Why We Use AI (And How We Do It)

This week in Behind The Door, our founder Matt gave the honest read on a question a lot of folks are quietly asking these days: why does a garage door company use AI, and how do we actually do it? This is the companion to that letter — kraftsman to homeowner, no hype.

So let's call it what it is. There's a lot of AI slop out there, and we'll be the first to admit we've been sloppy with these tools while we learn them too. Before anyone worries a robot is coming to fix their garage door, here's the straight story on how we use AI at Kooler — and, just as important, how we don't.

A tool is a tool

Our whole intention with any tool is simple: to human better. How do we use technology to be better humans — better connectors, better communicators, better at keeping your life moving? That's the only question that matters to us.

Think about the tools on a Kraftsman's belt. As we've honed our garage door tool set over the years, the aim when we're standing in your garage is always the same — help you keep life moving. On the belt are spring-specific tools, specialty tools, and the trusted impact driver, the most-used tool a garage door professional owns. Believe it or not, that impact driver and Weggy have a lot in common. Both are just tools built to help you keep life moving.

Meet Weggy — and yes, he's still learning

Weggy — say it "We-gee" — is our in-house AI tool. He answers calls, replies to texts, and does a slew of behind-the-scenes work so the crew can respond well and run a clean business. He's supposed to help. Period.

And like any tool, he's not perfect yet. We've caught Weggy slip into a random British accent in the middle of a call. We mess up, AI can be sloppy for now, and we're not going to pretend otherwise. A computer, a printing press, a pen, a hammer — every one of them was brand new and rough around the edges at some point. AI is the buzzword of the moment, but it's been around for decades. What's new is public access and the noise. Look underneath all of it and you'll find simple 0's and 1's. Nothing magic. Just a tool.

The tools change. The care doesn't.

That line is the one we keep coming back to. We'll use and experiment with new tools and tech, but our fundamentals — real customer service, and playing to create win-win-wins — don't move. We're always exploring ways to keep costs down, support our people, and take better care of you. The tools change. The care doesn't.

There's even a story behind the name. "Weggy" is a nod to Markland "Al" Wegenhardt — Matt's grandpa, a WWII veteran, and the first Kraftsman he ever knew. Like our digital Weggy, Al had his flaws. But that core Midwest, service-first, work-hard set of values is worth embodying — and like every Kraftsman, he kept growing and getting better. That's the standard we hold Weggy to, and ourselves.

So is a robot fixing your door now?

Never. A tool doesn't replace a Kraftsman — it frees one up to be on your driveway faster. Weggy answers the phone, texts you back, and books your visit, but the standard is always a real human doing the work. If you ever want a person, just ask for a human Kraftsman. And if you want a laugh, ask Weggy for a door joke. He's the backup. We're the promise.

The best way to feel that promise

Let us in before the emergency. That's exactly what the Golden Key Club is for — the same trusted crew every visit, an annual safety check on our calendar not yours, and a standing invitation to text us first. It's not a discount card. It's the connection kept open, so the guardian of the Valley is your guardian, year-round.

And all July, it's an easy call: take $750 off our double-car Kooler 138 + Kommand package, or $500 off a single-car, with two years of Golden Key included and a free patented K Kap spring safety cap on every install. One clear package, one honest price, backed by a guarantee that never expires. (The full rundown lives on this month's specials.)

Change is constant. Our fundamentals — and your Kraftsman — remain.