"What's the catch?" That's what most people ask us when we tell them about
our trip to Sweden. The conversation starts with "We bought a new Volvo and
took overseas delivery of it and Volvo paid for our flight and 2 nights
hotel - it was great!" Then the response, "what's the catch?" Well, this
is our Volvo story.
My husband had a company car for many years and this summer he was informed
that his company was discontinuing that "perk". Having a Volvo already, we
decided to get another one to replace the company car. Due to the great
service we have always received at Oak Park Volvo we went there and picked
out an XC90. We knew about the overseas program, but wanting to purchase a
2009 model due to incentives for that model year, we knew we couldn't order
one (Volvo was already tooling up for the 2010 models), so we picked one out
from the lot. It was late on a Saturday, so we decided to come back during
the week and sign all of the paperwork.
Then, that Monday morning our salesman, Curtis Walker, called us to let us
know that there was still a 2009 XC 90 in Sweden that hadn't been delivered
to the States yet and did we want to go there and get it. Well, I couldn't
say "YES" fast enough. The car was exactly what we had picked out, just a
different color - one we had liked. We made the deal, (which by the way the
car was cheaper than buying it off of the lot) and a few weeks later we were
off to Sweden. A Volvo representative picked us up at the airport and
brought us to our hotel in Gothenburg. The next morning they picked us up
and brought us to the Factory Delivery Center and presented us with our new
Volvo. We received maps, a GPS to use (really helpful around town...), free
admission to the Volvo Museum (not to be missed), a Swedish Meatball lunch
(yum) and a tour of the Volvo Safety Center. The factory was still closed
for production year turnover so we didn't get that tour, so make sure that's
it's open before you go. Then we were off in our new Volvo. We drove up and
down the coast - stopping at towns along the way. What a beautiful country
with the most helpful and friendly people. Two days before we flew home we
brought our Volvo back to the Factory Center for shipment home (paid also by
Volvo). Then Volvo drove us to the train station as we were heading to
Stockholm. We spent our last days walking around Stockholm, wishing we had
more time - what a stunning city. Five weeks after we returned our Volvo was
delivered to Oak Park Volvo and reunited with us.
And the "catch" - it's a great deal on a fabulous car, a free trip, great
service, being treated like royalty and getting to drive your car around
Sweden. Can't think of anything better.
Sharon & Jeff Powell
Illinois