ajnealey

I too was a Honda tech at an independent shop for a decade. Went on my own and found out I could not survive on just Honda work alone. I'm working on everything....and successfully too! Just had our best month ever this past July. My wife has now left her day job to work with me and we are looking to move out of our one bay operation. Exciting times. I have made investments in tooling, but honestly, I can't remember a vehicle I have not been able to service and repair correctly. A really good J2534 pass through device gives you access to OEM diagnostic tooling...that's huge! We do it all, except major body work. We have alignments and state inspections done at another shop for us. We like to be the YES shop. I do enjoy the challenge of getting to know other makes. Currently an ASE master tech, but foresee myself transitioning out from under the hood within the next couple of years. AJ

I'll keep you guys updated on RLO's service advisor training course. First class is this Thursday. AJ

I just signed my wife up for a service advisor training course through RLO Training. It starts the first week of August. It's an online based training course, really excited about it. I'll be taking it with my wife as well and I'm sure I'll learn a ton myself. My wife has an incredible work ethic and hope to have her up to speed to take over the counter and the front end of the shop. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. But may not be too late to sign up your helper if interested. AJ

ATEQ VT55. I have not had one vehicle I couldn't reprogram/reset with it. I also have a cradle to program the Dorman Multi-Fit sensors. I can actually program these Multi-Fit sensors with the original sensor ID's. By doing that, there is no need to reprogram the module for the new sensor ID. Pretty slick.

I know with AutoVitals, it can integrate with other SMS'. Even if they currently don't support one that you use and you have the coin, they will do it for you. I actually wear a headlight and use that as my "flash". They also make a light that plugs into the audio jack that some people have had success with. As far as typing, very rarely do I need to type. Just click away. The speech to text feature comes in handy when I need to though.

Started using AutoVitals this year. The customers freaking love it! It's been a game changer for our business and has elevated our service above the rest. I do notice it is a very buggy software on the iPad. Anybody else have this issue? If I take a picture on the iPad, sometimes it becomes very hard to scroll and select other items. I usually have to save the inspection, then reopen it. Overall extremely happy! AJ

Bringing this topic back up. Currently researching trade shows as well. I'm looking for one geared more towards training and education. Found one called NACE/CARS that looks about right up my alley. Thoughts? Went to AAPEX a couple years ago but the seminars they look to offer this year seems more suited to specialty equipment and collision repair. Maybe more seminars will be added closer to the show? Mainly looking to get my wife up to speed on the industry as she will be leaving her day job and joining me in the business. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! AJ

iATN just launched a service that could help you out. Got an e-mail about it yesterday. It's a service call iATN Auto Pro Careers. Here's a link: https://iatn.net/careers

Just switched to MotoLogic here. I was bundled with AllData before with Manage, Repair and Mobile for $274 a month. $170 of that was for the repair and mobile that I was barely using and was frustrated to use when I had to. Switched to MotoLogic at $99 a month. I'm a lot happier. I like how the data comes directly from the OEM. I didn't care for the way the data was laid out in AllData. But YMMV. Especially when it comes to wiring diagrams...I'm a happy customer!

That 20-30% figure is AFTER you pay yourself and is what the business generates on net.

AllData Manage Online user here. It's different compared to the AllData Manage DVD version. I freaking love it. All cloud based and is continually updated with improvements on the fly. My wife (who has no experience what-so-ever in the industry) has started using it and finds it pretty intuitive. I now have her putting together estimates, invoicing customers, taking care of the CRM, ordering parts, etc. It is subscription based at $104 per month...but the productivity numbers are well worth the investment! Way cheaper than another employee. Because it's cloud based, I could be on the road with an iPad or even my iPhone and could look up customer info, put estimates together, order parts, etc. Also get up to three user logins. My wife and I have our own so we can work on separate computers at the same time. AJ

Been doing a lot of research on parts margins and currently use a matrix for my parts that I'm happy with. I'm curious though, what are your margins for things like fluids? engine oil, coolant, etc.? I'm getting almost 35% GPM on engine oil, my biggest consumable. And I use a flat 50% GPM for all other fluids. Oil filters, another big consumable. If I put oil filters through the parts matrix, oil change prices sky rocket. I've been keeping them at list if it's a dealer sourced part or 50% GPM if it's aftermarket. Also, how about batteries? I'm currently at 30% GPM Tires? I fluctuate between 10%-20% GPM on my own matrix Just curious what other shop owners are doing. Thanks! AJ

Ditto on reverse flushing method for brakes. I use one made by Phoenix, love it.

I'm in Maryland

Another good topic on loaner cars here. Anyone else care to share your experiences if you're using one? Thanks! AJ

Bringing this back up from the dead. Looking to get a loaner car for the shop. Just want to make sure I cover all bases. How do you insure it? Personal or through business? What kind of info do you need/get from customer? Any info to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, AJ

Cool, got my Zebra printer set up. Designed my own label using their label design software on my Snap On Verus scan tool which I also use for my SMS, Alldata, etc. I can open the template, hit print, asks me for mileage and date, then it spits out a label. I can change the layout daily if I wanted to. Logo is on it with all of my information as well. Freaking love it! If you're using a desktop computer daily for everything else and you have a spare USB port, you might as well save yourself $300 and just buy the printer itself. You can always custom order a roll of static cling labels with a color logo on it if you'd like. Just my 2 cents! AJ

So I just purchased a Zebra 2824 plus printer and clear static cling labels. I'll let you know how it goes once I set the template up on my computer. May be worth the half price. AJ

Great topic! Great read! I feel I have the proper info to handle these questions without coming off as a curmudgeon

Got it, I can see that you can purchase a Zebra 2824 plus thermal printer by itself for under $300 shipped. But companies that sell oil change stickers are selling them with a keyboard for more than double. What am I missing? Any other feedback from others who have printers would be greatly appreciated. Bringing a thread back from the dead! Thanks! AJ

Do the stickers easily remove from the windshield? Thanks! AJ

Sorry to go off topic...How do you like that Robinair Coolant XChange machine? I'm looking at investing in one. Good topic too as I'd like to start offering these services more often. Thanks! AJ