I once had a relationship with DePaula Chevrolet, a relationship that went all the way back to my first car, a 1991 Pontiac 6000. I trusted them to keep my cars maintained, and on occasion I actually purchased a used car or two from them (my 2005 Saturn Ion, my 2014 Chevrolet Cruze).
However … that relationship deteriorated in the winter of 2021, when one of their technicians did something to my Cruze that caused it to belch out a noxious cabin odor. It got so bad that my girlfriend could not ride with me. Attempts by DePaula to fix the issue were fruitless; eventually I purchased my current car, my 2017 Chevrolet Volt Premier (“Lightning’s Girl”), and went to a different Chevrolet dealership in the area – DeNooyer Chevrolet – for all necessary maintenance and upkeep on it.
As far as I was concerned, DePaula Chevrolet’s “repairs” failed me.
However, somehow I remained in their computers, and around this time of year, when your email accounts are spammed with Black Friday and Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday and Small Business Saturday and Pick Yer Nose Sunday offers … I expected my usual “We want to buy your car from you, Mr. Miller” email from DePaula. Or maybe a “We have a great offer for a trade-in of your car, Mr. Miller” message.
Apparently … DePaula Chevrolet has removed me from their mailing list. Well, not completely. They’ve removed ME from the mailing list, but not my email.
Which explains this message I received in this morning’s email box.
“Hi [First Name], ‘Tis the season to save big at DePaula Chevrolet – and your exclusive December offer is officially unlocked! The final days of 2025 are here, and that means the BIGGEST Chevy savings of the entire year are live. Whether you’re upgrading, trading in, or buying your first Chevy, now is the time to act. YOU’RE GETTING ACCESS TO: Payments starting at Just $349/month our most popular 2025 – 2026 models Zero-Down Payment Programs on select new Chevys Enhanced Trade-In Values – we’re paying more all month long Fast Pre-Qualification with no SSN required Year-End Pricing – every offer expires January 2, 2026 YOUR HOLIDAY BONUS (Show This Email to Redeem): · $500.00 Gift Card · $1,000 Bonus Cash · $1,000 Extra Trade-In Value ** CHOOSE 1 gift from us when you purchase your next New vehicle ** ACT FAST – INVENTORY IS MOVING QUICKLY Once December ends, these prices – and your bonus – are gone for good. The Chevy you’ve had your eye on is in stock today … but it might not be tomorrow. YOUR NEXT STEPS: Call Now: 518-800-3880 – to reserve your spot at your time on your schedule Visit Us Today or online 24/7 at http://www.depaulachevrolet.com Let’s get you driving into the New Year with a New Chevy you love – at a price that works for your budget. Warm wishes, Your DePaula Chevrolet Family Albany’s Top-Rated Chevrolet Dealer Since 1985 P.S. These December deals end on January 2, 2026 – no extensions. Limited availability. With vehicle purchase. Cannot be combined with other select offers. See dealer for details Don’t wait. Call or click now to secure the best pricing of the entire year.“
Wow. I remember when these guys kept calling me “Charles” on their email blasts. Now I’m just [First Name]. Just wow. [First Name] Miller.
So what does this tell me?
At this point in time, DePaula Chevrolet is just sending out blast emails to everybody and anybody, to the point where they sent me their boilerplate template rather than the exported template that fills in [First Name] with my name.
Yep. Quality control at DePaula Chevrolet. That’s probably the same quality control that happened when they conked my Cruze back in the day. Ugh.
Between these guys, and the Destination Nissan joint still trying to buy the Nissan they think I owned that I’ve never owned …
It’s the same message for the holiday season. Merry Christmas, buy our stuff, buy our stuff, buy our stuff, we’ll keep spamming you till you buy our stuff, then we’ll spam you when you buy our stuff so that you buy more stuff.
Maybe DePaula made a little oopsie. Perhaps there’s someone in the Albany area with a legal first name of [First Name], and they accidentally sent me his/her sales pitch.
Fine. Then go ask [First Name] to buy one of your vehicles.
Pfft.
Chuck The Writer 
I get these emails from Destination Nissan all the time. And don’t even get me started about those guys. Suffice it to say…. I will never do business with any dealership or business for that matter owned by that family ever again!!!!! By the way…My first new car was a 1989 sub compact Pontiac Le Mans. And believe it or not…I still own the car and it is still in beautiful condition too!!!!
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