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 new, have a fun story, a unique location, or just be in an interesting line of work. Enjoy!
For Gilberto Rivas, owner of Gil’s Auto Repair Performance, signing on as a U-Haul® dealer wasn’t something he initially planned. But it quickly became one of the most impactful decisions he’s made since opening his Amherst, Mass., repair shop in 2020.
“It’s a crazy story how I started with U-Haul,” Rivas said with a laugh. “The U-Haul rep (area field manager Scott Parsons) came down a few times to talk to me, and we kept missing each other. It was like a big game of phone tag.”
After weeks of trying to connect, the two finally discovered a surprising link: their wives were friends in high school and reconnected on Facebook.
That coincidence broke the communication barrier and launched a partnership that has proven beneficial for Rivas’ small business, U-Haul, and the Amherst community’s mobility needs.
“Once we finally got the ball rolling, we haven’t looked back since,” Rivas said.
Making Inroads
Becoming a U-Haul neighborhood dealer has helped elevate Gil’s Auto Repair Performance at 40 Belchertown Road during a time when the shop was still establishing itself.
Reliable truck and trailer rentals from the industry leader in DIY moving gave Gil’s a recognizable product and significant revenue stream to supplement its primary business income.
“It has been great to be with U-Haul,” Rivas added. “It has helped my business so much, and now we are growing even faster.”
Parsons has watched that growth firsthand.
“Gilberto is very dedicated to the U-Haul equipment and U-Haul customers,” he said. “He puts a lot of time into it. We’ve become pretty good friends. He literally comes to my house periodically.”
The evolution of U-Haul Truck Share 24/7®, which empowers patrons to use their smartphones and U-Haul Live Verify technology to pick up and drop off their truck at any hour of any day, has made onboarding simple for the shop and convenient for Gil’s customers.
“The U-Haul pick-up system has made it so simple for us,” Rivas said.
Catering to College Students
Located in the center of the region’s Five Colleges — Amherst College, UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College — Gil’s sees significant traffic just before classes start and right after they end.
Students have quickly come to appreciate the helpful attitude and affordable services Gil’s provides.
“It gets pretty busy seasonally,” Parsons said. “But we all get along, and it’s a good time during the college moving rush.”
The U-Haul partnership has also strengthened community ties in Amherst. According to Parsons, the dealer’s presence brings more customers to the shop, many of whom return later for repairs or other services.
“I know a lot of the city leaders now,” Parsons said. “Me, the owner, the people at the shop … we’re all like friends now.”
“I love Amherst,” Rivas added. “It is a great community. We feel at home here.”
For Parsons, adding a new small business to the U-Haul Dealer Network is always meaningful for customers demanding accessibility to meet a basic need. It becomes truly special when that small business becomes part of the community fabric.
“Mostly, I just enjoy working with people, training people, and sharing my knowledge so they’re successful,” Parsons said. “We’re putting dependable moving equipment where customers need it.”
“It’s been a great partnership,” Rivas explained. “I’m grateful for everything U-Haul has done for us.”
This is the eighth and final blog in the “8 for 80” Dealer Series. Find all the stories on myuhaulstory.com.
U-Haul Dealer Network
Independent dealers have been the backbone of the U-Haul service model since 1945, accounting for almost 90% of all network rental locations.
Do you own a small business that could benefit from a supplemental income stream while meeting a basic need for your neighbors and community? If so, consider partnering with U-Haul as a dealer and start earning commissions from rental transactions at your site. Learn more at uhaul.com/dealer.
