Runde Auto Chat

Diana, Robert and little Poco Hedtke recently moved back from Thailand after doing missionary work for 3 years. After going to their home in Atkins, IA they were hungry to get a Duramax that suited their needs so that they could hit the road for some well deserved trips. There was only one problem for these fine folks – no matter where they looked, they couldn’t find any Duramax that had what they needed at a price they couldn’t argue with. That is, until they found Runde’s website…

What brought you to Runde's today?
We have been looking for a Chevrolet Duramax but couldn't find anything in our price bracket that was available. Then, just this morning, I came across your website and discovered a number of Duramax's available.

How did you end up at our website?
I Googled "Chevy Dealerships - Dubuque" and the first one that came up for me was Runde's. From there I went to the site, and it was very useful. Everything was very easy to find in your inventory and we ended up finding exactly what we wanted – the truck we’ve been looking for, for weeks. We sent out an email when we first found the truck that matched our needs, but we were too excited for the truck, so we just headed your way after sending the email without waiting for a response. There will probably an email for us when we get back.

Are you guys from around the area?
We are from Clintonville, WI. Near Green Bay. Recently we moved back from Thailand from doing missionary work for 3 years. It was a fascinating time.

While we were in Bangkok we decided to buy a house back in the states. I had previously served Atkins Iowa as their Pastor in the Lutheran Church at St. Stevens from '76-'85 so we found a house in that area online and bought it through the internet. Lots of people have been looking through the house and we just had pictures, but that was good enough for us so we bought it and had a home to go to when we got out of Thailand.

Wow, so you are pretty keen on the online shopping deal, huh?
Yeah, it's just more convenient for some things. Like your site - you had the mileage and pricing and everything on there, it was very helpful.

What Duaramax did you end up getting?
We got 2007 Silverado Diesel Extended cab.

What will the vehicle be used for?
Mostly for hauling. We hope to buy a fifth wheel and do some touring in retirement.

Where do you plan to go?
...We have no idea. down South, West... a lot of members of our church go to Texas, the Alamo and whatnot; we'd also like to go to Portland out West to visit my brother that lives there.

Any vacation spots you going to?
We are heading to Tucson Arizona very soon.

Sounds like you guys are going to be active in your retirement. Sounds like a lot of adventures and fun.
Yes, we are looking forward to it.

Your Salesperson was Dave Smith, what did you think about Dave?
Oh, Excellent. He is a very intuitive man, he knew right away what we were looking for, and was overall a great help. We give him a 10/10.

Your overall experience with Runde's was pretty good then?
Oh it was great. On a 1-10 scale we'd give it a 10. Everybody we worked with was very helpful. And who is the little guy here? Her name is Poco, she's six months old now. She loves people.

What breed is she exactly?
She's a Schnoodle - a Schnauzer and a Poodle.

Wow, She seems very well behaved. I had a neighbor that had one and it would bark and moan nonstop.Poco hasn't made a peep.
Oh, you've heard of Schnoodles? We've never even heard of them before we researched them online. But yeah, she is well behaved. We actually researched dogs on the internet before we got her, just like most other things it seems, ha-ha.

Do you guys watch movies?
Oh yes. I like action films. I just saw Gladiator and Bravehart - I like those kinds of things. We signed up for Direct TV so we have movies coming in all the time.

Do you guys remember meeting each other?
Oh yeah. We went to the same high school together in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Our families knew each other pretty well. Clintonville is a smaller town of about 4,500 people so everyone knew each other. We lined another couple up for a homecoming date and that left us sitting there. So I asked her what she was doing and she said 'nothin so I asked her if she wanted to do 'nothin together and here we are 41 years later and still doing 'nothin.

So you would recommend Runde's to friends and family?
Yes, definitely. What's nice about it is that you guys have so many makes where as most other dealers doesn't have that much variety. I was surprised and impressed to see that you guys have over 1,200 vehicles in stock. Once I saw all the options we wanted in a Duramax on your site, which I can't stress enough is REALLY rare to come by, I had to come down.

If there was one invention you couldn't live without, what would it be?
I don't know anymore, if I had to say, though, it'd have to be the computer. When we lived in Bangkok we were cut off from family and friends and everything, it was kind of lonely. But with the computer we got to connect to our family and loved ones via Skype and email and whatnot. It really helped us get through.

Do you have any favorite artists or bands?
I love the Big Band music. We grew up in the 60's with the beetles, Dave Clarke V and the Beach Boys – those kinds of bands, and we like them as well. Diana: I like piano music as well.

Do you play yourself?
...No. She does, she just doesn't say it, she's very modest. Well I play with one hand, maybe.

