Junior

Sorry for the lack of updates. The Holidays, a six month old and getting this new shop running well has been a bear. That will get easier when I finally figure out some software. Autorepaircloud - This is a no go for now, there are just to many things that make it not a viable candidate. They are working to much from the customer side. they expect the customer to have an app that connects them to the shop. This is a great concept, but unfortunately a lot of parts of the software REQUIRE the customer to interact though the app, which doesn't work for my shop. I can't imagine it would work for anyone's shop. The bigger issue than the app though is the way they manage data. The customer is indexed by the phone number, which you can not change. Furthermore, if another shop using their software has entered that phone number already the software will not let you use it unless the customer approve going to your shop instead though the app!!!!! This is simply not how business operates, and their lack of understanding that is my biggest concern. The software is constantly developing though so they might get these things straightened out. It works well on a tablet and seems promising but its just to green to bet your business on. I've got a few demos scheduled this week so hopefully I'll have more feedback soon, and maybe find my solution!!! Note, I updated the original post with my new software requirements

Lankar is an installed software product, not SAAS, cloud based service, so it can not handle a work anywhere operation. This takes it off my evaluation list. Might do fine for a basic single site shop location but that's not my operation.

Volume in my new shop is pretty low so far and I needed a mobile system. I'm using Intuit gopayments, works on mobile or tablet or USB. Fixed 1.6% over all cards,+ 0.25/swipe. Wireless chip car reader included. We do a concierge type service so mobile access was required. I couldn't find any other payment processor that could do mobile payments with a chip card reader (no PCI) without charging a ton for equipment. Its pretty new for me, only been with it a month and only did about 20k but so far so good. Deposits are fast. Also FYI, Companies like square will negotiate the rate for larger volume and long standing customers. My wife's company uses square, she is running about 1.8% total and likes the software they provide.

watch this thread, lots of new info coming

Well after a few days of testing I've ruled out a few and started with a few more. HerbC is right, Shop boss is not ready for production. Lots of things in that software that just don't work right. Its mobile capable but not a well laid out design. The jury is still out on shop-ware. The workflow is very different, I'm not sure if I like it, it works mobile but doesn't display on a phone great. I've started looking at a few new platforms, some of which look promising. For those who are following this thread I'll post a list of what I've looked at. Shop-ware - Odd workflow haven't ruled it out yet Shop-Boss - Software is buggy, doesn't display well on all devices. Schedule doesn't really work. Not ready for production environment. If they keep developing it this might be worth a look later on. Profitboost - I originally kind of liked this software, pretty well laid out, lots of functionality but missing some key features like inventory tracking. Rep told me no shop keeps inventory anymore 🙄 also no real way to track recommendations, which is really where the value comes in up-selling your services. Autorepaircloud - The jury is out here still but this is a very promising piece of software. Its missing some key features but the development team is very open to suggestions and update often. With some good input from guys like us I think this could be the winner but its just not there yet. Probably months out, maybe more but its got real promise. The inspection program they have is pretty great, although it could be a little better. Lots of data integration although all of it doesn't always work. Again, its promising Omnique - Just getting my feet wet with this one, will report back shortly, I know a few people on this forum use it, maybe they can chime in as well. workshop shoftware - Australian based company and as such the integrations are built for the AU market. Doesn't really work in the US, software looks decent though although I didn't get to far with it due to the obvious incompatibilities ShiftMobility Shoplite - Haven't started testing this one yet, will do soon though

Thanks for the input, I was looking at ShopWare, Shop Boss looks good too, I will likely demo them both as they both look like they could fit me needs and are similarly priced. Has anyone tried ShiftMobility Shoplite? I emailed about a demo, the feature set looks good.

So I started a new venture and I need some new shop management software. I have a new venture where I have moved to a lower volume, high margin operation where we offer primarily concierge service to high end customers with high end vehicles. As such my current needs are very mobile, I've been doing some research, but I though I'd post up here for some additional input. What I need is an entirely mobile platform. This sticks me with SAAS based products which is fine. Finally mobile data is plentiful in all the areas I operate in. Many of the web based services out there are still designed for desktop use, and although they are mobile in a sense, they are not truly do business anywhere solutions. I need to be able to book appointments, see service history, attachments to ROs (like photos), check recommendations, start new ROs with customer complaints, accept signatures all from a mobile phone. I could live with an iPad if needed, but the phone is most ideal. The software must have what are now a days standard features (or should be) Scheduling app with integration to previous recommendations/estimates in the booking interface This should also have some CRM features such as customer reminder notifications, would be great to have multiple contacts notified as often there is a groundskeeper or administrative assistant that we are dealing with as well RO management that includes technician notes, photos attachments, service recommendations and job status (linked to procurement management when parts need ordering) Ability to link service recommendations to estimates and easily turn them into new ROs Inventory management, supply chain integration is nice, procurement management for tracking when and where all the parts are coming from VIN or Plate scanning via mobile camera to start new ROs or estimates with your now common carfax VIN lookup and service history Basically I need all the points of interaction with the customer to be completely mobile, they will not happen in the shop (usually), the RO processing itself can/will happen on a larger device such as desktop or tablet in the shop. Is anyone working with a company that has this level of mobility yet? My research shows that many of the companies that have long been players in this industry are very slow to adopt this new way of thinking, there are a lot of new names out there though! While I'm thinking about next level software, the software companies that know how be be ahead of the curve will soon start integrating calibration data VIA J2534 attached to the vehicle record and cross link to manufacturer databases for recommended updates. This will become increasingly important as more and more vehicles integrate complex self driving, in car entertainment and safety features that will require updating. Automatically notify technician of TSBs related to a vehicle and include other data integration features like this.

