xrac

My biggest disappointment was that I never heard anything back from Rotary about the failure.

It is o.k. with me!

Good stuff! Thanks! Your $59 is very similar to what we have done. Our basic diagnostic charge is one hour ($78) but we have been running a perpetual discount special of 40% off which makes it $46.80. This is the way we have competed with the "free diagnostic" shop. It has been effective for us.

Keith, that is really good information you posted and very similar to what I have experienced. Could you expand a little upon diagnosis and using it as a lose leader. How are you doing that? Also I want to say I really like your website. It may be the fastest loading, running site that I have ever visited. I really like that.

Fo example most consumers do not know that if they use a second line suspension part such as a ball joint or a second line hub bearing assembly that there is a good chance the repair may need to be repeated in 6 months to 2 years. That has been our experience and has taught us to use Moog, TRW, or OEM parts for suspension and National, BCA, and Timpken on hub assemblies. Sure they may save 50% on the part today but if the part is $25 and the labor is $150 labor and it has to be repeated in a years there is no savings. My experience tells me that most of the internet shoppers and people bringing their own parts trying to sdave a buck wind up paying more in the long run. They also drive around with cars that aren't repaired properly and with cars that have multiple problems. We are not doing them any favors by installing their parts.

Do you think that the media will use this as proof that hand guns should be banned. This sounds like the makings of a story for Gonzo! Local News | Man accidentally shoots himself in testicles | Seattle Times Newspaper

Do you support Arizona's tough new law on illegal immigration? Answer this one question: msnbc.com U.S. & World News - Do you support Arizona's tough new law on illegal immigration?

Inspiration for Today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSdGYY9wgn4

Joe I agree with you on customer supplied parts. We make exceptions for extenuating circumstances like you described or occasionally when we are really slow. We have been an installer and shipping point for Tire Rack for more than 10 years and we are also signed up as installers with Discount Tire and Tire-Easy. Tire sales are only about 15% of our total sales. I see the Tire Rack customers as a way to have someone new walk in the door without spending any money on advertising. Those customers often are higher income customers with higher end vehicles. We sometimes wind up doing alignments, brakes, etc. Some of those people we turn into regular customers. It has been a good strategy for us to pursue.

Inspections are very important to our business. If your place is like ours we have to constantly work with our technicians. Here is some points that may be helpful. Service bay inspection: 27 points of profitability http://www.moderntiredealer.com/News/Story/2010/06/Service-bay-inspection-27-points-of-profitability.aspx

This was written by Alan Caruba on his blog called warning signs: Warning Signs

Good move Joe. With you writing ability you are a natural for this. I predict great things. Just remember me if you need some help!

What can I say Gonzo. I love stuff like that. Thanks!

The phone is absolutely critical. At our shop 90% of the phone calls are answered by either myself or my service manager. We are both very good (just my opinion) at dealing with people on the phone and talking them into the shop. In addition once per month we are mystery shopped by Car-x and recorded and scored accordingly. This helps us to know if something isn't what it should be. You might try having a friend or family member anonymously shop you by phone and record the results.

And double AMEN!

When I saw this I was very thankful no one was injured when we had our lift failure.

Here is a candidate that I could support. This is Lt. Col. Allen West speaking on illegal immigration. The money quote:

More Golf Stories

Car-x was originally a Muffler and Brake specialist. When we bought the franchise it was Car-x Muffler and Brakes. We bought a bender and had overhead torches available in each bay and had a mig welder. We also bought and stocked about $20,000 worth of mufflers, converters, direct fit pipes, and assorted exhaust parts. We found out the first year that that model would not work. We no longer stock anything but a few basic mufflers, converters, stainless steel tips, and some straight pipe. We still do exhaust work and do some custom exhaust mostly duals on pickup trucks.

Embezzler Gets Time for Massive Tire Store Thefts http://www.tirereview.com/Article/74040/embezzler_gets_time_for_massive_tire_store_thefts.aspx

Their fit is not that good but again we can cut, weld, bend, and swell pipe so we make stuff work.

We have almost never had that problem. Most of the parts we are using come through Goerlich/Catco.

RickM, it is good to have a fellow Kentuckian (I am originally from Kentucky) on board and someone so close to me. I hope o meet you in person one day. WELCOME!

You know we use mostly universal cats because we have all of the exhaust shop stuff and it is more profitable for us. Is the failure you are experiencing related to triggering check engine soon light, performance, or failing emissions test. As I have stated earlier we do not have emissions testing or state inspections so that may be why we don't see as many problems. The issue we have to be concerned with is a rattling converter (coming apart) or performance. We do not experience very many issues. However, it is my understanding that there are only 3-4 converter manufacturers. Is that correct?