Thanks for stopping by, Good luck with all of your future adventures, sounds like you got quite a bit of them ahead of you. I wish you guys all the best and thanks for thinking Runde's!

It was our pleasure, I assure you.

Kara Walen, the daughter of Jerald and Sherry Walen who recently bought a vehicle from Runde's, came in today to pick up a new car. This college student from Dubuque, IA was nice enough to let us get an interview with her about her experience at Runde's.

What brought you to Runde's today?
My Mom and Dad actually just bought a Santa Fe from you guys about two months ago and suggested that I come here to get my new car.

What did they have to say about their experience?
They loved it. They really like their car and thought Al Kloft [their salesman] was great.

What did you end up picking up?
After I took it for a test drive I picked up a 2005 Cobalt. I like it a lot.

If you were to rank your experience at Runde's on a scale of 1-10 what would you give it?
Probably a 9.

How about Al, what would you give him?
Probably a 9 as well, he was very good and helpful. I thought he was really funny.

Are you attending college?
I'm going to NICC to become a Nurse.

Any jobs lined up?
I work at Sunnycrest as a Certified Nurses Assistant. But after I graduate I don't have anything lined up quite yet. Maybe I'll move near Sunnycrest, I don't know.

When do you graduate?
Well I just started this year so it'll probably be another 3-4 years.

If you could change anything about your experience buying a car, what would it be?
I can't think of anything that I'd change, I thought everything was great.

Have a favorite movie?
I...don't know... I guess I don't really have a favorite one right now.

How about the last movie you saw in theaters?
Alice in Wonderland.

How did you like it?
It was OK, it wasn't as good as what everyone said it would be.

Yea, I'm a Tim Burton fan and I didn't even like that one. Favorite music group/artist?
Well, I like pop and rock and country... really everything.

Would you recommend Runde's to a friend?
Oh yes, for sure.

If you were to win the lottery what would you do with the money?
Pay off my car... then go on a trip or go shopping.

Do you have a name for the vehicle?
I was thinking of calling it Goldie. Because my old car was named Ruby and this is definitely an upgrade.

Does your family go on family trips?
My mom doesn't like doing that stuff. My dad would like to go on trips but usually ends up staying around the area.

What was the last vacation you went on?
Florida - when I was 14. It was fun, my boyfriend and I might go back.

Last time I was there I went to "Wet & Wild" water-park and got 2nd degree burns. I had blisters all over my shoulders and back. That was our first day in Florida out of five... so the next 4 days we spent in the hotel room trying to move as little as possible.
Yea! I heard of that place, it has that HUGE slide that's like straight down. That's pretty sad though.

Not the most pleasant experience but I’m sure you will have several great experiences in your new car!
I know I will, thanks!

Thank you, have a great ride home and tell your parents Runde’s hopes that they, and their vehicle is doing well.

Never been to Florida? Be sure to pack the sun screen. ?

Ed Whitacre, the CEO of General Motors, annouced that GM has paid back all of the borrowed money in full to the government with interest. This gigantic announcement demonstrates a level of confidence within the company that has surfaced mainly due to a slimmed down product line, a more refined company focus, and exciting new products like the Chevy Equinox, the Chevy Camaro, and the Buick LaCrosse that are selling almost as quickly as they arrive on dealers' lots.

With this move, they are basically saying that they wholeheartedly believe GM is now on the right track to profitibility. And here at Runde Chevrolet and Runde Buick, we know without-a-doubt that GM is back on track and ready for the road ahead. The tank is full, the engine is hummin', and the GPS is set ... Destination ... Success. Full speed ahead.

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Jordan Degree, who was recently at Runde's to get a Chevy HHR for the Dubuque Art Center, made a visit to Cub Scout Pack 775 to let the Scouts paint some mugs. Pack 775, based out of Cuba City, is led by Cub Scout Master Sue Hanger -- who is also one of Runde's superstar accountants. While Jordan was at Runde's talking about the Art Center he mentioned that he offers a "paint your own pottery" session. After Sue got wind of this offer she jumped on the opportunity to treat the scouts to a great night of creativity and fun. And boy, was it a HIT.

There are 23 Scouts in Pack 775 ranging from 1st to 5th graders. The event took around an hour and Jordan supplied the kids with everything they needed - including the glazes and the mugs. After the kids were done glazing the mugs the way they wanted, Jordan took everything back to the Art Center where he will do all of the final touches - including the firing process. In around two weeks the Scouts will receive their personalized mugs to take home and use.

The kids loved painting the mugs and getting idea's from Jordan. And most importantly, they enjoyed being able to creatively express themselves. Runde's would like to thank Jordan, Sue, and all others that strive to help the kids in our community. Stay tuned for pictures of the finalized mugs!

What's next for Pack 775 ??? The sky's the limit!!!