App allows drivers locate mechanics, then solicit bids

When his mom explained to him she’d put in times of driving and in person visits making an attempt to diagnose a dilemma with her auto and established up a maintenance appointment, the founder of ObiiGO made a decision there had to be a easier remedy.

John Harmon made an software to hook up customers with repair service shops by way of which probable clients can solicit bids for repair positions by using their intelligent mobile phone. Armed with diagnostic codes or by inquiring for very simple expert services, like an oil transform or a brake job, users of the ObiiGO app can look for out the most competitive selling prices available by the app and participating independent maintenance outlets can snag additional business enterprise and be far more aggressive.

Harmon, who is from Texas, has a track record in finance. He labored out the app in Fayetteville when spending time with household. The enterprise is primarily based in Fayetteville and is at this time funded by Harmon together with spouse and children and mates without the need of additional venture cash.

The app can be found on the ObiiGO internet site, the Apple App Retail store, and is envisioned to be offered for Android end users in February.

The system, Harmon claimed, also enables clients to pay via the application, streamlining billing for shops and slicing card expenses. App end users and the fix shops both of those spend fees on transactions manufactured via the application.

Harmon likens the ObiiGO application to a mixture of Yelp, Google and EBay for the vehicle fix business and reported in a current interview that it is now in its beta tests and first roll-out stage in Northwest Arkansas, Houston and Phoenix. He claimed the application is drawing desire from repair service retailers in destinations the business isn’t really targeting however, together with a big brake chain in Michigan, citing traction from protection in a trade journal.

Harmon said the app lets people to find the best rates and have a clear practical experience with repair service outlets who want their business enterprise. For unbiased maintenance retailers, the app makes it possible for them to bid on the positions they want, uncover new clients and fill useless places in the day’s store program with positions that deliver in earnings and contend against vehicle dealership mend functions.

Market exploration team Ibis Globe estimates the U.S. car mechanics industry’s market measurement by profits will be $66.7 billion in 2021, a 5.8% increase soon after the phase noticed an common industry measurement decrease of .2% a calendar year among 2016 and 2021. In accordance to a September report from figures portal Statista, in the to start with quarter of 2020 there were about 233,400 automobile repair and routine maintenance outlets in the U.S., up 1.7% from a yr back. In July, IHS Marketplace documented the normal auto on the highway was 11.9 a long time aged.

Kent Atkins, owner of The Greased Pig Tune and Lube outlets in Fayetteville, is getting element in the ObiiGO roll-out. He explained the app lets the shop versatility and a way to fill in open spots when shoppers terminate appointments at the final moment.

He explained that the application will make it possible for the 20-yr-outdated organization to reach new clients in the Fayetteville region, this sort of as college students or youthful industry experts, who have just moved to the place, permitting him compete with nationwide chains.

“It’ also gives the possibility to prospects to see that our prices are honest,” Atkins stated.