xrac

Homebuyer tax credit: the scam of the century? http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Paper-Economy/2010/0824/Homebuyer-tax-credit-the-scam-of-the-century

Here are my thoughts. Are you using book labor time? Amazingly some shops do not and most short change themselves. Can you nudge your labor time up in your market and what would be the impact. Maybe you need to go to $67 or $68? We are in a small Midwest town and our rate is $78. We are about as high as anyone here except the dealer. However, we have not gotten any negative feedback about it. Your markup on parts is too low. 35% is about what we get on dealer parts and that is as low as we go. You mark up on tires is too low. On tires I try to make at least $20 per tire plus mounting and balancing. Our installation package with disposal is $16. However, it is hard to be competitive with tires if you don't buy right. What is you shop overhead: rent/mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities?

Greg, a few years ago was service manager at a different shop. A customer came in with a problem after having been in earlier in the day and when it was diagnosed he wanted to talk to the technician who had worked on his car earlier that day. The customer who had something simple like an oil change done but now had an intake leak and needed a large repair. The guy was about 6'-5" and about 280 and the technician was about 5'-7" 150 pounds. Before Greg realized what was going on the customer was blaming the technician and threating him and it was getting heated. Greg walked out to where the guy was, stopped off to his side looking up at him smiling. When he caught the customer's eye the guy said, "what are smiling at?" Greg says, "I am just wondering how you will look stretched out on this shop floor?" The customer looked Greg up and down, never said a word, and walked out of the shop. The next day the customer called, apologized, and had them fix his car. It is nice having a Ranger on staff.

Just give them the keys and tell them to go somewhere else and to never come back. I have done that a few times. A few years ago we had a used car brought into our shop by a guy who had flown in from out of state to buy it but wanted it inspected first. It was a Jaguar as I remember. After we did the inspection we found some bolts and mounting plates missing from the transmission area with things not lined up that needed attention. Come to find out the car lot who was selling this car had had someone but a transmission in it and they had left some stuff off. We took the buyer and the car salesman out to show them what we had found. The salesman became irate because of what we found and began to cuss us and verbally slander our shop. Greg our service manager, who was an Army Ranger, told our tech to get the car down off the rack and told the salesman to get out of the shop or that he was physically going to throw him out. The guy left because one look at Greg told him that Greg meant business and was very capable of carrying out what he said.

Joe, I totally agree and I am not a New Yorker.

Jeff, you have had the misfortune of being caught in one of the worst pockets of this bad economy. However, it will not stay that way for ever. Do what you have to in the short term but keep your eye on the future. You are an experienced, resourceful, warrior.

Joe, I don't know if I am making myself clear. These are not cats that we have ever replaced before. Rather it is vehicle where we have diagnosed converter problems or where someone else (think dealer) has. Our exhaust sales the last two months have been higher than they have in years due to the number of bad converters.

Are Fewer Independent Shops Able to Service Today's Vehicles? http://www.autocarepronews.com/Article/78205/are_fewer_independent_shops_able_to_service_todays_vehicles.aspx

I am seeing a high failure rate on the factory cats.

Some of you may want to take advantage of this offer: http://www.autocarepronews.com/Article/78195/fall_into_more_business_with_a_free_fall_car_care_month_banner.aspx

We have replaced more catalytic converters in the last 6 weeks than at anytime in our history. Quite a few high end cars have been involved. What is going on? Do you think the extreme heat we have been having is part of the reason?

This is not good news.

1 dead at Big O Tire shooting in Monument http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=147611&catid=188

Steve Wynn Takes On Washington http://www.infowars.com/steve-wynn-takes-on-washington/ You have got to watch this!

Great Video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTb6qdPu8JE&feature=player_embedded

Alex, thanks for the heads up. By the way I think you do a great job!

I met a fairy today who granted me one wish. "I want to live forever " I said. "Sorry" said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant wishes like that!" "Fine" I said, "I want to die when the Browns win the Super Bowl!" "You crafty bastard," said the fairy.

Unfortunately that is true. Shops love to down each other. However, in the long run that makes us all look worse. It is nice to be able to be on a forum like this and try to help each other, learn from each other, vent our frustration, and laugh at Gonzo's crazy stories.

Tim, welcome to the forum. It is good to have you! If you can give Geez some help I am sure it would be appreciated. I know quite a bit about General Liability insurance but have no exposure to how that shakes out in the performance end of this business.

Don't a bad idea. I sent my favorite parts person (female) some home grown tomatoes last week.

Limit all US politicians to two terms: One in office One in prison Detroit and Chicago already do this.

Just before Chelsea's marriage, Hillary spoke with her daughter. Hillary wanted to play the perfect Mom. She asked Chelsea ... "Have you had sex with Marc?" Chelsea said.... "Not according to Dad!"