Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

The New Checkered Flag Book: The Story Behind the Story

We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, the newly-published book about Checkered Flag, has drawn advance praise from national industry leaders, including from James D. Power, III, the founder of J.D. Power and Associates.  He says We All Win "tells a story that stands out among all dealerships across the country."  Funds raised through the sale of We All Win will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. You can purchase the book here on CheckeredFlag.com by clicking on the book icon on the left side of this home page or by visiting any of Checkered Flag's parts departments.

We All Win was written by award-winning former journalist Audrey Knoth, who is now a Norfolk business executive. Recently, the Checkered Blog caught up with Audrey for an interview.  We will be featuring portions of our conversation with her in coming weeks, starting today.

Checkered Blog: Whose idea was it to write a book about Checkered Flag?

Audrey: The idea was mine.  In early 2007, I helped Checkered Flag with several business projects, and as I learned more about the company, I became very intrigued by its history.  Checkered Flag was founded in 1964 by Ed Snyder, who continues to run the company today along with his son Steve Snyder.  That kind of longevity of local ownership and operations is in itself remarkable.  But as I dug into it, I found the story was even more interesting and important than just that.

Checkered Blog: In what way?

Audrey: I learned that prior to founding Checkered Flag, Ed Snyder had managed a department store called Snyder's that his grandfather had started in downtown Norfolk at the turn of the last century.  So when Ed Snyder got into the car business in the mid-1960s, he brought customer-service and marketing practices from the department store into auto retailing, and the things he did were very unusual at the time.  When you hear Ed Snyder and Steve Snyder talk about customer service being Checkered Flag's top priority, they are really talking about a philosophy that has been paramount to the Snyders for more than 100 years.

Checkered Blog: Why are funds raised from the sale of We All Win being used to benefit United Way?

Audrey:  United Way is very important to Checkered Flag and it was for Snyder's department store, too.  What has made it so important is that not only does United Way support such a variety of local organizations, it involves individual employees in the giving process.  Through the generations, the Snyders have believed that giving feels good, that the process is as beneficial to the person who is giving as it is to the recipient, and United Way encourages this.

Checkered Blog: Something that's very noticeable about We All Win is how visually appealing and colorful it is.

Audrey: Yes, the book is more than just a narrative.  We have included lots of great vintage photographs and a cartoonist even created five original cartoon strips and the book's cover.  So we hope that people really enjoy both reading the book and just leafing through it.

Checkered Blog: And all of us at the Checkered Blog hope that everyone will consider purchasing We All Win to help raise funds for United Way of South Hampton Roads.  Please click on the book icon on the left of this home page ro order in online or stop into any Checkered Flag parts department to pick it up in person.

New Book Recounts CF's Risky Rise & Success Secrets

When a 12-year old boy walked out of a Polish village in 1882 in search of a better life, it was literally the first step toward the founding of Checkered Flag.

The story of how Checkered Flag came to be, the obstacles it faced, and the customer-service philosophies that propelled it to success are told in the new book We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, written by Audrey Knoth.  We All Win has received advance praise from leading auto industry executives, who call it "a remarkable book about a remarkable business enterprise."  We All Win is now available for sale here on CheckeredFlag.com (click here) and, starting on Friday, August 8th, in all Checkered Flag parts departments.  Funds raised through its sale will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads.

The book recounts how the near-penniless Louis Snyder arrived in America in the late 19th century and how, from a small dry goods company, he built a major Norfolk, Virginia department store operated by successive generations of the Snyder family.  His grandson Ed Snyder took over management of Snyder's department store in the early 1960s.  In 1964, Ed invested in a small British sports car dealership and, at his wife Jean's suggestion, named it Checkered Flag.

We All Win explains how Checkered Flag prevailed over challenges, failures, and risks to grow from one humble showroom to the auto retailer it is today, with 11 new-car franchises and a used-vehicle superstore in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and selling more than 12,000 vehicles annually.  Ed Snyder continues as president 44 years after its founding; son Steve Snyder is senior vice president.

The author, Audrey Knoth, is a former broadcast and newspaper journalist who's now a Norfolk business executive.  She says she had the idea to write the book after helping Checkered Flag with several projects in early 2007.

