When you run a dealership that sells everything from classic cars to high-performance boats, you learn quickly that every supplier relationship matters. For Geneva Motorcars in Darien, Wisconsin, just 20 minutes from Lake Geneva, boat trailers are a critical part of the customer experience, especially in the summer when boat sales make up 30-40% of their business.
A Partnership Born from a Chance Encounter
Geneva Motorcars has an unconventional origin story. Co-owner Justin Bender previously ran a Cobalt dealer in the area before going out on his own. He met Spencer Giardini at an auction where they were both bidding on the same car. That chance meeting turned into a business partnership, and Geneva Motorcars was born. They started in Delavan, quickly outgrew that location, and landed in Darien where Geneva Motorcars is now “a big dealership in a small farm town,” as they describe it.
Their business has grown to include boat sales and consignment, cars, powersports, and trailers, with constant pickup and delivery keeping their team busy. They even use platforms like Bring a Trailer to reach buyers nationwide.
With that kind of operation, Geneva Motorcars needed trailer suppliers who could match their standards for quality and reliability. So, when frustrations with an existing supplier put those values at risk, they started looking for a new partner.
When “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough
Before partnering with Venture, Geneva Motorcars worked with another trailer manufacturer. While the relationship was generally functional, they experienced recurring issues that became harder to overlook, like mix-ups with manufacturer spec lists that created complications for their team and customers.
For a dealership committed to being the best in their market, these inconsistencies were more than minor annoyances. They were gaps in the customer experience Geneva Motorcars works hard to deliver.
What Made Venture Different
When Geneva Motorcars decided to add an aluminum-style trailer to their lineup, Venture was the first brand they evaluated.
What they discovered made the decision straightforward.
“We knew Venture Trailers was well known for producing a high-quality product with a sleek, clean look,” Justin explains. “As a new and used boat dealer, we’ve seen Venture trailers for years. We’ve always appreciated the quality, attention to detail, and overall fit and finish.”
But reputation alone doesn’t seal a partnership. What stood out was how Venture operated from day one.
“Very responsive—that was something that stood out,” says Joelle, who handles much of the day-to-day coordination. “Everyone was responsive to questions and emails. The pricing was competitive, and the product is excellent.”
Working directly with Venture’s sales team reinforced their decision. “The communication was clear, the follow-up was great, and the shipment updates were timely,” Justin notes. “It made the decision easy and straightforward.”
A Partnership That Performs
Since switching to Venture, the contrast has been clear. “Everything arrives on time or early, organized, in pristine condition,” Joelle says. “The organization is very smooth. No mix-ups or errors. I haven’t had to deal with customer service yet, and that’s a good thing!”
For Geneva Motorcars, this reliability translates directly to customer confidence. “We care about customer satisfaction and always strive to provide the best experience we can,” Joelle explains. “We have competitors, and we want people to feel comfortable using us. They see us and think of cars, but we want them to know we’re very knowledgeable about boats and boat trailers.”
That knowledge extends to understanding what customers value. “The look of the trailers and the quality is very attractive to most people who use them,” she adds. “Nothing seems broken or like it would be easily broken.”
Quality as a Competitive Advantage
For Geneva Motorcars, partnering with Venture aligns with their core business philosophy: quality and safety are paramount.
“Having a brand new, direct-from-manufacturer trailer under the boat is important,” Joelle says. “It’s about giving our customers confidence in what they’re buying and the experience they’re getting from us.”
“Their reputation made us confident in buying and stocking Venture trailers so we could continue offering a great product to our customers,” adds Justin.
Geneva Motorcars competes not just on inventory but on expertise and service, and Venture has become more than a supplier, they’re a partner that helps deliver on the dealer’s promise to its customers.”Venture Trailers has been a fantastic company to work with,” Justin concludes. “We truly appreciate the partnership.”
About Geneva Motorcars
Located in Darien, Wisconsin, Geneva Motorcars specializes in new and used boats, cars, powersports, and trailers, serving customers throughout the Lake Geneva region and beyond. Learn more at genevamotorcars.com.