no food or water was taxing. We got back to the site started a fire, and cooked dinner, it was -20 C but around the fire, the food was exceptional.  The surprise was the flock of wild Turkey's at our door the next morning. 

My niece and nephew were my camp mates, fire starters and photographer.  We saw moose, eagles, Wild Turkey's Pine Marten, and many birds including my favorite the national bird of Canada, the Gray Jay (formerly known as the Whiskey Jack which I prefer) 

we have some great opportunities, which are inexpensive and you can enjoy all the we have to offer, Getting out is not just for summer. 

Wrangler JK vs Wrangler JL 

Wrangler JK vs JL

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https://bbemaildelivery.com/bbext/?p=video_land&id=f739212d-fa0f-4497-874f-0b8fb2b63360

this is a work Video and I am no Martin Scorsese.


Thought I would add this little video comparing the JK and JL wrangler models.

OWL HUNT

sometimes it is nature that gets me to hit the road, this winter, it was a Northern Hawk Owl withing easy driving distance. Sam my nephew always ready for adventure, and I headed out early one morning to find this beautiful creature. Jeep warmed up, coffee in hand we hit the road to begin our search. Well as we enter Schomberg Ont. we decide to hit a Tim's and plan our search of the Marsh, grid pattern, was best. We don't want to miss this little beauty.
So map in hand, I decide to take a short cut through a little subdivision, but as we exit, we see 60 plus photographers swarming a small playground on the edge of the Marsh, and the Owl perched in a pine above the Jungle Gym. No hike, no grid search, took a my picture from an angle as to make it look like there was work to find our target.

• I heard about this owl 3 weeks earlier, but waited until the Ministry monitored the bird and ensured that it was not bothered by the onlookers and feeding normal. Almost all the photographers and bird watchers maintained a good distance, and level of respect and the owl.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_hawk-owl

Stick your head out and feel the wind

Some might think it was a mid life crisis but i look at it as more of an awakening. I recently bought a Jeep Wrangler (Sahara Unlimited JK for you who care). I am not a newbie to the world of Jeep, I owned a Jeep Comanche ('88) in the early 90's, then a move to the Jeep Cherokee ('90) after a variety of cars I returned to the Jeep wrangler 2 door (2011). This proved to be impractical with my wife and two large dogs, especially when we loaded up camping equipment. I sell cars for a Jeep dealership, and made the move as our dogs have gotten smaller and 4 door version gives us the needed space.

I could try to sell you on the Jeep, its resale, safety features, iconic jeep family and the favorable insurance rates, but that is not why we buy a Jeep...is it? No we love the sense of adventure, knowing there is nothing that is going to stop us. Getting to the destination is great but really the fun is getting there. Summer drives, back roads small towns with the top down. Taking the long way, you know the vacation begins in the drive way type thing.

This blog is not about Jeep, Jeep Life, or the Jeep family, it is about enjoying the ride. The plan is to log the trips we take short and long, the things we do the people we see, the food we eat.