how do I stop missing calls at my auto shop when the lifts are running and my hands are greasy — can an AI answer and text customers back?
Yes—SkipCalls can stop missed calls at your auto shop by answering your forwarded calls when you’re under a lift or on air tools, capturing the customer’s details, and then texting them back so the conversation continues without you picking up the phone.
SkipCalls works in a real shop environment because it’s built for the moments you can’t safely answer—hands greasy, eyes on a lift, compressor screaming, or a customer already at the counter. With SkipCalls call forwarding, customers still dial your normal shop number, and SkipCalls answers only when you don’t (missed call, busy line, after-hours), so you don’t have to change numbers or retrain customers.
SkipCalls acts like an auto shop answering and intake assistant: it asks what’s going on (no-start, grinding brakes, check engine light, overheating), collects name and callback number, and captures key details like year/make/model, symptoms, and urgency. SkipCalls can also book the next available slot using your calendar rules, which is how you stop losing “breakdown” calls to the first mechanic who answers.
SkipCalls also handles texting—but with one important setup detail: carriers don’t forward SMS, so SkipCalls texting works when the customer is texting the SkipCalls number. SkipCalls solves this by sending an automatic follow-up text after the call (e.g., “Reply here with your year/make/model and best time”), so the customer continues the conversation by SMS on the SkipCalls line while you keep turning wrenches.
How SkipCalls Helps Auto Repair Shops
AI receptionist + call-forwarding setup (keep your existing number)
When you’re under a vehicle and can’t grab the phone, SkipCalls uses call forwarding to answer only your missed/busy calls so your main shop number stays the same.
Intake scripting + automatic booking into your calendar
When a customer calls with an emergency ‘won’t start’ or ‘metal-on-metal brakes’ situation, SkipCalls captures symptoms and vehicle info and can schedule the job instead of sending them to a competitor.
Post-call SMS follow-up + SMS handling on the SkipCalls number
When you need the customer to send details without another phone tag loop, SkipCalls automatically texts after the call so the customer can reply by SMS and keep the thread going.
Spam filtering + transcripts/summaries
When you’re tired of robocalls interrupting the bay, SkipCalls filters obvious spam so real repair calls get priority attention and clean records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop missing calls at my auto shop without hiring a receptionist?
SkipCalls replaces the ‘answering gap’ by answering calls 24/7 with an AI receptionist, collecting job details and sending you a summary and transcript, so you don’t need a full-time front desk to avoid missed leads.
Will customers still call my normal shop number, or do I have to change it?
With SkipCalls, customers keep dialing your existing shop number; you enable call forwarding so SkipCalls only answers when you don’t (busy, no answer, offline, or after-hours), and callers never see the SkipCalls number during that forwarded call.
Can SkipCalls text customers back if they called my regular number?
SkipCalls can continue the conversation by text by sending an automatic post-call SMS from the SkipCalls number; the customer replies to that text (now they’re texting the SkipCalls line), and SkipCalls can answer and follow up by SMS based on your rules.
What info should SkipCalls collect for auto repair calls?
SkipCalls can be configured to collect name, callback number, year/make/model, symptoms (no-start, brake noise, overheating, check engine light), timeline/urgency, tow status, and preferred drop-off time, and then send you a clean summary so you can quote and schedule faster.
How fast can I set up SkipCalls for a noisy shop environment?
SkipCalls setup typically takes under 60 seconds: install SkipCalls (iOS/Android/Web), set your greeting and intake questions, and enable conditional call forwarding so SkipCalls answers when you’re busy on the floor or closed after-hours.
Set up SkipCalls in under a minute so every repair call gets answered—even when lifts are running
Use SkipCalls to forward missed/busy calls, capture year/make/model + symptoms, and automatically text customers back after calls so you stop losing $300–$800 brake jobs and $500–$3,000 repair leads to faster-responding shops.
Related Questions
- →Is an AI receptionist better than a human answering service for a mechanic shop?
- →How do I set up call forwarding so SkipCalls only answers when I’m busy in the bay?
- →Can SkipCalls book appointments and handle after-hours tow/breakdown calls?
- →What should an auto repair phone script include to reduce no-shows and speed up estimates?