Agero Acquires Swoop

Agero Welcomes Swoop

We couldn't be more thrilled to announce that we've acquired Swoop, a digital dispatch and towing management platform based out of San Francisco. Swoop's made it their mission to understand your business and empower you to deliver exceptional customer experiences through best-in-class software. We're excited to join forces with the Swoop team to further support the growth of your business and the quality of service to your customers. So what does this mean?  Soon, you'll have the option to choose the Swoop platform directly in the same way that you can use Towbook, Beacon, or our other software partners. Your work with Agero will not be affected. Your Performance Manager, rate structure, area of coverage, and relationship with Agero will all remain the same.  If you are already a Swoop provider:  The Swoop team will remain independent and continue to be based out of their San Francisco headquarters. If you are already signed up with Swoop, and utilize their dispatching platform, you'll soon have access to an integrated billing process (similar to our other dispatch software partners). If you have questions about their platform, you will continue to go to them for support. In terms of payment, for jobs assigned by Agero or Swoop, the company that dispatches the job will be responsible for payment.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the trust and loyalty you've always exhibited as an Agero Service Provider. We view our partnership with Swoop as another major step in delivering the technology that streamlines your business, allowing you to focus on what you do best: helping people. We look forward to working with you in 2018 and beyond.    To learn more about Swoop, click here.

Sincerely, Dom Galdo VP Network Management

Agero Provider Perks - December Worldwide Equipment Specials

For more information, visit www.AgeroProviderPerks.com.

Agero Industry News - Summer Volume

With Summer time upon us, so is the hot weather, travel plans, vacations…. and traffic! When the above occurs it is easy to see why more people need roadside assistance. As a Service Provider it is important to understand your peak seasons. During the summer months Agero experiences a significant volume increase, which means more dispatches coming your way! As a Service Provider the most important thing to remember during volume spikes is to be prepared. Below are a few ideas on how you can prepare your business.

Staff Accordingly:  It is important to staff your business accordingly when experiencing summer volume increases. You may need to add more dispatching help or tow truck drivers in order to meet the volume demands. Make sure you work with your Performance Manager to better understand how summer volume will impact your business.

Plant Trucks: As previously mentioned, the summer months produce a lot more traffic. Planting trucks is a great strategy during volume spikes and when traffic is an obstacle. Strategically placing trucks in your assigned territory will help your business to: 

• Give faster and more accurate ETA’s
• Spend less $ on fuel
• Get to the next call quicker
• Your overall business will be more efficient.

Communicate With Customers: It is understandable that during times of increased volume you will run into traffic or other delays. It is important to communicate with the customer to provide realistic expectations. Make sure you confirm their location to ensure your ETA is accurate.

Announcing Agero's PO Assistance Tool

In an effort to limit the number of times you have to call back into Agero and wait for a representative, we've created an online PO Assistance tool to give you the ability to change services, add equipment, issue GOA's, etc., on your own, in real time. This easy-to-use form works on both desktop and mobile.  We ask that any time you require the following: Add Equipment Add/Change Service Revise ETA GOA/Service Unsuccessful Update Case information Cancel Service  Click here: Agero PO Assistance

If you have any questions, please contact your Performance Manager.

California Passes AB 1222 Requiring Delivery Information from Tow Truck Companies

California recently passed legislation (AB 1222) requiring businesses taking possession of vehicles from tow truck companies to record information about the tow truck company, truck operator, and the towed vehicle. All information must be retained by the business for three years and made available within 48 hours of a written request by appropriate authorities.  As a valued California Service Provider, we wanted to make you aware of this new law and educate you on the type of information dealerships and repair facilities will be looking to obtain at the time of delivery. When delivering vehicles after hours, please leave the information in the front seat or in an easily accessible place. All vehicles delivered to California dealerships or repair facilities must include the following information: Click to download a  form template. Towing Company Name of the company Address of the company Telephone number of the company Tow Truck Operator Name of the operator Driver's license number of the operator Vehicle Information Make, model and license plate OR Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Possession Information Date of possession Time of possession According to the California New Car Dealers Association, the new requirements took effect on January 1, 2016 for businesses taking possession of vehicles from tow truck companies. We suggest being prepared with the above information as dealerships and repair facilities will be asking you for it when delivering a vehicle. In fact, it may be more efficient to fill out the attached form prior to delivering the vehicle so you can be on your way to the next job! Click here for more information.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Performance Manager.

Agero Service Provider Spotlight - Crow Towing

Crow Towing, East Texas

A customer called in to see if their tow could be done unattended since they were waiting on the side of the road in 95 degree weather. In this case there were a few miles of overages that would typically be charged, but Scott from Crow Towing didn’t want the customer to have to wait in the heat and worry, so he waived the overages. The customer was very appreciative that they didn't have to stand out in the heat and for all that Crow Towing did on the job. 

We want to thank Crow Towing for going above and beyond while servicing the customer on the job.

RoadsideConnect - Digital Dispatch Technology Right on Your Phone

Have you heard of Agero's Free Mobile Dispatching App, RoadsideConnect^TM? This digital dispatch technology allows you to accept Agero jobs faster and easier in addition to making your business more efficient.

With the RoadsideConnect app you can:

• Accept dispatches right from your phone
• Assign a driver with the push of a button
• Get hands-free auto status updates
• Manage Driver ETAs
• View the location of your fleet in real-time
• Minimize dispatcher phone time with drivers

Download the app today on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

Click here to watch our video tutorial.

Tow Truck of the Week - June 1, 2015

Tow Truck of the Week

Taken by Agero copywriter, Peter Phair, while out for a walk this weekend.

A couple of classic but long abandoned vintage tow rigs growing old together.  

Have a truck with a story, a salute to veterans, or a cancer survivor?

