COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY
There are all kinds of repair options that an adviser can offer to a customer. As a
customer, you should ask if there are any options. If you have financial concerns,
communicate them. If you are a service adviser reading this, you need to listen to
your customers, ask questions, and find out how best you can meet their needs.
Look at the job as if you were in the customer’s shoes. Is the car too worn out to
warrant an expensive new part? How long do they intend to keep the car? Ask
questions. A happy customer means repeat business and good word of mouth,
and this is the best advertising you can do for your business. As the service
adviser, a good relationship with your customer should be your main goal. You
want customer loyalty, and it cuts both ways.
A caveat for repair professionals: When exercising repair options for your
customers, always confirm the quality of either used or aftermarket parts. Also,
make sure that you properly prep the part. For example, if it is a used rotor,
measure it with a micrometer to make sure there’s plenty of “meat” on it (if you
have to machine it). In the case of a used engine, make sure you see and hear it
run; make sure there are no knocks, taps, or smoke. If it’s a used electronic part,
make sure it was properly stored (not exposed to weather elements/ moisture,
which cause oxidation). In short, treat the repair as if it were your family’s
vehicle and your money that is being spent. With such a perspective, you will
deliver a good quality job and you will make a customer for life.
At this point the question arises: How do you find that trustworthy auto repair
facility? Read on.