Quantcast
Jump to content


Taking time to Reflect - - - bookstore customers are they the same ones at the repair shop?


Recommended Posts

Posted

A Day to Reflect

 

Sometime ago I had my first book signing at a local book store. Steve’s Sundry – Books and Magazines. It’s a landmark bookstore in town, everyone knows Steve’s place. It’s been in town for more than 60 years. It’s a great place for a large malt at the soda fountain, or browse around the store to find a good book. I’m not a well-known author; I’m a mechanic/technician that wrote a book. I really didn’t think there would be a crowd of potential buyers and admirers at the book signing; I’m not that naive to think I would be bringing in a flood of new customers to the book store.

So instead, I used the time to study the people that came in and out of the store. What a wonderful place, a book store. In the back of the store is an old counter with a bar and several bar stools. The counter, the soda fountains, and the bar stools are all original 50’s decor. With malt shakes and great sandwiches. You could take the whole day to browse for books while sipping on a shake or coffee. It’s a very pleasant place, nostalgic and modern at the same time.

One regular customer sitting at the end of the bar was sipping away on his coffee while texting messages on his Blackberry. On the other end there was an old couple who appeared to be in their 70’s reading the paper and browsing a book or two. I could see this Norman Rockwell painting of them pictured there for probably the last 40 years doing the same thing.

My place for the day was at a little table next to the register. A large stack of my books was neatly spread across the table. People would walk by .. glance… and smile. The owner of the store would make short little references to my book and try to get people interested in talking to this so called “author” sitting there all solemn and quiet. The register was busy with small book purchases and a few patrons from the bar. Very home spun and relaxing, a lot of hello’s and “how’s the weather” comments throughout the afternoon. Some people would ask about the football game coming up and others would want to know where a certain book was.

All this was going on while I sat there patiently waiting for the clock to roll around to my designated leaving time. Not that I wanted to leave, oh no, I was enjoying the atmosphere and the quiet nature of the daily workings of the store.

That brings up the thought that came across my mind. Are these the same people that come to my shop with an attitude and misconceptions of the auto industry…..probably so. I have often wondered for many years that it must be my attitude that brings out the worst in people, but, the whole time I was sitting there I was still the mechanic, I was still the guy they needed to fix their car….however…these people didn’t know me as such…. I was an unknown author signing books.

When someone would ask about my book I would tell them that it was a book about people and the daily happenings at a repair shop. That it was funny, but informative…and you would definitely get something out of it. If you knew a person in the auto industry this would make a great gift and they would get a great kick out of reading it too. Well, something like that anyway. Most of the time I would get a disagreeable - hmm. Others had that pondering look as if they were going back into their memory trying to find what was so funny about getting the oil changed on their car. And then walk away shaking their head. I didn’t find that in anyway offensive, or disrespectful. I found it to be a logical, and a very intelligent way for a person to state their opinion without saying much at all. I admire folks like this, the ones that can speak their minds without uttering a word.

As each and every one of these patrons would checkout at the register they gladly paid for their things and gave a big thank you to the person behind the counter. I never heard one person ever ask “why does this cost so much”, “I think you shouldn’t charge so much for this sandwich”, “I know a place down the street that can do the same thing for half of what you’re charging.”

Now that’s funny, that’s pretty much what I hear every day. What gives….? Oh, now don’t get me wrong… it’s not every customer that complains about the prices. I have many, many customers that are eager to pay for my time and service…even a few that think I’m not charging enough for what I do. I even have some that feel the need to leave a tip. It’s those that want to complain and complain and complain that irks me. I have even had them tell me that I should give them the part for what I paid for it. Does the book store give you the book for what they paid for it? Come on people…. I wish I knew why it is the way it is, but for some reason perfectly sane people arrive at an auto repair shop and become tyrants of evil forces. Is it the smell of 90 weight oil in the air? Could it be the constant groan of pneumatic tools in the background? I wish I knew. Maybe after I retire I’ll take a job somewhere pleasant…. Quiet, reserved, and ever so nostalgic…. Yea…. Like a book store.


