’Tis the season to be thankful – or at least to pretend we’re not silently timing how long the pumpkin pie will last in the break room. As we ease (or skid) into the holidays, I’ve been thinking about a few things that car dealership folks might actually appreciate. And yes, there are a few, even if most of them show up disguised as paperwork.
In automotive retail, your time is never really your own. It belongs to the customers, the customers’ cousins, the customers’ cousins who suddenly need to see the numbers “one more time,” and whoever decided December was the ideal month to buy a car as a surprise gift. During the holidays, that mission of “making people feel at home” takes on a special sparkle – usually the kind that comes from a check engine light on an otherwise awesome trade-in vehicle.
But buried inside the chaos, between the last-minute shoppers and the year-end deal hunters, are the small, peculiar joys that keep us going. The tiny triumphs. The characters we couldn’t invent if we tried. The moments that remind us why we signed up for this wonderfully strange line of work.
So, in the spirit of staying grateful (and maintaining our grip on sanity), here are 5 reasons I’m thankful this year, from the perspective of a bona fide car gal who’s seen it all and still comes back for more.
1. Finance Approval Miracles
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the finance applicant whose credit score is less “three-digit number” and more “aspirational concept,” yet somehow still drives off in a brand-new SUV. For this, we give thanks. And we bow deeply to the F&I manager, the dealership’s resident magician, who performs feats that defy both math and human understanding.
The best part? That split second when the customer lights up (keys in hand, hope restored) and you realize you’ve just witnessed the automotive version of turning water into wine. Except the wine has a warranty and the water needed to bring in two recent paystubs and proof of residence.
So here’s to the quiet miracles that happen in the finance office. To the lenders who take a leap of faith, the F&I pros who somehow make the numbers behave, and the customers who walk out with a fresh start and a shiny SUV. Because in this business, we’re not just selling cars. We’re selling possibilities – one improbable approval at a time.
2. Controllers, Office Managers & Accounting Pros Who Keep the Wheels On
If Thanksgiving had a dealership float in the parade, it would be pulled by the accounting office.
While sales, service, and parts all have their shine, none of it works unless the office is reconciling, posting, reporting, and – let’s be honest – finding the money that no one realized was missing.
During the holidays, when everyone is sprinting toward year-end, I’m especially grateful for the accounting warriors who push through bank recs, incentive schedules, and DMV surprises with the grace of ballet dancers and the tenacity of Navy SEALs.
They’re the reason paychecks show up, deals get funded, and the lights stay on.
3. The Service Advisors Who Turn Chaos Into Cohesion
Most holiday weeks, you can count on two things:
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People will try to squeeze in an oil change at 4:45pm.
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They will explain the urgency by saying, “We’re leaving for a road trip right now.”
And somehow, miraculously, service advisors make it work. They translate customer emotion into technician logic, all while keeping the peace between someone who hasn’t done maintenance since Obama’s first term and a tech who claims the only thing keeping that car intact is stubbornness and a lucky bolt.
Bless them. Every one of them.
4. Dealership Dogs, Horses, and Other Emotional Support Mascots
Every dealership needs something that keeps spirits up.
For some, it’s the general manager’s dog who wanders around collecting treats from every department like a furry little auditor.
For others (like me), it’s spending time around rescue horses at the end of a long day – creatures that remind you to breathe, slow down, and appreciate the small wins.
Whether it’s a golden retriever greeting customers or a majestic rescue horse reminding you that patience is a virtue, I’m thankful for every four-legged ambassador who makes this industry just a little kinder.
5. The Resilience of Car People – The Heart of the Business
If there’s one universal truth in automotive retail, it’s this: car people are built differently. We adapt. We pivot. We laugh so we don’t cry. We find a way to make the last deal of the night happen, even when the customer warns us they “have to be out of here in ten minutes.”
This industry is powered by grit, heart, hustle, and a deep desire to serve communities. I’m thankful for every dealership professional who shows up day after day to keep this wonderfully weird business alive.
Wrapping Up: A Season for Gratitude
The holidays can be hectic in automotive retail, but they also shine a light on what makes this work meaningful.
From the prepared customers (rare, but real) to the teams who keep our operations steady, to the resilience that runs through every department – there is no shortage of reasons to be grateful.
Here’s to a season of appreciation, humor, and the occasional smooth deal.
Happy Thanksgiving, and may your end-of-year close be merry and bright.