Jeff

Thanks Joe..another great link.

I am also finding many dealers are lowering their prices to compete with the aftermarket. Will this lead to them also offering sub-standard parts? Here again I would like to throw out the labor reimbursement issue. I have had a few claims this year and only one gave me any relief, and that was in the way of discounted machine shop services. The part suppliers all submit to the manufacturer. I didn't buy from them!!! Very discouarging to say the least!

Started planning for 2014 about 2 weeks ago. It appears I am on track to 20% or better overlast year. Of course having been down for the last 3-4 years I wasn't sure how this year would turn out. Just recently signed into some additional marketing and am working on finally getting a web sight up. Also looking at a better facility that would really give me a huge boost! Hoping to double sales next year.

Welcome aboard...dont be a stranger!

The ones that chap me are when I answer the phone and they hang up. I will call back just to have my number removed. Many timed I get a message that this number in not a good number. The other is the computer calls. I will listen them thru just to hit the button that removes my number from their list. I will say I use a blue tooth at the shop so it don't take a lot of time. Sometimes I will pick up my NOISEY quarter air ratchet and carry on a conversation with the caller while it runs wide open. Usually they will hang up!

Kewl...I will be following up on this. Thank you!

I used it at the Chrysler dealer I last worked for. The time it took was a downer BUUTTTT it was great for the vibration issues. My then girl friends father had a set of Michellens ? put on his grand marq and took it back to the installer 3-4 times. They finally told him it was as good as it gets. Took it to work with me one day and run a road force on all 4 after work. Took care of all the problems.One of the bigger local tiore jobbers has one that I send folks to when they complain of a tire vibration that balancing wont take care of. I would love to have one. I feel the added time in the balance will more than than pay for it in customer satisfaction. They are pricey tho!

Very cool!

Wat du I no I is jus a stoopd hillbilly!!

Avg hours per RO is nearly 1.8. Avg ticket runs 280. Avg week is 15-20 hours billed labor. I pulled these numbers over the last 90 days. They may be a bit misleading as we were very slow at the beginning of the year. And that is my point. Looking at these numbers back in Jan and Feb I was ready to jump off a bridge. And as I have stated before...I have jumped but always land right back here!

I would also add I sell the job. It is $XX.oo for the repair. NOT xx for parts and xx for labor. Go to Outback and ask how much is the steak and how much is the cook?

I am a one man shop with a part time helper. I do it all...answer phones...order parts....perform repairs...billing...book keeping...! I am at the shop from 7:30 am till 5:30 pm or later. Then go home, get a bit of rest, and link into the shop computer and do paper work till 9-10-11 pm. It is tough. The one thing I can tell ya is DON'T FREAK OUT ON THE NUMBERS!! It only takes one bad week to kill your averages. I need 2.5 cars per day at ARO to break even. I don't do a lot of pick ups and returns..takes up to much time. Facebook has been working well as well as some internet promo sites. When I get slammed I bring in my son. Great mechanic but hates it, electrician by trade. I pay him well put the extra in the bank and keep on going. I would slowly raise your labor rate and push harder for referrals from your current customers. And make it worth it for them to promote you. Follow up with a free LOF, pair of movie tickets, gift card to restaurant, etc. These people will be your best advertising! You are on the right track in keeping up with the numbers but now what will you do with them?

Headed there myself...just up the road 3 hours or so. Looking forward to it.

drive on lift is the way to go!

Joe I have considered your approach. Looking into buying a "code reader" so that when I pull the codes it won't look like we are in full diag mode. Then once the diag is sold break out the big scanner and get er done.

You can get all that with iDentifix. The downside is it prints a lot more, like lift points, misc torque specs, etc. Might be worth a look.

HOWDY!! WELCOME!

I am finding problems across the line...not just Cardone. BUT where do you go? Even the "name branded" parts are cardones in disguise. And beyond that try to get a warranty labor claim paid!! Since 2004 I have had 2 warranty claims paid. And one of those was in trade at the machine shop.

If you are in Florida you will be missing a HUGE market if you don't have an A/C machine. I would recommend a brake lathe..if ya can find one used even better. Those 2 pieces of equipment have made me as much money as all my diag tools. I can cut a rotor for less than a new and my customers don't think I am just trying to sell them a bill of goods. I also turn rotors for a few of the nearby shops and DIY folks sent down by my parts store. And if you intend to do any A/C work by Florida law you are required to have an A?C recovery machine or so I understand. No venting to atmosphere.

I left Friday with just a few jobs for this week. School started down here 2 weeks ago, then the Labor day holiday just killed it, or so I thought. Came in Yesterday and have more now than I can get done. Of course next week will be a different story. And as some in here can tell ya, I been to that ledge, jumped and landed right back here! Like Harry said, get out and meet and greet, pass out cards, whatever. Just don't let it get ya down!

I recently bought Office 365. It has a feature called One Note. Cloud based. You might be able to send the info off to Note and have the techs retrieve it that way. I AM NOT A COMPUTER PERSON!! Just wanted to throw that out. Someone with more computer savvy than me may be able to give more insight.

It depends on who ya talk to. I can call around and talk to the managers at the shops I am friendly with. They will tell me they are booked up solid or only a bit slow. Yet when I talk to the tool and parts guys I find out the truth.

Had me goin for a minute. LOL

Gonzo...can I put down a hun and give ya a hun a week?