GobblesAuto

We also install new seal kits. I don't charge more labor but I do charge for a new seal kit. I added a few bucks to all my tire services a few years ago to try to recover cost associated with TPMS and I try to use my hourly service tech for tire work.

Ask Mitchell about Service Intelligence

I don't think we should participate with these types of web pages. These hurt our industry. Prices are already too low and sites like these try to supress prices. Very few shops charge enough to provide benefits, purchase tools, purchase information, provide training and retain a decent profit. These sites are not helping us at all. I had my television repaired recently $110.00 per hour and his tools fit in a tool pouch. Watched him pull the back off the TV and snap in a new circuit board. We need to realize how valuable we are and make a decent living for ourselves and our employees. If we don't allow these sites to control our industry they won't.

I have heard the Autologic is the best but expensive. Might be worth looking at. I do not have it but I have heard it was the best European scanner if you can't afford OEM. http://www.autologic-diagnostics.com/diagnos/pages/homeproducts I tried out the Bosch KTS340 and it is a nice tool as well. Cost $5200 I liked it better than the Launch but it is more expensive.

The bags come in different sizes but average cost is $3.00 per bag (one bag per wheel)

We have used them successfully on large truck tires and mud terrain Jeep tires.

Hey I would love to meet them. I understand wanting Dad to take care of things. If I can ever help them I would be glad to. I will make sure they are well taken care of. Lee University is a great school and a lot of talented folks come from there. Have a great week. Tony Gobble

Hey I am in Cleveland, TN. It is a nice town. Where do your daughter and son-in-law go for auto service? Cleveland is still a small town, I might know them. Tony Gobble www.gobblesauto.com

This should be sold to the customer. If the customer is in the waiting room it would be good to show the customer what needs to be done and why. I understand the writers apprehension but we need to realize it is the customers problem not ours. Our shop is gulty of eating things like this when we should not. There are times we do need to eat things but we should reserve that to times we make mistakes or just overlook something we should not have.

Yes we are rotating!

We have now re-opened Saturdays

I have now re-opened on Saturday from 8:00 - 1:00 and we are keeping our extended hours on Tuesday and Thursdays til 7:00 pm

No sorry

My sales pattern was the same as yours. January - Feb Strong March - OK April - off the cliff (down about 30% from last April) Seems to be picking back up but still not where I need it

We also had a rotation schedule but I still think there is a degree of burn out. I also think that since we were here only half a day employees tend to think it is not a day to push hard. I found that when I wasn't here they would tend to say that (whatever car came in) is too involved for Saturday and they would only take oil changes, tires, brakes etc.... Which is OK if there is enough of it but if it is slow we needed to get what was there. When I worked I would have better days even though we would probably not get out at 1 as scheduled. This was not the case on a week day I could leave and they know what needs to be done but since Saturdays were 1/2 days and reduced staff I think it was a coast day unless I was there. I am sure this is probably a lack of effective management and could have been overcome. I just got tired of it and I had other shops across the country telling me not to open on Saturday. I do not regret closing except I understand that the market may drive us to open at some point. Back in my teens I used to work for a grocery store and they were closed on Sundays but due to competition I think that is unheard of now days for a grocery store but then again look at chick Fil-a they are all closed on Sundays so it is possible to be successful without following all the trends if you offer a great product and value when you are available.

I struggle with this as well. My business mind says I should be open but.... I was open on Saturdays from 9 - 1 for 3 years. Some Saturdays were good and some were not (If I did not work those Saturdays were usually not so good). When I started closing on Saturdays my gross sales did not go down. I felt that since I was losing 4 hours on Saturday I would extend my hours during the week 4 hours so that is how I ended up open late for two evenings. It has taken awhile for it to catch on but I do get some business by being there late. Even if no work comes in after 5 it allows us 2 nights a week to get other work out so these days can be more productive. I definitely like this schedule better than working weekends. I do have competition open on Saturday. Tire stores, Walmart, Sears, Ford dealer, Honda Dealer, Toyota Dealer, Express Oil Change and others. I might possibly go back to a Saturday schedule when my kids get a little older but right now I enjoy the time off and if I can make enough during 5 days I plan to keep it that way. My emplyees are much happier not working Saturdays and most customers will schedule during the week. We try to make it as easy as possible with free shuttle service or even a free rental or low cost rental depending on the service. You have to draw the line somewhere we could be open 24 hours a day.

Sell TIRES!!!

We are open on Tuesday and Thursday until 7 pm. We are not open Saturdays.

I pay mine 9% of Gross Profit.

What we are thinking: Hire a facilitator to conduct monthly meetings / Training by webinar. Share Benchmarks and key performance indicator numbers (composite). Have a group blog for ongoing interation and topics for discussion. Gary Gunn currently has a similar program but we are wanting to research for other options if they are available.

Does anyone participate in a web based 20 group? I have a small group that is interested in joining or forming a 20 group that would meet by webinar monthly. This group is not interested in any travel. Please give me some feed back. Thanks, Tony Gobble Gobble's Automotive

Issa, Do you work with your dad now? You can learn a lot by listening to others experiences as well as your dad I am sure. Good luck Tony Gobble www.gobblesauto.com [email protected]