Staff Spotlight: Curly Lynch, Auto Sales
In the bustling world of car sales, where stereotypes often cast a dark shadow on the reputation of car salesmen, there are exceptional individuals who break the mold and redefine the profession in bright and positive ways. Curly Lynch, a seasoned sales professional at Mike White Ford in Coeur d’Alene, is one such remarkable figure. With a career spanning over four decades, Curly’s unwavering commitment to customer service and his genuine love for people have made him an invaluable asset to the dealership.
Curly’s journey with this dealership began in 1991 when Tom Addis owned it. However, his experience in car sales reaches back even further to 1975. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise acquired over the years, Curly has become a trusted advisor for car buyers in the community.
One of the first things you notice about Curly is that he does not have curly hair. In fact, he does not have much hair at all, except on his chin. But Tom Addis gave him the nickname many years ago, and it stuck. Though known by his given name, Jim, in his Montana hometown, he is Curly in the car business in Coeur d’Alene. As Curly points out: who remembers the name “Jim”? As a salesman, Curly knew it was essential to have a “hook” that would prompt his customers to remember the salesman they talked to. As a result, today, thousands of locals have bought cars from Curly.
Curly’s success as a salesman is not based on some magic formula or slick psychological manipulation. In fact, his approach is downright simple: “Show up! Take care of customers.” His professional philosophy revolves around a few core principles. First and foremost is an unwavering commitment to honesty: “Tell the truth, and you don’t have to remember what you told anybody,” he quips. By upholding this principle, Curly has earned the trust and respect of countless customers over the years. He also lives by the Golden Rule: treat others the way he wants to be treated. This ethos drives all of his interactions and forms the bedrock for why his relationships with customers are so good. Some of his former customers regularly drop by the dealership just to chat with him.
While Curly likes to joke that he is only working at selling cars until something better comes along, he loves what he does. He especially loves working at Mike White Ford. It is apparent that Curly has a genuine appreciation for his current boss, and he will tell you right up front that Mike White, as he puts it, “has a servant’s heart.” Mike genuinely cares about people – his employees and customers – and his door is always open to those who seek his input and guidance. It is one of the reasons that this family-owned and operated dealership is full of employees like Curly, who stay for years.
When it comes to the Ford Motor Company, Curly speaks with pride and conviction. Curly knows that selling Ford vehicles is a winning proposition because of Ford’s commitment to safety and quality and because the Ford family, which is still heavily involved in the company, is invested in America. Curly knows that the Ford brand resonates with his customers, making it the best choice for their automotive needs.
Outside of work, Curly keeps his personal and professional lives separate, but with one hitch. He acknowledges that car sales often require him to be available to customers beyond regular business hours. Being of service to others means being accessible when they need assistance, even if it means taking calls after hours. However, when he does find free time, Curly indulges in his passions: he loves watching sports on television and attending car shows, which fuel his enthusiasm for everything automotive.
Curly is grateful for all the customers and friends who have enabled him to succeed in his career. His relationships with clients extend beyond transactions; they have evolved into deep-rooted connections built on trust, respect, and goodwill. When old customers drop by, they often bring donuts or other tokens of appreciation. These gestures are a testament to Curly’s lasting impact on the lives of those he has helped.
Curly Lynch embodies customer service excellence and is a shining example of the values Mike White encourages at his Ford dealership. To meet Curly, whether to shop for a new Ford or to talk sports or cars with a contented man who loves his community, call or come by Mike White Ford today.