HarrytheCarGeek

I have counted over 23 shops that have closed in my area within the past 6 months. Yet, I haven't seen tremendous improvement in my car counts.

I agree. But you have an uphill battle, most shop owners really don't see the value of associating until they are bankrupt, and then, only because they have the hindsight to see they didn't have a fighting chance by going at it alone.

Have you tried reaching out to AAA, AARP, and the insurance industry?

Interest stuff coming up with Mavis STS, http://newjersey.craigslist.org/aos/5546103065.html http://newjersey.craigslist.org/aos/5573886398.html http://newjersey.craigslist.org/aos/5535221793.html http://newjersey.craigslist.org/aos/5495150877.html etc...

http://brake-o-rama.com/ seems to be closing all stores except for two, Lodi and Roselle Park, NJ. Many people seem to be throwing in the towel. edit: a word

Any of you have seen this deal from Mavis? Talk about doing the desperate thing to bring people in through the door. https://www.mavistire.com/?kmas=1&kmca=91770970572

Good news!

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/two-thirds-us-struggle-cover-110221321.html Poll: Two-thirds of US would struggle to cover $1,000 crisis Two-thirds of Americans would have difficulty coming up with the money to cover a $1,000 emergency, according to an exclusive poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

New research from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shows just how easy it is for cash-strapped borrowers to get sucked into a vehicle title loan debt trap. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/payday-auto-title-loans-CFPB-211701904.html

Mercedes Benz product card https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/innovation/the-long-haul-truck-of-the-future/ http://www.gizmag.com/daimlers-production-autonomous-truck-debuts-public-roads/39701/

Maybe retrofitting cars will also be viable as a business for a while.

https://mishtalk.com/2016/05/17/ex-google-engineers-launch-otto-an-autonomous-trucking-startup/ https://youtu.be/bK76W1kH4jA https://backchannel.com/the-man-who-built-googles-first-self-driving-car-is-now-a-trucker-aa1726d3a36f#.y6nhosbf4 Driverless vehicles are coming sooner than we think!

You know, this is a excellent point! There is this guy in my area that is selling his six shops, they are beautiful facilities, yet they are not making any money, except for one of them. If you go for service to any of the other five, the people running them are brusque and inattentive, try to have everything paid in cash and dock people an extra 3.5% if paying by credit card. The one that is making money, the guy basically runs it as a one hit and run shakedown station, the max repeat business is 3 times and that is only about 6% of the past three years customers. Needless to say, there is no business there to buy.

But sometimes one's strategic setup does not let you take advantage of a golden opportunity. Which may mean one may have to change trade or business.

We always call references, you be surprised the things you learn from people. Little things they tell you about the candidate, e.g, he is a family man, drinks, he is usually late but shows up, etc.

U.S. jobless claims rise; planned layoffs surge https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/u-jobless-claims-post-largest-123333712.html

Commercial bankruptcy filings totaled 3,482 in April, up 32 percent from the same month a year ago. This marks the sixth month in a row for year-over-year increases in business bankruptcy filings. http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/washingtonbureau/2016/05/business-bankruptices-keep-climbing-and-other-news.html

Oh, man! I hear ya. We are all on the same boat. Look here, STS is desperately looking here in North Jersey: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/search/jjj?query=sts+mechanic

Yes, the state is running a very aggressive pedestrian safety campaign that has help them snag lot's of people with expired inspections. https://www.google.com/?ion=1&espv=2#q=nj+pedestrian+campaign&tbm=nws This is the only reason that my ad for safety inspection is doing so well. Let me get back to you on about FB.

Why are you having trouble finding help? Is it salary or qualification issues?

Here, these are some links: http://www.wsj.com/articles/as-interest-benchmarks-go-negative-banks-may-have-to-pay-borrowers-1428939338 Tumbling Interest Rates in Europe Leave Some Banks Owing Money on Loans to Borrowers Subzero rates have put some lenders in an inconceivable position The Central Bank War On Savers—–The Big Lie Beneath http://davidstockmanscontracorner.com/the-central-bank-war-on-savers-the-big-lie-beneath/ That 70s Show – episode 1 http://bawerk.net/2015/08/05/that-70s-show-episode-1/ Commercial Credit Is the New Mortgage Credit Corporate debt products are the hot thing. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-11/commercial-credit-is-the-new-mortgage-credit

The election certainly is a factor. We certainly have had to reinvent ourselves. I was expecting this situation. The only reason we are holding steady is because we have given it a lot of brain power to figure out how to survive this downturn. Several shops in our area have closed, a nearby competitor told his staff he lost $40K last year, the only reason he still has the doors open? He owns the real estate, and has been subsidizing the business by not paying his own rent. Think about that carefully. It's a whole confluence of factors, but all of them have the same root, it's the Fed's economic policy. Remember, cash for clunkers? That set off the unprecedented demand for new car financing. Material engineering has allowed the manufacturers to make even better cars, less demand for repairs. Instability overseas, means people are pouring money into U.S. real estate, that's how you can see some commercial buildings hold up in price while they go vacant, yet sell even higher while they have been empty not having collected any rent. Savers are being hurt, bonds are so high you pay a premium to own them, in effect you are taking a hit by paying to lend your money. What are investors doing, buying rentals for the cash flow. I could go on, but what's the point.

Yes, we did over 200 inspections in February. and billed over $90K, so yes, those are pulling really well for now. Now, on the other hand, March 1st, I spent $20K in EDDM post cards on LOF and Brakes specials. Guess how many coupon redemptions? Not a one! EDIT: Those inspections attributed to FB., EDDM mailing went out March 1st.

From what I can see, your experience is the norm, the pie is currently shrinking. Due to such low interest rates, it has really skew the economy, lots of people that should be out of business still have to fail, you will need to re-organize and keep your eye on expenses. Market aggressively, get involved in your community events, schools, associations. Just like Japan, we are experiencing deflation, people are being overburdened by rent or mortgage payments and income is flat. My $0.02cents? Own your real estate, keep expenses low, compete and seek the best customers.

No. Customers, they are basically already sold when they call or come in. Rejection rate is about 13% mostly due to budget and condition of vehicle. Our shops are in North Jersey and is very dense population wise, like NYC or Long Island. Clearly this is not sustainable, we have been running it since November of last year, I am sure it will grow stale in some months.