DUFRESNES

Joe, I have chatted 2 times and called. That's just the way it is, they say.. There has to be another answer. We also Pay RO Writer $469 monthly and Back office for doing the merge of RO Writer to QB

I am fuming! January I paid $504 for QB payroll renewal for 2023. I just got an email saying they were going to charge $559. April 6 for 2023 QB. Then they charge according to how many employees we have. This come to over 1183 per year. We have RO Writer and pay them monthly that goes to the Back office, we pay them and then it dumps into QB. There must be a better way. Tell me what you are using for payroll and Bookkeeping. Tell me there must be a better way.

According to our financial planner mild recession with economy picking up later in the year. Hiring employees has become brutal.. I have a B tech stole away for a guarantee of $35.00 not depending on work. Also A tech being promising $50 guarantee. What do you guys think? Crazy not sure how this is going to shake out We had a great year,but now we are faced with a new year. I just did a report on EV's and Hybrids for Business Builders. I don't think they are going to impact us much, but probably later B

After paying over 13k for RO Writer in 2008, there monthly fee to us is $469.00 Is this normal for updates and if there is a problem. On top of that there is a yearly fee of 290.00 for Back office and now Quick Books makes you buy a new year and payroll each year. Am I the only one that thinks, there is something wrong with this picture. Please put this subject in the right place

So are you saying, scan then drop?

I have been using QB for ever, never heard of a scan feature. I have desktop pro 2022. Please show me how and explain. Thank you

You are right all of you. Still you have to keep track and see what works for your location. December 11, will be 54 years and I am still learning. Times keep changing and customers keep changing. For us Loaners at this time are worth it for us. Question Are you up this year over last year We are up over last year even with one less technician. What happens as soon as the car manufacturers start really selling cars again, Are we ready for the change????? Love all the different answers and how they work for each shop.

We off on Thursday Friday and the weekend. With this said, they have to reach $100,000. in October to get the November time off. We do have somebody transfer the phones to one of us. Employees deserve the time off. They are paid for Thanksgiving.

I know this is what they are always saying, my question is, what do you do if you find a couple of people you would like to hire, but you don't have a space for them. Then what

I guess I gave you the wrong opinion. We are in an up scale area. I have logmein at home. We take turns answering the phone on the weekends. So far today I have made 4 appointments 2 only when loaners are available. Both customers that need the loaners are the best customers with multiple cars in the family, but still need loaners. I'm alot older than both of you and I am learning every day. Right now it is half time and the Oregon Ducks are ahead of BYU. Go Ducks

Some of customers use Uber, very few. We used to use Enterprize, but since adding loaners our business has gone up substantially even during the pandemic. Each business must decide what works best for them.

We have 2 waiters a day. Usually for oil changes. Since the pandemic, we don't give rides home. We do have loaners. Best thing we ever did. Yes insurance is expensive on them. I don't know how we ever did it without them. We have 4. People are really grateful. We don't give them out for oil changes usually mostly for big jobs, unless they are a really good clients

We have 2 waiters a day. Usually for oil changes. Since the pandemic, we don't give rides home. We do have loaners. Best thing we ever did. Yes insurance is expensive on them. I don't know how we ever did it without them. We have 4. People are really grateful. We don't give them out for oil changes usually mostly for big jobs, unless they are a really good clients

Every and anything to make us stand out

I have heard of a master tech turning down a 6 dollar raise because the shop was not air conditioned. Do you think it is coming to this? I need a master tech. We have 1, but we always have 2 and 1 left. Please let me know thoughts and info.

I have heard of your way. Another is on gp. I am a lazy and want it good for both of us, but the easiest way

What was total sales, if you don't mind me asking

How much does your SW gross?

Since all of the above. Current to keep our technicians, we are paying 38-41 per flat hour plus benefits. Our B techs are 20-25 per hourly + comm.. Our service writer since writing this will make 131K this year if the next 6 months follow as the last 6 months. I think this is the only way to keep good employees. How are you paying Service Writers.?

It is very expensive to lose an employee, especially a master tech. We just hired a new person. We have to pay top wages and top benefits to keep the best. Weather you pay flat rate, salary or combo. Make sure the tech knows what he will be capable of making. He is looking out for himself and his family. Maybe we should do a forum on benefits.

I am so excited, this is an update to Air conditioning. We purchased our 1234 YF in December. Robinair. Then tech tells me we need a gas tester for leaks. We just got it, then we find out you need a tank with 95% Nitrogen and 5% Hydrogen. Yeah it works on R134A and 1234YF This vehicle had a very small leak and it showed right up. I was told this is what the professional HVAC people use. So as I see it, we won't have to be doing R134A over as warranty. We should be able to do it right the first time Master tech said it would not have found the small leak the way we had been doing it. We charge $225 for R134A and $550. for 123YF. Hope this helps anybody thinking of jumping in the Air Condition field.

We just hired new technician for the position of flat rate master tech. So glad. Thank the Lord, prayers answered along with top money. This is in answer to my COMPLACENT FORUM ABOVE.

You brought up a lot of questions and thoughts. 1st you are right, if they don't see it in their accounts, it isn't there. I have one employee, I showed him what he was making with benefits and commissions from last year and this year is better. He opted to take a straight hourly of $25.00 with no commission. Couldn't get through to him, it was a cut. What benefits we have broken down are: vacation 2 weeks after 5 years with one exception on Service Writer, started with 2 weeks. Paid holidays even if it falls on their day off. 401K we match up to 3%. All but 2 contribute at least 3% up to 10%. Coffee espresso and car parts for their selves and their immediate family parts at cost. Health Insurance is 50% off, dental is up to them and Aflac is theirs except I contribute $15.00 monthly to each employee that has Aflac On our bonus it is a sheet that we hang daily with their hours, sales either for commission or flat rate. The bonus part is they have to meet certain sales to get bonus. 50% goes on their check and 50% goes into their 401K all paid by employer. I was having a hard time getting them to work on time. So if they are even 1 minute late it counts as a late time. For every late time, they loose $10 off their bonus with 1 free time each 2 weeks. Service writer makes 8% of all sales. We pay more than most around here and are busy all the time. We have to, our place is not beautiful like some. I Wish it was, but county wouldn't let us do more than we did. Plus they are making a turn lane, bike lane which takes 3 parking spots from us. We put in 1 stackable lift behind the fence and probably will add 3 more. Not cheap

Don't get complacent! 1st of all we are having a great best year, with that said, things change. Our employees have all been here from 6 years to 20 years. Well, One of our Technicians is leaving for another shop with a salary of $100,000.00 He would be making this or almost this by flat rate of $41. He is fast, but has to pick up kids at different times, etc, life. We left the door open for him coming back. The shop he is going to does about 1/2 of our total sales. They have 2 Service writers. This doesn't compute to me. Oh, it is a partnership with a silent partner. Now my question. What are you paying flat or salary or combo for top diag tech ASE cert with electric and hybrid. What are your benefits. Ours are matching 401K, bonus shared by all employees, gloves, insurance (50%) espresso, vacation, Aflac Our lube techs with B qualifications 20-25 hourly plus 5% commission and master tech 38-41 flat with a possible 500 bonus each employee with 1/2 on pay check and 1/2 to 401k. SW makes 8% of all sales.

My belief is keep doing what works and look for new ways to wow your customers. It works. Track all marketing. This is our best year ever. I believe, when new cars become available, we will see a change again. As a small business, we can be ready to adjust and adjust to what ever is thrown at us.