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I thought of a great business opportunity for those interested in the automotive industry.  I went to get my oil change at one of the local quick lube places and for the most part the people servicing my vehicle were good.  However, when I walked into the waiting area there were three women there all sitting waiting for their cars to get finished and as I looked around the place was not at all friendly to the female clientele.  All of the magazines were year old car magazines and maybe a few year old tabloid magazines.  My thought was to have updated female oriented magazines, make the interior a much more inviting space to be in rather than the uncomfortable metal and leather seats. How about nice upholstered chairs with coffee tables.  I also thought about a no hassle policy when something like an air filter needs to be changed just let the customer be notified and if they want to change it they can pay for the service.  How about an area where people can set up there laptop and drink some really good coffee or other beverage- free of charge. 

Feel free to add to this idea- I would do it if I had the money!

Or... how about a automotive facility that was staffed by all women.  That would make women feel more inclined to take the car for service and not feel slighted in any way.

Good idea Shauno! I was thinking along those lines as well.  I think women may be a little intimidated when going into these types of places.  They need a place like this where they can really trust the business.  I would bet if they recieved great customer service, word of mouth would spread like crazy!

Hi I like your idea. I believe that waiting areas should be inviting for both male and female customers.

Your idea sounds great.

Chairman,

I do a lot of work in the automotive aftermarket - service and collision repair industries. You have identified an issue that few in the industries "get." The ones that do "get it" are capturing the business. It ain`t brain surgery - and no offense to you - I commend you -  in recognizing this important issue - especially as it relates to the female customer.

If you want to read a good book by an automotive industry person who gets it - read Customers For Life: How To Turn That One-Time Buyer Into a Lifetime Customer by Carl Sewell, a successful auto dealer owner in Texas. Drawing on his incredible success in transforming his Dallas Cadillac dealership into the second largest in America, Carl Sewell reveals the secret of getting customers to return again and again. There`s a chapter on bathrooms  Sewell gets it!

It`s a great book for anyone with face-to-face customers, automotive-related or not.

Question: Did you bring your observations to the attention of the owner/manager? If not, I suggest you do. It`s the right thing to do. Like Zorro, leave your mark! 

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Women-run businesses are a hot topic, and have been for a long time. A woman could probably make some serious money using this idea, AND probably get grants and funding from the government. I can`t think of it at the moment, but there was something like this, where a woman got fed up with the male-oriented nonsense of some business. She started the same busines, but ran it entirely geared toward working moms, career women, and so forth, and became rich.

Thanks for all the comments!

Richard,
I did not bring my observations to the owner, but I will contact the manager by phone.  I wonder if I should call the actual corporate offices of the company?  Maybe they would hire me to redesign there shops.

 

CHAIRman, you`re more than on to something.  I think you`re idea is fantastic. 

I automatically get an attitude going into any auto service: oil change, dealer, etc., because my experience has been one where they look and talk to me like I`m an idiot.  I quickly show them that I`m not, and that usually continues the unpleasant experience.  I`ve even walked out on a few for trying to bs me.  I just hate to do anything related to automotive. 

If there were a business or busiensses that catered to woman like this where I live and provided a comfortable experience with exceptional service: car dealerships, oil change cos., tire cos., etc. - I`d be a top customer!

Cheers,

Tammy

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Tammy Graham, Founder & CEO, True Genius Apparel Company: fitting your personality; www.mytruegenius.com. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

I`m thinking I should maybe move forward with this idea.  I see a facility that not only is comfortable to be in but is educational for the customer and not pushy. 

Another funny thing that happened when I visited this place is they had a t.v. hung up in the corner with a Jerry Springer type show playing and made the experience feel even sleazier! 

Let`s see, times last year my husband took a car to have the oil changed... ZERO. Number of times I took the car to have the oil changed... at least 3.    I vote YES!  I`ve even taken my kids for that 20 minute oil change only to have it stretch into an hour and the children end up RIOTING in the waiting room. 

Magazines, chairs, some toys, etc.  Give it to me and I`ll leave HAPPY!  Otherwise, I`ll stare a hole in your head trying to make you hurry up so I can get my kids out of there!  Then I`m always grumpy and really couldn`t care LESS what kind of oil you put in. 

My Toyota Dealership has couches, toys and a fridge stocked with soda and water.  It`s ALMOST pleasant waiting there for my car to get fixed. 

~Kim
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