"their sales" and yeah, who's giving you s** about up-selling. that's the whole point of multi-point inspections. Helps the customer by identifying problems and helps the shop by selling jobs that make money. Any mildly successful shop does that. We'd all go broke if we just did oil changes.

yeah we ended up getting the same one a week or so ago, works fine, haven't gotten a car in yet that we've had to use it on though.

oh and on the original topic, don't feel guilty, if your work is good, which I imagine it is to have that kind of growth in a short period of time, the customer's will stay. You will not always be the cheapest. Like most people here focus on the quality of your work. Proper and timely diagnosis and quality repair. There will always be someone willing to throw parts at a problem for a lower labor rate, they aren't technicians, they are just people that don't mind getting dirty. Be a well trained technician and business owner and success will continue to come your way.

There was just another thread here about storage charges, check that thread, check your local laws and make up a policy. Check with your state DMV for regulations that you may need to adhere to and always best to check with an attorney to ensure there are no other issues you may run into. After all you are trying to collect on or dispose of someone's property that you do not own. Most of the time this involves taking possession of the property and then sell or disposing of it. I agree with alfredauto,have a clear policy and post it (likely required by law anyway). This way you know and the customer knows what the deal is. Here we also almost never charge storage (insurance total loss tows are the exception). But the threat of a storage charge is often a great motivator. It's also a tool to take possession as usually the value owed needs to be a percentage of the value of the vehicle before possession can be claimed. In NYS you can scrap a car worth less that $1,200 and abandoned for more than 60 days with a simple form. It can only be taken by a scrap facility, can't be titled again.

Only slow days we've had have been when the few storms have come through and the weather is bad, people tend to no show for appointments or call and complain that we don't stock their size snow tire. Save for those three days its been pretty steady. Always a big rush for the "fix my kids car before they go back to college or wherever else they live" crowd

Any feedback on which tool to buy? We need to buy one in the next few days. Thoughts??

Bad ass, that's one hell of a door prize

Cheapest in that size I have is a Federal SS557 at $49, the Westlake is $58 to me. Some recent consolidation in my region has left me on a single tire supplier (Mavis purchased CRS & Banner Tire), which I am not very happy with and need to setup a new relationship. There are not many other suppliers that service my area here with hot shot deliveries.

Yeah, saw this when they passed the law back in June, took Cuomo this long to sign it. We only need to check the front two windows and the windshield, which means we need a two piece unit. Just started shopping for them. Looks like there are only a few available. For you guys that have had to do this for a while, any suggestions on what measurement tool to buy, or maybe better, which one to avoid? So far the state hasn't issued any equipment guidelines, just the spec (at least 70% light transmittance), which has been the regulation for ages, just not enforced by Inspection stations. The vast majority of cars won't need to be checked as you can visually see they don't have tint, so I don't see the tool being used very often. you just need it when you need it. Since I already loose about $10 for each inspection we do how many do we need to do to make up for the $200 tool I need to buy

Tire Rack is the devil, I am a TR installer and it stinks. As others have said you can usually get better pricing locally plus you can return something if the customer doesn't show. On some things though like closeouts and certain performance stuff TR kills it, which kills our bottom line. Tires are the only thing we allow the customer to supply. This is mostly because many customers have snow tires to change every year, can't really say any other tire is different because its the same job. I do all I can to discourage customers from using TR. They wouldn't be able to be in business if not for us so why treat us so poorly. I'm thinking of adding a drop ship handling charge for customers that have tires shipped to us. TR won't like it but I could care less. Margins on tires here sink, we are in the 20-25% margin range plus install to stay competitive. We are a Yokohama Advantage dealer and make some on the back end through that plus on cheap china tires we bump the margin up to 30-33%. We try hard to recommend against them though even though that's what most of the local competition is installing.

