Chuck

We do the 30/30, 30 feet or thrity seconds which ever comes first.....lol. Seriously though we also do the 12/12. No warranty on labor or parts if used even if we supply it. I offer that option to my customer but make sure they understand. After reading some of the situations posted above I see a common situation which can usually be avoided if your service writer/counter person does a good job explaining what is and isn't covered when an job is performed. We all have THOSE customers who expect something for free, but once again my service writer handles those situations easily due to the fact that upon the initial job everything we see is documented on the customer invoice. As for what Alfred just typed, we won't let customers tell us to replace parts without US diagnosing. If they wont pay my diag fee then I don't want them as a customer. I have seen first hand who loses when a customer self diagnoses his vehicle and supplies a part. If it doesn't work then the shop who did the work doesn't feel good about the repair and neither does the customer. Those customer usually leave and give negative publicity. Although it wasn't the shops fault, who pays the price when slandered. My .02c

My tech's seem to keep their tool truck time within reason so it isn't a problem for me. I work on my tool providers vehicles. Not only do I do work for my Snap-On and Matco tool drivers, but they have been a great help when I need a tool that I do not have. Either of my tool reps will drive across town on an off day to hand deliver a tool I might need that they have on their truck. I have heard of other shops locally here that are a bit more stern when it comes to the working relationship of tool trucks and shops being productive. Personally I think the tool trucks have saved me more time that they have cost me by going above and beyond when it counts. Different for every tool driver though I suppose.

Just setting up the price matrix. I see that you can charge a higher rate for better profit margins on lower cost parts. When I compare those prices to walk in retail cost it seems hard to beat my suppliers over the counter deals. Do you find your own suppliers in your own areas being competetive with your parts prices? Does it matter?

Hello everyone! My name is Chuck and I own an automotive repair/street rod shop here in Oregon. We repair about 75% daily drivers and 25% street rods and customs. I have owned the shop for 9 years now and still have a lot to learn. I found the website when I was looking up information on parts pricing matrix's. I have been reading through some of the forum and seeing that no matter where you rest your head in the world, we all have the same customers! I have been in the service industry for 20 years. I hope to learn more from everyone here and help in anyway I can. CHEERS!

I see the internet playing a huge part in all this. Absolutely agree.