Buying A New Delivery Truck

Whenever the Store was going to buy a new vehicle for the business whether it was a car or a truck they received "Special Treatment."

The local Dealerships, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC and Dodge would always find out what time was the best time to come by the store to make sure that all of the decision makers were there. They would bring out a basic vehicle a midline vehicle and a top of the line vehicle. They would park it in front of the store and let them narrow down their selection to maybe three vehicles. They would leave these cars with them for about three days for them to make their decision.

My dad would give them a call and let them know what they had chosen and then the dealing would began. My dad and his brothers loved to deal and get the best offers on the table. Sometimes this would go on for days until the deal was finished.

They were satisfied and the Dealership of choice had sold a vehicle.

This particular truck was for hauling furniture in and it had an inclosed body on the back with closing doors and an over the cab storage for smaller items.

When we received the finished truck and the furniture body had been mounted on the frame it was a beautiful addition to our fleet of vehicles.

It had Waters Bros. Inc. In script on both sides and the stores address. It became a rolling advertisement wherever we delivered furniture.

As I am typing this I am smiling just thinking about a trick that was played on me when we first got the truck. I was in the back tying up a bedroom suite securely to keep it from moving in transit when someone closed the doors and then the truck took off down the road. I just held on for dear life until it stopped then I started to shout to let them know that I was in the back of the truck.

I heard a scuffle outside the door and then I heard Bobby Ayers tell someone let him out before he smothers. I am thankful to this day for a friend in Bobby Ayers.

Another time I was going to get my drivers permit and my dad made me drive the truck to get the permit. The officer giving the test made me drive up Central Avenue beside the First National Bank and I had to stop for the light. The truck had a manual transmission and you had to control the brake and the clutch on a hill and as a new driver this was a test in its self. Add a patrol officer giving you a drivers test and someone in a new Cadillac pulled up on my bumper. By this time I am sweating profusely not wanting to stall the engine or roll the truck back into the car behind me and wait on the light to change. I said a little prayer, and it was answered. When the light changed I moved forward slowly turned on the blinker and turned right down South Elm Street.

When I got my permit I was glad for the accomplishment of getting past that hurdle that day.