carolinahigear

I advertise A/C check and recharge for $89.95 including Freon. It makes it really easy to explain that if it needs recharging to make it cool, that it's only $89.95. If it's already charged and needs diag, then $89.95 covers the first hour of diag. If it is say...2008 car, 1/2 lb. low, we charge it and let it go. They're happy...we're happy. If it's 2001 car and out of freon, we tell them we need to add dye at $12.95, so it's $102.90. We shoot the freon w/ dye, it cools, and they come back when the freon gets low and we find the leak. We don't charge for the second recharge, but we charge for whatever repairs are needed. We started this program last year, and it is customer-friendly as well as shop friendly. Advertising a $29.95 or $39.95 A/C check doesn't make sense or make any friends. That's what we previously did. We really like our new program.

I use a half sheet of printer paper with a grid w/ each of the 5 techs on it. Jobs go in their grid block by customer name w/ a number beside it for order of work. Example follows: __Buck____ ** __Jaime'_____ Buck does alignments and undercar and the time slots are usually for alignments. Jaime is General Tech who works a job til it's finished. The 8:00 Smith 1) Williams 1) other 3 techs are set up similarly. I like the half sheet of paper. It's compact, names get marked off when job is finished, and fits on the counter easily. 9:00 Jones 2) Perez 2) IMO the white boards are too big, too public, and take too much work. My half sheet is flexible, too. Jobs can be redirected to another tech without a lot of 10:00Adams 4) Owens 3) erasing, and I like the privacy of the half sheet. 11:00 Cox 3)

BBB has seen better days. It is an antiquated business model. Facebook is the new business model and it's free. I'm sending a car to a shop for a full paint job. The shop's facebook page has pictures, reviews and is current to the minute. Try Facebook!!

Most of the pushy ones don't have a pot or a window. IE they are not usually going to be profitable. Just my 2 cents.

I know what you mean about the socio-economics; ie Demographics of the location. If the landlord told you that it would be hard to have a $70 to $80 labor rate, then that is a very important bit of information to consider. Think about this: the landlord has a vested interest in leasing the building and receiving the stream of income. For him to go against his interests and try to dissuade you from locating there, it may be the #1 reason NOT to move there. There are locations only 15 minutes from me that I would not own a shop in because they have a lower income population, and it would be like swimming upstream to make money there. You cannot make money off people that have no money!!!

Please tell me what a "20 group" is. Thanks a lot!!

I am getting ready to install 6 or 8 cameras. I want everyone to know their on Video!!

M-Spec, I don't know if I really want to calculate the ratio...the time wasters have already wasted enough of my time. I had a lady to come in for the special oil service today, declined any extra work, but said she's bringing her husband's car tomorrow for an alignment. I asked what kind of car...she said a Blazer. I asked if she meant Trailblazer, and she said no...it's a 2000 S-10 Blazer. Guaranteed it's a POS with a worn-out front end. But have plenty of good work lined up for tomorrow and Friday. It's warming up a little here. Was 67 today and had all the shop doors open and we were washing cars. I hope business picks up a lot for all of us! I wish you and your shop well, M-Spec!!!

I have a print-out on the counter that's bright yellow and says at the top: "Check This Out!!!" I call it my "Check This Out Sheet." I list 15 things that we do or are certified in. It gets a lot of attention, and people ask me if my name is really "HI-Gear", because it says that Hi-Gear is the owner. I would do something like this, Mmotley: Check This Out!!! *** Some of our Special Services!!! *** 1) Ignition Keys "Custom Cut" and Programmed 2) ECM (Electronic Control Module) Programming, Re-Programming, and Flashing 3) "Air Bag" Light and Safety Restraint System (SRS) Repairs and Service 4) Security System and Anti-Theft System Repairs and Service 5) Rock Chip Repairs 6) Minor Body Work 7) ***** DID YOU KNOW THAT WE LOVE HYBRIDS??? ***** Hybrid service is not a Mix-Up Here!!! ***** 8) Full Computer Diagnostics for TOYOTA ** LEXUS ** SCION 9) Extensive Parts Resources 10) IN-HOUSE PARTS SPECIALIST 11) We absolutely LOVE delivering to you a SMOOTH-RUNNING, RELIABLE JOB!! 12) We love to hear about the great referrals you give us *** Please Share Print this on bright colored paper and hand out with every invoice or estimate!!

