You know reviews matter. Customers check Google before calling. But asking for reviews feels... weird. Pushy. Desperate. Here's how to get reviews consistently without making it awkward.

Why Most Shops Don't Ask

You don't ask because: It feels like begging, you don't want to bother happy customers, you tried once and it didn't work, or you don't have a system.

But here's the thing: happy customers WANT to help you. They just need to be asked at the right time, in the right way.

The Perfect Moment to Ask

Timing is everything. The best time to ask for a review is when the customer is most satisfied.

The Golden Moment: Right when you hand over the keys and they see their car looking perfect again.

This is when they're relieved the ordeal is over, they can see the quality of your work, gratitude is at its peak, and they're standing right in front of you.

The Simple Script That Works

Here's what to say:

"How does everything look? Great! Hey, if you've got 30 seconds, a Google review would really help us out. I can text you the link right now if that's okay?"

That's it. No big speech. No begging. It works because it's quick and specific, offers immediate action, is honest, and is optional.

The Follow-Up Text

Send this text immediately:

"Thanks for choosing [Your Shop Name]! If you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a Google review: [direct link]"

Making It Part of Your Process

The shops with the most reviews didn't get there by occasionally asking. They built it into their process:

Service Advisor Training - Everyone knows to ask at pickup
Review Cards - Hand them a card with a QR code
Text Template - Standard text ready to send in two taps
Weekly Check-In - Track how many reviews you got vs. jobs completed

What NOT to Do

Don't offer discounts for reviews - Violates Google's terms
Don't ask only happy customers - This is "review gating" and Google frowns on it
Don't fake reviews - Google's AI detects these
Don't ignore negative reviews - Responding professionally helps your reputation

The Numbers You Should Aim For

Minimum goal: 1 review for every 5 jobs
Good goal: 1 review for every 3 jobs
Excellent: 1 review for every 2 jobs

In 90 days, you'll have significantly more reviews than your competitors who are still "meaning to get around to it."

How to Get More 5-Star Reviews (Without Being Awkward)

Ready to grow your body shop?