In NYS we are required to notify the customer in writing. It can be on the RO or in a letter. We typically have no issue with someone leaving the car for a few days if they notify us. Most of the time I'll send a letter giving them 10 days to pickup the car before storage will begin to accrue. Most of the time that does the trick. Even for nuisance customers we often don't charge the complete amount but try to get something unless there is a reasonable excuse. In your case I would send him a letter, hope he comes in. If not you can seize the car depending on state regulations and send it to auction and hope to break even.

$65/day, mostly there for insurance companies and motivating nuisance customers.

A little off topic but how do you structure your diagnostic tiers? I need to find a better way to bill diagnostic time, especially a way to give the customer an idea of what they are in for before the job starts. Currently we bill most diagnostic fees hourly and tell the customer they should be prepared for at least an hour of time. I'm sure there is a better way though. As for a smoke machine, get one, who cars what brand. I can't imagine getting by without one. We have an OTC and it gets used nearly every day. To be safe you should get a nitrogen generator or a smoke machine that has one built in. Its technically dangerous to pump a fuel tank full of compressed air. Most modern cars have pump modules so the pump is never exposed to air but if you try it on something old there is a chance for explosion if you're not using nitrogen. I use the machine to find intake air leaks on metered air systems. Probably the #1 cause of fuel trims being long.

It take a little getting used to. I have drewtech j2534, plus many factory interfaces. I have three laptops with hard drives that I sway out depending on the software. BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, JLR, ect, found it better to have multiple different hard drives as most software didn't play nice together on the same machine. I originally did it with virtualization but the performance hit was to much. Its been a big learning curve and a lot of investment. Not sure if I've made my money back in programing fees but I'm building a reputation of being the shop that does stuff others can not. I've gotten lots of jobs from other shops by doing this as some customers have decided to keep their service here. Its almost too complicated for what its worth unless you focus on one particular manufacturer. But its the way the industry is going. It seems hard enough for the OE manufacturers to build software platforms that can properly access all the generations of software and modules they've made for the last two decades. I don't think we can expect aftermarket companies to continue to do it well. Its insane how many cars I hookup my Snapon Verus to and it can't read half the modules. OE software is the only way to know you've got all the tools you need.

A couple things to note here One, factory or aftermarket wheels? Remember that many aftermarket wheels use nut/bolt mating patterns that differ from factory so whenever there is a non stock wheel on the car always check. Offer to sell the customer the correct ones if they are wrong and if they decline make sure its noted on the RO. Two - There are a lot of comments here on corrosion. This is a super common problem especial here in the northeast where the roads are salted. If we have any trouble at all getting a wheel off, the hub and wheel are cleaned and coated. The wheel should slide on and fully seat with NO EFFORT. If the nuts/bolts are pulling the wheel in when remounting a wheel then something is wrong and it must be corrected. p.s. - don't forget to charge for it. Three - electric impacts, unreliable, use a wrench. We usually just use the air, not the best method but the only time I've run into an issue is if someone relied on the electric impact or didn't clean the wheel. Joe's method is the best and most thorough. I wish I had quality control like that. Maybe some day.

Good thinking, always use the resources at your disposal. :thumbsup:

This is the worst idea ever and is asking for trouble. The legal test for negligence is ignoring the duty to care in a case where a reasonably prudent person would do otherwise, and the situation caused harm. Break it down Did you have the opportunity to care? Yes, vehicle was in your shop, you are an expert at automotive safety by profession, you were aware that the vehicle was unsafe Did you care? No, by not adequately warning and attempting to prevent operation of said unsafe vehicle you did not do what a prudent person in your position would do (see other responses above for other options) Was there harm? Don't know, but are you willing to take the chance? What happens if someone gets killed, we all know its possible. What if a situation like TheTrustedMechanic posted happens? The bottom line is you are much better documenting the diagnosis, stating clearly that it is unsafe and charging for your time, even if its only $10 or $20 and estimating the repair. If your state have vehicle safety laws you can go the added length of demanding it be towed. By allowing the customer to drive off you are witnessing a legal violation that could cause serious harm and could also be negligent by not alerting the Police.

I can't stress this point enough and I hope some software companies listen. I worked in software development for ten years before moving back to the family business. We are working with cars that have network technology developed after most management platforms. Almost everything you can get in this industry that is not cloud based is built on database software that was developed 15-20 years ago and has been deprecated or unsupported for nearly a decade. That brings me to cloud based services, none that I have found understand what the term "mission critical" means. How can you expect to run your entire business off an entirely web based product with no local app or data cache. This means that if you have one of these products and you loose Internet connectivity or have any other network issue (tablet goes out of range) the software does not work and is inaccessible. I can't shut down my business because Verizon has problems with their DSL network. Not a risk that is worth taking and any software company that is developing a management platform should fully understand this. Technology to work around this problem has been around for 20+ years, they should learn about it.