New auto Supply Shop in Pockwood Pond, 'One Stop Auto' said to be threat to others with their low prices etc. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO

Store opened yesterday, August 21, 2012. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO

The business financed by four Virgin Islanders and one resident, opened their doors to the public yesterday, August 21, 2012.

Store Manager Terrance Gumbs, in an exclusive interview said, this idea and new venture derived from the fact that, many from Tortola and its sister islands, usually travel to St. Thomas to buy car parts etc. because it is actually in fact cheaper.

Mr. Gumbs added that by observing this, the owners decided to provide their fellow natives with the same high quality products at low and affordable prices. “Lower than any other auto shop on Tortola.”

“We go to St. Thomas, rent a car, go to Western Auto, get the part that we were trying to source locally, we come back, we pay the mechanic to put it on the car and by far its still cheaper than buying it here. So out of that frustration that’s where that concept came from.”

In example to the prices of One Stop Auto when compared with other auto shops in the Virgin Islands (VI),  he said “We have a radiator for a Suzuki sidekick, one of the competitors had it for $350, another had it for $310, we have the same radiator for $285, and that is the same way across the board with our products and prices where we are usually substantially lower than the competitor.”

He said that one thing that is done differently to ensure that the prices remain low is the fact that One Stop Auto has a website where persons can register their vehicles. “what we want to do is have targeted purchases for inventory stocking, we don’t wanna stock a whole wide of stuff that just sit on the shelf, because that carries up inventory cost. What we are encouraging is that persons register their vehicles, so we bring parts for those vehicles; so it’s targeted purchasing, targeted stocking so it keeps the cost low.”

One Stop Auto is a retail auto store that carries the parts for every make, any model and any vehicle in the Virgin Islands, according to Management.

Apart from the prices, what makes One Stop Auto different from any other auto shops in the territory is their service level, the fact that they have a website that offers tutorials on different things to install or service a vehicles as well as their DMV registration special.

 “if you busy at work and you want to license your car, the renewal comes up, you can call us and we pick up your car for you, drive it here, make sure it’s all checked out, the lights are working, the wipers are good, the tires are good, license it for you at the DMV, wash it and take It back to you; this is the premium package.”

He added that there is also an intermediate and basic package.

Mr. Gumbs said the aim of the newly opened store is to become the first choice for sourcing parts locally. “We wanna go from strength to strength; this is our number one concern.”

In regards to the location of the store, he said he sees the location as a “strong positive” for the fact that it is so close to the DMV. “The whole population has to come down here at least once per month, there is a steady flow of traffic in here, so we see that as an advantage because in the past when you fail any part of the license inspection, you had to go to town to change a tire or a wiper, and we have that right here.”

The store is currently fully functional with three staff members: himself, who is well versed in the area, with him being a drag racer, where he had to buy a lot of parts from the ground up to set up his car for racing, a cashier and a sales associate who has 5 years’ experience in the auto retail business.

The newly opened business, in the near future will be expanding their services with an auto shop.

Customer Review

In conducting interviews with persons who attended the grand opening, one patron said that the prices of One Stop Auto are very reasonable when compared to other prices. He added that they are top notch, especially for the type of products.

“This store triumphs over local stores such as International Motors and Nibbs.

The customer said at first he saw the location as a huge problem being that it is so far “but with it being so close to the DMV it is quite accessible, where at some point people have to come to the DMV and if they need a part, they won’t have to go all the way town, they can get it right here.”

Pertaining to the DMV registration deal promoted by One stop Auto, he exclaimed “that is awesome” he added “for a person in my line of work [messenger] when I’m  at work in town using the company vehicle, I can leave my personal vehicle here and always after work come and get it.

Another patron said the prices are much better than many stores that he usually buy from and he sees himself in the future buying from One Stop Auto.

The man said that as a resident of East End, he doesn’t see the location as a problem, where anyone would travel a distance to get the lowest and best prices.

“Location is not a problem, people leave from here and go St. Thomas to buy stuff, so to travel a distance but staying on one island for quality products that are cheap, they don’t want anything better than that.”

As part of the opening of the new auto supply store, persons were asked to fill out a raffle form, asking for their name, number, car type and year. At the end of the day after a raffle draw, the prize of a Tool set went to Abisha Joesph, a His & Her’s bike set to Earl Forbes and a one night all inclusive stay at Scrub Island Resort to Veda Austrie.

Various tools and floor mats were also given to attendees, sponsored by a supplier from Miami.