Why communicate ? |
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Reminders mean added income, and more profit.
Customers often complain that their repair shops really don't care if they come back. The fact is, many shops do act as if they don't care !
It is also a fact that less time is spent on returning service units the staff is familiar with the client, and the item being serviced. Consequently, it is often easier to pinpoint problems. In addition, the client knows you.
If the initial work was performed correctly the first time, customers are more likely to invest additional dollars to have non-critical services performed.
If return clients are beneficial, the task is to get them to come back. In national surveys, many clients did not return to a repair facility because of the indifference they perceived on the part of the shop management. "If they wanted my business, why didn't they act like it when I was there, or let me know they wanted me to come back ?"
You communicate your desire to retain their business through the followups you send. Thank you cards, or letters, are a great idea. Even more important, in our busy society, is the need for reminders. Dentists send out cards about checkups - so why not you ? When that card arrives, it reminds the client that they are due to have their unit serviced - and your name and number is right in front of them.
One automotive repair shop told us that they didn't stop parking cars for a week after the reminders were mailed.
If you don't remind your clients of impending services, they will forget. You can be sure that they will remember when something goes wrong - which Murphy's law says will occur when they are near some other shop. Guess who will get the work ? Why lose out ? Use your reminder system - and it will pay for your computer system all by itself. |