Jeff

The new job is a local company that manufactures bucket lifts, man lifts, etc. Welding, installing hydraulics, wiring controls and the such. I am looking for a smaller shop closer to the house so I can still get my hands dirty. Been wanting to build a chop top low rider for a while, maybe a late sixties 2 door Electra 225, as well as a custom bike. I have a very loyal following that has told me they would work around my schedule if I would still maintain their vehicles. I will be "closing" Dec. 22 and start the new job Jan. 2. And like I stated before if it dont work out thru the probation period I will be back guns blazing!! I really stressed this...hated to close. Now I am stressing over what to do with all my equipment..lol. And Gonzo for what it's worth your heart attack was a factor in my decision. Got me really thinking about what I want outta life. Last 15 years I have run my shop and worried about everyone else...now ol dad is gonna take care of me and mine!

Hello everyone from sunny south Florida. Been kinda busy and not checkin in as often. Just wanted to share with ya'all that I have been offered, and have taken, a job outside the automotive industry. I start Jan 2 and I will keep my shop till the probation period is over, and work it nights and weekends, just in case its not a good fit. Otherwise April 1 will be the close of Able Auto. I want to thank all the fiends I have made in here...your support and encouragement have truly made a difference. And if it dont work out i'll be back to pester ya'all some more. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE!!!

I read this article. Most of their recommendations are made on mileage.

Had a customer ask if I have that machine that would tell me whats wrong. I told them when i begins talking they can have it and their car..I am running!! LOL

As a 1 man show hours are not the issue. But in my feeble mind we are a service industry. Why not make it easier for those who need us to use our services. Work week keeps folks busy. And my experience is no one wants to be without their car, let alone on a week day when they HAVE to go to work. Saturdays can be good if handled properly.

I guess I am the odd man out. I used Alldata in the beginning. Received 2 "keys" for the computers. After the contract ran out I was told I had to return said keys. Then I was told I would be billed for a third key I never received. To this day they will still not resign me because of the missing key. On the other hand I have never had an issue with Mitchell that was not resolved. Shortly after beginning use of Back Office I was billed for install and such. Contacted them, and although it took a few months, it was rectified. My rep is on point and has always been able to answer any questions. Tech support can be a bit tedious but has always been able to fix any issues I had. I have attended their training seminars and they were very helpful. I also used Identifix for about a year. had an issue with a Chevy van. Called and paid for the tech help. Was advised to replace PCM. That didn't fix the issue. After several calls I gave up and replaced an ignition switch and that fixed the problem. Called them for reimbursement of the PCM per their guarantee and after several months was not reimbursed. Cancelled that subscription.

I havee used Mitchell for over 10 years. The newest version with the scheduler caused a bit of grief. Otherwise I have no problems. Agree the add ons are pricey but they do help streamline things. Tech support has always been on point for me. I also have a very good relaionship with my rep who is always available.

I have been at this as an independent now for 15+ years, in the trade over 25. I wanted to align myself with a "banner" program that would promote my business AND serve my customers. NAPA was priced out of my budget. federated worked ok till there was a warranty issue. After 2 years of not being paid to replace their sub quality parts I went with TECHNET (Carquest/Advance). I hate writing a check to advance but the program works well for me and my customers. Haven't had any problems to speak of with the quality, most still come in Carquest boxes. Rep is always available for any problems I have. Their delivery times and inventory are great. I get regular referrals from them because not everyone that thinks they are a DIY person can really handle the job. I feel to this point it has been a win win for all. Now am I a bad business owner for aligning myself with someone that will help me AND my clients...I dont think so.

Good to see ya up and at em!! Cant keep a good man (or a really ornery one) down!!

Be well old friend! And make sure the surgeons name isn't Sum Guy! 😲

I'm with you X-Rac..that's my fav as well.

My brother works for a large fertilizer company. Their front end loader (not John Deere) is leased. If it goes down for any reason they have to notify the maker and wait for a service truck to come out! he tells me that if they attempt any repairs what so ever it voids their lease agreement and can result in some huge penalties!

