Why do auto repair shops take advantage of their consumers? The answer is not hard to find. Auto repair shops have a constant flow of customers and they can set their own hours. While this may seem to be an unfair way to make money, it is a good way to attract customers. In addition, it also allows the shop to charge more and still have many customers. But how do you make sure your customers are not taking advantage of you?
Many mechanics charge a nominal diagnostic fee for determining the problem. This fee is usually applied to the repair bill, but some charge it separately from the repair to boost their bottom line. Most consumers are not aware of the fact that they can haggle repair prices. However, 21 percent of consumers haggle the price of non-warranty repairs. In this case, they might bring up personal circumstances and use these as an excuse to overcharge their customers.
Educate your customers. Many customers suffer from shop anxiety, and this often manifests itself in fear of being overcharged. By providing education about the costs and repair process, you can alleviate some of the fear that customers have. This information can be spread through social media as well. The more consumers know about auto repair, the more likely they will come back to your shop. There is no better time to get started on this education than now.
