xrac

Charging a flat $11.99 on most jobs but more on larger jobs. Current software doesn't allow me to charge a percentage but I am changing software and will probably charge at least 5% with a maximum charge.

Depends upon what us involved. We will put calls on hold or even rake a number and call back.

I gave the techs get the info and bring it to the service writer. We cannot leave the front or phones unmanned.

Joe, you have started a great thread here and one we should all consider.

A couple of local shops took on windshields. One local body shop has moved into general repair.

This is a very valid point and something that is easy to overlook.

Does anyone have any familarity with the Protractor software system? www.protractorsoftware.com

I think that van and trailer passed through here on its way west. The one we saw didn't need repaired it needed junkyard. This is a good one Gonzo. It made me laugh.

In the smaller communities Saturday hours can be a problem. Our town is about 150,000 and some of our dealers do not open on Saturday for parts so we cannot get Chrysler or European parts on Saturday. Napa and our AC DELCO distributors close at 12:00. The discounters all have second stringers working and so parts help can be slow, unavailable, or incorrect and delivery may not be available or slow. All of these things can make Saturdays hard for efficiency. Our Saturday car count and work load can be hit or miss. Generally I would say we have a lot of cars but mostly minor repairs and oil changes. This Saturday was slow which was good since I was short staffed.

Erie, Auto-Owners, and Pekin (I have them now) are all good companies.

We are not an AAA shop although I considered becoming one but decided it was too much effort.

http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20140804/ISSUE/308049999/going-clubbing-for-car-repairs-competition-growth-strategy

My best score has been bobbing bobcat.

: I know all of you are very good drivers, so here is a fun test to see how good your speed is! The automobile driving manual says the average driver’s reaction time is ..75 seconds or 1 car length for every 10 mph. Test your average reaction time. Be careful, this can be addictive! You will be surprised at how slow you really are. JUST CLICK ON THE DART WHEN THE SHEEP STARTS TO RUN ….. THERE ARE 5 SHEEP Click here: Reaction Test

Auto-Owners is a very good company. I am not currently insured with them but have been in the past.

MISSING WIFE A husband went to the police station to file a "missing person" report for his missing wife: Husband: My wife is missing; she went shopping and hasn't come back yet. Inspector: What is her height ? Husband: No idea. Inspector: Slim or healthy? Husband: Not slim, so probably healthy. Inspector: Color of eyes? Husband: Never really noticed. Inspector: Color of hair? Husband: Changes according to season. Inspector: What was she wearing? Husband: Not sure . It may have been a dress or maybe trousers and a top. Inspector: Was she driving? Husband: Yes. Inspector: Type and color of the car? Husband: A silver Audi A8 with 4.2 liter V8 TDI engine generating 321 horse power teamed with a 6 speed tiptronic automatic transmission with manual mode. It has full adaptive LED headlights, which use light emitting diodes for all light functions. It has a very thin scratch on the front left door. At this point, the husband starts crying. Inspector: Don't worry sir. We will find your car.

Gonzo right now I have one that the score is technician zero and car one and we are at the two minute warning. This is only the second time this has occured in my 15 years.

It was an intake gasket I think she was trying to price but I am not sure and she didn't even know the engine size.

You can waste a lot of time on estimates. I try to use my experience and gut to judge if it is worthwhile. I also try to engage them in conversation as to why they want to replace those parts. If they are having problems I will speculate some about causes. What they usually want a price on is wrong at least 75% of the time unless they are price shopping some other shop's estimate. I often succeed in getting them to come in without giving a phone estimate. I had a guy this week who wanted an estimate on an ignition switch. When I engaged him in conversation it didn't sound like an ignition switch at all. I persuaded him to bring it to us and we wound up selling him a starter. If it is something like brake pads, oil change, alignment, tires, etc. I will give a price. If it is work for maintenance such as a tuneup, timing belt, flushes, etc. I will work up a quote. Often in those cases I am competing with the dealer.

If tires are more that 6-7 years old my experience is they are pretty much at the end of their life no matter how much tread they have left. That is with radial passenger and light truck tires. I do not know about commercial tires. Goodyear tires seem to have a shorter shelf life while Michelins last a little longer. Heavier ply tires will out last Pmetric radials as will bias ply tires.

We get calls all the time from people who do not know what engine they have or what year the car is. I got a call from a woman wanting a thermostat gasket and a radiator gasket yesterday.

I have $1,000,000 liability with a $1,000,000 umbrella. The umbrella lets you up the limit fairly cheaply.

I turned away a guy with pads and rotors today. I had more work than I could get done without it so what would it have benefitted me to do work on which I make less profit.

Glad that you have joined us.