Catchy title, huh? I think so. Allow me to tell you a little story of who it belongs to and why it belongs there.

Here’s the backdrop:

1. I recently got a new car (see photo below, minus the European license plate).
2. I like new cars.
3. I recently sold a car.
4. I now know I don’t like selling cars.
5. I found someone who helped me do both.
6. I’m now a very happy client.
7. I WILL be coming back to see them…which is WHAT good service is all about, no?

Who on earth could do such a thing? I think you should do yourself a favour and get to know these two words (which are not Scrabble-compliant): autoONE. More importantly, you should introduce yourself to a sales associate by the name of Karen Jamison kjamison@autoONE.ca and be prepared to be happy.autoONE is a boutique sales and leasing company here in Vancouver [Canada] that has attracted a significant amount of attention since they swung open their doors a few years ago. In fact, the title of this post is their slogan on each and every license plate cover they send out and let me tell you, it certainly belongs there!

I came across autoONE about a year ago when I was reading a slick review of their story in BC Business magazine. It had profiled Karen and I really thought that they had carved themselves out a niche in the uber competitive auto business by approaching the whole buying/leasing experience a little differently. I like different…it gets noticed.

SO…I thought that when I’m in the market for a new car next time ’round…I’m giving them a call. Cut to spring 2007…I did.

What I found cool about autoONE is they are most definitely NOT your typical ‘car dealership’ at their location in Kitsilano. Instead, they have a minimalist-inspired showroom scattered with cars of all makes and models. AND…no matter what you’re there for (e.g., Ferrari or VW) it doesn’t matter! You’re treated the same way…now that’s solid.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO REALLY KNOW: If you’ve ever gone through the whole buying/selling extravaganza, you’ll appreciate anyone or anything that helps make the process a little easier. What attracted me to autoONE is simply their ‘clean’ approach to something that is about as fun as piano lessons were as a kid. For those of you who don’t relate…piano lessons were not fun (in any way).

Over the month or so that I took from starting the process to signing the papers, Karen was my ONLY contact, from start to finish. THAT was a nice touch as it really did turn what always seems to be a ‘bumpy’ road into a ’smooth’ one. (I have a strange feeling that some of you nodded your head just now…)

I wasn’t attacked by GAP-like greeters/sales or business managers; I wasn’t up-sold any undercoating; I wasn’t hassled to take on extended warranties; I wasn’t made to wait and feel like they were breaking their backs for me and I should be-so-lucky; and I wasn’t feeling like I was being offered options like ‘beige’ or ‘light beige’?

Karen (and autoONE as a whole) REALLY added value in my particular situation as she/they was there for me 24/7 duing the sale process (which helped a tonne as I don’t sell cars) and when I was ready to move into my new car, they weren’t a day late and a dollar short.

My car was there WHEN I wanted it and HOW I wanted it. Now THAT’S what I like…and that’s why autoONE is part of www.timinganddelivery.com!

T&D Rating: 5 wheels (out of 5)