News

We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Costco Company and its Auto parts and services program to provide services, repairs and parts to all Costco members.  

 

More than 475 independent Repair shops nationwide are enrolled in the service and parts program Costco Auto says and all accept coupons that give Costco members service price breaks. 

 

“Customers can redeem Costco coupons for 15 percent off the cost of service and repairs at any Local Heroes Auto location” says Freddy Blue, president of Local Heroes Auto. 

 

Costco Club Rules

-       Key features of Costco Auto Program's service and parts plan

-       Benefits for Costco members at 1,400 participating dealerships and independent garages

-       15% discount on service and parts purchases

-       Applies to all member vehicles

-       Excludes oil changes, tires, airbags, state inspections Source: Costco Auto Program

-       Club members can go online at CostcoAuto.com, select a local participating dealership or independent garage, and print a coupon for a 15 percent discount on service and parts, with a maximum savings of $500.

**Discounts are not available on oil changes, state-mandated inspections or airbag repairs.

"It's a win-win-win; it’s good for our members, good for dealers and good for Costco because it helps us retain our members" says Rick Borg, executive vice president of program operations for the warehouse retail chain's auto program.  Costco Auto's surveys of its members showed they also wanted to save on reliable service and repairs. So the retailer "devoted more resources to the service program," Borg says.

High standards are Important for Costco in order to participate in the program.  Costco Auto limits its Auto program to Independent Repair Centers that it has extensively vetted and that agree to uphold the retailer's quality standards.

Costco Auto now includes independent repair centers in the service and parts program. "The first few years, we just had automaker franchises," Borg says, "but we're trying to backfill to get brands not represented by franchises in" metropolitan areas.  

Costco Auto maintains stringent guidelines for participants in the program, Borg adds.  "We check their online reputation, check their social networks," he says. "We want them to have the ability to make a range of repairs, including alignments. They must have a minimum of six bays, restrooms, a lounge and a great customer service attitude."

Costco added a full-time staff member in 2014 to recruit more independent shops, as well as dealerships in the vehicle purchasing program that didn't initially add service and parts. The company hired three more recruiters by 2016.  Casey Ivins, a regional manager of field staff for Costco Auto Program, says his team trains dealership service and parts personnel in the program's features and provides ongoing support. 

No charge

Beyond nominal fees to cover promotional materials, Costco Auto does not charge participants in the service program or share revenue. Instead, the company says its efforts are about adding services that keep its members happy.  Borg says “company surveys suggest that 93 percent of Costco members consider the auto programs a valued service”.  

Local Heroes Auto is finding the program attracts new customers who value quality service and repairs, maintain their vehicles regularly and that it helps to boost our shops customer satisfaction scores in our independent surveys that we conduct. 

More Details to come over the next few weeks.