xrac

If we are dealing with used engines we depend upon our local salvage yard to give us that information. Call LKQ and get a price and see if they can tell you what years will work.

Byron, here is a list of 30 "good names" that I picked up on line. Maybe this will spark some thought. A-1 Automotive Advance Auto Parts Affordable Automotive Auto Stop Black Bear Auto Blue Ridge Tire Car X Tire & Auto Cascades Auto Body Central Body Auto Repair Cliff’s Auto Repair Colonial Auto Center Community Automotive Repair Expert Auto GIC Car Clinic Honest One Auto Care Integrity First Automotive New Town AutomotiveNorthside Service Performance Imports Professional Fleet Services RC Automotive Real Pro Auto Service Skyline Automotive South Main Auto Service Star Auto Starr Motors Suburban Autobody The Auto Doc The Sharpe Collection The Shop Triangle Auto Service West Loop Auto Body How about something like Best Pro, Good Dog, Bulldog, First Fix, Happy, First Call, Cheeta, Grizzly Bear, Your, etc. The possibilities are endless. Get creative and see what results.

Last week I had a guy with a BMW come in with a list of codes pulled by Pep Boys written on a slip of paper. He tells me that he wanted a price on replacing all of the oxygen sensors. I tried to explain to him that there was a very large possibility that the oxygen sensors were not bad. He didn't understand and didn't want to hear it. I then went to Identifix and showed him what the codes he was showing pulled up as fixes. Identifix had 40 plus fixes as a Mass Air Flow Sensor. That got his attention. He then became convinced that it needed to be diagnosed.

They also talked about posting pictures on Facebook. I haven't done this but I intend to post pictures of my technicians, family, and especially difficult technical jobs we are working on. Like the pictures of a VW Passat disassembled as we are doing a Timing Belt. You could also create like a wall of fame on Facebook with high mileage cars.

Good story. I went to a sales meeting this week put on by Jasper Engines and Transmissions. They suggested creating a wall of pictures of customer cars with say 200k plus on them or 300k plus. It shows customers what is possible.

A FALCON NESTING IN A TREE I’ve received many remarkable nature photographs over the years but this photo of a nesting Falcon is perhaps the most remarkable Nature shot that I’ve ever seen. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Nature is truly breath-taking! I've sent this to most of my older friends. The younger ones probably have never seen a falcon and wouldn't recognize it. http://i.imgur.com/YW6Fufm.jpg

Prices start at $1440, which includes installation, and unlimited training and support 6 months , as we take you by the hand and show you the most effective ways to use the system to grow your business. Support is optional, and starts at $25 a month.

Print up some type of flyer. Door knock the business and ask to speak to the decision maker. When successful with speaking to a decision maker give them a free oil change to get them to visit your place of business.

Has anyone ever used AutoBiz by TABS? Oppinons?

Business has been soft for the last two weeks. I think what you are experiencing is the fluctuation of business.

I cannot give you a percentage but I would guess that annual this produces sales in the range of $5K or so but also has generated some return customers for other work. The Tire Rack customers are good candidates for alignments and brakes.Wes, give me a call on this and I can share a related idea.

We do a per axle pricing.

I simply pick up the phone and call the other shops and ask what they charge. We are friendly competitors.

It would be a useful service but on the other hand there are tons of solicitation for this type of thing. We have stuff being done through our Franchisor.

Joe what do you charge for an alignment. Do you do one price point for alignment or different for 4 wheel verus 2 wheel?

If people treat me with respect I will bend over backwards to help them. If people get nasty with me and get me mad I may be inclined to throw them out of the shop and tell them to report me to the BBB or sue me or whatever.

One of my wholesaler is offering 75 tires for consigment and only pay for what I sell. Probably will take him up on it.

Seems in line to me.

I prefer Hunter or Coats because I can get service.

Gonzo, that cracked me up! It is probably what is wrong with the car. We had a BMW towed in yesterday for a no start. The owner tried to fix it by changing the fuel filter but broke the bolt that holds the fuel filter on. I have had a few customers that I told to never let their "boyfriend", "neighbor", "relative", etc. near a car with a wrench again.

Speaking of Corghi has anyone used any of their equipment? How durable, reliable, etc? How hard is it to find someone to service?

Get rid of bad apples right away.

Don't you love it when people start by telling you that with what think it could be, or what they have read on the internet that they think it is, or what a friend told them. After they run through the whole list then you finally begin to get the story about what it is actually doing. More often than not the answer is so far from the things they suggested that it isn't even funny.

Amen! Those of us who adopt change will grow and prosper. Those who refuse to adopt change will faded away.

The answer is no! If you only buy assets and establish a new business LLC you have no responsibility for any previous workman's comp or unemployment issues. The current employees can be informed that the business is closing and they are eligble for rehired on an as needed case by case basis if you so choose.