Nana Aba Duncan

Published in Women’s Post

The only reason Lynne Hunt bought the car of her dreams three months ago was because someone finally understood her. The tall blonde mid-forties real estate agent walked into BMW Toronto at 11 Sunlight Park Road with all the frustrations of someone who had been alternately ignored, or coerced into considering features and options on cars she simply didn’t want.

At BMW Toronto, Nicola Fisher approached and didn’t balk at Lynne’s very specific demands. “She was dealing directly with my mind,” Lynne said, both surprised and pleased.

Nicola is an attractive, petite woman with a small but growing pregnant belly. Her non-aggressive style embodies the auto industry’s increased attention toward building and keeping relationships with customers. Nicola doesn’t focus as much on the sale as she does on making buyers happy — because she’s good at it, and it works. Reading the customer and using intuition is all in a day’s work for Nicola. “I know what it’s like to be a customer. I want to walk into a store and feel important.”

One of Nicola’s specialties is her capability to serve female clientele. She has seen many women come into BMW Toronto initially on guard, bracing for specially increased prices and condescending overtones from pushy salesmen. “They’ve got their boxing gloves on, ready to fight,” she said. But she has successfully washed worries away with her soft and down-to-earth style. Lynne Hunt was more than ready to sign on the dotted line — at a higher price point than what previous sales representatives had quoted her because getting the right car was important to her. Together, the women eventually decided on the 2006 330xi four-wheel sedan in alpine white with lemon-coloured leather interior and all the Lynne-approved trimmings.

Once the car is ready, Nicola will present it to Lynne with keys and her choice of a gift at the in-house store. Being BMW’s flagship location, the six-floor building boasts more than just brand-name trinkets and comfortable seats. Complete with an internet lounge, fully stocked café (with biscotti), a kids area and a viewing-friendly service station, it’s a luxuriously designed centre with wide spaces and large glass windows that provide an elegant and open atmosphere.

Lynne is excited to get her “baby bimmer” when it arrives sometime this month. She is so pleased with the service that some of her colleagues have already contacted Nicola on her suggestion. “Nicola really knows her business. She didn’t shake my hand and push me out the door; she followed up,” Lynne said. “And I’m not just saying that. She truly is terrific.”