Locally Owned, Community Oriented
- Dealership has been an integral part of the
- May 24, 2016
- 3 min read
Owned by William and Linda Hiatt and their children Wendy Hawks and Billy Hiatt, Riverside Auto has been a staple in the Bonners Ferry community for nearly five decades and continues to provide not only a great selection of vehicles, but also superior customer service.
A fourth generation business, Riverside Auto was first established in 1957 in Sandpoint. In 1971 Fran Hiatt opened a satellite dealership in Bonners Ferry and was joined three years later by William Hiatt.
“We are not just another small used car dealer,” said Bill Hiatt. “We have a full service department, auto spa, car rentals and provide financing for all our buyers.”
The Hiatt family has called Bonners Ferry home for 42 years and is an integral part of the community, participating in many events and giving of their time, talent and resources to give back to the place that has supported them throughout the decades.
“It has been great to be part of such a caring community,” said Hawks. Their success in large part is due to the partnership they have with their customers. “We always try to take care of our customers,” said Hawks. “We know that people have a lot of choices, and you cannot always please everyone. We appreciate the loyalty of our customers.”
That loyalty was never more evident as when Riverside Auto experienced a devastating fire in August 2009. Forced to totally rebuild their structure, those at Riverside Auto were astounded by the support that poured in from the community of Bonners Ferry and beyond. “It was devastating but amazing at how much support we had,” said Linda Hiatt. “It’s so great to live and do business in this tightly knit community.”
“We pride ourselves on being more than a used vehicle dealer, we try to go above and beyond for our customers,” said Billy Hiatt. While they carry all makes and models of used vehicles, they also belong to a large nationwide buying group to help their customers find the perfect vehicle to fit their needs and budget. In addition, they will match any written quote.
Their complete service department with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified employees as well as Chrysler and GM certified technicians, works on all makes at models at some of the lowest labor rates in the county – $60 an hour currently. They also have the latest technology in diagnostics, including mobile diagnostics.
In addition to offering a free shuttle to wherever you need to go, they will always provide a free car wash with any vehicle repair or maintenance. And because their loyal customer base extends beyond our community, Riverside Auto also provides free vehicle pick up anywhere in Boundary County as well as Sandpoint and Ponderay.
The loyalty their customers give Riverside Auto does not go unrecognized. The dealership offers a service referral program where customers can earn points towards discounted services simply by referring friends and family.
Anyone who has lived in North Idaho for long knows the challenges with keeping one’s vehicle clean. That is why Riverside Auto’s “Auto Spa” provides auto detailing for anything from a quick wash to a complete detail, which includes a wash, shampooed carpets and seats and steam cleaning the engine.
With an extensive line of truck and SUV accessories, Riverside Auto’s showroom is sure to entice you. They sell gift certificates for any amount making it a perfect birthday or Father’s Day gift.
Community is important and shopping local can go far to support your community. The money spent at Riverside Auto goes back to support many organizations and causes including Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts, FFA, 4-H, Little League, Rod Benders Car Club, Frye Foundation, The Festival of Trees, Badger Booster Club, Lions Club, Boundary County Fair, the Cancer Society, the Ladies Auxiliary, Eagles, Elks Club, Beta Sigma Phi, Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce and more.
When shopping for your next vehicle, make Riverside Auto your first stop. It’s sure to also be your last. Just ask the owners of the over 16,000 vehicles they have sold over the years.
Riverside Auto Center
6437 Bonner Avenue
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
208.267.3100
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