by Bea Peterson
Bruce Patire is upset, and that’s putting it mildly. Sure, he was one of the dealers closed by General Motors, but he is not out of business. “We’ve dealt with GM for 41 years,” he said. “They do nothing for free.” If he wanted to send a letter to customers regarding GM products, GM charged him to do so. “Now,” he said, “they are using my tax dollars [via the bail out] to notify over 1,000 customers who purchased new cars from me over the past three years that we cannot continue to meet their vehicle needs! I have people calling me every day asking me if we are out of business. This has got my ire up!”
Patire said he owes it to his father who started the business years ago to keep going. “Hoosick Falls doesn’t need another parking lot,” he said. “I want to see a little activity remain in this end of town.” Plus, he said, he is many years away from retirement.
Patire admits they can’t do any warranty work on GM products. “We still have all our mechanics to do regular maintenance and repairs, and we still have our body and reconditioning shop, and we still offer our personal thank you discount oil change cards.” And they still have 11 employees. Patire will be increasing his used car inventory, “as soon as GM settles up on what they owe me in reimbursement for returned vehicles and returned parts.” Each used car they sell will come with a 100 percent, 100 day warranty. With the company’s long history in the auto business, Patire said he will be able to point people in the right direction when they are looking for a new car.
New Ventures
Once the GM financial issues are resolved Patire’s will become a franchised wholesale/retail major tire outlet store. That will be in addition to the expanded used car lot. Patire is looking into other car related business options as well.