ATSAutomotive

Sorry to hear about all your problems with your equipment. I own a Ranger tire machine and balancer and they have served me well. I recently picked up a 2nd gen RF balancer a few months ago for $1300. Just keep your eyes open.

Snap-On TPMS3

3 years old guys...

ASA

Need to keep in mind, it typically takes 4-5 times of putting your shop in front a consumer before they will take action.

8% - Caps @ $39.71 (Job Supplies)

Check out these mityvac units. I absolutely love them to death. http://www.tooltopia.com/mityvac-mv6410.aspx http://www.tooltopia.com/mityvac-mv6840.aspx

HAHA fun test! However, my fiance wondered what the hell was going on when their were noises of "baa"ing sheep....

I am on the other end of this, my shop started off as a AAA Emergency Response Server provider. WE are the battery truck guys. It helped my business flourish as many member cars arent starting and they automatically assume its the battery. I get all kinds of tow ins from my guys when they are alternators, starters, crank sensors, timing belt, you name it. My guys also have a very high rate of getting members on the go. Meaning they are able to help the member get started and off to where they need to go or to drive to a shop. Shop became AAA approved after the fact and it has not been a deterrent for me. The shop approval in my opinion hasn't necessarily brought me ALOT more work but it puts new customers at ease and partially because my AAA guys are already getting stuff towed in. I will agree though that it is alarming they are buying up chains and doing there own thing. I will say though, with the way Service Providers act and take care of customers. AAA almost HAD to do this to take care of their members. Our numbers have been some of the best in our region and all we do is jump start people and if they need a battery, we simply ask them if they would like a new one. Yet, service providers around us would call me asking how the hell we sell so many batteries. Honesty, Integrity and just plain getting to their breakdown location within a decent amount of time! Good business is just taking care of your customers. Make a profit but take care of your customers!

Auto-Owners

^ well said, don't think I need to add anything...

ATI client here as well. At least go to the one day class, its a great motivation to work hard on your business and they give some great tips and advice.

Haven't heard of it before, but training is a good boost to light a fire underneath you! Agenda looks interesting. You may have to be our guinea pig and let us know if this is a good event.

I have been open for almost 5 years, everything has been going up and up and May completely dropped out. It just happens sometimes, been busy as hell ever since.

Been selling my oil on average for about $0.75/gallon. They even brought me a square tote for free. Safety-Kleen is the largest oil recycler in our area. Ask around in your area.

If it is a part failure, you can't blame the tech. You take care of him. Now if it is clearly something the tech goofed up on, then it's done on his time...

Have two no names I'm hoping to replace soon. One challenger lift, loving the challenger so far.

The past few weeks have been crazy busy for us. Luckily we had a good amount of customers who thought ahead to get their vehicles ready for the July 4th weekend. Next week is already scheduled due to those who didn't plan ahead.

I can't see becoming a tire dealer in my area. Just too many tire shops around, plus we do have a fantastic wholesaler just down the street.

Didn't notice the website before, I would not be buying from that site. GM Tech 2 for less than $500, I think not. VW/Audi cables for $14.99, REALLY! What vehicles are you typically working on and what tests/functions are your techs asking for? There is no single scan tool that does it all but if you can tell us what you are needing I can make some suggestions.

I think it depends more on what you work on.

lookin good

Very interesting article. I personally haven't found that to be true. I typically have a lengthy conversation with my customers to explain the recommended services and also break it down for them. A new car costs you $xxxxx.xx where as this vehicle is perfectly fine just with age needs some items maintained/replaced and will continue to provide you years of service. If you really break down the costs, most of the time it really doesn't make sense to buy a new car. Seems like many people use it as an excuse to buy a new car/ get something different. I just think most people don't properly understand the need to maintain a vehicle instead of fixing a broken one. All comes down to education and that's part of our job too.

It seems as if not accepting customer supplied parts makes you a bad guy. It doesn't, there are legal implications of doing this. I am simply posting this information to keep fellow shop owners up to date. If we don't help each other who will? I refuse to allow someone who wouldn't pay my normal everyday price to come back and sue me, take my hard work and flush it down the drain. Simply comes down to protecting yourself, your family, your interests. We have all worked way too hard for someone to come along and take it all away. Not every job is one you want to take. Why do people buy furniture? Its marked up more than automotive parts are. Anyone had to buy popcorn at a movie theatre? What, you didn't bring your own and ask them to pop it for you? There's no difference. Everything we buy is marked up. http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/markups.jpg

http://workshop.search-autoparts.com/_Cust-Supplied-Parts-Liability-AGAIN/blog/6565245/31710.html?cid=95914 Article about customer supplied parts and your liability for them. Just came in my email today from MotorAge magazine. It's just not worth it.