For 47 years, Gordy Scure has been working for Aberdeen Honda. He’s lived in Aberdeen all his life and has been a car salesman long past the usual age of retirement. Where many can’t wait to quit work and pursue their hobbies, Gordy thinks of his job as his hobby.
After attending Grays Harbor Community College, Gordy went to work at A.W. Barkley for ten years before Ralph and Ray Wasson, past owners of Aberdeen Honda, asked him to join the dealership. Gordy sold Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, and GMC trucks before the dealership moved to its current location on Simpson Avenue.
What’s kept Gordy around after all these years? The people. “I’m a people person,” Gordy says with a smile. “I enjoy talking and visiting with people. The business is different now. When we began, there were no computers or internet and I’d have to go knocking from door to door to bring business in. Back then you’d join something like the Elk’s club or other organizations to meet new people and that was the key to success. Today, a lot of our business comes in off the internet.”
Life has changed over Gordy’s 78 years in Aberdeen, but while the world seems to spin faster and faster, Gordy happily sits back in his desk chair, free of most electronics. He’s content with his phone and radio without a desktop computer and loves meeting with new customers. “I just can’t stay home. I gave up hunting and fishing, so I do this. I like to see people go shopping and this job has been good to me over the years. I can’t complain and I’ve never switched dealerships. When I came, I said I was here to stay and I meant it.”
One of Gordy’s proudest career moments was receiving the President’s Award from Honda for the top sales in the year 2000. The prestigious award goes to the salesman to obtain top sales in his or her zone – an award even more impressive for the size of our community.
Gordy believes there are a few things that have helped make him good at his job, keys to being a great salesman. “I don’t just jump all over the people who walk into the dealership,” Gordy explains. “You have to meet and greet and find out where a person is coming from. You find common ground and earn trust by connecting with them over family, work, or hobbies. You will make a sale off of 71% of the people who walk in looking for a car if they trust and like you.”
Gordy has done this so well that he’s had many repeat customers. “I really enjoy selling Buicks to older folks. I look forward to seeing people come back, though a lot of people I’ve sold to have passed on. That’s how I know I’ve been doing this a while. It makes selling things interesting if you like people. If you don’t, well you better get out of the business,” says Gordy.
Gordy doesn’t have children of his own, but encourages the legacy of groups like the Elks Club. He has served on the board of trustees with the Elks and has been a member of the Polish Club for the last 59 years. “I love being around people and helping, though I can’t do it like I used to,” reflects Gordy, who also contributes to charities like the Wounded Warrior Project and Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Home.
Gordy has been committed for many years to the clubs and work he believes in and is in no hurry to change things. He doesn’t work as much as he used to, but he still feels passionate about the cars he sells and the people he serves. “My favorite cars right now are the Honda CRV’s and Accords. There is great information out there on these models so my clients and I are well informed and it makes sales much easier,” nods Gordy. Regarding his team and manager, Luke Brogan, he says, “We have a good team and management out here. The internet has changed the way things are done over the years, but I feel we have good community here. I like it.”
You can visit Gordy Scure at Aberdeen Honda at 1720 Simpson Avenue in Aberdeen. Call 360-532-5833 to chat with him.