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DEFINITELY! I have gained knowledge, wisdom, insight, information, ideas, techniques, encouragement, etc. I have also had some laughs and inspiration. ,

My understanding is that Hofman is the same machine as John Bean but with the Hofman label. In the demonstration we saw it was not as fast as the Hunter. The big issue for us in our area was service whereas I know Hunter will be here if I need them within 24 hours. I also know the Hunter service guy quite well and he is reasonable in what he charges us for service.

Everyone of us especially if over the age of 50 need a will, a living will, advanced medical directives, and a durable power of attorney. My wife and I have all of those and have given a copy to each of our children. We also have enough life insurance to leave the other in good shape. Although my wife would be in better shape than I would be.

What do I do for fun you mean besides come on the forum and read Gonzo's stories or read "Hey Look I Found the Loose Nut". In past years I played golf, was into hunting and fishing, flea markets and rummage sales but I do not do much now except work and follow the grandkids around. One is in competitive show choir (they just finished third in the state of Indiana out of 100 schools), another is into gymnastics (second in entire state for her age and level), another is into piano, and a fourth plays basketball. There is always something going on for grandpa to go to or to help finance.

A new way of catching sharks. Use a ladder!

Considering the on going debate on health care here is some food for thought. https://fee.org/articles/stop-misusing-the-term-health-care/?utm_source=zapier&utm_medium=facebook

With all due respect you are crazy! 😬

My hat is off to you as you can't argue with success. However, may I ask if you have 1-2 bays totally dedicated to the oil change business and were these set up as quick lubes? Second, would you modify your advertising if your facility were as small as your former building? Do you do the oil change business as walkins or appointments. My problem seems to be not enough bays, too many big jobs, technicians too inefficient, etc. to take advantage of an increase in car count. Or maybe the problem is just my management ability. A couple of times I have staffed up and was ready to try to move our business beyond $1,000,000 but both times my help situation subsequently imploded. The last two years I have found it extremely difficult to find good people even hiring some I didn't really want to due to having to have somebody.

Boy wouldn't I love to have your place at my location.

How many bays and is the total sales one location? My biggest problem is having bay space and adequate staffing to really work at incresing car count.

We do sell some new ones.

Headlight restoration isn't something that we do. To do it right seems to take more time than you can charge. Some places here do them for $75 with a lifetime warranty.

What kind of response is that offer bringing you versus the offer you were running prior to January?

Have you tried other price points? Seems like a $39.95 full synthetic will be a great bargain. You are a head of the curve on offering only full synthetic. The Dexos standard is being revised and will be for full synthetic oil by August according to Valvoline.

What kind of oil do you use with that offer? Are their up charges for more expensive filters on some cars? What if people do not want to put synthetic in their car?

That would be a high guarantee for this part of the country. That would be $78,000 plus the FICA, Workmen's Comp, etc. He would cost you in excess of $100,000. He could be well worth it but all of the rock star big money techs (in their opinion) I have hired have not panned out. You must have second thoughts to post on here.

These are points well taken. The internet makes it harder for parts store and for repair shops to get the markups they need due to on-line competition.

Anderson, everything you post is worth reading.

Amazing people create amazing customers.

This is wisdom and I totally agree. My daughter and son-in-law recently wanted to "borrow" money so they could secure a loan to buy a house they had found. My son-in-law told me they would start paying it back in about 2 years. First, I only gave them about 90% of what they asked me for. I did that because I wanted them to have to sweat, dig, be creative, and work for the balance. Secondly, I told him that I gave it to him with no expectation of it being paid back. If they ever wanted to and did it that was o.k. but I had no expectation. I gave the money with an open hand. That way there would never be any anger, bitterness, hard feelings, or family issues if things were otherwise.

When we first opened our business I thought I had to offer the lowest oil change in town. At that time it was $13.60. Guess what the shop that had the $14.60 oil change was no longer in business after a few years. Meineke came to town last year and was offering a $19.95 oil change other cheap services. Guess what! They are also already gone. If a shop doesn't charge enough all the owner has created is a poor paying job for themselves. $50 per hour sounds like a lot of money until you start thinking rent, taxes, insurance, upkeep, depreciation, equipment investments, shop supplies, etc. Many shop owners start out poor and work their way up into being owners. However, many of them just scratch by working long hours including evenings and weekends maybe working 60-70 hours per week just to survive. The problem is they do not understand their cost of doing business. All they have created is a low paying job for themselves. They would make more money with less headache working for someone else.

I do not think Discount is all that cheap on tires. We usually beat their pricing on an initial quote. However, they will then always under cut you.

Oh by the way I am a very rich man. I may not have $1,000,000 cash but I have a wife that I love and who loves me and we have been MARRIED 43 1/2 years. I have three wonderful children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear, a warm bed to sleep in, and a full belly. I just got back from a trip to Fort Lauderdale where I dined like a king and stayed in a 4 star resort. I am healthy enough to get up and go to work today. I have a successful business. I have no complaints. Come to think of it in more ways than one I am a millionaire.

Gonzo when I read this last night I thought about reading your stories. I think it would lift our spirits and I could be thankful that I haven't dealt with all of the crazy things that you have.