One Customer! Two Generations! Nearly 20 Years Apart!
September 2026 | Winchester, Virginia: In 2007, Erin walked into Tri-State Nissan and purchased a Nissan Altima. Her salesperson was Brian Nieves. At the time, it was simply another customer beginning a new chapter with a new vehicle. Neither Erin nor Brian could have known that nearly two decades later, that purchase would become part of a much bigger story.
Nineteen years later, Erin walked back into Tri-State Nissan. This time, she was looking for a Nissan Rogue. She began working with one of our salespeople, Derek Nieves. There was no special arrangement. Erin hadn’t asked for Derek, and Derek had no idea that she had purchased a vehicle from his father years earlier. Then, during their conversation, Erin recognized the last name. Nieves. That’s when the connection was made. The salesperson helping Erin with her Nissan Rogue was the son of the salesperson who had helped her purchase her Nissan Altima back in 2007.
Like Father, Like Son
Erin was excited when she realized the connection, and Derek couldn’t wait to share what had happened with his family. Brian wasn’t at Tri-State Nissan that day. Today, he serves as Marketing Director for Marlow Auto Group and was working at the group’s Front Royal location. Then his phone went off. A message had arrived in the Nieves family group text. Derek wanted everyone to know that he had just sold a vehicle to a customer his dad had also sold a vehicle to years earlier. For Brian, the message brought an immediate sense of pride. It also came with another realization. Where had all that time gone? It had been 19 years since he helped Erin with that Altima. Now his son was sitting across from the same customer, helping her with another vehicle purchase at the same dealership. Of course, there was also room for a little father-and-son humor. Brian joked with Derek that he deserved part of the sales commission. After all, he must have provided some pretty good customer service in 2007 if Erin was still coming back 19 years later.
The Best Part of the Story? Erin Came Back
The father-and-son coincidence makes this story special. But underneath it is something that means even more to us. Erin came back. Nineteen years is a long time. A lot changes. People move, careers change, families grow, and life takes us in directions we never expect. Yet when it was time for another vehicle, Erin once again chose Tri-State Nissan. That’s something we don’t take for granted. Erin didn’t return looking for Brian’s son. Derek didn’t know he was about to help one of his dad’s former customers. There was no plan to create a special moment. It simply happened. A familiar last name connected a purchase from 2007 with a purchase in 2026, and suddenly a routine day at the dealership became a story worth sharing.
A Relationship Nearly Two Decades in the Making
Erin, thank you for trusting Tri-State Nissan in 2007. And thank you for choosing us again 19 years later. We’re grateful that Brian had the opportunity to help you with your Nissan Altima all those years ago. And we’re equally grateful that Derek had the opportunity to help you begin your next chapter with your Nissan Rogue. For Brian, there’s pride in seeing his son now building relationships of his own at the same dealership where this story began. But this story ultimately belongs to Erin. Her decision to return nearly two decades later is a reminder that the relationships we build with our customers can last much longer than any single vehicle purchase. Nineteen years. Two vehicles. Two generations. One customer who chose to come back. Erin, thank you for trusting Tri-State Nissan then, and thank you for trusting us again today.
For The Marlow Automotive Group, this is what building long-term relationships by exceeding expectations is all about.
