Swift Auto Parts / Old Greenwich, Connecticut
25 Years in Business- Across from Hartsdale Train Station
Chris Romani owner of Hartsdale Automotive remembers the phone call from Mobil making her the offer she couldn`t refuse: the opportunity to take over a Mobil service station in Hartsdale across from the train station. Although not a certified mechanic, she took a three week training course designed to learn the ins and outs of operating the business. Training sessions are ongoing with classes given locally. Chris has a very good understanding of cars and even better understanding of her customers. Chris says that an important part of the business is being a good listener. "When a woman complains that her car is making noise and they imitate the sound- you have to listen to what people are saying- you cut down on the time you spend on the car." The best part of owning a station for Chris is the public- it certainly isn`t the hours. Chris is at work by 630am each day and generally stays till 5 or 530pm. Romani regards TRUST as the really important part of the business- "they won`t come back if they don`t trust you." Chris believes that customers trust her more because she is a woman. Her customers are very loyal to her and are usually on a first come basis. Most of her customers come from Hartsdale and Scarsdale but several have moved to Northern Westchester and continue to return to her station. "I have customers in towns like Armonk who drive down and leave their cars, then they take the train into the city."