Key-Replacement Program for Retailers Discussed in New Whitepaper

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Key-Replacement Program for Retailers Discussed in New Whitepaper

Car Keys Express, which manufactures aftermarket versions of modern car keys, say its services enable retailers to take advantage of the “ripe” opportunity to offer replacement keys.

Counterman Staff
By Counterman Staff
Published:

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As vehicles become increasingly complex, so do vehicle keys.

“Over the last three decades, automotive manufacturers have continued to add new features to their keys,” Louisville, Kentucky-based Car Keys Express explains in a new whitepaper. “Although small in size, automotive keys contain a surprising amount of complex technology. More recently, they have added convenience features such as remote start or trunk release.

“The automotive key has continued to evolve even further and is often ‘smart,’ allowing the owner to enter the vehicle by just being in close proximity – without pressing any buttons. A modern car may even be able tell who is entering the vehicle and adjust the seat, mirrors and even your preferred radio channels.”

As automotive keys have evolved, their cost has increased exponentially. Today, a replacement key can cost more than $500.

And thanks to the variety and complexity of vehicle keys, OEMs have “virtually ‘locked out’ retailers and manufacturers from entering the automotive-key business,” the company asserts.

However, Car Keys Express, which manufactures aftermarket versions of modern car keys, say its services enable retailers to take advantage of the “ripe” opportunity to offer replacement keys.

“Consumers want alternatives to the time, expense and hassle of a dealership appointment,” the company says in its whitepaper. “The nature of keys and their portability means they are often damaged, lost or stolen, so repairing or replacing keys is a common consumer issue.”

Car Keys Express offers a complete retail key-replacement program that includes tools, universal keys, ongoing support and employee The company’s patented frequency agile transmitter allows hundreds of keys to be consolidated into a few, similar to how a universal TV remote works, according to the company. Reducing SKU count significantly lowers inventory cost and complexity.

“These innovations have removed the significant barriers that have kept retailers away from automotive keys for decades,” the company says.

To download the whitepaper, click here.

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Customer Service: How It’s Done

Customer service should be your number one priority, and it all starts with the greeting.

Eric Garbe
By Eric Garbe
Eric Garbe is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He has extensive independent and dealership field experience as a technician and shop owner and is an ASE Certified Master Technician and former Adjunct Automotive Professor. He has been professionally writing automotive technical articles and documents for many years and in his free time enjoys restoring old cars and creating custom interiors and upholstery.
Published:

This is always an important topic to discuss, because I consider excellent customer service one of the most important tools you can have to earn trust, respect and repeat business from the customers that come through your door. Whether that customer is do-it-yourselfer from across town or the professional repair shop across the street, your business depends on a solid relationship.It’s a subject that I am passionate about, and it’s one that many people are losing touch with. Whether you are communicating to someone in person, on the phone or using some type of social media, good customer service and bad can both exist. You can’t afford the latter, so this is the first in a series of topics which can and should be shared from the front of the shop to the back. No matter which role you hold, you represent the shop and yourself. Customer service should be your number one priority.First on the list is the greeting. From the second a customer walks in the door, they need to know you appreciate them coming in and how important they are to your business. First impressions are everything and here’s the correct way to do it each and every time: look them directly in the eye, smile and say hello!Of course, you can say “Good morning” or “Welcome to Joe’s Autocare,” but it should be a formal greeting and the most important thing is that you have smiled, looked them in the eye and recognized that they have walked through the door.You should always retain a formal greeting until you are on a first-name basis with a customer. Only once you have established that level of relationship is it OK to use the less formal greeting of “Hi,” followed by the person’s name.This greeting does more than just indicate respect and appreciation for someone walking through the door. Most likely there are customers both new and old who are in earshot of your conversation. For newer customers, this continues to build rapport and reinforce their positive view of your shop; they see that you demonstrate respect and treat everyone in the same manner. For repeat customers, even ones that have been coming for years, the greeting is important because the way you treat them is the reason they continue to come.And when a long-time customer comes in and you greet them with “Hi [First Name],” this indicates your appreciation for them and that you’re glad to see them as a person, more than just a customer. New customers that witness this will see that your repeat customers are comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis, another indication of the trust they have in you.

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