IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Stivers Ford Lincoln Credits Personal Service With Its Success

If you're from anywhere but Waukee, you may not immediately recognize the business name, "."

But, when you hear where it's located, well, it will probably ring a bell.

"On the Waukee side of West Des Moines," is where Stivers Ford Lincoln calls home. The dealership with the catchy slogan sits on 11 acres on Hickman Road just steps away from the Waukee city limits.

Stivers has been a notable name among car dealers in the greater Des Moines metro since 1980 when Ed Stivers opened his first dealership in downtown Des Moines at the site of what is now the Des Moines Central Library.

Stivers, who ran a successful Lincoln Mercury dealership in St. Louis, enlisted the help of his longtime employee, Don Politte, to help him get up and running in Des Moines.

And the rest, they say, is history.

In 1985, Politte opened a second Lincoln Mercury dealership on the Merle Hay Auto Mile and in 1999, his son, Scott, joined him full time in the family business of selling cars. 

"Dad was harder on me than his regular employees," admits Scott Politte. "I learned the business by doing. I've sat in almost all the chairs except the mechanic's. It’s hard to understand what’s going on unless you understand the job that everyone does."

Politte helped co-pilot the business when, in 2006, Stivers opened a Ford dealership in Waukee. Formerly Mid-States Ford, Stivers Ford would eventually house all operations under the Stivers umbrella by 2009, known today as Stivers Ford Lincoln.

Stivers Ford Lincoln, Waukee

Politte, now president of Stivers Ford Lincoln in Waukee says, as a dealership, they've weathered some tough times in recent years but have kept customers coming back simply by treating them more like friends than a sale.

"I think it's the personal service we give that keeps them coming back," he said. "When they come to Stivers, they will get a superior sales and service experience. We know people don’t like to buy cars, so it all comes down to how we approach them."

Jeff Nelmark, a sales consultant at Stivers Ford Lincoln, says it's that attitude toward customers that brought him out of retirement and back onto the sales floor four years ago.

"When people walk in here, everyone here is willing to help," he said. "We treat all our customers with respect and we take care of them up to, during and after the sale. I think that's what makes this job a lot of fun. I get to meet a lot of really nice people that way."

Don Waller, a sales consultant at Stivers, agreed. He's been with the company since 1978 and, while retirement is certainly an option, he says, he prefers to stay right where he is.

"This is still a family-owned business, Scott grew up in this business," Waller said. "He really knows how to treat his customers. He's a great young man to work for."

Satisfied Customer

It worked for Shaney Witzenburg of Waukee. Witzenburg just purchased a 2008 Ford Taurus for her family of three. She said she sought out the dealership because she had heard great things about them from friends.

"I really liked how they worked with us to find a good reliable, practical car for our family," she said. "They were so easy to work with. I would absolutely tell everyone to buy from Stivers."

Politte says the dealership has a bright future in Waukee. With quarters already getting a little close, he said plans are in motion to expand the building to make room for a larger service and collision center.

"We’re in the fastest-growing city in the fastest-growing county," Politte said. "I imagine we'll be here for a long time."