AutoHound provides shop-management software to independent automotive collision repair facilities. Repair shops use AutoHound to send their own repair customers text-message updates about that customer’s vehicle. This page describes that messaging program, who receives messages, and how customers consent to receive them.
Who receives messages
Only customers of a participating repair shop who have given that shop express consent to be texted about their own vehicle repair. We do not send messages to purchased, rented, or third-party lists, and we do not send marketing messages.
What we send
- Repair status updates, with a secure link to the customer’s status page
- “Your vehicle is ready for pickup” notifications
- Appointment and drop-off reminders
- Balance-due reminders
- A post-delivery follow-up message
Customers can reply with questions about their repair, and shop staff respond. All messages are customer-care and transactional. There is no marketing or promotional content.
Message frequency and rates
Message frequency varies with the status of the customer’s repair. Typically, a few messages are sent over the course of a repair order. Message and data rates may apply according to the customer’s mobile carrier plan.
How customers opt in
Consent is collected in person at the repair shop, separately from any repair paperwork, and is never a condition of service or purchase. Customers who decline receive identical repair service and simply receive no text messages. This is the only way consent is obtained. There is no keyword, short code, web form, or other text-to-join path.
Step 1: The customer is shown this disclosure. Every participating shop keeps this card at the front desk and hands it to the customer before asking about text updates:
A Spanish version is given to Spanish-speaking customers:
Step 2: Staff read a matching script aloud:
“We’d like to text you updates about your repair. Message frequency varies, message and data rates may apply, reply STOP anytime to cancel or HELP for help. It’s optional and not required for service. OK?”
Step 3: If the customer agrees, staff record it. Consent is recorded on the customer’s record using a checkbox that is optional and unchecked by default. The customer record saves and every repair service proceeds identically whether or not it is checked. The same disclosure language and both policy links appear directly on the control the staff member uses:
Here it is in the full customer screen:
Step 4: The opt-in is stored with an audit trail. Each opt-in records the date, time, and staff member who captured it, retained per customer and scoped to repair-related messaging from that customer’s own shop. AutoHound blocks all outbound text messages to any customer without a recorded opt-in on file; staff cannot send a message until consent is recorded.
How to opt out
Reply STOP at any time to cancel and stop receiving messages. Reply START to re-subscribe if you previously opted in and then stopped. Reply HELP for help, or contact your repair shop or AutoHound at (888) 477-0652 or [email protected].
Privacy
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties. See our Privacy Policy and SMS Terms & Conditions.