Dear Auto Repair Shop Owners,
People think you are crooks, cheats, and out to screw the customer.
Sincerely,
Some Random Customer
This is likely one of the most difficult scenarios auto repair shop owners have to overcome. As for us, we just want to talk t-shirts. Custom t-shirts, to be exact. They can go a long way for your brand and your perceived knowledge with untrusting customers. The right decision about t-shirts for your company can also save you a lot of money in not having to buy shirts constantly. Let’s dive in.
Cranky Customers:
We’ll talk “shop” shortly. First, let’s get to those cranky customers. We know it’s hard for you in your industry. There is that stigma that you’re tough to trust, whether it’s warranted or not.
When customers need a mechanic, something has unexpectedly broken. Auto owners get frustrated because they are inconvenienced. They don’t know what’s wrong with the car. You diagnose the problem and talk through it with the irritated person. If the issue is more severe than they had hoped, the price tag goes up. You know where this story goes.
So…how can a custom t-shirt help you in this situation? We’ve done research and found that by wearing a black printed t-shirt, you can get through this annoying scenario more easily. Black can come off as menacing. But, it can also put in the mind of the customer that you’re authoritative. They begin to believe you’re telling them what you know, and what they don’t know. It’s real psychology of color schemes.
Ramp it Up:
We know that you’ve had that customer that keeps asking the same questions over and over and is obviously not listening to your answers. So, let’s ramp up that customer’s attention with your custom t-shirt. If you go with a black shirt, your logo should be a contrasting color, much lighter than black. White is prime. Just take a look:
Getting the picture?
Pretty iconic stuff, right? Contrasting colors grab the eye. Now, maybe that exasperated customer might look at you more directly. And listen to what you say. And most importantly, begin to trust you. A simple choice of colors has calmed things down.
Time to Work on the Car:
As a mechanic, one thinks of a car as a giant puzzle. He or she has to know where all of the over 500 pieces have to go. The mechanic has to make sure not to lose or damage any of those pieces, and many of them are extremely small. During a shift, the mechanic is generally standing, or in some sort of uncomfortable situation. Vehicles haven’t been built for the comfort of those working on them. Your staff might be in tight areas or accessing hard-to-get-to parts on a car. Oil and grease aren’t just on auto parts. They make their way to the tools involved, staff clothing, and skin as well. Automotive techs often suffer cuts, scrapes, bruises, and smashes to body parts. They can be burned by battery acid, as well as oil, coolant, and other liquids. To us, that sure seems like one tough environment to work in. We believe that if you provide your techs with the right choice of t-shirt, they, and you, will be better off for it.
Custom T-Shirt Choice:
We touched on color earlier in the article. There’s another good reason to go with black. The dirty nature of auto mechanic work makes a darker color smarter.
Black can hide much of the gunk that ends up on a shirt. And honestly, a little blood that comes from a typical day’s work can be absorbed by the dark-colored custom shirt. Why is that important? Think back to that cranky customer. The mechanic who has to break the bad news that a new transmission is needed looks more professional. He or she doesn’t look raggedy, dirty, or unintelligent. It helps build the trust those in your industry strive to attain. Other color options that can help in this aspect are navy blue, dark gray, or forest green.
How about the fabric for your hard-working auto techs? There are a couple solid choices we recommend at Good Guys Signs.
- Cotton- A classic t-shirt. It is a strong material that will provide durability. At the same time, it feels soft to the touch; a win-win for those looking for a custom shirt. Cotton is a natural product, as well as a renewable resource. Good for sensitive skin, and very breathable. It can get very hot in your working environment, so a fabric that breathes well will help keep the staff as cool as possible.
- Blends- You’ve most likely have worn a t-shirt that is a mixture of cotton and polyester. This type of blend is created to achieve the best of both worlds. The duo might just be the premier choice for screen printing images on a shirt. You have cotton, being breathable and lightweight. You have polyester, bringing strength and a resistance to wrinkling to the table. Bam! You now have a custom t-shirt that will feel airy, last very long, and as a bonus, won’t fade.
We also know that in colder environments, or in the winter, it can get real drafty in the garage. For that, long sleeve custom t-shirts are a great choice. These might hold off a hot oil splatter burn or battery acid from directly hitting the skin. Long sleeve printed shirts can also help avoid some of those cuts and scrapes, making life for your team a bit better. Good Guys Signs has t-shirts, both short and long sleeve. We make and print logos and designs on nearly any fabric. So, the next time you think about hooking your staff up with what works best, give us a call at 800-215-6424. We have a talented crew of customer service reps, designers, and print staff ready to take care of you.
