willydmax

No offense at all. I offer the inspection as a courtesy and my customers depend on it to keep their vehicles from breaking down in between oil changes. My pet peeve is the customer that goes to a quick lube that doesn’t inspect anything and then comes to me with an emergency brake pad metal on metal scenario and wants me to fix it right now when it could have been avoided.

At my shop if someone comes in for an oil change, they get a general inspection of brakes, front wheel bearings, steering parts, all the fluids etc marked out on the ticket as either green, orange or red. If all they want is me to drop the oil and change the filter, then I’m the wrong shop for them. I’m not a quick lube.

Some more thoughts, I love efficiency and the challenge of book time. I think if you’re reasonably competent and have great tools that book time can easily be beat. Most of the time I work by myself and keep close track of my time via my shop management system. I typically arrive around 7:30 and leave around 5:10 Monday through Friday. Most of the time I bill an average of 40 hours or more per week. You can train yourself to look at what needs taken apart and visualize what it takes for tools to make it happen. I’m allergic to turning anything out by hand and will spend money to make that happen with tools. A rolling tool cart should be sitting right beside you with the main items on or in it so you don’t waste time walking. Shop-Ware is what I use and it has helped me immensely to be more organized and efficient.

I completely agree with Gerald. You have to keep up with technology. I’m a general repair shop that started in 2014. I’ve been by myself until last summer I hired a kid part time. I think it depends quite a bit on your location. I’m in the Midwest in a small hick town and I have absolutely no issues being profitable or busy. I work on most makes but am not afraid of telling a customer that I’m not interested in working on their European car, older carbureted vehicle etc. I do a fair bit of transmission and engine replacements along with quite a lot of diesel repairs. If you’re straight forward, honest and have a caring attitude, most people will respect you for your boundaries and if they don’t then you don’t want to work for them anyway. I’m the only shop for miles around besides the dealer that can program/update most brands. The tooling costs a lot but most of my customers are very happy to not have to go to the dealer. I don’t have any customers with hybrids yet, even though I’ve taken some training on them. This year will be my 7th year going to Vision and it’s interesting how many of my classes are on management instead of technical. Vision is a huge highlight of the year and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Just my $.02

I was using QB until about 2 years ago I looked around and finally settled on Shop-Ware. It's absolutely the best thing I could've done. I love it. Greatly simplifies my life, easy to use, helps me keep track of profit margins, easy to order parts...the list goes on and on. I use QuickBooks online as my accounting software and Shop-Ware automatically sends the data across on each ticket as soon as it's paid and customer picked up the vehicle. Works awesome. Has a great built in vehicle inspection system as well. Customers love pictures. Another thing that my customers really like is getting their invoice texted to them when I'm done and it also has a pay button so they can pay via card if they want.

I installed a 2 ton mini split in my shop last August and it couldn't quite keep up so installed a second one a month ago and now it's awesome. I also use them for heat in the winter so it's a win all the way around. My shop stays cleaner as well with no wind blowing leaves etc in. I think I get more done with the AC and am not as tired at the end of the day. I'm just a one man 2 bay shop.

Check out Shop-Ware. I couldn’t live without it. Love it.

Yep. I’m getting paid $.40 a gallon. Guy buys it to heat his greenhouse.

I started using Shop-Ware earlier this year and am very happy with them. They are responsive to suggestions and quick to respond if you have issues or questions. I would recommend them. I wouldn’t consider a management program that wasn’t cloud based. I’m an Apple person and so no worries what I log on with it’s going to work.

Amen!!!

I started my shop in 2014 and bought a Autel MaxiDas. It worked great but then upgraded to the Maxisys Mini and it was awesome. Since Vision 2019 I upgraded to the Autel MaxiSys Elite. Really like it. For the price and capability I don’t think you can beat Autel. I buy my scan tools through AE Tools in Kansas City so if I have any issues I get awesome support. Just my $.02

I’m probably out in left field but I’ve been using Square for 4 plus years and get along great. I know it costs a bit more but it’s so simple. No hidden fees, no contracts and no machine rental.

A tool that works really great for seized bolts and nuts is an induction heater. They are faster and there’s no open flame. Of course they don’t fit every situation but they really work super. I use mine a lot. I believe mine is the “Bolt Buster “

Is anyone using Direct-Shop or Direct-Shop Elite by Identifix? I checked them out at Vision and was impressed but not sure if it's what fits my operation. Seems overkill. If you are using Direct Hit the Directshop is $130 a month. I'm a one man operation and use Direct Hit ($179 monthly) and Quickbooks desktop. Not ideal I'm sure but I've made it work.

I haven't been a member here long but am enjoying the different discussions. I don't know if what I'm about to say fits but I was impressed with the idea. I was at Vision last month and took a management class and the instructor owns her own shop in Vermont. They offer their customers a kind of VIP program that I found interesting. The customer can choose an amount per month to put away, for example $100 toward future repairs at the shop. They give the shop their credit card info and every month she charges x amount and keeps it in a separate account and then applies it as they have repairs. If they sign up for it she gives them a 5% discount. I thought it was a pretty cool idea. One of her customers has several kids and the family has 5 vehicles so she has her charge her card for $500 each month. I guess you could say she is being a kind of bank for them. You could say it's financing but with a different twist. As a shop owner one thing that I notice about people is very few if any, put money away for repairs.