Additional Services?

[Hammer]

My shop is in a very rural area in South Carolina.  We are mainly a new tire dealer and we have been here for over 40 years.  We repair and replace everything from hand truck tires all the way up to large radial rear tractor tires.  We do alignments, brakes, front end suspension work, batteries, and oil changes.  We have been successful at what we do, but I see the effects of the internet and additional competition from car dealers, big box, etc. on tires and rims.  

I took over from my dad about 3 years ago and I added oil changes and focused more on the alignment and front end suspension work, which has been great.  I have a great alignment and suspension guy.  My background is more finance and the business side of things as opposed to the mechanical side of things.

I would like to get into doing more for our customers.  I want to get some opinions on what types of services we should offer, and how I can find a decent general maintenance tech.  I don't think that we should jump full on into engine and transmission work, but I could see doing things like master cylinders, ac work, fuel filters, general maintenance, etc.   

I am going to have a pretty steep learning curve on this, so any pointers you guys could provide will be appreciated.

 

[gandgautorepair]

Not sure what you're already doing, but the basics are a good inspection on every car or truck and consistently looking up the factory maintenance schedules every time...then do the work that you find. We have signs around the customer area all about the benefits and savings of proper maintenance, so we stress maintenance over repair. Then we present that we inspect the car every time so they are safe and the car is reliable. We'd rather find a problem while they're car is in the shop then them finding it out on the road. I have signs with sayings like these so customers read them and the advisers have consistent word tracts. You could look up a variety of factory maintenance schedules to get ideas of services you would need at add.

[JustTheBest]

Hammer, you ask great questions. I'm not going to comment on the services - but rather what you can do to, well, basically (what you asked was to) sell more to your customers. 

This is the best place to start. They're already fans and followers and they're the most likely to come back to you. But have you thought about this?? If (on average) it costs between $75 - $150 to get a new customer, would you spend $12 a year to KEEP the ones you've got?

I'm thinking you would, right? 

Then stay in front of them. I know this is going to sound a little "nuts", but it works. A simple "Newsletter" that's mailed out (real snail mail) does that. In total, about $1 per mailing - so that's about $12/customer per year. 

Now, don't hammer them with offers - there's a ton of stuff you can put in the newsletter - and yes, you can offer "NEW" or just drop a list that starts out "Did you know we also do...."

It's just building a relationship. Not quarterly - not every other month - it's got to be monthly. It works - it pays for itself, and really builds your position and authority in the market. 

Hope this help!

Matthew Lee
"The Car Count Fixer"

Join me at "Car Count Hackers" on YouTube

[Joe Marconi]

The best run businesses are those that know what they do best. I am not opposed to adding services, just be sure you it's in line with your business model.  Also, trying to be everything to everyone will back fire. So, my advice is to sit down and determine what services and repairs fit your business model and make sure that what ever you offer, you do efficiently. 

You added oil changes a few years back; that's great. One suggestion I would  make is to also add preventive maintenance services. People keep their cars longer these days and offering services that protect and extend the life of their cars is well worth considering.

Best of luck!

 

[autoguy]

PM services are the way to go and money makers.