Ten years ago I bought a Hyundai. 

I’d just had a baby. I was managing two kids mostly on my own, while my husband worked weekends and went to university during the week. 

Over the previous 6 weeks, I’d gone through 3 cars. 

My old car – a big old Ford Galaxy – had made its way to the scrapyard after some dodgy wiring caught fire.

At first, I thought the car was haunted, as the electric windows started opening and closing themselves and the doors would unlock and lock randomly as I drove along. 

But as I started to smell burning, I realised that an exorcism wasn’t the solution and I was going to have to let the car go. 

Then I bought an old Audi. It didn’t go so well. 

If I can only share one bit of wisdom with you, it’s don’t buy an old car from a hill-billy with no teeth, terrifying guard dogs and a shotgun on his sofa. 

I know, I know – I was young!

I’d barely got the car home and the oil light came on. Head gasket was gone. 

I didn’t ask for a refund. 

The next car was no better. It lasted a week before the engine light came on and it started making the strangest noises – I never did find out what was wrong with that one. I’d had enough. 

 I was done. No more second-hand cars for me. 

So I did my research and pootled along to our local Hyundai dealership. I drove away that day in a brand-spanking-new i10. Complete with a 7 year warranty. 

You’ll be pleased to hear that was the end of my car disasters. My Hyundai served me well for many years until I sold her on and got a 4wd after a move into the countryside. 

That was a long time ago now. 10 years since I bought her. At least 5 since I sold her on. 

But the dealership I bought her from still stay in touch. 

They send me interesting, useful and relevant emails every few weeks – and they have done since 2010. 

You see, they understand the importance of keeping that relationship with their customers going. 

They’re playing the long game.

They know that I’m not going to buy from them every time they email me – but when I do decide to buy a new car they’re better to be in my inbox than forgotten. 

They want to be the first place that pops into my mind. The company I feel I know, like and trust – because that’s how they’ll make the sale.  

So that’s 10 years of regular emails – I reckon they win the award for most persistence. 

 Unless you can beat it? How long have you been regularly emailing your list? 

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