Vehicle Maintenance Archives | AutoServe1

Understanding

We at AutoServe1 understand that implementing a new method or procedure in your shop can seem daunting. It’s understandable to have concerns. You’re not crazy for not ditching the pen and paper so fast, and you’re not alone. 

It’s important to understand this and we do sympathize with those struggling to make the switch. Despite the sales we get from selling our services to shops all over North America, it’s not what drives us. It’s not why we get up each morning, it’s not why we fly, drive and chat with our customers all over the world. 

We do what we do to create a culture of trust and transparency in the automotive world. We were tired of seeing passionate mechanics and shop owners struggle to sell much-needed service to customers. 

It was tiring to hear honest mechanics’ service recommendations being brushed off as “being a pushy salesman/mechanic.” We feel for these mechanics and want your customers to understand “You’re only trying to get more money out of me!” is not what your business is all about. 

With this being said, we analyzed the top reasons shop owners/managers hesitate when it comes to implementing digital inspections. 

1) It costs too much money!

Think of it this way. If you just bought $300 worth of stocks would you expect a profit right away? No of course not. It’s an investment, and with investments it takes patience. For those patient enough to wait and trust in the process, the rewards greatly outweigh the initial lost capital. 

We understand spending any “extra” money at your business isn’t ideal but digital inspections are an investment that works. We put together a case study to prove just how much our product has helped our customers. In this case study, we analyzed over 200 shops and 600,000 invoices. What did we find? We found an average increase of 25% to shops’ repair orders that implemented digital inspections!

2) It will be too much of a headache to get my team on it

Learning something new is always a challenge. You weren’t expected to ride a bike without falling over (again and again and again!) It’s no different with learning how to use your new inspection tool. 

At first, we often hear how the first week or two is quite challenging for shops. Technicians aren’t used to it, service advisors aren’t used to it, managers trying to get everyone on the same page. It’s tough, but once everyone has a common understanding it actually increases shop communication. 

Technology has helped in our everyday lives so much you rarely even think about it. It’s no different in the shop. You learn how to use your new car’s features when you moved on from your old, outdated vehicle. Your new car helps you save on gas, save you time (with your built-in GPS). You wouldn’t expect your old car to last forever. It’s no different than the tools, systems, and processes you use in your shop in your day-to-day life.

Things are constantly changing, and especially in our digital society, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with tech that makes our lives easier. The consequence to avoiding it? You’ll be left behind in your competition’s dust. 

3) How Will Digital Inspections help me and my shop?

Most often customers figure if the car turns on and runs everything must be fine. The reality is, without fixing some of the issues outlined in inspection reports the customer is not driving in a car that is as safe as it can be and may even cause further damage should the recommended repair be ignored.

Digital vehicle inspections give advisors the ability to show customers exactly what is wrong with a vehicle thanks to clear images and video. In simpler terms, the customers see exactly what the technicians see when he/she is doing the vehicle’s inspection.

When the customer can clearly tell what is wrong with their vehicle they are much more open to approving extra work that they didn’t come in for originally. This gives customers peace of mind while driving that they are in a safe car for themselves & their families. 

Not only is it safe, but the car has gotten work that was actually needed.  Safety is always the priority for customers and as members of the automotive industry. It should do us pride when we can give customers the feeling of driving in a car they know is safe, and the work they did was actually needed.

4) Why do I need this when I already show/tell my customers exactly what’s wrong?

AutoServe1 helps improve your shop’s performance with innovative communication features. From custom inspections to ensuring everyone in the shop is one the same page, our software helps shops increase productivity, communication, and customer trust.

How do we do it?

Custom inspection options

Customize Your Inspection options with Builder1. This AutoServe1 feature allows shops to have custom inspections for all the specialized services shops can offer.

Our workflow customizer, Builder1, brings intuitive design and simplicity together to make your inspection process faster and easier for your technicians. Builder1 gives users complete flexibility to customize their shop’s inspection options.

With drag and drop options for screen tabs, sections, and section items, shop owners can quickly customize their AutoServe1 platform to better match their technician’s work and inspection reporting process.

Workflow1

WorkFlow1, gives your team an at-a-glance progress report of the auto repair process. A quick click of the mouse, service advisors can update a vehicle’s status as it goes through the repair process.

When work is approved or parts are ready, notifications can be sent to technicians by WorkFlow1 or even by text, keeping everyone in your shop on the same page.

