There are many things you can do as a manager or dealership owner to maintain customers, but we want to equip you with some things you can do to maintain these relationships for a very long time. Here are a few ways – without using a computer, social media, or the Internet – to maintain long-time customers:

  1. Be transparent – As a leader in your dealership, you should attempt to connect with customers personally, rather than staying unseen and unheard. Stepping out to chat with a customer who is thinking of buying a new car shows effort and value.
  2. Keep in contact after the sale – Even if it is a quick “hello,” maintaining contact after the sale will help keep your dealership top-of-mind when that particular customer returns to the market.
  3. Details are important – Customers notice the small things that you do as a leader of your dealership, so provide them with details that show effort on your part. For example, if they want rubber floormats for their new truck but do not want to pay $100 for them, take care of it yourself.
  4. Be timely – Whether someone asks you a question through an email or comes in to get their car serviced, be quick and efficient. Customers seek quickness and efficiency regardless of the request, and making timeliness a priority can help retain customers for years to come.
  5. Remember personal details – If a customer tells you something about their personal lives (kids, family, hobbies, etc.), make an effort to remember it for the next time you come into contact with them.
  6. Give back to your community – When you put your (and your company’s) name in places other than your dealership, you are showing customers that you care about the community around you. For example, when you volunteer at a soup kitchen or charity golf tournament, you are not only aiding your community, but are inadvertently publicizing your company at the same time.

The list above highlights ways you can maintain long-lasting relationships with your customers. A few years down the road, they (or someone they know) may be looking to purchase a new vehicle and you will be the first place they visit. Here at Client ConneXion, we focus on ways we can help you connect with past, current, and potential customers through various online platforms. However, we believe that adopting these simple non-digital practices can ultimately help you retain employees for life.