Jeff

Gonzo as it stands today the bank is broke. I need to generate 1500 in net revenues by Wend. or it is done. I have tried, given it my best fight. I haven't given up but it aint lookin good! I believe in answered prayers so to that end I have put it in Gods hands. Thanks for the well wishes everyone!

My son has been a godsend. He is a good tech but don't like the work, an electrician by trade. He was able to keep the doors up for us. We didn't schedule any work he wasn't capable of. I hope the snow birds start flocking in soon. Financially it is getting tough. As a rule from Thanksgiving till after the new year we are generally slow and this year was no exception! Like I said just gotta hold on a little longer....by the Grace of God!

Hey folks! Who knew a broken leg could be so much fun!! Got my right femur broken Nov 16 and been on the mend! Been able to get back into the shop the last few weeks. Things are picking up just gotta hold on a bit longer! Hope everyone had a great holiday and look forward to getting back in here more often!

I used Moving Targets when I first opened and the housing market here was very good. Got 2 of the coupons back and those folks never returned. If i remember correctly I ran a 3 month trial.

Ya know I had a fever last week and SUM GUY said it might be the flu. I think he read a manual and is branching into medical !

FANTASTIC!

I would take exception to being called a liar when I say Mitchel has always taken care of the problems I had without issue. And the forums have been very beneficial. Not all systems will do everything. Tech support is always on point for me. I have used other systems in the past and none did what Mitchell does for my business. I have a friend that writes computer code. Any time something changes there will be issues. All the code issues cant be known because everyone will use it differently and this is the unknown. Beta testing will uncover a lot of it but not all. In atching the forums I can see where folks try to push the envelope of function. Just my $2.98 (2 cents with Obama care taxes added)

I personally have had great results when calling Mitchell support. As far as the scheduler I know from their forums there is a lot of chatter about upgrades to the scheduler. I believe a lot of the changes had to do with the newer SE versions and the way it works. Now that it is being fully implemented I believe we will see changes come along more quickly. I attended a Mitchell training seminar last year. In speaking with John and Tim there is a lot going on at Mitchell along these lines as well as making the overall product better. I have a client that writes code and changing these things may seem minor to us but takes a huge effort in being sure it all works well together.

Just gave out the first map to Gonzos shop. Fella has a 1964 Chevy truck..says the wipers run backwards. I told him if anyone could fix it gonzo could!

I can't imagine a book about an old hillbilly, scooter tramp, grease monkey would ever make the best seller list! LOL

I have already begun printing maps with directions from Florida to Oklahoma, with Gonzos shop high-lighted!

I have the Snap On TPMS3. Works great!

Right on Wes,,looks GREAT!

I know that one of the posters here has a VW specialty shop in Ft. Lauderdale. They were using the VW name or logo in some fashion. He was contacted by corp and advised to remove it. Ollie was his first name but cant remember the last. He may pick up on this thread and post a follow up. German Car Depot is the shop name.

You hit it on the head Gonzo! Number one is my personal fav. I am waiting for the day someone introduces themselves to me as an automotive engineer! I promise it will make national news and the poor fella will never know what hit him!

Whay do ya mean...you guys dont hear the cars talking??

Congrats.

Great!

Same here. Customers want to run an oil that we don't stock, they can bring their own. I ALWAYS verify correct weight and make up.

It isn't that I worry about these "customers". I worry about the perception that what we do to diagnose a problem is belittled by the "FREE" diagnosis that is done at the parts store. "Autozone does for free what you want to charge me for" is a common response from theses types. Until we can distinguish what we do from what AZ does we will be labeled thieves and cons.

Got a 1987 Grand National here now. A buddy calls and ask if I can get it running for a friend of his. Sure. It gets here on a flatbed and what a mess. Brand new engine sitting on the mounts..no trans..turbo plumbing missing...cross member mounts missing...etc. I call him back and he says "Oh it's been setting in another shop for 2 years. The guy is closing." They show up with a pick up load of parts and that's everything. The owner shows up the next day ranting about how this other shop screwed him out of a brand new turbo and a couple thousand bucks. AN UN-REGISTERED SHOP..ALL CASH! So I fill out an RO and explain how it's gonna work here. This a restoration and that's gonna take time and money. He insist on getting all his own parts because he knows where to get everything for an old GN. Sure no problem, I really don't want to set on the computer all day looking for antique parts. That was June. He has brought me a few parts but not everything I need. He comes by last week and I tell him he has till Sept 1st to get me everything that was on the list or it's gonna be pushed out under the oak tree. He starts off on another rant about being screwed at every shop he goes to. So we had a nice long talk about it setting so long at the other shop and that ain't happening here. Come the end of the week I don't have the parts it will begin collecting storage charges. SOOO I am waiting till the end of the week to see what he comes up with. I might have an old GN for sale come about mid October!

That's a great idea Joe. Now if we had a national organization that recognized us that would help it could take off. I NEVER hear ASE, ASA, etc, promoting the indepedents. These are the organizations that are supposed to support us. Ever hear them. The only time I see or hear them is when I am reading a trade rag. WE already get it. How about putting some of those adds in Home and Gardens or Popular Science?

Visit often...this is a great place.

I get a couple a month. I have got to the point I tell them to use the little print out that AZ gives them to wipe with. That don't work well because it's glossy paper . I have bought a "code reader" like the ones AZ uses. I will do the free code check to determine the starting point. After that it becomes a paying ticket or they can go down the road. The problem as I see it is there are no "standards" in this industry. Any shmo can go to the hardware store, buy a set of wrenches, and call themselves a mechanic. In the state of Florida there a very strict licensing requirements to be a hair dresser, nail tech, carpenter, electrician, etc. My girlfriend, who is a waitress, even has to take a food safety course. No requirements to be a mechanic and the only requirement to open a shop is to register and pay your fees to the state and county. Better have a handicapped spot and wheelchair accessible bathroom but can you repair the vehicle? No one cares! I have complained to the state, county and city about the un-registered shops in my area. Their response is 1) We are understaffed, 2) No one else has complained 3) I am a disgruntled business owner who can't stand the competition! Until we get the recognition we deserve as PROFESSIONALS I am afraid this will remain the standard. Just my $2.98 worth ( 2 cents with inflation and Obama care).