Search the site:  
National News Video
Top Jobs
Science and Technology
Headlines   |   mouseover panels to open
World
Nation
State
Local
Bank's weekend lot presents competition for car dealers
5/12/2008 12:22 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By HALEY HUGHES

Staff writer

Cars for sale have been parking in SRP Federal Credit Unions lot on Silver Bluff Road for years now on the weekends. But is it fair to other established used car dealerships?

Ladd Britt Auto Sales Manager Wayne Heath said he and his staff certainly do consider SRP to be "competition." But thats all the more reason for Ladd Britt to be competitive with prices and service.

"There does seem to be a good flow of traffic over there," Heath said.

Everything from minivans to compact cars and sedans, motorcycles and boats will fill the parking lot on the weekends. "For Sale" signs advertise reduced prices, new tires and other features. A handful of people were peering into windows and studying the signs Saturday.

Heath said he has spoken with SRP representatives before about the situation, asking how and why it got started.

SRP President Ed Templeton said the the parking lots transformation started about 20 years ago. Car-poolers would park cars there and ride to work or elsewhere with someone else. The trend just evolved.

"We think its something we can do with our membership," Templeton said. "Its a safe place, well lit. As long as it doesnt become an issue. In all fairness, from time to time, we do get a complaint from a neighbor."

When that happens, Templeton said he speaks with the person and the situation seems to resolve itself.

"It has almost become an icon. We dont want it to become or allow it to become a hangout place. It has to be orderly, it has to be safe. There is no undesirable aspect that Im aware of," he said.

But Heath issued a word of caution. People who purchase cars from the SRP parking lot do so from an individual and there may not be the same safeguards in place as when the purchase is conducted with a dealer.

"When you buy from an individual, you buy as is," Heath said. "There is no warranty. There is a risk involved. You have no recourse if something goes wrong with the car."

Templeton said SRP doesnt encourage the used car lot that springs up on the weekends, but the credit union doesnt take exception to it either.

"People have things to sell they want to sell," he said. "It is a business parking lot. I dont see a difference between that and business on normal hours and days."





Share this story:

                           


  0 comment(s) on this story
Comment on this story
Comment Title:
Enter your comment here:  
Your Name:
captcha 592be9caa4ce428cb95671ca2b3b1bb3
Enter text seen above:
 
Special Sections View all special sections
Medical Minute brought to you by ARMC
Just for Fun
Entertainment
Bookings
Obituaries
Births
Science and Technology
copyright 2008 Aiken Standard, All Rights Reserved.