10/18/2026
🔧😂 D&S PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT — WITH A SIDE OF SASS! 😂🔧
As grass-cutting season winds down, the snowblowers are coming out of hibernation, and the ATVs and UTVs are apparently multiplying when we're not looking!
We're already absolutely flooded with equipment and BOOKING INTO JANUARY! ❄️🔧
🚨 BUT DON'T PANIC!
If you've had an unexpected breakdown or something urgently needs attention, don't hesitate to give us a call! We understand that breakdowns don't exactly happen at convenient times, and we'll always do our best to see whether we can squeeze emergency repairs into the schedule.
Please understand, though, that we cannot accommodate every emergency or guarantee immediate service. We have only so many hours in a day, and there's already a lineup of customers patiently waiting their turn. We'll help wherever we reasonably can!
First off, THANK YOU! We genuinely appreciate the incredible support and trust our customers continue to put in our little shop.
That being said, a few friendly reminders before we have to install a drawbridge and fill the moat with alligators. 🐊
📅 WE ARE STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
Not appointments preferred. Not appointments unless you're just dropping something off. Not appointments unless you see somebody outside.
APPOINTMENT. ONLY.
And here's why!
It's not that we don't love our customers. We absolutely do! But we're incredibly busy, and every interruption takes time away from the machines we're working hard to get back into your hands.
Our appointment-only business model allows our technicians to focus on what they do best — diagnosing, repairing and servicing equipment efficiently and effectively, rather than constantly stopping to answer questions, receive unexpected drop-offs or accommodate unplanned visits.
And guess what? IT WORKS!
Since implementing this model, we've seen an exponential increase in the number of jobs we can handle and the amount of work we complete.
Less interruption means better workflow, improved turnaround, and more productive hours in the shop.
And here's the part that benefits everyone: efficiency helps us keep our labour rates affordable. When we're spending more time turning wrenches and less time juggling interruptions, we can operate more efficiently without passing unnecessary overhead costs along to our customers.
More work completed, better turnaround, affordable pricing. Everybody wins! 🏆
☎️ THE PHONE HAS MOVED TO THE OFFICE!
Our phones are no longer answered in the shop. Calls are now handled through our office so our technicians can concentrate on repairs without constantly being interrupted.
Our lovely office lady is doing her best to keep everything organized, and we'd really appreciate everyone showing her the same courtesy and respect you show the rest of our team.
Please don't make her walk all the way over to the shop because you're wondering whether your snowblower is blue or red, or because you remembered one more thing you forgot to mention three weeks ago. 😂
She's perfectly capable of taking messages, answering general questions and deciding what needs the attention of the technicians.
Any questions or concerns requiring shop involvement will be forwarded at her discretion, based on urgency, relevance and the order she determines appropriate.
Please respect her judgment. Not every question requires immediately pulling a mechanic away from a repair, and repeatedly calling won't move your machine ahead in the queue.
Be kind to her. She's the one keeping the chaos organized! ❤️
🏡 YES, WE LIVE HERE. NO, THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE OPEN!
D&S operates on our private property. Sometimes you'll see us cutting grass, spending time with the kids, working on our own equipment or just enjoying a well-earned day off.
That doesn't mean we're at work!
FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY WE ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED.
No calls, no appointments, no surprise visits. We'll be back at it Monday!
🚧 PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE SHOP DOORS OR DRIVEWAY!
We love your machines, but we also enjoy being able to get in and out of our own property. 😂
Please don't park, unload or leave equipment anywhere without being directed by staff. Shop entrances and driveways must remain accessible at all times.
🤝 BE NICE TO THE HUMANS!
Our staff work incredibly hard, and every single one of them deserves respect and courtesy.
We're always happy to have a laugh, but rude, abusive or disrespectful behaviour toward ANY member of our team will result in your immediate promotion from valued customer to former customer. 🚀
Ejection privileges are reserved by management. 😂
All jokes aside, we're a small, family-run business doing our absolute best to keep the Ottawa Valley's equipment running.
We love our customers, we're grateful for your business, and we're proud of the relationships we've built. But to continue providing the level of service you've come to expect, we need everyone to respect the system we've put in place.
It isn't about doing less for our customers. It's about being able to do MORE for them.
Thank you for respecting our property, our team, our appointment policy and our family's personal time.
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👀 WAIT! YOU ACTUALLY READ ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE?! 😂
Well, since you're clearly one of the dedicated few who made it through our little novel, we've got a question for you!
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF D&S LOOK LIKE TO YOU? 🔧
We've been seriously exploring the possibility of purchasing a commercial or industrial property and going FULL SEND! 🚀
Bigger facility, more service bays, more technicians, more equipment, more capabilities, and a whole lot more hands turning wrenches!
But there's another side to that coin.
We've always taken pride in being a small, family-run shop where our customers aren't just another work order number.
We're talking about the kind of place where we remember your first name, last name, what you drive, what you brought us three years ago, and occasionally even your licence plate number. 😂
Admittedly, with how much we've grown, we're slowly losing our ability to remember ALL of that. The ol' mental filing cabinet is getting a little crowded! But so far, we're hanging in there. 🤣
Growing into a much larger operation could mean shorter wait times, more services and the ability to help considerably more people.
But it could also mean losing a little of that personal, family-style service that we've worked so hard to build.
And we're not entirely sure that's something we want to sacrifice.
So we're curious...
🏡 TEAM SMALL & PERSONAL: Keep D&S right where it is. Stay a smaller, family-run operation, keep that personal connection, and accept that sometimes good work comes with a waiting list.
🏭 TEAM FULL SEND: Buy that commercial property, expand the operation, bring in more technicians and service bays, and see just how big this little business can become!
There's no wrong answer, and we're genuinely interested in what our customers and community think.
So tell us in the comments: TEAM SMALL or TEAM FULL SEND? And WHY?
Because at the end of the day, we may be the ones turning the wrenches, but you're the reason we've been able to grow this far.
And who knows? Maybe this little comment section will help us decide what the next chapter of D&S looks like.
❤️ D&S Small Engines & Powersports Ltd.
Small Engines — Big Attitude.
Apparently, potentially a bigger building too. 😂🔧
