Quantcast
Jump to content









Bosch service center?


Recommended Posts

We are a Bosch Service Center and are in the process of becoming a NAPA service center. Bosch offers a lot, but we probably don't take advantage of it as much as we could. We do offer financing to our customers through Bosch and my techs have been using the online seminars for training. There is no down side to become a Bosch Service Center as the is no cost to you.

 

Scott

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I have also been considering it. I have already done the research. In my area their reputation is pretty good. I know another shop that does Euros and they use Bosch, and they saw an increase in their workload thanks to Bosch's marketing, and referral program. They only issues I see with their program is that you have to use a certain amount of their inventory to stay a member. That is where it kind of does not workout too well for me.

 

Firstly, their pricing on parts is not as competitive as what I get from places like Worldpac, or The Finish Line. Secondly, they push a lot of their brakes, alternators, and starters on you, and quite frankly I have not had the best of luck with Bosch branded stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why is it better for general repair to be a Napa facility versus Bosch Mspec?

 

 

NAPA has a lot more benefits to its auto care members than Bosch. I believe you do have to pay into NAPA however there is a much more synergistic relationship especially if you are using NAPA as your primary auto parts source. Bosch is nice considering that it is free but there are very few benefits to being apart of the program. We think that Bosch is a big brand name but the general public doesn't recognize it as a go to source for auto repair. I'll qualify that by saying NAPA really isnt either however there are a myriad of programs you can take advantage of through the Napa Auto Care program which is where you will win.

 

We are a Bosch shop and I would say we have tried leverage the brand to our benefit at around a 5 or 6 from a scale from 1-10. I don't believe it has really added any value to our shop in the marketing department and we have maybe gain 1-2 customers from the Bosch credit card program that already had the card from another shop in the network. This is after 3 years with Bosch and 2 years of offering their credit card.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never heard of having to stock Bosch products. We have been a Bosch shop for 3 years. I think you might have your banner programs mixed up. It is a 100% free to use program. They don't ask anything from you other than to participate in some programs, none of which cost you any money.

 

It probably changed since you signed up MSpec.

 

http://sg-ww.bosch-automotive.com/en/ww/workshop_concepts/bosch_car_service_2/voraussetzungen/voraussetzungen_1

 

You will commit to participating in our Bosch Car Service campaigns as well as following our standard workshop processes. We also ask you to use Bosch original spare parts and products, as well as refraining from participation in any competitor workshop concept.

 

I have been diligently looking into this. Not only do you have to sell Bosch inventory, they expect you to buy Bosch service equipment as well. Of course their is pros to this. You get free training for life on all their equipment and tools, and if you service only German brands well Bosch is an OEM supplier of many components of these brands. Still though, Worldpac to me has been unmatched thus far. My only issue with them, is delivery times which suck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why is it better for general repair to be a Napa facility versus Bosch Mspec?

 

 

Bosch is better suited for the Euro cars or HD application. Very popular supplier for these brands. It has cache if you will, to have that gold and red sign outside. Gives your shop more reason to standout, and be more professional, and competent in "appearance". But as MSpec said, Bosch is not recognized as an industry leader like say K&N or Remy for example. Also if you do research, you will find mixed reviews of their products. Their QA is not the greatest. I would argue that some of the lifetime parts from the retail chains will bring more value to a customer. Their braking products for example are terrible. Made in China most of it, and just too expensive for what it is.

 

Napa is not bad. Very, very popular with the general service industry, and their coverage, and range is the biggest of all the retail chains I would say. The also have products like shop management, and repair info. I believe Napa is in bed with Mitchell, and offer you special pricing on that subscription, I would also point you in the direction of Advance Auto. They purchased Carquest jointly with Worldpac. So technically, they are the biggest supplier now for the industry. The great thing about them is location, and delivery times. Pricing is competitive, and they also have great programs for shops too. Give them a look over if you can.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you are mistaken. There is no obligation for you to stock or purchase their parts. Of course my participating it is assumed you will be using some Bosch parts and there are small incentives for you to do such. Also you are under no obligation to purchase their equipment, they do however give you incentives to purchase their equipment (I believe it may be 10% off or they have a special site for their stuff). On a side note, I have a brand new Tire Machine and Balancer for sale if anyone is interested, literally brand new. No touch changer. Retail is 18k for the combo, willing to let go for a lot less. I would not purchase their aligner. Ever.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

Bosch is better suited for the Euro cars or HD application. Very popular supplier for these brands. It has cache if you will, to have that gold and red sign outside. Gives your shop more reason to standout, and be more professional, and competent in "appearance". But as MSpec said, Bosch is not recognized as an industry leader like say K&N or Remy for example. Also if you do research, you will find mixed reviews of their products. Their QA is not the greatest. I would argue that some of the lifetime parts from the retail chains will bring more value to a customer. Their braking products for example are terrible. Made in China most of it, and just too expensive for what it is.

