Auto repair follow-up that brings customers back for declined work and routine service.
Recommended work that a customer declines today is often your best opportunity next month. Alcreo texts back callers when the counter is busy, lets customers book online, follows up on declined repairs on the timing you choose and sends maintenance reminders. Repair orders stay in your shop management software.
Service writers are busy, and follow-up is usually the first thing to wait
Most shops have plenty of work. These are the opportunities that tend to slip:
Calls during a busy counter
Your service writer is with a customer, the phone rings and the caller tries the next shop.
Declined work that's forgotten
A customer declines brakes today, nobody follows up, and they get them done somewhere else later.
Maintenance reminders by postcard
Mailers are costly and easy to ignore, and some customers never come back for routine service.
Phone-only scheduling
Customers who'd book at night can't, and the counter spends hours on scheduling calls.
Status calls all afternoon
Customers call for updates because nobody texted them.
Few reviews
Customers are glad to have the car back but rarely post a review unless asked.
Customer follow-up for an auto repair shop
Your shop management software keeps repair orders, estimates and parts. These tools handle the communication around them.
A website built for local search
Pages for brakes, diagnostics, maintenance, tires, AC and more, plus pages for the areas you serve.
Missed-call text back
When the counter is busy, callers get a text with a link to book.
Online appointment booking
Customers book service online, describe the issue and get reminders.
Declined work follow-up
Customers who declined recommended repairs get reminders on the timing you set.
Maintenance reminders
Oil change and scheduled maintenance reminders go out by text and email.
Status updates by text
Send quick updates while the car is in, so customers don't need to call.
Pay by text
Send invoices by text with a pay link so customers can pay before pickup.
One inbox for messages
Texts, emails, web chat and Facebook messages land in one inbox the counter can work.
Review requests after pickup
Customers get a review request with a link to your Google profile.
From a check engine light to a regular
A commuter's check engine light comes on Monday morning. Here's how the next few months could go.
Customers who don't return get a maintenance reminder on the schedule you set.
This is an illustration of how the system can work, not a specific customer's results.
- Mon 7:40 AMMissed callThe shop isn't open yet. The caller gets a text and books for 8:30.
- Mon 11:00 AMStatus updateYour service writer texts the diagnosis. They approve the repair and decline brakes for now.
- Mon 4:30 PMPaid and picked upThey pay by text before arriving. A review request follows.
- Week 3Declined work reminderA reminder about the brakes goes out. They don't respond.
- Week 6Second reminderA second reminder lands after payday, and they book the brake job.
- Month 4Oil changeA maintenance reminder brings them back.
Set up for the shop you run
General repair, specialty shops and fleet work each need different follow-up.
General repair
Everyday maintenance and repairs.
- Missed-call text back
- Online booking
- Maintenance reminders
- Declined work follow-up
Specialty shops
European, diesel, transmission and more.
- Specialty pages
- Detailed booking forms
- Quote follow-up
- Referral tracking
Fleet accounts
Business vehicles on a schedule.
- Fleet service scheduling
- Account contacts
- Monthly invoicing
- Service history notes
Keep your shop software. Add customer follow-up.
Repair orders, estimates, parts and technician time stay in your shop management software. Alcreo doesn't replace it.
What shop software often doesn't do well is marketing and follow-up: answering missed calls, online booking, declined work reminders, maintenance reminders and review requests.
Alcreo connects with QuickBooks for invoicing and payments, and during setup we import your customer list. Declined work and service dates can be brought in by export or through Zapier, depending on your shop software.
Is Alcreo a good fit for your shop?
It's built for independent repair shops with one or a few locations.
A good fit if
- Calls go unanswered when the counter is busy
- Declined work rarely gets followed up
- You still rely on postcards for reminders
- Customers call often for status updates
Probably not the right tool if
- You need repair orders, labor guides or parts ordering
- Your shop software's marketing add-on already covers this
- You're a dealership service department with its own systems
Service reminders customers agreed to
Reminders work when customers asked for them.
Consent on every form
Forms include clear, unchecked texting consent with links to your privacy policy and terms.
Opt-outs honored automatically
STOP replies and email unsubscribes are honored right away.
Registered business texting
We help you register your number for A2P 10DLC, which mobile carriers require for business texting from local numbers.
Policies that stay current
Growth includes an auto-updating privacy policy, terms and cookie consent for your website. On Launch it's a $20/month add-on.
This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your own advisor about the rules that apply to your business and your state.
