Smart Jobs becomes a huge time saver for Cardinal Plaza Shell

October 4, 2024

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Read time: 3 min

About Cardinal Plaza Shell

In the fast-paced world of auto repair, staying ahead isn’t just about keeping pace; it’s about maintaining a standard your customers grow to expect. That’s the philosophy at Cardinal Plaza Shell, an automotive service shop providing excellence to customers in Springfield, Virginia. 

Chris Chagnon, the Chief Operation Officer, implemented Tekmetric in early 2020. As the pandemic reshaped the landscape of the auto repair industry, Chris recognized the urgent need to adapt. The shop's existing management system was laden with unfulfilled promises of updates and flexibility, leaving the team in a backlog when it mattered most. 

His team hasn’t looked back since. 

The Challenge

The shop operates at high volume, with service advisors constantly juggling phone calls and customer queries. To deliver standout service, efficiency is key.

“Our service advisors are the real bottleneck because they're answering phones, helping people that walk in, and having to juggle a bunch of different priorities. It can get messy during peak hours."

Chris explained. The need for a solution that could streamline their workflow and allow them to focus more on customer service was clear.

The Solution

When Tekmetric introduced Smart Jobs, a feature designed to reduce clicks and save time during the creation of repair orders, Chris saw more than just an upgrade; he saw a new business advantage.

This innovative feature enables service advisors to create repair orders with just one click. For Chris, the decision to implement Smart Jobs was a “no-brainer.” The feature’s simplicity and efficiency meant that service advisors could now focus on what really matters: the customer. “Simplicity is the best thing,” Chris said, emphasizing how Smart Jobs eliminates the need to manually source labor and parts, freeing up advisors to concentrate on customer needs.

The Results

With Smart Jobs, the team at Cardinal Plaza Shell has experienced a significant shift in how they operate. The feature has not only streamlined the job creation process but has also allowed service advisors to devote more time to customer interactions. “It saves us so many clicks every time, and those gains made in the margins add up,” Chris noted, highlighting the tangible benefits of Smart Jobs on their operations.

Looking to the Future

For Cardinal Plaza Shell, Smart Jobs isn’t just a feature; it’s a cornerstone of their commitment to excellence.

“Smart Jobs is a must-have. It's going to speed up your service writing process by a huge amount."

As they look towards the future, it’s clear that Cardinal Plaza Shell will continue to innovate and evolve, with Tekmetric by their side, ensuring that their service remains the best it can be—not just  vehicle repairs, but the full customer experience.

In embracing Smart Jobs, Cardinal Plaza Shell has not only enhanced its operational efficiency but has also reinforced its dedication to providing unparalleled service, proving that with the right tools, any challenge can be transformed into an opportunity for growth and improvement.

1969

Year Established

2020

Using Tekmetric Since

Average Repair Order ($)

Average Car Count

12

Number of Employees

Number of Bays

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Tomi Oliva, owner of SJ Automotive in Chicago, took over his family's auto repair business in 2016 and has transformed it into a thriving shop. He faced typical challenges for many shops, including inefficient workflows, difficulties in tracking key metrics, and the need for better customer communication. Tomi recognized the need for change and embraced Tekmetric, a decision that led to dramatic results.

Challenge

“I started noticing that my shop management system was really, really bad.”

SJ Automotive relied on a cumbersome system that slowed operations and hindered growth, resulting in:

  • Time-consuming quote generation
  • Difficulties in tracking technician productivity
  • Limited visibility into shop performance metrics
  • Slower customer communication

Solution

Tomi chose Tekmetric for its ability to provide real-time data, streamline shop operations, and enhance customer communication. The platform automated processes, improved financial tracking, and facilitated a transparent repair process.

Results

Auto workers in a repair shop

Doubling Car Count and Revenue

"Tekmetric is a tool in my tool bag that's helped me become profitable.”

Tomi has driven significant growth across key metrics at SJ Automotive:

  • Revenue: Monthly revenue has doubled, growing from ~$20–25K to ~$40–50K.
  • Average Repair Order (ARO): Increased by approximately $200 per vehicle.
  • Efficiency: Estimate creation time reduced from 40 minutes to about 10 minutes.
  • Car Count: SJ Automotive’s car count has doubled since switching to Tekmetric. 

Data-Driven Decision Making

"I didn't even know some of these metrics before, and now they're in front of my face every time I open it."

With Tekmetric’s real-time reporting and data insights, Tomi now has a clear view of key metrics like technician hours, employee productivity, and profitability. This visibility helps identify areas for improvement and optimize overall performance. In addition, integration with SEO tools enables SJ Automotive to track marketing ROI and fine-tune campaigns for greater effectiveness.

