Re: Hi guys,

Thread approved.

Re: Hi guys,

Hi Deepan, welcome to xBhp.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavour!

Help needed

I'm going to start a multi brand two wheeler gurage service center. I need help in promotion and marketing and how to reach as many customers as I can. Trust me guys I need serious help. I'm running out of ideas.

Re: Hi guys,

Can you help me with your ideas in promoting my garage service station in marketing and how to reach maximum customers.

Re: Hi guys,

First you have to share where would you be opening the business. And fellow xBhpians can then have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Re: Hi guys,


Spend extra money to buy *good* tools. By that, I mean proper drop-forged wrenches, not chinese vanadium crap. Buy a complete set of torque wrenches: 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4-inch drive. Buy socket sets and spanners, buy ring spanners and open-end. Buy ratchets and breaker-bars, complete screwdriver sets, full allen-key and t-head allen wrench sets. Never try to "make do" with something that "almost works". Having the proper tool for the task at hand is critical. Your tools are the lifeblood of your mechanic business.

Don't try to be able to service all brands/models right from the beginning; focus on a small subset, or even specialize in one or two specific bikes, at first. For the bikes you do support, do your research and buy any specialized tools those bikes require.

When you set up your service area, keep it neatly organized, keep it very clean, and have it well-lit. Ideally, your service bay should look very much like a showroom floor, except with toolboxes and maybe fewer windows. A dark, dirty-looking bare concrete floor is not the way to go; at least have a light-colored painted floor, and an epoxy-sealed floor is better. Clean, light-colored floors make it easier to find small dropped items like bolts and c-clips.

The idea is to build good word-of-mouth. If your facility looks highly professional, you'll set a better impression in your customers' minds. Then, since you're focusing only on a few specific bikes, you'll build a good regular customer base. That way, when you do decide to add additional types of bike, your customers can tell their friends who own that type of bike about the great service they'll get from you.

Re: Hi guys,

In addition to The Mountain said do keep the service manuals of both bikes handy and follow them as close to the letter as possible for the work.

Re: Hi guys,

Thank you. It's really helpful. I'll keep your ideas in mind...

Re: Hi guys,

Well said & good info.

Re: Hi guys,

I would suggest to be geniune and do your work properly ,dont try to loot customers ,quality matters these days.
Its natural behaviour of humans
suppose i liked your work,i would suggest to my friend ,my friend would suggest to another one and the chain goes on ,and so your customer base.

Re: Hi guys,

Also keep a computer in your garage and make record of all the bikes you fix
and show customers that ,this part was fixed today ,it would definitely work till next year.
Engine oil was changed 3 months ago
now it needs to be changed

You can also organize free check up camp in your garage ,be genuine there also.

Re: Hi guys,

Do survey your locality to know the most common bikes and obtain expertise on them or hire some 1 having good knowledge on them, good in terms of building a sound customer base.

Re: Hi guys,

I don't know anything about owning a service centre/business, but I can tell you a few points from a customer's perspective.

I have only given my bike to the Bajaj ASC once and never again. Because they didn't solve any of the issues. Only wash and lube and returned the bike.

On the other hand, my local mechanic,
1. Takes a note of all issues I tell him in his register. He writes all it all by hand, but he is always thorough.
2. Takes note of plate number phone number, odometer reading EVERYTIME I give it for service. I visit the service centre couple of times a month for day to day issues, general maintenance etc. Inspite of this he keeps a record when doing a major service. This is one of the things that gives me a peace of mind when I leave my bike there
3. Excellent customer service/interaction. Promptly informs me of the time it takes to service whenever I call him.
4. Doesn't jump to replace parts. Thoroughly checks all possible issues. I believe this has saved me a few hundred rupees.
5. Word of mouth is very important. I myself recommended him to my friend who owns a RS200. And he too was very impressed with the service.
6. Takes the bike in for service only if he's sure that he has the time to fix all the problems. At times he has worked on the bike upto 9PM. I live close by so that is not an issue for me.
7. He always makes sure to inform me on what has been replaced, shows me the old parts if I ask him to.

I'm sure most of the things mentioned above are standard practices everywhere. But the honest, transparent service has made me stick to one mechanic for two years. Hope this helps and best of luck on your venture