MeriCar is a new service that connects you with auto shops, car servicing dealers and car insurance agents. The service is currently live in Delhi-NCR region and you can search for car servicing providers in your vicinity. Once you submit an enquiry, MeriCar forwards it to various auto shops, who then contact you directly regarding your enquiry.
Benefits to both customers and auto shops are obvious – Auto shops get new customer leads while customers get the convenience of contacting auto shops from the comfort of their home.
I’m not sure of one thing though. Once a customer has found an auto shop, why would he use the MeriCar website the next time around ? He could just bypass them and connect with the auto shop directly the next time he wants his car serviced.
The other concern I have is if people will actually use the service. Based on my experience, Indian car owners are already well versed with auto shops in their neighborhood or uncover new ones from word of mouth via friends / family etc. So will they really use MeriCar to locate nearby auto shops ?
Would you find such a service helpful ? Would you use it if it were available in your city ?
Working for a company doing something similar (but in US) I can say that this is a great service for users. However, I don’t see it being used by folks in India with its current position. IMO, SMO might help them get rolling a bit.
Servicing/repairs have a lot more factors than just the price a mechanic/auto shop charge you.
I read it somewhere.. Their target segment is those who have moved to a different locality and are not well versed with it.
Dear Pranav,
I agree with your opinion that whether this type of web offering will work out in India.
But I feel that if MeriCar had an online service diary (similar to one in Baja’s website) where both the vehicle owners / car service dealers can create/update the service details of the vehicle & also vehicle owners/car service dealer can get automated reminders about preventive maintenance via mail/sms, then MeriCar can retain both vehicle owners/car service dealers.
Thanks
With Regards
Santhanam
Thanks for comments. MeriCAR has value proposition for dealer to “manage” bookings online and getting “new leads”. For car owners, “comfort and awareness” to find best car dealers in their neighborhood at the best price. To build car owners trust, MeriCAR is helping car owners to resolve problems with assigned MeriCAR car dealers.
To retain car owners for the second time, MeriCAR offers free services, discount offers and some other benefits from MeriCAR associates.
It is true that car owner would be interested to go to one best car dealer. So MeriCAR suggests car owner to choose one from a list of MeriCAR dealers. Premium car owner membership is paid membership.
Some car owners are still not aware about neighborhood workshops. They just visit to same dealer who sold them a car even they are far away. (Some cases I noticed).
Maintaining “online service diary” is good suggestion to give another feature for car owners.
Your suggestions are always welcome. Please keep posting here.
Pranav, thanks for featuring MeriCAR.com on your blog.
Regards,
Rakesh K. Sidana
Founder
MeriCAR.com
@santhanam : couldnt find the baja site u mentioned in ur comment…
Dear Riya,
Sorry for the typographical error in my post. It is actually Bajaj Auto’s website.
Please visit http://www.bajajauto.com/1024/user/huloginmain.asp?action=unauthorizedaccess&ref=hsmydiaryhome
Thank You
With Regards
Santhanam
Thanks for the comments.
We are already asking car owners to send comments along with booking, but making a list to “tick” for car servcing can be added easily for online service diary. Dealer members also need to send information to record it.
PS: MeriCAR.com is shortlisted for second phase elevator pitch for funding.
my idea rocked i dont know why did they dint select it….much better then all these traditional stuff…
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Mericar sucks!!! they recommended me to a workshop where i spent almost 25k and my car is now in a worse condition…
Very good message, and thanks for the reply.
Thank you for your very nice message and reply message from you.