U-Haul Dealer Craig’s Auto Experts Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Feb 7, 2018

Since 1979, do-it-yourself customers in Abbeville, La., have been coming to Craig’s Auto Experts and U-Haul Dealership for their moving needs. Now after four decades of serving his community, Craig Hebert is reflecting on his role and successes.

“I opened this business in 1978 and started renting U-Haul trucks in 1979,” Hebert said. “I was looking for a way to bring people into the store, but it became so much more. When folks were moving to town, I would be the first person to greet them.”

Service above the Rest

Craig’s Auto Experts at 1708 Memorial Drive started as a detail shop with a mechanic service department. It has since expanded to a full-service auto shop. Hebert has a car wash and gas station, and goes above and beyond for his customers. His shop offers U-Haul truck and trailer sharing, towing equipment, moving supplies and much more.

Normal business hours are 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday. After-hours drop-off is available. Reserve U-Haul products by calling (337) 898-1923.

“My slogan is ‘Service above the rest’ – and I really try to live by that,” Hebert said. “I had some folks that used to get their U-Haul trucks from me for grocery deliveries. One time, the truck broke down and I drove another one out to make sure they made the delivery on time. To be successful, business has to be personal.”

Hebert added that he doesn’t have much spare time between U-Haul and his primary business, but it’s not hard to work because he loves it so much. “I wish everyone could love their job like I do,” he noted.

Todd Boudreaux is the U-Haul area field manager assigned to Craig’s Auto Experts. He has seen firsthand the work Hebert puts into his business.

“Craig works very hard to service his customers, both with their U-Haul rentals and their own vehicles,” Boudreaux said. “He is the only dealer I have who actually washes our trucks himself. He really cares.”

U-Haul is Family

After 40 years of keeping Abbeville on the move, Craig’s Auto Experts is synonymous with U-Haul in his community.

“Craig lives and breathes U-Haul,” Boudreaux continued. “People in Abbeville know that he’s the U-Haul guy, and we’re so glad to have him representing us. He’s part of our team.”

U-Haul Company of Northern Louisiana, based in Shreveport, services Craig’s Auto Experts. But the three-hour drive does nothing to stymie this longstanding partnership.

“I’ve made lifelong friends through U-Haul,” Hebert said. “I try to take the whole Shreveport team out to eat once a year. They take care of me, and I want to do the same.”

Interested in becoming a U-Haul neighborhood dealer and meeting your community’s moving needs? Visit uhaul.com/dealer to learn more.

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Ringing Endorsement: U-Haul Marks 80 Years of Serving DIY Movers

Ringing Endorsement: U-Haul Marks 80 Years of Serving DIY Movers

Tribute Journey Fleet Week Afternoon Tea honoring Gold Star Families preceded the closing bell ceremony In a historic moment, U-Haul commemorated its 80th anniversary of moving people to a better life by ringing the New York Stock Exchange closing bell on May 23 to...

U-Haul to Ring in 80th Anniversary as Moving Season Gets Started

U-Haul to Ring in 80th Anniversary as Moving Season Gets Started

U-Haul® will symbolically kick off “moving season” on Friday with the ringing of the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The ceremony will also mark the start of a special summer for the do-it-yourself moving and self-storage leader, which is celebrating 80...

U-Haul Food Drive Benefits Arizona Nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul

U-Haul Food Drive Benefits Arizona Nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul

Team Members donated more than 2,500 pounds of food and water during a recent food drive at U-Haul® headquarters in Phoenix to support local charity partner St. Vincent de Paul. SVdP, with the help of partners like U-Haul and caring volunteers, makes a tremendous...

Northern Exposure: U-Haul Trucks Reach Remote Alaskan Town of Craig

Northern Exposure: U-Haul Trucks Reach Remote Alaskan Town of Craig

U-Haul “8 for 80” Dealer Series In celebration of our 80th anniversary in 2025, we are highlighting eight small businesses serving as U-Haul dealers who have teamed with us to bring DIY moving products and services to their communities. These dealers may be old or...

The U-Haul Toy Hauler: Will My Large SUV or Truck Fit?

The U-Haul Toy Hauler: Will My Large SUV or Truck Fit?

With certain limitations and exceptions, here is just a sampling of the vehicles that can be towed by the U-Haul Toy Hauler trailer that would not fit on the U-Haul Auto Transport: BMW X7Cadillac EscaladeChevy AvalancheChevy Silverado 1500-3500Chevy SuburbanChevy...