By now, most people who live in Bolton will have heard that Paul Coffey’s Toyota dealership has been sold to the Dilawri Group but there’s no need to wonder where Paul Coffey himself is these days. He’s right next door at the Kia dealership and 24 hour car wash he opened when he chose to expand and develop the property the original dealership was built on in 2011.
Coffey, who retired in 2000 after a successful 20 year career as a defenseman in the NHL, says he chose being close to his young children as they grew up over extending his sports career.
“I didn’t want to travel. At the time I had 2 kids – now I have 3 – and they are my priority,” Coffey said, explaining that he likes heading home from the dealership to his family every day. “My 2 boys (now 10 and 15) are active playing hockey and my daughter is now seventeen. I live south of here and usually try to get out of here in the late afternoon and that’s when my second job starts… parenting and coaching 2 boys in hockey. You do that every night until 9 or 9:30 then you go to bed.”
Coffey usually spends the days at the dealership, but makes no bones about the fact that he’s not the “product guy.” He has a great team working with him and considers himself part of that team.
When asked if buying patterns have changed with the advent of internet shopping and social media, Coffey marveled at how well informed todays customers are when they enter the showroom, having already done much of their comparison shopping online.
“Half the time, the customer is so smart – which is great – that our guys have to be on their toes. You have to treat people fairly. This is one of the few industries left where you can go in and get a deal. People buy cars differently now. Brand loyalty is less important, it’s all about the price point and value for the dollar.”
“I’m smart enough to surround myself with strong people.” he said, noting that most of his employees are local to the Bolton area and the trades and materials used to build the 24-hour self-serve car wash and the new dealership were all locally sourced.
Coffey has also stayed very involved in community events over the years, sponsoring a sports team every year, supporting the Home James program and more.
“I like it here or I’d have been gone a long time ago. I like the place, I like the people and we try to be good to them,” he said, mentioning that he is in the process of working with his team to prepare a “Customer Appreciation” event which will take place sometime in late May. Details are still being finalized, but we’ll be sure to let you know the details in our May issue of Motoring.
In the meantime, if you are in the market for a new car, drop by Bolton Kia (12080 Albion Vaughan Road in South Bolton) and take advantage of some of the great spring incentives happening until the end of April.
Written by Shelly Sargent
