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  • Holding Back on Recommendations

    Posted by Site Administrator on June 5, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    Holding Back on Service Recommendations

    A long-time customer approached me with a concern and asked, “Why is it that almost every time I come to see you, you recommend something? You are also more expensive than other shops. Why not just fix what I came in for?”

    I replied, “Rick, we are an honest shop that believes taking good care of a car is the best way of avoiding the high cost of repairs. A long time ago I lost a lot of good customers because I just focused on repairing what the customer had asked for. I remember one customer in particular who owned an Acura we had been servicing since day one. She began having trouble with the ABS system, and since her car was still under warranty, she took it back to the dealer for repair. The dealer refused the warranty claim because the brake system had not been flushed according to factory recommendations. Her bill for the repair was nearly $3,000 and her car had only 50,000 miles on it. I felt horrible when she came back in and told me what had happened, and I felt as though I really let her down. I lost a great customer but was able to learn a very important lesson. Our goal is to help people, and the only way we can do that is by letting them know exactly what needs to be done at every visit. If we do, then they will have dependable transportation, and they will save money.”

    After I explained this to the customer, he understood that our motives are to help him, not sell him unnecessary services. It also reminded me of my responsibility to my customers, so I was very glad that he asked.

    This article was contributed by Servando Orozco, an award-winning shop owner who was doing $36,000 a month in sales when he joined the Elite Top Shop 360 ( https://www.eliteworldwide.com/one-on-one-coaching.html# ), and who now has 3 locations and does over $4,000,000 in annual sales.

    David Polsky. replied 4 years, 9 months ago 2 Members · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • David Polsky.

    Member
    June 18, 2019 at 5:14 pm

    Check Angie’s List and you’ll see her opinion. She states that the most important part of an oil change may not be the oil change. The most beneficial part is having a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle while the oil change is being performed.

    We inform everyone that along with their LOF we wi perform a tire rotation and safety inspection. That way there’s no surprise when we present the inspection results. Vast majority appreciate the inspection.

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