So, what is the value of a relationship in business?

For your consideration:

My next-door neighbor owns a 2022 Ford F250 diesel 4x4. My shop performs all the services on their truck. They faithfully maintain it by having the oil and filter replaced every 5,000 miles, they replace the air and cabin filters once a year regardless of condition, they replace the fuel filter once a year as well. Suffice to say, they take care of the vehicle. They tow a fabulous looking 36-foot 5^th wheeler with that truck.

A few days ago, they started a one-month long trip. We did not expect to see our neighbors for a whole month. To our surprise, they were back home in a rental car 6 days later. Turns out the high-pressure pump on the diesel engine of the Ford truck, hand grenade, as stated by the Ford dealer in Southern Colorado. This is where relationships matter. They said they could not start even looking at the vehicle for at least 6 weeks. In the meantime, my neighbors had to find a place to store their beautiful 36-foot-long 5^th wheeler after they had to pay a great deal of money to have it towed from the highway. It’s probably going to be there for a minimum of 2 months. Fast forward to things here in Ventura. Our business got a phone call from someone stuck on the freeway. Turns out their GMC diesel truck lost all power and it’s now blowing white smoke out the tailpipe. Can we work on it right away as they are stuck here while going through town?

We truly are backed up for about three weeks to the point we had to say no.

Then it dawned on me about the countless loyal clients we have who call and want (and get) an appointment for the next day. Now! that is relationship business.

With the huge shortage of automotive mechanics, most good shops are running at full capacity much of the time. The only way to get an appointment in the very near future is to have a relationship with your mechanic. One way to endear yourself to your auto mechanic is to start with a great 5-star review that is clear, concise, and to the point.