View full article

  • Like 1
Posted

Yesterday a caller told me that I should give her a free diagnostics because she was trying to make it on less money than she used to make...I told her no..... Because I was doing the same thing already.... She hung up. I don't believe you'd ask that at the checkout at Walmart....but I guess it's ok at the repair shop. Go figure......"".

Posted

Complain, complain, what would they say if you gave them some service for free? They still find a way to complain-right?

 

COMPLAIN.jpg

Posted

Had a customer yesterday ask to bring his own parts because apparently what I was charging for a radiator job was too much. Even after he authorized the repair and came to pick up the car, he started with "I want to build a relationship with you guys but you guys need to give me good prices, I need good prices." No one twisted his arm to pay us to install his radiator.

  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      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.
  • Similar Topics

    • By JustTheBest

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By JustTheBest

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound
      Watch Full Video Episode
      One of the greatest joys for our team at ARN and this show is to welcome listeners of “Speak Up” to join us and SPEAK UP as a guest along with our host, Craig O’Neill!
      Today’s guest is Drew Van Der Wiede.
      A Service Manager from Mahomet Car Connection in Mahomet, IL - Drew recently attended VISION 2025 for his 3rd time!
      Drew was also one of the brave attendees who took the stage in the course titled:  SPEAK UP - Effective Communication!  (Fun Fact - The course title, inspired in co-operation with Chris Cloutier, pre-dated this podcast!)
      Working through his nerves, Drew gave his first ever speech to a room of 80 people. His speech stood out because he shared a story about personal triumph over adversity after being told by doctors, due to a condition, that his left arm would never be useful.  Yet, Drew functioned for years as a heavy-repair specialist prior to his current role as a Service manager.
      In this episode Drew describes what it was like at VISION this year, and how his participation on stage in the Speak Up course set the stage for his time at VISION. 
      As a first time speaker - we get to hear about his perspective of the audience - things he wished he remembered to say - and here in our conversation we created an opportunity to share a point from his speech which made his title even more memorable, as it punctuates the primary mission for this show; improving the image of our industry by becoming better communicators.
      Todays Word of the Day:
      gumption: noun
      shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. "Drew had the gumption to fund his own trip to VISION!"
      Book Recommendation mentioned in this episode:
      Millers Bolt by Thomas Stirr
      Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound:
      The Institute at WeAreTheInstitute.com.  "Stop stressing over your business, you deserve a good night's sleep. The Institute’s coaching helps you achieve success and financial peace.
      AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions - before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.com
      AutoLeap at AutoLeap.com. Are you tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your auto repair shop? Say hello to the streamlined efficiency of AutoLeap, the #1 all-in-one Auto Repair Shop Management Software!
      Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. "Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
      In-Bound at CallInBound.com. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound.
      Contact Information
      Email Craig O'Neill: [email protected] Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Changing The Industry
      Bonus Episode - The Mechanics Behind Developing Great Software With the Team from Shop-Ware
    • By carmcapriotto
      Brian and Hallie break down Google Local Services Ads (LSA) and how auto repair shops are using them to bring in more leads at lower costs. Unlike traditional Google Ads, LSA charges per lead instead of per click, making it a cost-effective approach to customer acquisition. Some shops have reported leads as low as $7 per call.
      They cover how to set up LSA, key verification steps, and ways to optimize a shop’s Google Business Profile for better rankings. The discussion also explores how specialty shops can use LSA effectively and when Google Ads might still be useful.
      With LSA now open to auto repair shops nationwide, early adopters have a clear advantage. Brian and Hallie explain how to make the most of it and why now is the best time to get started.
      Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal is the key that unlocks more business for your repair shop. Learn More at RepairPal.com/shops.
      AppFueled makes marketing easy. It’s a CRM designed for auto repair shops with tools like segmentation, reminders, and even a call center. Don’t wait—get started today at appfueled.com
