8% of auto repair shops have a review from the last year that says nobody answered.

1. “Thanks for calling [your business], this is the front office. How can I help?” Name first. They called you, not a call center.
2. “What's going on?” Then let them finish.
3. One qualifying question: “What’s the year, make and model, and what is it doing?”
4. Two times, not an open question: “Drop it Wednesday morning or Thursday by 10.”
5. “What's a good name and number, in case anything changes?” Then confirm it by text before you hang up.

How many auto repair shops have a review about not answering the phone?

In our scan of 134 independent auto repair shops across 8 US metros, 11 (8%) had at least one review of 3 stars or fewer in the last 12 months saying the caller couldn't get through, never got a callback, or was brushed off by the front desk. Reviews undercount it: most callers who can't get through don't write anything.

What does one missed call cost an auto repair shop?

Using an estimated average job of $350, one missed call a week that becomes a lost job is $18,200 a year. Your number may be higher or lower; the arithmetic is the same.

What should a front desk say when a driver calls an auto repair shop?

Answer with the business name, let the caller say what's going on, ask one qualifying question (“What’s the year, make and model, and what is it doing?”), offer two specific times instead of an open question, then take a name and callback number and confirm by text.

Can Sockly answer as an auto repair shop?

Yes. Call 470-280-8910 and say your business name; it answers as you in about 30 seconds. On your real number it answers every call 24/7, books on your calendar, texts you the summary and callback number, and confirms the customer by text. First month free, $0 setup, then $997 a month for up to 500 calls.

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