"I became intrigued by Checkered Flag's history, which had never been researched and told," she says.  "The more I learned about Checkered Flag, the more I realized its story is a compelling one that has meaning for people both inside and outside of the car business."

Audrey spent over a year researching and writing We All Win, conducting extensive interviews, consulting with auto industry and academic experts, and poring through historical and newspaper archives.  Vintage photos, illustrations, and original cartoons accompany the book's absorbing narrative.

"I found that the principles that originated more than a hundred years ago remain at the foundation of Checkered Flag today," Audrey says.  "Among them: if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers; nothing is more important than customer service; failure should teach you rather than frighten you; and taking risks is absolutely essential to succeeding."

All of us with the Checkered Blog are excited about the book and we hope you will consider purchasing it.  It's a great read and with the funds raised benefiting United Way, you could say We All Win!

Happy 4th of July Checkered Blog Readers!

Here is how some of the fine folks at Checkered Flag are spending the holiday.

Ramel Felton, parts associate, Checkered Flag Honda: I also work at Waterside in downtown Norfolk, so I will be working there on the 4th from 7pm to 3am. There is a lot going on there. And then on Saturday, I come in for work here. It is not too much of a holiday for me (laughs).

Freddie Edmond, rental agent, Checkered Flag Toyota/Scion Rent-A-Car: I am going to have a cookout/barbeque with everyone (smiles)! And then for the rest of the weekend I will be working here.

Kourtney Pulliam, receptionist, Checkered Flag MINI: We go over to see my grandma and we have a cookout there with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. And after that I think we will go to Mt. Trashmore for the fireworks.

RT Ives Jr., assistant service manager, Checkered Flag Hyundai: I have the whole day planned out and I can tell you my entire schedule! Starting at 10:50, I am gonna take my daughter to see the Hulk. Then we are going shopping at Lynnhaven Mall for some shoes. After that we are picking up her boyfriend...a party here, and a party there. And then finally, I am going on a date with my wife to watch Sex and The City.

FYI: Operation hours are little different for today. Sales departments are open from 9am-6pm. Service departments are closed for the day, but it goes back to normal tomorrow. Have a great holiday. Be safe and see you on Monday!

Small-Car Demand Strongest Since 1970s Fuel Embargo

"We have not seen a situation like this since the OPEC oil embargo in the early 1970s."

That is what Checkered Flag founder and president Ed Snyder says about how surging gas prices have affected the auto business, and in particular, your experience as a car-buyer. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk with Ed Snyder, as well as company senior vice president Steve Snyder, about the current situation. When I call that conversation an "opportunity," I mean it. Ed Snyder, who is pictured here, founded Checkered Flag in 1964 and has been continuously at the helm ever since. Steve Snyder has long tenure with the company, too. So when you are looking for insights into the car business, you will not find any sources who are more seasoned and more candid.

Ed Snyder remembers the OPEC oil embargo very well, because it occurred soon after Checkered Flag introduced Honda cars in the Hampton Roads market in the early part of the 1970s. The Honda Civic, which you can see from the photo here was tinier then than it is now and was under import restrictions, became a highly-sought-after vehicle and very hard to get. And "Buicks, Cadillacs, all those big cars that had been so popular...well, you could not sell them at any price," Ed says.

Now, in 2008, the demand by Hampton Roads consumers for smaller cars has started to rival what Ed saw 35 years ago. Checkered Flag offers many such vehicles throughout its dealerships, but Ed and Steve say supplies are getting tight.

"We think that by the end of this month, if you want to buy one of these small vehicles, you will likely need to wait a month for it to come in," says Steve Snyder. "It is going to be a waiting list situation. Eventually, the wait could even be two months. For this reason, if you would like to have the car right now, you should visit or call us now."

Ed says: "We are seeing some very interesting things. For example, some customers are trading in vehicles that are worth more than the car they are buying; it is because they want to scale down for fuel efficiency. And the first question we are hearing now from luxury-car buyers is about gas mileage."   

