#1 Strategy To Retain Your Automotive Customers
SEASONAL TIRE STORAGE
From computer hard drives to retail stockrooms, space always seems to be at a premium. But making room to offer seasonal tire storage service can fill a marketplace need, add a revenue stream and increase customer retention.
TirePro called six dealerships in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, provinces known for harsh winters, to ask if storage of summer tires was available with the purchase of winter tires. All said no, citing lack of space as the reason. “We do not store tires. If we had everyone’s tires here, we’d have no place for new tires,” was the response from an employee of an Ontario dealership. The person who answered the phone at a dealership in Nova Scotia said, “I don’t know of anyone here in town who does that.”
WHY DEALERS MAKE SPACE
- Additional Revenue - The average dealership in Ontario* (see chart below) charges $80.65 per season to store customers seasonal tires.
- Customer Retention - If you store a customers tires, there is a really good chance you will keep them as a customer.
- Content Customers - Unlike repair services, tire storage draws in customers who want/need your additional service.
- Service Opportunities - Your service department is guaranteed to get in front of each customers vehicle a minimum of twice per year.
- Better Relationships - By offering a service a customer will want and need, you are in a win/win situation.
WHY CUSTOMERS NEED/WANT TIRE STORAGE.
- NEED - Most customers who store their tires at a dealership simply do not have the ability to store them at home.
- SPACE - Those who do have the space may simply not want to use that space for tire storage.
- CONVENIENCE - Customers don't want to get dirty nor do they want to lug heavy tires in and out of their vehicle to wherever they are storing them.
- REMINDERS - People get busy, simply forget or put off swapping their tires if left to their own devices. This changes significantly by simply booking their appointments ahead of time with a followup reminder.
WHAT IS TIREPRO STORAGE SOLUTIONS AND HOW CAN IT HELP YOU?
One of the major drawbacks when it comes to tire storage is having a good record keeping program. TirePro is a precise record keeping program (software for off-season tire storage)...and so much more!
TirePro software stores data on customers, storage location, tire changing appointments and tire/wheel status including condition, brand, model and size. The proprietary software also enables dealers to document damage to rims and tires.
TirePro software is designed for tire storage in dealerships across Canada. Dealers can monitor the condition of tires and wheels to inform customers of the need for replacement during the changeover process as well as alignment and balancing services. In addition, dealers who offer a storage service can better manage tire swap season by booking appointments via text messaging before the first snowfall.
A new revenue stream that strengthens relationships with customers while generating sales of tire and repair services is a strong reason to consider making space for tire storage service. But the greatest incentive is increased customer retention. Dealers are also not having to pay for marketing costs for a customer’s car to be in the shop twice a year on a hoist with a technician looking at it. That's a lot of value for a dealership!
DEALER INVESTMENT
TirePro Cost Analysis - Yearly cost, revenue and profit chart based on 150 customers.
7 SIMPLE STEPS TO A LIFETIME OF REVENUE GENERATING TIRE STORAGE
- Log into the portal.
2. Select customer from database.
3. Print your labels.
4. Attach labels to work order.
5. Technician applies labels to tires.
6. Input tire location on the customers file.
7. Rebooking.
LET TIREPRO HELP YOUR DEALERSHIP INCREASE CUSTOMER RETENTION AND PROFITS!
*TirePro checked with 9 dealers and 1 independent storage company in Ontario to come up with our average seasonal cost.
To purchase, get more information or a demonstration on TirePro, please contact Curtis Mandeville at [email protected] or leave a message below.