xrac

Th Here is a thought if anyone out there is in a position to transfer assets to your children who are going to take the business over. Due to the down economy everything is worth less which has some advantages as far as avoiding paying too much taxes.

Here is a way to generate business. Tire changing con man appears to have flexible pricing Schneider: Tire changing con man appears to have flexible pricing | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal

Congratulations to the Saints. They have been door mats for many years but no longer. They deserved to win. Sorry Peyton but the interception and the first half dropped pass were the game.

Sometimes things like this happen:

I used the name Napoleon because he is about 5' 4" and acts like it at times. He gets really mad if I call him Napolean. My Army Ranger service manager calls him the dwarf. Hope no politically correct people are on here.

Suddenly, a cow walks out into the road, the car hits it full on, and the car comes to a stop. Nancy, in her usual charming manner, says to the chauffeur, "You get out and check--you were driving.." So the chauffeur gets out, checks, and reports that the animal is dead but that it was old. "You were driving, so you go and tell the farmer," says Nancy. Two hours later the chauffeur returns totally plastered, hair ruffled with a big grin on his face. "My God, what happened to you?" asks Nancy ?" The chauffeur replies, "When I got there, the farmer opened his best bottle of malt whisky, the wife gave me a slap-up meal and the daughter made love to me." "What on earth did you say?" asks Nancy. "I just knocked on the door and when it opened I said to them, "I'm Nancy Pelosi's chauffeur, and I've just killed the old cow."

On this same subject I cannot help but think of the time we had an older,1989 or so Chevy Suburban, come into the shop. A tech that I will reference as Napoleon was asked to check it out. Because he didn't want to work on this particular vehicle he picked it a part with a fine tooth comb and gave our service manager a very long needed repair list. The entire repair come to something like $1,300. Napoleon was sure this would create a back out. Image his surprise and aggravation and my service manager's and my glee when the customer authorized the entire repair order and Napoleon had to fix all of it.

This is another good article. As managers, service writers, owners, etc. we sometimes must be careful that we do not let our judgement about what a customer will or will not do or can or cannot afford prevent us from discussion repairs that are needed. It is easy to allow this to happen. I use to be afraid to present needed large ticket repair orders but my current service manager has helped me overcome that plus we now have a better customer base with a higher degree of trust. That helps a lot. http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Article/70488/not_selling_out_of_fear_are_you_killing_sales_out_of_kindness.aspx

The "technicians" and "shops" that tell customers to ignore check engine lights that they don't mean anything are really doing the customer and the industry a diservice. There are evidently some thatr do this because I still hear it from time to time. Probably more of a carry over thinking from the OBD1 days.

Her car was totaled in an oil change The Day - Her car was totaled in an oil change | News from southeastern Connecticut

New Jersey Repair Shop Caters to Female Customers Sorry...

Technician Takes Customer's Car on 99 mph Testdrive Sorry...

Here is more fuel for this fire. TB Service Zone Newsletter In this article the writer points out that all some shops do is clear codes and send people on their way. How many times has a customer come into your shop with a service engine soon light on who says that it has been on for months or years and "their" mechanic says it wasn't anything. Between the discount parts stores with their code readers and technicians/mechanics who don't understand diagnosis and the way cars operate today we face an up hill battle.

Wow I am glad you are back up. I was having withdrawal symptoms!

That is a good question. BUT WHY NOT. It seems to be a conflict of interest and a change in their business model.

If you are looking to hire a Tech how do you go about it? What are your best resources for finding someone? Here is what I have done and currently do: 1. Advertise in the newspaper. 2. Advertise on Career Builder. 3. Advertise on our State Work Force Development Site. 4. Talk to outside parts and tool vendor sales people to see if they know of someone looking. 5. Talk to Vocational school (only for beginner). Any different ideas?

TomH I noticed that you are an AAA approved shop. What do you think of AAA buying shops in Ohio and potentially being competitors?

A local shop (about 6 miles away from our shop) was just named Motor Age's shop of the year for the whole US. http://www.menkesauto.com/aboutus.htm. I know that they have a fleet of loaners. One reason for that is their shop is way out in the middle of no where.

Agreed! Agreed! AGREED also. Joe, you have a perfect vehicle for this with this site and your website.

That is too much! Thanks for a smile!

Ducks quack and Eagles soar but people with too much time on their hands plan complex wild and crazy stunts.

Midas acquires 22 N. Calif. Midas shops ITASCA, Ill. (Jan. 26, 2010) — Midas Inc. has acquired 22 Midas automotive service shops in northern California in connection with a settlement between franchisee Maurice Glad and the California Attorney General and Bureau of Automotive Repair. Go to www.tirebusiness.com.

That is a great story.

This vehicle was designed and intentionally programmed to shut out the independent repair shop from the system. Our government has to do something! We need to support right to repair.

Some of you may find this video amusing: