Unique Findlay mall location eases shopping

When he entered the car business in 1994, Ralph Lovell was certain there had to be a better way to shop for a car. He thought the traditional dealership setting was due for a change, so the energetic native of Huntington Beach, Calif., came up with an idea that has since evolved into Findlay Automotive Group's dealership inside the Galleria at Sunset mall.

What started out as display of two cars in the mall in November 1998 has since grown into more than 2,000 square feet and represents 21 Findlay dealerships with manufacturers that include Saturn, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Cadillac, Volkswagen, Lincoln Mercury, Hyundai, Subaru, GMC, Land Rover, Acura, Audi and Kia.

Without question, this is a true example of one-stop car shopping. Clients include customers and employees of the Galleria mall, who stop by to consult 49-year-old Lovell in an environment that is very different from the traditional automobile buying experience.

Since Lovell is on a first-name basis with every general manager in the Findlay chain, he maintains an invaluable communications network to secure the best deal possible for his customers.

"Many people may never walk into a car dealership, but they'll visit us while shopping in the largest mall in Henderson," Lovell said. "Many people are simply intimidated when having to walk in off the street to purchase a car at a dealership. This is totally different, especially when you consider that people are fearful of the buying experience that can include issues with the weather."

With so many models under one climate-controlled roof, buyers can stay cool and don't have to spend time and money traveling all over the city looking for the vehicle.

Add in the fact that that the location includes a fascinating display of inductees into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, and it's easy to see why Lovell's idea has turned into such a popular and profitable venture.

"Rich Abajian (partial owner of Findlay Toyota) and Tyler Corder (Findlay Automotive Group chief financial officer) gave me their blessings to do this," said Lovell, whose customers range from doctors and lawyers to housewives and athletes.

Lovell also gives away a car every month at the location, which draws current and future customers into the store.

"I talk to everyone who walks buy," he said. "The people are more relaxed when they are here and I make friends with them. They love this store and, while they might not buy a car right then, they'll usually come back in the future."

As is the case in any automobile venture, the mall location requires many hours of work. The store is open seven days a week, however, Lovell seems right at home working many hours. He said he had no idea he was headed here when he became the used car manager of Findlay Oldsmobile 13 years ago.

"I just enjoy this," he said. "However, a sales consultant in the car business cannot wait for the phone to ring. You have to be on your toes all the time because people appreciate the fact that I'm always trying to help them ... I don't try to push any particular car on someone, but rather make this an experience they will remember for years to come."

In fact, one of Lovell's customers liked him so much that she introduced him to his wife, Julie. The couple has been married for two years.

"Julie is very supportive of me in this business," Lovell said, adding that he sold four cars to his wife's family. "She worked in the casino business for many years, so she is used to the long hours and appreciates what I do for a living."

Dianne Darcy, a hair stylist at Regis hair salon in the Galleria mall, bought a car from Lovell about three years ago.

"He treated me like I was family," said Darcy, a four-year resident of Las Vegas and a native of Santa Barbara, Calif. "He sat with me to see what kind of car I needed before setting me up with one of the Findlay reps. His representative Michael Brock at Findlay Toyota picked me up and took me to various lots to find my car. I saw the car I liked, took it for a test drive and closed the deal. Mike brought all the paperwork to my place of employment so I didn't have to do anything. They took care of me with kid gloves."

Kurt Postma, a 13-year resident of Las Vegas, has been involved in the purchase of seven cars from Lovell in the past 10 years. Everyone in his family has purchased from Lovell at one time or another.

"I come here because Ralph makes it so much easier," said Postma, 57, and native of Los Angeles. "We come down here, he takes care of the paper work, has brochures on all the cars and we don't need to go anywhere else. In addition, my in-laws are up there in years, so we don't want them under a lot of sales pressure. They trust him and they always come over here before we do anything. Ralph sets up everything for them."

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