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Hands On

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Everything posted by Hands On

  1. Hands On
    You have to be as smart as an electrical engineer, with the knowledge base of a doctor, working in conditions similar to a garbage man, for the same salary as a garbage man.
  2. Hands On
    I worried about the disconnect a service writer would create between my customers and myself. What I do is still remain at the shop to greet customers and discuss repairs. As soon as the conversation turns to price I say "I will have (service writer name) work you up an estimate." This immediately takes me out of the equation for pricing and I avoid that situation where I might want to discount something for someone I have made an emotional connection with. If my write is not available I will say "Let me see what the computer says that costs." This again takes me personally out of the pricing equation and puts the blame for the "mean high price" on the computer. These are just ways I make it easier for me to live with charging what I need to in order for the shop to survive.
  3. Hands On
    After they get the first repair bill they will learn how to program our shop address into the computer.
  4. Hands On

    Hands On

    Hands On posted a Community Map marker in Members

  5. Hands On
    What happened? What's TireHub?
  6. Hands On
    I would start off with at least one helper of some sort. I thought the same way when I started out, but you can not support big boy shop expenses with one person, and it is not safe to work alone all day. Bottom line you will not make any money unless at least two people are producing repairs; unless you plan on living in the shop, taking cash only, and paying no taxes.
  7. Hands On
    Can not beat that for rent. There have been other posts about specializing in a make or model. General consensus has been why start off limiting your customer base.
  8. Hands On
    Will you owe when it is done? Any idea what your monthly rent/mortgage ect would be when all said and done?
  9. Hands On
    I don't have any research to back this up but I think you will need more then 3 bays to break even on new construction.
  10. Hands On
    I have been giving Zip Recruiter a try. I had them send me an email promising a refund in writing if it does not pan out, so far nothing, I get lots of applications from folks with experience in oil fields and fork lifts. @Mike the Mechanic Thank you for this, I added a lot of it to my ad, hopefully it gets me more results. What platforms have you guys had success with in finding new recruits?
  11. Hands On
    something I just thought of for the original poster though, those rusted lug nut are an opportunity to tell the customer you just noticed they would not be able to change a tire on the road if they needed to use their spare tire. Then you could charge labor and new lug nuts.
  12. Hands On
    If all you are doing to a car is the tire rotation that is a problem. You have to offer it to regulars as a service sure, but if it starts to become part of your meat an potatoes something is wrong
  13. Hands On
    I do not stress over tires. The profit per hour is not worth chasing in my small shop. I offer them so my customers know they can one stop shop, but I refuse to try to compete with chains, it is not possible. That being said, if everyone reading this joined me in a buyer's group to grab certain sizes then we could make something happen.
  14. Hands On
    I run my own Google ad words and I work my butt off to make sure I have good reviews. I run Yelp ads and again work off butt to make sure Yelp reviews are too notch. Beyond that community events, Facebook posts, and boots to the pavement introducing yourself should cover the bases these days. If you have a larger shop more then 4 lifts I think you have to run some coupon shoppers to keep the bats filled. Just keep in mind coupon customers need to be hand held through the process of you want any chance of converting them. Local radio shows have also helped us fill the gaps.
  15. Hands On
    Thank you for the excellent and well thought out post. Before the thread gets to far off topic, I need a new tech. Is anyone willing to help me write an advertisement or help me with postings, over the phone or through e-mail?
  16. Hands On
    I need to find some employees fast and I am having no luck, anyone willing to help me write an advertisement or help me with postings, over the phone or through e-mail, please let me know. Just found this, not feeling good about this. https://www.indeed.com/forum/job/automotive-technician/can-t-do-it-anymore/t459836
  17. Hands On
    In case you missed it, the job is done, turned out great for all parties involved.
  18. Hands On
    Yes I imagine a lot of shops would have turned him away, and possibly did before he made it back to my door. For me, running the shop is not just about making a buck, but also about providing a needed service to the community. I helped a young kid out of a tough situation and felt really good about it after. We do things like this on occasion, it helps keep me grounded and humble. We also sometimes make the news for the nice things we do. https://issuu.com/consumerreport/docs/cvcrjan2018
  19. Hands On
    In the end we got the car assembled and running, and made money, worked out well in the end.
  20. Hands On
    They responded: Yes, what is nominal to the customer for the convenience of using their card is huge for you! A $29.00 oil change would be $29.00 if they paid cash, pay with a card, it a $1.00 is added as a price adjustment. The change in the law allows you to avoid the fees. Call me at 470-377-6375 and we can cover it in 2 minutes or less. If he gave me real life numbers that is .97 to the customer.
  21. Hands On
    I am looking for these hard answers. I would love advice on how to write an ad. As I am a tech myself I am starting to think I should focus on looking for someone who will work flat rate that can part swap on European vehicles and some minor diagnostic work. How do I attract this person.
  22. Hands On
    I am too nice.
  23. Hands On
    I am working on this. The photo you saw of the family was done by a professional. It was to duplicate a photo for the band that was playing at our annual party next year. We went to the exact location the band did their shoot and he used filters to get the same effects they had. The poster he designed turned out awesome, but seen out of context I see what your saying.
  24. Hands On
    Put in my spam e mail, will see if they respond. Frustrating if they do bill the customers that they would not mention that on the website.
  25. Hands On
    +1 on the snap scan. Mine came with a rack filer program that organizes everything. I still throw the paper into a bin in case the tax man wants hard copies, but dont waste anytime organizing that bin.

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