Three of the focuses of my blog are Current Events, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. The Coronavirus/COVID-19 Crisis/Pandemic has caused a lot of changes to numerous business sectors. One sector that has been severely impact by people social distancing due to COVID-19 is the auto repair garage business. The following contributed post is entitled, How COVID-19 Is Affecting Garages.
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COVID-19 is changing the way we interact with vehicles. Cars are an essential part of everyday life. In a normal situation, your car would be the preferred mean of transport to get to work. As more and more companies are moving their business into the digital sphere, the commute to work has been temporarily transformed, except for essential workers. Nevertheless, people still rely on their vehicles to support them in their everyday trips. From grocery shopping to necessary doctor appointments or helping vulnerable relatives, the car makes it possible to stay connected and alive during the pandemic.
Unfortunately, essential repairs and services are being interrupted as a direct consequence of the quarantine. For garages, COVID-19 creates an impossible dilemma. How do you keep people safe on the road when you can’t get the parts you need?
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Social distancing means remote solutions
When most businesses are going remote, there’s a practical argument for garages to do the same. Unfortunately, as most manufacturers have stopped activities worldwide, mechanics and garage owners find it impossible to get essential automotive parts for repair and servicing. However, they can jump on the digital bandwagon to teach their customers how to perform essential maintenance on their vehicles. It is crucial to remind customers how to look after their vehicles at a challenging time, such as now. Cars that are left untouched for several days or weeks will face difficulties restarting. The battery could go flat; the brake pads could rust, etc. Basic maintenance tutorials during the quarantine can make a difference!
Many businesses are facing monetary issues
Most small-town garages are independently owned. For them, a loss of income could put their survival at risk. When you consider the costs of a lease, insurance plan, and basic business maintenance, many small companies have to find ways of borrowing money to survive. While commercial loans are typically available to businesses, banks and other money lenders may not be willing to take the risk. Consequently, garage owners need to think outside the box. Joining a credit union and taking a secured loan against an asset are some of the most popular options.
Businesses have to face unfair complaints
Unfortunately, garages still face demands for last-minute repair works. Clients who have postponed repairs or services before the lockdown are now in a rush to get their car road-safe. But, as it can be difficult to secure car parts, garages have to focus on the repair works they can make. As such, it’s not uncommon to face complaints when a vehicle is not fixed to the owner’s expectations. Automotive defense attorney William Ferreira is the first to warn mechanics and garage owners against unnecessary activities during the pandemic. Clients have to understand the risks related to the supply situation.
Post quarantine is going to be worse than the holiday rush
As soon as it is safe to go back to normal life, garages are likely to face a rush of clients. Cars that have been left unmaintained during the crisis will need servicing and repairs. Preparing your business to meet the rush will make a difference. Small garages need to start planning to face demands as quickly as possible.
In those difficult times, car specialists need to get creative to support their community safely. From offering online tips and tricks for everyday maintenance to explaining to your customers why you can’t provide full repair services, maintaining positive communication with your audience could help save your garage business.