 

Napa is not bad. Very, very popular with the general service industry, and their coverage, and range is the biggest of all the retail chains I would say. The also have products like shop management, and repair info. I believe Napa is in bed with Mitchell, and offer you special pricing on that subscription, I would also point you in the direction of Advance Auto. They purchased Carquest jointly with Worldpac. So technically, they are the biggest supplier now for the industry. The great thing about them is location, and delivery times. Pricing is competitive, and they also have great programs for shops too. Give them a look over if you can.

 

One thing I like about NAPA is their brand is much more recognized and there are incentives where they will compensate up to a certain amount to renovate your store front with Napa branding. It has been very enticing in regards of opening a different shop/general repair.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         5 comments
      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
      Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
      Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
      Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
      Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”
  • Similar Topics

    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Through role playing exercises, our panel demonstrates different approaches to selling and communicating with customers. They emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs, building rapport, and being direct when necessary. The discussion covers the significance of tone, trust-building, technical knowledge, and authenticity in customer interactions. The episode concludes with a focus on continuous learning and the value of a supportive work environment. Rena Rennebohm, CEO and Creator of Empowered Advisor. Rena’s previous episodes HERE. Matt Bellinger, Service Plus, Watertown, NY Ali Norton, Rozema’s Car Care in Hudsonville, MI. Lee Fleming, SA Coach with Empowered Advisor Megan Dineff, Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid, Grand Rapids, MI Show Notes: Previous Service Advisor Role Play Episodes Megan's role-play (00:03:31) Megan, as the "friendship advisor," interacts with a customer and presents service recommendations. Discussion on customer buying style (00:06:48) Analysis of Megan's approach as a "friendship advisor" and its relevance to customer interactions. Matt's role-play (00:09:44) Matt, as the service advisor, interacts with a direct dominant customer and presents service recommendations. Discussion and feedback on Matt's role-play (00:11:37) Feedback and analysis of Matt's role-play, focusing on adapting to the direct dominant customer's buying style. Discussion on adapting to customer style (00:13:06) Importance of reading and adapting to the customer's communication style and preferences. Ali's role-play (00:17:50) Ali, as the service advisor, interacts with a technical customer and engages in initial conversation. Technical training impact (00:21:48) Discussion on the impact of technical training on service advisors and its potential misuse. Adapting to customer buying style (00:25:20) Advisors discuss the importance of adapting to the customer's buying style and the need to gauge their interest in technical information. Reading customer tone and style (00:27:26) Advisors share experiences and techniques for reading and adapting to customer tone and buying style. Building trust with new clients (00:33:44) Strategies for building trust and relationships with new clients, focusing on value proposition and setting expectations. Providing the Best Customer Experience (00:36:30) Tips on how to communicate to customers that they will receive the best experience at the auto repair shop. Empowering Customers to Ask Questions (00:37:23) Encouragement for customers to ask questions and for service advisors to be open to asking technicians for information. Being Authentic with Customers (00:38:19) The importance of being authentic with customers and ensuring that correct information is provided, even if it means putting them on hold. Learning from Customers (00:40:23) The value of learning from customers and the impact of technical training on the industry.
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections        
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Stan Stokes and Eric Renninger from Iron Fist Consultants discuss the evolving roles of service advisors in the automotive industry, the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, and the role of technology. Gone are the days of going purely on gut feeling; today, maximizing conversion rates means utilizing every bit of data available. Operationalizing data and effective communication are fundamental aspects of a positive customer journey. Stan Stokes and Eric Renninger, Iron Fist Marketing Consultants. Stan's previous episodes HERE Show Notes
