Captivating Auto Shops Offer Special Features for Ladies -- and their Kids!
Nobody relishes the idea of spending hours at the mechanic, in a dirty
waiting room sipping stale coffee, and reading last-week’s crumpled
newspaper.
Many
auto shops and dealerships recognize this, and have taken steps to make
their waiting area much more pleasant to their patrons, offering such
niceties as designer coffees, comfortable couches, and
satellite-equipped HDTV televisions. Some dealerships have even gone so
far as to add wireless internet access (http://www.socalmom.net/travelblog/2008/03/good-feng-shui.html)
for those who bring their own laptops, or computer terminals for those
who are compelled to check their email while their car receives its
maintenance and repairs.
Other operators understand the need
to cater to their growing female audience, by offering specific days of
the week when ladies can be pampered while waiting for their car, with
such niceties as manicures (http://askpatty.typepad.com/ask_patty_/2007/03/free_manicures_.html),
massages, and other luxuries. This is a growing trend, and we love
hearing about female-friendly locations that offer specific “Ladies
Day” (http://femalefriendlydealer.askpatty.com/about.php?d=DMD_Honda_of_Frisco) activities for their female clientele.
Well,
some dealerships and repair shops have gone even further, improving
their waiting areas, not just for the adults and ladies, but for their
customers’ offspring as well. AutoInc.com Online has recognized this
Maryland-area repair shop for its excellent children’s area.
AutoInc.com (http://www.autoinc.org/photo_kids.htm)
was happy to declare British American Auto Care as having the “Best
Kids’ Play Area,” saying its “children’s area is an inviting place for
kids to hang out. The colorful play area – with a half-wall –allows
visibility while still keeping youngsters contained from roaming to a
potentially busy, entryway/exit door.”
This is just one of
AutoInc.’s monthly shop photo contests being held throughout 2008 to
recognize shops for their efforts to improve the image of the
automotive service industry. Each month, they’ve got a new theme, and
invite ASA member shops to submit photos of their favorite shop for
consideration. Upcoming themes include Best Ladies’ Room (June 2 Deadline) and Best Bay Area (July
1 Deadline).
Official rules can be found here: http://www.autoinc.org/contestrules.htm
The winning photo for each category will be selected by the AutoInc.
staff and will be published in future issues of the magazine.
Have you got a favorite shop or dealership? Does it offer some service
that makes it especially compelling to take your car there? Give kudos
to your favorite shop here and tell us why you find it so fabulous --
or if you’re especially pleased with its ladies room, you can even send
a photo of it to photocontest@ASAshop.org.
Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com
asa member shops
