CARMandP

Very nice. Love the pictures. Wish I could afford one like that

Very nice. Some really cool things in that video

I second Elite's information. Their sales training program is fantastic. I have listened to it multiple times.

That picture should have been hung right next to the one of you and your son working on the wrong gas tank. LOL Great story

Mitchell1 for me as well. The new SE version works good and does everything that I really like. Their CRM program is getting a big upgrade right now.

I don't usually install them for customers. I am not an electronics installation store but I have done them in the past for current customers. I won't just install one for someone coming in off the street.

Very cool. I want to get to S.A. some day. I have been the other direction (Australia and Paupa New Guinea) before. I love to travel.

Welcome to the site from a fellow TN member Middle TN here. Look forward to hearing from your business expertise. It takes both mechanical and business sense to run a good shop. You guys will do good.

When I went to purchase a lift for my new shop about 4 yrs ago, I decided I was not interested in going cheap on my lifts. I and my help was going to have to hang out under these vehicles and it was not worth the savings of a few bucks to get a cheap lift. I went with Rotary brand for several reasons. The biggest is the install and sales shop is less than 15 miles from me and since Rotary has been around for a long time I know that if I ever need parts I will still be able to get them. Rotary had a recall and sent me the replacements parts in the mail with no hesitation. I also didn't want to have to purchase a "cheap" lift and then in a few years replace it because it had worn out and I couldn't get parts anymore because that company went out of business. I would STRONGLY recommend looking at brands like Rotary, Challenger or Mohawk to name a few. Don't go cheap on one of your biggest investments.

We will be open the day after Christmas. My tech will be on vacation all that week so it will be me and the secretary. It will be a long week. LOL

Shop will be closed but I will be here trying to catch up from an absolutely crazy week.

Yes but the hard part is getting that fine line correct Still working on that one.

I am in a small town where there isn't enough "business" now to worry about any franchise shops coming into town. I do have several small shops that are my competition but right now I have so much work I can't keep up so I am not really worried about it.

The biggest thing I have seen is its very hard on smaller engines (lawn mowers and such) Fuel economy is worse with the ethanol. Great waste of government money to force something that the consumer doesn't need IMO

I personally have a Droid X phone. I have Verizon as my carrier and love this phone. It does everything that I need. Not sure about the hype for the Iphone.

Joe, being one of your kids generation (I was born in the last 70's) I agree with you. My generation and for that matter my kids generation does seem to value their free time more. Maybe its a lack of work ethic or laziness or maybe its the fact that jobs today pay better and kids don't need to work as hard for the same money. I like you had two jobs all of my adult life and now that I "only" have one job (which takes most of my waking hours) so I have no idea what free time even is. I do know that if you as a shop owner don't bridge the gap between you and the next generations your business will suffer. You have to be able as a business owner to adjust to your customers this also applies to the people you hire. The same ideas, thoughts and expectations apply just in different roles.

Welcome to the site Chris. As a "new" shop owner myself I can promise you that the guys on this site that have the years of experience are willing to answer questions. Good to have you here.

Never heard of this before. Am interested to hear if you find anything out.

Its not if you have had a tire fall off, its when. I won't say anything other than I have had it happen. Fortunately, no one was hurt and my insurance took care of the repairs. I really think it has to do with how well you take care of the "mistake" All the best processes in the world, can't prevent all accidents. I sent a customer recently to one of the largest tire chains in our area (yes, I didn't have a tire machine so I had no choice). The customer had a tire fall off, causing damage to the car. Fortunately, the customer was turning into a parking spot so it didn't hurt anyone. Even though all the "processes" had been followed it still happened. The manager at this tire store bent over backward and took care of everything. This customer was so impressed, they personally told me so.

Ha. That's funny

Welcome to the site. Good to have you here. You will learn a lot about owning and running an auto repair shop on here.

Yes I have had several different vehicles with several different brands of brake pads that make noise. I am quickly finding that it matters the model of the car as to which ones make noise.

Finally. The written tests are a pain to have to deal with. Got one next month and I will be completely recertified for the next 5 yrs.

I am looking for a few locations or suppliers to help grow my tire business. Who do you guys use and what kind of luck do you have with them?

Very worried because I have a feeling it will be holding my nose and voting for the lesser of two evils. The candidate that interests me the most probably probably doesn't have a chance of making it.