Our Story

Our Story - Meet the Owners

We’ve been around cars our whole lives. Back in 1988, Fred started out turning wrenches as a mechanic and over time worked his way through sales, used car management, and even running a Ford store. Don followed in his brother’s footsteps and joined the car business in 1994. Those early years taught us a lot about the industry—and even more about people.

In 2003, we had the opportunity to take over Gerald Auto Sales, a dealership that had already built a name in Joliet. From the start, we knew what kind of place we wanted it to be. Too often, car dealerships get a bad reputation for pressure and runaround. We wanted the opposite. Our focus has always been on honesty, transparency, and treating every customer the way we’d want to be treated. That’s why most of our customers are able to complete their purchase in about an hour.

Every vehicle we sell goes through a detailed inspection before it ever hits the lot. Our lead technician, who has been with us since day one, brings more than 30 years of experience and makes sure every car meets our standards for safety and quality.

Over the years, we’ve also built a reputation in Joliet for getting deals done. Whether someone is paying cash or financing, we put in the work to make it happen. With over 20 lending partners, we’re able to help people in all types of credit situations. That effort has helped us build lasting relationships. Many of our customers have come back to buy multiple cars, and now we’re working with their kids and even their grandkids. That loyalty means everything to us.

Today, Gerald Auto Sales has earned more than 700 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. But what we’re most proud of is the trust we’ve built in our community. We’re still a family-owned business guided by the same values we started with—integrity, faith, and family.

—Fred and Don Bartuch

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