By Jack Bulko
“My husband always took care of this and now he’s just dropped it into my lap! And if you think you’re going to take advantage of me because I’m a woman, you have another thing coming. I have been burnt more than once and it is not going to happen again!”
All I had said to her up to that point was “How can I help you?” I could have raised my voice too, but I sensed the frustration in her voice and knew that her anger wasn’t directed toward me, at least, not exactly. I knew that she just wanted someone to listen to her and to help her solve her car issues in a fair way. So, I listened. I wanted to make her experience at AutoAid as pleasant as possible.
After bringing her to our customer service waiting area for some coffee, we talked about the knocking noise she heard in her engine and what it might be. I explained that we perform a free 38-point inspection of the car and if needed will proceed to more in-depth testing, which would have a cost attached to it, but that nothing would be done without her informed consent.
It turned out to be a minor issue, which we were able to fix for a low cost. When she left, she thanked me for taking the time to explain everything to her and for giving her documentation of what was done to her car. I told her that I completely understood her frustration as being in charge of servicing your car for the first time ever, can be an overwhelming experience. Since then she has sent some of her friends to our shop, including a woman who had just lost her husband. She was terrified of being on her own and was afraid she would be taken advantage of by an unscrupulous business person. I was able to assuage her fears and even showed her how to check her oil levels.
In both cases, I knew that if I listened to what their concerns were, assessed the problems with the vehicles, advised them on the best course of action to take, and offered convenience and ease in the process, it was the first step toward building a strong business relationship based on trust and respect. Any time we are forced to do something that we have never done before, there is a certain amount of trepidation. This is true for men and women.
At AutoAid, we deal with a variety of clients, including those who have just experienced a personal loss (the dissolution of a marriage or the death of a spouse). They want and need someone to find a resolution to their vehicle problem, someone who feels safe and can be trusted.
That’s why when you walk into AutoAid you get the royal treatment, whether you are a new or returning customer. We do this not to impress you but because we believe that everyone should be treated with kindness, dignity and respect, regardless of what else is going on in their life.
What Does AutoAid Offer That the Competition Doesn’t?
Here are just a few reasons why AutoAid receives high marks and referrals from our customers.
- Trust is key. At AutoAid, we work diligently to make sure that we earn your trust through quality car maintenance and repair at a fair price.
- Referrals. We are a AAA Approved Auto Repair Shop, “People love us on Yelp!”, an Angie’s List Super Service Award winner, and a partner of the Confidence Plus Certified Service Centers. We receive a majority of our business from referrals given by our customers in person or on Facebook and Google. We’ve found that if you do a good job at a fair price, people will come back and they will recommend you to everyone!
- Offer top-of-the line vehicle repair service. Several of AutoAid’s available mechanics are ASE Certified Master Technicians, which means they have passed a series of tests—think of it as a master’s program for car mechanics. We also have relationships with AAA and car rental companies, and have repair financing programs that allow you to pay your bill over time. We believe in giving our customers options while returning their vehicle to them in pristine condition.
We sell quality service. Calling around to find out pricing on an oil change, brake service or AC repair is fine, in fact, we want you to be a savvy consumer. But do not base our decision on price alone. At AutoAid we put our customer first, offering an unprecedented three year or 36,000 mile warranty on all new parts we install and are transparent about repairs and costs. We believe that once you see our expertise and our willingness to help work with you, you’ll never want to take your car anywhere else.
The AutoAid Way
At AutoAid you are our family and we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make your life a little brighter, from answering any questions you may have and providing tips on good car maintenance and road safety, to making sure you have coffee, tea and cookies while waiting for your car to be serviced in our super clean customer lounge area. We are Certified Female Friendly and LBGT Service Friendly. Contact us today to find out how we can help your car, truck or van run even smoother. AutoAid can be reached at (818) 305-6632 or make an appointment online. We make auto repair easy!