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Looking to open a shop

fnevets
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fnevets Rookie

fnevets

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I am trying to get started on a business plan and I am looking for cost and locations of wholesaler. My intentions for my shop will be starting with brakes, wheels, and suspension as a primary focus in the beginning. I am currently trying to come up with a start up cost for tire dealers, machinery, and bulk oil purchases. Can anyone here lead me in the right direction with oil and tire wholesalers or if most shops just buy fluids at a local franchise under commercial discounts?

 

ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

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I'm at $2.49-2.69 at advance. My concern has always been volume. If I had bulk oil here I couldn't meet the volume requirements with my size shop.

 

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Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

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I wish I would have thought about having a business plan when I first opened. Sounds like a good start of a great business. Good luck! Sorry, but I don't have much to add about your concerns though. I do mainly electrical service... I do brakes, shocks, etc... but for me the amount of oil changes I do doesn't add up to buying bulk.

 

I think you're on the right track... keep planning, get as much info as you can, and I think you'll do great!

ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

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Depends upon what quantity they want. I have 5w30 in a 275 gal tank with a reel, pump, and hose. My 5w20, 10w30, and mercron-dextron are in 125 gallon totes on a stand with a ball valve and spout. On the totes I usually only get 50-75 gallons at a time.

I was quoted I think 1.80 per qt but had to buy 100 gallons a month to get that price. I might do some more checking around.

 

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fnevets Rookie

fnevets

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People in your area may be different but in my town, they will not share information like that. I have a high school friend that has been in the automotive industry for several years in the parts department. I tried to buy him lunch to pick his brain and I was told he would tell me parts distributors if I did his lawn work.

In his defense, people in the area are different ( to put it nicely). Therefore the research will be entirely on my own. This site is amazing for my situation.

I guess I really need to know who sells the bulk oil, the wholesale tires and so on. This will allow me to come up with prices and a plan to execute. I have been in the automotive hobby for over 10 years. I have repaired everything on a vehicle at least once. I have experience rebuilding engines, transmissions, axle assembly's and so on. I am currently enrolled in school and have plans to cut back half of my customers with my current business starting in January to peruse the automotive field. It will take time to be the one stop shop I have visioned. Therefor I plan to do brakes, wheels, suspension,tune ups, and oil changes to build clientele and equipment to offer other services.

Edited by fnevets
ScottSpec Collaborator

ScottSpec

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Why is it that we as shop owners get frustrated with customers who price shop and don't look at the value or quality of the service we are providing yet when we go to purchase products like oil, all that gets discussed is price? Before we discuss the price we are paying for something like oil, shouldn't we first discuss the type and grade of the oil? What about the supplier? Are they reputable? How do they treat you? Do you trust them? How long is it going to take them to get a delivery to you if you run out? Aren't these all the questions we recommend consumers ask before taking their cars for service? I know I pay more for most of the part, products, and supplies that my shop sells, but I also know I get great service which is far more important to me. I value the service and quality of these products and suppliers, the same way I hope my customers value the service we provide.

 

fnevets, I recommend you talk to other shop owners in your area that you respect and find out what they are doing for oil? Good luck with your new business.

 

Scott

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fnevets Rookie

fnevets

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I do not trust local shop owners which is a MAJOR factor of going into business for myself. I have helped family and friends by repairing there vehicles due to false diagnosis by all of the local mechanics. Whether it be a $1,800.00 quote for two ball joints replaced and lift coil spring spacer installed on a 2wd dodge ram, or a $2,100.00 transmission rebuild price on a 2002 impala only needing a extension housing seal from a slow leak. All mechanics in this area are seasoned con artist and people are aware of that. The only time I have ever taken a vehicle to a mechanic in my life was to get an alignment because of camber being off a bit. After the alignment my camber was even worse. Several weeks of arguing with a manager only to never get a refund or alignment correction.

These are just a few of very many situations that people around here deal with. As you can see, I do not have plans to talk or ask questions from local mechanics for this reason. If I have to learn the hard way then so be it. I am well aware of different quality's/grades of oil and reliable companies that you can build a relationship with just by paying a little extra here and there. I have owned a business for the past ten years and all of this applies in one way or another.

The purpose of this thread is to find out who these companies are, what company's sell wholesale, if middle men can be overlooked with wholesale tire . These questions cant be answered by looking in the phone book and calling a tire or oil shop. In addition, I have found that wholesale parts companies and tire companies wont even entertain your phone call unless you already have a business and have there required buy in let alone give you prices just because i am looking to open an account.

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