JR
3rd March 2006, 17:42
Hi
About two years ago I had an idea for an online service for independent garages. In short it is a totally automated system that sends service alerts by text and email. Reminds customers when their Tax MOT and other stuff is due for renewal in advance. Yes I know the DVLA now do this, see the last line of this post. It also sends out monthly newsletters to customers all branded for the garage in question automatically.
In short I had the idea when buying a new car. I had just parted with a load of cash and thought after getting to this point the sales person has my total attention as I write the check. What I wanted was to be offered an aftercare service, as in they go the extra mile, never happened.
Anyway I built the system to do all of the above and more automatically, as in very little input for the garage apart from getting customer details at the point of sale. Then got side tracked – which was probably just as well as customer service was not a high priority for most people at the time. I am just wondering if you think the world might have woken up to this idea by now or do I just leave it on the back burner.
The reason I ask the question is I got talking to a salesman the other day that for a load of reasons thought it was a great tool. Interestingly I actually spoke to the owner of the garage who just did not get it. Just one thing although it does a pretty good job at predicting the customer’s mileage this is foremost a marketing tool that keeps the garage up close and personal with their customers with the minimum amount of effort.
Any thoughts?
John
About two years ago I had an idea for an online service for independent garages. In short it is a totally automated system that sends service alerts by text and email. Reminds customers when their Tax MOT and other stuff is due for renewal in advance. Yes I know the DVLA now do this, see the last line of this post. It also sends out monthly newsletters to customers all branded for the garage in question automatically.
In short I had the idea when buying a new car. I had just parted with a load of cash and thought after getting to this point the sales person has my total attention as I write the check. What I wanted was to be offered an aftercare service, as in they go the extra mile, never happened.
Anyway I built the system to do all of the above and more automatically, as in very little input for the garage apart from getting customer details at the point of sale. Then got side tracked – which was probably just as well as customer service was not a high priority for most people at the time. I am just wondering if you think the world might have woken up to this idea by now or do I just leave it on the back burner.
The reason I ask the question is I got talking to a salesman the other day that for a load of reasons thought it was a great tool. Interestingly I actually spoke to the owner of the garage who just did not get it. Just one thing although it does a pretty good job at predicting the customer’s mileage this is foremost a marketing tool that keeps the garage up close and personal with their customers with the minimum amount of effort.
Any thoughts?
John