ncautoshop

I've got an old modis that's been upgraded regularly and does everything I need except for flash capabilities. No need for a diesel specific tool unless you specialize in heavy diesel. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

I think I'd speak with your commercial accounts manager at advance, not a in store rep. I know they are running specials but the specials I've seen are rebates not in store deals. Lastly like I said, you don't want to match or beat their price. There is an advantage to not being the cheapest in town! If I ever find out I'm the cheapest in town I'll be going up on my prices lol Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Exactly, not in general repair. As mentioned above a specialty shop that just does something like brakes or trailer work its much easier to turn more hours. Not to mention shop clean up and paperwork may take one full day. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

It's a lot to do! It's possible but easy to get burnt out. We're a three person shop, a tech a helper and a counter person. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Worldpac Is strictly wholesale, and doesn't retail parts to consumers. One upside being they sell primarily products manufactured by the OE supplier, downside if they don't have a facility near you shipping cab be higher.Have you checked with advance auto? They've always taken very good care of us. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

We had a locally owned one that went out of business for that exact reason. If you've got a private store, that's just another benefit of your product. Supplied by locally owned businesses. Have you researched other vendors in your area, for instance worldpac? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Sell the value of your service, warranty and customer service and forget the price. Well don't forget it but don't focus on it. If their complaining, your not charging enough. Of course let your parts store know about the problem. If you don't mind me asking who are you buying from? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

We don't use dealer list. I'm the one fixing it if it breaks, I'm the one that determines the price of the part lol.I've completely stopped worrying about my pricing being too high, the only parts we sell at MAP or list would be performance/diesel but we also charge additional labor. I'm at the highest pricing I've ever been, and while a few months were slow this year I've currently got more work than I can handle (3-4 weeks out). Our car count is up a bit and our ARO for May is around $1,000. I do good work, when I'm done it's done right. I deserve to be fairly compensated. Of course I'm making sure I'm not using outrageous margins but most jobs run 50-60% on parts. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

We don't even have his vehicle, he's wanting advice. My wife offered to take multiple messages but he refuses to leave one. The more I think on it this guy is a bit unstable mentally. He's caused problems at other shops so it's a blessing at the very least Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Hadn't thought of it that way.Great way to look at it! Thanks for the reply. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Just had to tell a customer we no longer wanted his business. Called in the middle of a lb7 injector job 5 times. Called my cell and shop. Wife answered and said he's under a truck may I take a message or you can call back. He explains he has a real quick question she's says "I understand but I said he's under the hood of a truck". He claims that he's filling complaints with the bbb for me not speaking with him lol. He wanted to ask a question about how to work on his truck. I cooled off for a few days then called and explained that he was rude to my wife which I didn't appreciate and I'd rather him take his business elsewhere. He calls back telling me how rude she was and that I'm a horrible businessman lol. Says he's always calling and not getting me and that it's unacceptable to return his call at the end of the day (or 30 minutes later). Calls all weekend long panicking about his truck asking me to come look at it. And expects it, and expects it now! He's evidently like this with everyone. Very wishy washy etc etc. So my question to you is would you have tried to save him as a customer or send him on his way. Only three of us working 1 tech, 1 helper and my wife the receptionist/bookkeeper. I can't feasibly answer every call. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Agreed. We're preparing to switch to the Motoshop SMS, quite worried about the hassles involved and the possibility of problems.. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

I think my next shop will have showers. As I grow older I'm more concerned with issues chemicals may have on the health of me and my employees. I think a shower even if only used in a blue moon for a situation where something sprayed on an employee or any situation where someone would need to quickly remove chemicals from their skin would be of benifit. If I had a shower at the shop my wife would probably appreciate an occasional dinner without a grease covered husband. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Agreed completely. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

That's great and all but a:I have a family to feed and b:I have a family that I desire to spend every minute possible with. Work can't consume you're entire life. Lastly, take it from someone who's almost helped so many people, he almost helped myself out of business - you might genuinely find 1-2 people a month that really need help, but there are hordes of folks who have learned the art of manipulation, maybe even communicate amongst one another to take advantage of those willing to help. Help those who truly need it but remember a good bit of those who come in needing help, might not need it but want it. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

We do bigger jobs, and I'm pretty much wearing all the hats. I run an average of 1.5-2 cars daily with a ARO of 445.28. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Launch is absolute junk. Slow and almost unusable. At least from my experiences. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Auto zone commercial this week said something to the tine of "fix your own car, you'll be a hero".Reminds me of cigarette commercials when I was growing up. We don't care about the effects on consumers, we don't care about the effects on companies like ours or any other issue unless it effects our profits. They give consumers false hope, and it's almost like their providing the parts cannon and allowing the end user to fire it! Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

I think this is the absolute best plan for this industry that's ever been. I have a hard time implementing it but we're working towards it. We've all got to start setting expectations for our customers, of more shops would do this we might see things (in regards to customer relations) would improve! Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

What was her attitude like? Some are apologetic, other act like we're out of line or doing something wrong. I've got.one that owes me $100.00 that'll go through the list of things I've done wrong including how he didn't pay because the bill was to much. Funny how he didn't mention that initially? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

This is a caliper we received from advance today. In my opinion it's a poor quality reman. Also noticed there's been no consistency lately. Some calipers for instance come with line banjo bolts, some without. Threads not repaired. Some with hardware some without. Actually went in the store a while back and looked over about 4 boxes with the same part number. Each had different contents. Things like this really hurt small shop productivity in my opinion! Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

March was real slow for us. April was up 40% from last April and now customers are lined up out the door! Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

I'm 12/12. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

I've had two in the last two weeks come to pickup their car and say "I don't have it all right now, but I can pay the rest in two weeks" when they learn they take the car they literally pull the cash out of their other pocket. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

I wouldn't even worry about their over counter price. Your not a parts store, your selling a package. Show them the value of your warranty and the knowledge that you and your people bring to the table. Many price (when it's legal to do so) a job as a package. So instead of saying "brake pads $54.99 labor $50.00" you would say 104.99 for the brake job. Another method mentioned here was to mark labor up and keep parts at or near the over counter price. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2