Younger people crave it

Your competitors are doing it. More and more shops all over the world are making the switch to digitize their inspection process. People love technology, and that’s no secret. It’s not different in the world of auto repair/service. 

Not only are shops making the switch, but Millenials and younger drivers are quickly becoming the generation with the most drivers on the road. These younger drivers need service repair just like past generations but are craving shops that “speak their language” and actually understand them. 

This generation is highly social, and tech-savvy and has been waiting for the automotive world to join them in the 21st century. With digital inspections, you can really educate these new drivers. You would have the ability to include photos and videos right in your inspection reports. When you’re techs are done an inspection, you could then send the report right to their smartphones! 

This really touches on multiple pain points of younger drivers. 

1) You’re really educating them on why repairs are needed. These people may be on the road but they actually know much less about vehicles than their parents and grandparents. They crave knowledge about how their cars operate. When you give them that knowledge you’re creating trust with the customer while giving them value in the form of your expertise.

2) Another thing younger people hate is phone calls and voicemails. They dread picking up the phone when they could just receive a simple text. That little red checkmark indicating a voicemail is the bain of their existence. With our two-way texting feature that pain is gone.

 Shops that use digital inspection software can complete inspections right on tablets, including photos and videos and then send the report right to the customer’s phone! Not only do they get full inspection reports on their phones, but they can accept/approve work with the simple tap of a button! 

Why shop owners may hesitate to adopt digital vehicle inspections. 

Understanding We at AutoServe1 understand that implementing a new method or procedure in your shop can seem daunting. It’s understandable to have concerns. You’re not crazy for not ditching the pen and paper so fast, and you’re not alone.  It’s important to understand this and we do sympathize with those struggling to make the switch. Read More

Is your auto shop appearing on Google?

3 Easy Ways To Rank on Google It’s 2019, no matter what business you run, no matter how big you are we can’t stress enough the importance of ranking high in the Google Search results page. Think about the last time you wanted to buy something. Where did you turn to do your research? Our Read More

6 tips To Grow Your Automotive Service Business

An Automotive Industry-Wide Problem Pretty much any shop owner, mechanic and service advisor who has been in the business for many years knows the distrust customers have in the industry. Unfortunately, many people, especially women and younger drivers have a sense of fear with mechanics. They worry they’ll be taken to the cleaners and ripped Read More

Improving Your Dealership’s Service Sales in 3 Easy Steps

A Dealership’s Profit Generator We’ve spent a lot of time talking with folks in the automotive sales industry. Dealers from all over North America have connected with us and we’ve been able to draw some valuable insights. Most automotive dealerships, and especially new car dealers only make around $2000 on each new auto sold. That Read More

Crucial reasons you should seriously consider digital vehicle inspections

The Next Big Thing In Automotive Service A 6 min read to ensure your shop is on the right track Vehicle inspections are a huge part of auto repair shops. That’s why shops need to ensure a healthy, streamlined process to doing them. Service technicians are most likely doing inspections on each and every car Read More

6 Things Your Competitors Can Teach You About Shop Growth

Sustaining, and growing your shop As we push into another year of auto service repair, we need to ask ourselves “how do we grow our profits and fill bookings?” To do this, we believe a very effective method is looking into what the competition is doing in your area. Out of all the auto service Read More

What Do People Look For In A Car Dealership?

Online Sales Online shopping is booming. More and more consumers are doing their shopping online (if not all their shopping). Not only are more consumers buying online, but they are doing their research online as well. Dealerships are being thrust into the future if they like it or not. People are beginning to expect online Read More

16 Pieces Of Equipment Every Auto Repair Shop Needs

When Should Your Shop Buy Equipment? We recommend buying your equipment before you start operating, instead of waiting until you need them. Buying these things in advance can save you a lot of money as you are more patient and level-headed. When you need something quick, and you are stressed with running the rest of Read More

5 Tips for Recycling Vehicle Fluids

Like most shop owners, Mike Torres, owner of Dakota Ridge Complete Automotive in Littleton, Colo, is quite aware of the significant amount of waste products that his shop produces through its daily operations. These waste products can have a negative environmental impact and shop operators must do their part to reduce, reuse and recycle. To Read More

Schedule Auto Repair Shop Appointments Online

It’s pretty simple finding an Auto Shop these days; no more looking through the Yellow Pages or asking family or friends to find the phone number of ‘their guy’ in an over-flowing business card drawer. Now, with a few key taps or swipe of a finger, consumers are not only able to locate repair shops, Read More