Auto dealership acquired

In Fort Recovery, a car shop has gone from a partnership to sole ownership.
For about eight months, Hastings Auto Sales has been under the sole proprietorship of Harold Fiely, after his partner Carl Hastings began transitioning into retirement.
Hastings opened in July 1973 on Wagoner Street before moving to its current location at 110 S. Wayne St. in 1975. Fiely became a partner in 1995, primarily attending to the shop portion of the business until May 1.
“It’s been a little hectic,” said Fiely about his transition into ownership and reliance on Hastings. “I’m trying to learn a lot of things. I mean, there are a lot of things that I always relied on him because he was up front here a lot and did the car sales. He did all the car sales basically — I did a little.”
Fiely has been working as a mechanic since he finished high school. After attending college, he began working for another dealership, Ron Garrett Chevrolet, for 13 years. He then moved to Hastings.
As Carl Hastings transitioned into retirement, he would work fewer hours while showing Fiely more about selling and buying cars. In the process, the shop has hired a new employee, its first in 13 years, to work as an auto technician.
Employment changes were a major adjustment in the company. Since becoming owner, a mechanic retired and a new one was hired in addition to the former owner working part-time.
Currently there are eight employees at the shop, including Fiely.
With the new position, he is now in charge of buying and selling cars, billing, scheduling deadlines for car parts and assisting the auto technicians with vehicle diagnostics.
Fiely admits a concern with the new position because of his lack of car sales experience. Selling a vehicle has changed a lot since he has been with the company, and tries “to keep up with new technology.”
“My partner would go to the auction two to three times a week,” he said of the evolving market of buying cars. “Now everything’s on computer. You can buy cars online right here on the desk. That’s something I’ve never done. I have went to the auctions before when I first started.”
Multimedia and social media are other platforms that have become part of the industry.
Despite concerns about his new duties, Fiely noted the services offered at Hastings Auto Sales are going to stay mostly the same, continuing to include vehicle pick up and delivery, full automotive services and car sales.
“I want them to know that nothing’s going to change,” he said. “You’re still going to get good service, prompt service, get the cars back the same day, hopefully, and if you have problems you can call us. I always thought that was a good thing.”