March, 2007

Hello and welcome to Vesa's,

My name is John, the Service manager, and I would like to tell you about our shop, the people that make it special and the goals we have set for ourselves.  I have been with Vesa's for over 15 years and take great pride in that.  Over the years, I have been blessed with knowing some of the finest people, both employees and customers alike.  I have watched children grow and go off to college and new babies coming in every year.  Many of our customers are third generation!  Vesa's is a great place to work or keep your vehicle up to date, safe and dependable.

When you come into our customer service area, you will find plenty of room to move about, check in for service, sit and read or sign on to our wireless internet. Our office dog, Augie, will probably greet you. It’s been his job for 10 years.  He knows how to mooch a treat or get a pet from his regulars.  When you check in for service, we pay attention to your immediate needs. Whether it’s a flat tire, a dead battery, an odd noise or whatever else may be wrong, our service personnel will assess the situation and the time it will take to get you back on the road.  Most repairs and services can be done on a waiting basis.  Our shuttle is available to transport you to work or home when major services require more time. We keep an open line of communication when your vehicle is serviced and will contact you if anything changes with the repairs.

All of Vesa’s technicians do general maintenance.  Each has his own specialty and knows the workings of the machine.  An experienced eye on your vehicle can save you from unnecessary breakdowns.

When your vehicle is given to a technician, Mike Meyer, our foreman, will discuss the work order with him and advise what kind of road test may be required.  Mike has worked in the auto service industry for many years, as a mechanic, tow operator and service writer.  He will follow the entire service closely.

With a degree in applied sciences from MCC, our head technician, Josh C., can diagnose your vehicle’s high tech problems by reading your car’s computer with great precision, or change a flat tire in no time.  He is also the father of three growing boys. Josh is now co-owner of Vesa’s along with Larry, another young man that grew up with the business.

Larry can quickly supply the day-to-day parts as well as locate difficult or rare components involved in auto repair and restoration.  He is an experienced welder, fabricator, mechanic and tow operator. He also has a beautiful 1-year-old baby girl!

Don (Domingo) is a top diagnostic tech specializing in transmissions from the days of gears and pumps to today’s electronically controlled, multi-speed technology.  Don builds and drives his own racecar!  He went a quarter mile in 9.30 seconds and hit a speed of 158MPH! As busy as racing is, he is doing a fine job raising his two beautiful daughters.  They are 10 and 15.  I raised two girls too.  Lots of work!

Nick and Jimmy joined us over the last few years. Nick runs the trucks, does many general repairs and is learning high tech diagnosis. He loves a challenge.  Jimmy has worked on the garage floor most of his life.  His experience and skill has been a great addition to Vesa’s. 

If you meet us through our emergency road service, you have another Josh S. to thank.  Josh is devoted to helping people out on the road.  He knows what it is like to be broken down on the road and works hard to get the help you need as soon as possible.  He and Larry keep the trucks clean and well maintained, ready to serve you when you need us.  They are on call 24/7.  Josh is raising a little girl and enjoys living in the country and being computer savvy.

Our extraordinary bookkeeper, Carol, watches every penny in the supply area.  She keeps the overhead down so we can pass the savings along to our customers. Carol is ready to retire and see America on a major road trip.  We will miss her.  She is our founder’s Mom and my cousin. She has two sons, which brings us to Michael Vesa and our goal.

Mike has always pushed for customer satisfaction. He demanded road tests after repairs, clean steering wheels, floor mats and fenders.  He stressed that service involved more than just doing a good repair.  A good job was proven with a re-check and left as clean or cleaner than when we started.  His business sense built Vesa’s into the shop we are today, without any more advertising than our own satisfied customers.  We will carry on with that goal; customer satisfaction.  We’re working on some improvements that we believe our customers will really appreciate.  Do you have some work to do while you're waiting? Connect to our new wireless internet service.  And we're implementing a new customer service email program to notify you when you are due for service or to track your invoices. We believe this will help us keep your vehicle going strong.

I started fixin’ cars in 1968 and it was a full time job by 1970. I take great pride in my association with Vesa’s.  As I enter this next phase of Vesa’s Automotive, I look forward to meeting new people and continuing servicing those who have made us who we are today, one of the finest independent shops in the city.

Please come and see us.  Experience auto service at a more personal level. 

Thank You,

John

January, 2008

Hello and welcome again to Vesa’s,

Boy I’ll tell you, life sure gets busy! It’s been a while since I’ve written and a lot is going on.  Our web site and e-mail reminders have been a great hit with so many of our customers.  It took a while to make it all work, but work it does.  When you sign on to our web site, you can research your own service records, print them up or save them in your own PC.  Never thought I would see the day!  

The staff at Vesa’s continues to be the best people I have ever worked with.  When Carol retired, I was as happy for her as I was sorry for losing her.  She had been my right had man for over 15 years.  She made her cross-country road trip!  Had a great time and is enjoying her retirement.  Filling her time with helping others. God Bless you, Carol.

Our new office manager, Diana, is doing a great job keeping the place running smooth.  She grew up in the car fixing business.  Worked the parts houses, auto repair shops, dealer’s etc. etc. You will find her to be delightful on the phone and very knowledgeable. 

I have known Diana for a long time.  Her husband John used to work with me at the desk.  They are blessed with two wonderful boys. Michael, now 15, has been Augie’s little brother since he was a puppy. Brian, the “older boy” is 22 and working hard to make his own way.  So far so good!  I never knew anybody with such a big family!  She must have 100 cousins she can name!  I figure that’s from being a farm girl from Orleans county. Glad to have her with us.

I guess the big news is in Don’s family.  His eldest daughter, Jessica, is taking her driver’s test.  Trust me, he’s not really scared. He already got her a cool old Honda.  He’s all smiles.

Another news flash! Nick got married!  I think I was the last to know.  Back to life sure is busy!  His wife, Eva, is a lovely lady and my wife, Annie, loves talking with her when we meet at parties and picnics.  Well done, kids!

Larry and Josh are working real hard to make this the best auto shop in the city.  At the same time, they are doing a great job raising their kids.  Josh takes the time to be at all the school events and even takes the time to chaperone school trips. Larry lives for his little girl, Abby, and he will always be there for her no matter how busy life gets.

Mike (Mr. Meyer) has taken over the parts division.  It’s a lot of work, and he still backs me up at the desk.  He is one busy man.  He’s a good friend and glad to have him with me.

Jimmy, the bear that he is, is doing well.  He’s getting closer to family (Mom and Dad moved in) and he’s doing a fine job taking care of them.  I really do work with the finest people.

Our new general maintenance man, Greg, has helped us keep the flow going.  He too has been into cars all his life.  Tried racecars but found it too costly.  Still had a lot of fun.  Greg loves photography and does weddings and stuff.  But beyond that, Greg loves people and is a joy to have around.

Our newest technician, David, is a great guy.  He has a good attitude about work and life in general.  He has a lovely wife, Amy, and two kids, Stevie and Edward. Known him for many years and glad to have him with us.

We have a new tow manager, Scott.  Good to a have a tow manager that’s a morning person.  Scotty likes his 4wd pickups and living in the country.  If you’re stuck on the road, Scotty is your man. Emergency road service Rob, Mike, Vic, Doug, Ricky and Rich are there to help too.

Well that’s all about us for now.  I could go on forever.  I hope you will come to see us soon.  Feel free to e-mail me at johns@vesasautomotive.com.  I’ll let you know if Jessica got her license.

Thank You and God Bless
John