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See What Your Friendly Dealer May Be doing!

Joe Marconi
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Viewpoint: Dealership Stickers Steering Drivers to Dealers

By Andrew Markel

Editor, Brake & Front End Magazine

July 22, 2011

 

 

New car dealers have been using “only call us” stickers under the hoods of new cars for more than a decade now. These stickers tell drivers that they must take their vehicle to a factory-authorized facility because it is equipped with “highly technical” onboard computers.

 

The fact of the matter is that most independent shops can service vehicles for repairs outside the warranty repairs. Shops have access to information, tools and parts to complete just about any repair that a dealer can perform.

 

Dealers and their trade associations are putting more emphasis on the service side of the business. It has evolved from quick lube bays to brake jobs. Now they want to see a vehicle long after the warranty has expired.

 

I encourage you to discuss the sticker with your customers and ask them if you could remove the sticker and clean away any residue. You can even create your own sticker that refers them to your shop.

 

 

Henry Ford once said that "He could give his cars away if he could get all the repairs" They are doing a good job. We put our name,address and phone # on every vehicle that comes in.

B)

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
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      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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