First post, so long story long... I am a new TIRE shop owner. I started getting the paperwork side of things together at the end of 2015 to be ready on paper by 01/01/16. I was working for a privately owned, 9 store, tire business first as a service manager, then as an outside sales rep. At the beginning of the year, I turned in my notice and began working as a fleet manager for a friend of mine that has a small fleet. (7 trucks). This was so there would still be money coming in and I could finish getting my business together without there being a conflict of interest with the tire company I was working for. Around March I was able to open cash accounts with 2 major tire wholesalers, and an agreement with another that as soon as I had a brick and mortar store they would start selling to me as well. I paid cash for an old service truck and started selling tires and installing them on location. (We push commercial fleet business as a priority). August 2nd, we were able to get a lease on a permanent location with 3 bays and a store front. Rent is cheap. I have one guy that helps me in the shop and I run the service calls. I also still dispatch for my buddy's small fleet so that I don't have to pull a full salary from the business. We have 2 trucks now, transitioning to a newer truck that I picked up from a friend for little to nothing. After being open for 4 months now, the light truck/passenger market has become our main business and we have adapted our commercial sales to accommodate this. We are the only shop within 20 miles of where we are. It's a rural town with a lot of Ag and commercial traffic. With all this being said, our market is REALLY pushing for a lube/detail business.
The questions:
How do you affordably maintain bulk oil for all the new synthetic, diesel, and older models?
Stock filters, oil, fuel and air?
Consignment filters?
We originally opened with the thought that we were going to be just a tire shop, but the demand is just too great not too entertain the business. Please leave your thoughts and advise. Also, explain your reasoning.
Thank You!!!
