Poll: Use your smartphone for business?

[3000rpm]

4 smartphone uses for detailers:

1. Photos.
Ever had a customer call with the job that was “borderline”? it’s too risky to throw out a quote over the phone, so you quote a wide range on the job. The customer says he’ll think about it. But you never hear from him again. Now, if the customer can take a quick photo with her cell phone and text it to you immediately, you can throw out a very specific number with some confidence. Also, we have all driven many miles to a job that just wasn’t fixable as a re-conditioner. A quick photo via text can keep you out of a frustrating trip like this. And don't forget that it's easier than ever to build up a collection of before and after photos for your website or portfolio.

2. Videos.
The video capability of most smart phones is now good enough for YouTube. This is a huge promotional opportunity. You only need a helper, a friend, or a coworker to do a brief video of you detailing a car. What you do next is upload the video to YouTube and label it with something like “Tucson Auto Detailing.” Often, Google will place these videos on the first page of Google much faster than your webpage. You can get a ton of free publicity for just 30 minutes of work.

3. Appointment setting.
Some days get pretty busy in the car business. There isn’t a technician out there who has been around for more than five years who hasn’t completely forgotten about an appointment. It’s a huge embarrassment and a bruise on her reputation. If you can structure your whole day on your cell phone, and add alerts as each appointment comes up ( have your phone vibrate 20 minutes before the next appointment) this simply won’t happen again. And applications like Google calendar have some really powerful features that allow you to send out automatic e-mails to your customers a day prior to your appointment. Because it’s not just you that forgets appointments, it’s your customers too.

4. Accept credit cards.
This costs about 3% per transaction. No fees initially. No monthly fees. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than taking checks, and if you have a trusted account, certainly continue taking checks. But for customers who insist on plastic, and for new customers, processing cards with your phone is a revenue generator and time saver. Try squareup.com.

Poll:
1. Yes. I keep my schedule, take photos, invoice, email customers, etc.
2. Yes. But I don't use it to its full potential.
3. Yes. Own one but don't use it for business.
4. No. Don't own a smart phone.

[LSUFAN]

1. i do mostly everything on my iphone for my business. i do however backup everything nightly. never know what might happen to your phone during a long day of detailing.

[Auto Envy]

2

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[Kristopher1129]

I don't do everything on my phone...but, it definitely keeps me on the ball with customers. Getting my emails straight to my phone is SO handy.

Customers really appreciate a quick response through email. in fact, I've gotten regular long time customers simply because they enjoy dealing with me, and I'm so easy to get a hold of.

I hear all the time about people calling, or emailing shops and getting no response.

I keep all my calls forwarded to my cell, and use it all day in the shop.

I update my facebook page with it, and take most of my photos.

Certainly makes life easier. Oh, and not to mention...now my schedule can be accessed right on my phone. Awesome!

[Flannigan]

I would never trust a photo taken by a customer on a phone. The customer may not know exactly what they are looking for, and I personally wouldn't want to quote a price based on a picture. I would much rather make the drive out there and see the vehicle for myself if there is any question.

I do accept credit cards with my phone sometimes, but I always have my iPad with my and a stylus which, I feel, makes it feel a little more legit. I also take the iPad with me to any estimates so I can show a customer before and after pictures up close, so they have a better understanding of what to expect. Again, it goes with the image I want to portray.

As for appointments, I just use my google calendar, so I can set them on my ipad, phone, or computer.

Overall I guess I don't do much with my phone except text or talk with customers. Sometimes I will text and update picture to the customer while I working on the car, but that is just for fun, and not meant to show the true condition of the car. Hope that makes sense!

[MaxWax]

1ish, I accept credit cards, make appointments, only use the camera to take pictures of something like headlight restoration where the difference is so dramatically clear that any camera could pick it up. As far as accepting pictures from customers, I'd rather give them a ballpark figure and then go take a look at the car myself.

[ProMoDe]

1.
Also, used as my gps.

[Mike McDonald]

I take care of everything with my MacBook Pro. I use the Calendar to keep track of appointments... etc. I use my Droid 2 to use 'Square' to process debit/ credit cards. Sure, I get charged, but since I started using it, I've seen nothing but more customers due to the convenience.

[tw33k2514]

My iphone controls my whole life.

[SkateForGirl]

1. I don't detail for a living, I just sell mortgages haha.