Repair Shop Advice

Archive for September, 2020

Pillis Brother Service Center is Your One-Stop Service and Repair Shop in Salem, VA

September 30th, 2020

Whether you need your brakes serviced, engine diagnostics, steering and suspension checked or other auto repairs, Pillis Brothers Service Center in Salem is there to help. Get top-notch auto repair services today from AC repair to transmission services, their goal is to offer expert auto repairs at an affordable price. They are conveniently located near you in Salem at 101 E 4th St. Stop by the shop or call today to schedule an appointment at 540-389-6741.

Tito’s Automotive Perfection Center

September 29th, 2020

The experts at Tito’s Automotive Perfection Center know that your car is important to you. From regular maintenance to major repairs, they are the premiere shop in Oxnard, CA. Tito’s Automotive Perfection Center’s highly trained technicians can perform scheduled services. Additionally they complete repairs including, oil changes, and engine maintenance. Call 805-486-9025 to schedule your appointment or visit them at 1311 Commercial Ave today.  

AutoSmith is Newton Falls One-Stop Repair Shop

September 25th, 2020

Whether you need your brakes serviced, oil changed, battery replaced or other auto repairs, AutoSmith in Newton Falls is there fore you. Their certified technicians and experienced auto repair specialists provide 5-star service on domestic and import vehicles of all makes and models. Call 330-872-5855 to schedule an appointment or stop by at 117 N Milton Blvd and drop your vehicle off at the shop.

Promote Specialized Services to Stand Out from Competitors

September 25th, 2020

If you’re a general automotive shop, the odds are pretty good that you’re happy to see customers who need new brake pads and rotors.  When we ran an informal survey of our customers asking them which five services they most prefer to do, brakes were in the list for more than 90% of respondents.  Around half of surveyed shops also listed A/C services and diagnostics in their top five as well.

These might be great profit engines for many shops.  Should they be prioritized in your marketing?  That depends on your situation.

If you live in a rural area, and competition for auto repair customers isn’t particularly strong, these are great services to lead your marketing efforts.  Vehicles aren’t going to make it far with bad brakes, and depending on your climate and the time of year, they aren’t going to go far without A/C either.

But what if your town or city is full of other shops fighting for that business?  It might not make sense to join them.  At some point, fighting to be the shop people think of for a specific type of job only to have to participate in a price war might not end up being all that profitable after all.


That doesn’t mean you should avoid providing brake services – you’ll probably get plenty of brake business even if that’s not what you’re pushing in your advertising.  It especially makes sense to market these services to existing customers, who already trust your shop and are less likely to price shop or start their repair shop search from scratch.  It just means you might want to try a different angle when it comes to prioritizing services on your website or in any print marketing services you’re using. Here are two other ways to go:

Emphasize Ride Quality and Safety – Some shops we surveyed chose to promote suspension and alignment services, and many of these offered tire services as well.  Alignment machines aren’t cheap, so not every shop has them – and it makes sense to capitalize on them if you do!  And while tires are far from a profit center for most repair shops, they can bring in new customers, offering the potential to build a relationship and provide more profitable services down the road.

Niche Services – If you or another technician in your shop has a particularly strong knowledge of specific vehicle models, such as German or Japanese cars, promoting that expertise can bring in many new customers if your area is big enough to have a large volume of those vehicles.  Promoting yourself as an expert may require you to purchase enhanced (OEM) diagnostic tools and build relationships with parts providers, but the customers you earn are more likely to be loyal because they know you are simply a better resource for their vehicles than other shops.

You can also specialize in less common problems such as electrical, engine or transmission services if you have someone with the expertise to perform those services at a higher level.  This can even lead to referrals from competitors who lack those skills.  Just be careful not to get more specific than your market can support.  Finally, don’t feel like you have to discontinue your general automotive services to promote expertise in a specific vehicle model or automotive system!

To learn how Repair Shop Websites can help your repair shop earn more business, call us at 855-294-6397 or email us at Team_RSW@RepairShopWebsites.com.

In and Out Auto Care – Fast, Reliable mechanics in Gladstone, OR!

September 24th, 2020

In and Out Auto Care in Gladstone, OR is the place to go to get your car up and running in top condition. Owner Dan has a passion for cars and will treat you and your vehicle with respect. Some of their services include transmissions, engine maintenance and repair, diagnostics, and brake servicing just to name a few. Stop by the shop at 610 1st Street or call 503-786-0700 to schedule an appointment. 

Royal Auto Mechanic

September 23rd, 2020

South San Francisco area Royal Auto Mechanic is the place to go for all of your car repair needs. All repairs are carried out by their certified, expert technicians, and they have years of experience. They do everything from oil changes to a complete engine overhauls. For instance, they use high-tech diagnostic equipment to guarantee your vehicle is repaired. Additionally, they only use the highest quality replacement parts, filters, oils, and components. Call the shop at 650-589-1135 for an appointment. You can also visit them at 1331 San Mateo Ave today. 