Do not expect the situation to change soon. The Snyders believe it will take a year for small-car production to catch up with demand.

So, what to do? Well, while the smart fortwo, Honda Civic, and Toyota Prius are synonymous with fuel efficiency in the mind of the public, there are other fuel-friendly vehicles to be had that you may not immediately think of. Over the next few days, the Checkered Blog will be spotlighting what we call the "Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency." These are vehicles in all classes that might not be on your shopping list right now, but we suggest you consider because of their fuel-friendly nature and quality. We will feature our first Unsung Hero tomorrow, so see ya then!

Show Some "TLC" to Your Car

The weekend has arrived, and I bet you are looking forward to a few days of relaxation. Although, if you are like me, you will probably find yourself spending some of this weekend doing chores you neglected during the work week, like cleaning your car. Admittedly, I have been putting the task off for about 2 weeks now, so my car deserves some much needed attention.

I have a friend who works incredibly hard to keep his car immaculate and is very good at it. He bought his car 3 years ago, and it still looks and smells brand new! While cleaning a car seems pretty straight forward, it does require a bit of foresight if you want it done right. For those of you who are envious of my friend, myself included, here are a few of the best tips I have seen on keeping your vehicle looking like it was just driven off the dealership lot.

Outside Looks are Important: When it comes to vehicles, giving a little more attention to exterior appearances is not considered in the least bit vain. Regularly washing your car helps protect it from dirt, salt, and other harmful debris picked up from everyday driving. Remember to dry thoroughly to prevent water spots. Simple enough right? Well according to the Car Care Council, a good number of car owners harm their vehicles with improper washing. About a third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products, such as dish detergent which can strip away paint and finishes. Waxing your car at least twice a year is also recommended. It not only keeps your car shiny, but provides a layer of protection from sunlight and acid rain.

What is on the Inside Matters too: Washing the outside of your car is only half the job. Cleaning the interior is just as important. From commuting to work to running household errands, we spend a great deal of time inside our cars. Undoubtedly, our cars suffer from coffee spills or an accumulation of trash. Keep a good sized trash bag around to contain the mess. Also some say that white toothpaste can help with stains on car upholstery. Try it out. Having a small vacuum with a hose attachment on hand is also a good idea. Regularly vacuuming the floors and the upholstery will keep your interior looking new. And here is a useful tip from yours truly...before vacuuming sprinkle some carpet deodorizer or even baking soda. It will keep your car smelling fresh.

Following a few of these simple tips will help keep your car looking newer longer. But if you are determined on doing the least amount of cleaning possible this weekend, luckily for you, Checkered Flag offers professional detailing to serve your needs. Give them a call at 757-490-0111. Whichever way you chose to do it, cars are substantial investments, so giving some extra time benefits you in the long run. Until next time, Happy Cleaning this weekend!

Behind the Scenes with Checkered Flag's Cathy Ray Hodges

Cathy Ray Hodges has pretty much seen it all at Checkered Flag. She started with the company in 1973, when there were just two dealerships, Toyota and Honda! She has held positions in parts, payroll, as an office manager at the old Hilltop location, and as the assistant comptroller. Currently, she is Vice President of the Operations Center, the consolidated billing and financial center at Checkered Flag.

Some dealer groups have individual offices in each store for all the paperwork that comes with purchasing or servicing a vehicle, but Checkered Flag chose to do it differently. The idea was that customers develop a rapport with their salesperson and they do not want to be passed off to different people. Cathy explains, "A centralized operation allows for economies of scale. Everyone here does things the same which is more efficient and leads to increased customer satisfaction which is, of course, the main focus at Checkered Flag." Along with Checkered Flag human resources, the operations center houses 35+ employees all of whom may be "behind the scenes" but are an integral part of the business.

When asked if she anticipated her future with Checkered Flag back in 1973 and what has surprised her since, Cathy laughs, " It all surprises me! I never anticipated still being here after 35 years, but the car business gets in your blood, I guess. We have been successful in good and bad economies, through gas crunches, market crashes, and everything else."

The Checkered Blog would like to recognize Cathy and all the operations center personnel for all their hard work that keeps things running smoothly at the Flag.

