xrac

In my opinion a pit would only be justified in a quick lube type set up. A lift is much more useful.

I had to hire 4 managers before I got a decent one.

Welcome and good luck!

My experience is as a rule dealer technicians aren't all that great.

My advice would be to either sell the place or lease it out. I think you will find trying to do anything less than a full-time commitment will not turn out like you hope. The biggest mistake that people make is to start a business because they have a building. This is just my gut instinct.

This is something I definitely would not do. Most places like Walmart will not allow this type of activity and some jurisdictions consider it to be littering because they wind up on the parking lot. A better strategy is to strike up alliances with neighboring business and get them to distribute them for you to their customers. We have done that with neighboring business. A Sonic Drive in is next door to us and we have had them place our flyers in every customers food bag and we did the same distributing their coupons. Also better is to call on businesses and pass out flyers there with maybe a special offer to employees. If I were a German shop I would try to buy a mail list for owners of those cars and then I would religious work that list.

NAPA Prolink allows you to read VINs with a smart phone and it uploads into the NAPA site for parts ordering.

I do not want to come across as harsh but these are some of the thoughts I am having: Yes does he charge diagnostic time? Does he charge for shop supplies: rags, floor dry, parts cleaners, etc. He probably should charge 5-10% extra on each job. Does he use a parts matrix mark up? Does he charge for all of the fluids used? Does it include extra for the cost of synthetic fluids or special fluids like Honda? If he has to have any outside work done on a job does he mark those cost up? Since you are in a small community you may have to do a lot of driving to pickup parts. If so have you figured extra time or markup on a job to cover this cost? Can you tell me how many book hours did your husband get paid on last week and the week before? He work 60 hours plus but how many hours did he get paid for? If your husband is CHEAP on his work he will literally be worked to the point of being broke, exhaust, and burnout and will have nothing to show for it. He will be no good to you as a husband because he is exhausted and you will have no money to do anything together because you are broke. Is your husband taking home as much money now as he could working on a job for someone else? If not this is not a business it is just a job and not a very good one. If you figure the hours being put in what is being made per hour? I do not post this to either anger you are to belittle. My goal is just to challenge and stir sincerely thought and focus. It is times like this that we can refine a business and become better.

There is no warranty if a customer supplies their own part. If a part is no good it is their tough luck.

Congratulations and welcome. My service manager is a great guy and he is from Cypress, TX.

That set up would make life a lot easier!

They may just be selling those operations off to someone else. They simple change the name and keep operating as usual. Our local GE chemical plant was sold a few years ago to an Arabian company (Sabic).

There are still a lot of drum brakes around. You will also need a work bench, bench grinder, and a good vice. If you do heavier work you will need an engine hoist, and engine stand.

That is not bad we average about 100 a month.

To this list I will add a cutting torch which can be invaluable in removing frozen nuts, bolts, and parts. You will also need a rotor and a drum micrometer. Plus a subscription to some type of labor and repair information guide. We use Alldata and Identifix. You will also need a computer and some type of POS system. I would thing some floor fans would also be a necessity in Florida. Did anyone mention a battery charger and a jumper box of some sort?

Joe is right. It takes time to grow a customer base. Probably at least 5-7 years to start reaching your potential. Yesterday we had cars parked all the way around the curb because every parking spot was full. We billed out in excess of $5K with tons of work still in the shop. This is some of the effect of 14 1/2 years of growing a customer base.

The problem is that sometimes your run into a situation that Cardone is the only one offering anything other than a o.e.m. part.

We are with Joe and also offer GE. It can be useful. We probably have about a 60% approval rate on new applications. However, I will correct Joe on one thing which is with the reforms the government instituted on credit after the housing finance crisis 90 days same as cash can no longer be offered. What GE now how is 6 months no interest on purchase over $299. At least that is our terms.

For the most part I have found this business to be populated by decent people that often go out of their way to help someone. There are a few shysters and thieves but for fewer than the good guys. At least that is how it is in this neck of the woods. There is probably more problems due to people being in over their head diagnostically or repair wise or being in over their head financially due to lack of business and managerial skills. People who don't know what they are doing and people who are desperate for money both can do some really bad stuff unfortunately. While we are on this topic let me share a poem that fits this subject. The Right Kind of People – Edwin Markham (1852-1940) Gone the city, gone the day, Yet still the story and the meaning stay: Once where a prophet in the palm shade basked, A traveler chanced at noon to rest his mules. “What sort of people may they be,” he asked, “in this proud city on the plains o’erspread?” “Well, friend, what sort of people whence you came?” “What sort?” the packman scowled; “why, knaves and fools!” “You’ll find the people here the same,” the wise man said. Another stranger in the dusk drew near, And pausing, cried, “What sort of people here in your bright city where yon towers arise?” “Well, friend, what sort of people whence you came?” “What sort?” the pilgrim smiled with lifted head; “Good, true, and wise.” “You’ll find the people here the same,” The wise man said.

Unfortunately it was real: http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=479686#.UiJK4dL_mSo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LF0IhyAasWw

Depends upon what quantity they want. I have 5w30 in a 275 gal tank with a reel, pump, and hose. My 5w20, 10w30, and mercron-dextron are in 125 gallon totes on a stand with a ball valve and spout. On the totes I usually only get 50-75 gallons at a time.

You definitely need to consider bulk oil. Our oil currently costs us about $1.70 per quart. It is hard to buy any oil by the quart for less than $3.

I do not think the dollars spent on hat type of advertising is effective. I like direct mail.