Improved Customer Communication

"I really love the ease of communication and authorization."

SJ Automotive has improved their customer communication by streamlining estimate and authorization processes. As a result, estimates, approvals, and payments happen faster, creating a more efficient and transparent repair process and improving overall customer satisfaction.

What’s Next

Tomi is focused on continued growth. SJ Automotive's future goals include doubling their car count, opening another location, and implementing new growth strategies.

For nearly a decade, Tony Perez, owner of Euro Car Doctors in Orange County, California, has been committed to delivering premium auto care. But as business grew, outdated software made it harder to keep up, and customers started to feel the impact. 

Challenge

"We'd have 10 appointments for the day, and by 11 a.m., only two quotes were out. We still had eight to go.”

Tony’s team was bogged down by:

  • Estimates that took 4-5 hours to complete
  • Inefficient workflows between techs and service writers
  • A backlog of appointments that led to delays and customer frustrations 

Solution

“We needed something that could keep up with our intake and let us grow without being bottlenecked.”

Tony knew his customers deserved better - faster service, clearer communication, and less time waiting. After exploring his options, he chose Tekmetric for its ability to streamline operations and deliver a more efficient, transparent experience from check-in to estimate.

Learn about Euro Car Doctors' customer experience:

Results

Car at a bay in a repair shop and technician working on the trunk

Increased Efficiency and Productivity:

Creating estimates now takes less than 90 minutes, down from 4–5 hours. That means more vehicles in the shop and more satisfied customers driving away.

Increase in Average Repair Order (ARO):

Faster quoting and comprehensive digital vehicle inspections means customers see everything their car needs right away. The result? An increase in average repair order to $900 and more confident decisions from customers. 

"Our numbers were through the roof because I was able to quote more items on those tickets that the car needed."  

Improved Customer Satisfaction:

Each customer receives a detailed quote informing them about the services needed and associated costs, empowering them to make confident decisions. Transparent, timely communication has built trust with customers and it shows in the reviews with a 4.8 star rating on Google.

"We tell the customer what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Everything we see gets quoted to be fully honest and transparent with our customers."  

Expansion to a Second Location:

Improved operations allowed Tony to open a second shop, without sacrificing quality.

“As we grow, we won’t open the next store until the last one runs on autopilot.”

What’s Next

Auto repair shop owner with a happy customer

Euro Car Doctors isn’t slowing down. As each shop reaches capacity, Tony plans to expand, driven by his commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, with Tekmetric helping power the growth behind the scenes.

In late 2020, Jim Kellas bought TL Auto Repair, in Union City, California. The location was strong, but the shop’s systems were holding it back—outdated software, lack of key integrations, and inefficient processes all contributed to a poor customer experience. 

Determined to find a solution, Jim explored various shop management systems before switching to Tekmetric. After making the switch, the impact was transformative for TL Auto Repair.

“Stop looking at the other ones. You're done searching.”  

Challenge

Before switching systems, TL Auto Repair faced:

  • Frequent software downtime disrupting operations
  • Lack of integrations with key tools, creating manual work
  • Limited visibility into performance metrics

Solution

After exploring several options, Jim chose Tekmetric for its seamless integrations, reliable performance, and features that made it easier to connect with customers. With Tekmetric, TL Auto Repair streamlined operations, improved communication, and set the foundation for future growth.

Results

Service Advisors at their desks

Streamlined Operations That Drive Revenue

Integrations with tools like Affirm through Tekmetric’s Payments and adding Marketing solutions helped TL Auto Repair simplify workflows and boost sales. Offering financing made higher-ticket repairs more accessible for customers, leading to over $2 million in revenue.

“I was able to integrate with so many other programs. I'm able to know revenue-wise it's been a boom because I'm able to tie everything together.”

More Efficiency, Less Overhead

Running on a reliable, browser-based system saved time and cut hardware costs. Staff work faster, from anywhere, using devices like Chromebooks. 

"The time savings have been substantial, allowing for increased efficiency"

A Better Experience for Every Customer

Text message updates, digital vehicle inspections, and contactless invoicing and payments create a more transparent and convenient experience for their customers. This has earned them trust, repeat business, and a 4.7-star rating on Google. 

"Customers love getting text message updates, online inspection reports, and the option for contactless service - it keeps them coming back." 

What’s Next

Cars on lifts getting worked on

With a proven model and the right technology support in place, Jim plans to expand and is in the process of acquiring new shops. He is applying the same focus on operational efficiency and customer experience that turned TL Auto Repair into a thriving business.