Booking The Customer's Next Appointment? Why Not? -

Booking The Customer’s Next Appointment? Why Not?

What do doctors, dentists, eye doctors and hairdressers all have in common? That's right; they all book the next appointment. So why don't we do it? Oh, I know many of you do, and that's great. But most shops don't, and I have heard every excuse under the sun why booking the next appointment does not work.

What do doctors, dentists, eye doctors and hairdressers all have in common? That’s right; they all book the next appointment. So why don’t we do it? Oh, I know many of you do, and that’s great. But most shops don’t, and I have heard every excuse under the sun why booking the next appointment does not work (“My customers don’t know what they are doing in 4 months”). Well, guess what; when your dentist books your next cleaning, you don’t know if you will be available on the booked date in six months or a year either, do you?

Booking the next appointment will help to smooth out the highs and lows in your workflow. It will keep the customer coming back to you and not thinking of someone else.

But there is a trick to the success of booking the next appointment. What does your dentist do a day or so before the appointment date? Yes, he calls you. And if you can’t make it that day? Right again; he books another day. So the trick is to set up a call system to remind customers.

The thing to remember is that every car in your shop today will need future service work, the questions is; will that customer come back to you? The odds are in your favor when you book the next appointment.

This article was contributed by Joe Marconi of Elite. For additional help increasing your shop’s sales, learn more about Elite’s industry acclaimed Masters Service Advisor Training Program.

You May Also Like

Understanding Static and Dynamic Air Pressure Differences

The reality is, your air tools are likely not getting the correct pressure and volume they desire – and you think they are.

"One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen over the years starts with an auto technician being unhappy with the performance of his or her air impact wrench," explains Eric Garbe, Senior Automotive Technical Writer for TechShop Magazine. "To make matters worse, there’s always a certain aura surrounding this tool, and whomever owns the most powerful one in the shop holds sort of bragging rights over everyone else."

Why Would You Jump Start an EV?

If an EV with a full battery won’t start, here’s how you can get it up and running.

Adaptive Technology: How BMWs Learn From Themselves

Let’s look at five common adaptations for late-model BMWs, and what you should know before you start a repair.

Business Growth Opportunities

What steps will you take to join Top Shop Operators in making 2023 exceptional for your business and yourself?

Looking For The Latest? Check TechShop’s Buyer’s Guide

The new TechShop Buyer’s Guide makes searching for tools and equipment easy and efficient.

Other Posts

To Solve Steering Issues Now Requires Sensor Skills

To solve steering complaints, techs must understand how the modules and sensors work together.

Five Tips To Make 2023 All It Can Be

Successful outcomes start with a plan but YOU provide the juice needed to maintain momentum.

T.J. Tennent Is A Wanted Man In The Tire Industry

Tire expert has built a forensic empire by solving mysteries for investigators, industry suppliers and the general public.

Recruiting the Next Generation of Technicians

Without focused and ongoing efforts by the industry, filling open positions in sufficient numbers is unlikely.