Digital Automotive Repair Menu Board

5 Star Auto Spa · January 4, 2015

Does anyone currently use a digital menu board to display a list of their services at your repair shop? We are in the process of updating our menu board and were thinking about going to a digital display. I looked online and found these guys:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hE9jScfTz4

It's a company called truDigital Signage and the content that they have available in terms of videos that can display on the menu board looks pretty impressive. I was wondering if anyone is currently using these guys or a service similar to these guys for their digital menu board and if it has made a difference in terms of increased exposure/sales to customers?

xrac · January 4, 2015

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alfredauto · January 4, 2015

Napa wanted to sell me their program, I figured I could buy a monitor and put my own content on it cheaper. Its still under construction. I think educational material is better, like women talking about car care and let the customer ask for the services. Pep boys used to use a menu board ( haven't been there in a while though) customers ordered like at McDonald's - tune up, oil change, brake flush. Go platinum please. You want balance with that? It generated a lot of unnecessary work. We would do $1000 in menu items and the cars still broke. I can count on one finger how many tune up menu service items fixed a real problem.

Edited January 4, 2015 by alfredauto

5 Star Auto Spa · January 4, 2015

It looks like the Napa menu board you were referring to is the made by the same company I had referenced above, truDigital Signage. I thought about doing what you are in the process of doing also, just purchasing a display and trying to create my own content. I don't think I would have any issues using Adobe Illustrator to make a pdf for the menu but the videos that are in the link I posted above, I would have no idea on how to make. Do you remember how much you were quoted for the Napa Menu Board AlfredAuto?

alfredauto · January 4, 2015

As a Napa car care member I had to purchase my own 40" internet ready TV, provide the connection, and it was like $80+/month for the content. Not exactly sure of the cost as they had some deal going on, theres a few options. I didn't want to pay anything per month to advertise for NAPA but its the easiest way to get set up fast. Like I said I saved money doing it myself but I have nothing to show for it. Its on the to-do list.

UsedTireShop · January 4, 2015

I believe that is from AutoNetTV. They are fabulous. I use the Lobby Tv now and I am getting the Menu Board soon.

My sales person is Che (pronounced Shay). She is the one you want to talk to. You will love dealing with her. Her number is:

Direct: 801.692.1501 | Cell: 801.903.3020

Every shop should look into the Lobby TV.

AutoNetTV Media Inc.
345 South 500 East
American Fork, UT 84003
(801) 492-9900…

TheTrustedMechanic · January 4, 2015

I have always shied away from the menu pricing. I mean think about it, how many oil changes do you sell that are exactly the same price? The car with 4 quarts of oil, the truck with 7, the $2/cost oil filter vs. the euro car with the $8 cost filter, or more. Or a brake job. One car you can buy premium brake pads for $30 then next you can't find anything but bottom of the barrel "used care quality" pads for $40.00. The transmission service with standard Dex/Merc fluid vs Merc V/Dex VI/Euro goo/etc. What do you put on your menu board that doesn't have a dozen disclaimers or disappoint the customer's expectations because of all of the add-ons. I am about providing auto service with the utmost integrity and feel that the disclaimers of disclaimers just offer opportunity for the customer to doubt my honesty.

Now this is not to say that menu boards are wrong, I just have never had any amount of content to put on one that I wasn't afraid would lower my credibility in eyes of my customers or even worse, give rise to opportunity for arguments over charges.

flacvabeach · January 5, 2015

We use the AutonetTV lobby TV through NAPA. It comes with a staggering amount of content and you can add your own videos, promos, ads, etc. I can have different content at my two shops or the same at both. The content they provide is entertaining and informative. I put ads on there for our hybrid work and for our used car inventory.

mspecperformance · January 5, 2015

I wish i had the car count/traffic and a beautiful waiting area to justify one of those!

EXP Frank · January 5, 2015

What are you guys paying for the autonettv service?

5 Star Auto Spa · January 5, 2015

I am interested in what you all are paying for the AutonetTV as well? Also, do you think having it played in your lobby has made a difference in term so educating your customers about maintenance services? Does it seem like it has been worth the cost?

EhtRob · January 19, 2015

We use a company called 10footwave. Been good for us.

AZAUTO · January 20, 2015

We use 10 foot wave. It's been great. You can makes changes to it anytime you want. They just added instead of having your employee pictures in frames you can upload them to this menu board

lakesidetire · November 28, 2015

Any one know the cost of Autonet Tv or the 10 foot wave? And has I'd showed any increase in your business?

PAPShop · November 30, 2015

Remember those picture frames that did a slide show of pictures? Thinking of doing one the those in the waiting area. No external computer or internet needed, just add or subtract "pictures" to the chip when needed.

stowintegrity · December 1, 2015

After a bit of research, we ended up taking a slightly different approach to utilizing a digital menu board by creating our own. As it turns out, most newer flat screen TVs have a USB port, and many (like ours) has a built-in Media Manager.

All that means is that we sat down and planned out what we wanted it to look like, then created a series of "slides". I found out that we can even embed video clips into them, and play short videos periodically. (It's really no more complicated than creating very simple "web pages" with any commercially available software, then turning on the slideshow feature built into the TV)

I figured out that if I create a menu template, of sorts, I can alternate the screenshot of the menu with other slides that inform, display monthly special offers, even photo testimonials from other customers.

