mmotley

I do not pay my tech specifically for the inspection, however I pay well enough for oil changes and tire rotations (I probably pay the best in town), so it makes up for a 5 minute inspection. Plus, when you can look and see that RO's are increasing 35% after inspections are performed, that usually translates to a 35% increase in tech hours. Beats sitting around, waiting for the next car.

We do free code checks and complimentary inspections. I agree flacvabeach, doing a 'free inspection' builds a sense of value and starts a good relationship with the customer. My labor rate, insisting on using factory oem parts, and loaner car program is usually a good 'pre qualifier'. Our free code check is just that, we tell them what the code is. If they want to know what it probably is, we tell them we will GUESS. Guesses come with no warranty, no guarantee, exactly what they get at the parts store with their free code check. Free courtesy checks have sold me too many steering racks, brake jobs, timing belts, and fluid flushes... You'll see how this works with the 'mobil manager' inspection process

Agree with xrac on the grass in the pavement and in front of the building. It is the very first thing I noticed, but I'm a clean freak. As far as the streamers, if you are really struggling with business and getting noticed, I would go ahead and put them up and wait for someone to say you can't have them and take them down. You would be surprised at how many rules aren't enforced and what you can get away with. I also agree with getting a more noticeable sign. Good Luck!

Not sure if you were referring to me or not, but my problem is their almost non existent customer support. For example, many times Mitchell manager will come up and tell me I do not have an active license. I must go to settings, deactivate all licenses, reactivate all licenses, then restart the software. It's not a big deal, but it is annoying, especially when I pay them every month. What makes it worse is that they know about the issue, have attempted to fix it by downloading a patch to your computer, but it still does not fix it. Small things like making the last 8 of the VIN bold have been asked for apparently for years. I know someone said coding takes a long time... 2 things. 1.) That's what they freaking get paid for. When I'm paying around $150 a month for just management software, I expect bugs to be fixed and requests for improvements to eventually happen. 2.) They release stupid upgrades like changing freaking colors of text on your screen or buttons that say 'done' to 'transfer' and expect their customers to think it is such a useful upgrade. Overall functionality of the software is fine, but minor/annoying bugs and the lack of/ignoring requested updates combined with piss-poor technical support is what I hate about Mitchell and why I praise companies like Bolt-On. It is a shame, but Bolt-On is the only reason Mitchell still has my business. Again, not that the software is terrible, just the lack of technical support, customer service, and interest in customer satisfaction.

Glad I'm not the only one who got this type of response from AAA. I just gave up on em

You have no experience with Mitchell Manager, do you? Speaking with their customer service is almost guaranteed to leave you dumber than before you called. You are almost forced to either figure it out yourself or go to the online forms to see if someone else has had the same issue and found a solution for it.

Awesome, can't wait to hear what you think. Curious about the costs for set up and monthly operating costs.

Mike, you just crushed my dreams... Oh well, I'm really happy with the products you guys already put out, so I'm not complaining

If they ever do, I will sign up as soon as they let me! Not to start rumors, but they have 'Dashboard Pro' which looks very close to a SMS program. It still appears to be in beta testing, but hopefully turns into something more.

Not sure if you took the pictures in portrait mode, but try taking them in landscape. That way they aren't so tall and skinny. It will look better. Nice waiting area btw

I don't have much experience with other brands of balancers, but I know when I was using a hunter RF balancer, we fixed a lot of vibration issues that other shops couldn't fix. I'm saving up for one right now. New is expensive, used are hard to find. Had a previous shop owner stop by my place just yesterday and he pretty much told me not to buy anything but a RF balancer. He worked at a huge local tire shop...

Sounds like my experience with Toyota. They weren't threatening or rude, they were very understanding actually and gave me plenty of time and answered any questions I had.

I'm 99% sure you will have an issue with using the logo. As far as describing yourself as a bmw specialist, as long as it's not in the official business name you should be fine. For example if your shops name is 'Mccannable's Auto' and you have BMW Specialists written below that on your sign out front, you should have no issue. You would have an issue if the business name is 'Mccannable's BMW Specialists'. One is a descriptor, the other is considered copyright infringement and they will argue that it could be misleading for consumers. There are some 'feather' or 'swooper' flags you can find online at amazon for example that do not have logos. Should have no issue with just the flag saying BMW, and what are the odds someone from BMW legal corporate is going to drive by your shop and notice?

I know I sound like a cheer leader for Bolt On, but they not only offer great products, but their customer service/support is unmatched by any other company I have worked with. On top of that, Chromecast has been extremely handy to have. It has multiple uses and only cost $35 to purchase.

Yup, I learned this lesson in my first few dealings with extended warranty companies. My service advisor gets the estimate together, calls extended warranty to see what they will pay, then call the customer with the difference (if there is one). We might work with the customer a little bit, but it is dependent on a lot of factors.

If you're using Mitchell without the use of Bolt On, I would either get the Bolt On 'add ons' or I would look at RO writer

Yes. Have customer sign a waiver and get copy of DL and Insurance card

Agreed. If me and the other mechanic are sitting around with no work to do, it's hard to justify spending a hundred or two a month on software to tell me the obvious. Or if he is always taking a smoke break and chatting on the cell phone...

^^^^Agreed. I would love to hear if others are using another system or method to track time

Agree

Screw her. She is lucky your employee handled it the way he did.

Thanks for the quick response xrac. I called Hunter and he said yes they still update and service, but that particular model does NOT have USB... So if a mouse or keyboard goes bad, they would have to replace the entire unit... So I'll have to keep looking for another model

I found a hunter dsp 400 r611 alignment machine with the lift for $6500 or best offer. Does sound like a good deal to anyone? I'm not familiar with this model. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I plan on making an offer this weekend

Curious as to how others handle who in their business sees what. For instance, if you are using Mitchell1 to write up tickets, simply pushing F12 will show you the breakdown of profit margin and dollars on each ticket (parts and labor separated). I don't think there is a way to disable this feature, so I have definitely removed access from this in the shop. However, my service writer uses the software all the time. How do you handle who sees what and who doesn't? Do you perhaps explain to someone who does see the profit numbers that there is also rent, insurance, utilities, etc? **Referring to employees