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Posted

I was approached when we first opened by a sales person for this company but passed. I am considering it again. It's a direct mail package to "high income" homes of 50k income. They have zones all at 10k and you can pick the zone(s). I beeline it was in the $200 range per run and tbeh do them monthly. I am considering running 2 zones as it is considerably cheaper than direct mail with downside of lower percentage of viewership. Around .02 each there could be some serious upsides.

Posted

I called 2 local business that advertised and the one that picked up(blinds and shutters) said they get lots of results. It's really cheap so I'm going to go for it.

Posted

Joe I agree with that statement and one day we would love to be there. But for driving sales we need the now not later. At discounted rates we still turn a good gross profit. We live in an economically repressed area that has two major demographics. Low income locals and med to high income retirees. These retirees love coupons and can be surprising loyal. We have a very close percentage of sales and I believe our model has the best chance at retaining customers. If that means discounting a bit at the beginning to fill the dead space I'm ok with that.

 

I would say the majority of local small business that are successful have an entitlement attitude that is inward focused. We are the exact opposite and it shows throughout every interaction. The environment we have created at the shop is very unique.

Posted

Lol @ 26" wheel repair lmao! Ok seriously i have found that if you continue to try and drive in new business with cheaper prices you will be working HARDER longer. Value is where its at. See how you can set yourself apart from competition in other areas then price is not the only comparative.

Posted

Lol @ 26" wheel repair lmao! Ok seriously i have found that if you continue to try and drive in new business with cheaper prices you will be working HARDER longer. Value is where its at. See how you can set yourself apart from competition in other areas then price is not the only comparative.

I agree with the value vs price argument fully, we are still seeking other methods including direct mailers, but its hard to argue the need for cash flow for a young business. We need just a few more thousand a month in sales to get to my goal. If these budget mailer can help me reach that goal then I have achieved step one. Its going to take a bit of time for us to win over some of the european market and once we hit some milestones their our business model with shift.

 

I am considering some targeted direct mailers as well. Its a size-able cost and we are looking into a few companies to target BMW and Merc owners. Our one direct mail campaign to non specific model makes with a run of 1000 netted one customer. Now that has been our best customer with 4 visits between his two cars and over $2000 in sales.

 

In the short run gross profit is just that. By bank account does not discriminate of how that money is earned. We make a very healthy margin on our sales even with a discount.

Posted

In the past I also tried Val Pak for 3 months. It brought me 0 new customers and brought in 3 of my least favorite customers (now holding coupons!). I am interested to see how it works for you. I hope you get better results!

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

And about the retirees being loyal, we have targeted that as our biggest area of focus to to earn our chance at winning their business for life.

 

The few good years they have left.... KIDDING!!! Good luck, I definitely know what you mean about having to build the business. I took anything and everything I could when I started and slowly over time I can turn away those people who just don't fit my shop model.

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  • 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.
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Improving Waiting Area Appearance (00:15:02)  Discusses the importance of updating photos of the waiting area to enhance customer impressions. The Importance of Phone Etiquette (00:15:38)  Emphasizes listening to phone calls to ensure service advisors are friendly and professional. First Impressions Over the Phone (00:16:38)  Highlights how the tone and manner of answering calls can significantly impact first impressions. Customer Experience During Calls (00:17:18)  Explores the importance of a welcoming greeting and attentive service during phone interactions. Listening to Recorded Calls (00:19:22)  Encourages shop owners to review recorded calls to improve customer service quality. Customer Experience in Shops (00:21:36)  Discusses a personal anecdote about poor customer service and its impact on first impressions. Evaluating Online Scheduling Experience (00:24:26)  Stresses the importance of user-friendly online scheduling systems for customer satisfaction. Drive-By Assessment of Shop Appearance (00:26:23)  Encourages shop owners to evaluate their business from a customer's perspective for first impressions. Parking Lot and Vehicle Presentation (00:27:27)  Discusses the significance of a tidy parking lot and appropriate vehicles for attracting customers. Signage and Branding Consistency (00:29:03)  Highlights the importance of maintaining updated and clear signage to reflect the brand accurately. The Story of the Old Shop (00:29:52)  Brian shares a humorous anecdote about visiting an old shop and its rundown appearance. The Importance of Cleanliness (00:30:46)  Discussion about how exterior cleanliness impacts first impressions in auto repair shops. Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere (00:31:27)  Kim emphasizes the significance of the waiting area’s atmosphere and sensory experiences for customers. Sensory Experiences Matter (00:31:47)  Exploration of how smell and touch affect customers' perceptions in an auto repair shop. Comparing Experiences (00:34:29)  Kim discusses how customers compare their experiences to other businesses like Chick-fil-A. Details Matter (00:35:28)  Highlighting the importance of small details in creating a positive customer experience. Creating a Family-Friendly Environment (00:36:55)  Discussion on accommodating families and making kids feel welcome in the shop. Comfort in the Waiting Area (00:38:39)  Brian stresses the need for comfortable seating and a welcoming environment for customers. Responsibility for Cleanliness (00:39:23)  Discussion on who is responsible for maintaining cleanliness in the shop. Bathroom Cleanliness (00:40:20)  A personal story about the poor state of a customer-facing bathroom and its impact. Thoughtful Amenities (00:41:24)  Kim talks about providing thoughtful amenities for female customers in the bathroom. Impression of Cleanliness (00:43:19)  Discussion on the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness in customer-facing areas. 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Final Thoughts and Checklist (00:50:46)  Introduction of a PDF checklist for staff to enhance awareness of shop cleanliness and organization.
      How To Get In Touch
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
      Instagram - @shopmarketingpros 
      Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
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