Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2016

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All the Better to Serve
YouWith
East Cooper Auto Pros
49
Ask the Experts
Picture a bartender who
refills your rocks glass before it’s
completely emptied – a metaphor
of our perpetual thirst for new
technology in today’s world. Most
businesses are aware
of this demand –
and heed it – so what differentiates
businesses we’re likely to visit from all
the others?
At East Cooper Auto Pros, that
answer is customer service, something
owners Willie and
Chrissie Hopkins
have always taken seriously. Make no
mistake, their customer base appreciates
a personal touch; the independent auto
repair shop has been voted “Best of
Mount Pleasant” by Mount Pleasant
Magazine’s readers for three years, with
the last two years in first place, as well
as “Best of the Best” by readers of The
Moultrie News for six years, with the
last two years in first place.
Manager Bob McCormack insists
that what customers have come to trust,
know and love about East Cooper Auto
Pros will not change – instead, the shop
will be enhanced by some important
strides in customer convenience.
“We’re moving into the next
century,” he commented. “That means
going paperless and making things
convenient for our customers. They’ll
be able to view information on their
phones or tablets instead of having
to call.”
According to McCormack, two different kinds of
software will assist with this new, streamlined process. And
the introduction of a kiosk at the front desk will make
By Denise K. James
| |
registration simpler than ever for the busy commuter.
“We’re certainly not going to change meeting and
greeting the folks who come in here,” McCormack
assured me. “But for those in a rush, the kiosk will be
beneficial – they’ll be able to register their information as
soon as they walk in. It will also make
suggestions based on individual history.
It will be like having your own personal
mechanic.”
Indeed, timing repairs will be a large
part of the shop’s updated convenience.
Customers will be able to set exact
appointments for their next oil change,
as one example, instead of the “come
back in roughly 3,000 miles” plan. Plus,
they’ll get email reminders.
McCormack explained that East
Cooper Auto Pros has grown a lot
recently – to the point of having to hire
a second front-desk manager as well as
new mechanics – and the tech advances
will help manage that growth.
Even Dan Hodapp, the new guy
at the front desk, had to admit that
life at East Cooper Auto Pros is “crazy
busy all the time” compared to his last
job. Hodapp, a Chicago native, said he
prefers the small business culture at East
Cooper Auto Pros.
“Here they actually care,” he
commented.
“I like to pick up the phone and
talk to somebody as much as anyone,”
McCormack added. “We’re going to
maintain our attitude and our nostalgia,
while making things more convenient.
Part of growing is embracing new technology.”
To learn more, visit or call
843-881-2820.
east Cooper auto Pros will be enhanced
by strides in customer convenience.
Below: Technician moe Pelkey.
Photos by Rick Walo.