Dealer Awards

[Chris74]

Enclosed are photos of some awards my father received while working for "Jim Kelly's Volkswagen" in Buffalo, NY. When the dealership opened my father was the second salesman hired by Jim Kelly. He worked there until 1977.

The silver guild pin is the size of a quarter and the gold pin with the four diamonds is about the size of a dime. My father said every year that you received a silver year pin they added a diamond to the gold pin. He was awarded a silver pin in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1972. He does not remember why he did not get a pin for 1971, but he was always one of the leading salesman at the dealership.

Does anyone have any information on the "Fellow of the Volkswagen Guild", I would appreciate learning about it. As far as my dad can remember you were given points for every vehicle sold and you had to obtain a certain amount of points to be awarded the pin.

[carlos_magnum]

Nice story. I think your father is a very hardworking person; that's why he got those rewards. That two pins are really worth keeping.

[vwdc1957]

I will give you what info that I have read and know about the Guild. My dad worked at a dealer from 1966-1981 and was a member of the Service Guild. The Service Guild consists of mechanics, lubemen, Diagnostician (this is what he was), dispatcher, bodymen, painters, shop clerks, secretaries and porters.
You had to work at the dealer for one year and be good at your job before you could be considered for the Guild. When you become a member you received a gold pin without the diamond like the one pictured above.
There is another level called the Master that received the diamonds-each diamond represents one year as a Master. There was only one Master selected per year at each dealership. This shows that your dad was the top salesman at his dealership.

I am assuming the Service Guild and the Sales Guild used the same guidelines.
Hope this info helps.

David

[Bugbuddy65]

Chris74 and David (vwdc1957),

I do not mean to pry or be too personal, but are your fathers still alive?

I am writing a paper for my masters degree and would love to interview them about the workings of the VW dealerships. I am especially interested in what customers wanted from the cars, and what training salesmen were offered. You both have now raised my interest in service and sales guilds.

Here is the post I just put up yesterday: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4013772#4013772

A samba member was kind enough to point me in the direction of the dealerships in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Rochester NY---Jim Kelly's was on the list.

Anything that you can help me with would be great. Thank you so much.

James

[Chris74]

James,

Unfortunately my father had a stroke in 1977 and has trouble speaking. If you could send me a list of questions you are interested in learning maybe I could get my father to answer them. My email is [email protected]. I will ask my father if he knows anyone else you could speak to from Jim Kelly's Volkswagen.

Good luck with you research and writing your book. When you finally get it published I would love to buy a copy.

[Bugbuddy65]

I am always amazed at people's friendliness and willingness to help. I will craft some questions and send them your way in the next couple of weeks. I am also sad to hear of what happened to your father many years ago, but it sounds like he has a loving support system.

Thanks again,

James

[smoothfinishes]

This is an interesting subject that hasn't been discussed in a decade.

I recently learned of another award I hadn't seen before, two different style rings.

Anyone else know more history on them?

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