Are Gas Prices Driving You Nuts?

On average, Americans are paying $3.79 for a gallon of regular gas according to a survey by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. While rising gas costs are no surprise, American drivers are resorting to all sorts of ways to be more gas efficient. If you want an idea on the lengths people are willing to go to save a few bucks click here.

For those of us who are not willing to run to the nearest fast food joint to steal tubs of grease, here are a few "lawful" ways of lessening the pinch at the pump.

Check your tire pressure: Under-inflated tires not only pose a safety hazard, but can also reduce your gas efficiency. Get your hands on a reliable tire gauge.

Remove excess weight from your vehicle: The heavier a car is the more gas it needs to get around. Clean out unnecessary items from your trunk. The Department of Energy suggests that drivers can save between 3 to 6 cents a gallon by driving lighter.

Use cruise control: If your vehicle has cruise control take advantage of it, especially on long drives on the highway. A study on Edmunds.com found that using cruise control could mean substantial savings, up to 7 percent.

Avoid excessive idling: The theory here is simple. When the car is not running, gas is saved. If you expect to be idle for longer than a minute, its best to turn it off.

Slow down: Possibly the biggest fuel saver tip is to simply slow down. It may take you longer to arrive at a destination, but you’ll be making fewer trips to the gas station.

If you are looking for more tips on increasing your mpg, which I am sure you will be as gas prices inch closer to $4, visit this site maintained jointly by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A Really Cool Birthday Present

Happy birthday, Checkered Blog!  This week marks one year since FlagRaiser, Win'sGal, and I, your trusty CheckeredChick, began our online musings and observations on what FlagRaiser likes to call "the automotive play place in Hampton Roads, Virginia."  And the Checkered Blog has received one amazing birthday present:  Auto Dealer Monthly magazine has ranked Checkered Flag's website at the top of its annual listing of excellent auto retailer sites.  A panel of eight judges examined all aspects of Checkeredflag.com and singled out its "personality" and "unique" nature.  Judging by the other auto dealer web sites on the magazine's "Top 10" list, the competition was stiff, so we are all very excited about this. Thanks to all who have suggested topics for this blog, submitted comments, and sent e-mails ... and please keep your ideas and posts coming!

Checkered Blog Captures More Kudos

Forgive my self-congratulatory tone, please.  It is Monday. I needed a bit of a pick-me-up this morning and I got it when news came that The Checkered Blog had picked up another trophy, this time a prestigious Gold Award from the Hermes Creative Awards, an international competition that honors creativity in traditional and new media.  Thanks to everyone who gave us feedback and suggestions for making the blog even better.  Keep it coming!

Checkered Flag salutes Dealer.com

We want to pass a big THANK YOU to all the people at Dealer.com who have been helping us to bring the all new Checkered Flag.com to life!  It has been quite the task, beginning in September of 2007 when Alex Snyder, our Director of eCommerce, visited the folks at Dealer.com in their Vermont headquarters.

"I wanted to make the new Checkered Flag.com something people have never seen from their automotive dealers before.  I wanted it to cater to what our customers wanted, while providing that little extra to make someone say "wow".  During my visit with the Dealer.com staff, I realized we were going to be able to do just that!"  -Alex Snyder

Dealer.com has been hosting the Checkered Flag.com website since April of 2006.  The relationship has been awesome!  This hybrid site you're seeing now (hybrid as in a mating of things that don't usually go together - not the cars) has been a long collaboration of idea sharing. 

We would like to thank Mark Bonfigli, Rick Gibbs, Ryan Dunn, Andy Cole, Justin Heininger, Lee Allen, Scott Gale, Steve Waud, Kenneth Botka, Ishmael Ahmed, Tamar Bouchard, Timothy Burgher, Drew Chalke, and the rest of the teams who have helped make Checkered Flag.com what it is!  A special thanks goes out to Brian Valentine for being in the trenches with us every day - none of this could have happened without your help!

Dealer.com and Checkered Flag will continue to improve our Checkered Flag websites, on a daily basis to better serve you.  Keep tuning-in for bigger and better.....videos will be here soon!