Price is often the biggest sticking point in an auto repair job. Some customers just have no feel for what certain services or parts cost, others have perhaps been treated poorly in the past (or are cheap), and some just flat out do not have the money. Choices need to be made between fixing a vehicle or paying rent or buying groceries. For those customers, a shop in Gallatin, TN, is going beyond typical customer service and actively trying to help.
According to this great article in The Tennessean, Cooper’s & Helping Hands Automotive offers a discounted rate for those who cannot afford the high costs of vehicle repairs.
From The Tennessean:
The idea for Helping Hands came to Anthony Cooper, a 26-year certified ASE Master Tech L1, after he continued to see repair costs as a barrier to those struggling to provide for themselves and their families.
“These people need their cars repaired so they can create a livelihood and go to work and provide for their family, but because of these repair bills now they can’t pay their rent,” Kelly Cooper said. “Or, they go to these high interest loan rates or put it on credit cards and they fall in these never-ending cycles … That’s what we’re trying to stop in the community.”
To qualify for the reduced rate of $35 an hour, a customer just needs to show proof of government assistance. But the service doesn’t stop there. The shop also offers a local hero discount and accepts donations that it tries to put toward things like gas cards, clothing and food.
Just a really great story of one shop doing what it can to be a pillar of its community. Maybe something that makes sense for your business, too? Be sure to head to The Tennessean for the full story.