What your auto repair shop website could look like
A clear, trustworthy site that makes booking service easy.
Service and city pages help you show up for searches like "auto repair near me" and "brake repair in [your city]." Clear services, your warranty details and real reviews help drivers choose you.
What happens after you sign up
You don't have to learn the software on your own. Here's what the first week looks like.
One onboarding call
We learn how your auto repair shop works today, which tools you're keeping and what to fix first.
Your website and phone number
We build your website or connect your current one. Keep your number by forwarding or porting it, or get a new local number.
Your contacts and starter setup
We import your contacts, load the standard pipeline and turn on the starter automations that fit. You can rename stages and edit messages any time.
Live in under a week, with support after
Most accounts are running in under a week, though texting registration depends on the carriers. After launch, support helps when you want to change something.
Plans for auto repair shops
Both plans are month-to-month, set up for you, and your first 30 days are free.
Launch
$497 setup · first 30 days free
- ✓5–6 page website with service pages
- ✓CRM, customer pipeline and follow-up
- ✓Missed-call text back, booking and texting
- ✓Declined work follow-up, reminders and reviews
- ✓Unlimited AI agents (fair use)
- ✓Up to 5 users
- ✓Compliance add-on: +$20/month
Growth
$997 setup · first 30 days free
- ✓Up to 35-page SEO website with service and city pages
- ✓Maintenance, declined work and review buildout
- ✓Everything in Launch
- ✓3 website edits every month
- ✓Unlimited users and priority support
- ✓Compliance included
Phone, texting, email and AI usage is billed separately based on what you use. If you cancel in the first 30 days, there's no monthly charge, but the setup fee isn't refunded. Moving from Launch to Growth costs the $500 difference in setup fees. Google ad spend is paid directly to Google. Google decides Local Services Ads eligibility for each service category and location.
AI for the routine work, with your team in charge
In a repair shop, AI can take routine questions off the counter, like hours, loaners or whether you work on a certain make, and draft declined-work reminders. Diagnoses stay with your technicians.
You decide what AI handles. Anything that needs judgment, or a personal touch, stays with your team.
Describe a workflow in plain English
Type something like "when a customer declines a repair, text a reminder in 14 days, email in 30 days and create a call task at 45 days" and the AI builder drafts the automation. You review it, adjust the timing or wording, and turn it on.
An assistant for routine questions
AI agents can answer common questions, collect details and book appointments by chat or text, in many languages. You decide what they say and when a person takes over.
Help drafting messages
Draft reminders and replies faster, then edit them to sound like your business.
Help when you want to change something
We show you the AI tools during onboarding, and support can help you adjust an automation later instead of starting over.
Questions from shop owners
Don't see yours? Book a 15-minute call and ask us directly.
Does Alcreo replace my shop management software?+
No. Repair orders, estimates and parts stay in your shop software. Alcreo handles your website, calls, booking, reminders, follow-up and reviews.
How does declined work follow-up get its information?+
Declined items can be added by your service writer, imported from an export or connected through Zapier, depending on your shop software. We'll check what's possible for yours during setup.
Can I text customers status updates?+
Yes. Text updates from the shared inbox, and customers can reply.
Can customers book online?+
Yes. They book service online, describe the issue and get reminders by text and email.
Can you help with Local Services Ads?+
Growth includes LSA management. Google decides eligibility, and your ad spend is paid directly to Google.
How long does setup take?+
Most businesses are up and running in under a week, starting with one onboarding call. Texting registration is approved by the mobile carriers, and their timing varies.
Can I keep my phone number and my current website?+
Yes. We can forward or port your number, or set up a new local one. If you like your current website, we can connect it to your account at the same plan price.
What does it cost, and what's billed separately?+
Launch is $297 a month plus a $497 setup fee. Growth is $597 a month plus a $997 setup fee. Both are month-to-month with the first 30 days free. Phone, texting, email and AI usage is billed separately based on use.
What happens if I cancel?+
Cancel in the first 30 days and there's no monthly charge, though the setup fee isn't refunded. After that there's no long-term contract. Closed accounts are paused for 30 days, and we'll send your contacts and website code on request. Your domain stays yours.
Other automotive businesses we set up
Related: Missed-call text back · Automations · Scheduling · Google Local Services Ads · CRM & pipeline · Alcreo Payments
Bring back declined work, and keep customers on schedule.
Book a free 15-minute demo and we'll start building your website live on the call.