Co-op Garage Start Of A Trend?
(Page 2 of 4)
September/October 1971
By Mark Mendel
"As the garage project evolved, we dis-affiliated with the Community Action Program (CAP) because we didn't want to help just the poor. The garage needs everyone's support and, in turn, even the new car owner can save money here. We're lucky to have good facilities with a fine heating system. Just have a warm place to put on my snow chains in the winter makes a difference. There's a great potential for savings here. I saved enough money buying my tires through the Co- op to more than cover my membership and dues."
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I asked Reverend Krider how other garages and auto stores were reacting to the Co-op, "Well, for the most part, they're helpful . . . some more than others. If there's a resentment we don't see it.
"You know we aren't just in Madison. We have 71 members some as far away as Winslow. And in that area are a lot of parts dealers. Some say they're giving us the dealers' discount—which should be from 20 - 40%—and then only give us 10% off. The more familiar a member is with parts prices the less likely they'll fool him.
"Eventually we'd like to have one person do all our buying. He'd know the business and do the best for our members. Our philosophy is everyone working together, rich and poor. If other garages say we are undermining the free enterprise system, we say we have 70 people who just bought into the system. They have a share in this. At the beginning they knew they'd have to get out and scare up members if we were going; to succeed.
"Besides," says Vern, "we're helping by keeping some cars on the road that people wouldn't have been able to repair otherwise. These cars are going around needing gas and oil. So we do help the other garages."
"The garage is doing well now," Reverend Krider explains, "but with 70 members, we have a lot of room. Our goal is 200. I try to explain it to people as insurance . . . Medi-car, if you will. It's there when you need it, and when you don't you pay little. Like preventative medicine, we stress preven tative mechanics. Maintenance and education. People can learn to do these things and save money later."
Old people, perhaps the most handicapped by Maine's poor transportation, are not forgotten at the Co-op. Reverend Krider explained the Older Americans Grant that the Co-op has received from the government. "This allocates funds for our mechanic to visit older people at their homes, work on their cars and bring them to the garage if necessary. Those on commodities over 55 or those over 65 can become Co-op members without the membership fee or dues. We hassled with Augusta for awhile but now these older people are full voting members of the Co-op."
