TTP

Do you charge for your time researching and finding obsolete part for the job? The reason I ask is we come across this issue working on older vehicles. That needs an OEM that is made anymore. It takes time sometimes hours to find that particular part. Should the shop absorb this cost for research or pass it on to the customer?

We use Automotive Expert and Quickbooks online. It has real time costing, shows the percentage your making and the final cost, and since we are more of a truck/restoration shop, we have a low car count. Its very affordable and provides labor times. I was with Identafix before this, and after finding out that they use the same labor guide to load their numbers from, a tech let it slip when we were trying to find times for an older vehicle. Its $150 a year. Its not an accounting program but it works for us.

Thats an idea! I will see how that will work. I like the online version, because I can send out Invoices with a payment link get paid and it recorded autmatically. But you arer right it lacks the individuality of the descktop version, but I have make it work ok. Thanks for your help.

I just checked QB Online, I did not find anything about scanning a document. It does have a drop file from computer, but it already has to be a file. And I find nothing in the help section either.

I am using QB online.

All great answers, thanks! I do hate paperwork but I love talking to the customer and sellng the job. Since I am now semi-retired (I don't hardly turn wrenches anymore) now. I guess i am the owner/service writer. Tried the secretary thing once, didn't work. She was well versed on billing but didn't have a clue how to sell a job. I didn't know about Qb having a scanning feature, I will have to look into that. But I like Joe's idea of the file folders. I will have to mull it over and decide which way is best for me.

How is the best way to handle filing away all of the paperwork accumulated over the year? I am searching for a good system easy to access specific invoices on the fly when needed. For years I have just tossed everything in a box. If you want to find something you start searching...I know not the best way, but I hate paperwork. I want something that allows easty access, is easy to use to figure up my taxes. No, I do not have an accountant, been doing my own for 40 years. So what system are most of yall using? TIA

It can, but if its a unforseen issue that is out of the scope of our work like bad ball joints or a TRE. We notify the customer and tell them of the issue and the cost to fix it. Labor is reduced since we are already tearing it down. Most people will tell us to proceed, with the chang order. Our biggest problem is competing with other shops in the area. Seems like several have popped up overnight, and are doing lifts and leveling kits for insane prices. A normal level kit on an F150 4x4, quality brand parts goes for @450.00. I have guys offering to do it for less than half that. Now I know that they won't be in business for very long since they are barely making a profit and the new shop overhead is going to eventually shut them down if they don't raise their prices, but its the Billybob, working out of his house that is the most concerning. NO overhead, NO taxes, straight cash and cheap. We can't compete with that. They usually come in at 30-50% less than we have quoted. We try to sell on our reputation and service. But I have seen in the last few years, nobody cares about that, its just about that bottom line. Of course they complain when something goes sideways. I know this because they usually bring it to us to fix. And we hear the whole sad story how they were ripped off, when the other shop wouldn't fix it. No warranty with that install....LOL. Then it costs them usually more than we first quoted to fix the issues. I have seen componets, not torqued at all but just hand tight, bolts missing on key componets. From a safety standpoint its really bad. Anyone else having these issues?

YES! EXACTLY! TY for the reponse. I usually look at the labor rate, it as a strut replacement in the front along with a front diff R&R. Then in the back shock replacement and the track bar then add an hour or two. I personally do not like Rough Country but on their lift description if gives you an estimated install time give or take a couple of hours. My problem is when you sell a high end kit, like BDS, there are several more parts/steps than a cheap entry level kit. So that's where it gets a little tricky to bid, but its a starting point.

WE are a unique business, this is true. Lets just say that you know your numbers, without a "labor guide" you are just guessing on these lift jobs. Unless you have years of experience like I do and can quote the job from repetition. It's the new comers that have no factual basis to turn to , like a typical auto mechanic does. So my question was how are other shops doing this? Guessing on the labor and hoping you covered your butt? DO you have a formula you use to bid these jobs? Something different , then please share your ideas with us. Each lift job is different, even on the same truck. A cheap kit will have less parts than a higher quality kit that will have more parts to acheive the same goal. More parts means more labor time. Which means higher cost. We always try to give the customer two or three different choices on the same heigth of kit. An economy kit, mid level and a high end kit. Explaining the benefits of each one. We also try to determine if its going to be a pavement princess or a real world use off-road vehicle. That all factors into what they truly need for their needs.