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      Google Local Service Ads
      AutoOps - Scheduling Tools for Auto Shops
      The Google Guarantee
      Google Screened
      Keywords in Reviews – Adding Fuel to the Fire
      Show Notes with Timestamps
      Introduction to the Episode (00:00:01) Brian Walker introduces the podcast and guest, Hallie Wassinger, discussing the importance of Google Local Services Ads. Overview of Google Local Services Ads (00:02:53)  Hallie explains the recent availability of Google Local Services Ads for auto repair shops across the U.S. Historical Context of Local Services Ads (00:03:25)  Discussion on the past availability of Google Guaranteed Ads and their expansion to auto repair shops. Current Availability and Limitations (00:04:38)  Hallie details the current state of Local Services Ads for tire shops and their limited availability. Cost Structure of Local Services Ads (00:05:34)  Introduction to the pay-per-lead model, highlighting its differences from traditional Google Ads. Service Categories for Auto Repair (00:06:45) Hallie outlines the specific services auto repair shops can advertise under Local Services Ads. Lead Generation Process (00:07:44)  Explanation of how leads are generated through phone calls or messages via the Local Services Ads dashboard. Ongoing Maintenance of Ads (00:08:31)  Discussion on the necessity of monitoring and rating leads to optimize the ad performance. Success Stories from Beta Testing (00:10:55)  Brian shares a success story from Chris Cotton, highlighting low lead costs achieved through Local Services Ads. Lead Cost Insights (00:11:39)  Hallie provides average lead cost data, emphasizing the effectiveness of the ads for auto repair shops. Visibility of Local Services Ads (00:12:18)  Brian describes how Local Services Ads appear prominently in search results, enhancing visibility. Google Screened vs. Google Guaranteed (00:13:02)  Hallie explains the differences between Google Screened and Google Guaranteed, focusing on their application processes. RepairPal Sponsorship Message (00:14:27)  Brian thanks RepairPal for sponsoring the episode and discusses the benefits of being in their certified network. App Fueled Sponsorship Message (00:15:32)  Brian introduces App Fueled, promoting their customer loyalty app for auto repair shops. Verification Process for Shops (00:16:33)  Hallie outlines the verification process for shops to join Google Local Services Ads, including necessary checks. Verification Steps for LSA (00:16:50)  Overview of the verification process for auto repair shops applying for Google Local Services Ads. Challenges with Specialty Shops (00:19:14)  Discussion on difficulties specialty shops face with Google Local Services Ads targeting. Specialization in Google Ads (00:20:03)  Insights on why specialized shops may benefit more from traditional Google Ads. Opportunities with LSA (00:22:05)  Exploration of the current opportunities available for shops using Google Local Services Ads. Cost Benefits of LSA (00:23:13)  Comparison of lead costs between Google Local Services Ads and traditional Google Ads. Importance of Google Business Profile (00:24:29)  Discussion on how optimizing Google Business Profiles impacts LSA ad performance. Role of Reviews in SEO (00:27:40)  Emphasis on the significance of keywords in customer reviews for improving visibility. Optimizing Photos for LSA (00:29:42)  Best practices for managing and updating photos in Google Local Services Ads. Pricing for LSA Management (00:31:01)  Details on the costs associated with managing Google Local Services Ads for shops. Introduction to LSA (00:33:47)  Discussion on the performance of Google Local Services Ads and how to get started. Discovery Call Process (00:34:15)  Details on scheduling a discovery call and assessing local competition for LSA. Final Thoughts on LSA (00:34:38)  Emphasis on the importance of early adoption of LSA for auto repair shops. Self-Management of LSA (00:34:40)  Advice on running LSA independently, highlighting the required time and dedication. Closing Remarks (00:35:29)  Thanking listeners and sponsors, and encouraging engagement with the podcast.
      How To Get In Touch
      Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook
      Meet The Pros
      Follow SMP on Facebook
      Follow SMP on Instagram
      Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book
      Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics 
      Thanks again for listening to The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast on Aftermarket Radio Network. There are some other great shows on the network and you can find them at AftermarketRadioNetwork.com or on your favorite podcast listening apps like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and many others
      Thanks to our Partners,
      RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops. Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee.
      App Fueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”
      Aftermarket Radio Network
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...