Quantcast
Jump to content


Express oil change lanes

ATLAuto
 Share
Go to solution Solved by Joe Marconi,

Recommended Posts

ATLAuto Rising Star

ATLAuto

Posted
Posted

I was just speaking with my banker the other day, and he made the following statement, "Yeah, I don't go to you guys for oil changes, since I know that it will take too long. Rather, I save the big stuff for you and go to Jiffy Lube where I can get in and out in 10 minutes."

 

This got me thinking a bit ... a ton of customers do this. We see them in our shops all the time with competitor's stickers on their windows and invoices in their glove boxes. They use us for the tough stuff but give the easy (and profitable!) work to the chain stores. Why? Convenience. Look at what most of these oil change shops do ... you drive in, stay in your car, they do the work and bring a credit card terminal to your window, and you are out of there in 10 minutes. Look at what we do ... they park, come in, talk to the service adviser, take a seat, wait .... wait some more ... wait some more. Maybe, they will be out of there in 30 minutes, but that's pretty optimistic. Many will be waiting there 45 minutes to an hour.

 

This got me thinking ... could I setup a couple bays in the shop to do just this? Has anyone in here had any luck with setting up some express lanes on the side of their shop? ...or even dug a pit underneath a few bays to allow the customer to stay in their vehicle?

 

Any thoughts on getting this work back into our shop would be much appreciated.

phynny Community Regular

phynny

Posted
Posted

Thats actually a great idea. And we currently will only do full synthetic oil changes so although it's not a super money maker it's not too bad.

  • 2 weeks later...
nmikmik Enthusiast

nmikmik

Posted
Posted

Don't know how it is in your town(s). We usually look at the oil changes as the money loosing "opportunity".

Just calculate how much real cost goes into the regular (not synthetic) oil change and I doubt it will look very profitable. That is with very high liability of the work done. I think the most money the quick lubes make are in the upsell of the other services like air, cabin, whatever filters etc. It turns into much longer than 10 minutes and $29.99 oil change for the customer, but perception is still "a quick lube" place :) I am sure we have members here that can set you up with some rough data.

If i had a choice, i'd prefer the customer to get the oil change elsewhere, but come back to me for everything, and I mean everything, else.

I suspect you can find a much better use of your "real estate" than quick lube.

weighit Enthusiast

weighit

Posted
Posted

Happened to be in a small town in Texas a couple of years ago and needed a oil change for the PT Cruiser I had. Pulled in and checked in and noticed their sign they did rotation and balancing too. Said sign me up, I was really impressed with the speed and while the oil was done on one rack and the tire work on another, it was very fast. In talking with the owner I asked how the added service was working? He said to me it has been a real money maker and turned his 'dead' flat stall into real money. He said he cross trained the employees and gave them some spiff money for any tire work sold. One stop shop for me and I was happy.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Available Subscriptions

