D&D is back!
In 2007, Rob Duckett sold D&D’s National 4WD Centre to focus on his health. 75 days later, the shop was set on fire.
“My plan was to get healthy. I was chasing the dream and sacrificed my health. I smoked for 30 years, over-worked, over-weight and Diabetic. I was looking forward to retirement,” he says.
But when D&D shop burned down, Duckett’s deal with the new owners got complicated. For 10 years Duckett spent his retirement savings sorting out the legalities, and in the end he wound up with some charred inventory and equipment recaptured from the old business. But he did get his health back.
Friend and former apprentice Kevin Horsman (still using his old toolbox, charred from the fire) called, and said he wanted to move back to the Island from Alberta — the past winter was just too cold and he missed his family and friends. So the two made plans to reopen D&D in Mill Bay.
Then COVID-19 hit.
“We were going to reopen April 15, 2020, 13 years to the day of the fire and 30 years from when D&D was first established, but we postponed,” Duckett says. “But word got out to some of our former customers that we were back, and we’ve been booked up solid since June. It’s been really great to be back and to be so appreciated by former customers , friends and businesses.”
‘It’s terrible out there!’
Duckett says it has changed since he was last in the business of repairing vehicles and selling parts.
“It’s terrible out there! I’ve heard too many stories from customers that they’re getting over-charged, work not done properly. A lot of places have become parts installers, and have lost the ability to diagnose and fix the problem. We have the knowledge, desire and tools to do it right.”
D&D has been grandfathered back as a Parts Direct Distributor. “We now offer a parts finding service, new & used car & truck, just call and we will try and get what you need, cheap and fast.”
Former customers are thrilled to have D&D back on the Island. “We’ve resurrected several now classic trucks and cars for classic clients, like a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado and 1975 Cutlass Supreme for former clients who now have Alzheimer’s and the grown children are making dreams happen.”
D&D is now located at 3330 Trans-Canada Hwy (the long green cedar hedge before Mill Bay) by appointment only, servicing everything from diesel to hybrid vehicles. Reach them at the same number as before, 250-SHOPNOW (746-7669) or email 250shopnow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow D&D on Facebook at facebook.com/directdistributers!
