They’re coming from all over. From Minnedosa to Dauphin to Steinbach and everywhere in between, customers in search of quality pre-owned vehicles and Old Hickory buildings and sheds are beating a trail to BG Sales.
“We’re essentially located in the middle of nowhere,” jokes Branson Grenier, owner-operator of BG Sales. “Saint Leon is the nearest town, and it’s a five-minute drive from there to our location just north of the intersection of Highways 23 and 244.”
It turns out a lot of people know exactly how to find Grenier’s impressive shop, situated on a family farm. His is a proudly local business, although “local” looks a bit different to him.
“When I say ‘local’ I don’t only mean the guys down the street. I mean all across Manitoba,” he says. “It’s nuts how everyone’s trusted us, come to shop with us and just supported us.”
Looking back at just the few years since opening BG Sales – actually a pleasant 35-minute drive northwest from Morden – Grenier admits he couldn’t have foreseen how a passion project became a thriving business so quickly.
“I originally went to Assiniboine Community College, and then I came back here and decided to start up a small car dealership on the side of the farm,” he recalls. “The next thing I know, the dealership that was supposed to be a hobby is now a full-time job. We’ve grown the business to the point where we’re selling buildings in addition to vehicles, and I’m hiring employees. It’s grown much further than we could have ever expected.”
Expected? No. But maybe dreamt about.
Grenier has always loved cars, and from a young age he can remember being able to tell what kind of vehicle he was in just by riding in it. When he opened BG Sales he still hadn’t had professional sales experience in the automotive industry, although he’d worked at an auto parts store while in high school.
“Other than that, I’d had no prior experience with this,” he says. “I jumped in with both feet, and it’s worked out.”
BG Sales now has between 30 and 40 vehicles on the lot at any given time. Mostly, the cars, SUVs and trucks arrive from dealerships, although Grenier emphasizes he’s always looking to buy from people in the area. He also backs up the vehicles he sells.
“We have a very good warranty on all our vehicles,” he says. “They all come with a three-month, 3,000 km powertrain warranty. Now, there are upgrades if customers want them at a cost. But either way, it’s a great warranty no matter what.”
He also underlines his no-pressure approach to vehicle sales, unlike what customers might be used to in the industry generally.
“One thing, I think, that’s made us so successful is there’s no push salesman tactics here,” he says. “If you like a car, great – it’s yours. If you don’t like it, don’t worry. You’ll never be pressured to buy it. It’s totally up to you.”
It’s a customer-focussed strategy that also extends to BG Sales’ business hours. Grenier acknowledges that a lot of folks might not be able to make the trip to his lot during the traditional 9-5. So, he’s open late. In fact, he’ll show his inventory at any time, on appointment, during weekdays.
It’s an inventory, don’t forget, that also includes those Old Hickory buildings.
“One day over coffee my cousin mentioned Old Hickory was looking for a dealer, and I should talk to them,” Grenier says. “They’re built in Manitoba, and there are six dealers now – me being one of them.”
Old Hickory buildings and sheds come as small as 8 x 8 or as large as 16 x 40. And they can be used for a whole range of things. Naturally, they’re ideal for regular storage, but they can also be used as garages and even turned into cabins. Like their vehicles, BG Sales also backs the structures with an impressive warranty.
“Old Hickory has a 50-year warranty on their siding,” says Grenier. “There’s also a 30-year warranty on the roof.”
He’s also sure to mention that the siding will not get termites, and the tin roof won’t rust.
“We can also deliver pretty much all across Manitoba,” he says.
All told, BG Sales’ journey from a 12 x 24 garden shed on Grenier’s parents’ yard and a hobby interest in cars to a full shop with an impressive inventory of pre-owned vehicles and Old Hickory buildings has been a fast one – but well-earned.
Not too shabby for a business “in the middle of nowhere.”
BG Sales can be reached by calling (431) 284-3081 or by emailing bgsalesmb@gmail.com. Their inventory of pre-owned vehicles, financing and warranty information, and a run-down of Old Hickory’s buildings can be found on their website.