Taking Flight: U-Haul Soars Again with DeGroot Family

BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward DeGroot is still gathering pearls of wisdom from his 83-year-old dad, a former U.S. Air Force engineer who flew in the Korean War and piloted aircraft for numerous companies well into his late 70s.

"I think they finally told him to stop flying when they asked him what the 'E' stood for on the fuel gauge and he said, 'Enough,'" Edward DeGroot said jokingly.

During those rare times when Wallace "Dee" DeGroot had his feet on the ground, he managed five Flying A service stations in the 1960s in Syracuse. Each of them stocked U-Haul® trailers for rent.

Not one to stray far from his father's path, Edward turned DeGroot Auto Detailing, his respected businesses in Upstate New York, into a U-Haul neighborhood dealership four months ago.

One of three U-Haul dealers in Baldwinsville, DeGroot Auto Detailing is at 3058 Belgium Road with hours of 8 a.m.-6 p.m. every day. U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment and inspection, after-hours drop off and in-store box pickup are available.

Reserve U-Haul items here by visiting http://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Baldwinsville-NY or calling (315) 352-1069 today.

The combination of superior service, additional equipment and accessible location has made DeGroot Auto Detailing one of the nation's top "AA" dealers after starting out as an "A" dealer. Edward's goal is to become a top-performing "AAA" dealer in 2015.

"We're doing OK. We hustle," Edward said. "A lot of stuff my dad taught me is still in place."

Dee DeGroot also was successful with his U-Haul affiliation 50-plus years ago, which played into Edward's decision.

Edward is a former "repo man" who got his start by recovering a U-Haul utility dolly disguised with black paint in someone's trunk. He eventually left the repossession business and opened DeGroot Auto Detailing at its current location three years ago. His 23-year-old son, Eddie, works for the company as well.

"We are here for them when the U-Haul equipment comes in," Edward said. "We wash and clean them. We are a detailing shop, so it's kind of second nature to us."

Edward noted that his family has lived in the Radisson community of Baldwinsville for 15 years and their home is "35 seconds away" from their business. And during the holidays, the DeGroot family converts its home into a Christmas wonderland.

"We have 50-some inflatables including a 26-foot inflatable reindeer in our yard," Edward said. "And my wife decorates about 13 Christmas trees in all different colors."

As a way to give back to the community, the DeGroots ask spectators to donate to the local food banks when they come to marvel at the decorations. Edward added that Radisson is a growing, strong Christian community and his family's goal to help the hungry is well received every year.

A proud family legacy and a sterling U-Haul track record make DeGroot Auto Detailing a great place to do business. It is also the perfect spot to become U-Haul Famous. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product, send it in and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to www.uhaulfamous.com to submit photos and learn more.

Contact:
Brittani Gomez, Public Relations Intern
Jeff Lockridge, Public Relations Specialist
E-mail: [email protected] 
Phone: 602-760-4941
Website: uhaul.com

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SOURCE U-Haul