EAST PARK AUTOPLEX ..................................................
Local ownership leads to exceptional service
For Bill Walters, general manager of East Park Autoplex in Searcy, the best part of working for a family-owned community business is the freedom to go above and beyond to serve his customers.
“Any individual you look at on an individual basis, and you do the right thing,” he said. “We’ve got somebody here who can make a decision and get it done within a second. There is no corporate involved here.”
Owner Terry Murphy opened East Park Autoplex in 2000, Walters said, adding that he and Murphy have 80 years of combined experience in the field. A longtime Searcy resident, Murphy also owns the Cool Classic Hits 104.7 Radio Station. Walters said he met Murphy in 1986, soon after Walters began selling vehicles.
“Once I started selling and enjoyed it, I never could do anything else,” he added. “I’m not a desk person. I still like to go out and show cars to people.”
The dealership offers a wide range of pre-owned vehicles in all makes and models, including top brands such as Lexus, Infiniti, Chevrolet, Mazda, Toyota, Dodge, Volkswagen and Ford. All vehicles are serviced before they go out on the lot, Walters said, and financing is available through most major banks.
The dealership is also home to Searcy Auto Park, which offers a vast selection of lower-cost vehicles, along with in-house financing.
The company’s service department is staffed by certified Master Automobile Technicians who perform a full range of services on all kinds of vehicles. Walters said the service manager and foreman each have 30 years of experience.
Familiar faces such as those help contribute to the friendly environment at East Park Autoplex, he added.
“I think customers see it when they walk in — just the atmosphere,” he said. “It’s the same people every day. There’s not a turnover.”
East Park Autoplex also offers a VIP program, which customers can join to receive deals on routine oil changes and earn points that can be used for discounts on services and vehicles.
What really sets the dealership apart, Walters said, is the friendly, honest and reliable service customers have come to expect from East Park Autoplex.
“I try to take care of the customers just like I would want to be taken care of, doing it the right way,” he added.