CARMandP

Welcome to the site. Don't be a stranger

I am bigger but my 40 cal on the hip works better

If you haven't already done it make sure you have your google place page setup with all your information and pictures if possible. Also go through and make sure you also are listed on as many local search engines as possible. It will take time to start getting the phone to ring. I actually had already started a customer base out of my own personal garage before I "officially" started on my own. I get a lot of business from internet searches. Get your facebook page setup if you haven't already and do some advertizing there as well. You can target an area well that way.

Welcome on the new business. Most of us shop owners now started the same way. Don't hesitate to ask questions. I started working at a Honda dealership and then started my own business. Had to quickly branch out from just Honda/Acura but it was worth the move.

Email sent

I second Jeff on this one

I completely agree with Jeff on this one and its been a hard lesson to learn. You MUST make a certain amount of money to stay in business and parts markup is required. I also use Mitchell and have set my matrix up in the normal tables. I would be glad to send you this information if you really want it. Don't really care to "publicly" post that information Like Jeff I compare my prices to what the list price of the part ends up being for an example. This isn't always accurate but is normally a pretty good indicator.

Looking into this right now. Will give you an update when I get the chance to see it better.

LOL. I like that one. Hope it had something other than oil in that bottle. Made a big mess if it didn'

Great reminder and a hard thing to do when you started out as a tech.

I did a heater core in an early 90's corvette a few months ago and discovered the same thing. Of course, this one wouldn't let the starter engage and all the dash lights were on. LOL talk about annoyed. Who would think that using the same exact plugs side by side was a good idea. Also had the same thing on a nissan altima we put an engine in. appears that they used the same plug for the crank sensor and cam sensor and it won't start when you have these reversed.

That is a hard question to answer because what may work in my area may not work in your area. You mentioned referrals. Have you thought about some form of a contest with your current customers for who can refer the most in a period of time wins a prize? Make it something worth while so people will take the time. Not sure where you are but in your area what is something that the local people are involved in? Our area is HUGE for youth soccer and highschool football. I have two highschools within 3 miles of my shop and talk about rivalry. If you have any of this you can always (and the schools are always looking for the money) sponsor games (football, baseball, soccer) I even have a customer with a daughter that plays bowling and the local team is really good so I helped by sponsoring that this year. Getting your name out though local charities is also a great way to raise awareness. Not sure if you are involved in anything like that personally but for me I have used my shop and my knowledge numerous times with my church knowing and experiencing that there is ALWAYS a return not just financially but in the satisfaction part for me. If you get your name and your business name in places that people care about and are involved with they will remember you.

I wish they would bring one back to Nashville. Haven't been in this area of the country in years.

Welcome to the site from a shop owner in Northern Middle TN Don't be a stranger and don't be afraid to ask questions!

We use a torque wrench on very wheel that comes off. I have a wall poster that we got from one of the parts suppliers that has 98% of all the torque specs. I am not in front of it to tell you who it was printed by but its handing in plain view for all my guys to read. When I was working at the dealership I would chalk mark each tire at the valve stem when I torqued the wheel. Almost 20 yrs later, I have only ever left two loose and they were both not marked.

Just a sign that the government doesn't need to be in the healthcare business. They can't do anything else good or correct so they need to go back to what the federal government was started for and get out of wasting our money.

I love looking at other websites. Thanks for posting. The interesting thing that I noticed is the top 10 websites have almost no facebook presence at all. Of the 10 listed only two even have close to the number of facebook fans that I do. Interesting.

Its not big enough for our area for me to justify the expense. If I was closer to the "big city" I may consider it.

This has worked wonders for me. This is probably one of the biggest things I get comments on. We have become so busy its hard to get these done but this needs to be important.

I wouldn't recommend it. It would be like having your CPA do your budget. If you don't have the time invested in your book, it won't really help you. I am in the process of doing this manual for myself.

Very cool. I look forward to reading that magazine every month.

I am looking at investing in one of these within the next year as well. I know in our area there are very few places that do reprogramming other than the dealer. You may want to promote this to your "competition" around you if you decide to get one. I can't give you any good recommendations for tools yet as I haven't decided myself.

I don't offer it to my employees yet but I can tell you that my own personal health insurance is planning to more than double because the minimums don't meet Obamacare's requirements. So much for the lie that my health insurance won't be going up. We will probably have to do without sadly because there is no way I can afford to pay double for the crap insurance I already have

The problem isn't those of us to take the time to educate our customers, its the people who are just ripping the customers off. It just badly affects us

Welcome to the site. Its great to have you here. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.