FROGFINDER

Used to be if a customer got a new car we saw them in 12 months or 12k miles when the warranty ran out. We now see them five to ten years later after the warranty games play out or they get sick of being lied to.

The work is out there but the middle class that supported us is broke. People with money are driving new cars under lease maintenance or warranties. People with out money, well you can tell by the junkers in your bays.

Old school fix everything you can that comes in the shop or cutting edge fuel cell/hybrid,cng service, pick you niche and fight for your lives.

When my crew is through with what they were asked to do I pretend I'm the customer. I check the car against the work order to see that services were done and the problems addressed were solved. I make sure the car cas enough fuel to get to a service station or home,all fluids topped off,wipers wipe,horn honks,tire aire is good,all exterior lights work and nothing dripping from underneath. Any last service recommedations for next time are noted. The vehicle always looks better to the eye then when it checked in. A road test around the magic circle and i park it in the best spot to leave that is available.

The owner or gm of the dealer and i would be talking about that over lunch. When we buy parts we consider how easy it will be if we have a failure and have to return it as a defect. That gets spelled out before i buy it. Not helping me is not helping my customer and that is NOT AN OPTION!

Customer service ,parts quality and common sense are not very commen these days.

Pray for your customers. Think of your customer's often . Know important dates in thier lives and celebrate them with them. Get them to smile when they see you, when they walk up to the service counter, give them something to smile about before they leave. Get to know were the car's are in your area that you want to work on in your area.

Be glad they thought enough about you to call. DON'T burn that bridge. Send him a Thank You for his Business and referrals card right now. I ve got people that don't spend any money to speak of in my shop that have referred THOU$AND$ of dollars a year worth of jobs to me.

Like my dog tells me "Master lets have more tail wag and less bark"

I would certainly recommend that you send a notice to your customers .That's like generating new leads... but to the best audience you have. They already know you.

 

But Joe is right. It's how it's presented. Nobody wants to by wheel alignment. In fact, I am willing to bet that 9 out of 10 (or maybe all 10 out of 10) don't even know they need it.

 

Then... what's the benefit to ME as a customer? People don't buy features... like fancy equipment. They all listen to WIFM Radio. That's What's In it For Me?

 

So then you have to 'hit them in the head' with the pain. "Tires can cost hundreds of dollars each. Let me show you how to protect that investment!"

 

 

All good points. I've got families /customers/neighbors in trouble. They have two tires showing steel cord but can only afford one. I have several customers postponing state inspections due to tires being bad. My "service" may just be to assist them with the tires/alignment today. Yes it's done on a case by case basis but i like to "protect my customer"

I've notiiced that all employees are supposed to be able to solve wireless pcm bcm laptop internet conections and programming issues in the work place. Thats what it takes to work on these modern vehicles.

It's always flush at your own risk but it's nice to get the engine overhaul job.

I like it..thanks.

Where do you see the most classic cars on the road. Do you drive a classic car?

We off shuttle service. We have a driver that also runs for parts,misc errands and shop house keeping. I think it's better to have the customer do business directly with the car rental company at a discount.

We don't have the rust problem here in Houston. I disagree with the don't spend more than a car is "Worth" theory. We judge our car's worth by what some stranger will say it's worth? What is transportation worth to you! If a car has been maintained and kept clean it's worth fixing in most cases unless you just want to replace it. How much is the replacement cost? How much is Full coverage insurance? I look at it like as long as my paid off vehicle costs' less that $6k per year to maintain, i keep it. I average about $2-3k per year on up keep. The average new car cost $30k. Pay cash if you can. If on a 3 year note(so you won't be upside down) you will have approx. $1k per month payments. On a $60k car $2k per month. I have a '99 Acura TL that would cost $42K for a new TL and '98 dodge truck that would cost $33k for a new one. That buy's alot of gas and repairs .The Lone Ranger didn't trade in Silver. Unless the car is damaged and deemed unsafe it's cheaper to keep her.

A month after you buy the "NEW CAR" and if you had to sell it you will be offered thousand's $$ less than you paid for your now "USED CAR".

Like it or not here it comes. Soon the cars will drive themselves to the dealer. Until then i say, you work your side of the street and i'll work mine.

Focus, Love what you do,NEVER GIVE UP.

Google Charles Goodyear

It was tough for Horse and buggy maker's in the early part of the 20th century due to the automobile. How many of use can overhaul/service hybrid vehicles? Hydrogen vehicles? LPG vehicles? electric vehicles? Fuel cell vehicles? It always been Lead,follow or get out of the way! I am glad i will be retiring soon.

And what would be your ideas to "fight the good fight"? I would be interested in hearing them.

 

Spence

I am Second, Read My Bible Every day, Seek Wisdom , Service others as i would want to be served ,Give every customer something they can see for free. Give every person you meet a reason to smile and say hello next time they see you. Give a business card to everyone you meet thanking them for prayers and referrals,Early to bed ,early to rise makes one Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. No Drugs, No Booze. Happy Wife Happy Life, Go to Church often.Never Give Up.

The gravy service's are being offered with the new car purchase in many cases. People being offered Free tires,oil changes,loaner cars, etc. It's war. We must Fight the good fight for a profitable niche so that our familes and employees can live a decent life.

"What has been will be again,

What has been done will be done again,

There is nothing new under the sun."

From THE instruction manual.

In the worlds eye Bill Gates, Donald Trump and Us all live on the same block. A single life makes a Huge difference. How many "BILL GATES OR MOTHER TERESA'S HAVE BEEN ABORTED! Like in It's a wonderful Life movie if it were not for one life we all would live in Pottersville.

We our in Houston Texas. I might spend about $300.00 per month about double that around Christmas. They are my neighbors. You got to sow the seeds to get a good crop.

LET EVERYONE KNOW that with your precision wheel alignments they will get longer tire life and better fuel mileage. A true salesman is ALWAYS closing the deal. Every car/truck you run accross in your neighborhood/area with worn tires (immediate need) should be contacted. I've pre sold a lot of alignments

at the gas station while i was getting gas just by passing out a card.

We had a good response after thanksgiving .I deliver donuts,kolaches for breakfast and pizza's for lunch to the local repair shops and parts stores. We sent out service/safety and winter service reminders. I snail mail hand signed Merry Christmas Cards to the customer's that came to the shop during the year. When young children come in with the parents i give them Hot Wheels cars.

We are like bar tenders with out the booze license.

BUT,

IF PEOPLE WERE PERFECT they all would be driving new cars under factory warranty.

The children shot here and cut up in China breaks my heart. Evil act's are our enemy. Fight it every day in every way.