Jeff

20 Bucks went a long ways back then! And I am still crazy..I own and work an auto repair shop! LOL

That was basically the same set up we had. I don't think the lagoons were that deep. I was moving pretty good when I went across and it came up over my chest! Where was it you worked on the dairy farm? Last time I was up north my dad drove us past a dairy that milked 24/7. Not sure how many cows they milked. I cant imagine milking that many cows. We did live on a 600 acre dairy when I was much younger that milked 60-80 Holsteins a day. These were all in west central Ohio near Springfield.

The farm I lived on had containment barns for the "finish" cattle. They would go on a high protein diet for the last 6 weeks or so before they went to market. There were pits under the barns that accumulated we pushed the runny manure into then that was pumped into "ponds" behind the barns. On a dare and a 20 dollar bet I waded across the first "pond" that held the soupiest crap in it. Collected my 20 and headed to the house to clean up. Mother made me "shower" twice outside with the hose before I was allowed to shower in the house. Thought that 20 would be handy for my date that nite. Oddly enough my girlfriend wouldn't get in the car with me. Something about a smell!!

Not auto related but...as a youngster we lived on a large (over 5000 acres) beef, hog, and grain farm. Come July one summer the farm manager gathered us boys up (there were 10-12 hands that lived on the farm) and told us we needed to clean out the metal bins to get ready for harvest. One in particular had been used for soybeans. The floors grates had not been removed when the bin was emptied and all the cracks and fines had to be shoveled out. Let me tell ya, rotting beans, in mid July, in a bin that has no airflow can get pretty aromatic. It took days to get that smell washed off!!

The one that caught my eye was "Your computer is a one time purchase. You don't throw it away when you are done so quit trying to factor in the computer cost like it is a consumable." This guy dont understand the cost of updates and such. And my opinion medical professionals are WAY OVERPAID. The human heart, brain, etc, as well as teeth have basically remained the same for millenia. As mechanics we are requires to work on cars, many times neglected past any reasonable hope, and to get it done in as little time as possible. And the last time I went to a dentist it was x-rays and 2 extractions and that will be 475.00 please. And that was 15 years ago. Since then I have pulled my own teeth. Got about 6 left then I will figure out how to make dentures!

Thanks Gonzo...just as soon as I tighten up this alternator belt SOME GUY left loose! LOL!!

FREE...What a big impact such a small word can have. I personally believe that it will dip for a while. Then after a bit the consumer will realize nothing is FREE! There is no value in FREE. Having been a dealership tech for many many moons I don't believe it will work in the long term simply because the techs will not work for FREE. Anywhere I ever worked that offered these types of programs it was worked off the techs time, in reduced flag time. The managers painted a rosy picture of up sells and returning customers that never materialized. If we continue to follow our business models of honesty and integrity even those that buy the new cars will continue to be our customers. The dealers are banking on selling those brakes and filters and flushes but our LOYAL customers will thank them for the advice and call us for the appointment. Of course the trade in's will be worked back into the system and we will continue to see those same cars with smiling new faces behind the wheel. Just my $3.28 (2 cents after recession and inflation).

5 Star I am the only tech. Wish I could say I have 3-5 techs and a state of the art facility but I'd be lying to ya! I do a complete inspection on each vehicle and prioritize it as to safety, performance and convenience. Most of my customers are repeat and word of mouth. They know if I tell them it needs it, it needs it! I am also the cashier, clerk, accountant, parts manager, janitor, porter,greeter.....man ain't no wonder I am so wiped out at the end of the day!!

Xrac, just had one like that myself. 1979 Dodge B350, 360 cid. Oil pan and trans pan musta had a tube on each side of the gasket and another tube covering all the bolts.

I remember reading once that you could follow MacD to success. My understanding was they do a very complete and detailed merket study before placing a store. Traffic count is only part of it. Income in the vicinty would play into it as well as local lifestyle and DISPOSABLE income. I have been looking to move myself but won't till I find the right location.

I use BG Products. I will not oversell the services but they are a usefull tool. I use the upper engine intake service on sticking throttle bodies with good results. I also include their oil and fuel additives on premium services. They also offer warrenties and a road service program that I can use to market to my customers.

I use BG Products. I will not oversell the services but they are a usefull tool. I use the upper engine intake service on sticking throttle bodies with good results. I also include their oil and fuel additives on premium services. They also offer warrenties and a road service program that I can use to market to my customers.

I use BG Products. I will not oversell the services but they are a usefull tool. I use the upper engine intake service on sticking throttle bodies with good results. I also include their oil and fuel additives on premium services. They also offer warrenties and a road service program that I can use to market to my customers.

Ya know this dude gets around!! I sometimes thing he has been cloned!!

