Jeff

Joe on most late model cars you can drive the monitors to run. This will give some indication of any problems that may cause a returning check lite. My Solus gives a very detailed set of driving parameters, that if followed, will run all the first trip monitors. A great way to prevent comebacks. You can also find a lot of info in Global OBD monitors and test. I finished a Ford explorer yesterday that had no codes but a load of OBD data that indicated marginal fuel trims and evap problems. Test lead to an intermittent IAC and leaking intake seals. Repalced and road tested within the driving paratemetrs. When I went back to global info everything had passed except for an evap test which I believe is a 2 trip test. Retunerd car to customer. This morning got a call telling me the car had never ran better and no one else had been able to fix it. Dont know where it had been prior but was glad to get the call. Feels good when the call is thank you and not screw you

I once had a mentor explain to me "Ya gotta play ball in the field your in." After reading so many post on how other are doing things I amy put out a free scan and see how it works. I do believe it can work in certain markets. And it has to be explained very carefully to the customer. And yes I would rather have them doing it here than at the "parts" store. It just goes against every grain in me as a tech. And I dont want to be the guy thats gonna get the rep that "they do it for free". When I first started out I did free estimates. Would work for hours for nothing. Then I started offering a "discount" if the work was performed the same day. That has pretty much eliminated the "free" estimate. I am open to advice and ideas. If someone told me runnin neked down Main St. would increse my car count I would try it. Or maybe hire someone youger and better lookin to do it The current economics in my area are very trying to say the least and I really need "paddle harder". We are at 15% unemployment and the snowbirds have all left for the year. I will survive just because I believe I will and the Faith I have. Sorry if this got off track sometimes I just dont know when to "shut up".

Thanks XRAC I really needed a good laugh today. Priceless

Along the line of "free". I had a advertising sales rep in the office earlier this week. She was selling ads in the local "coupon" rag. All the other auto shops had "free" A/C check, Engine Light Test, $10.00 LOF etc, etc. I explained to her that I do not work for free, and that there is nothing in life free. Ther pricing was rather expenseve and required a long term contract. I explained it would be difficult to advertise in their paper and compete with the freebies. Her response was "We all do something for free to build our business. I am here for free to show you our publication." I told her I wasnt intrested and thank you for coming by. I dont want to use up anymore of your free time.

It has been a year since a new post here. I would like to add and see how things have changed in that time. I "try" not to give phone quotes. I generally respond with "Why do you fell you need an xyz service?" I will also explain that todays vehicles are so complex it may not need or need more than an xyz. Then I will try to persuade the caller that we are the best option for them and that if it does need an xyz service we can do that. I feel a lot of this comes from the free "diagnosis" provided at the "Cheap" parts stores. I have had several callers ask for a phone quote and they want labor only. "I allready got my parts". At the same time I hear a shop running in the background. I believe these are "shed shops" that are working to cheap to afford a proper estimating system. And this trend is growing. Why should I support that? Now on the other hand I will gladly quote my regular customers anything. They may need time to save up or consider trading. But I refuse to take time out of the day to make up 15 phone quotes for non-customers!

My shop is 2800 sq ft, room for 4-5 cars at one time. My son works with me part time, and my wife does the books. I am an ASe master and Chrysler Gold and have Gm, Toyota and Nissan training as well. Other shop is 5 bays (box style). Owner is ASE (at least advertises such), wife is in office daily as writer and I believ his son and one other tech work the shop with him. He advertises pretty heavy in the local free coupon clipper and the hometown paper. Seems to stay pretty busy buy I do hear complaints from other folks. I cant understand why they keep goin back

Joe how did you chose a radio station? I have started (re-started ) my in house mailers. I let that get away from me and since the first batch went out last week I have recieved 3-4 calls for appointments. I have also trimmed all the fat from the phone book and print, but have been thinking about going back to some limited print. It is hard to compete in the print when the guy on the first page is "free a/c check, free scan, free tire rotation, free ?" I know he jumps them up after the 2 minute free but I feel it is dishonest and afraid it will leave a "bad taste" with the customer. Sorry I got off subject. Everyone have a Great Day!

Here is the real kick in the a**. In todays Sunday paper the most traded clunkers were all American made. Mostley Ford trucks and SUVs. The most purchased top 10 only includes one American vehicle, Ford/Mazda Escape. The rest were all Asian with Honda at the top. That really helped our workers and the steel mills in this country!!!!!! When Is America gonna wake up?!?!?!?!?!

I felt it would have been better as a "Cash to Fix Your Clunker" program. In my area unemployment is over 18% and many people have had homes forclosed on,ergo no credit. It would have been a boom for me to have my customers get a "rebate" to fix their current vehicle. But with the auto makers bail-out the goverment had to figure a way to sell cars. After all they are part owners in GM and Chrysler

Sales set a record. On the same note I moved into a larger facility and took on new equipment. Overall net profit stayed the same. I have some plans and goals going into '09' that hopefully will bring the numbers more into line.