Help..!!!...I have quit...closed..come back..re-opened...been at the bottom..sat on the top..had a broken femur...healed and came back!! All this with the help, support, encouragement, love, friendship of this forum!! I haven't been in the forums as much lately, been extremely busy! But I feel the support of the FRIENDS I have here has been the a huge POSITIVE factor in my business and my life! THANK YOU FRIENDS AND THANK YOU ASO!!

Did oyu ever find the problem?

When I worked for Chrysler I found the computers were slow to power down. I would hook up my scope and set it for a 30 min to an hour capture. 1.7 amps is far to much. Should come down to less than .05 amps if memory serves me correctly.

THINK AND GROW RICH written by Napolean Hill. Not so much a "business book" but I found it very inspiring.

Mitchell offers a labor matrix of sorts now. In set up you can have up to 10 labor rates. Then in a ticket if you right click the rate column it opens that list. Not exactly a matrix but there is an option of changing the rate on the fly. I have heavy line, standard, military discount, etc. all set up.

Thanks Matthew!

XRAC the hardest part is staying positive. I have never been diagnosed with depression but it kicks in every now and then. After a sloow few days I begin to go into this "funk" that feeds on itself. It can be a bear to shake and I work hard at keeping it under control. Just gotta keep moving in a positive direction and these forums really help!!

I did a Facebook campaign..boosted several post.The best WAS NOT auto related. It was a Don't Drink and Drive pa that had dogs in it. Also did a page awareness promo. Made the phone ring..still sorting the return but my spend limit was 200, I didn't exceed it. I also went with back office to integrate my Quicbooks with Mitchell. This is going to free up a lot of time for me to focus more on marketing. I don't do loaners or rentals so in November I began spiffing folks who were kind enough to give their friends rides to and from the shop. A no charge basic lof and inspection. Those are beginning to come in. I don't push real hard on that first visit except safety issues. Mostly a get to know ya visit. One turned into a brake job and others are sending referrals. I guess it all snowballed into a great week. And I have started another Facebook campaign for this week. I am also working on several CRM blast I intend to run thru Mitchell that will also go on Facebook and Google plus pages. I have also began maximizing the use of my smart phone. I have a blue tooth so I can answer on the fly. I have an app that lets me make notes and set reminders to call clients back so I don't have to stop mid job. I don't have an inspection app installed but I have been using the camera and sending photos to clients of needed repairs. A lot of things I should have been doing all along that just gelled last week. My girl is going to start helping with sending out thank you cards and mailers. Its been a long week but if it was easy everyone would be doing it! Now to keep up this energy level!!

To preface this I am coming of the worst year I have ever had! But this first week in 2017 was a record week!! I am on a mission to double 2016 gross sales and net profit in 2017! A lofty goal but I am putting a lots of changes in place that will accelerate that growth! HERE'S TO A FANTASTIC 2017 AND BEYOND!!

Harry I agree to a point. It's all about being profitable. BUT if I charged full retail on an LOF I seriously doubt I would be in biz long. The LOF is a loss leader..plain and simple. Krogers has milk on sale..but you walk past the cookie isle to get to the milk. Mens Wearhouse has suits on sale..but ya need a new shirt, tie, shoes and belt to go with it. I dont want my customers going to fas lube to get an LOF and letting them install all the "nasty" filters it needs. The key is to inspect and upsell. Not everyone needs $300 in maint but they keep coming back for the LOF till I find something. Now I do make a few bucks on an LOF but I certainly aint gonna pay the bills with it. And I even have a few clients that go to the nearest quik lube and then bring me the work that was quoted there. Some of it is needed most of it is bogus BS. I guess its a glass half full/empty.

I am finishing the year down 10% overall. Was running even till the beginning of Oct. I am preparing marketing now for the next 12 months. Get it all done in advance so hopefully I dont go thru this next year!