Carl Ramsey: Toothman and Sowers Ford | PWV Podcast

Jun 5, 2025 | Positively West Virginia

Carl Ramsey: Building Trust and Transparency at Toothman Sowers in Fairmont, West Virginia

In this episode of Positively West Virginia, we had the opportunity to sit down with Carl Ramsey, one of the owners of Toothman Sowers, a Ford dealership based in Fairmont, West Virginia. Carl’s journey into the automotive industry is a fascinating one, shaped by hard work, a passion for technology, and a drive to create a transparent and customer-first experience.

From High School to Entrepreneurship

Carl grew up in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 2001. Early on, Carl’s life took a different turn when he found out he was expecting a child as a senior in high school. This led him to join the workforce rather than pursue a traditional college path. His first ventures included installing and working on stereo equipment, where he developed an interest in sales after receiving feedback that he had a natural talent for connecting with people.

His first sales experience came in the form of a job selling high-end medical devices, specifically a $3,000-$4,000 vacuum cleaner with an air filter. Despite the challenging nature of door-to-door sales, Carl saw it as a valuable learning experience, providing him with the foundation he needed for his future sales career.

A Shift to Tech and Retail

Carl’s career took another turn when he began working for a Sprint kiosk at the Meadowbrook Mall, which was a joint venture with RadioShack. In a few short months, Carl rose to the position of store manager, learning the ropes of retail management and gaining valuable experience in leadership.

However, as RadioShack faced its decline, Carl’s next step brought him into the world of cars. In 2008, he saw an ad for a job at a local Ford dealership and, after a walk-in interview, was hired to sell cars. This marked the beginning of Carl’s career in the automotive industry.

Embracing the Digital Age of Car Sales

Carl’s background in technology would prove invaluable in his new role. Ford was encouraging its dealerships to embrace the digital age by creating websites and ensuring that their inventory was visible online. Carl’s previous experience with tech and the internet made him the perfect candidate to oversee the dealership’s digital operations. His efforts played a key role in helping the dealership build an online presence that attracted customers from near and far.

By 2012, Carl had moved to Northeast Ohio, where he became the Internet Director for a large dealership group. This was a major turning point in his career, where he learned how to oversee internet operations across multiple locations and manage a high-volume dealership. This role would ultimately prepare him for the next big step: becoming an owner of a dealership himself.

Building Toothman Sowers

In 2017, Carl made the decision to partner in the ownership of Toothman Sowers, a Ford dealership in Fairmont. Today, Carl is proud to lead a team that prioritizes transparency and customer service.

At Toothman Sowers, they are committed to market-best pricing—offering their best price up front and ensuring that it stays consistent throughout the process. This level of transparency is rare in the industry, where customers often experience price discrepancies between what they see online and what they’re quoted at the dealership. Toothman Sowers has built a reputation for eliminating this issue, ensuring that customers can rely on the prices they see, whether they’re browsing online, calling in, or visiting in person.

Carl explains, “The price might sell the first vehicle, but the service sells the rest. We want to create customers for life.”

Serving a Larger Region

While Toothman Sowers primarily serves Marion County and the surrounding areas, their reputation for aggressive pricing has brought in customers from as far away as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. The dealership has customers driving as far as 112 miles to take advantage of their pricing, proving that their reputation for fair, transparent pricing resonates beyond the local area.

In addition to competitive pricing, Carl emphasizes convenience and excellent customer service. Toothman Sowers offers pickup and delivery services for routine maintenance and even provides mobile service vehicles for specific services like recalls. This customer-first approach ensures that clients can enjoy a hassle-free experience, further cementing the dealership’s reputation as a trusted community resource.

The Future of Toothman Sowers

As Carl looks ahead to the future, he remains focused on continuing to offer exceptional service while staying ahead of the curve with new technologies and innovative customer solutions. Ford’s new models, like the Bronco and Maverick, have brought in a new generation of customers, and Carl is excited to see where the future takes the dealership as they continue to innovate and evolve.

For Carl, the journey from high school to dealership ownership has been a winding road, but it’s clear that his passion for sales, technology, and customer service has led him to exactly where he’s meant to be. Toothman Sowers is not just about selling cars—it’s about creating a lasting relationship with each customer and providing a seamless, transparent experience every step of the way.

Learn More here: https://www.tandsford.com/

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