Joe Marconi

I got a bad feeling about the health care bill. I think it will pass, and that greatly concerns me. Do we have a health "care" problem in this country? No, we have a health care “cost” problem that’s riddle with so much red tape and years of abuse from a system the breeds waste. My father did not have health care and provided for a family of four boys. My mother did not work, that’s the way things were years ago. What happened? Who told us that the government needs to take care of us, because we can’t? I am concerned about the rising costs of health care, but I’m more concerned about this movement toward government control. Did anyone hear House Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she said we have to pass the bill first to find out what’s in it? Is she kidding? That’s like you tell a customer they need a lot of work on their car, and when they ask what and how much, you answer; just agree to fix the car, then I will tell you how much it will cost and what we did. Please, everyone get involved; if you think I’m wrong…tell me why.

You could make a 30 minute sit com out of this one. Glad to see that I'm not the only one who gets these knuckle heads. This is a true story, right? I mean, you can't make this stuff up.

I had a feeling you would enjoy that!

Gonzo, you mean TV and Consumer reports could be wrong?

It could be, I will check when I get into the office on Monday to see what i paid.

I got a call the other day from a fellow shop owner who was frustrated over his tech arriving late just about every day. He said that this is his best tech and will actually stay late if needed to finish the work. He has tried to talk to the tech, but nothing helps. He does not want to fire the tech but does not know how to solve the problem. This shop owner has two other techs that do arrive on time each day. Here’s my opinion; this tech will eventually destroy shop morale and affect sales. You can’t have two sets of rules. And, not matter how much this shop owner says that the tech will work late, I will bet that he is killing productivity. I would use the three strike rule. Tell the tech that he no longer can arrive late. Give him a written letter that states that the company will no longer tolerate lateness. From this point on, he job will be terminating after the third consecutive lateness. That’s it, great tech or no great tech…gone! Agree, disagree, not sure? Let me know how you feel.

Is anyone having a Car Care event? I have not done one in a few years, but I can tell you that from experience that it is a great way to promote your business and help promote the independent auto industry. If you need more information on how to run a Car Care Event here’s a link: Host an Event | Welcome to CarCare.org

This is a reminder that ASE registration deadline is March 31. Make sure your techs are signed up, and don’t forget your service advisors. ASE certification is important to our industry and vital to raising our level of professionalism.

We don't promote any particular brand either. We will use a certain brand if the customer requests it. We Stock Mobil 1 and Castrol but have access to most other brands.

I'm not sure, I am home today. i think around $150 for the year. You get a monthly newsletter, a quarterly CD and access to the site. Seminars and other training material is extra.

Yes, I have been a member of Elite for about 10 years. I know the founder Bob Cooper personally. He's a great guy and his company has a lot to offer to the auto industry. I wish he would do seminars in my part of the country. The seminars I have been to and the home study courses are great. Elite has helped me in my business and was instrumental in receiving my AMI Graduate Degree. I would urge anyone to take a look at his company for business management help. If you contact Elite, please tell them that Joe Marconi from AutoShopOwner.com (Bob Cooper may know me better from my shop name, Osceola Garage) endorses their company. As a matter of fact I think I will contact him myself and maybe get him involved in ASO (AutoShopOwner.com) Joe Marconi

We need more Gonzos in this business. Shop owners and techs that will not cave and do the right thing. It would be a better world.

The comapny is called; The Warranty Group". It's the first time I have dealt with this customer. This is the first time we have ever seen a head gasket problem in a Honda Odyssey too, and my machine shop also says this is rare. I think those loose head bolts was just a fluke incident.

I think you need to be shop owner to truly understand who we really are. Agree? We are a rare breed.

You will be the first I call, trust me!

Great story, I can relate completley because I have been down that same road. I also applaud your spirit in the way you handled the situation. You sound like a man that does not back down. That comes from confidence and pride in the work you do.

I hate extended warranties. Don’t misunderstand me, we don’t refuse the work, but there’s always an issue and the education process for the customer to explain the “REAL” warranty is challenging, at best. We diagnosed a Honda Odyssey with bad head gaskets. The car came in overheating and the oil looked like chocolate milk. We also found 2 head bolts finger tight and the coolant by-passing into the cylinder where the bolts were found loose. No brainer, right??? WELLLLL, hold on, this car has an extended warranty and the customer wants to get her money’s worth. After all,” EVERYTHING IS COVERED”, that’s what the salesman said who sold her the policy. Well after days of numerous phone calls and a visit from the adjuster, the insurance company agrees to pay half of our estimated price, will not pay the machine shop labor to pressure test and mill the heads, will not pay for fluids and took days to give us an authorization number. Now I am left with a distraught customer who has lost faith in business in general. She says she not angry with us, but I wonder? Thoughts?

We have the Snap On Solis, would you say the Versus is a step up from the Solis?

Thanks xrac, I think I may make you my PR agent...

It amazing the level of appreciation shop owners have for their employees and the willingness to tighten their belts also during tough times. This is why I have the utmost respect for my fellow shop owners.

This is basicly just like my plan. Also, I agree, you need tie it around an incentive based program.

My point exactly, well said! I can't tell my people to put in a 50 hour week and only pay them for 20. I understand the principle of rewarding hard work. But, hard work with no pay makes me wonder. And like you said; is it legal? Many shop owners don’t agree with me but I pay a base wage with a performance bonus. The base pay is usually less than what the tech wants to make, this makes them a little hungry. In good times we all make money, in hard times we tighten our belts a little. But how can you ask a tech to take it on the chin in bad times and then ask him to go the extra mile when it’s busy. It’s the reason why I left the dealer in 1980. If we are ever going to raise the level and image of the auto business we need to find ways to pay a decent wage in order to attract the right people.

I thought there was more to Mark's story. Take care of the 19 year old and, as you said, guide him and plan out his career. No one's knows the future, but you always need to have a plan. Keep focused and always look forward. ASO (AutoShopOwner) will be there helping you through the process.

Keep us posted about Mark. And, please work hard on running the business. This will put you in a better position for long term growth. You can be active, but have a plan. Without a plan, it's only a dream. Dreams are nice, goals deliver results.