LinconlnAutoRepair

We are currently using MAXTRAXX as well. I personally find it not that great as far as writing tickets. Maybe I am doing something wrong. I have to look up my labor times in Mitchell/Alldata, then I have to open up a labor line and retype the job description and input the job hours and the flat rate hours. Compared to when I use to use Mitchell, this takes forever especialy when just doing a quick quote for the customer. I wish they had a labor guide and jobs already installed on the Maxtraxx system. I don't like how the "quotes" are set up. I have a hard time after a customer comes in, we do an inspection, then I have to open a new ticket under quotes, and genterate the quote and do it for each upsell. I feel that I am creating all my own info, canned jobs, kits, parts and part #'s, labor guides, ect... I am feeling like Maxtraxx is just a spread sheet program with no real perks to it. The positive of the Maxtraxx though is the inventory control/tracking and the customer tracking. I do like being able to generate so many reports and tracking different things. Then again, I have to enter in all those jobs (be it LOF, diagnostics, tune ups) as opposed to them coming off the labor guide super quick and being able to just look up the labor times/job, clicking it and editing it on the actual RO. I LOVE that Maxtraxx allows you to email quotes/RO to customers and it sends text messages. This has been big in getting customers to come back and staying in contact with them.

I use demand force and so far haven't seen a huge ROI. Granted, I get a lot of customer reviews that are positive and that's great, but as far as people coming back in because they got a text or email, that has been rare. They usually just come back because they need a repair or the lube sticker said it was time

I've tried to implement this practice, but find a lot of "techs" don't have ASE. The sad thing is, a LOT of people that turn their apps in are older 30-50 and have a ton of experience, just never bothered to take the test or thing it's too hard. I personally don't get it, I started getting ASE as fast/soon as I could because at my first real mechanic job, the boss did the same thing as Joe. $1/hr raise for every cert and pay for the test. I've tried offering it to my lube techs, but they don't have the drive for it. I think it should be a requirement to hire, because I am seeing way to many kids coming from the trade schools with no common knowledge and weak diagnostic skills. Then again, if ASE was easy, everyone would have them.

Ill look up the actual brand and info but we have installed the hardwired ones and the wireless ones. Like anything, the more you spend the better you get. Most attach to the license plate or we drill and install them into the bumper. Wireless is nice and pretty straight forward. Placement of the LCD screen is key and making it look clean and not mickey mouse is the hardest part. From what I've read of your posts I know you don't do mickey mouse lol. I've gotten kits from Pep Boys (decent but nothing special) and Napa. I don't know if there is an OEM kit, depends on what year the Highlander is, but I would assume anything factory would be expensive, and since there are so many aftermarket set ups, there really is no reason.

Thats really interesting. I have a question. Do you know which form of Alldata you're using? I have the S3000? setup, not the Pro. Do you know what the difference is? I agree that Mitchell can be a pain to use, like when you use the search function for tune up info, but as far as the estimator goes and the ease of generating a quote, I haven't found an easier set up. Real Time Labor guide is close, thats for sure, but I like how in Mitchell you can have all the previous suggested services with the customer and just click to transfer them over along with the required time/date stamp and method of contact. Is there any other real option for repair info besides Alldata (either pro or S3000) or Mitchell?

We have Napapro link as well. Its nice but you do have to be a napa auto care center in order to reap the benefits of it. We have ALLDATA and I have to be honest. I feel it lacks a lot to be desired. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to find basic stuff (both labor times and repair info) and its no where to be found when you preform the general search. If you know how to look for stuff on it under the sub headings, SOMETIMES you can find it. I have used the entire Mitchelle 1 set up and truly feel its the easiest to generate quotes and keep up with customers history. Right now we are using MAXXTRAXXS and it is complete crap. Horriable user intferface and you can not search previous work orders unless you know the invoice number. Also, generating quotes takes a while and its not like Mitchelle where you can just click and transfer over the job from the estimating book. When it comes to using ALLDATA for labor estimating, I have found their labor times to be on the short side and they don't often offer the extra time needed. IE Pull drive/engine 6.4 hours. There is nothing said about extra time to discharge the AC system, Radiator, Wiring harness, ect... you have to know the trade to know where to add on. Granted Mitchelle is pricey, but there are ways to get discouns, (NAPA AUTO CARE) and other ways. If I would start again, I would prob just go Mitchelle and be done with it. There is no real "perfect" program out there yet, its whats the best out of whats offered. JMO

I find that people have the best of intentions of doing future work, but like most things in life they just simply forget about it. I have a separate calendar and will put down the customer and quote and will usually hit them up again with a phone call. Sometimes I'll even just send a text. Now a days, a lot of people won't even check their voicemail (me being one of those people lol). Between family, work, life, and kids, remember that the mechanic told me I'll need brakes soon falls short in the memory/priority list. People are busy, so call call call. It seems to work well with a follow up phone call just to remind them about what was needed. You can't make money if you aren't aggressive and calling and following up. I personally don't like the email approach as I tend to not really open/read letters from people that I don't regularly talk to. I believe that Mitchelle has a text option as well which would be nice. Nice topic Joe, Thanks!

When I first started in the business, I worked for the "Old Man" who loved to yell and berate you. Granted his business was strong and he had been in business for over 60 years, his employee turn over rate was insane. The average employee lasted no more than 3 years. Now that I have gotten old and experienced many different styles of leadership, I find that morale is one of the most critical factors in shop productivity and employee retention. Your article was right on. You can't force your core values on people, but you can try and instil them in people and hire the right people that fit your style from the start. Good Job Joe! Thanks!