A year and a half after Bavaria Arendal started using Sharebox for checking cars in and out, they are seeing positive results across the entire value chain.
Bavaria is one of the Nordic region’s largest BMW and MINI dealerships, selling new and used BMW, MINI, MG, and INEOS vehicles, as well as offering workshop services, bodywork, and car care.
The customer journey has improved
According to Anders Haslestad, Service Advisor at Bavaria Arendal, the customer journey has significantly improved:
“When the car is ready, the customer first receives a short video showing what has been done, along with any offers for repairs or additional products. In this way, the customer has full control over what has been done and what could be done—and they decide according to their own wishes and budget,” he says.
Once the car is ready, the customer gets a mobile notification and can pick up the key at their convenience. Payment can currently be made by card or Vipps, and soon, payment will also be integrated into the screen via Spense.
Sharebox and Fleetback drive significant upsales
Haslestad says Sharebox and Fleetback has had a positive impact on profitability and upsales. This is largely because it’s become much easier to sell extra products and services as part of the check-in process – much like when people check in for a flight and can select additional options. Five days before the appointment, customers receive a check-in with a full overview of the upcoming work and the price.
“This is where Sharebox and Fleetback really make a difference. We’ve seen a huge increase in sales of products that used to sit in stock for a long time. Now we ask people more often if they want to buy – it's as a standard part of the customer journey via Sharebox—and that has led to a very noticeable increase in sales,” says Haslestad.
- Read also: What dealerships and customers say about the Sharebox key cabinet
- Read also: Success starts here: Your guide to dealership key systems
Another advantage of check-in via Sharebox and Fleetback is that the customer gets complete oversight. All jobs are specified with a price. This has resulted in fewer complaints because the customer has a better understanding and takes ownership of what is happening while the car is in the workshop.
For the dealership, it also provides an extra layer of security because all correspondence is well documented, leaving no doubt about what was agreed or what the customer approved.
Some minor issues when transitioning to a new system
Asked whether everything has gone smoothly from day one, Haslestad mentions a few initial “problems,” which is normal when transitioning to a new system.
“At first, it was a bit cumbersome for customers to drop off their keys in the Sharebox because the screen on the kiosk was small, and it was easy to press the wrong button. But that issue was resolved by allowing customers to simply scan a QR code and complete it on their phone. It’s much easier now,” he explains.
He adds that there have been a few instances where the system went offline and had to be reset, although it’s hard to say whether this was due to internal IT systems or Sharebox. Sharebox also recently integrated its kiosks and solutions with software from Fleetback—one of the largest providers of digital solutions for European car dealerships.
Quick assistance if needed
Anders believes it’s easy to get help from Sharebox when necessary.
“Sharebox is always on! If there’s a problem, they’re quick to respond, and we’ve never had any issues with maintaining stable operations,” he emphasizes.
Daily operational benefits
Like most other dealerships, Bavaria previously used a slot for key drop-offs. This required more manual effort to keep track of keys, and it was much easier to lose track, which could delay work on each car.
Now, most of this is automated via Sharebox. Workshop staff can pick up keys directly from the box, and all the relevant information is linked to the specific key that was dropped off.
“The most important thing is that our customers really appreciate being able to pick up their cars whenever it suits them,” says Haslestad, continuing, “But it also helps us improve operations because we can stop thinking about a car as soon as the customer is notified, and the key is placed in the Sharebox. Then it’s out of mind, and we can move on to the next task.”
Haslestad notes that everyone at Bavaria Arendal is pleased with the introduction of Sharebox, and they see improvements in daily operations across the entire business with Fleetback automotive system.
