The Essential Guide for Providing Reliable Auto Repair
A report from 2017 claimed that there are an average of more than 150 problems per 100 vehicles in the United States?
This means, that a single car can have many problems, and most people don’t know how to fix them.
If you enjoy auto repair and want to help people get on the road, there are a few things to try that will improve your odds of success.
Continue reading to learn about some of the key factors that create a reliable auto repair shop so that you can help people in your community!
Get Feedback & Make Changes
One of the best things you can do to become a reliable auto repair shop is to seek feedback and respond to it.
When customers’ complaints and suggestions are heard, they are more likely to stay loyal to your company. Another reason to adjust when you get constructive feedback is that it helps you improve your business. Paying attention to the customer’s priorities will help you increase sales and protect people on the roads.
Many businesses make the mistake of continuing business as it has always been done. With the help of technology and tools, however, providing auto repair can be simple by staying current with customer needs.
Train Your Staff
If you want to offer the best auto repair services in the area, you need to give your staff the right tools and knowledge.
Often, repair shops get a poor reputation because of new mechanics or people that made a mistake. By investing more time in training, you can reduce turnover and improve services. Employees are much happier with their jobs when they know what is expected of them and they have the tools and knowledge to do it.
Although this might seem like a large investment, many companies report positive results with this tactic. Another reason to properly train staff is in case of emergencies when someone calls out. With current staffing shortages, you need to have an intelligent crew that is ready to adapt.
Invest in Tools & Machinery
To provide excellent service, you need excellent tools for good car repair.
A portion of your budget should go towards tools and machinery. It might be tempting to save money where you can, but be wary when getting supplies for your business. Weak tools and machinery won’t last long and could result in your spending more money.
Try to look for high-quality tools that are durable and meant to handle big jobs. When it comes to machinery and electronics, you can learn more about OEM manufacturing, which will improve reliability.
Make sure that your employees understand the value of what they are working with. Neglected items can rust and become brittle if they aren’t cared for.
Offer Affordable Pricing
Being a reliable auto shop means that people of all socio-economic statuses can get access to your services.
The best way to make your services accessible is by offering affordable prices. Keep in mind that you still need to keep the business running and have payroll to worry about. Try to meet the customer’s halfway and give them a price that won’t gouge their wallets.
Pay attention to the prices that your competitors are offering in your area. This will give you a good starting point!
Increase Efficiency
If a simple oil change takes hours to complete, customers won’t consider you to be a reliable auto repair shop.
You can increase efficiency by investing in technology, tools, and machinery. You will also need to invest in mechanics that have experience or a willingness to learn quickly. The faster that you can get to each vehicle, the more money that you can make each day, so do yourself a favor and invest.
Expecting better results without changing anything won’t improve your efficiency. It could also lead to frustration amongst employees. Find a balance that helps challenge your staff without overwhelming them.
Become Approachable
Think about some of the businesses you enjoy going to on the weekends or special occasions.
These businesses are approachable, with welcome signs, a clean environment, and friendly staff. If you want to provide reliable auto repair services, you need to make your business approachable from every angle.
Creating social media pages that are maintained can increase customers and help with marketing. Taking care of your staff will help ensure that they are happy and excited to do their jobs, which carries over to the customer.
It is also a good idea to clean up the outside of your business. Auto repair shops often get a bad reputation for leaving junk cars visible from the streets and smelling like oil and grease. Take care of the land you are working on by planting flowers and bushes to make the building more attractive.
Educate Along the Way
Educating customers about the repair experience can improve their experience with your company.
Most people are getting services because they either don’t have the time, knowledge, or tools to get the job done themselves. Educating your customers by simplifying, without talking down to people, can make them want to come back.
The education period is especially important when you need to ask about additional work on the vehicle. During routine checkups, you might notice a large issue that needs to get fixed. Talking to the customer about the issue and potential risks could lead to more trust.
Do You Want to Provide Reliable Auto Repair?
Many people drive around searching for reliable auto repair and are often disappointed.
If you want to help people in your area, you need to consider their opinions and adapt to their needs. The knowledgeable staff can also provide a good experience for customers since they can learn more about their vehicles.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with business concepts that will improve the relationship between you and the customer.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about running a successful business and car repair!