Factors That Affect Your Average Repair Order

When it comes to measuring the success of your auto repair shop, the Average Repair Order (ARO) is one of the most important metrics. Now, you may know that if your automotive repair shop focuses on increasing the average RO, you’ll run a more profitable shop—but how can you make that happen?

The answer is simple, you should be maximizing the work on every vehicle that comes into your bays.

You know your customers need the services your shop recommends, and oftentimes that's easier said than done. But building relationships with your customers is essential for gaining the trust you need to sell those services.

In essence, this is a matter of quality over quantity. Too many shops are more focused on the number of vehicles coming in and out of their shops instead of capitalizing on the cars that are already there.

Maximizing Repair Order Tickets

There are a few key factors that affect average repair order ticket prices. Each of the following can be controlled in your shop:

1. Know Your Customers

How well do you know your customers? Some customers will only pay for the bare minimum in needed repair, while other customers appreciate preventative maintenance. It is important to engage with your customers, and show them the value in your recommendations. Oftentimes skepticism can lead to missed sales, but better transparency and education can make all the difference. Spend time and energy investing in the quality of your customer relationships. Discount customers are a dime a dozen; quality customers are who your business thrives on. 

2. Scheduling in Advance

Scheduling in advance allows you to control how many customers come in on any given day. Not only do appointments yield predictable revenue and repeat visits, scheduling allows you to spend quality time with each customer and their vehicle. Customer concerns are better documented, recommendations for additional services can be offered, and a relationship can be formed. 

3. Effective Communication

Communication is important to business growth. It is vital to efficiency and productivity both internally with your team members and externally with your customers. Service technicians must clearly communicate the job and all of its components to the service advisor at the front desk and vice versa.

There's a lot of information to pass along and it must be done in an efficient manner. Automotive repair shop management software, like BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY's solutions, can help make communication immediate, effortless and clear.

4. Thorough Digital Inspection

You must inspect every vehicle and make sure customers know the importance of preventative maintenance. Customers usually pass on a full vehicle inspection because they do not trust the repair shop will be honest with them. One way to build trust around your recommendations is to use digital vehicle inspections. 

Show the customer why the vehicle is in need of certain services through pictures and videos. Easily educate your customers in order to put them in control of their own maintenance.

When implemented correctly, these factors that affect average repair order can make your shop more profitable. Digital inspection software, like BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY can aid in the growth and productivity of your auto repair shop by offering easier solutions to your everyday problems.