Being in the retirement capital ( South Florida ) I constantly get the same story. " It was running fine then...". Ask when the check engine light came on. "Oh its been on for years, but I had Some Guy look at it and he said it was OK, not to worry about it". It will be $xx.xx to begin the diagnosis. "Do I get a senior discount, I am on social security ya know". Yet the address is will be a country club, or something much nicer than I live in. I told a fella the other day " My father is 77 and lives on ssi and he buys a new car every 3-4 years". Kinda made him mad!

Thanks Joe!!

1) Read the customers copy of the contract closely. 2) Advise the customer that from your prior experience the company WILL NOT pay the full amount. 3) Document everything, who you talked to, employee number, time, date, amounts, etc. 4) Get it in writing if at all possible. I have dealt with some that were great, most are not. For instance I had one that would pay for camshaft seals but not the timing belt. I asked if they wanted me to reuse that old belt. "No, and if the belt is not replaced it will void any future mechanical claims" was their answer. Customer was not a happy camper when their portion of the bill exceeded the warranty companies! I feel it is a necessary evil and somewhat enjoy doing battle with the warranty companies! Gets my aggression out!!!

Sounds like Some Guy's cousins...or maybe in-laws!!

I use a universal/global fluid from Wolfs Head. Never had any problems. I will say that if I am installing a new/reman unit I will use OE fluid for the first fill. In 5-6 years no problems.

Mine all get shop fees, max at 20 bucks. When it is questioned I explain the need. If they want to pay for the full can of cleaner or such then I can add it to the bill and give them the leftovers. Never had anyone ask for the leftovers!

Seems life was a whole lot easier before I started mine!! I started at 47 with about 700 bucks. been a battle ever since!!

The issuance of money and collection of interest has been around since free trade began. What right? If you put it that way what right do we have to charge what we do for our services? They invested, made a profit, and loaned that money to someone who in return hopes to make a profit? It is all an exchange of services...the free enterprise system. Why would they not be allowed that? Take a risk, reap the rewards. There is no grey area in this. We took a risk, developed our business and hope to reap the rewards. Anything less would be socialism or communism. And that my friend brings us back to who is responsible? We ourselves are the only ones responsible for us.

Harry it is not what the usurers have done but what the individuals have done to themselves. If you are foolish enough to borrow at silly rates, make foolish investments, fail to save and make wise decisions concerning your future then you got what ya asked for. There again it comes down to being responsible for yourself and making wise decisions. I have been offered loans at 19-22% but wont take them. The cost of the loan and the depreciation makes it un-affordable. Others would take that loan and then complain they were being abused. Now who is responsible? Humanity is greedy and that greed is the ultimate failure! And as far as "what is money?"....money is a promissory note that says your efforts are valued at this and this can be exchanged for that somewhere else. Nothing more or less! I have looked into the system...that is what pushed me to trying the "play" accounts and such. I will admit that it is not easy for the average Joe to move themselves up that ladder but I don't fault those who built the ladder.

Harry I agree to a an extent. The truth of the matter is it takes money to make money. I myself am in the process oft trying to secure financing for growth. If I had money the banks would loan me all I could use. But I will take what I can get, use it to the best of my ability and hope the growth permits me to grow even more. My business model runs on a thinner margin than many, therefore I don't show the numbers. At the same time I sleep well at night knowing that I treated people as well as I could and made a profit, however small. And just for the record I average a 20% plus margin. Low overhead and watching the pennies keeps me going. i do understand the markets and the banking system. I have even gone so far as to set up fictional trading accounts just to see how well I could do. Puts, holds, day trades, long holds, etc. I did OK. Its all a game that plays with money. And as side note my father who worked for a corporate farm company most of his life retired at 65 with more that 750k in the bank. Don't seem like much but not bad for a poor ole farm boy! He will be 78 in July and still has most of it.

Some of this I agree with....most I do not. WE are all born with a free and clear conscience. At a certain age we all reach the age of understanding. At that point you can make a choice to participate in society or be a burden to society. I personally believe we all have our "lot" in life. You can improve upon it or ride it to the end. I was taught as a young man to work for what I wanted, to be proud of who I am and my accomplishments. Not everyone will be a millionaire, a Bill Gates, President etc. But if the world was a "one-ness", all sharing and all caring, where would motivation and desire come from? I DO NOT agree with wealth redistribution. If you have the DESIRE to become a wealthy person then at that point you have the desire and you must develop your plan. You and only you are responsible for your plans to reach that goal. Every day we see "wealth" redistributed to the same areas of the world to save the hungry and the homeless. The problem is it is almost always the same areas, Haiti, Africa, S. America. Yes these are fellow humans, BUT they have no desire to better themselves or the need would be diminished. I am an old man and since I was a child there has been a call to help these blighted parts of the world. When do these fellow humans take responsibility for themselves? I could debate this subject forever and I am sure that it would be a hot subject. Do I feel for these impoverished persons? YES. But until they help themselves WE CANT HELP THEM!