xrac

Gonzo, the car for me is a 1993 Plymouth Voyager that we keep fixing because the lady can't afford anything else.

What is near this intersection? Are there retail businesses, offices, apartments? Is there a stoplight at the intersection? Did the now closed gas station offer automotive repairs? How long has it been closed? Why did it close?

I like that!

I like that!

Ever see how the first thing a shop buzzard (that's what they are in Kentucky not Vultures) does after the tow truck drops it is grab the keys out of the ignition. Stupidest thing I have ever seen but it happens all the time. Then they have us hunting for the keys.

Nice to know that I am not the only one that things happen to at 5:00.

Their rep was by our shop promoting it this week.

Great to hear!

That is one way of looking at it but here is another. Remember the value of a new customer is not the profit on an oil change or the profit from one set of tires. The average customer spends between $600-$1100 annually according to the data I have read. If a message board helped me gain a new customer once a week at the low end that computes to a potential $31,000 in additional sales and at the high end that is $57,000. A $30K message board would allow me to reduce my advertising costs I suspect by $4K-$5K annually. The results from the increase in business and my reduced advertising costs would lead me to believe that I could pay for a sign in less than 5 years. One local shop reported a 20% increase in business since the addition of a message board. I am located on one of if not the busiest retail strip in our area. I suspect that a message board would be well worth the investment.. The cost of a message board needs to be amortized over the course of its lifetime. The investment becomes paid advertising week after week, month after month, year after year. In a sense a message board is nothing more than prepaid advertising if utilized properly.

The big question is what is Monroe's long term plans. Prior to acquiring Car-X Monroe has only had company owned locations no franchises. I do not know if Monroe plans to move into franchising or if they have long term plans of acquiring the Car-x locations as owners retire. The word currently is that Car-x operations will not change. However, I can see Car-x locations moving deeper into tires as Monroe is a strong aggressive operator in that market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKsW6c_CgFY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKsW6c_CgFY

Headed to Destin, Florida, the week of June 20. 12 of us in all.

CARX owners are optimistic that Monroe will be a better franchiser than Tuffy. Tuffy was in trouble and I think they had to sell. Monroe us very aggressive and has been acquiring more locations.

Nobody is that desperate.

I had a guy like that once. Don't remember what the part was but it was only something like $40-$50 and I told him that if he bought the part we would install it for free. He went ballistic, was absolutely nuts.

Life is too short to live wtih bad apples. One bad apple in the barrel will make all the apples rot.

I just had a guy with a bad attitude quit. The shop is so much more pleasant.

Hurrah for you! I need to do the same thing. I am about 90% out of service writing now.

That is scary because I usually use either the Dayco or Gates kit. We are installing a Dayco kit on a Chevy Aveo today.

Gonzo you need to be more rude!

I think that is an higher than average selling price. Do you do many tires?

If you have a discount tire near you you can actually check their pricing on line and see if you are competitive. Most tire people try to make about $100-$150 on a set of four tires.

The first was couples hanging around together. I am not sure about the current.

I like that answer but would add beach volleyball.

A few years ago one of my technicians got involved with another technicians wife. It evolved into just short of fisty cuffs in the shop. I told them one of them had to go and they should decide. It wound up with the best technican (who was the offending party) quitting. It looks like I may have the same thing developing again and again it involves my best tech. Any of you ever face this and if so what did you do?