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Posted

How many of you folks actually find a pit useful nowadays? Do you wish you just had another lift or two in it's place?

 

We have a pit that can comfortably fit 2 cars with room to spare in between. The issue is that it was built/spec'd out in the 40's by a family member who was 5'2" (on a good day), so it was decided to not make the pit very deep.

It's sort of handy/nice for exhaust work and oil changes, but even I (5'8") need to tilt my head and really watch what I'm doing to not catch myself. We had a guy years ago that was 6'3" who absolutely hated it.

 

In the course of making some repairs to the pit .. it looks like the concrete is deteriorating in one section to the point that I may need to weld up a frame and plate to support the concrete or build a concrete block wall.

 

I'm contemplating filling the pit in if it turns out to be a safety issue... but if I ever get a quick lube going in the future I don't want to kick myself for filling it in.

Posted

For how many years have you contemplated having a quick lube Auto74?

I suspect that if you have not done it yet, you may never will. I vote for it been a business and not the height decision :)

If you can financially justify having a pit and have it utilized at least 80%, then just fix what you have, deepen it and enjoy it.

There is a possibility that you never went with the quick lube because it is so shallow... If you can justify filling the pit (still a cost i am guessing) purchase of a new/used lift if you don't want to have just empty space, then do that.

Posted

For how many years have you contemplated having a quick lube Auto74?

I suspect that if you have not done it yet, you may never will. I vote for it been a business and not the height decision :)

If you can financially justify having a pit and have it utilized at least 80%, then just fix what you have, deepen it and enjoy it.

There is a possibility that you never went with the quick lube because it is so shallow... If you can justify filling the pit (still a cost i am guessing) purchase of a new/used lift if you don't want to have just empty space, then do that.

 

For about the last year or two... since partial control of the business was offered to me. There are 5 bays. 1 on one side of an office w/lift. 4 on the other side or the office. 2 w/pit 1 w/lift 1 w/o lift. I've been offered the 1600 sq ft side with 4 bays.

I've been spending my free time doing repairs/improvements to the building. Last year I spent most of my time doing various exterior repairs, mostly to the roof.

 

If I choose to rent/lease that section of the building out once my other building repairs are done I'll still need to address the pit issues.

Posted

I had a pit in my old shop. I absolutely hated it. Then again that shop was a dark cave so everything seemed claustrophobic. I would never choose to have a pit given a chance however I would also never run a quick lube business. Just my 2 cents

Posted

For what it's worth, all new Kauffman Tire locations down here are adding pits to all their new stores. They couple the pit with the new Hunter alignment machine with floor mounted skid plates and crank through high margin alignments all day long.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      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.
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