For an auto repair shop, choosing or changing networks is not a decision to be taken lightly. Let’s explore the reasons why two shops were inspired to join the growing Bumper to Bumper Auto Service family.

Serge Laverdière owns the repair shop that bears his name in the village of Saint-Raphaël in Bellechasse. After being independent for a long time, and then joining another banner, he has recently become a Bumper to Bumper Auto Service shop.

“I started this shop 25 years ago after cutting my teeth at other auto repair places. My goal was to create a shop that combined all the best practices I’d seen. More than anything, I wanted to give our community a one-stop shop for all their car care needs—everything from A to Z and back again,” Laverdière says.

This commitment translates into constant investment in equipment and training that will enable him to deliver the services his customers expect.

His diverse clientele includes owners of vehicles used for both personal and commercial purposes. “With our four service bays and seven-person team, we also maintain commercial vehicles,” explains Laverdière.

 

The tools and the trust

What stands out from the discussion with this straight shooting entrepreneur is that he has spent years building a relationship of trust with his customers, and that he expects the same kind of relationship with the network he’s a part of.

“I needed a network that would be a true partner,” he explains. “Bumper to Bumper caught my eye for a few reasons. Right from the get-go, their representatives were easy to talk to and they really listened to what I needed, making quick decisions. There’s a real family feel to how they operate, and that resonates with me.”

That said, working with a network is also a business matter. On this front, Laverdière indicates that he has access to all the parts he needs to repair the vehicles he has been entrusted with, noting that the purchase rebates and warranty program are advantageous. The parts warranty, by the way, directly benefits the customer, who can get back on the road with confidence.

“But there’s more to it,” Laverdière adds. “The team at the Bumper to Bumper store took the time to understand my needs and test out different parts delivery setups. They adapted to my way of doing things, not the other way around.”

Laverdière appreciates this considerate approach, having practiced it himself with his clientele since day one. An example? A fleet of fifteen courtesy cars is available to ensure that work on their vehicles doesn’t disrupt their schedule.

The owner also doesn’t hide the fact that he likes Bumper to Bumper’s dynamic image. Always on the lookout for innovative ideas, he takes a close look at the training program offered by the network. “Training is important, because for my shop, it has always proven to be worthwhile,” he says, adding that cutting-edge tools and knowledge allow him to offer new and better services.

The strength of reputation

In L’Assomption, Sébastien Gagnon operates a five-bay service shop with his partner, Annie Jacques. The shop belonged to his father until about ten years ago. Carrying on his father’s legacy, Gagnon understands the value of the shop’s well-established reputation, which has kept families coming back for generations.

“I bump into my customers at the grocery store all the time,” he says, highlighting why offering top-notch service and parts is so crucial. “We’re not short of work, especially since our customers tend to keep their vehicles for a long time. Our full-service approach is all about making sure that trend continues.”

New banner, indeed, because since the beginning of the year, the shop has been sporting the colours of the Bumper to Bumper Auto Service network.

 

A strategic choice

Switching banners wasn’t a decision Gagnon took lightly, given his shop’s long-standing relationship with another network, since day one. However, he points out a key advantage: He now has access to two Bumper to Bumper stores with a combined inventory, especially useful for sourcing less common parts.

Aligning with Bumper to Bumper Auto Service is a strategic play to boost the shop’s growth potential. “It’s a great image for my shop,” he adds. “The brand feels young and dynamic. I feel that we’re going to work together to grow my business, but I’m also keen to help them expand their network. I’ve already had several shop owners I know express interest in the banner, and I’m happy to share my experience with them.”

Like his fellow shop owner in Saint-Raphaël, Gagnon is keen to explore the learning opportunities that come with his new network affiliation. “I’m a huge advocate of training,” he says, thinking about its importance for his son, Samuel, an apprentice mechanic in the shop, and the representative of the family’s next generation.

“By choosing the Bumper to Bumper banner, these two well-established community entrepreneurs have found a network relationship that mirrors the trust they’ve built with their own customers,” concludes Émilie Gaudet, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bumper to Bumper, as she welcomes these two new members.