    See all Subscription Plans

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

  • Similar Topics

    • carmcapriotto
      Transforming Phone Calls into Profits: The Five C's Every service Advisor Should Know [FTR 111]
      By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss, and 360 Payments Rena Rennebohm from Empowered Advisor introduces the "Five C's of a Phone Call"—Comfort, Customer, Car, Conclusion, and Close—designed to help service advisors optimize phone interactions and increase conversion rates in the automotive service industry. She emphasizes the financial value of effective phone communication, noting that well-handled calls can greatly improve customer engagement and boost shop profitability. Rena Rennebohm, CEO and Creator of Empowered Advisor. Rena’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes: Watch Full Video Episode Comfort (00:00:26) Customer (00:01:09) Car (00:01:39) Conclusion (00:02:17) Close (00:03:53) Value of a Phone Call (00:04:36) Customer Experience Insights (00:05:50)
      Shop Boss – Shop Management Software built by shop owners for shop owners. It works the way you need it to, right out of the box. Find on the web at https://shopboss.net Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/             Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Changing The Industry
      Get Ahead with Honest Feedback and Raise Your Game!
      By Changing The Industry
      Get Ahead with Honest Feedback and Raise Your Game!
    • carmcapriotto
      It's OK to Dream Big (Stop Playing Small) [E125] - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast
      By carmcapriotto
      Welcome to another episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast! I'm your host, Brian Walker, and I’m excited to have my co-host, Kim, back with me after her recovery. Today, we’re diving into a topic that can change the game for your shop: Stop Playing Small.
      If you’re tired of feeling stuck or just getting by, this episode is for you. We'll be talking about the mindset shifts and practical steps needed to build a thriving, impactful business. It’s time to break free from the limits we place on ourselves and dream bigger.
      From overcoming the unique challenges of the auto repair industry to redefining what true success means, we’ll share real stories, honest advice, and strategies you can use to push your business to new heights. Plus, you’ll hear how the right mentors, clarity breaks, and a supportive community can make all the difference.
      Get ready to challenge yourself, take a fresh look at your goals, and start building a business that’s more than just getting by—it’s an empire. 
      Let’s jump in and stop playing small together!
      Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
      Are you ready to convert clients to members? App fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build client loyalty. Get started today with your own customer loyalty app. Visit https://appfueled.com/ 
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Start_with_Why  - Start with Why by Simon Sinek
      https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?si=8yihKPEDRkFErdeN 
      https://shopmarketingpros.com/kim-and-brian-tell-their-story/  - Episode 2 : Kim and Brian Tell Their Story
      https://shopmarketingpros.com/walkers-hierarchy-of-marketing-needs/ - Walkers Hierachy of Marketing Needs (Blog)
      https://shopmarketingpros.com/ep-101-walkers-hierarchy-of-marketing-needs/ - Podcast Episode 101 
      https://shopmarketingpros.com/ep-084-failing-forward-in-marketing/ - Failing Forward in Marketing - Episode 84
      Show Notes with Timestamps
      How To Get In Touch
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
      Instagram - @shopmarketingpros 
      Questions/Ideas - [email protected] 
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • carmcapriotto
      Speaking of Halloween - Fun with Story Telling [E015] - Speak Up!
      By carmcapriotto
      In this episode - our host Craig O’Neill welcomes (now) familiar friend of the show, Evan Wisner to have some fun telling a Halloween story. Evan and his brother both enjoy the art of story telling and in this episode we get a chance to hear a story that was based on Evan’s own experiences in the woods of Northern Michigan.
      Story Telling is an old art form, and one that takes a great deal of practice - and after hearing the story Evan and Craig discuss a few of the ingredients to a good story - and invite Speak Up Listeners to have a good time listening to the details of the story and how it is told.
      Watch Full Video Episode
      Join Our Virtual Toastmasters: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
      Thank You To Our Partners:
      The Institute at WeAreTheInstitute.com.  "Stop stressing over your business, you deserve a good night's sleep. The Institute’s coaching helps you achieve success and financial peace.
      AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions - before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.com
      AutoLeap at AutoLeap.com. Are you tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your auto repair shop? Say hello to the streamlined efficiency of AutoLeap, the #1 all-in-one Auto Repair Shop Management Software!
      Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. "Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
      In-Bound at CallInBound.com. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound.
      Contact Information
      Email Craig O'Neill: [email protected] Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Changing The Industry
      Mastering Transmission Programming Will Save You #podcast #autorepairbusiness #automotivebusiness
      By Changing The Industry
      Mastering Transmission Programming Will Save You #podcast #autorepairbusiness #automotivebusiness


  •
    Joe Marconi

    Money Isn’t The Motivator We Think It Is

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Management,

    0 comments 82 views
    Joe Marconi

    Five Proven Tips to Improve Your Bottom Line

    By Joe Marconi, in Selling Automotive Repair,

    0 comments 104 views
    Joe Marconi

    Isn’t It Time We Rethink What a Master Level Technician Is?

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 117 views

  • Our Sponsors



Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...