Coupons And Free

[Jeff]

Ok folks need a little input here. I have signed up for a 3 month trial program in a local coupon rag. Been surveying my good customers as to what gets their attention when they are browsing the sales flyers. Most respond with a FREE anything. Now I have been taught that there is no VALUE in free and I am trying to avoid the free "trap". At the same time it seems that everyone in town has a FREE this or that. And I did have a fellow tell me one time that "Ya gotta play ball in the field your in". I already feel I set myself apart from my competition in my honesty and service. My tag line is "Honesty and Integrity are your guides in caring for your car" What are your thoughts? What is working for you? Thanks for the input! Jeff.

[xrac]

I offer an oil change with a free tire rotation. That way I get to look at tires, brakes, and suspension.

[Joe Marconi]

From what I have learned in my business, "Don't follow the crowd". Like your mother told you; "Just because Tommy jumps off the roof, does not mean you should".

 

In marketing you need to differntiate yourself from others. By immating others, you become a copy cat. All those that are offering free stuff and deep discounts will get those people that are looking for cheap. And contrary to what EVERYONE seems to be saying these days...not everyone out there is look for cheap and free.

 

Another thing, if you make price your "brand", you better be armed and ready for a tough long fight, and you will loose the war.

 

Customers will always tell you price is a concern and everyone wants to spend less, that's human nature. But it's not the only reason or the real reason why your KEY customers come to you.

 

We went down the road reducing prices, waving diag charges and cheapy coupons. Car counts stayed the same, customers stayed the same, profits went down. I am now back to running my business BEFORE the recession and making money again.

 

Just my thoughts, hope it helps. Find out how to bring value, promotion packages, preventive services and reward programs. And pay attention to your key customers. They will give you the greatest return!

[Jeff]

Thanks folks. I am going to offer the free rotate for just the reasons Xrac mentioned. And I am considering the rewards, just not sure what to offer. Joe do you offer discounts to return for recommendations, dollars off, percentage off? I am into our "slow" season here and am hoping to ramp up sales. Just today got set up with a postage meter to make it easier to do the mailers and post cards. I admit I been slacking with my follow ups and mail outs. Anyways thanks for the input and if anything else comes to mind let me know! THANKS!!

[Joe Marconi]

Thanks folks. I am going to offer the free rotate for just the reasons Xrac mentioned. And I am considering the rewards, just not sure what to offer. Joe do you offer discounts to return for recommendations, dollars off, percentage off? I am into our "slow" season here and am hoping to ramp up sales. Just today got set up with a postage meter to make it easier to do the mailers and post cards. I admit I been slacking with my follow ups and mail outs. Anyways thanks for the input and if anything else comes to mind let me know! THANKS!!

 

When we send out recommendation emails and postcards, there is $10.00 rewards discount for spending over $100 and $15.00 for over $150.00. Follow up, recommendations, booking the next service,making follow up calls, are all great ways to keep a constant flow of customers coming thru your bays.

[Jeff]

Thanks Joe. I did all that in the beginning. As the years went on I got, or it seems, to busy to keep up with it. Now I am trying to turn it all around and get back into it again. I think I am going to write myself a schedule and follow it. Monday after fixing cars all day I will put on my marketing specialist hat, Tues will be my book keeper hat, Wend my housekeepers hat......

Thanks for the feed back. Ya'all have a good weekend!

[dantheman]

 

When we send out recommendation emails and postcards, there is $10.00 rewards discount for spending over $100 and $15.00 for over $150.00. Follow up, recommendations, booking the next service,making follow up calls, are all great ways to keep a constant flow of customers coming thru your bays.

Do you use a company or do you do all the postcards yourself?

 

Thanks folks. I am going to offer the free rotate for just the reasons Xrac mentioned. And I am considering the rewards, just not sure what to offer. Joe do you offer discounts to return for recommendations, dollars off, percentage off? I am into our "slow" season here and am hoping to ramp up sales. Just today got set up with a postage meter to make it easier to do the mailers and post cards. I admit I been slacking with my follow ups and mail outs. Anyways thanks for the input and if anything else comes to mind let me know! THANKS!!

We just signed up with customer link to do our emailing and post cards. they have a pretty good program I think. Going to be able to evaluate a lot better after 2-3 months (about a month and a half in right now)

Have you considered signing up with them or someone similar?

[Joe Marconi]

We use MechanicNet. The people are great and very helpful. Just make sure that your colors and logo are on all post cards and emails. You always want to brand your company over and over again. Brand awareness is perhaps more important than the offering on the card or email.

[dantheman]

We use MechanicNet. The people are great and very helpful. Just make sure that your colors and logo are on all post cards and emails. You always want to brand your company over and over again. Brand awareness is perhaps more important than the offering on the card or email.

Got caught up with things and just making it back to the forums. Plan on sticking around a bit more often now - thanks for your response. Yup. We were using customer link but weren't really seeing a ROI from post cards. I feel people get blinded just like with email. Need a new form of marketing. Text message is where it's at I think, but getting the initial opt in seems to be a hurdle unfortunately.

[JustTheBest]

Hi Jeff, just out of curiousity, you said you signed up for a 'trial membership'. Can I ask at what cost? Just curious. Also, it's fact that you have to reward people to do anything. Referrals. And I mean Anything. It's also a fact that if you want to do it right, you've got to take the reward outside of your business. People don't get excited about XX% off at your shop if I send you a customer. Seen simple rewards outside add over 240 new customers in 6 months. Oh, and the ROI was 642% too.

 

Hope this helps.

[Jeff]

It was 180.00 for a 3 month run. Local coupon shopper rag. It was a flop. Redeemed 2 coupons in 3 months.