Home > Fun Stuff > CAFCNA Magazine - May 2002 > Page 3

Who Is The Man Behind The Curtain?
Discuss this story

Dallas Keith Slabaugh, might be one of those names most people don’t recognize right away specially among the Chevy Avalanche Community. However, under the better-known “Dal” Slabaugh, things do become a lot clearer. Dal is an Ohio native born in June of an undisclosed year (1936). His love for anything automotive grew from infancy and through his school years into a passion like no other. From a young age he managed to work in and around cars going on to owning his own service garage through 1985 when he got into the tire business. His unique approach to customer service along with his passion for cars made him a very successful entrepreneur. In 1992 after reconsidering the long hours and the fast pace environment he carried, Dal got involved with the dealership of Lambert Buick. Here at Lambert Dal was able to take parts sales to a higher level. He understood, as the car buff he is, that doing business as usual would only generate business as usual type results. He wanted to find a way to cater more towards the car nuts and their clubs as a means to establish a more dynamic method to sell parts. He found his way to the Internet and within a few years started doing business with different car club members. Little did Dal know what he was really getting himself into, since not long after that he began noticing a huge increase in the amount of business he was generating via the internet.

Now at Van Devere Olds, Dal continues offering car clubs and its members top-notch service at reasonable prices. His knowledge of the automotive industry has helped hundreds of people find that special part needed for the project at hand. It all starts with a phone call or email into what we will call Dal Central. From there Dal starts the ball rolling by referencing his vast library of index cards he has on each of his customers. Once pulled the card in question gives Dal important information as to who he is talking to, what kind of car they might have and most important, their address, phone number and preferred method of payment. This very complex and intuitive system is what allows Dal the ability to deliver excellent customer service. Specially when one considers the fact that along with the Chevy Avalanche gang he also caters to the Impala SS, Camaro, Corvette, Typhoon, Buick GN, Cyclone, Monte Carlo and other elite national and regional clubs nation wide. It’s amazing how Dal can in most cases remember part numbers without the aid of a reference manual. This in itself is amazing, however, more amazing still is his ability to monitor trends within GM parts distribution system which enables him to spot that one of a kind “deal” resulting in more savings to his clients.

But there is more to Dal then just parts. The camera shy genuine nice guy is all about the pleasure he gets out of the relationships he makes. When asked, “What is in this for you?” you will hear him say, “meeting the nicest people you can hope for.” In his 10 years of involvement in the parts business Dal has taken the time to travel to national and regional events, usually wearing a t-shirt with, “Yes I am Dal,” printed on it as a means to meet some of the folks he talks to so often. You will find this un-assuming and down to earth gentleman mostly surrounded by the many friends he has made through the years and talking about--what else--cars and what makes them go. Why not? Since his love for the hobby has kept him in touch with some of the more exciting developments in the industry along with those not so exciting. His favorite car, well it is not the Chevrolet Avalanche, unfortunately, but the 1955 T-Bird Hardtop Roadster or the 1962 Corvette or the 19 whatever make and model that catches his eye going down the road. It doesn’t really matter since Dal is into the people who drive the hobby and not the cars they drive. He wants to do whatever it takes to maintain our hobby and believes that car clubs and their members are key in keeping other interests from interfering with what we like. “There is strength in numbers,” he says, “when manufacturers make decisions about what to keep on the shelves or what not to, they will listen to the loudest of voices and that is that.”

So next time you find yourself in the middle of that upgrade or just need a replacement item for your beloved wheels don’t hesitate to call on Dal at VanDevere Olds in Akron, OH. The worst thing that can happen to you is meeting one of the nicest people you can hope for and getting some great advice. Happy AVing!

Author Credit:  Enrique “Chino” Barreto