I recently bought a used bender for $1700. works great. Also bought about 10 sticks of pipe, a few mufflers and converters, and did a $565 job on a 99 4 cyl. Ranger this week. When you offer exhaust, it opens new avenues for service and profits.

** Case Study ** This is an actual case study from Feb. 25-27, 2015. Free rotations ** Free rotations ** Free rotations!! This is like exploratory surgery!! You can't see "nuttin" til you get the car on a lift, take the tires off and do some exploring. A lady came in Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 (we close at 6) with a coupon for an oil change service with tire rotation and inspection for $22.95. The vehicle was a 2001 Explorer AWD. She said she also had a "clanging" noise under the car, and to be sure to check the anti-freeze. I asked if she had owned the car for long and she told me "10 years." We drove it in the parking lot and heard a hell of a noise and brought it in the shop. I told her that it was unsafe to drive because it had a drivetrain problem that we would check out the next morning, and that I would provide her a complimentary rental car. She was good with that. After inspection yesterday, we found that the noise was from the front propeller shaft CV joint. During the full inspection, we found that the SUV also needed front brakes, front left hub bearing, rear brakes, brake fluid service, throttle body cleaning w/ fuel service, and a new radiator. I called her and told her of my findings, and told her the price (almost $2,000) and that I could have it ready Friday. She said to make sure there was nothing else that was needed and to please go ahead with the repairs. She got the car yesterday afternoon, and said she was very pleased with the fast service and the rental car, and I please because I gained a new client! This is why I use coupons and why I offer free rotations (Or part of the package rotations.)

At age 6 my Dad opened a NAPA AUTO PARTS store. When I was about 10-12 years old, which would have been 1964-1966, a customer needed a fuel pump to carburetor line. I cut some copper tubing for the fuel line, slid 2 inverted flare fittings on it, and flared both ends. The total charge to the customer was 50 cents. After he left. I complained to my dad that I did a lot of work for only 50 cents. My dad replied that the man who spends 50 cents today may spend 50 dollars tomorrow. After he enlightened me, I did start looking at it differently, and still think about it today.

When I was in the Diesel engine business, we shipped many blocks, cranks, rods, heads, engine kits, and engines by motor freight. I employed a salesman to call on my customers....trucking, construction, refuse companies, etc. Mike, my salesman, told me that the customer would blow a fuse if we charged freight or shipped collect. So we shipped everything "Pre-Paid," and just added the freight cost to some of the line items for the job. That way we got paid for the shipping and everyone was happy. Most of the time we do the same thing to cover car rental expenses. One day at $30 is pretty easy. Change the labor from 2.0 to 2.3 on just one R & R and that will cover it. Another tip....instead of just saying " I will get you a rental car" I say "I will provide a Complimentary car from Enterprise!" That way they know up front they don't have to pay for it. Psychology being what it is, even if they have a $1488 work order, they do not want to pay for a rental car, too. So we make it easy for them. I had a lady in this morning for an oil service and rotation on her 2001 Accord. The CEL was on. When scanned it showed a P0420 Cat code. I gave her the price and she wanted it done today. When I told her I could do it next week, because I couldn't work it in today, I could see the anxiety on her face. She was wondering how to get it done since she has a fifty minute commute. I then told her That she could come in at 5:30 Monday and I would provide the "Complimentary Rental Car," and that I could do the Cat and O2 sensors Tuesday and she could pick up her car that day. She was really happy about that, and asked me if we could do the timing belt/water pump job that we suggested a few weeks ago. Could we work it in? So I told her we could do it all along with a transmission service and power steering service. She was so happy to get a positive response that she told me she loved me (Valentine's day, right?) and thanked me for taking care of her. Obviously it will be a good ticket and she is prolonging the life of the car. It took me a while to learn how to set things up like this one, but the more you try it and do it, the better you get at it!! And the more tickets you will write and the more customers you will satisfy!!

Here is something I learned a few years ago that works great for me. If in the shop or anywhere else, if you can't remember the name of a person, ask them this question: What was your name again? If they say "Henry," then say: oh I remembered your first name, Henry, it's your last name that won't come to me. Then he'll say "Johnson," and you say: that's right....Henry Johnson!! It's sure good to see you, Ole Buddy!!! If he says "Johnson", then you say...Oh I remembered your last name Mr. Johnson....it's your first name that won't come to me. Etc., Etc. Try this a few times. Maybe it will work for you, too!!

