Are Discounts And Coupons Right For Your Shop?
Regardless of their income, the majority of your customers are very sensitive to price, even if they have been dealing with you for years. During these tough economic times they’re looking for value, and they determine value not by the lowest price, but by what they receive in return.
The Deadline Is 2 P.M. – A Quick Tip For Service Advisors
With the information we’ve attained from every customer panel we have moderated, with what we have learned from our focus groups, and with the feedback we have received from our members, one thing is certain: Customers like to know by 2:00 p.m. at the latest whether or not their vehicle will be finished that day.
Are Your Service Advisors Engaging Customers, Or Are They Part Of The Walking Dead?
Ok, I admit it. Let’s get it out in the open. I am a zombie movie fan. There is something about dead people shuffling around grunting in an expressionless, catatonic state that captivates me. The new TV series, The Walking Dead, is my current favorite show. However, when it comes to catatonic customer service people … well, that’s another story.
Sell The Job, Not Labor Time And Parts
The other day, a customer brought his car in for a routine oil change service and the technician noticed a light stain from the water pump. The technician brought this to the attention of the service advisor, who informed the customer. This is a long-time customer who never questions us on any recommendations or work. Because this customer lives 30 minutes away, we always make arrangements to accommodate him while he waits for the vehicle.
Give Your Customers Options
Recently, I was at an affair with a few people I met for the first time. As usual, once they found out what I did for a living, the auto-related questions directed toward me flowed faster than the wine was flowing.
Common Customer Service Myths, Work As A Team To Ensure ‘Customers For Life’
Ever since the phrase “the customer is always right” was coined, it surely has been the bane of every worker whose title includes the word “associate” or “representative.”
Help Service Advisors Sell Value And Benefits
We all know that selling the benefits of a particular service is far better than selling parts and labor. But sometimes, especially when we are busy, we forget and fall back into bad habits. To help the service advisors and add value for the customer, we have been changing all of our most common service operations to include a note that features the benefits of the service or item we are presenting to a customer.
Bring In More First-Time Callers
With vehicles being built better than ever before, and with service intervals continually being extended, you are going to see your customers less often. This means that your service advisors have to be razor sharp when that phone rings. Although there is no silver bullet that will allow you to bring in every first-time caller, there are a number of things you can do to get more appointments. In this article, I would like to share some of the best practices your advisors can use that will bring immediate results.
Three Powerful Words
I was confused, worried and somewhat embarrassed. He did his job well, and took his time explaining everything. I trust my doctor and his findings; I just did not know how to answer. Then he said to me three powerful words, “What I recommend.”
What Image Does Your Business Project? Tactics To Improve Customer Satisfaction
There are more than 175,000 automotive repair shops in the U.S., so how can shop owners differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition? While having the most up-to-date technology and talked-about customer service is always beneficial, sometimes a more simple solution can help to improve the customer experience and your shop’s bottom line.
Transparency In Pricing: It’s Now A Mandate, Not An Option
There was a time in our industry when shop owners were the only ones who knew the cost of their parts. Additionally, the amount they charged for their repairs and services was typically not public knowledge. If customers wanted to know how much it would cost to perform a specific repair, they had limited options; they would have to either call for an estimate, or visit a repair facility.
Don’t Let Discounts Kill Your Business
The effects of the recent Great Recession have left many people with a sense of uncertainty over the economy. Perceived consumer attitude is pressuring some companies into lowering prices or offering discounts in order to attract new consumers or to maintain their customer base. I would urge all businesses to seriously consider and examine the effects of price reductions and discounting.