need some advice

[Randy]

my name is randy i own auto glass shop and added auto repair last year (jan) most of my clients come from my the glass side.I was a tech my self about ten years ago.I have a auto tech and trying to get more work in the door.My shop is a to bay shop on a main hwy about 4000 to 6000 people drive bye ever day.I also have a csr at the front desk.I need to get the auto rep[air side off the ground.Any advise for my auto repair shop to bring in more clients.

[xrac]

my name is randy i own auto glass shop and added auto repair last year (jan) most of my clients come from my the glass side.I was a tech my self about ten years ago.I have a auto tech and trying to get more work in the door.My shop is a to bay shop on a main hwy about 4000 to 6000 people drive bye ever day.I also have a csr at the front desk.I need to get the auto rep[air side off the ground.Any advise for my auto repair shop to bring in more clients.

 

Randy welcome to the forum. The first thing that comes to mind is how are you advertising for your glass business and how can you include the auto repair in with it. Are you able to put any signage on the street such as an A-frame with changeable offers? How about a banners? Come up with an attractive offer to get people to try you. Print up some type of offer and go around to the surrounding businesses and pass them out. You do not say how fast the traffic moves on the highway that you are on. Just keep in mind that people have to have a reason to notice you and to know that you are there.

[Randy]

Randy welcome to the forum. The first thing that comes to mind is how are you advertising for your glass business and how can you include the auto repair in with it. Are you able to put any signage on the street such as an A-frame with changeable offers? How about a banners? Come up with an attractive offer to get people to try you. Print up some type of offer and go around to the surrounding businesses and pass them out. You do not say how fast the traffic moves on the highway that you are on. Just keep in mind that people have to have a reason to notice you and to know that you are there.

Thanks for advise.The traffic is moving 55 or so.I will need to buy or make a aframe sign.The letters need to be 12 inches or more.Have a led sign and it is hard to see going bey so fast you maybe got 2 to 3 seconds to see it but it does grab them at night is the best.

[autoguy]

Thanks for advise.The traffic is moving 55 or so.I will need to buy or make a aframe sign.The letters need to be 12 inches or more.Have a led sign and it is hard to see going bey so fast you maybe got 2 to 3 seconds to see it but it does grab them at night is the best.

 

The first thing I think of when I look at your shop is auto glass, because of the sign....maybe an "Auto Repair" sign in addition?

[Randy]

The first thing I think of when I look at your shop is auto glass, because of the sign....maybe an "Auto Repair" sign in addition?

Hay thanks for the advice.My sign out front has big reverse lettering (AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR) it is bigger than anything else.I will post a pic soon.I will put a sing over the other bay soon thanks.Any more comments would be great.

[Curt Hogan]

Randy,

Welcome to group. I am somewhat new here myself but not new to the business. I started as a muffler shop and have grown into a full service auto repair facility. I hope you have a computerized management software for your glass business. I would suggest you do a mailer to the customers in your database, announcing the new services you are offering. It is much easier to solicit new business from people who already know you and like you.

[Joe Marconi]

I agree with Curt. You need to maintain and manage your customer base through a business management software program.

 

To grow a business, you will to advertise and market your business. You can start by marketing to your current customers and eventually advertise to get new customers.

 

Focus on customer service. People today are very busy. If you make the process of getting their car serviced and repair and easy one, you will win over a lot of people.

[Jeff Monson]

You definately need to educate your existing customers that you now offer complete auto repair, otherwise the "I didnt know you did that" mentality will stay in their minds. Being know as a glass shop and not a repair shop may be a hard reputation to overcome. Word of mouth is always your best advertising so get your current customers talking. Signage on a busy street is also good, just make sure its highly visible and your business name sounds like it is qualified to fix cars as well as replace glass.

[Randy]

Hay thanks for the advice.My sign out front has big reverse lettering (AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR) it is bigger than anything else.I will post a pic soon.I will put a sing over the other bay soon thanks.Any more comments would be great.

Thanks yes i do have a glass program.(the best on the market called mainstreet)I think i will get a post card mailing to all of my clients.I have got 80% of my auto repair from the glass clients and I tell everyone what we have to offer. do you have a program for auto repair ?