Hello and Welcome to the Group! Main Street America Insurance Group has been my carrier for 3 years. Their price is over 50% less than others that have quoted me. Contact an independent agent in your area, or contact the Company for an agent in your area. The local agent can make recommendations as to coverage. The kind of coverage you want is the kind that pays if someone gets maimed or killed after the wheel or wheels come off a bike, etc. Always think "worst case" when buying insurance, because you want it for "worst case" real events. I now own and operate a full service auto shop, but my primary training and initial expertise came from the automotive machine shop profession. I did a tremendous amount of performance work for drag, circle, and boats, and I guaranteed my work to meet specifications, but did not warranty it against "blowing up" or guarantee them that they would win. Any other warranties would cause the shop owner to "go broke" quickly. Good luck in your venture. Please call on us for any more advice! Hi-Gear

Hi, Gene!! I'm glad you posted here! I am a fairly new member here, but I'm not new to the automotive service world. I am in a suburban area about 10 miles from a 100,000 population city. A pretty good-sized city for South Carolina. I see that you posted yesterday, and I bet lots of shop owners have read it, but only a few responded negatively. I believe we all will learn something from your postings here, as many of us are in smaller population areas, and will like hearing someone like you from a highly-competitive, densely populated area. As far as the rednecks go, I guess I'm as Southern as they come, and sometimes joke that I have more fun doing the "redneck" activities vs. the "Golf and Tennis" crowd type stuff. I have raced dirt track cars, been to mud runs, love to fish, but also occasionally attend The Masters Golf Tournament, and am a trained opera singer. We are all unique individuals with unique businesses. I value the differences that we shop owners have. Please come again!!

Hi, Sparkerauto! When you and/or anyone else read this, you may email me at [email protected], and I will send my simple but very workable and user-friendly check-in sheet to you. Like I said "Simple and Easy.' The more we work together, the more we all achieve!

I look forward to reading your plan because I will be "All Ears"........I mean "All EYES!!" I wouldn't say that my shop is a start-up....I have been here 10 years on a 24,000 car count main street in my town. The name of the street i'm located on is Main Street. I also wouldn't say that I'm a "Struggling" shop, although sometimes I can say that I struggle to run it with the precision of an aircraft engine machining and rebuild shop, and with the general goings-on of running a service business. I was in my former town and location for 38 years. I look for small victories every day, and relish challenges and problem solving. We all should strive to learn and achieve more each day!! Thank you in advance for putting your thoughts, experience, time and effort into the "plan" you will present to us!!

M-Spec, I certainly agree that we want our "target" customers. I was not implying that we would do the job while they waited. We give rides to and from our shop, and also have Enterprise right across the street from us. Recently we had a 2006 Mailbu brought in by a lady who wanted an oil change, tire rotation, and inspection. After a conversation with her, and after inspecting her car, she agreed to have $3400 in work done. No engine or transmission work. She called someone to pick her up, and her car was ready 2 days later. I believe that everyone gets "coupon masters" that only will get the special, but that is par for the course when you advertise a low priced item or service in any business. One special that I run is something I advertise as the "Hit the Road Special." It includes alignment, oil change, balance and rotation, scan for codes, a/c and heat check, and full inspection. It is advertised for only $129.95, but the very first response was a $920.00 sale, the second was $129.95, and the third was $1880.00. I have found that when they ask for the "Hit the Road" Special, they are planning to Hit the Road and they are ready to invest in their car. All of us here have different business plans, personnel, facilities, and locations. I enjoy hearing from others, regardless of content or subject matter, and will share when I feel it's appropriate. Actually this forum is the only "give and take" that I have outside my own personnel, as I seldom talk with any other shop owners.

