Truett

And yet the current administration says this..... http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/12/06/wh-press-secretary-says-wwii-veterans-should-get-over-their-bitterness-about-pearl-harbor-attack/ To all World War Two Vets (my dad included) THANK YOU..... Richard E Rollins

Let's throw this out for discussion. I own two Goodyear tire stores. For the last 15 years we have been open on Saturday from 8 till noon. We are closed on Sunday. We have a manager/service writer and a "B" level oil changer and tire tech. Most Saturdays we do 2 oil changes, a few tire repairs, maybe a tire or two. About once a month a set of tires. One or two people who only come in on Saturday but could come in during the week. Almost never make payroll let alone expenses. Looking into closing on Saturday, at least for the winter months. We are located in a downtown location and don't see much traffic on the weekends. What do you do and what do you think about my situation? Richard

I feel your pain. I am 61 and have been in the business for 45 years also. Has happened a few times to me. Only thought I have when it happens is what comes around goes around and that persons karma will show some time in their life. Get pissed and move on. At least now a days we have a place to vent. On another note, have you gotten into texting yet? I find I have a 90% answer rate with texting and only about a 50/50 chance with the phone any more. We ask every customer at write up if we can text them. Phone return calls with voice mail average about 2-3 hours, texting about 7 minutes. Set up a texting system for our shops for about $13 a month and can be used on any computer in the shop. Richard

How about this, next time you offer a free alignment check get the authorization for the alignment if it is out. This way your not out and the customer is not surprised. Richard

Just remember in most cases we are the last to get paid. Richard (Sorry look in the Quote for my comments as a reply}

A few more years and it could me another CUBA. (Think about it.....)

Love Chucky112233 idea. Just did a heater core on an Audi, multiplied time by 1.5 and still lost our butt. Took over 20 man hours to get the dumb thing out. Never again. I agre with JimO and will send to dealer next time.... Richard

Stock oil filters, oil, hardware(nuts and bolts),coolant (various types), and brake fluid. Everything else we have 6 suppliers in a 30 min delivery time. Richard

We need one lately so this is what we bought. I waited until they had a 10% off sale on a holiday..... https://www.jbtoolsales.com/redline-detection-95-0003b-smoke-pro-total-tech-diagnostic-leak-detector-kit/ Works great. Had one in my other shop for 2 years or so. Richard

We have no Mobil service here. It is either take it to the dealer or one other local shop that programs. Over $200 each time plus towing (know they have you and can get whatever they want). I have done 10 so far this year between both shops so decided to jump in. Should recoup from our shops and other ones when they find out we can do them. May even create a mobile service after we get comfortable with it. Richard

Ok so here we go on Thursday..... First, had to go get a battery maintainer ($595.00 from MAC) Yea I know but need in a hurry. Second, Went to GM and bought a two day subscription ($55.00) Third, Ran on one of my Windows 10 Lap tops. Fourth, Tried to hook the Mac Mentor J2534 to the laptop and program. Ok so this did not work. I got to the point in the software that connects to the interface and it could not find it. Called GM, wait, hold, transfer you know the routine. Finally go a good tech that said I needed to find a driver for the interface. So called Mac, said to call Bosch. Called Bosch, wait, hold, transfer again. Finally was told " no Windows 10 drivers". Another call to GM and have a MDI2 coming ($750.00 plus shipping). Now Monday, MDI 2 arrives. Hook up to laptop, install drivers, can not see.... Another call to GM. Laptop must be Windows 10 Pro and an Intel I-3, I-5 or I-7 chip. Run to local store, buy cheapest Dell with Windows 10 Home and I-3. ($300.00) Get back to shop, Run laptop setup and get to main screen (20 min of removing crap) Purchase Windows 10 Pro from Microsoft on line and install ($109.00) Have 30 min left in day. Oh well lets try this. Go to GM and use Promo code they gave me to get to software(Great company by the way as when I told them what happened they gave me code so as not to have to buy another subscription for two days at $55) Hook MDI 2 to computer and it sees it. Yea. Follow prompts on screen and software in the new MDI 2 I just go was out of date. Started download and as it was going to take 20 min, I closed up the shop and went to the bank. Came back and software update done. Ran SPS, Found BCM, Programed (took 5 mins) When I clicked on the "complete" everything just came on. Man was that slick. So after a week and $1800.00 I programed my new BCM. Just can't wait for the next one...Yea Really Richard

So I am going to jump in the water..... Tomorrow I am going to attempt to program our first BCM for a 2007 Chevy Truck. I have the J2543 interface, a laptop with the room for the information on it, an account with GM that I will access for two days tomorrow, and a battery maintainer to arrive tomorrow. Just wanting to know if I am missing anything or if you have any suggestions or advice for me. Thanks, Richard

Where in Illinois are you? Always looking for a new programming contact in the area. Richard

I can see the lawyers salivating now. Sue Sue Sue. I agree with Alan, do not believe it will ever happen.

How do you pay him now? Hourly or Flat Rate or Commission? A mixture of both? We pay a mixture of both. I pay my "C or D" Techs a "finders fee" for any work they pass on. I pay by Percentage of the additional work done. 1 or 2 percent depending on the job. Richard

If your a AC Delco PSD they have some great training at no cost or reduced cost that comes with it. Richard

If you don't mind used (say's in good condition)...under $25 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-intent-to-implementation-mitch-schneider/1107735867?ean=9781401826581&st=AFF&SID=BNB_DRS_Evergreen_20150928&2sid=More+Prices%2C+Inc._1408513_NA&sourceId=AFFMore+Prices%2C+Inc.M000001 Richard