Killer Holiday Tip for your repair shop

[Joe Marconi]

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[rpllib]

Going on thirty eight years and still learning everyday.

Thanks Joe, great tip

 

[JustTheBest]

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[ScottSpec]

For about 20 years, I would get those money cards, and put $20's in some and $100's in others. I would give the mailman, UPS driver, FedEx driver, Parts drivers, etc. the $20's. The $100's would go the the main parts guys we ordered from. There was always a lot of appreciation. For me, the Auto Repair business had been less and less profitable over the last decade. I had to cut this practice from the budget as well as Christmas bonuses, a yearly company event, and a number of other expenses. I agree, if you can afford it, these gestures go along way toward building loyalty.

Scott

[JustTheBest]

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[stvstbsvc]

For the umpteenth year in a row I will be delivering about 15 dozen donuts from a really good local bakery to parts stores and machine shops and other vendors my shop uses this Wednesday.  YES, I have been told that this is backwards - they should be bringing US treats.  But rather like the Original Post, I have learned that this comes back to help my business through much of next year!  AMAZING how much fun it is to go out and deliver these boxes and bags of donuts with a card and a bow on them and get to talk to other business owners / managers about the holidays, the weather, families and maybe even business.  GREAT TIP!!!

[JustTheBest]

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[newport5]

One more tip: if your main parts guy takes good care of you, tell his boss how good he or she is. Everybody benefits!

The same for the driver. Tell his boss and your parts contact how good he is. My last compliment said how cheerful he is EVERY time and that he takes care of me AND his company.

[JustTheBest]

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[newport5]

Let's take it one step further: do the same thing at your shop.  When a technician fixes a tough car problem, walk out in to the shop and compliment the guy loud enough for everyone to hear. You will make his/her day. And the crew will know you are comfortable enough with yourself to not have to be the smartest diagnostician in the shop.

Side note: I think the worst thing for an owner to say is: "Ya, that's what I thought it was." You just downplayed their 3 or 4 hours worth of work. Resist the urge to say that, even if you guessed that was the problem.

Side/side note: I worked for a guy who would shout out the three typical solutions to a certain car problem and when it turned out to be one of those, would gloat around about how smart he was. Again, deflating to your hardworking technician.

Now off my soapbox.