We want to feature your unique trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.

Agero Spotlight - Amy Abou Zaki - Performance Manager, NV & Southern CA

Have you met Performance Manager Amy Abou Zaki? Listen to her discuss the Network Team and our Service Provider community in this video.

If you are having trouble viewing the video click here to watch it in another window.

Tow Truck of the Week - May 18, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Kitagawa's Towing LLC in Kahului, Hawaii

2014 Ford F-550 Jerr-Dan with orange vinyl wrap. 

Have a truck with a story, a salute to veterans, or a cancer survivor?

We want to feature your unique trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.

Agero Service Provider Spotlight - Scott's Towing & Recovery

Scott's Towing & Recovery

Scott’s Towing & Recovery is an award-winning company based in Woodbridge, New Jersey. They provide 24-hour-a-day towing and roadside services to greater Woodbridge as well as surrounding central New Jersey areas.

Founder Scott Flowers started working in a body shop in the summer of 1977. At that time, he was a young kid with a strong curiosity who was also fast learner, which the people around him quickly recognized. He enjoyed doing a good job and knew immediately that he was hooked on the automotive industry.

With this early experience, Scott began to build his business from the ground up. He launched Scott’s Towing & Recovery in 1983 with just a single tow truck and valuable enthusiasm for the industry. The business grew quickly, and today he’s the proud owner of a fleet of eight trucks that serve hundreds of customers across the central New Jersey Area.

Scott’s hard-working style, positive attitude and dedication to providing honest service gained him a strong reputation in the towing industry. He’s an active member of his community and is continuously working to improve his capabilities and raise professional standards. With all the certifications, awards, and achievements he’s racked up so far, it’s clear that Scott goes above and beyond to maintain his strong reputation for customer service.

Have a story to tell about your business? Email us at AgeroNews@agero.com. 

We always look forward to hearing from you.

Tow Truck of the Week - April 22, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Ron's Auto Repair Inc. in Mastic Beach, NY

Have a truck with a story, a salute to veterans, or a cancer survivor?

We want to feature your unique trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.

Tow Truck of the Week - March 31, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Shatila Service Center Inc. in Detroit, MI

Have a truck with a story, a salute to veterans, or a cancer survivor?

We want to feature your unique trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.

Agero Best Practices - Increasing Your CSI Score Through Driver Appearance

There are many different ways to improve customer service. One of the easiest ways is through your driver's appearance. 

We offer our Service Providers special offers through Agero Provider Perks which include discounts on uniforms, safety vests, branded door magnets and other business essentials you can use to have a professional appearance for your business.

For more information click here to view our Improving Customer Service one-pager to learn how to:

• Increase your CSI score
• Put customers at ease and gain respect 
• Get special discounts on uniforms 

Tow Truck of the Week - March 16, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Springfield Towing & Recovery LLC in Wyndmoor, PA

We want to feature your unique trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com. 

Agero Customer Recovery - Equipping Our Specialists to Better Serve You

For each damage complaint that Customer Recovery receives, our liability specialists and management team analyze all of the information collected in order to make the best decision possible given the facts and evidence provided. The team undergoes monthly training courses provided by one of our senior associates, Brian Rossi, bringing more than 10 years of experience and leadership to the sessions.

The training sessions allow the team to openly discuss aspects of the damage complaint that may be hindering their ability to make a final resolution. A projector screen is utilized to display damage photos and estimate break downs based off former and current cases.  The team, as well as management, can easily identify trends amongst the damage complaints and develop that knowledge going forward by sharing the best recovery practices.

Continuing to Enrich our Specialists:

• Agero has partnered with the Massachusetts Towing Association Training and Certification Program to ensure our team is prepared for a thorough assessment of each damage complaint case.
• Live demos offer our specialists a first-hand look at service-specific events and present them opportunities to ask questions and observe damages before their eyes.
• Management is committed to a stronger interviewing process, continually seeking qualified individuals.

Tow Truck of the Week - March 4, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Bald Eagle Towing & Recovery in Marco Island, FL

We want to feature your unique trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com. 

Agero Spotlight - Northeast Regional Manager Paul Carroll

Paul Carroll

Northeast Regional Manager

Zones 8, 11-14

781-306-3716

northeastregionalmanager@agero.com

 

Can you give me a brief background of your history with Agero? When did you start? What other departments have you worked in? How long?

I started with Agero in September of 2008 as a Performance Manager.  During my tenure I have covered the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, N. California, Florida and Hawaii before being promoted to Regional Manager for the East Coast in June of 2013.

Please explain your role within Agero.

As a Regional Manager, it is my job to build and maintain positive relationships with service providers, clients, OEM dealers and insurance agents while providing enhanced service level performance.  

What do you like most about your current position?

I really like being involved in new initiatives and large scale projects.  It gives me the ability to share my “outside of the box” approach with other leaders within the organization.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work I am an avid golfer.

What is your favorite sporting event?

Playoff hockey

What is your favorite TV Show?

Family Guy

My favorite job before Agero was….

Construction

My favorite band…

Alice in Chains

What's your favorite food?

Steak and potatoes

If I had one full year off to focus on anything, it would be...
Golf

What single word describes you best? 

Committed.

What’s one fun fact about you that not everyone may know?

I can play the guitar.

If you had the ability to have dinner with one person (past or present) who would it be and why? 

Abraham Lincoln. He was extremely influential during an extremely important time in history.

Who do you admire most in life? 

My parents.

If you could live the life of one celebrity for an entire day, who would it be and why? 

Any golfer – enough said.

Tow Truck of the Week - February 23, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Fling's Towing Inc. in Coatesville, PA

We want to feature your best looking trucks on the blog.

Email the truck picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.