totalautocare

How do you train your advisors and your technicians on time management? We're a small shop (2 bays, 1 advisor, 1 tech and myself who doesn't wrench). I was asked today if we could call in an additional technician to help with the extra work tomorrow. I asked them how much work is on the schedule, they said hours of inspections and diags. I told them to inspect and diag everything in the morning and schedule out the repairs with the client from there. "Diag in the morning, repair in the afternoon" as I've heard it said and that always made sense to me. My little crew is willing to go the extra mile to get things done but don't seem to have the tools of time/scheduling management to do this as effectively as I'd like to see. Is there a resource out there to help teach the fundamentals of scheduling? Thanks.

Read something that got me revved up! A discussion regarding the laborforce shortage. Here are some of my thoughts to create a win/win for a better experience in our trade for employees, employers and the general public. I'd love to hear your ideas as well. 1. Employers and employees can both conduct themselves in a more professional manner to increase the perceived value of the public. 2. Less technical, more "people oriented" sales and leadership staff. 3. Simple and fair performance based pay structures. Ex. Fair hourly + good production incentive. 4. Work/Life balance. Labor force goes home at 5. Saturday's optional. No Sundays, ever. 5. Cut the heads off the premadonna's in the shop! Teamwork makes the dream work and if you have a problematic high performer killing the shop culture.. Give everyone else the gift of a better place to work and let that turkey go! 6. "Make them hate you on the front end". Be up front about everything! Then there's nothing to hide and no counter negotiations to deal with. This is what we do and how we'll do it and What it means for you mr. Customer. 7. Train in your clients: "This is how we do it here" and help them understand what to expect and sign for it. Ex. Mr. Customer, we'll need to run tests to determine the probable causes, the cost of these tests will be x. If you accept, please sign here. Now nobody has to ask the tech to take one for the team to get the sale. 7. Everybody needs to adopt the philosophy: "No gimmicks, games or drama! Don't deal it, don't accept it." Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

I'm going through reciepts to double check profitability. I am stumbling across instances where I am finding Joe Blow off the street getting better prices than us spending $2k per week. This is what i believe happens when a parts house knows "You're comfortable" like Ken was. Over time, if someone is paid commission's on sale (not gp) it is the natural course of what happens. You're comfortable, it's convenient, it's a product of the system. My realtor will "negotiate" for me but how intensely? If I'm asking them to take a pay cut to make a lower offer how enthusiastic will they be? Not very. Product of the system. On another example I was quoted 3 prices today for gas tank straps on a '98 Tahoe. $130, $133 and $54. I did the extra calling because no place could get it for a week. I'm glad I am not to comfortable. I'm not mad. It is what it is, they all do this and is not because I'm not just "doggedly loyal" to one vendor. Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

What do you do now? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Who uses this in aftermarket world? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Good afternoon gentlemen, Who on here has experience with the software product called "DemandForce" and what has it achieved for you? What else is it comparable to in the marketplace right now?

I'll check it out and give you feedback. Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

I've been criticized recently for efforts to increase our exposure, perceived value in our product/service offerings and strategies to increase ARO. The question I'm met with is "Don't you think you're making too much $ on every job?" These individuals saying this don't comprehend that the basic principles of business. When McDonald's began asking "would you like fries and a coke with that?" there bottom line as a company tripled over night and there customers were perfectly happy overall. There is nothing wrong with upselling. There is nothing wrong with adding convenience, quality, exposure and/or decreasing non-value adding/unnecessary costs. Go determine your business model & pricing system, be honest and go make as much money as possible with integrity! Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

I'm falling to understand this. Could you elaborate please? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Does anyone have a link to this video? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Try this for a read. http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/58d9b51da3c45/Percieved%20Value.pdf Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

If you advertise "low prices" you're asking for those who are loyal to "low prices" and not loyal to you. He did you a favor giving you this wake up call. Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

What is RLO? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

What is RLO? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

What is RLO? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

What is the best places you've found for shop equipment? For me, I've found. 1.bestbuyautoequipment.com 2.gregsmithequipment.com Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Well said Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Is there an email? You might get more help from others to do it. Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Does Mitchell have an option or a work around to track declined services? If not, what software out there does? Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

People wanting to come in and talk to you and spend time with you it's really a blessing. You make your business run by developing a fanbase and you shouldn't be complaining about having people who like you enough to take time out of their day and hang out with you. Be grateful for that. Politely let them know that you have to get back to work so you can talk to him the next day! Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

I'vebeen there. Here's how we addressed it, we enhanced our presentation process! We began saying basic things such as "if we were to bring your car mechanically back up to 100% ..." In saying it that way.. - They don't feel like the car is junk. - They don't feel threatened. - The door is open for them to bring it "completely up to code" or "what can be done now vs later". You'll be very, very surprised at how many will just buy it all. So much that the few it could scare away will be made up for x10! We've also had a lot of customers think us for sharing with them everything we see as we see it. Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Perhaps having "badges" or pins for specific achievements that anyone can win at any time. For example a pin for somebody who achieves $500 ARO. It may not seem like much at first but once one guy gets it, the others will start to want it. After guys achieve it, you could create a pin for $600 ARO. I personally would have my competitions be centered around my total average dollar value of discovered services for techs and ARO + booked back appts for advisors. Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Yes and we've had good experiences. Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

I would bet that major aftermarket part, tool and tire manufacturers would be willing to step up. Snapon, Napa and Firestone might fight. Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Couldn't agree more with Mspec. Have your pricing, terms and plans ready for discussion, go find out who the decision makers are in the organizations are that you're targeting and go get em!