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TAMPA
For two months, car salesman Rick Gard watched as customers flocked to Courtesy Toyota and Scion of Brandon. Like many dealerships during the government's Cash for Clunkers program, Courtesy's sales soared.
The problem for Gard, though, is that he sells used vehicles. The program applied only to new rides. Cash for Clunkers ended Aug. 24, to the delight of Gard and other used-car salesmen.
"We had a lot of traffic, but everybody wanted the clunker deal," said Gard, 27. "So I sent them over there and had to lose that business."
With rebates as high as $4,500, Gard said, customers who usually bought used, could buy new.
"And then you have people who want to buy cheap cars," he said, "But we don't have them because everybody's trading them (as) clunkers."
The summer program was just another obstacle in battling the recession for Gard and his wife, Rebecca. They married last year, when he worked at another dealership.
The couple held off on a honeymoon, and Gard went right back to work. just one of the sacrifices he and his wife, who is in AmeriCorps, have made.
"I adjust every day," said Gard, the couple's primary breadwinner. "We don't go out anymore or anything like that. We don't have too much fun. We just stay low key, and it's only so long you can do that.''
In the car business since age 18, Gard started at Courtesy in April. He considers a good month to be 15 sales. In July he was the dealership's top salesman with 14.
Even when he's near the top of the leader board, Gard has his share of slumps, which have hurt his effort to save for a house. Earlier in the summer, he sold just two or three cars during a three-week stretch. He estimates a 20 percent hit on his income in the past year.
"It is frustrating, but I can't dwell on the past," he said. "I just have to try to change it tomorrow. That's what I do every day."
Gard started classes last week at St. Petersburg College. He's studying architecture and hopes to design eco-friendly homes.
Before landing his current job, Gard considered a career move, but ultimately decided to stick with what he knows best and loves. He plans to keep selling cars while pursuing his degree.
"I love the challenge each and every day," he said.
Kevin Smetana can be reached at ksmetana@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2439.
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