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Anyone a Member of RepairPal.com

Joe Marconi

By Joe Marconi
in Auto Parts Banner Programs

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CARMandP Proficient

CARMandP

Posted
Posted

My information is listed on their site as a free option but I don't pay for anything that they offer. Just another place for people to find out about my business.

Tires Too Collaborator

Tires Too

Posted
Posted

Joe,

I spoke with Repair Pal about their Top Shop Program. It is pretty expensive, I spoke with the one shop that is listed as a Top Shop in the area, the owner at that time did not feel that the number of referrals/tow ins was worth the monthly fee that they charge. The program has very limited visibility in my area.

Russ

  • 1 year later...
alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted

Any updates on Repair pal? I'm thinking of signing on as a paid shop. We are busy 99% of the time but I like new customers, it makes me feel more secure .

Tires Too Collaborator

Tires Too

Posted
Posted

I did sign up for their "Top Shop" program about 4 months ago. I like the concept of what they are doing, but the return on investment just has not been there. I've had a total of 6 phone calls on the number that is in my listing. 2 of them were computer sales calls. The other calls were shoppers from outside my market area. I have had 0 tow ins. All of that for only $299 a month. I have cancelled my enrollment in the Top Shop program.

alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted

I signed up today - $99 for the 1st month. We'll see how it goes, I'm going to try it until the college breaks for summer - about 3 months. I quit radio commercials, newspaper ads , and yellow pages which brought in basically nothing so I have some advertising budget to spend. Google Adwords has been working very well , although the free word of mouth referrals from happy customers really is what brings people in.

  • Like 1
  • 1 month later...
Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
Posted

I've been contacted by these guys. Their sales pitch on the phone bothered me. They said, "We will bring in new business at 2000.00 a month. More new customers and customers that won't want it done cheap. We pride on the fact that we only have top notch customers for top notch shops. Your increase in profit will be very worthwhile."

 

Anytime someone makes such a claim I want to see results not hype. I told him, "If you can guarantee that I'm interested. If not it sounds like a lot of smoke and mirrors."

 

He couldn't and I said no.

 

I'm always very curios of new ways of creating new business, but when you claim you can do something and can't back it up, it's like buying golf balls that have "Avoids Trees" written on them.

 

Your results may vary....but...in the real world and years of doing this... I've seen these so called great ideas fade away.

ScottSpec Collaborator

ScottSpec

Posted
Posted

I would like to expand on the question about RepairPal. Has anyone compared their prices to the RepairPal estimates? I'm trying to guage how accurate they are so I can compare them to our invoices.

 

Scott

  • 1 month later...
alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted

June 1 Update. 3 months $500 spent got me no tows no AARP and 3 legit phone calls. 1 customer came in and actually got work done, 2 wanted a deal on head gaskets which we don't normally do. I got a couple calls asking for free DIY help over the phone which I helped with cheerfully. One guy didn't call but came in and I helped him DIY which cost me about an hour, he was real nice so I was hoping for a tip or the job but no go. The 1 customer that called and came in and signed a repair order brought their own parts and was very concerned with price. Summary: I am going to cancel. Repairpal did call my last 60 customers and got unbiased reviews from them, it stoked my ego because they were almost all very good to outstanding ratings. They also checked me out and verified ASE status and things like that. The webpage is pretty nice, tracking is excellent. Props to the company for checking out who they promote. As far as effective advertising goes, at least in my area, not as many people as they would like you to believe goes on their website. I also feel it attracts undesirable customers. One guy already knew from the website that it should only cost $800 to do head gaskets on his Northstar Cadillac. The other girl wanted head gaskets on her 4.6 Ford and timing chain too while I'm in there. She had some of the parts in her hand. "How long is is going to take I need to pick up my kid at 1" Oh yea and don't change the oil she said my husband does that. Yea OK call the dealer have a great day.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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