Who has a formal referral program?

[buda]

Who of you participants here on Autopia has a formal referral progrAm to get new business?



Please share details and how you track new customers to know it is working?



Bud Abraham

 

[Jean-Claude]

I let new clients know, kindly and without pressure to use it, that as a "thank you" for referring new clients, 5% of the new client's first detail goes towards their next one.



No one ever thinks they are getting to save a ton of money this way, but as I say, it's a small way I can say thank you beyond just saying thank you and moving on.

 

[tssdetailing]

I used to give them actual cash for the referal, but then I realized "why should I pay someone b/c I do great work?"

 

[Envious Eric]

I ask how did you hear about me at the beginning.....I hand them 2-3 cards at the end and say give them out, you already have my number, lol!!!

 

[Scottwax]

I've never had a formal program because my customers refer their friends to me anyway. I do track where I get referrals from though and will do something extra when I work on their cars again.

 

[Junebug]

I ask folks to please spread the word if they're happy with my work, so far, it's worked fine. I have priced a job cheap - knowing that the owner would advertise to his friends for me and i was trying to get into that group of owners.



I know of a body shop that has a 3 month waiting list. They don't advertise beyond the sign on the building. You won't find price shoppers there, just people that want the best and are willing to wait and pay extra. Now that is my goal!