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xrac

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Everything posted by xrac

  1. We had something similar a few weeks back on a 95 Avalon. After we wasted a couple of hours my guys said it was a wiring problem. The wiring in this car was a mess and all esposed and they didn't want to work on it. Honestly, I didn't want to work on it either but it was for a friend. The next day after talking to a guy who use to work for me I had a one of my guys check compression. Bingo!
  2. I would say that at least 50% of the phone shoppers don't have a clue as to what they really need. They just have personal wild guesses or a wild guess someone threw at them.
  3. Understand that I am not a tech but I think I would check cylinder compression?
  4. I hate lifetime warranties. They were developed by some marketing guy who never worked on a car in their life. We sell a lifetime warranty on brake pads but it doesn't cover labor. The labor keeps us from losing money. It isn't my idea it is Car-x's. All it is is a way to get people back inside the shop.
  5. Have they considered how many delivery drivers would become unemployed if this works. Someone was talking to me today about the potential of using drones to deliver parts. Soon no one will be needed.
  6. Welcome! There is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum and they are more than willing to share. Good luck!
  7. We have been open 16+ years and I have never had that occur but if it did I would tell them that all parts we sell have appropriate mark up added and the cost of goods sold is not public information as it is for all businesses. We have to mark up our parts as a part of operating a business and to give us enough profit that it allows us to warranty work when a part fails. No apology necessary or needed. If tghey don't like it they can take their business elsewhere.
  8. I text message customers to call the shop if I do not reach them by phone. I also text them when the vehicle is completed. I have found it is a big time saver. We can text through our shop management software. Everyone is texts except a few older customers and a few tight wads. Most customers like it. If I am uncertain if a customer might use messaging I ask them.
  9. Didn't see anything at all in this post Gonzo so I liked it!
  10. Do you guys have a lot of problems out of Jasper. That has not been the case with us but we do not do any diesel.
  11. I think he means replace the injectors or replace the engine? If it were mine I would call Jasper and see what they will do. They may suprise you. It might still be under warranty. My cost on a Jasper engine for that is $6188. Ford's engine prices are usually right in line. If it were mine I thing I would replace the engine.
  12. Yes! The guys usually use a digital gauge. He let air out of all the tires for some time.
  13. Today we had a late model Ford Fovus with the following tire pressures: 90, 119, 134, and 150 psi. They must have had access to a bug compressor.
  14. Sell a job. Farm it out. Let the master tech buddy walk you through the whole thing.
  15. We do them all: VW, Audi, Hyundai, KIa, etc. We always install complete T-belt kits and have shop foreman check before cranking. We might have had to do one redo and fix a head in the 16+ years I have been in the business.
  16. I use a law firm fir debt collect. I have only been sued in small claims on one occasion and we won without a lawyer. Anytime there us a lawsuit the only one who wins is the attorneys.
  17. D&B was important when I ran an environmental business and needed it for bonding and contracts and establishing credit with a lot of out of town vendors. Since I have been in this business I ignore D&B.
  18. Jeff with the right attitude and a workable plan you can do. All you have to do is follow through each day.
  19. We use three different colors of plastic holders. Our holders have the attached loop that allows us to hang them. We have a 4'x8' of plywood mounted with about six hooks under each technicians name. Waiters are red pouches and drop offs are black pouches. Assigned work is hung under the technicians name with the keys in the pouch. When work is in progress the pouch is either hung on the vehicle mirror or on the lift post. When work is completed the pouches are hung on one hook at the front counter. When the customer is called the entire info and keys are moved into a green pouch without the loop which is filed in a open top file box under the front counter. Very rarely do we lose or misplace a key. We use to use clip boards but that was always a problem because of the keys and finding a way to hang them.
  20. Mitch schneider has ran a shop in Santa Monica, CA for many years and is a writer. www.schneidersauto.net/ He is no more qualified than Joe or others on this forum but his works are published. I would invest in and read these books or borrow them from the library before going forward. I think he has 8 books in all but for you these might be the most important. Sort by:Bestselling PriceAlphabeticalPublication Date Managing Dollars with Sense by Mitch Schneider (2003, Paperback) Mitch SchneiderPaperback, 2003 The High Performance Shop by Mitch Schneider (2003, Paperback) Mitch SchneiderPaperback, 2003 Operations Management by Mitch Schneider (2003, Paperback) Mitch SchneiderPaperback, 2003 Operational Excellence by Mitch Schneider (2003, Paperback) Mitch SchneiderPaperback, 2003
  21. Joe, how do you find the time to run a business and also write so many great things? Happy New Year and may 2016 be the best year of your life.
  22. I think Universal Underwriters and Zurich are for the most part the same company. Here in is this market Universal Underwriters changed the name to Zurich.


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