CUSTOMERS: Consider doing your vehicle safety checks now.

It is a difficult decision to make; spending money now to keep your vehicle safe at the time when we are all wrestling with savings, unemployment, financial uncertainties, and waiting for safer times to go outside.

But if we look ahead, how likely are you to use “social” forms of transportation in the near future? Consider your willingness to share space in a plane, a train, or a bus? In an Uber? A rideshare service to get to work?

When we resume a “normal” life, I predict the use of our own personal forms of transportation will increase, eliminating years of adaptation to ‘sharing’ platforms. That is an opportunity for the tire and automotive service shops to do safety checks now, and do upgrades now in preparation for when our use of personal transportation returns.

We are all waiting for safer times to return. We understand the need to stay at a distance, but it is actually a lot less crowded in the store now, especially with an appointment. Give us a call today.

AUTO SERVICE INDUSTRY: Safety measures promote customer confidence.

We are all essential services because our society does not function without transportation.

Let’s get ready now, for when life resumes later. To give the public confidence in leaving the safety of their house, we must be ready to offer superior, professional service in a safe environment. Sounds very much like what we have been doing all along, but now with added elements. We are listing the changes Wheel Warehouse has adapted to deal with this “new normal” and we encourage you to do the same.

When dealing with promoting a safe environment, perception is extremely important. The customer’s car is a safe environment to them, but potentially a germ-filled space for the service technicians who then must drive the vehicle and put it on the rack. Your store is cleaned to your standards, but are the customers feeling as confident? Does the presence of any other customer in your showroom make others consider whether to come in?

We have adapted our policies for employees the use of personal protection equipment (gloves, masks, etc…). Rearranged the showroom to keep staff at safe distance from customers and indicated by stickers placed at the entrance and in standing areas to respect social distancing (6ft). At Wheel Warehouse, customers are encouraged to drive their own car into the special service bay that doesn’t have any racks. They drive  it in and then out when done, so their personal space is not entered by anyone else. We make appointments to limit waiting times and offer alternative ways to get the job done. We can pick up the customer’s car or send a tow truck if they would rather not leave home. We also offer online payment options to reduce handling cash. Oh, and don’t forget to get that wheel-lock key so you do not have to search through the vehicle.

But at some point, we all must handle the car if any racking is required, or alignment, or test drive, then a tech must enter the vehicle. Sitting in someone else’s seat and touching their steering wheel requires us all to use gloves and masks. We all have to be concerned about the viral transmission of COVID 19.

Each of our techs already had back belts, steel toe shoes, safety glasses, and gloves, now we have added a face mask. Add to that the tools of the trade and the mandatory cell phone. Pretty soon, we will have them wear a regular stormtrooper outfit….The bright side of a full suit is that you really can’t touch your face… Just kidding, but you get the idea.

---