For most people, leaving their vehicles at a shop can be frustrating and inconvenient, taking time out of their busy schedules. So, why not leverage that major pain point by offering mobile auto repairs as a service? Before your start thinking of reasons not to, it’s not as difficult as you might think and offers loads of benefits for your shop.
Differentiates Your Shop
If you’re a small to mid-size shop, competing with bigger chains can be a challenging. They have a lot more resources both financially and organizationally. Their marketing is often streamlined through corporate offices giving them even more of an edge in the market. That’s why you need a differentiator–something that you do that no one else does. Mobile auto repairs as a service could be the answer.
You could leverage this new service for an entire marketing strategy; spreading the word through multiple mediums, offering special promotions, and email current customers.
Makes Your Business an All-Around Solution
Sure, mobile auto repairs as a service are a great way to stand out in the market, but they are also a great way to establish loyal customers–which should ultimately be your goal as 80% of your future profit will come from them.
Mobile auto repairs is a great value add that can be looked at as the cherry on the ice-cream of your business. Whether someone needs major service, a simple oil change, or their tire blows out and they need someone to fix it–you’re shop is the answer.
Expands Your Customer Base
Mobile auto repairs is a service that’s been growing in popularity since the start of the pandemic with many many not feeling safe enough to wait indoors. But it’s not expected to slow down–consumers fell love the convenience offered.
So why not take advantage of this new demand. You be the answer for those who get stranded, have a hole in their tire, or need an oil change but don’t have time to bring it in. It’s an entirely new revenue stream.
Addressing the Hesitation
We understand the skepticism, and you’re not alone. But there’s a reason the industry is seeing a rise in mobile mechanics. We’re here to address the most common pushback that comes with doing this type of business and offer solutions to quell the skeptics.
- What about tools and equipment? Often, the assumption is that mechanics need heavy-duty equipment and ample amounts of space to get the job done. While this may be the case for more intensive repairs, like replacing a windscreen, most minor repairs can be done with equipment that fits in a trunk all within the confines of a garage or driveway.
- Are the services offered worth it? Although it may appear that offering a select number of services will turn customers away, there are other factors such as convenience, accessibility, and transparency that can outweigh the drawbacks. You’re simply eliminating the services that require specialized tools or large carjacks. Remember, the idea is not to provide every auto repair service to customers, but to help streamline the simpler ones.
- How many employees do I need to support it? It’s no secret that mobile repairs mean more logistics, with every booking at a different address, and various parts and tools required for each car. That’s where automated software, like BayIQ, can come in handy. With an automated booking system, you can avoid the logistical nightmare altogether so that your mechanics can focus on what they do best.
The Logistics
The good news is, expanding your business can be simple if you already have a solid foundation. To achieve this, there are a few steps that are an absolute must to get your mobile repair service up and running:
Required licensing
If you don’t already possess the needed licenses for your shop, you will have to do the following:
- Visit the local county’s office to request a business license
- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is required for tax returns and other important documents
- Purchase a state reseller’s license in order to purchase parts at the wholesale cost
- Receive a Sales Tax Identification Number for tax returns when customers purchase parts
- Stop by the state Licensing Department to confirm the particular mechanic’s license(s) your shop requires.
Having a dedicated vehicle
Purchasing at least one van or truck specifically for your mechanics is a must. This will ensure that they can always access clients’ homes and all the tools they need are in one place.
Pro tip: By investing in a vehicle wrap with your branding, you’ll have a mobile billboard.
Demand
Before going all in, you may want to conduct a feasibility study on your market. Essentially, this allows you to get an idea if this service would work and what numbers you would need for it to be profitable. You could also create a survey on social media, send out an email to current customers, and even rely on your staff to get their input.
All-In-One Marketing
Marketing an expansion like this requires a foolproof system. Make sure you hit all bases, like a newsletter announcement, text message updates, and social media posts. To ensure you’re covering everything with ease, consider using a platform like BayIQ to streamline the process.
BayIQ can help take this new venture to the next level, not only with marketing, but also with a plethora of other features: reviews so that you can know how your customers are receiving the changes, reports to track new metrics, and a loyalty rewards program so you can exceed all of your shop’s (and mobile repairs) KPIs.