What does this have to do with what I am talking about? I am trying to recruit people, to exchange ideas.

Hi, I was wondering if there are any aftermarket shop owners on this forum? If so please respond to this thread. Let me introduce myself, my name is Joe Pazdera, I have been in the aftermarket game since 2005, but I have been self-employed for over 40 years. Currently, I own and run two companies Texas Truck Performance and TTP Coatings. I have found over the years that there is not alot of resources out there for shops like ours. Everything is geared to the normal auto repair shop. Which is like trying to fit a sqare peg in round hole, we just don't fit the mold. We have different obstacles, to overcome that a normal repair shop doesn't. Like installing a lift, most manufacturers do not give a labor time, you just have to guess. Even if they do its not always correct and you either over bid and lose the job or underbid and lose your profit. So in the days to come I want to explore how other business owners are doing it. I hope you will join me in the quest to make us the best and most profitable we can be.

What forum do I post it on?

That sounds great, Thanks! Should I start a new thread ot continue this one? JP

PLEASE PUT THIS IN THE CORRECT TOPIC i WAS NOT SURE WHERE TO POST IT, TY I have owned an aftermarket shop for years and have struggled with different things, like shop mangement issues. We don't fit most descriptions by what we do. I wonder if any other aftermarket shop owners are having the same issues and how have they overcome it? I tried starting up a discussion page on Facebook, with very little sucess. I was hoping for an exchange of ideas, but all I got was a bunch of people telling me to F-Off!! I had to delete most everything. Anyways if anyone is intersted it up and running. Thanks for your time. .

Ours is a "trial by fire" type. My shop manager will dole out the jobs and oversee the new hire to make sure he understands our processes and is putting the quality of work we expect. They are on a 60 day probation, after that I bring them back in nd we evaluate his progress/ regress and see where he stands. It's been working this way for me for the last 40 years.

We are a specialty shop. We work on mostly trucks (gas or diesel), installing aftermarket parts, repairs and performance upgrades, but we also work on the classics too. Doing jobs that most shops turndown. I was charging $90.00 an hour two years ago. We raised it to $125 the first of this year, no issues. This month we raised it to $150. So far not much kickback. Still waiting to see how the rest of the year plays out.

I am old school and completely agree you. Once its an accident, twice its carelessness and three times your out. Now this on major part breakage, something that could have easily been avoided if they were paying attention to the job at hand. On small things a good stern talking to usually gets them in line. We install lots of high dollar aftermarket parts, that usually dont carry a long term warranty. So that has to be factored in the equation.

What is a fair percentage to pay a salesman? Do you base if off the profit of the job or on the total sale? I have a a great guy that is bringing in new clients and work and I want to reward him for the efforts, but I dont want to overpay him that new work becomes less profitable that its not worth doing. I hope this makes sense. So if anybody has some insight please share!

That is true but so many people dont adhere to that. The customers we come across usually have no loyalty. They will go from shop to shop to get the best deal possible. Alot want to bring their own parts! I tell them that the labor cost is higher if they do and its not by book time its by actual time and there is no warranty. If that part breaks they have to pay me to fix it again, or take to somewhere else, that usually stops that kind of nonsense.

I have to agree with ncautoshop, offroad and diesel work is not as financially rewarding as it used to be. The internet has a lot to do with it. Too much info is now out there about how to repair your own stuff and the prices on parts on the net make it really hard to turn a profit. Offroaders are the worst. They all think they can fix themselves, till they scew it up and bring you a basket case and expect it to be fixed for that same price you quoted them when they came by for an extimate,or even cheaper now that they have already "done half the work" by tearing it apart for you. SMH. We are gearing up to start pushing the normal work, AC, alternators, starters, etc...thats where the money is, billable hours, lots of quick small jobs, that turn a profit.

Travis appreciate the offer, but thank god its over and behind us now. He was hiding behind his army training but he was really totally incompetent. Every vehicle he touched came back for one reason or another. We had to eat a lot of crow to salvage our reputation, but it's all good now.

So glad to hear there are others out there lie me! Its a tough business, but one I like. We have also diversified to include the general repair work too. In this economy you just dont have a choice. I agree with RHC320 and AX Mike you have to price for profit and do top quality work. But you have to take the regular jobs sometimes to pay the bills. Great to hear from everyone, keep those comments coming! TEXAS TRUCK PERFORMANCE Joe Pazdera