B.P Cars aim to please

B.P Cars are a used car and light commercial dealership based in Raphoe, Co. Donegal. Managing Director of the company Brian Doherty spoke to Irish Trucker magazine about what it is like to be involved in the business.

Brian has established a reputable business over the years

The company was established seven years ago and is a family business that specialise in high quality, low mileage, pre-owned car and commercial vehicles.
The business of selling cars and light commercials is a competitive market with many companies competing to stay afloat. B.P Cars may not be biggest in their field of expertise, but what they can offer their customers cannot be matched by many.
“We are a relatively small business, but we pride ourselves in delivering quality vehicles to our customers with a friendly and efficient service,” said Brian.

“It is important for us to supply a good standard of vehicles or customers will just not come back, it’s as simple as that. If we were trying to outsmart people, we would have gone out of business a long time ago.

“All our cars and light commercials are pre-checked for NCT and DOE testing and a full service package can be provided, while we also provide nationwide delivery,” added Brian.

Another happy customers leaves B.P Cars

B.P Cars offer a wide range of services including sales, servicing, warranty, bodywork repairs, valeting, NCT and DOE pre-checks and preparation and nationwide delivery. Their opening hours are from Monday to Saturday 9am-7pm.
B.P Cars are aware that customer service is best displayed in offering comprehensive customer packages. With a full-time staff of six, eager to help the customers in anyway possible, it is no surprise to hear that the Donegal based company has held the same clients for many years.

"Selling a car or van is only half the job, but the quality of service is what brings the customer and we are very grateful to all our repeat customers, who have stuck with us down through the years.
"We have a very dedicated and motivated staff that know our fleet of vans and cars inside out. They offer the best service to the customer and they play an important part in the ongoing success of the company.

"Commercial customers need their vehicles to run their businesses, so we endeavour to keep all vehicles on the road. In the event that a vehicle has to come into the workshop for repair, we'll get it back in double quick time," stressed Brian.
A significant percentage of the company’s business centres of the light commercial market. To that end the B.P Cars is acutely aware that the market is finite and places great store on customer retention. The Donegal based-company operates from well-apportioned premises including reception area, showrooms, workshop and parts department. The premises are functional and well equipped to meet the requirements of a busy dealership.

Behind the scenes from reception, to administration, to the stores department and after sales, the company has assembled a strong, friendly and efficient staff right out of the very top drawer.
The capacity to carry passengers as well as materials makes many of the light commercials an attractive package.
Not surprisingly, Brian believes the company’s staff is one of its strongest selling points. “We have a very friendly and efficient staff that are very customer focused in everything that they do,” he confirmed.

Over the years B.P Cars has built up a loyal customer base, Consequently the company benefits from high levels of repeat business. The company operate from two premises as apart from Raphoe, they have another outlet in Carraroe, Sligo, where they stock 30-40 cars at any given time, while the premises in Raphoe will hold in the region of 100 vehicles.
“We have a one acre site in Raphoe with a compound just down the road, the stock is evenly split between cars and light commercials. The majority of the vehicles in stock are ex-U.K or from a Dublin lease company,” added Brian.
“I did think about setting up business in Dublin as well, but found that it was very expensive to buy or lease premises down there, so decided against it.”

The company director revealed that Christmas time has been surprisingly one of his busiest periods, even though he deals in the second-hand trade.
“December was a very busy month for us. People like to buy their cars before they get a year older and this has seen a rise in sales around that time of year.”

B.P Cars are an expanding business that has provided an excellent service to their customers in the North-West and such is their reputation that they look set to one of the leading car dealers in the area for many years to come.