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Offline Bartering Experts Here?

by Rien
12 replies
Hi all,

I have a few offline clients that I do work for monthly, but I am interested
in bartering with a local mechanic and am looking for some tips.

I need some work done on my truck and I noticed that the shop does not have
a website. They did claim their spot in Google Maps. It is a small shop
that was recommended to me.

They have a ton of 5 star glowing reviews online. And I checked their grade with
the BBB and they received an A+.

I am guessing all of the word of mouth referrals has kept them busy. How can I
approach the owner on possibly bartering or doing some work for them?

Any tips?

Thanks,

Rien
#bartering #experts #offline
  • Profile picture of the author jdrohn74
    Garages are a finicky bunch. I know a couple mechanics and the only thing they care about is being in Google Maps because that'll bring them passer-by traffic. A lot of people would pick a local shop rather than a dealership because of the price differences...

    If you're in a more tourist traveled area, this could work well. Or if the garage is by a highway...
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  • Profile picture of the author George Sepich
    Originally Posted by Rien View Post

    Hi all,

    I have a few offline clients that I do work for monthly, but I am interested
    in bartering with a local mechanic and am looking for some tips.

    I need some work done on my truck and I noticed that the shop does not have
    a website. They did claim their spot in Google Maps. It is a small shop
    that was recommended to me.

    They have a ton of 5 star glowing reviews online. And I checked their grade with
    the BBB and they received an A+.

    I am guessing all of the word of mouth referrals has kept them busy. How can I
    approach the owner on possibly bartering or doing some work for them?

    Any tips?

    Thanks,

    Rien

    Focus on bringing them more customers. If you can do that for them with lead generation or whatever, at the end of the day, they don't care about their web site or Google Maps. They just want more business. Let them know how you can help them get more customers. They may be more than willing to pay you hard cash, and you can use the barter deal as a secondary approach.

    I have bartered ( I usually call them tradeouts) for tens of thousands of dollars of Dining, Lodging, Services, And Media Exposure over the years.
    It's awesome, and not that difficult to do.

    The key is to not get too focused on this one business with their 5 star glowing reviews. If they shoot you down, their should be a ton of other mechanics that can do a fine job for you, and may need your help even more.

    George
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    This is an unfortunate position for you to be in because it would be so much better if they were coming to you for help, rather than the other way around.

    I wonder if it would be worth going in there with the idea that you are just getting a price for the potential work, and that you work in casually what you do and hope they take the bait.

    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author Vincenzo Oliva
    It's easy, find another mechanic, one that can better utilize your service.
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  • Profile picture of the author theprofitguru
    Always approach a business about getting them more leads. A lot of mechanics might not even know what Google maps is. Start by asking him about his business. Have they been facing challenges in getting and keeping customers like other shops in the area? If so, ask if they would like tons more customers then let him know what you do and what you charge and see if you can get him as a customer first then ask about trading services.IMHO.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rien
    Hi all,

    Thanks for the great advice. I will just chat with the owner tomorrow and
    see where it goes from there.

    Thanks,
    Rien
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  • Profile picture of the author Chad Heffelfinger
    Let us know how this goes, I have had the idea of doing this with an older Jeep I have and getting it all fixed up by bartering different things that need to be done with different shops. I just need to get around to doing it, but it should work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Shaw
    yeah, I talked to two auto shops. They don't want websites, so the best way is to approach them about getting them more visibility local with the goal to get them more customers.

    That could be adding them to all the local directories and putting up reviews of their work. Tell them to give you some and you will build their credibility up online.
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  • Profile picture of the author MWGrubb58
    Rien,

    One thing to do is not to focus just on the online stuff. Sure, if they are savvy, you can chat it up... But what about their leads now.... what about upsells.... what about referral systems... what about the wow factor...

    Before the online-offline craze, people were trading services right and left with auto repair shops...me, too.
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