It's been really great keeping the slides fun. We've even added a monthly "Dinner & a movie" trivia contest. While customers are waiting, they see the slide, and they're instructed to ask for an official answer form if they want to be eligible to win. Of course, every month, we advertise a photo of the last month's winner, along with a brief testimonial.

We're upgrading it to a "SmartHub" wireless web TV soon, so we'll be able to "email" our TV with updated slides from anywhere! This has been one of the most fun marketing/advertising tools we implemented this year.

meowpox · December 1, 2015

I only briefly looked at the truDigital Signage website so I could be missing something but...I dont see what it has to offer that you cant get anywhere else for free.

If I understand correctly, if you want a digital sign, all you need is a TV, internet, and something for streaming like Roku or Chromecast. Similar to what stowintegrity said, you can make your own slideshow on excel or iMovie or really anything, upload to youtube, and stream it onto your TV for free. When we have events, I use our Roku to stream our Facebook photos (which has all sorts of car projects and other fun things to look at).

With all the streaming options and easy templates for everything digital, I wouldnt pay for this service.

CarER · December 1, 2015

I went to a local pawn shop, purchased a Samsung 42" smart TV for $250 and ended up doing it on my own for free. In my opinion it's the most cost effective and easiest way.

5 Star Auto Spa · December 1, 2015

I think finding professional content that all follows the same theme is more difficult to find than just surfing the internet and posting it on your TV through streaming or via download onto a USB drive. If you want all of your videos, images, marketing, etc. to all follow the same theme and have a coherent professional presentation, you will have to have the software and know how to edit the content you find online. I agree that the cost is high and do wish that there was a tangible way to measure if the service is worth the cost, but with marketing often times it is difficult to measure.

PAPShop · December 1, 2015

I think finding professional content that all follows the same theme is more difficult to find than just surfing the internet and posting it on your TV through streaming or via download onto a USB drive. If you want all of your videos, images, marketing, etc. to all follow the same theme and have a coherent professional presentation, you will have to have the software and know how to edit the content you find online. I agree that the cost is high and do wish that there was a tangible way to measure if the service is worth the cost, but with marketing often times it is difficult to measure.

I think it is as simple as creating a "power point" presentation. Finding someone to create one for you is simple. Students are always looking for work to add to their portfolio. We have a couple of people internally that are pretty good at marketing. We have a power point that has been used for Chamber trade shows and I'm thinking that would be a great place to start.

I am still learning the features of the new smart TV's, I don't have one personally. Thank you Victoria for the insite.

meowpox · December 1, 2015

I think finding professional content that all follows the same theme is more difficult to find than just surfing the internet and posting it on your TV through streaming or via download onto a USB drive. If you want all of your videos, images, marketing, etc. to all follow the same theme and have a coherent professional presentation, you will have to have the software and know how to edit the content you find online. I agree that the cost is high and do wish that there was a tangible way to measure if the service is worth the cost, but with marketing often times it is difficult to measure.

Yeah I see where youre coming from. I think everyone finds value in different things and it also depends on the type of shop you have and your type of customer base. Our team is small and we dont have walk-ins so anyone coming in already has an appointment (thus already knows our pricing) so it wouldnt be that beneficial for us.

Being cohesive is more simple than it sounds, in my opinion. I have the RGB and CMYK code of every color used and reused in our logos and digital marketing materials. Then you pick the same fonts throughout. If you have a header with a certain font and style in your website, you can carry that into your print outs or your digital menu. I love being creative but I'm not a mechanic so I have some time to dedicate to these sorts of things. But I get that not everyone does have that time or if you do, probably dont want to spend that time on picking colors and fonts lol.

Welp, whatever you decide, cant wait to see photos!

I think it is as simple as creating a "power point" presentation. Finding someone to create one for you is simple. Students are always looking for work to add to their portfolio. We have a couple of people internally that are pretty good at marketing. We have a power point that has been used for Chamber trade shows and I'm thinking that would be a great place to start.

I am still learning the features of the new smart TV's, I don't have one personally. Thank you Victoria for the insite.

We dont have a smart TV as well, we have a pretty old and heavy flat screen that we werent using so brought it to the office. We bought a Roku 3 (one-time $100) for it to make it function like a "smart" tv. Chromecast is cheaper (one-time $35) which we have at home, but set up is different. Roku: you have all the "apps" in the console. For example, customer just has to use the Roku remote to go to YouTube or Netflix or the Car Channel on our TV. Chromecast is a device that just enables screening---so you would need a smartphone or tablet with Netflix on it, then you can 'cast' it to whatever device the Chromecast is connected to.

Hope that helps.

3PuttFever · December 1, 2015

I have the menuboard and lobby tv. The lobby tv is very reliable and useful. The menuboard is problematic. I've been through three boxes and I'm still having tech issues. Tech support is great but they're stumped on this one. I pay a rate negotiated through my franchise agreement so it isn't bad. You can put your own information on there. I have some pricing on there but it is in the form of 'starting at' or 'from' pricing. Never hit a snag with a price issue yet because of the menuboard.