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 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.
Before opting in, every customer is shown the following disclosure at the front desk:
Text updates for your repair — optional. Not required to receive service.
If you opt in, your repair shop (via AutoHound) will text you about your own vehicle repair: status updates, a “ready for pickup” notice, appointment and drop-off reminders, and balance-due reminders.
- Message frequency varies with your repair — typically a few messages per repair.
- Message & data rates may apply.
- Reply STOP at any time to cancel; reply HELP for help.
- Consent is not a condition of any purchase or service.
Terms: autohound.io/sms-terms · Privacy: autohound.io/privacy-policy
Shop 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. It’s optional and not required for service. OK?”
If the customer agrees, staff record the opt-in on the customer’s record using an optional checkbox that is unchecked by default. The record stores the date, time, and staff member who recorded consent, with an entry in the shop’s audit trail. AutoHound blocks all outbound text messages to any customer who does not have a recorded opt-in on file.
A customer may also opt in by texting the shop’s number first.
A screenshot of the consent control as shop staff see it, and the full flow, are documented at portal.autohound.io/legal/sms-opt-in.
How to opt out
Reply STOP at any time to cancel and stop receiving messages. Reply START to re-subscribe. Reply HELP for help, or contact your repair shop or AutoHound at (888) 477-0652 or help@autohound.io.
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.