Chad’s Gear & Powertrain is Your One-Stop for Heavy Duty Repairs in Columbus GA

September 22nd, 2020

At Chad’s Gear & Powertrain their highly trained and dedicated workforce will quickly diagnose and repair any problems with your commercial vehicle’s powertrain, hydraulics, electronics, braking systems, or any other component vital to the smooth operation of your business. While light-duty repair shops are common, it’s harder to find technicians with experience in heavy-duty vehicle repair. Chad’s Gear & Powertrain makes certain their knowledge of these vehicles remains up-to-date so they can serve your needs. Call 706-596-8858 to schedule an appointment or stop by the shop today at 1208 20th St in Columbus, GA.

Unemployment is High. There Still Won’t Be Enough Technicians.

September 22nd, 2020

The national unemployment rate continues to drop after the largest spike since the Great Depression, reaching 8.4% in August.  That’s a massive improvement over April’s 14.7% but it’s still a number reached only once (during the Great Recession) in the past 25 years.  Economists are warning to expect unemployment to remain elevated above historic averages for years.

High unemployment is bad news for the economy, but it’s normally beneficial if you’re trying to find great new employees.  Unfortunately for auto repair shop owners, the unemployment rate isn’t going to matter much when it comes to automotive technicians.  There still won’t be enough.


The auto, diesel and collision industries are expected to need 642,000 technicians to enter the workforce between 2020 and 2024, according to the TechForce Foundation.  The number of students successfully completing programs in each of these three fields in 2018 was down compared to 2017.  And although there are signs of increased interest in studying to become a technician, it will be many years before this interest yields experienced technicians.

We’ve mentioned before that COVID-19 is having an uneven impact across the country, with some shops facing large revenue reductions while others struggle to keep up with increased business levels.  The long-term technician shortage impacts shops facing either scenario.  Shops with too little business who reduce or eliminate a technician’s hours may find that replacing them when business returns is difficult or impossible.  Shops drowning in new work and looking for new technicians now may find that, even in this depressed job market, great technicians are hard to find and even harder to afford.

If your shop is hiring, it’s not likely to be easy.  Here are some tips that will help you with employee recruitment, identification and retention:

To learn how Repair Shop Websites can help your auto repair shop grow your business, call us at 855-294-6397 or email us at Team_RSW@RepairShopWebsites.com

East Coast Automotive are your Auto Body and Auto Repair Experts in Jupiter Florida

September 18th, 2020

If you’re in Jupiter, Florida then you know that East Coast Automotive is the place to go for auto and auto body repairs and maintenance. They’ve built an incredible team of experienced auto technicians who can diagnose your problem and get your car back on the road and running better than ever. East Coast Automotive strives to go above and beyond your expectations and truly amaze you with their top-notch service. They specialize in collision repair and auto body paint and have the tools and experience to bring your damaged vehicle back to life! They’ll get your car up and running and looking great. They also use the latest technology to assess the situation and offer you alternatives for brakes, A/C services and more. Stop by the shop at 134 Ferb Street call 561-743-1178 to schedule your appointment.

Good News for Auto Repair Shops – Used Car Sales Spike

September 18th, 2020

The sweet spot in the market for auto repair shops is vehicles that are 6-12 years old.  The owners of these vehicles have recently gotten rid of their car payment, are no longer under warranty and will have to start investing in their vehicle’s maintenance if they want to avoid having to buy a new one.  Even major repairs can be justified for many of these vehicles, as they are likely to have years of life remaining if they are properly maintained.

That ideal market is about to get a little larger.  The used vehicle market is on fire right now, leading these vehicles to leave car sales lots and get back on the road more quickly than ever.  Average used vehicle prices have increased nearly $2,000 since the beginning of the pandemic, and the average number of days a car sits on a lot is lower than it has been in years.


 

Before the pandemic, some households had only one car and relied on public transportation or ride sharing when car sharing wasn’t possible.  The pandemic has made each of those alternative transportation options far less appealing, so households are buying vehicles to meet these needs instead.  And since these newly purchased vehicles won’t be the primary family vehicle, many buyers are looking towards a more affordable pre-owned vehicle instead of a new one.

This means that the vehicle is much more likely to leave the lot without any dealer coverage at all.  Independent shops are the perfect maintenance choice for these vehicles due to their affordability and more convenient locations.  If your shop isn’t trying to capture the attention (and business) of people who are considering purchasing or have recently purchased a used vehicle, it’s an excellent opportunity to build trust with these owners.

Providing a discounted or free inspection for recently-purchased vehicles will make it easier for the buyer to visit your shop for maintenance than other shops. If you really want to get crazy you could even offer a free inspection for used vehicle before someone purchases it.  These inspections can effectively build trust, and a pipeline of future business by providing both the customer and your shop with a list of maintenance and repairs needed to keep the vehicle safe and reliable.  And it’s an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you’ll help them make informed decisions instead of pushing for a sale.

If your current customers’ family members are considering a used vehicle, it’s an especially good opportunity for new business.  Since someone in the family already trusts your shop, it’s more likely that the newly purchased vehicle will find its way back to your shop for major repairs when they come due.  Advertising a free inspection of recently-purchased used vehicles in your shop or on your invoices will make it more likely that current customers will see it.  Referrals are one of the most effective ways to earn business – and family referrals are among the most trusted ones!

To learn how Repair Shop Websites can help you get more vehicles into your shop, call us at 855-294-6397 or email us at Team_RSW@RepairShopWebsites.com.