      The changing landscape of the automotive industry (00:02:08) Discussion on the need to assess and train service advisors based on their fit for the evolving job role in the automotive industry. The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior (00:05:14) Exploration of how consumer behavior shifted during the pandemic and the changes in the role of service advisors as a result. Assessing service advisors' fit for the new job role (00:06:38) Discussion on the importance of assessing service advisors' fit for the new job role, specifically in terms of their appearance, communication skills, and ability to handle phone conversations. Utilizing Tools and Impact on KPIs (00:09:23) Discussing the use of tools and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify the approach to take with customers. Assessing Natural Tendencies and Hard Wiring (00:13:04) Highlighting the value of understanding individual strengths and natural tendencies to improve communication and avoid frustration in the workplace. The importance of creating a positive work environment (00:16:38) Discussion on the significance of providing great environments for employees to foster job satisfaction and prevent turnover. The need for measuring effort and output (00:17:15) Exploration of the challenge of measuring the effort and output of service advisors and the importance of having tools to assess their performance. The cost of wrong hires and the need for alignment (00:21:26) Highlighting the expenses associated with hiring the wrong people and the importance of aligning trainers and service advisors to improve performance and culture. The consumer journey and operationalizing data (00:25:04) Discussion on the value of understanding the consumer journey and the need to operationalize data in the automotive industry. The importance of phone interactions (00:25:32) Highlighting the significance of phone calls and how the way advisors handle them can impact the guest experience and the success of a shop. Assessing and measuring effort and output (00:29:38) Exploration of the process and system that allows shop owners to assess and measure the effort and output of their team members, and how it can be used to improve performance and compensation. The science of the customer journey (00:33:05) Discussion about the customer journey and the importance of customer experience in the automotive industry. Measuring the during and follow-up (00:33:46) The need to measure and track the communication and follow-up with customers during the service process. The importance of trained service advisors (00:40:28) Discussion on the importance of having trained service advisors who can handle customer calls and book appointments effectively. Assessing and training service advisors (00:41:03) The need for a process to assess and train service advisors in order to improve customer interactions and conversion rates. The role of service advisors in business success (00:43:45) The significance of having skilled service advisors to support the business by booking appointments and ensuring customer satisfaction.
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections    
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By carmcapriotto
      Danielle Vila discusses the importance of customer service in the industry and shares her strategies for quality control, the benefits of a reliable shop management system, and the significance of standing behind services and parts. The conversation also covers unique marketing strategies, the value of maintenance, community involvement, and the impact of these on business growth and customer trust. Danielle Vila, Red Rock Repair, Las Vegas, NV. Danielle's previous episodes HERE Show Notes
      Selling Premium Work at the Shop (00:05:45) Exploration of how Red Rock Repair sells their premium work by building value and emphasizing customer service, with reference to a study on anxiety-inducing consumer experiences in automotive repair. The Importance of Customer Service (00:07:05) The significance of customer service in the automotive industry, including the role of the service advisor in building trust, explaining costs, and meeting customer expectations. The importance of customer experience (00:08:06) Discussion on the growing trend of customer experience and the role of a client experience officer in a company. Attention to detail in customer service (00:09:18) Importance of small nuances in customer service, such as offering different beverage options and ensuring a clean and well-maintained vehicle. Elevating services and competing with other shops (00:12:21) Challenges faced by small businesses including increasing labor rates, attracting good technicians, and elevating the overall customer experience. The importance of warranty and standing behind services (00:17:46) Discussion about the significance of offering warranty on services and parts, and the negative impact of not standing behind them. The success of a shop with a lifetime warranty (00:19:03) Exploration of a shop that offers a lifetime warranty and how it contributes to their success and customer focus. Hiring for attitude and culture fit (00:22:09) The importance of hiring employees with the right attitude and energy to fit into the shop's culture, and how it affects the overall atmosphere and success of the business. The CRM engine (00:25:37) Discussion on the importance of CRM in marketing and customer retention in the automotive repair industry. The toothbrush metaphor (00:26:33) Exploration of the idea of using toothbrushes as a metaphor to encourage customers to prioritize maintenance and preventive services. Community involvement (00:30:14) Plans to implement programs such as food drives and donations for local shelters to make a positive impact on the community. Supporting the local food bank (00:31:56) Conversation about the best time to support the local food bank, focusing on the needs during the summer months when children are home and may not have access to food. Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2024. Mark your calendar now … November 5th-7th, 2024. AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections      
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...