Joe Marconi

I remember before I expanded, my shop looked the same....Cars all over the place. I really don't know about stackable lifts and how well they will work for you. I know in NYC, where space is really tight, parking companies and garages use a type of stackable lifts. Things to consider are: Price, speed of action, how it looks, and how many you would need. Perhaps you need to ask, "Have we outgrown this location?" Is there any other space that you can rent, land to purchase, that is nearby? One good thing, it looks like business is going well.

I really don't know where to start. This video brings up valid points. However, like so many other podcasts, articles, and other media sources, it brings up the negative side of our auto repair shop industry. Personally, I don't like it. I am hesitating a bit, only because Auto Shop Owner is an open forum and we need to hear ALL voices, ALL opinions and ALL sides. This is what I want to see more of: There are so many honest, hard working, ethical shop owners and techs out there. Are they perfect? No one is. I think the bigger problem is that we are not as united as we should be. We, the automotive shop owners, need to come together and believe in each other. Let's not go down the road of picking out the bad, this is done too often. Let me stop, Let me hear from you.

We all live and learn, and that's why these forums are so important. Shop Owners around the world can all learn from each other.

Wow. That would have been a nightmare! $50,000 would have been my price!

Thugs? Too strong? My religion forbids me from saying a few other choice words. I think you make very good points. For many shops across the country, they are doing just fine, but I have to think that the increases in prices and gas has to be affecting the average consumer. We do need change, I just hope it comes soon enough.

Looks nice! For us "older" guys!

No, not size. Take a look at this image below. Right hand corner of the Webpage, click on that button (red arrow) and that will you bring to a page where you can set your own preferences.

Larry go to my reply post, there is a feature in the right hard corner of the page, click on it and it opens up a preference to increase your font size. Let me know. Larry go to my reply post, there is a feature in the right hard corner of the page, click on it and it opens up a preference to increase your font size. Let me know.

Larry, on the top right hand side of the web page there is a button, click that and it opens up more preferences. SEE BELOW. Choose Larger Font Sizes for Posts. Let me know how you make out. Joe

Larry, love your rant and you make great points. I also think that the aftermarket is a great position today, and even with gas prices and inflation, most repair shops are in a good place and need to work really hard to anchor their customer base. This will pay dividends in the future. As far as our administration is concerned....well, I want to keep my blood pressure under control, so I will refrain for now!

Larry, we are the same age, so I completely understand. I am not sure why that feature isn't working. It should. Let me find out and get back to you. Thank you for the feedback! Joe

JimO, this is an amazing situation, and one that I mentioned in this thread, but didn't actually knew it was real: People are using electric cords to charge their EV? The reality is car makers and other major corporations are investing billions in EVs and Battery Plants, I am just not sure how and when we are going to figure out the infrastructure issue. And, I was brought up in the Gas Station business. People want to fuel up fast and easy! What great information, and what a discussion!

It will be real interesting to see what happens to these EV's as they age. We already know that services and repairs can be appreciably more.

Sometimes you have to listen to your spouse. My wife was right on point with so many things, it was scary. And she was never in business, and couldn't tell you the difference between a brake pad and a spark plug. It is also amazing how OUR perception of price and the fear that the customer will not pay, is a lot different from reality.

Ok....I'm in. A Tesla may just me in my future!

I think your story is so relevant today, with so many aging repair shop owners working on their exit strategy. And I know our members appreciate your advise. For me, I first hired a broker. That did not work out at all. Promises were made, with an exclusive contract. And while I did get offers, they were all too low, but more than that, they were not the people I wanted to sell to. I decided to put the worked out that I was selling to a few key people I knew in the industry. That worked. A few interested parties came forward and I found a buyer who actually ended up buying my two locations. This person, I feel, shares the same values that I do, a lot younger, and will continue on with the legacy.

Interesting topic. When I first started in business, which seems like a million years ago, I said YES to everything, but soon found out that trying to be everything to everyone has its drawbacks. I think to key to saying yes or no is knowing what your strenghts are, and going too far away from one's strenghts can be costly. In my later years in business, when I clearly defined my brand and the work we did, I said No a lot. But, that was after decades of building the brand, the customer base and defining not only what we did, but our profile customer too.

Great example of adapting, and not dying.

We Need Your Feedback! While I have ideas and enhancements that I would like to see with AutoShopOwner. I would like to hear from you. Are there any features you want to see included on the ASO website? What resources would be of interest to you? How can ASO help you grow your auto repair shop? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Joe Marconi

The increase in fuel prices has affected every person and every business in some way. How is it affecting your repair shop? Or is it? And, if it is, what strategies are you implementing to help with maintaining sales and helping customers cope with paying more at the pump?

I don't think we are going to stop the EV from becoming "somewhat" mainstream. But there are a few things that many people don't fully understand. For one, while the EV has no emissions rolling down the road, BUT how it got to be an EV is a process that does take a toll on the environment. We talk about fossil fuels and renewables; Well strip mining entire mountains for the elements needed to manufacture the batteries is NOT following a clean, renewable energy-source protocol. Another factor is the infrastructure. I was born and raised in the Bronx, NYC. The apartment buildings in the City many have hundreds of families, all who own a car, maybe two cars. How are they going to charge their cars? Throw an electric cord out the window from from 12th floor and hook up their car. I know a lot of this will be figured out, but it will take time. I don't know where the industry is ultimately going, the more we know and stay engaged, the better we will be,

I think that we are going to see more of this, especially with the lack of rebuilders, and the fact that many of these engines have problems.

I remember many years back when the auto repair industry was split up into different repair/service categories: There were Oil change shops, Brake shops, Alignment & steering shops, Electrical shops, Speed shops, tires only stores, exhaust shops, tune up shops, Carburetor shops, Radiator repair shops, Transmission shops, and probably a few more that I forgot. All of the above segmented repairs shops prospered at one time because there was so much mechanical repair and service work. Things have changed. Better? Worse? Or does it even matter these days?

Scary.

Things that keep shop owners up at night is another topic we should discuss. Your ability to have a solid marketing plan that conveyed trust and transparency through video is amazing. Video is a great way to build that strong bond with customers.