If you want to grow your auto repair business, having sophisticated auto shop POS software is a must. Its efficiency and portability will make all your tasks easier and streamline all your processes. And by boosting efficiency, it also guarantees greater customer satisfaction.
But before we discuss the advantages it offers, let’s first look at what exactly a POS system is.
What is an auto shop POS software?
POS stands for “Point Of Sales” and is a system used to conduct sales at stores. It lets you enter payment details and print invoices. However, POS systems today have evolved far beyond the traditional digital register.
Nowadays, the best POS system for your garage is the one that comes as part of a bigger package. This larger system has the capabilities to run your business end-to-end. Your auto repair shop needs an auto shop management software package that handles everything from POS to inventory management to customer management. Don’t settle for less and only invest in the software that can truly assist you.
Now that we know exactly what a POS system does let’s take a look at how you’ll benefit from it.
How does it grow your auto repair business?
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Modern payment options
In recent years, customers have turned to electronic payment solutions rather than traditional paper-based payment methods. People now prefer paying with a single tap or swipe instead of carrying around a lot of cash.
So if your garage can’t offer modern payment solutions, you will inconvenience your customers. You will also appear unreliable because customers would not trust you with their newer, advanced cars. They would reason that a shop that does not utilize modern options could never be fully equipped to handle modern cars. That means you would soon begin losing customers.
An efficient POS system will save you from this mishap. It is fully compatible with different payment solutions, from Mastercard to VISA to PayPal. By offering a range of payment solutions, you appear trustworthy and put yourself at a competitive advantage over other garages.
Remember, providing ease to clients should be your top priority because that is what will guarantee a loyal clientele.
- Detailed and efficient invoicing
We all know first impressions are important but have you ever heard of the importance of last impressions? Last impressions are what people remember you by, and when customers remember you in a good way, they’ll return to your garage. What’s the last thing your customer sees when they leave your shop? The invoice.
Making invoices on spreadsheets or by hand is not only inefficient but also unprofessional. Your customers will think of you as just an ordinary garage with nothing special to offer, and may even end up visiting other auto-shops. And on top of that, manual invoicing means long calculations and a greater chance of errors.
So what’s the alternative? A POS system that can take over the task of invoicing. Auto-generated invoices are quick, detailed and accurate, with no chance of human error. The software also lets you customize the invoice by adding your garage’s name, address and logo, and the sleek design casts a lasting impact in customers’ minds as they leave your garage.
Depending on the customer’s preference, you can also easily print the invoice or share it via email. All this means your shop stands out, and there’s a much greater chance of people returning.
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Portable Registers
Traditional POS systems are only functional on PCs. So you would either have to hire a person solely to man the cash register or your technicians would be forced to spend a long time behind counters. And handling all payments at only one station means long queues.
The best auto shop POS software for you is a cloud-based one. This is a system that is compatible with all devices, be it a computer or a tablet. So billing is no longer restricted to one counter. Your technicians can simply keep an iPad near them and ring up a customer from any part of the garage.
This will lead to shorter queues and much less waiting, so your customers leave with a positive impression of your garage. And when they’re satisfied, they’ll keep coming back and also recommend your garage to others, so you’ll have a growing customer base. On the other hand, your employees will also be able to cut down on time spent on mundane tasks, and instead be more productive.
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Inventory management
Keeping track of supplies and spare parts manually can be hard. You find yourself either swamped with paper records or are forced to decipher lengthy spreadsheets. This is a time-consuming and stressful task, but you can’t skip it, right? After all, someone has to keep track of the inventory, because otherwise you’d end up with too much or too little stock.
A sophisticated POS system takes this burden off your shoulders. It tracks your inventory for you and lets you manage stock in real-time. You can also use it to find out the number of supplies and parts you own over a given time. With just a simple click, you can also view detailed inventory reports and get “low stock” alerts, so you never run out of supplies.
When the stress of handling your inventory is taken off you, you can focus your energy on what’s important — growing your auto repair business.
Conclusion
Having a POS system is necessary to run your business, but make sure the one you invest in offers more than just cash transactions. The best POS software for your garage is the one that manages and streamlines a variety of tasks, from inventory management to offering modern payment solutions. So don’t settle for less and invest in POS software that can truly take your garage to the next level!
