Have Some People Kept Their Cars Too Long?

[Joe Marconi]

I am starting to see more and more customers who have been holding off on certain services, and now at a point where they do not care anymore. They would rather roll the dice. These are customers that have close to 200k, and somtimes over 200k on the clock and have been hit by the recent recession.

 

We did keep their cars rolling with needed repairs, but they totally avoid doing anything with respect to preventive maintenance. Some of these customers are still riding around with the original plugs and T Belt. But at this point they are just waiting to hopefully replace the car soon.

 

Have you seen this too in your area?

[HarrytheCarGeek]

Yes, I am seeing this. In my opinion, this is a ruined customer to a certain degree. You will have to balance your perspective as to what kind of revenue you will expect from this type of customer if he is the type that is rolling the dice.

 

If they have neglected maintenance, any major work you do, they may expect the car to be "fixed" for another "long" while, just to be back in the following week.

 

If they have been the regular maintenance customer, I am not afraid to keep up their cars since I have probably replaced struts, wheel bearings and other major components.

 

The point is, don't get stuck with neglected old clunkers, ask for deposits, and always watch your bottom line like a hawk!

[xrac]

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.

[Jeff]

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.

[Aftercrashman]

New car sales are experiencing sales that are showing very promising signs to a recovery of sorts for some, this good news is for those twisting wrenches on the newer stuff (collision services) that rely heavily of the dollar value of repairs needed not exceeding the thresholds set up by those who profit from someone else s loss (Insurer and re builder of salvage) as salvage has been in record territory at the auctions for the past several years.

 

As for keeping them running for as long as possible consumers can be suggested to but never demanded of and should a VO (vehicle owner) choose to negate necessary services we can not "Not" service them when asked to.

 

Just pity the folks who purchase the old cars showing up with little or no service records and the song and dance by sales people how well this car has been meticulously maintained all the years it's been in service with the previous owner. Pity? Perhaps but certainly it's all business all day!