If I worked for Home Depot and my sister or best friend came in to buy something, I would be very, very helpful and would charge the regular Home Depot price. That would be my only choice, because that price is dictated by Home Depot. When we work up the invoice at the shop, our price is dictated by the "total" at the bottom. My niece came in 2 weeks ago to buy 4 tires for her 530i BMW, and she paid full price for the tires and alignment. My overhead is not reduced a certain percentage for certain customers, so I seldom reduce the price. I am a preferred provider for the local hospital system (which I pay a yearly fee for), and their employees receive a 10 % discount, and that is a good thing! The program brings me lots of business. One thing that helps me with the friend and family discount scenario, is that I started in my Dad's NAPA store when I was 6, and he never gave any kind of friend/family discount ever. So that last 54 yrs. of doing it that way colors my thinking compared to the experience of a fairly new shop owner or shop owner couple. Some folks are new in business and some of their friends/family may want to ride that relationship onto a discount, but I think it needs to be handled with exemplary service instead of a discount. Discounts can kill the bottom line. Genuine Parts Company (GPC) put out a booklet in the 1960's entitled "Daily Controls for Month-End Profits." A couple things it focused on were controlling your overhead and and offering cut-rate pricing. I often think of that booklet when I am pricing jobs, looking at daily numbers, and in general running my business.

We definitely believe in "Upselling!!!" BUT, you've gotta have a car on the lift to sell 'em anything. We get 'em on the lift with ads for low-priced oil change service WITH tire rotation and WITH Complimentary free safety inspection. If a car has never been in before, we advise the client (we don't use the term "customer") what the car needs, price it, and sell it. Our attitude is that they will DO IT NOW, DO IT LATER, or NOT DO IT. We give them a choice, and ask them if they want us to go ahead and take care of it. And WAIT for the answer. There are so many cars that need a lot of work. We just gotta get 'em in to get 'em done!! P.S. We always give them a print-out of the estimate for any work suggested but not performed. We have had these estimates brought in up to 2 years later wanting to get it done.

I've never heard of "Repairpal," and I've owned this location for 10 years.

Either I or my service adviser (assistant manager) answer the phones. I found that an unknowing (little to no automotive experience) assistant answering the phone was like this: 1) answer phone 2) "I'm not sure....I don't know....not really....uhhhh....let me get Steve for you." So you see, I was answering the phone anyway. I was paying her $550 per week and she had been with me for 10 months. It was "re-train every day!!!" So I now save $550 per week and Ronnie or I answer the phone. I would rather the phone not get answered (doesn't happen often) than for my client or potential client to get a dumb ass on the phone. How many of you have called a company and gotten dumb asses on the phone when you really wanted to talk with someone that could count to 10? I would rather be busy and aggravated on my own without worrying about what a newbie is saying or not saying.

I had an old Hunter machine that was in the shop when I bought it in 2005. In 2013 I was looking into buying a new Hunter machine for around $30,000. I would have needed financing. A salesman came by and told me about the CEMB machine, and it looked very good. CEMB is a Swedish company and is huge, Their USA office is in Gainesville, GA. I bought it and paid cash and have had no payments on it!!! It has been fantastic and we do from 4 to 9 alignments per day.

We have a policy that if a repair bill, not counting tires, is $300 or more, then the client is entitled to a rental car free of charge for one day (only if necessary.) We have a deal with the local rental company (Enterprise) where we get cars for $30 per day. We will take our client to Enterprise for the car with the understanding that if they don't return it on time, then they pay the difference. We have a charge account with Enterprise, but we take a $30 check to them for the first day. That way my client sees us pay for it, and sees the benefit to them. I had a lady to come in this past Monday A.M. She had a bad radiator in her 2008 Mini-van. Being on her way on an out-of town business trip, she had no other way but her van. When I told her about my courtesy car policy, she had her problem solved. I sent the $30 check and when she returned Friday she paid the other days. Her bill with me for repairs turned out to be a $788 invoice. The shop supplies charge was $22.88 so the rental car only cost me $7.12 since I charged for anti-freeze on the R-O. Her husband came in with her to personally thank me for providing transportaion to his wife. I thought about having 2 or 3 loaner cars, but with Enterprise the client gets a new car with a full gas tank, and I have no, zero, zilch, liability because it is rented in the client's name. I just pay for it. Sometimes a car comes in at say....2 to 3 in the afternoon, and needs work that will make a pretty good invoice. If we cannot service it the same day, I will offer a free car til the next day. This assures I get the job, and the client knows we care. I have had as many as 6 cars at a time rented. It had proven to be very profitable, popular, and client-retaining!!