Chapman in-house financing competes with banks

Karen Kowis was only two years into a five-year lease on her Dodge Ram when she decided she wanted to replace it with a new Dodge Durango. But like many other people in this economy with a great credit history and a full-time job, she still ran into some financing difficulties. The financing department at Chapman Dodge helped her to resolve these issues.

"Karen was the typical credit crunch customer: She always had good credit, but in this market it is harder to get a car," said Gary Brewer, general sales manager at Chapman Dodge. "Fortunately, we were able to help her out when the banks didn't want to give her anything."

When Kowis -- herself a local bank executive and well aware of the difficult economic climate -- decided she wanted to trade in her Ram for a Durango, she contacted the dealership where she had leased her truck two years previously.

"I e-mailed them and they didn't want to talk to me," Kowis said. "They said there was nothing they could do. I called Chapman and they told me to come on down and said, 'Let's see what we can do.'"

Kowis told the finance department that she wanted to keep her payment around the same as what she had been paying and the finance department was able to meet those needs. She purchased the Durango and had been driving it for two weeks when Chapman called to tell her she needed to speak to the finance department.

A glitch arose within the financing company that would have required Kowis to take a five-year loan rather than the six-year loan she had chosen, and her payments would have gone up $100 a month. However, the good news is that by the time she arrived at the dealership to discuss it, Chapman Dodge had already worked out the problem for her and provided her the same loan on a five-year payment plan with the same monthly payment.

"I was flabbergasted -- I felt like I had hit the lottery," Kowis said. "I fully expected to have to turn the vehicle in as something similar has happened to me in the past at another dealership. My jaw hit the floor when they told me I was able to keep my monthly payments the same."

Kowis was so pleased with her experience at Chapman that she called her parents in Michigan and her brothers in Wisconsin to tell them about it. Since then, she has been telling all her friends and co-workers to go to Chapman if they are in the market for a vehicle.

"I'll tell my story to anyone who wants to listen," she said.

Brewer said he will provide similar service for any customer who walks into Chapman.

"We are sensitive to the current credit crunch and know how to succeed when our competitors can't," Brewer said. "We do our best to ensure customers obtain the financing they need within their budget."

Currently, Chapman Dodge is having a moving sale to clear out its inventory as it moves locations to 3175 E. Sahara Ave., the previous home of Fletcher Jones Toyota. Vehicle prices have been slashed to the lowest level of the year to avoid the expense of having to relocate them. The new location will allow Chapman to provide its customers with easier access, better selection and better service.

Chapman Dodge sells and services new and used vehicles and is located on Boulder Highway just south of Sahara Avenue. Chapman Dodge can be reached at 1-800-NewDodge and www.lasvegasdodge.com.

In addition to Chapman Dodge, Chapman Chrysler Jeep sells and services the complete line of Chrysler and Jeep vehicles. Located in the Valley Automall, Chapman Chrysler Jeep can be reached at 1-888-207-1687 or online at www.chap manchryslerjeep.com.