Buying a new car has a long history of being a trying, negative experience. The stereotypes persist for those of us who have bought many cars over many years. Four or five guys smoking and joking under the awning in front of the dealership and it goes downhill from there.

Not so for reader Lacey who suggests Sue Frank of Barrier Motors in Bellevue as a Lagniappe recipient. From the initial meeting through a post purchase issue, Sue was a top-notch professional focused on ensuring her customer got what she needed and wanted at a fair price. Her knowledge of the vehicle was superior and she focused on educating the customer and facilitating a good decision.

All was good and then a week after the sale there was a problem with the car. Sue brought a nice loner car to the customer’s office and took the new car to the shop, had the problem fixed and returned it to the customer. Seems to me that the quality of leadership, culture of a business and integrity of an individual are most well defined by what happens when things don’t go well. Sue and Barrier Motors simply take care of the customer.

In recognition and appreciation of Sue’s professionalism the Lagniappe Award donation goes to her favorite charity, The Salvation Army’s Women’s Shelter.